Tag Archives: california winemaking

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2011 The Count, Founder’s Red Wine, Buena Vista; 2013 Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc

A rare two-for, a his and hers special to accompany a delicious birthday meal at Fleming’s steak house in Charlotte, NC. His is the domestic Cabernet blend; hers is the imported white.

2011/2012 The Count, Founder's Red Wine, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

2011/2012 The Count, Founder’s Red Wine, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

His accompanied a Caeser salad and a medium filet mignon, served on a plate that was even hotter than the steak. The Caesar, amply showered with fresh pepper, had a cool crisp of breadstuff served with it, a buttery treat that was pretty excellent. The dressing was a bit heavy but the steak just buttery smooth. The filet was cooked just about perfect and matched up well with the well-balanced red–an easy selection to make from a favorite Sonoma vineyard. You taste smooth blackberries here, some subtle mild accents too. They are nearly hidden from the palate but come alive as you taste the 2011/2012 The Count.

Her Marlborough-originated Sauvignon Blanc accompanied a Caesar as well. A gossamer of gold in a big fishbowl of a glass, the Loveblock shimmered in the intimate restaurant light and matched the twinkle in my wife’s eyes. It complemented a Chilean sea bass and spicy risotto that seemed just fantastic. The Loveblock, an organic white from New Zealand, is a fresh, fragrant-smelling offering from winemakers Kim and Erica Crawford and is really expressive on the nose. Your author is more of a red fan but appreciated the excellent work here in the 2013 vintage.

We enjoyed these wines–plus a chocolate truffle (with wisps of a great raspberry swirl) dessert and a cheesecake with blueberry sauce–not only to celebrate the occasion but also as a part of Restaurant Week in the Queen City. We’ve had a great time in town over the past week and look forward to next year’s event (and more good wines!) already.

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2012 Old Wine Zinfandel, Bogle Vineyards

Years ago at a work dinner in Cambridge I was introduced to Bogle for the first time, a lively and affordable red, while my hosts and I talked about the merits of Amarone. (I personally had yet to discover Amarone–hadn’t even heard of it, honestly–but filed away Bogle as a nod-worthy crowd pleaser that brought about a table full of happy dinner guests.) I have had several more Bogles since that time and enjoyed each. Even on this occasion I had set out to find a new Syrah, but the label and reputation of Old Vine Bogle did catch my eye and here we are.

2012 Old Wine Zinfandel, Bogle Vineyards, California, USA.

2012 Old Wine Zinfandel, Bogle Vineyards, California, USA.

This guy is a fan of Zinfandel, and in particular on those occasions where we’re doing some sort of grilling. Burgers, chicken…something where the inherent spiciness of the Zin has a chance to get out and roll around a glass, make itself welcome. Love that stuff. So where was I?

Tonight we paired up the 2012 Old Wine Zinfandel of Bogle Vineyards with grilled pork chops, slathered in a spicy mustard and white wine sauce, and it held up to the challenge. The pork was juicy, the marinade inviting, and the wine a good complement to it all. Little bit of red berry, little bit of pepper making itself known.

The winemaker offers these additional nuggets for you on the vintage: “…takes delicious fruit from the 2012 vintage and creates a wine lively with red cranberries and pink peppercorns. Hints of a hillside briar patch in summer waft through the wine as well, while spicy clove heightens at the finish from the oak aging.”

Is that all accurate? Pepper, yes, and the red berries too. Some of that language is a bit aggrandized but not too far from the mark when you strip away all the marketing B.S. and just concentrate on the grapes. I enjoyed our dinner and the Old Vine Zinfandel both.

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Notes’ Top 5 Wine Surprises of 2014

Notes Of Note shared feedback on all kinds of wine in 2014. Some, like any Buena Vista offering or the Laurent-Perrier, are great grapes and would class up any occasion or event. This is not a “best of” list, though, but instead a quick thumbnail of several beverages that exceeded expectations or earned a raised eyebrow upon consuming. Put any of these on your “to do” lists and enjoy the year ahead:

  • 2011 Boom Boom! Syrah. Packed full of spices and reminds me of great summer fun with friends at Lake Gaston.
  • 2012 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s name feels gimmicky, but the wine holds its own against much pricier boutique bottles from California.
  • 2012 Mumm Napa Cuvee, M Sparkling Wine. The champagne approach is executed well and, interestingly, the celebratory beverage of the 2014 World Series champs.
  • 2011 Petite Petit. Best recommendation I received all year (thanks Winestore) and so much crazy fruit flavor in one fun-labeled bottle. Bet you go back for more after you have your first…
  • 2010 Summation Red Wine Blend. Kendall-Jackson is no small, secret “back room” operation but this blend was a gem that I’d never heard of before and knocked my socks off.

