Tag Archives: california winemaking

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Schug 2011 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

The first bottle in a new Pinot Noir series, the Schug 2011 we opened Friday for a “sneak peek” and then polished off the rest this Saturday evening.  It’s a lovely Pinot, a light red delight that contrasted in fascinating ways to the heavier Bordeauxs and Cabs that we have favored more recently.

Friday the Schug accompanied tuna and salmon sushi, and Saturday it was matched up with pepperoni pizza.  It complemented both favorably; this Pinot filled in tastes missing in the raw food yesterday and blunted some of the Italian red vibe of our pie today.  The Schug definitely has red fruit berries as dominant flavors, but with a hint of subtle spices too.  Though it’s the holiday season and our home smells of all kinds of warm, inviting scents, I cannot place what’s in the 2011 varietal.

The next one will be a treat and encourage you to find one for yourself.

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2011 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, Noble Vines

With fall temperatures shifting, it’s the full-bodied reds that seem to make their way to our evenings and dinner tables with greater frequency.  Tonight it was the 337 Cabernet Sauvignon from Nobel Vines, the Menteca, California winemaker.  My wife picked this one and sipped from a stemmed glass; I from a Riedel Bordeaux stemless glass.  No real intention there as much as what was handy as we uncorked the bottle.

2011 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, California, USA.

2011 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, California, USA.

We picked the 337 primarily because our meal consisted of wax beans, peas, garlic mashed potatoes, and killer steaks.  The latter, selected fresh from the deli, held in a ton of flavor and juice.  Great seasoning too, much like our Cabernet selection.  The 2011 vintage contains a slew of red fruit scents; some spice as well, and those combinations always seem to work well for me.  I can see this complementing pasta just as effectively as it did our steaks.

The winemaker claims, “Noble Vines 337 is the most coveted Cabernet Sauvignon vine stock in Bordeaux, France.  These rare vines are prized for their concentrated flavor and thrive in the red soils and cobblestones of our Lodi vineyard.”  Okay, some self-aggrandizing in that label, but the results do stand up favorably to the Bordeauxs and Cabs we have sampled as of late.

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2009 Lyeth Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection

This Private Selection Lyeth bundles together so many facets of a good wine–it’s a special gift from dear friends, it tastes fantastic, and we appreciated the hell out of it.  Originating from a quiet pocket of northern Sonoma County, this 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes at you silky smooth…it’s got an easy way about it that reminds you of a favorite Bordeaux and just engenders a great tasting experience.

2009 Lyeth Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection, Sonoma, California, USA.

2009 Lyeth Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection, Sonoma, California, USA.

Lyeth Estates was established some 30 years ago by a winemaker who purportedly aspired to the red blends of Bordeaux, and the 2009 Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is very much in this style.  My unrefined palate can’t quite break down the profile of this wine, but its finish has less tannins than other Cabs I’ve sampled, and of course I wonder if the Private Selection adds splashes of Pinot Noir, Verdot, or perhaps Merlot to calm down the aftertaste.  I think I get some blackberry in this deep, red beauty from the Alexander Valley, but it could be some other dark fruit and I really can’t be sure–except to say that it’s very enjoyable.  There’s some spice aroma here too…not quite tobacco, vanilla, or some dominant earthiness, but something.  You’ll have to taste it for yourself to hone in further.

As far as the foodstuffs go, you can see that we  paired up the 2009 Lyeth Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection with ravioli, seasoned with olive oil, fresh basil, and tomato.  Sort of a traditional combination but one that worked well for the two of us.  So thank you, friends, for your generosity and your taste.  We’ll see you soon and send our very best regards in the interim.

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Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast

The final bottle of our Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, shipment brought a wistful smile to my face as we pulled its cork.  Lions had a good run for our family, and it will for yours too.  For us, it accompanied pepperoni pizza on this occasion and has worked well with steaks and the like with previous bottles.

Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvigon, North Coast, California, USA

Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvigon, North Coast, California, USA

As with previous tastings, you get the initial impression of cherry/berry and some dark hint of something…in reading about an Amarone today I encountered the description “fresh leather” but that’s not quite the right fit for the earthiness here in the Chasing Lions 2010.  It’s got a pleasant smell and an easy finish.  Unless you’re prone to heartburn, you’ll find the Lions a simple, delicious complement to your grilled meat.  We have a couple of great Pinot Noirs and Bordeauxs from which to select but tonight the Cabernet Sauvignon was the right move.

