Yates Family Vineyards, Alden Perry Reserve Mt Veeder Napa Valley Red Wine 2006

Yates Family Vineyards Alden Perry Reserve Napa Valley Mt. Veeder 2006 Red Wine

This wine was one of the discoveries and highlights of our Mt. Veeder Appellation trip and Yates Family Vineyards producer visit last spring. The wine is a Bordeaux style blend with 50% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Cabernet Franc. The wine is named after Alden Yates, proprietor Michael Yate’s father and Perry Yates, his grandfather, who first purchased the Mt Veeder vineyard property in 1950. Yates produce Bordeaux varietal fruit that is mostly sold to other producers. We've likely had their fruit in wines we get from name producers. They produce small quantities of one to two hundred cases of their Bordeaux varietal wines and of this blend.

We tasted and this wine and purchased a case at the winery. It was only available in 375 bottles. We drank this with artisan cheeses and grilled filet of beef. The wine was a perfectly complement to the blue cheese and went well with the grilled steak.

Tasting notes -
A bit of acid heat initially that soon wears off to a pleasant smooth drinking wine. Deep garnet color - full bodied bursting with complex layers of rich forward black currant, blackberry, ripe sweet black raspberry fruits, tones of cinnamon spice, anise and hints of floral, sweet oak, white pepper and tobacco leaf, finishing with moderate smooth tannins on a rich full finish.
RM 92 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1012016 

Wine Tasting Flight - Aussie Shiraz's & Cabernet Sauvignon, St Emilion, and a Napa Merlot

Wine Tasting Flight - Aussie Shiraz's & Cabernet Sauvignon, St Emilion, and a Napa Merlot

Progressive wine tasting flight featuring:

• David Arthur Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007, 
• Three Aussie Shiraz';
• Flinders Run, Southern Flinders Ranges Shiraz 2005, 
• HazyBlur Adelaide Plains, South Australia Shiraz 2001,
• Marquis Philips McLaren Vale '9' Shiraz 2002, 
• Marquis Philips 'S2' Cabernet Saugivnon 2007, 
• Clos De L'Oratoire St Emilion Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 2000, 
• Paloma Napa Valley Spring Mountain Merlot 2003.

Tasted at home w/ L, Eric & Cathy, Bill & Beth, and Dan and Linda, with mini Beef Tenderloin on toast points and artisan cheeses, then at Bob & Gloria's gala end of summer dinner party w/ roast beef dinner.

David Arthur Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2007 -

Very light yellow very weak tea color, bright and crisp, aromas and smooth notes of lime and honeydew with hint of  grapefruit, turning to subtle tropical notes of guava, kiwi and hint of peach on a moderate acidic finish. Nice complement to soft mild cheeses, red raspberrry and strawberry fruits.

RM 88 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=594108 

HazyBlur Adelaide Plains, South Australia Shiraz 2001 -

Deep dark purple color - full bodied, forward fruit - layer of leather with hint of anise and tar predominate, then give way to smooth black currant, black cherry, hint of ripe plum and black raspberry turning to classic subtle creme' brulee burnt sugar with a long soft vanilla nut finish.

RM 91 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4996


Flinders Run, Southern Flinders Ranges, Baroota, Australia Shiraz 2005

Elegant rich thick chewy symphony of flavors of blueberry, sweet currant, ripe plum, red raspberry, a hint of pepper, vanilla, and spice, and a lingering essence of creme brulee' burnt sugar and cedar on the soft finish. 

RM 92 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=421985








Marquis Philips '9' South Australia, McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003

Dark inky purple color, full bodied, chewy, intense complex concentrated flavors of smoke, roasted pepper, and hint of leather flavors predominate diminishing the black berry fruits, with a layer of anise on a lingering full tannin finish. Less fruit focused than other releases of this wine, one of our perennial favorites.