Thanks to everyone who shared bottles and good times over our glasses in 2014. Hoping your own celebrations tonight include good grapes and cheers to you all for a happy, healthy 2015.

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2012 Mumm Napa Cuvée M, Sparkling Wine

There are many ways to finish off a great holiday evening. One favored in my family is a chocolate cream pie, a flaky-crusted treat layered with plenty of cream and just the right amount of dark, sweet goodness. That’s what we had for dessert tonight, capping off an enjoyable Christmas celebration, perfectly accompanied by the 2012 Mumm Napa Cuvée M, Sparkling Wine.

2012 Mumm Napa Cuvee M, Sparkling Wine, Napa, USA.

2012 Mumm Napa Cuvee M, Sparkling Wine, California, USA.

I was an immediate fan. The bubbly was great as it intertwined with the chocolate in the pie; not too sweet and not too tart. This 2012 Mumm Napa Cuvée M is the byproduct of grapes from more than 50 vineyards–surely Pinot Noir and Chardonnay among them*–that are blended only after the initial fermentation process in order to keep some of the nuances of the individual fruit. For a sparkling wine, the Mumm Napa Cuvée M was not too dry and had a very level, balanced finish.

From the winemaker‘s notes: “Cuvée M exhibits a graceful stream of very fine bubbles gently rising to a persistent mousse cordon with a light peach rose color. The aromas are elegant, rich and complex, showing fresh white and yellow stone fruits with subtle hints of wild strawberry. A light touch of fresh brioche, with hints of vanilla and honey add to the wine’s complex bouquet. On the palate, full flavors of peach and pear combine with a creamy caramel character, which lingers into a long satisfying finish.”

It’s got a light, peach and citrus bouquet and taste to be sure, working effectively with the chocolate sweetness to brighten our evening. I didn’t necessarily hit the strawberry referenced above, but I am not really a fan of a strawberry and did not go pulling on this thread to separate it from the overall tapestry of taste that is the Cuvée M. Incidentally, it’s this wine that the San Francisco Giants used in both 2012 and 2014 in order to celebrate their World Series Championships. I’m less a fan of the champs, but really happy with their good luck drink that is the Cuvée M. Enjoy…

*Ed. note: Additional research reveals the actual makeup of the Cuvée M as 48% Chardonnay, 43% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Gris, and 3% Pinot Meunier.

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2012 Red Blend, Bell Canyon Napa Reserve

It’s the profile of the winemaker that originally drew me to the first reserve–the 2012 Red Blend–from Bell Canyon in Napa. We’ll revisit that idea in a later post on the 2012. For the time being, let’s focus instead on the wine itself.

2012 Red Blend, Bell Canyon Cellars Napa Reserve, Napa, California, USA.

2012 Red Blend, Bell Canyon Cellars Napa Reserve, Napa, California, USA.

You have some big, juicy grapes in play here. It’s easy to think cherries in some dominant way, with other dark berries in the mix, and just a hint of vanilla (less desired by this taster) too. I detect some spice accents, particularly as you swirl it in red waves around the glass, that come through in the taste too. It’s yards from a Pinot Noir, and more seasoned than a Merlot. The 2012 Red Blend Bell Canyon Napa Reserve is probably described by experts as a ‘Bordeaux-style’ red; I think of it more like a Cabernet Sauvignon that has a shallower tone to it. Is it wrong to talk about wine as a tone? I just mean a true Cabernet can have similar accents but is somehow deeper in its profile.

I’d also offer the analogy that the 2012 Red Blend is to (just one recent example) the 2012 Carnivore Cab as a tenor is to a bass. Does that make sense to you now?

Additional context–I’m having the Bell Canyon tonight during the cocktail hour but opened it earlier this week when having ground beef, a cheeeesy macaroni and cheese, and some broccoli. I was caught in some work-related time constraints at that time, but this evening it’s more about relaxing and mulling over this fine red wine from the country’s best known region. More on this bottle in the future!

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2012 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the deepest, darkest-colored wine I’ve ever seen, this carnivor loved the Carnivor this weekend. We pulled the cork last night and started working through it with some well-seasoned steaks, as the day was unseasonably temperate here for December and begged for some outdoor grilling. That was a vintage Cabernet Sauvignon meal, and I polished off the bottle tonight with some pasta and chicken. Also pretty damn good.

