2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley

I think I’ve developed a new wine love affair with Chateau Ste. Michelle. I’ve had several varieties in the past months and have not been disappointed to date. This weeks offering was the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley.

Floral notes mixed with herbs waft out of the glass. Flavors are crisp and light with green apple and a touch of banana in the finish. Finish isn’t crazy long but lingers enough for me to appreciate the subtleness.

Acidity – 0.64g/100ml

PH 3.13

Alcohol 13%
Varietal – 100% Sauvignon Blanc

2008 was a banner growing season in Washington’s Columbia Valley with full ripening crops and in check sugar levels. Grapes were sourced primarily from the winery’s Horse Heaven Vineyard located in Columbia Valley, WA. Receiving just six to eight inches of rain per year, the sandy soil’s inability to hold water allows for a more controlled vine growth. The region also benefits from the additional sunlight during the growing season. Receiving two hours more per day than California, the grapes are able to ripen fully creating exceptional aroma and flavors.

For more information on Chateau Ste. Michelle, click here.

Chateau Ste. Michelle brings a little more sunshine into my world. If only all my decisions were as hard as deciding which varietal to drink tonight.

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Sin Zin Alexander Valley Vineyards Zinfandel

Months ago, I tried Seven Deadly Zins and found it most scrumptious. While I can’t afford the other wines in that line, I can afford Sin Zin, an Alexander Valley Vineyard (AVV), Zinfandel. Not sure of the vintage on this one but assume it was between 2006-2008 and purchased for around $12.99.

Leather notes, black cherries, spice and smoky oak waft out of the glass. Bold blackberry flavors up front, tasty vanilla and plum hit mid-palate and strong oak flavors in the end. Tannins, slightly dry create a luscious and well balanced finish. While Zinfandel wines can be chameleons with flavors ranging from spicy fruit bombs and high tannins to tart or soft and smooth flavors, this zin has the classic spicy, bold tannins Zinfandels are known and loved for.

Wine info:
Appellation - Alexander Valley
Grape Varietal - Zinfandel
Barrel Regimen - Aged for 10 months in American oak including 25% new
Alcohol (by volume) - 14%

Produced in California’s Alexander Valley, the land the vineyard occupies was actually once owned by Cyrus Alexander, for who the appellation is named. Purchased by Maggie and Harry Wetzel from the Alexander heirs in 1962, this section of Sonoma County was predominantly prune orchards and pastures. Originally set on raising livestock, the Wetzels began planting grape vines and opened their winery for business in 1975. Today the winery and vineyards are still family owned and run.

The Wetzel Family Estate vineyards stretch from the banks of the Russian River up on to south facing hillsides. AVV produces nearly 20 wines from the 11 estate grown varieties. The estate has approximately 25,000 sq ft of caves where the wine is aged in French and American oak barrels. Current annual wine production is over 100,000 cases.

I firmly believe you can taste the difference between a family owned and run winery versus one of the big conglomerates. Too many times, my favorite wine has been sold to the big guys and my ever so dependable wine fails to deliver the love and caress as it once had.

Here’s to the family owned winerys….cheers.

My rating – Too good to put down.

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Cypress Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Found this wine at a local wine/liquor store. I’m always looking for wines in my price range that are new to me. So I jumped at the chance to try Cypress Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. Imagine my surprise when I find out this “new” to me wine, is actually produced by J Lohr Vineyards, who is not new to me.

Ruby red in color, aromas chock full of cherry, spice and oak. Flavors don’t have a lot going on. High tannins, some fruit flavors, very dry and astringent. Definitely not one of the J Lohr better wines.

Cypress Vineyards harvests grapes from the California Central Coast. The area is influenced by the breezes off the Pacific Ocean cooling the coastal and inland valleys. This allows the grape to maintain its natural acidity (I can attest to this fact). As with most grapes, temperature is critical to the development of the flavor and aromas of the grape.

The J Lohr website states the Cypress Vineyard wines taste as if they were kissed by sun and sea. Well, if that translates to dried up wine then they hit the nail on the head. In all seriousness, we did eventually finish the bottle but it took a few nights.