RM 89 points. 
93 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate October 2004
89 points, Stephen Tanzer's IWC

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=17771 

Marquis Phillips McLaren Vale 'S2' Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 

Another Marquis Philips release, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon shows slight initial tartness upon opening but soon gives way to full bodied forward fruit of black currant, blackberry, layer of cedar and tones of oak and mocha on a lingering finish.

RM 90 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/list.asp?fInStock=0&Table=List&szSearch=marquis+philips+s2


See Index of Australian Wines posted on Rick's Wine Journal. 

Clos De L'Oratoire St Emilion Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 2000 -
Great example of 'all ships rise with the tide'... in that so many wines such as this one are exceptionally good in a great vintage. Medium-full bodied, smooth polished, complex but pleasant easy drining with its nicely integrated flavors of blackberry, black cherry, red berry, a layer of anise, kirsch and a hint of spice with a soft tannin lingering finish.

RM 92 points.

Blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon shows very well and is just coming of age at eleven years old.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=6340

Paloma Napa Valley Spring Mountain Merlot 2003.
Medium-full bodied , full forward rich, intense vibrant harmonious fruit flavors of black currant, black raspberry and blackberry turning to nutmeg spice, hint of cedar, and sweet oak on a long lingering flavorful tannin finish.

RM 92 points, 90 points Wine Spectator:


http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=109466

Marquis Philips '9' South Australia, McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003

Marquis Philips '9' South Australia, McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003

Dark inky purple color, full bodied, chewy, intense complex concentrated flavors of smoke, roasted pepper, and hint of leather flavors predominate diminishing the black berry fruits, with a layer of anise on a lingering full tannin finish. Less fruit focused than other releases of this wine, one of our perennial favorites.

RM 89 points. 
93 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate October 2004
89 points, Stephen Tanzer's IWC

Tasted with L, Mark and Gayle B, at Angeli's Italian, our favorite neighborhood trattoria. Also, tasted, David Arthur Napa Valley Meritaggio 2003.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=17771 

David Arthur Napa Valley Meritaggio 2003

David Arthur Napa Valley Meritaggio 2003

Dark garnet color - full bodied - bright, virbrant, rich, mouthful of black raspberry, currant, ripe plum, layer of anise and hint of spice with nicely integrated fine tannins. Delicious.

RM 93 points.

Serious wine with fun name - Meritaggio, a play on the word Meritage - a US instantiation of a Bordeaux Blend, this is a rendition of a Sangiovese based Bordeaux style blend, with fruit sourced from Napa Valley. This vastly exceeded expectations with vibrant bright flavored dark and red berry fruits with layers of complementary flavors. Complex and sophisticated but easy drinking wine. 

Tasted w/ L, Mark and Gayle B at Angelis', our favorite Italian tratorria. Also tasted, Marquis Philips '9' South Australia, McLaren Vale.


http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=85665

Oakville Ranch Vineyards, Oakville, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996

 Oakville Ranch Vineyards, Oakville, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 

Dark garnet color, medium-full bodied, subdued nose but complex, concentrated, chewy wine, with black cherry fruits, intense, forward dense chocolate and cassis flavors, hint of smoke with lingering smoky black berry fruits on a long lingering black cherry finish.

While not an easy drinking wine, it was a great complement to grilled steak and caprese cheese with tomato on toast points. Amazingly, still life left in this fifteen year old showing no signs of aging diminution.

Oakville Ranch vineyards owners Bob and Mary Miner purchased the 350-acre ranch in 1989, slowly increasing plantings from an initial 55 acres to today's 75 acres of predominantly Bordeaux varietals. They produce wines that represent the finest of the Oakville Appellation (click to see map) at a great value. The winemaker today is Anne Vawter from Walla Walla, Washington who studied Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. 

Another wine discovered during our Napa Wine Experience trips in the late 90's, we purchased and drank this wine at the Cantina and drank it at Tra Vigne (below) in St. Helena. 