Grower James Harder was advised years ago by his grandfather to “get off the [family] ranch and ‘go chase lions'”.  The 2010, at least, shows a worthwhile pursuit.  Time for yours now…

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2011 Carignane, The Count’s Selection, Mendocino County, Buena Vista

Until this evening, we had never heard of a Carignane.  Given its Buena Vista pedigree, though, it felt like an easy selection as my wife and I enjoyed our first weekend together in our new home in the South.  Plus, some of our other options are still packed so the choice is as much about accessibility as it is our favorite Sonoma winery.

2011 Carignane, The Count's Selection, Mendocino County, Buena Vista, California, USA.

2011 Carignane, The Count’s Selection, Mendocino County, Buena Vista, California, USA.

Right away you get a whiff full of red berries (cherry? strawberry? raspberry?), very Pinot Noir-like in its nose.  The 2011 Carignane had that medium-red color of a Pinot as well.  We paired this red with steaks (skillet-style but expertly seasoned), potatoes, and broccoli.  This Buena Vista was very smooth yet had a very subtle tannin feel to it, perhaps a bit more pronounced than with a Pinot Noir but perhaps because of its age at the time of consumption too.

Here’s what the folks at Buena Vista offer: “This medium-bodied wine opens with a nose of wild strawberries and red raspberries, a touch of anise and a very distinct minerality that rounds out the bright fruit and allows for a long finish.  With lighter tannins and nice acidity, hints of dried orange peel and herbs bring a delightful depth to the full-fruit contents.”

I didn’t catch any of the orange hints, and I’m not sure what anise brings to the table here, but the fruity underpinnings do ring through loud and clear.  We’re talking limited production run, as Buena Vista only output 250 cases of the Carignane but I’d be a willing consumer of another such bottle.

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BV Coastal Estates 2007 Riesling, California, USA

Several summers ago this amateur oenophile was on a verifiable Riesling kick.  The warm temperatures and the opportunity to unwind Friday nights on the patio seemed to propel me toward Riesling–at that time it was Twisted River.  I’m no longer sure if it was the amazing environment or the wine that was the real draw, as I’ve since tried multiple Rieslings and many seem far too sugary for my palate.

BV Coastal Estates 2007 Riesling, California, USA

BV Coastal Estates 2007 Riesling, California, USA

Earlier this week, however, I packed up many of the reds and some Chardonnays and shipped them south toward our new digs.  The 2007 BV Riesling did stay close at hand and tipped into our remaining glassware on several nights this week.  That in and of itself is interesting–in part for its rich, apple-pear scent and in part for its apple juice coloring.  It’s much deeper than a Grigio or Chardonnay, both of which rate much higher in our house in overall taste.

The BV is so sweet.  It could accompany a dessert, it could accompany a dry cheese, but it really needs to be offset with something to take the edge off the sugar.  Granted, we did finish the bottle (though it took three days)…but I really regretted failing to keep a Bordeaux or a Pinot Noir on hand to get through the last of the packing, particularly with the evening temperatures cooling.

The BV 2007 Riesling will have its fans, but I’m unfortunately not one.  At this point, I’m more interested in learning if it’s the grape itself that I’ve moved past.   We’ll see.

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Meiomi 2012 Pinot Noir

So pleased to have another go at this blend of grapes from California’s Sonoma (26%), Santa Barbara (23%), and Monterrey County (51%) regions. My brother was visiting for the weekend and, hearing of how well the 2011 vintage went over in our house, he brought along this treat to help us all celebrate the good time.

I actually opened the 2012 late Saturday night after the Rockland Boulders vs. New Jersey Jackals baseball game (won by the visitors), when all driving was done for the day and it was time to relax and tell stories from the ballpark. Great bouquet of fruit and damp earth immediately greets you, spills out into your glass, and engenders your smile at the promise of berries to follow.

And then do I do the Meiomi justice? Depends on how you view a good Pinot Noir when it’s “paired” with delicious homemade frozen yogurt (coffee flavored, with all the extra care and touches!) and pretzels. Pretty damn fine in that situation, if you ask me, but gives you an idea what kind of refined palate I have. If that’s not quite what you have in mind, know that we had this bottle and a second too the following Sunday afternoon with shrimp cocktail and then dinner–blue cheese salad [with bacon and fresh-roasted potatoes] and grilled filet mignon. I think our merry band of revelers would have said some of the steaks were slightly too well done; other pieces slightly underdone. The good news here is the Meiomi 2012 bore up under all those varying demands.

It’s sort of kicked up Pinot Noir…almost striving for the weight of a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. This bottle didn’t seem to have quite the same spice feel that the 2011 vintage had, but that only dawns on me now in hindsight so it’s fruity profile makes up a complex fun wine. Glad I had a chance for more.

