Tag Archives: USA

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2010 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon

Fantastic bottle of red from Castle Rock Winery.  The grapes for this 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon are grown in Columbia Valley vineyards that (seemingly) share the same latitude as the Bordeaux region of France.  That’s an interesting fact in particular because the Castle Rock followed immediately on the heels of a Bordeaux that earned some praise in Notes — but what a contrast between the two.

The 2010 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, with Columbia Valley grapes cellared and bottled in Geyserville, California, USA.

The 2010 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, with Columbia Valley grapes cellared and bottled in Geyserville, California, USA.

The 2010 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon had a richer and fruitier taste to it, with berry scents released immediately upon the pour.  The Cadillac was fine, but the Castle Rock was by far the superior wine to this palate.  Lots of black berries in this one, and much smoother finish by comparison.  The Chateau Close la Chapelle was the red blend, but it was the Castle Rock that seemed to weave in more spices, more flavors…a definite winner in their head-to-head matchup.

I do wonder, though, how much of this can be attributed to the stemware?  We do have a specially shaped Cabernet Sauvignon glass (a Syrah and Pinot Noir glass too–thanks Bec) but not a Bordeaux glass.  I’ve learned that the right glass opens the bouquet the right way, and even directs the flow of wine to the appropriate taste buds upon drinking so there’s some validity to the question.

This 2010 is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months “to soften and add complexity” and accompanied a delicious grilled tuna steak and an arugula/orzo salad.  High marks all across the board and we know exactly how to get more of each treat.  Good roadmap for you too.

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The Ones That Got Away

We enjoyed a number of fine adult beverages through the 2013 holidays and into March of 2014.  In light of an aggressive travel schedule, however, I’ve neglected to review several great reds and whites that graced our table in this time frame.  Tasting notes will have to wait another sampling but thought you’d enjoy a quick depiction of our “travels” through wine country domestically and abroad.

2011 Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA.
2011 Clos du Bois, Pinot Grigio, California, USA.
2012 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Italy.
2011 Buena Vista Natalia’s Selection Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California, USA.
2011 Casillero del Diablo Red Blend, Chile.
2011 Tiamo Chianti, Italy.
2007 Bagrationi Champagne, France.
2011 Cairanne La Cigalette, Cote due Rhone Villages, France.
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3 Muses Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Interesting dining approaches for our consumption of the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from 3 Muses Cellars.  Arriving home on a Friday evening after a week on the road in New Jersey, I had my first glass of this gentle cab with a delicious frittata.  Frankly, I’m not sure what wine goes best with breakfast food but sometimes it’s the adventure that makes this blog such a worthy cause.  Yes, that’s right, I’m sacrificing for the art…

2014-03-22

3 Muses Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Rosa, California, USA.

…and I honestly don’t have great notes on how the Muses worked this first night.  The following evening, however, we revisited as part of a favorite easy meal: tender, succulent beef, crispy crowns seasoned potatoes, and fresh salads.  Armed with our new grill and a penchant for cow flesh, the steaks have been fantastic over the last several weeks and this is another one of those occasions.  The seasonings on our steaks were easy to identify but the faint touches in the Muses were less so.  Thus, I offer a few words from the winemaker:

“Soft and subtle on the palate, this California Cab offers aromas and flavors of cassis, plum, dark berries, and dried herbs.”

Short and sweet description, right?  Sort of like the vino itself.  The Muses had the deep, rich ruby hues we often associate with a California red but was a bit weaker in the subtleties that really make a great Cabernet Sauvignon distinguish itself from the pack.  I’m glad we gave it a go but there are many finer options out there waiting for us in the future.

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2012 Gracenote Pinot Noir

After a tiring flight from San Antonio, the 2012 Gracenote Pinot Noir was a welcome treat that marked the end of a six-day work week.  My wife had opened in advance of my arrival, and the aromatic Pinot Noir had had a good opportunity to breath while I was en route from the airport.