2012 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon California USA

2012 Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA.

Seriously, this wine isn’t red in the glass. It’s nearly purple. It’s got a fantastic bouquet for an affordable California cab. It’s virtually opaque in the glass, not even a little translucency as you swirl the 2012 vintage around. I’d more appropriately describe the 2012 Carnivor’s color by referencing the elevators of blood at the end of Kubrick’s The Shining–to the delight of the winemaker I’m sure. And it’s packed with dark fruits…cherry, most certainly, blackberry, maybe even one of those exotic type brambleberry deals…but all well balanced and with a smooth, easy finish.

At first the bottle/label design seemed familiar to me, but I’m thinking now I’m mistaken. My wife picked out this winner and, though it reminded me of a Vampire-themed wine I’d bought for a neighborhood Halloween party some years ago (not 2014), this is actually the first bottle of Carnivor I’ve had the pleasure of consuming. It’s an excellent buy for the money, and we’ll surely have others to write about in future posts for Note. Hoping you’ll enjoy it too.

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2013 Mark West Pinot Noir

A Friday night beverage, one that I sorely wanted after a work week that left me battered, bruised, and extremely tired. I’m sure that feeling is not unique and was a holdover from an extra-long Thursday that had fewer wins than I’d hoped.

2013 Mark West Pinot Noir, California USA

2013 Mark West Pinot Noir, California, USA.

Mark West, particularly the Pinot, is no stranger in our home. The Pinot Noir is slightly overpriced in NJ and better here in NC–but the 2013 is still not a bargain. It’s ususally fruit-forward but this one just feels rushed. Less nuanced, less undertones. Less distinguished, and generally underwhelming.

To be clear, we did knock this bottle right back. In retrospect, I chalk that up more to having great food, conversation, and company than to the wine itself. With all the great grapes from which we can choose, Mark West–at least the 2013–will not be on our table again until the calendar (or vintage) flips.

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2012 Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Great meal tonight, a mustard-coated pork chop with our favorite orzo pasta and arugula salad, and featuring brussel sprouts as our vegetable. The sprouts were slow cooked in a pan with butter, holdovers from our Thanksgiving, and perfect for popping as we talked about the day’s challenges, and still delicious when we ate them with our dinner and the 2012 Josh Cellars Cab.

2012 Josh Cellars, Cabernet Sauvignon California USA

2012 Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA.

Judging by the “Josh” story I’m pretty sure I’ve had the Josh Cellar experience at least once previously. That time it was the 2011 Merlot; this time it was an enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon with a warm, home-cooked meal. There’s some smoke in the works here, some spice–a couple of my favorite accents–and an enticing interplay of dusky fruits and berries.

It’s a work night, however, so less time to ramble on here about the effect of the Josh or the meal itself. Suffice it to say we’re full, heart healthy here for tonight, and looking forward to the weekend and fun guests.

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2012 Count’s Selection Syrah – Old WInery Road, Buena Vista

Two glasses, two eager, excited glasses drinking from the 2012 Count’s Selection Syrah – Old WInery Road, and two glasses that we could not keep filled this Saturday evening as we gnosh on pan-seared steaks, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. The steaks were excellent, lean and delicious, and left us just a healthy bite for the dog as well. The mashed potatoes were fluffed and had just enough lumps in ’em. The asparagus–were they organic?–were really good but perhaps a bit thin or young.

2012 Count's Selection Syrah - Old WInery Road, Buena Vista, California, USA.

2012 Count’s Selection Syrah – Old WInery Road, Buena Vista, California, USA.

 

But for me? You know the highlight of the meal for this guy was the 2012 Count’s Selection Syrah – Old WInery Road from the team at Buena Vista. My favorite winery and one of Sonoma’s most storied vineyards, tonight they offered our family a fantastic dark, fruity, and spiced syrah. Killer beverage. I’d say plain and simple, but this wine is way too special for that trite phrase. This syrah is fragrant, it’s got one of my favorite pepper flavors, a deep purple color, and amazing taste.

If my phrasing doesn’t convey enough for you, he winemaker describes thusly: “Our 2012 Count’s Selection Sonoma Valley Syrah is a richly colored wine with a dense core of dark fruit flavors, notes of black pepper and touches of leather and chocolate that impresses immediately but expressly opens after a brief decant.”

I can tell you we did not decant for any period, and the Count was still a really great beverage. We had bottle 1886 of the 325 cases that the winemaker produced. Perhaps one that we should reorder while Buena VIsta will offer a 30% discount?