Tag Archives: USA

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2008 Expo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2008 Expo Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA. Featuring the artwork of Carol Schinkel of Fort Collins, CO.

2008 Expo Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA. Featuring artwork by Carol Schinkel of Fort Collins, CO.

Second tasting of the 2008 Expo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. I’m really a fan of this Cab and trying to think of a way to explain in simple terms: On a day where you are reluctant to break out a proven superstar but are looking for some grapes that bring it, the Expo is a great option. It’s not a home run, but it’s a solid double into the gap and you’re looking to advance. The Expo kind of has a boutique feel to it and was paired last night with a killer green salad and pan-seared steaks. The fresh ground pepper on the salad, combined with the red meat, seemed to bring out some of the flavors (dark reds, spices) of this great cuvee.

Since I cheated a glass from this bottle earlier in the week (a great, heart-healthy after-work drink, incidentally), I was about one short last night but am already looking forward to the next taste.

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Buena Vista 2009 Ramal Vineyard Cardonnay Musque Clone

A delicous-smelling mushroom beef risotto is going to accompany this last glass of the Buena Vista Musque Clone Chardonnay 2009 tonight. The Chardonnay–my first white in some time–is a really nice, sweet Californian. Buena Vista always rings true for me, and this bottle is no exception. It’s got a great scent about it; some yellow fruits that I can’t quite pinpoint but surely enjoy on the nose and the tongue.
In addition to their usual language about the boutique approach, Buena Vista writes of this Sonoma beauty, “This Musque Clone selection showcases our most aromatic expression of Carneros Chardonnay with aromas of honeysuckle, orange blossum, and floral notes. The aromatic fruit and muscat-like characters carry through with a rich, oily texture that pairs well with intensely flavored foods and is also enjoyable on its own.”
Even now I’m just sipping the glass, drawing out the inevitable conclusion to a fun bottle. Wish they didn’t all come to an end, but all good things, right?

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2008 Expo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.  Started this bottle Friday evening, and polished it off Sunday night with a delicious dinner of steak (perfectly done), asparagus, and baked potato.  Believe me, it took a crazy amount of restraint not to down the entire bottle in one sitting because it is flat-out excellent.  We have several bottles of this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on hand, so Notes will have a photo in subsequent posts–the Expo’s artwork (contributed by Colorado artist Carol Schinkel) is also great.

Know that the 2008 Expo is striking.  It has been grown and produced by Alison Crowe and reminded me of several recent Bordeauxs we’ve been lucky enough to try…will break out additional tasting thoughts in our next sampling but first recommendation is that you put your hands on one right now.  You’ll thank me.

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2010 Buena Vista Attila’s Selection, Dry Creek Zinfandel

This bottle of Buena Vista Zinfandel graced our table Sunday…either because we’re heart healthy or putting off the Sunday night blues just a while longer.  Or, as my wife would say, “Probably some of Column A an some of Column B.”  Light, red berries were immediately evident, and this was one of the milder zins that I’ve had–even immediately upon uncorking.  I had it with a rare Omaha(?) steak and some sides that now escape my memory.  Not an unusual occurrence for me, when I’m having a Buena Vista, to forget what else the menu held for us.

Additional information here from the winemaker: “Harvested in early October, the must was then fermented in separate, open-top vats for each vineyard block and aged separately in French oak barrels for 11 months before final blending.”

This numbered bottle (#2261) is from just 250 total cases and the varietal is named for the son of Count Agoston Haraszthy–the founder of Buena Vista and the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society, which he formed in 1863 to advance the winemaking prowess and expand its vineyards. The BVVS has been restored as a collection of small-production wines that, according to their press, “honor the winery’s pioneering spirit and contribution to California winemaking.  Available only at the winery and for club-members, the diverse selection of Vinicultural Society wines explores clonal selections, varietals, vineyards and the incredible terroir of Sonoma County.”

The steak was good; the Zin was better.

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Chateau Potelle 2005 V.G.S. Cabernet Sauvignon

Dear friends of my folks, upon hearing of our love of things Napa, sent us home from their beautiful Massachusetts lake house with this bottle of red last summer.  Our host pulled me aside, saying “The V.G.S. stands for ‘very good shit'” and advising that we break out this Cabernet Sauvignon for a special occasion.  We held this in check for the better part of a year before deciding to open in conjunction with our Valentine’s Day (which we celebrated on Friday the 15th instead).  It flat-out blew me away!