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Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast

Our second take on the Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, a red blend from Napa Valley, California.  Nice reward for a day of hard work, Lions comprises Cabernet Sauvignon (82%), Merlot (10%), and Petite Verdot (8%) and those who follow Notes will see immediately why it strikes a chord for this grape fan.  Produced by Jim Ragusci (and some friends) of Ragusci Vineyards in Stag’s Leap, it’s aged 18 years in French oak–not necessarily my favorite approach but used to good effect here.

Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA.

Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA.

We paired the Chasing Lions 2010 with pasta salad, steamed broccoli, and beef.  The wine’s earthy scent, its aromas of dark berries, nicely complemented the starches and spices of our dinner.  Here are some specifics from the experts:

“It shows dark fruit aromas of black cherries, violets, and cassis.  Blackberry, anise, and raspberry notes enhance the bouquet.  Drinks beautifully now but like its predecessors, the 2010 has the structure and finesse to allow it to develop for at least an additional five to seven years.”

Looks like my first impression wasn’t too far off and, though I don’t get the raspberry note at all in my tasting, you might be interested to reflect back on those observations as I myself did.  Still think the smooth finish and the easy comfort of the Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast make it a great addition to your meal.

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Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast

A new shipment–featuring this Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast–arrived Wednesday and we nearly made it to the weekend before sampling this new red.  Thursday night we had our first exposure, and it was a good one.  Pulling the cork unleashed a deep, earthy scent.  Definitely Cabernet Sauvignon undertones, with the richness and dark berries, and in this one we also got a whiff of an “aged barrel” scent.

Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvigon, North Coast, California, USA

Chasing Lions 2010 Cabernet Sauvigon, North Coast, California, USA

So, promising out of the gate, right?  We thought so too, swirling and sipping after our long work days.  On Thursday the Lions preceded a ground beef and pasta meal (rather than accompanying it); Friday night this North Coast red was intentionally paired with a pan-seared filet mignon and chopped salad.  Worked well in these settings, to be sure.  We have a couple more bottles of this enjoyable Cabernet, so let me save the notes of the experts and the winemaker for a future post.  I haven’t been biased with any such reviews as of yet so here’s our first take:

Great first impression, with a cherry(?) berry flavor mixed with a dark rawness…that soil kind of vibe that I first mentioned above.  It seems intentional to this observer.  The Lions has a smooth finish, and less of a tobacco or spice feel that I’ve described in other recent Cabernets in Notes of Note.  Those type of nuances are what sets apart a “good” Cabernet like this one seems to be from others I’d call “great”.

Interesting as well: We often take down a bottle over the course of two evenings, recorking for the night.  Most have equal or better value the second tasting, but the Lions notably did not.  Will be interesting to see if I have a different take next time, assuming we partake over just a single tasting.  Stay tuned for more!

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Buena Vista 2010 Pinot Noir, Otelia’s Selection

Almost a month ago, Notes covered the 2008 Otelia and it’s a pleasure to taste today the 2010 vintage.  I have a tendency to save Buena Vista offerings for big occasions, but this one fell into “grip it and rip territory” and figured it was a much better option than the French Pinot Noir I had (briefly) considered as an alternative.  Live for today, right?

OteliaThe 2010 Otelia arrived as part of our February 2013 shipment (interesting comparison to the 2008, which arrived as part of our February 2012 shipment) and was pretty notable itself.  Our tasting notes from the winery read, “The 2010 Otelia’s Selection Pinot Noir offers alluring aromas of cherry, black cardamom [note: this always reminds me of classic Cheers bar wars], plum, and Mandarin orange peel.  Cranberry and dark chocolate truffle mingle seamlessly with a delicious carmelized toastiness on the palate, while the wine’s balanced acidity and structure lead to a long, lasting finish.”

This Otelia first kept company with a simple meal of ground beef and pasta, its red-berried goodness working as an effective complement to the salt and spice of the dinner.  The darker berries were evident on the nose, but I cannot say either my wife or I detected the orange referenced by the Buena Vista team.  It is indeed smooth, however, and definitely finds an easy finish in your palate.  Tonight the 2010 Otelia Pinot Noir will be served with barbecued chicken breast, crispy crown potatoes, and fresh corn off the cob.  I’m confident it will play well with the carbs and spices, engendering not heartburn but a fruity mouthfeel that results in smiles all around.  It has less of the earthy tone that I admire in Cabernets, but has the underpinnings of “velvet berries” that I often prefer in domestic Pinot Noirs.

We’re finishing bottle number 0367 of only 280 cases, and that exclusivity helps me–whether artificial or actual–feel like we’re onto something special.  Thanks to Buena Vista, you’re in good hands either way.  Be sure to enjoy one of these for yourself.