2014-03-15

2012 Gracenote Pinot Noir, Ubben Vineyards, Russian River Valley, California, USA.

This Russian River Valley red, aged in oak barrels, was created by Ubben Vineyards (and winemaker Reed Renaudin) and had a great fruity scent to it.  Great, vibrant color too.  Notes from the pros read as follows:

“This sublime wine offers impressions of dark cherry, strawberry, lavender, vanilla, cedar, and a hint of toast.”

It had a bit too much vanilla for me, but the strawberry (not exactly my favorite) was subtle and I tasted more of the cherry and cedar–gladly.  I consumed a glass with a chicken cordon bleu and delicious orzo salad, and the Gracenote was an effective medium between the two.  A nice bit of comfort after the Saturday night flight.

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2011 Mark West, Pinot Noir

Mark West hadn’t visited our home in some time–not since we left the friendly confines of New Jersey–and, on several nights this week, stopped by to catch up.  West’s easy, casual style made him a welcome guest and I wistfully watch him leave us tonight.

This light, well-balanced red used to be a staple in our “wine cellar”; we never bought by the case but nevertheless in good quantity and/or frequency.  Our local NJ liquor store then started overpricing this California Pinot Noir, and we consequently started to explore other Bordeaux and Pinot options.  Despite missing the Mark West varietal, this market dynamic did ultimately compel my wife and I to find other good wines so it’s not all bad news here.

This evening, we’re having the 2011 Mark West Pinot Noir with an apple-blue cheese salad, “Golden Blend” quinoa, and herb-encrusted chicken breasts, pounded nice and flat for easy cookin’ and gnoshin’.  Smells fantastic and I’m sure this last glass of French- and Hungarian-oak aged red will nicely accompany our spread.  This is night three of the Mark West, and it was perfect on night two when it had had a chance to breath but not too much.  We’ll see you again, my friend…

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2010 Summation Red Wine Blend, Kendall-Jackson

Something about a “red wine blend” from Kendall-Jackson sounded good when I saw it in the local grocery store (I know, still sounds weird to me too) and on this occasion those instincts were right on the money.  The 2010 Summation Red Wine Blend, Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve is a fantastic bargain–a $15 wine that packs a much richer profile into its KL label.

We all know the Kendall-Jackson crest so forgive me for skipping the photo on this occasion.  I’m fairly confident I detected lack cherry, hints of vanilla, and some definite oak aging?  It was jammy and smooooth…so very smooth.  The winemaker offers the following:

“Smoother than Cabernet Sauvignon, richer than Merlot, more balanced than Zinfandel, this red wine blend offers intriguing flavors and aromas: roasted coffee, dark chocolate, pomegranate, and black cherry intertwine to offer a multi-layered mouthfeel and sumptuous texture.”

The Kennedy Center honors (amazing performers that prompted us to explore past years’ musicians with equal zeal) provided a great backdrop; the Summation’s was even better.  Definitely interested in putting my hands on a substantial quantity of this fine red offering.

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2011 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Crest

A long work day in frigid Chicago culminated at the Capital Grill bar, with the Hurricanes vs. Blue Devils basketball game on the bar TV and bright-colored bottles beckoning.  I was tired and well beyond the point of banal small talk, and thus encouraged to see the familiar H3 label behind the bartender.

2011 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Crest, Washington, USA.

2011 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Crest, Washington, USA.

I knew that Horse Heaven Hills had been part of Notes in the past and selected the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon to help warm up my freezing hands and insides.  This Columbia Crest cab quickly ingratiated itself to me, its peppery and spicy undertones doing well to prop up its jammy fruit flavors.  The 2011 Horse Heaven Hills, in my humble estimation, had a deep, earthy taste and an easy finish.  Really enjoyed this.

The H3 accompanied assorted breads and a classic steakhouse meal–a 10oz filet mignon (grilled “medium rare plus”) with creamed corn.  My tired self skipped the wedge salad and just swirled this ruby red around an oversized glass, finally content for the day…glad that I’d selected this Washington-based bargain.

