Marquis Philips Shiraz No 9 2007

Marquis Philips Shiraz No 9 2007 

A perennial favorite - consistently good, the '07 comes through again with a flavorful tongue-coating shiraz - full-bodied and firm with excellent depth and structure - chewy blackberry, blueberry and ripe plum fruits, a layer of spice, hints of cigar box and mineral with finely integrated oak, tannin, and acidity.
RM 92 points; The Wine Advocate 91pts.

Whimsical wine features their fantasy 'Roogle' - half kangaroo, half eagle - indicative of the initial partnership between American Importer Dan Philips and leading Australian producers. 

Picture shows 2003 vintage. 


See Index of Rick's Australian Wine tasting notes.

PlumpJack Winery Napa Valley, Oakville, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

PlumpJack Winery Napa Valley, Oakville, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

This was the third vintage of this wine - 100% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon made entirely from grapes grown in the vineyards adjacent to the PlumpJack Winery located on Oakville Cross Road in the Oakville AVA in Napa Valley. We tasted and purchased this wine during winery visits in 1998 and 1999, the first tasting being prior to release from the barrel. We hosted then associate winemaker Mary Pisor at a gala dinner at Meadowood Resort at the base of Howell Mountain in Napa (pictured below). The release notes called for this  wine to age up to fifteen years. Indeed in its fourteenth year it's starting to show its age and is beginning the final stage of its drinking profile. It is still holding its own and is very presentable - not yet diminished in decline, however.

We served this wine at a gala family dinner at home with grilled beef tenderloin and salmon dinner with L, sis Dr Pat, Lauren, Erin & Johnny. Chosen from the cellar commemorating one of the favorite Napa wineries of L, Erin and Johnnie, we gathered on the eve of the mother-daughter 5K run at Montrose Harbor on Chicago's lakefront in which we had four generations represented - Evelyn, Linda, Erin and Lucy, and three generations with Pat, Lauren and Teo. 

Firm, medium to full bodied, the black cherry fruit is a bit subdued overtaken by anise, a layer of spicy oak with hints of nutmeg, dark chocolate, vanilla and a tone of cedar and toasted oak on the finish. RM 89 points.
 

 

Pictured above, wine flght from our 1999 Meadowood Resort PlumpJack Wine Producer dinner - Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignons - Venge Vineyards Penny Lane Reserve 1995, PlumpJack Reserve 1995 (pre-release hand labeled bottle), and PlumpJack Estate 1997, served with top-flight of 1995 Bordeaux - Chateau Pichon Lalande 1995, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1995, and Chateau Cos d' Estournel 1995. Our wine group with Mary Pisor pictured below.

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. 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 even today. In many of these wines, we still have vertical selections of these wines, some dating back to those early release vintages. I'm missing one which will come to me at some point - I don't remember what I don't remember!

Moffett Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006 & Ladera Napa Valley Malbec 2006

Moffett Vineyards  Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006

First tasting of this or any other wine from this producer. Sourced from two Napa Valley vineyards: one high up on Howell Mountain and the other in St. Helena it strikes a beautiful balance in the blend composed of 94% cabernet sauvignon and 6% cabernet franc. Dark inky purple color - full bodied - polished and smooth flavors of blackberries, that Howell Mountain appellation character of ripe plum and currants - highlighted by a layer of sweet milk chocolate and a slight touch of spice - the wine shows great balance of toasted oak and acidity. RM 93 points. 



 Ladera Napa Valley Malbec 2006 

We discovered this wine and purchased it following our visit to the winery during our Napa Valley Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008.   Malbec is one of the "big five" grape varieties in Bordeaux included in the "Cabernet family" of grapes. It serves as one of the blending wines to round out and add complexity to the primary varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc or Merlot used for its deep, dark purple color, its fragrant aromas, ranging from black cherry to black pepper, and its texture which is lush and juicy in the mid palette and very soft on the finish. Primarily a blended complement to the tannic, brooding Cabernet Sauvignon, it produces an interesting and nice stand alone wine, as well.

The 2006 Ladera Malbec is a blend of fruit from two mountain vineyards - 50% from Howell Mountain and the other 50% from Lone Canyon - two unique terroirs. The rolling hills and volcanic soils of Howell Mountain vineyard lend to the bold dark fruit characters while the steep slopes and gravely soils of Lone Canyon contribute intense phenolic structure and complexity to the wine.

This wine holds true to its varietal characteristics with its dark inky color, rich aromatics and bold masculine structure. The wine exhibits forward fruits flavors of black cherry and black berry with violets, red licorice, hints of vanilla, white pepper and smoky fig.A bit flabby on opening but overcame the funkiness to reveal black berry and cherry fruit flavors, a layer of spice, hints of leather and a touch of cedar on a long finish. RM 90 points.

