Tag Archives: california winemaking

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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.

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Rodney Strong Estate Pinot Noir 2011

The Russian River Valley is famous for its great wines and, like other notable regions in California wine country, the unique climates and soils that make grape growing so fascinating and rewarding for the vineyards located here.  Years ago on an amazing summer vacation, my wife and I learned that it’s the cool evenings and perfect year-round weather that make for effective growing seasons and the maturity of the grapes in this part of the country.  The Rodney Strong Vineyards is one such beneficiary, and those of us who sample its work from time to time are winners as well.

Rodney Strong Estate Pinot Noir 2011, Russian River Valley, California, USA.

Rodney Strong Estate Pinot Noir 2011, Russian River Valley, California, USA.

Even though we had a great Pinot Noir already open and beckoning, we vaulted this 2011 to the head of the class to accompany our Sunday dinner.  Our pork tenderloin, sliced into heavenly slabs each about an inch thick, had basked all afternoon in a great marinade of olive oil, basil, garlic, and lemon juice, and was grilled (thermometer-aided) to a tender finish.  Accompanying this was a delicious medley of Israeli couscous and quinoa that my mother magicked up with some roasted red pepper, feta cheese, calamatta olives, cucumbers, and white balsamic vinegar–as well as the Rodney Strong Estate Pinot Noir 2011.

Here’s the rundown from the winemakers at Strong: “Soft and silky, with intriguing floral and crushed pomegranate aromas, this medium-bodied wine was aged for nine months in small, French oak barrels which added a hint of toasty vanilla and spice complexity.  Ideal for current enjoyment, this Pinot Noir will age nicely over the next two to four years.”

If you read NotesOfNote with any regularity, you know that vanilla notes doesn’t usually play too highly in this house.  This scent is more locked away in the 2011 Pinot Noir from Rodney Strong, though, and I don’t think I would even have noticed if not for the prompt from the winemaker.  I think that’s a good thing but try it for yourself and see if you agree.

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Meiomi 2011 Pinot Noir

Okay, you saw the name and immediately made your guess on its pronunciation.  It’s the word “coast” (phonetically ‘May-OH-mee‘) in the language of California’s Wappo tribe and an apt title for this blend of grapes from three of California’s leading regions–Sonoma County (26%), Santa Barbara County (23%), and Monterrey County (51%).  Many of their best qualities are swirled together in this winner, which we’ve luckily sampled over the course of the last three evenings.

Meiomi 2011 Pinot Noir, Rutherford, California, USA.

Meiomi 2011 Pinot Noir, Rutherford, California, USA.

Friday it accompanied hors d’oeuvres–cheeses and olives and whatnot–and struck such a chord with us that the Meiomi actually stuck around for our fabulous salmon dinner.  Peppered perfectly, the salmon had baked just to taste.  It wasn’t so dry that it flaked at fork touch, nor so rare that it resembled sashimi (which I do love).  A vegetable medley of red peppers, green onions, broccoli, and baby potatoes rounded out the meal and was a great backdrop for the Pinot Noir.  This may seem like an unlikely pairing to some but it worked very effectively.

Meiomi must be shaped in part by Joseph J. Wagner, a fifth-generation winemaker whose family has deep roots in Napa Valley.  He did a great job if he had a hand in this one.  Dark, pungent, and earthy, this spicy Pinot Noir has genuine oomph to it.  It’s not some weak-bellied Pinot that goes easy on the flavor.  To the contrary, it’s muscular.  It’s substantive.  It announces its presence as soon as the bottle is uncorked, and you can tell just from the initial waft of dark cherry or blackberry (or the like) and its spicy undertones that you are in for a treat.  If you are more biased toward vanilla hints and strawberry-tasting Pinots this is not really your bag but if you like your reds to give a good shot in the arm this is it.

The Meiomi worked just as effectively the next night accompanying a local pizza pie, and again the next with a marinated pork loin that was grilled in the hot July evening.  I’d put it in my top 10 for sure and have to think about a larger move if I had the good fortune to sample another bottle.  Get yours today.

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Buena Vista 2008 Pinot Noir, Otelia’s Selection

Buena Vista 2008 Pinot Noir, Otelia's Selection, Sonoma, California, USA.

Buena Vista 2008 Pinot Noir, Otelia’s Selection, Sonoma, California, USA.

The good folks at Buena Vista had sent the 2008 Otelia as our February 2012 club shipment, and we finally pulled it this hot and uncomfortable July weekend.  Here’s their thinking on its composition: “Named for the Count’s youngest daughter, the 2008 Otelia’s Selection Pinot Noir is plum in color, with wonderful aromas of dark fruits, black raspberry, chocolate, and white peppercorn that delights the nose.  On the palate, rich grilled flavors emerge with a core of currant, raspberry, and hints of coco [sic] bean.  The wine shows excellent balance with a nice tannin structure and smooth texture.”

Part of the reason the Buena Vista Pinots strike such a chord in our house is because they are more dark fruits (e.g., black raspberry, currant) and earthy spices (e.g., peppercorn) as opposed to strawberry and vanillas that I find a bit too cloying.  The 2008 Otelia hits a whole of lot of marks for us and will for you too, if you can find it.  The winery seems to have moved on to the 2010, which too sounds fantastic but we have yet to taste it.