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2012 Menage a Trois, California Red Wine, Folie a Deux Winery

Great ambiance this evening as we break into the 2012 Menage a Trois, California Red Wine from the Folie a Deux Winery in Napa, California.  Check out the lighting and the setting here as we close out a fun weekend…

2012 Menage a Trois, California Red Wine, Folie a Deux Winery, Napa Valley, California, USA.

2012 Menage a Trois, California Red Wine, Folie a Deux Winery, Napa Valley, California, USA.

…and thus makes me sad to report that the 2012 Menage a Trois California Red Wine was either mishandled by us or just failed to live up to its billing.  We had this red blend–a mix of Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cab–with steak, fresh asparagus, and “gourmet” potato crowns.  It was fruity–SO fruity.  There’s a definite red berry deluge in the Menage, one that is actually a bit too sweet for my taste.  The Menage I wouldn’t classify as a table wine, or a dessert wine, but it definitely overpowered my taste buds before and with dinner.

Here’s what the winery says of their Red Wine: “Fresh, ripe, jamlike fruit that is the calling card of California wine.  A delightful blend based on three varietals–Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.”

I’m not sure that I share the ‘delightful’ thinking.  I’m no wine snob and thus report that the 2012 Menage was purchased at Wal-Mart–even was double-charged for it, adding insult to injury–but I won’t be going back for another one of these.  As odd as it is to say, it’s just too fruity.

Postscript:  Given the above, I only had a single glass of the Menage upon first tasting.  When I revisited the following night, the 2012 Menage a Trois had “settled down” and was much easier to drink.  Lost some of the sugary vibe and made me rethink if I was at fault for the less favorable first tasting experience?

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2011 Zinfandel, Private Reserve, Sonoma County, Buena Vista

The 2011 Zinfandel, Private Reserve Sonoma County (Buena Vista) stayed over with us for a couple of nights.  On the first, this spicy Zin complemented a delicious meal of pork chops, deftly ployed with a savory mustard sauce, and some leftover mashed potatoes that were just as creamy as last Saturday night when we first enjoyed them.  I had passed on opening this bottle several times since receiving but finally broke down and gave it a go this week.

Many of you know of my unrefined palate, know that Notes is just a passing fancy, something to reference and steer me right when I’m next ordering from a wine list or in the store buying.  To you, I’ll say the 2011 Zinfandel Private Reserve had some immediately noticeable spices in it.  I thought the fruit flavor might be cranberry…some red berry that was a little heavier than the raspberry or strawberry of a Pinot Noir, a bit more peppery than a Bordeaux…but really good nevertheless…both with the pork chops and pepperoni pizza the following night.

If you’re a more serious visitor, I sort of wonder how you found this blog (or why you’re still reading!) but still share here the winemaker’s original intentions for the 2011 Zinfandel, Private Reserve: “A beautifully rich, ruby colored wine, the nose opens with expressive aromas of black plum, blueberry, and notes of freshly cracked pepper. Fine tannins, incredible structure, and stunning balance lead to a velvety mouthfeel and a long, satisfying finish.”

If you go with a Buena Vista, you’re bound to be on the right track…this one is no exception and you’ll enjoy.

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2009 Elenora’s Selection Chardonnay, Buena Vista

Any week that has Buena Vista in it is better than one without.  I’m much less a fan of white wines than I am reds, but when you’re going with a Chardonnay produced by one of the country’s most storied vineyards you’re in good hands throughout your tasting experience.  Our bottle was #1259, and she was drawn from one of 348 cases produced.  Here’s the playbook from the folks at Buena Vista:

2009 Elenora's Selection Chardonnay, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

2009 Elenora’s Selection Chardonnay, Buena Vista, Sonoma County, California, USA.

“The 2009 Elenora’s Selection Chardonnay displays a spicy bouquet of citrus and ripe pear while bright fruit flavors and great acidity give the wine depth and balance.  A creamy texture and rich flavors of Golden Delicious apples and peaches are brilliantly showcased in this distinctive wine.”

Elenora was with us for meals both divine (i.e., salmon with a dijon mustard and oregano sauce) and homespun (i.e., PB&J with chicken noodle soup), and acquitted herself with grace and dignity in each.  The 2009 Elenora’s Selection Chardonnay from Buena Vista is rich in color, more like apple juice than the glassy spring color of a Pinot Gris, and definitely packs in the pear/citrus combination in equal measures.  It’s easy to drink and easier to appreciate.