Tag Archives: USA

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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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2009 Four Chimneys New Earth

This Cabernet Franc didn’t age long in our possession at all–we bought this bottle just about a week ago while tasting along the western shore of Seneca Lake in central New York.  Four Chimneys, an organic winery that takes care to ensure no synthetics or pesticides are introduced to their grapes, conducts their tastings from a simple barn that overlooks this one of the Finger Lakes.

2009 Four Chimneys New Earth Cabernet Franc, Seneca Lake, NY, USA.

2009 Four Chimneys New Earth Cabernet Franc, Seneca Lake, NY, USA.

Several of their sweeter wines missed the mark for me, but the New Earth was on target and I left carrying one.  This was despite its lame label, which makes me sound like a wine snob but I was really just underwhelmed by the designer on this one (other Four Chimney wines have labels with better personality, execution, or both).  At the time I thought New Earth had an oaky, spicy finish but that was less pronounced when we uncorked here at home.  It is light, more Pinot in color than Cab, and tastes similarly–light.  Nice smell…and the winemaker says “A very fine organic vinifera – full fruit, herbs and violets, richer tannins, and integrated oak.”

As depicted here, our New Earth accompanied a pasta-chicken-feta cheese dish on the first night it was open.  You might think a white better suited; I can tell you the Earth doesn’t overpower and was fine.  I had it again last night with some tacos, and it really did well mixed with the spices.  Tonight I even had enough left for a last glass after work.

I got my fix here–a mild red, and good memories of a fun family weekend in the Finger Lakes–but I’m sated for now and ready for something else next time.

 

 

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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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Five Oaks Merlot

We received this Sonoma Valley (always have fond memories writing these words) Merlot as a gift for our annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, and decided to break it out Friday night with dinner.  While the mushrooms simmered and the spicy beef ravioli were cooking, the full berrysmell of this satisfying Merlot wafted around the kitchen.

Five Oaks Merlot, Gallo Family Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, California, USA.

Five Oaks Merlot, Gallo Family Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, California, USA.

It’s been forever, as you’ll note if you scroll through the archives here, since we’ve actually uncorked a Merlot.  It’s always been more of a winter comfort, but this cold season I was definitely into Bordeaux and Pinot instead.  But the Five Oaks, produced by the Gallo Family Vineyards, was pretty solid.  Not spectacular, but functional.  Polished it off last night at the neighborhood poker game.

Not sure I’d buy one for us…it’s not the bold adventurous choice…but it is a safe bet that will ruffle no feathers.

 

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Atlas Peak 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Big, and bold, this fantastic Cabernet Sauvignon from the good people at Atlas Peak Vineyards.  Napa Valley is home to so many of my favorites, and this one quickly joined the list.  It is a mighty cab that grabs right hold of you and doesn’t let go until you’ve finished the last drop.  On a Friday night after a tough work week, the Atlas 2005 goes just perfectly with a grilled steak and a few scattered veggies that you pull off just to keep from feeling like a complete Viking.

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon "Mountain Blend", Atlas Peak Vineyards, Napa Valley, California, CA.

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon “Mountain Blend”, Atlas Peak Vineyards, Napa Valley, California, CA.

It has a “depth” and vibrancy to it…flavors of all dark berries and spices that escape my description.  After that great dinner, the Atlas kept good company while we turned up the tunes and blasted blues tunes loud and proud into the evening.  Here’s tasting notes supplied from the winemakers: “Perched on the steep slopes and high ridges above Napa Valley, vines here struggle in thin soil to produce grapes of concentrated fruit and uncommon character.  Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon draws upon its Atlas Peak Estate and other prestigious Napa Valley mountain appellations–each with its own personality–resulting in this superb mountain blend.  Aged in French oak barrels in the Winery’s caves, this muscular Cabernet Sauvignon showcases deep berry flavors, intriguing vanilla complexity and a smooth, lingering finish.“

Pretty big talk, right?  This bottle was part of a Buena Vista wine club membership, so finding it again will not be easy–the 2008 seems to dominate in online search–but the quest will be rewarding.

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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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2008 Expo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Last tasting of the 2008 Expo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (at least for now).  After sampling a glass mid-week after work, I polished off this delicious cab on Friday evening on the porch.  My best friend was in town from California (he lives in wine country, actually) and we traded war stories as the evening came on.  The Expo kept me warm as the temperatures fell, and it went just fine with casual Friday food–chiefly a bun-free burger with all the fixings and French Fries.

The wine today was less about taste and more about relaxation–and it measured on both accounts.  I originally ordered this via http://www.WTSO.com and will keep my eyes peeled for future such offers.  This one was worthwhile for sure.