Chateau Potelle 2005 V.G.S. Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA

Chateau Potelle 2005 V.G.S. Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA

By no means is my nose or vocabulary for wine worldly, but I’ve had enough grapes to know this was the real deal.  So smooth and easy, it vaulted immediately into my all-time top five wines, trailing a Bordeaux or two and some Pinots of particular note.  You can look up its “points” some other place; just know you’d crawl across broken glass for just one more good pull from the V.G.S.  We had it with a combination of four-cheese and spicy ravioli, and every bite was almost…odd.  I usually love this pasta but on this occasion it was just a distraction keeping me from more of the killer Cab.

“Nine different soil types high up on Mt. Veeder, sustainable farming, natural yeast fermentation, unfiltered bottling, and gentle traditional winemaking shape these mountain wines with great personality.”  That’s straight from the winery, which produced just 895 cases of this heavenly stuff.

I sometimes wonder if I’ve learned any damn thing after all these bottles, but if I look closer the lessons are more easily discerned.  (I find lessons all the time by bottom’s up.)  The V.G.S. taught me–or at least restated in loud, proud lettering–that sometimes it is the opening of a good wine itself that is the cause for celebration.  A big thank you to the Lewandowski family for the amazing gift/memory!

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Wente Vineyards Charles Wetmore Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Heritage Block

With dear friends I’ve been to Wente out in the Livermore Valley–it’s in the San Francisco Bay area–and took part in a fun vineyard event this past fall.  I didn’t have the opportunity to sample this Cabernet Sauvignon at the time, and I definitely would have remembered it–it’s spectacular.  I cheated toward the weekend with the Cab on Thursday evening, opening the bottle to accompany a fantastic salmon that was slathered in a grape jelly/barbeque sauce mixture.  We had it with spiced and salted potatoes and an “antioxidant blend” of mixed vegetables.  The food was great; this dark, berry-tinged Cabernet Sauvignon was even better.  My wife nodded and asked right away about the potential of more bottles.

Wente Vineyards Charles Whitmore 2010 Heritage Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley, CA, USA.

Wente Vineyards Charles Whitmore 2010 Heritage Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley, California, USA.

Friday night we had “Happy Hour”, with the Wente Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Heritage Block again playing a great role. This red didn’t have the spicy undertones that I often enjoy in a Pinot Noir or other Cabs, but there was plenty of red berry and something else (oak? earth?) that rang true for me. With spicy sausage ravioli (accented by basil and olive oil), this was great. A highlight of the week…bought this $20ish bottle for $15 and it was a steal. A must-have for sure.

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Cambria Julia’s Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir

A Christmas gift from my folks, the Cambria Julia’s Vineyard 2010 Pinot Noir was the red of our birthday weekend.  Friday night, the date of my wife’s celebration, we started this velvety red–decanted–with cheese, cracker, and veggie snacks.  It meandered for a time and ultimately found its way over to our pizza dinner.  She enjoyed a slice or two of pepperoni and mushroom (and a birthday Miller Lite kicker), and I with a straight-up pepperoni.  The Cambria went well and we were, quite literally, in good spirits.

Tonight this Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir accompanied a meal I’d never had before: sweet and sour pork with pineapple, over jasmine rice.  The breading on the pork was interesting–I really liked its taste, but its texture didn’t hit as high a mark for me.  The pineapple, peppers, and onions were great, and jasmine rice is always a favorite of mine.  The Cambria rolled with the punches throughout, and was a great nightcap as we watched a flick.  Here’s what the Cambria folks offer:

“While this Pinot Noir may seem innocent at first, wit bright, fruit-forward flavors of cherry and strawberry; it gives way to its seductive side with velvety layers of blueberry and blackberry and subtle hints of delicate vanilla and spicy cinnamon.  Located in the cool climate of Santa Barbara, my family’s vineyard produces an elegant Pinot Noir with a silky mouthfeel that I hope you enjoy.”

