Deep Reds - Del Dotto Cab - Kalleske Shiraz

Two Big 'Deep' Reds with Italian Dinner

In planning our wine selections for our dinner outing with Dennis 'Woz' and Rosie, I asked Dennis what type wines they preferred. He replied that they like big "deep" reds so I selected the 1999 vintage Del Dotto Napa Cabernet and Kalleske Greenock Barossa Shiraz 2005. They both lived up to expectations according to earlier tasting experience notes. These were great accompaniment to the spicy and cheesy pasta dishes, as well as the brown sage sauce on the halibut entree at Angelis, our favorite local Italian trattoria. 

Del Dotto Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Dining with Dave and Yolanda Del Dotto in the
garden court at Tra Vigne in St Helena

We're long time fans of Del Dotto wines going back to their inaugural vintage in 1993 when they were featured in the Wine Spectator feature of up and coming new producers to watch. We've attended many Del Dotto events and hosted them numerous times at our Napa wine producer dinners during our Napa Wine Experiences.

R & L with Dave Del Dotto in the caves.

We first tasted this vintage selection from the barrel in the Del Dotto cave tour at the old caves over by Silverado Trail. Today, of course they have a magnificent new winery and cave on the estate on Highway 29 and Zinfandel Lane in St Helena, Napa. Everyone to whom we've recommended the Del Dotto Cave Experience during their Napa visit have said it was a highlight of their trip. (It was especially memorable for our good friends Rick and Wendy when Del Dotto arranged an exclusive intimate tasting there where Rick popped 'the question' and proposed.) 

This 1999 vintage selection was featured at their gala festival  Barrels and Beef Extravaganza at the estate which we attended during our Napa Wine Experience in 2002. Later that same year, Del Dotto served this wine at the Wine Spectator Grand Tasting where it was a standout. That winter we took this wine along on our holiday in the Caribbean where it was the center of several memorable dinner experiences. 

The fruit for this selection was sourced from the Del Dotto estate in the Rutherford appellation. My earliest notes of this wine from that time said that "this may be the best ever Cab from our friends Dave and Yolanda Del Dotto - and winemaker Nils Venge". Of course they have since followed up with many spectacular vintages many of which are drinking very nicely such as their 2001 which is showing especially complex, smooth and polished these days and gives the 1999 a run. Suffice to say, this is one of our favorite Napa cabs, a centerpiece of our cellar collection that we continue to enjoy on special occasions and showcase with friends. We're still holding a vertical back to that 1993 release and we continue to be amazed and pleased with their longevity! 

The 1999 Del Dotto Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby colored, full bodied, complex but nicely balanced with intense dark cherry, black currant and blackberry fruits, a spicy tangy oak layer on a lingering finish of tight structured tannins. This wine cries for a big juicy steak or bold cheese or dark chocolate accompaniment. 

RM 92 points. 


https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=616988

http://www.deldottovineyards.com/



Kalleske Greenock Barossa Valley Shiraz 2005

Intense, full bodied, inky colour, thick chewy tongue-coating ripe black cherry, plum, creme de cassis with a layer of mineral and a hint of raisin, vanilla and black pepper on the smooth polished finish.

RM 90 points

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=275934

http://www.kalleske.com/ 

Haut-Carles Fronsac

Haut-Carles Fronsac Bordeaux 2005

Taken BYOB to our local Italian Bistro Angeli's Italian Restaurant in Naperville, the Haut-Carles Bordeaux was a great accompaniment to their hearty Gorgonzola Veal dish.

Dark inky purple color - full bodied - surprisingly vibrant and bright blackberry and black currant fruits up front give way to cedar, charcoal and crushed rock with hints of nutty vanilla and slight mocha turning to mineral and touch of leather and spice on the acidic finish. Great QPR (Quality to Price Ratio) showing off a great vintage that presents itself well even at modest sub $20 price point. This is ready to drink now and doesn't appear likely to improve further. 

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=224210


Cliff Lede Napa Valley Stags Leap District Sauvignon Blanc 2011

We discovered this wine at the winery during our visit Napa Valley Wine Experience in the fall of 2009. Located in the heart of Napa Valley in the Stags Leap District along Silverado Trail, Cliff Lede Vineyards are known for their collection of Cabernet Sauvignons, including their classic Poetry, unique Moon Symphony, and Estate labels.

