Flemings Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Flemings Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Medium to full bodied, dark garnet colored - from the Langhorne Creek area of South Australia, this Cabernet Sauvignon is vibrant and expressive bursting with dark and red berry fruit flavors accented by a layer of vanilla, with hints of chocolate rounded with soft oak on a lingering moderate tannin finish.

RM 92 points.

I usually have very good records on the provenance and source of each bottle of wine in my cellar but I admit I had no record of this one and no recollection of when or where I bought it! Its the only one I have regretably and I must go find more. What a pleasant suprise, and even more so when I researched the price of this wine and found it to be languishing in a couple east coast wine shops for $18 for the 2000 vintage. When I research further I find the label was short lived as later vintages are branded '3 Dragons' Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon representing the three partners in the venture. Indeed, this bottle features the '3 Dragons' logo graphic.

On the Flemings Wine website, they claim they aim to provide premium quality wines that provide good value for the money and their legacy of this wine are sure testament to that achievement. I look forward to finding and drinking more wines from this producer in the future. Accordingly, they present on their website Flemings '8 Barrels' Barossa Valley Shiraz as well - also aged in American Oak barrriques (large barrels). By the  way, no relation to the popular Flemings Steak Houses which are notable for a respectable wine list and large selection of wines by the glass. Look for Flemings Wine and let me know of your experience! Cheers.

Edgewood Estate St. Helena Triangle Malbec 2002

Edgewood Estate St. Helena Triangle Malbec 2002  

Full bodied - dark inky purple color. Huge forward fruit flavors - blackberry, black raspberry and ripe plum, accented by a layer of dark chocolate and spice, hints of smoke, creosote and cassis on the late palate - a bit hot from the 15.7% alcohol content but the flavors are big enough to overcome. Smooth velvety tannins on a long supple finish.

RM 91 points. 

One of the traditional “Bordeaux varietals”, Malbec has characteristics that fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, used to add deep color and tannin based structure, backbone and complexity to the blend. These characteristics make for a delicious savoury and hearty wine that goes well with hearty cheeses and beef.

This is a one of a kind - one time special selection Lot 54, from the 2002 vintage bottled for the 2004 Napa Valley Vintners annual Premiere wine tasting and auction. Its an eye opener to be on the lookout and pay attention to Napa Valley Malbec as a robust tasty food friendly wine.

IRONY Monterey County Pinot Noir 2009

IRONY Monterey County Pinot Noir 2009 

The producers say the irony of this wine is that "with its beautifully balanced fruit with vibrant acidity and concentrated flavor that it is so affordable". Indeed, its easy to find a flavorful easy drinking American Pinot Noir for $35, harder at $25, and difficult at best under $15. Irony Monterey County Pinot Noir is such a find. 

Garnet colored, medium-light bodied, the winemaker's notes sum up this wine well. Irony 2009 Monterey County Pinot Noir opens with red cherry, ripe strawberry and vanilla aromas, heightened by an earthy undercurrent of clove and sage. Bright red cherry avors are layered with strawberry jam and accents of rhubarb and red licorice. Lush, supple tannins found in this medium-bodied Pinot Noir are beautifully balanced with fresh, crisp acidity.

The Irony Pinot Noir is from the Monterey, California Appellation, sourced from the Arroyo Seco and San Bernabe viticultural areas: The blend is 89% Pinot Noir, 5% Petite Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Other.

RM 87 points.

This pleasant surprise wine-find for easy drinking affordable Pinot Noir should be easy to find with 35,000 cases produced.

Rubissow Mt Veeder Merlot 2006

Rubissow Mt Veeder Merlot 2006 

Another wine obtained during our Mt Veeder Appellation tour producer visit.
 

Full bodied, firm but smooth, elegant and polished. Black berry, black raspberry, ripe plum, layer of tobacco, layer of mocha and coffee bean.
RM 91 points.

http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2011/03/mt-veeder-appellation-trail-rubissow-mt.html 

Yates Family Vineyards Cheval Mt. Veeder Cabernet Franc 2007

Yates Family Vineyards 'Cheval' Mt. Veeder Cabernet Franc 2007

Wine obtained at the Yates Family property during our Mt Veeder Appellation visit. 

Full bodied - forward black berry, black raspberry and spicy clove with a hint of cassis and dark chocolate with a lingering tannin flavorful finish. 

Winemaker Tasting Notes - A deep, dark ruby appearance with hints of graphite and toast on the nose that finish with dry rocks and cigar tobacco. Strong flavors of espresso with small splashes of clove and cardamom. Dark chocolate covered cherries with cassis. Intense mountain fruit lingers on the palate and finished with supple tannins. 

RM 91 points. 

Watch for more reviews as we enjoy the selection of Yates Family Wines procured during our recent producer visit. 

75 (Seventy Five) Wine Company Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

75 (Seventy Five) Wine Company Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 

Reasonable value in a moderately priced California cab. Dark garnet purple color - medium-full bodied - not overly complex but pleasant full flavored easy drinking - good complement to grilled steak, grill-charred veggies and crescent rolls - flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruits with a hint of smoke, cassis and leather on a moderate tannin finish. From Beckstoffer's Amber Knolls vineyard up over the Napa Howell Mountain ridge-line in Red Hills, Lake County. Also recently picked up some Schrader Double Diamond cabernet sauvignon with fruit sourced from the same vineyard from same era. Should be interesting comparison - stay tuned.
RM 88 points.

http://cellartracker.com/w?358922

Schrader Double Diamond Mayacamas Range Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Schrader Double Diamond Mayacamas Range Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Medium bodied - dark berry fruits, blackberry, black raspberry and currant with hints of mocha and cassis with a subdued spicy, moderate tannin lingering finish.
RM 88 points.