I’m savoring the last glass of the bottle just now as we usher in Sunday evening, but it was a key to a great Friday night meal of grilled steak (seasoned with pepper and salt if memory serves), fresh corn from the cob, and some potato salad.  Even though it was probably still 90+ degrees by dinner time, the Pinot Noir was enjoyable and worked well with the flavors of the grilled steak.  Definitely smooth and probably even better for you if you are pulling it from some place with better temperature control than we have in our basement.

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Buena Vista 2010 Carneros Merlot

Buena Vista 2010 Carneros Merlot, Sonoma, California, USA.

Buena Vista 2010 Carneros Merlot, Sonoma, California, USA.

Over the last several nights, this bottle accompanied many a fine meal–including a home-made chicken scarpiello and a light, summer chicken salad.  This Buena Vista Carneros Merlot was possibly best, however, accompanying just a pizza from our favorite local joint.  Half pepperoni and half pepperoni – black olive, the pie seemed to work well with the cherry and peppery vibe of this 2010 red.  It really looks and smells the part too:  it’s unmistakably Merlot, a deep purple color that wafts dark fruits up at you even as you pour your first glass.

For more informative notes by ‘real’ tasters or even the winemaker you can click here any time.  The description of how this varietal came to bear is worth the read.  Someone with more expertise (or perhaps promotional inkling) gave this a 91 and I think that seems about right in comparison to other reds I’ve had occasion to enjoy.  Always love a Buena Vista and look forward to the next!

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Buena Vista 2008 Ramal Vineyards Syrah

Syrah isn’t my favorite red but this Buena Vista offering rang all the bells. Earlier this week my wife and I were in a beer state of mind but last night our favorite Sonoma vineyard beckoned. It poured out fragrant and fruity, a hint of spice hidden just below the surface, and was a great compliment to our pork chops with dijon mustard sauce, white rice with home-grown scallions, and mixed (i.e., green and wax) beans.

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You always know you’ve got a good bottle going when you look at it half full and are disappointed that it’s a work night…but that does make it all the better when you resume the “challenge” the next evening. The 2008 was again equal to the task, its rich ruby red the perfect companion to our pasta dinner this evening. I know without looking that the experts would praise this wine; we surely do too.

Thankfully we have more Buena Vista shelved and look forward to the next occasion, or even none at all, to break one out.

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2007 Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon TK2 Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard

Special shout out to Eagan for this gem.  I (among others) asked Jamie to bring a little extra slice of life with him to the site of our Lake Gaston reunion–and this was a true hookup.  A flushed, red beauty, this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon we opened after everyone made it safe and sound through the torrential downpour of Hurricane Andrea to our lake house for the long weekend.

2007 Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon TK2 Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley, CA, USA.

2007 Provenance Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon TK2 Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley, CA, USA.

Sort of hard to make this tangible for you.  On one hand, the Provenance accompanied some out-of-this-world food–including the best guacamole I’ve ever had, a killer macaroni and cheese made with Gruyère and Blue cheese, and a massive potato salad topped with fresh bacon that somehow escaped curious hands throughout the afternoon.  Plus expertly cooked chicken and succulent beef tips that were managed by the skill and aplomb of a veteran grill man who negotiated a tight doorway and a new grill (to him at least) to deliver such a dining experience to the gathered parties.  This savory red stood tall in all of the kitchen whirlwind, and I was sad to see it bottom up too soon, as it worked so well with all the grilled finery.

On the other hand, the Provenance also looked for elbow room in an evening filled with bad–and worse–drinks.  In my youth, I could more willingly down a crappy glass for a laugh, but as I’ve gotten accustomed to some of the treats of the Russian River Valley, France, and other fertile grapelands, the prospect of drinking swill to amuse friends is less enticing.  Did I do it?  Of course; I’m with the band–but I’d have preferred to stay solely with the Cab.

Those who follow our wine notes know that we often share some of the winemaker’s thoughts or experts’ opinions in case such prose helps with your understanding of a wine’s composition, complexity, or intentions.  Most of the time, though, the goal is simply to make it accessible to the layperson who is looking to get a feel for a given vintage or taste, and that’s how we’ll go forward here.  You can link to the vineyard anytime you like (particularly if you’re questing for information on its storied history), but you really don’t have to with the 2007 Provenance Cabernet Sauvignon.  It’s a treasure, one you should snap up and swirl with all possible haste.  It’s not only the bedrock for a weekend with the best friends on the planet, but it’s a keeper for your favorite grilled meal celebrating any occasion or none.  Grab some when you can–I know I will.

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Buena Vista 2008 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir

Friday night is always better when your friend Buena Vista stops by to join you for cocktails. The 2008 Ramal Vineyard Pinot Noir is good company to be sure. In what’s becoming a pattern, I had a glass of this berry-tinged red on Thursday night before a fantastic dinner of seasoned chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and veggie-heavy garden salads. Interesting mix of seasonings and wine that evening; it was hard to hold the line at just a single glass.

Friday’s dinner–pictured here for sake of posterity–took it to another level. My wife and I collaborated (yes she did the majority but I capably manned the grill) on a thick tasty London Broil, seasoned with plenty of salt, pepper, and similar, and we had too a few tater tot crowns and a light salad along with the cowflesh. It all came together in the 2008 Buena Vista–a smooth red that emptied far too soon. Sometimes I get to holding onto the Buena Vista, thinking that it should await a better occasion, and I’m glad that was not the case here. It was great and thankfully have a few related varietals from that fantastic vineyard to sample in the coming weeks and months!

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