RM 90 points.
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=592449

 Lunch in the garden terrace at Tra Vigne in St Helena with the Cantina in the background where one could order BYOB carry-out wines. Pictured at left, Rick, Linda, Yolanda and Dave Del Dotto with Liat and Andy M. 

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1996

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1996

Del Dotto Vineyards
Napa Valley Rutherford Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon 1996

Dark garnet color - starting to develop a slight brownish tinge showing its age. Medium-full bodied, the black cherry and black currant fruits are starting to fall off as well as this wine starts to reach the end of its prime drinking profile. The fruit is giving way to a slight earthy leather but it still retains a layer of toasty oak with a hint of spice on moderate lingering tannins on the finish. True to form as Robert Parker noted in the late 90's the anticipated maturity through 2012 and Wine Spectator said best through 2010.

RM 89 points.

Cabernet Sauvignon 90%, Merlot and Cabernet Franc 5% each.

Tasted with Linda, Erin and Alec at Angeli's Italian our favorite neighborhood Italian trattoria celebrating our anniversary, Erin's new job, and Alec heading back to school at IU for his final Senior year this week.

Del Dotto is one of our perennial favorite producers and was one of Erin and Johnny's favorite winery visits on their Napa Valley getaway. Del Dotto has always put on one of the best tasting experiences in California wine country and their new winery in Napa is spectacular and carries on the tradition.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=846486  

http://www.deldottovineyards.com/ 

We first tasted this wine when we met the producers Dave and Yolanda Del Dotto  (center, below) at our fifth Napa Wine Experience in 1999. 

Rick & Linda, Yolanda & David Del Dotto,
Liat and Andy at Tra Vigne in St Helena.

During our Napa Wine Experience visits of 1997 through 2000 we hosted gala tasting dinners with the 'Undisccovered Dozen' emerging new wine producers to watch, featured in an article in Wine Spectator Magazine. Many of these producers released their inaugural vintage releases in or about the 1994 vintage. Those producers and winery visits included Plumpjack, David Arthur, Clark-Claudon, Robert Craig, Del Dotto, Elan,  Paradigm, Pride Vineyards, Snowden, Nils Venge and White Cottage and are featured on my winesite http://www.unwindwine.com. I'm missing one which will come to me at some point - I don't remember what I don't remember!  

An complete index of my tasting notes of these wines over the years is on the site at this link to California Producers Index. These producers make up a foundation of our wine cellar collection yet today. In many of these wines, we still have vertical selections of these wines, some dating back to those early release vintages.

Del Dotto Vineyards Connoisseur's Series
2001 Napa Valley Rutherford Estate Cabernet
Sauvignon, aged in a variety of different oak barrels.

We poured a horizontal selection (shown left) of the Del Dotto Connoisseur Series at a gala dinner at our home last winter - featuring wines from the same vintage release, aged in barrels comprised of different oaks - a unique experience available only from Del Dotto Vineyards.

Del Dotto Vineyards
Napa Valley Rutherford
Estate mini-vertcal
1994-1996.

As these wines reach end of their prime drinking profile, some more faint hearted souls who favor the younger profile are releasing these wines to auction. Pictured at left is a mini-vertical of 1994-96 Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon (including this featured tasting selection), that I picked up recently. The 1995 vintage release tasted recently was still showing remarkably well and had vibrant life left in it. If you find these, they represent great values since they can often be bought today for near their price points at release a decade ago. I should'nt reveal that since I now have to compete for those wines! Enjoy!

 

Alexander Valley Vineyards Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

 Alexander Valley Vineyards Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 

Medium bodied - pleasurable easy drinking wine, not very complex but showing a predominant layer of sweet oak tinged vanilla and mocha with a hint of anise integrated into the black cherry and dark berry fruit flavors. Very nice complement to the grilled filet of beef with lettuce wedge, blue cheese, red onions and tomato salad at the Grand Cafe at Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Good value in this modestly priced Sonoma Cabernet generally available for $16-18.