Horizontal Tasting - 2004 Bordeaux Alongside Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Horizontal Tasting - 2004 Bordeaux Alongside Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon


Comparison tasting of 2004 'horizontal' - wines from the same vintage - Bordeaux and Silver Oak Alexander Valley reveals a study in terroir, styles and aging profiles. Wines tasted are below, shown in tasting order based on anticipated weight and complexity which proved to be appropriate:

• Chateau Giscours Grand Cru Classe Marqaux 2004
• Chateau Leoville Barton St Julien 2004
• Chateau Clerc Milon Pauillac 2004
• d'Armailhac Grand cru Classe Pauillac 2004 
• Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

The Giscours, Leoville Barton, and Silver Oak were poured from magnums and decanted three to fours hours earlier. 

The highlights of the evening for me were the Leoville Barton and the Silver Oak which were both bright, complex, smooth, polished and flavorful indicating peak readiness to drink in their seventh year despite very different styles and tasting profiles. Not surprising, contrasting the Leoville Barton was the Clerc Milon which while balanced and full was still a bit closed and tight revealing a longer aging profile needing more time to open and fully reveal itself. The Giscours was next in my rankings followed by the d'Armailhac.

Chateau Leoville Barton Cru Classe St Julien Bordeaux 2004

Consistent producer of high quality good value ageworthy Bordeaux.

Bright floral notes, nicely balanced layers of black raspberry, black cherry, hints of leather and touch of smoke. Full bodied intense flavors yet delicate, polished and a silky fine tannin finish.  
RM 91 points. 

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 

Surprisingly complex but refined and polished with layers of black berry fruits accented by cola, almond, nutmeg, sweet soft oak with layers of spice and vanilla on a long aromatic silky tannnin finish.
RM 90 points.

Chateau Clerc Milon Pauillac 2004

Second label of revered first growth Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Complex, firm with rather subdued black fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black currant with hint of cassis, touch of leather and earth. Still a bit closed suggesting need for more time to open and reveal itself.
RM 89 points.  

Chateau Giscours Grand Cru Classe Marqaux 2004

Medium-full bodied, complex, dark berry and black cherry fruits with tone of slightly tart cherry and hint of raspberry, cassis, spice, tones of leather and pencil lead on the medium finish.
RM 88 points.

d'Armailhac Grand Cru Classe Pauillac 2004 

Third label of esteemed Chateau Mouton Rothschild, behind second label Clerc Milon. Medium-full bodied, less complex and lacking the polish and integration of the others, a bit flabby but forward black berry and black cherry fruit flavors with a layer of  mocha, cedar, and hint of camphor on a slightly firm spicy and acidic finish.
RM 87 points. 


Tasted with medley of artisan cheeses and over dinner of mixed green salad, beef tenderloin, twice baked potatoes and green beans. Dinner hosted at Bill and Beth C's with Dan & Linda, Bob & Gloria, and L. Chocolate cake and berries to finish commemorating my birthday!


Terroir - from Wikipedia - Terroir comes from the word terre "land". It was originally a French term used to denote the special characteristics that the geography, geology and climate of a certain place bestowed upon particular varieties. Agricultural sites in the same region share similar soil, weather conditions, and farming techniques, which all contribute to the unique qualities of the crop. It can be very loosely translated as "a sense of place," which is embodied in certain characteristic qualities, the sum of the effects that the local environment has had on the production of the product. Terroir is often italicized in English writing to show that it is a French loanword. The concept of terroir is at the base of the French wine Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system that has been the model for appellation and wine laws across the globe. At its core is the assumption that the land from which the grapes are grown imparts a unique quality that is specific to that region.

Elizabeth Spencer Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Special Cuvée 2007

 Elizabeth Spencer Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Special Cuvée 2007

Hot - high alcohol taste - almost as if fortified w/ cognac - overpowering the black cherry fruits, with layer of mocha and spice. Tasted by the glass at 'fyve' (ala five as in Pentagon) at Ritz Carlton Pentagon City, Arlington - perhaps open too long? Or kept too warm?

RM 87 Points. 

Château Larmande St. Émilion Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 2005

Château Larmande St. Émilion Grand Cru Classe Bordeaux 2005



A reliable producer that provides consistent value year after year - especially so in the highly rated 2005 vintage. My best of tasting pick from an earlier Bordeaux flight tasting. Medium bodied, floral perfume, flavorful red berry, plum fruits, subtle spice, cherry-cranberry, nice texture and an appealing moderately firm grip of tannin in the finish.  
RM 91 points. 

Rosemount Estate McLaren Vale Balmoral Syrah 2002

Rosemount Estate McLaren Vale Balmoral Syrah 2002

Tasting Journal Update - Dark inky purple color, medium-full bodied, ripe raisin flavored smokey blueberry, sweet black currant, tobacco and earthy leather on the firm tannin laced black cherry finish.

RM 89 Points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=317099