Tasted with L, Mark & Shirley at Angeli's Italian Restaurant - our favorite local trattoria. The wines were perfect complements to the spectacular veal margherita and mushroom and ricotta ravioli yet provided an interesting contrast in the varietals with common core pedigree Howell Mountain appellation characteristics. The girls preferred the Malbec with its more forward and deeper intensity flavors while the guys preferred the more complex and polished but more subtle flavored Cabernet.

 
Rick & Linda at the picturesque Ladera Howell Mountain winery - formerly the historic Chateau Woltner. 

Venge Vineyards Napa Valley, Oakville Family Reserve Penny Lane Sangiovese 1997 & 2000

Venge Vineyards Napa Valley, Oakville Family Reserve Penny Lane Sangiovese 1997 & 2000

We first met Nils Venge during our Napa Wine Experience visits in the late nineties when he was consulting winemaker to Del Dotto Vineyards and others. He then was a featured producer during our Napa Wine Experience in 2003 (left w/ Nils and AJ) when we first tasted and acquired some of these wines.

Nils Venge is a bit of a legend in Napa Valley. In addition to having been consulting winemaker to many top producers including Del Dotto and Plumpjack, he has his Venge and Saddleback family labels, and with son Kirk is coming out with wines from their property Rossini Ranch. He and Kirk worked with Dwayne and Susan Hoff at Fantesca in their early releases.

Venge earned a degree in Viticulture from the University of California at Davis, with a minor in Enology, after a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy.  He began his career in the wine industry as vineyard manager for the Charles Krug Winery, moving to Sterling Vineyards in the early 1970s.Soon thereafter, Venge made the leap into professional winemaking when he took a position as the first winemaker and general manager for Villa Mt. Eden in Oakville, California (now the site of PlumpJack Winery). An outstanding run of exquisite Cabernets from 1975-1979 not only put the winery on the map, but also established Venge as one of the industry's new stars.

Another milestone year occurred for Venge in 1982. Not only did he become a minority partner with Dennis Groth in the newly-formed Groth Vineyards & Winery, but also established his own winery, Saddleback Cellars. It was at Groth that his 1985 Reserve Cabernet earned a 100-point rating from Robert Parker Jr.-the only perfect score ever awarded to an American winery. In 1994, Venge split with Groth to pursue his own endeavors at Saddleback and to act as a consultant to other wineries in the area.

For this evening's tasting, it was only fitting we pulled from the cellar two Sangiovese varietal wines from a favorite, familiar and known producer. Venge has been one of the pioneers in Napa Valley Sangiovese, having also worked with Del Dotto during their early releases - a varietal still trying to find its stride in the new world. Tonight, we tried a new restaurant - Lucia's in Chicago's Wicker Park/Bucktown - a family run neighborhood restaurant featuring authentic Italian Mediterranean style home cooking. Lucia's is a BYOB establishment.The wines proved to be a perfect complement to the pasta, veal and beef dishes.

A contrast in vintages, the '97 considered a vintage with top potential for Cabernet Sauvignon but needing extended aging to reveal its capabilities, and more challenging for Sangiovese, vs the 2k vintage which was less acclaimed but provides this more complete, more forward and appealing release.


The '97 was more complex but more subdued in fruit and flavor. It showed slightly dull with a darkening color and subdued fruit, a bit earthy and leathery with hints of cedar aroma and taste gives way to black cherry with hint of and spicy cherry with a touch of anise.

The 2000 showed brighter purple garnet color that revealed its more vibrant fruit - black cherry, hint of blackberry, and spicy cherry; a layer of anise emerged later on the lingering finish.

1997 - RM 87 points; 2000 - RM 90 points. 

http://www.vengevineyards.com 

Barnett Vineyards Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2002

Barnett Vineyards Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2002

Opaque garnet colored - medium bodied - dusty rose, earthy black cherry, spicy tannins on a moderate firm lingering tannin finish.

RM 89 points. 

Marquis Philips 'S2' McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 & 2007

Marquis Philips 'S2' South Australian McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 & 2007

From the partnership of Australian winemaker Chris Ringland and US Importer Dan Philips - hence the creative Austal-American 'Roogle' part (kanga) roo-part eagle character logo.

The vintages have similar profiles and characteristtics. The 2002 exhibited medium - full bodied - dark garnet color - full forward black and blue berry fruit flavors, a layer of anise and hint of mocha, cedar and black cherry on a full lingering flavorful finish. A bit hot with alcohol on opening but soon gave way to the full forward fruit.

Second South Australian 2002 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon in a row, clearly showing a trend of full flavorful well balanced fruits - still vibrant after nine years. See the Flemings Langhorne Creek 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon review from earlier in the week.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

 

The 2007 shows 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.

I rated both RM 90 points.

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.