That’s obviously a bit of marketingspeak at play, but the light berry layers are fairly well described.  As cataloged in this blog, however, I’m usually a fan of darker berried-Pinots, and darker spices too.  If you’re a strawberry or vanilla fan, this is going to be a hit for you.

 

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Apothic Red Blend 2011

First wine of the new year, and one that had always caught my eye while looking for new ideas…particularly California red ideas, which always do well in our house.  I started this bottle earlier in the weekend and was surprised at how tart it was initially.  Definitely did not give it enough time to settle into itself when I had the first glass, which was so tart that I almost put it down and switched over to a beer instead.  Let’s say that false start doesn’t show the true colors of the Apothic Red.

Apothic Red Blend, 2011, California, USA.

Apothic Red Blend, 2011, California, USA.

When I gave it another shot on Sunday afternoon, the Apothic came full circle.  I raised an eyebrow and gave it an approving nod.  I didn’t know the breakdown of the blend, or what grapes ultimately make the cut in this dark ruby red, but it had a lovely, deep mouthy feel and engendered a big smile.

Curious, I checked its profile with the winemaker and learned they worked to bring in red jam flavors inclusive of Syrah, Zin, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and some undertones of mocha and vanilla.  I could definitely detect both those spices amid all the fruity reds, and preferred the mocha to the vanilla for this bottle.

I liked it for sure but, given all the wonderful reds there are out there, and even in our rack at the moment, I think I got my initial fill of the Apothic for now.  Maybe more later?

 

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2008 Buena Vista Swan Selection Pinot Noir

Big debate for the evening was whether to ring in 2013 with an old favorite (i.e., a Buena Vista Pinot Noir as we did last year) or a new Bordeaux favorite…either possible just because we decided to hold the champagne for New Year’s Day.  After some waffling, it was the pinot that made the cut–specifically the 2008 Buena Vista Swan Selection Pinot Noir.  I uncorked it while enjoying some monstrous shrimp shumai, continued to savor it with some delicious steaks and potatoes (pan seared to perfection), and ultimately polished it off after dinner.  Make no mistake; this baby was dry long before the ball dropped at Midnight.

2008 Buena Vista Swan Selection Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California, USA.

2008 Buena Vista Swan Selection Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, California, USA.

This from the folks at Buena Vista: “This Swan Selection Pinot Noir offers aromas of bing cherries and pomegranate, along with spice and floral characters.  Notice the candied cherry flavors and delicacy balanced by broad structure and a long finish.”

Now, I can’t express all that headsy analysis but I can confirm it.  Seems like a very appropriate description of a fun drink.  Buena Vista has always been great and this is no exception.

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2010 Buena Vista Ida’s Selection Pinot Noir

Broke open this bottle of Buena Vista pinot in the stretch run toward Christmas and a much-deserved vacation. You could tell the difference between this bottle and others as soon as it was uncorked–the fragrance of this Pinot Noir was immediate and stunning. I had it with a medium-rare Omaha steak, a great green salad with onion, bleu cheese, and apple, and a baked potato that had in it bits of bacon. Perfect pairing. I know the coming week will be packed full of great wine, delicious food, and plenty of good company, but this sets a pretty good standard to measure against.

2010 Buena Vista Ida's Selection Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California, USA.

2010 Buena Vista Ida’s Selection Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California, USA.

Here’s the skinny from the guys at Buena Vista: “The 2010 Ida’s Selection Pinot Noir is a beautiful deep plum color, with concentrated aromas and flavors of raspberry, chocolate, and just a hint of toastiness. With a balanced structure, medium acidity, and an overall plush mouthfeel, this wine finishes with a medium to long, silky finish.”

This numbered bottle (#2741) is from just 247 total cases and the varietal is named for the fourth child (first daughter) of Count Agoston Haraszthy–the founder of Buena Vista and the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society, which he formed in 1863 to advance the winemaking prowess and expand its vineyards. The BVVS has been restored as a collection of small-production wines that, according to their press, “honor the winery’s pioneering spirit and contribution to California winemaking. Available only at the winery and for club-members, the diverse selection of Vinicultural Society wines explores clonal selections, varietals, vineyards and the incredible terroir of Sonoma County.”

All I could say is that it was the perfect end to a crazy work year…or perfect start to an enjoyable holiday season.