Additionally, the Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc has become perhaps our favorite Sauvignon Blanc which should be a mainstay of any cellar as it is so versatile for so many occasions from causal sipping to apres dinner to spicy entrees. Its hearty enough for the breadth of Italian dishes for white wine lovers. 

 The 2011 Cliff Lede Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is light straw colored, crisp and clean with complex aromas and flavors of  pear, peach, lychee fruit, with a layer of lime zest, and apricot blossom with a flinty minerality on a lingering finish.

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1346624

 http://www.cliffledevineyards.com/

Firesteed Oregon Pinot Noir 2009

Firesteed Oregon Pinot Noir 2009

Grapes for this wine, as in previous years, were sourced from throughout the Willamette, Umpqua, Rogue and Walla Walla Valleys, creating a truly Oregon blend.

Tasted w. James at Chez Andres in Alexandria, VA, where Monday and Tuesday nights feature wine specials. Too light for the filets of beef this was a great compliment to the chocolate mousse cake. 

Garnet in color, light bodied and a bit flabby but acceptable at the low QPR (Quality Price Ratio) price-point - aromas of dusty rose, raspberries, cedar, leather and spice; berry and slightly tart cherry flavors give way to tannin through the modest lingering finish.  

RM 85 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1193971

http://www.firesteed.com/
 

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon - 90+ Wines Shiraz

For a gala dinner celebration while visiting son Alec in New Jersey, we dined at Matisse Restaurant on the Beach in Belmar, NJ and took two big reds BYOB to accompany dinner - Robert Mondavi Oakville Cab 2004 and 90+ Wines Shiraz. 

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

From the collection of Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon selections, the Oakville (appellation) label represents the Oakville AVA or Appellation - one of seventeen in Napa Valley. Located in the heart of Napa Valley the AVA (Agricultural Viticultural Area) extends the width of Napa Valley nestled between the Vaca Mountains to the East and the Mayacamas Range to the west, rising from the valley floor to an elevation of 600 feet.

Oakville is home to some of the premier producers of Bordeaux varietals with Cabernet Sauvignon being predominant as it is perfectly suited to the distinctive Oakville terroir - that combination of soil and micro-climate - just the right number hot sunny days and modest amounts of moisture at the right times of the season. Oakville is home to all the traditional Bordeaux varietals in addition to Cabernet Sauvignon  - Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot as well as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc white wine grapes.


Oakville is also home to many of the most storied, renouned and famous growers and producers of Cabernet Sauginon wines as shown on the interactive map of Oakville Appellation producers and growers and list of Appellation Members.

 The Mondavi Oakville may represent the best QPR - Quality to Price Ratio in the Mondavi line as it often equals or beats the Reserve flagship label for a fraction of the price. While almost double the price of the Estate Napa Cab, the Oakville consistently is distinctive and represents the best that the appellation has to offer in this price range and is generally available based on production of over 10,000 bottles. In good years, Mondavi does a great job obtaining this quality in such a quantity production.

The 2004 presented dark garnet ruby red color, medium to full firm body with intense concentrated flavors of sweet ripe currant and blackberry, dusty herb, and cedary oak with hints of anise and dark mocha on the sharp moderate tannin lingering finish.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=224276 

http://www.robertmondaviwinery.com/ 

Robert Craig Howell Mtn Cab 2005

Robert Craig Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Wine tasting with Robert Craig atop Howell Mtn

We're long time huge fans of Robert Craig and his selection of Napa Valley Cabernets from 'three mountains and a valley' - Howell Mtn, Mt Veeder, Spring Mtn and his Bordeaux style blend Affinity. We've been collecting his wines since his inaugural release in 1993. 

Typically, over the years, our favorite is his Howell Mtn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

 We first tasted this 2005 vintage at the winery up on the top of  Howell Mountain at a wonderful lunch tasting during our Napa Wine Experience in 2008.  Joining us on that trip were my sister Jan and bro-in-law Bill. So it was great fun to experience this bottle with them at their house over dinner during my recent trip to Orange County.

 

This Cabernet Sauvignon is dark purple colored, full bodied, concentrated with smooth velvety texture,  bright, intense black and wild berry fruits, tones of soft mocha, cedar, spice and soft oak, a whisper of cedar and herbal notes on a polished smooth finish.

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=379780

http://www.robertcraigwine.com/