RM 88 points.

Shiraz flight - Jim Barry "The McRae Wood" Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley, South Australia, Shiraz 2004 & Hage Family Vineyards Troll Creek Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002

Shiraz flight - Jim Barry "The McRae Wood" Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley, South Australia, Shiraz 2004 & Hage Family Vineyards Troll Creek Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002

Mini flight of two South Australian Shiraz' - both are dark purple colored, full bodied, rich and concentrated - the Troll Creek was forward extracted dark berry and ripe plum fruits with a layer of mineral, hints of smoke and tar on a full long tannin finish.

The McRae Wood exhibited similar black cherry and black berry fruits but exhibited a layer of graphite and bacon that detracted from the fruit. Both had moderate, nicely integrated tannins on a lingering finish.

Tasted at home with L over beef tenderloin dinner. 





Troll Creek - RM 88 points. RP 93 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=461107

McRae Wood - RM 87 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=390097

Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009

 Straw colored, light, crisp, clean with balanced acid - flavors of green apples and floral with a nice tangy finish.
RM 89 points.
 
 Tasted w/ L, Johnny & Erin, Alec, Bill & Beth C. at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant in Chicago  with great service from Jared G.
Perfect complement to the sushi, calamari and seafood entrees.


http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=878604

Also tasted:

Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008

Medium full bodied - nicely balanced and polished - complex forward ripe fruit - black cherry, black raspberry with an undercurrent of licorice, kirsch and clove and a hint of floral on a long full flavorful moderate tannin finish.
RM 90 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=836866 

Tasted w/ L, Johnny & Erin, Alec, Bill & Beth C. at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant in Chicago with great service from Jared G. This was a great compliment to Roy's pork shank with pear, cheese and bourbon sauce. 

Also tasted:

Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 and 

Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Tobin James Notorious Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Medium-full  bodied - surprisingly smooth, polished and well balanced - essence of blackberry gives way to a layer of smooth clove and vanilla with a touch of anise on the lingering moderate tannin finish.
RM 88 points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=786634 


Tasted w/ L, Johnny & Erin, Alec, Bill & Beth C. at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant in Chicago  with great service from Jared G. This was a offered by the glass and was a great compliment to the steak and pork chops and the chocolate lava cake souffle desert.

Also tasted:



Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 

Straw colored, light, crisp, clean with balanced acid - flavors of green apples and floral with a nice tangy finish.
RM 89 points.


http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=878604

Perfect complement to the sushi, calamari and seafood entrees.


Also tasted:

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2008

Medium full bodied - nicely balanced and polished - complex forward ripe fruit - black cherry, black raspberry with an undercurrent of licorice, kirsch and clove and a hint of floral on a long full flavorful moderate tannin finish.
RM 90 points.

This was a great compliment to Roy's pork shank with pear, cheese and bourbon sauce. 

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=836866

 Achával Ferrer Mendoza Malbec 2009 at Trump Tower Terrace Chicago

Dark purple color - medium-full bodied - nicely balanced and somewhat complex - blackberry and black raspberry fruits are laced with a graphite, leather and mineral structure that grips throughout the long lingering moderate tannin finish. Pleasant easy drinking wine that is sufficiently complex for food. 
One of  Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines for 2010. 91 points from the Wine Spectator:

RM 89 points.

Tasted at the Terrace Bar on Sixteen at Trump Tower, Chicago. Make sure you come for the view and pick a good day and time since you'll pay for a bottle in the single by-the-glass price. Not bad when tasting a high/over achiever such as this one.




Views from Trump Tower terrace.

Trump Tower Chicago Terrace Bar on Sixteen

Chicago Cityscape looking southeast from
Trump Tower Terrace

Chicago River and Lake view from
Trump Tower Terrace Bar

Iconic Tribune Tower and Wrigley Buildings
from Trump Tower Terrace Bar