Since this wasn’t one of my favorite wines, I don’t think I’ll spend much more time on it. My opinion on this one, purchase one of the other wines in the J Lohr line, leave this one alone.

My rating: - use the rest in sauce

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I’m feeling Dynamite Merlot tonight

Ever have one of those rare moments in your life where you get to say exactly what’s on your mind? Not the occasional opinionated passing but the one where you’ve been waiting for 25 years to let someone know exactly how you feel about them. Then after you have a release that either leaves you with explosive emotions or leaves you feeling dynamite. Well I felt the latter after my confrontation and that puts me in the mood for some 2006 Dynamite Merlot.

The glass is a deep dark purple, black currants and a touch of toast. Lush and soft at the front of the palate with swirling flavors of vanilla and chocolate. Bold tannins and a vibrant astringency. This isn’t the first time I’ve had this wine, I also had it at The Vine a few months ago and fell in love with it then as well.

Dynamite Vineyards began with a Cabernet Sauvignon varietal in 1991, choosing the rocky slopes of California’s North Coast for their vineyards. In 1994 a Merlot varietal was added along with additional vineyards. When ready for harvesting the grapes are picked and then fermented in tanks holding 10-20 tons of grapes. After the appropriate amount of fermentation, the grapes are barrel aged for one year prior to being blended with other varieties.
The winery uses only environmentally friendly farming methods. They also use local artists to create a vineyard scene for each vintage’s label. The website states their goal is to craft wines that are full flavored and immediately approachable. For someone who is impatient like me, that’s a good goal to keep.

Not sure if it’s the release of 25 years or if it’s this wine but right now I feel like J.J. Evans, Dyn-o-mite!

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Stellar Sterling Merlot

Generally Sterling is a little out of my price range but a few weeks ago, I happen to find it on sale at ABC Fine Wine & Liquor for $9.99. The 2007 Sterling Merlot did not disappoint and I will gladly seek out this sale price again.

The color in the glass is a brilliant ruby red with purple hues. Aromas are bursting with berries, oak and vanilla. The toasty oak, black berries and vanilla carry over to the flavors. Nice mouthfeel, bold tannins and a nice fruity finish.

Technical stuff:
Varietal: Merlot
Appellation: Central Coast
Aging: One year in small oak barrels
Alcohol: 13.9%

Sterling Vineyards was established in 1964 by Peter Newton. Located in Napa Valley, they began cultivating Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc releasing the first vintage dated Merlot in the region in 1969. The winery uses a variety of California regions allowing them to cultivate from a wide variety of soils, climates and growing conditions. This allows them to choose the proper region for the appropriate grape. With more than ten vineyards and 1,200 acres the winemakers are given more flexibility and control over the quality of the harvest and wine production.

I’m crossing my fingers I’ll be able to find this one on sale again in the near future and if I do, I’ll let you know.

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2007 Hahn Estates Central Coast Meritage

While there are times when my inexpensive wine experiment falls flat on its face, Hahn Estates Meritage is one that is definitely standing tall. In one word…Yum!

The color in the glass is a deep dark red with aromas of toasty oak and vanilla swirling around the glass. High intense flavors of spice and blackberry flavors combine perfectly with high tannins making the wine dry and delectable and me a very happy wine drinker.

Technical stuff:
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Meritage
Appellation: Central Coast
Acid: .62gm/100ml
PH: 3.68
Alcohol: 14.5%

Located in Montery County, CA, the Hahn Estate vineyards were originally a horse ranch called Smith Ranch and a cattle ranch called Hook Ranch. Taking advantage of the optimal location, the neighbors started Smith and Hook winery releasing their first vintage in 1980. In 1991 Nicolas Hahn created the Hahn Estates brand. In German, “Hahn” means “Rooster” and for this reason a rooster represents the Hahn Estates. The winery is now known as Hahn Estates / Smith & Hook Winery as a tribute to the early years of the winery.

2010© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

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2008 Elsa Bianchi Malbec

I truly enjoy Malbec wines and rarely find one I don’t like. While tonight was not an exception to this rule, the 2008 Elsa Bianchi Malbec while drinkable was in this wine drinker opinion, well, just average.

Aromas full of oak and black pepper and flavors boasting with high tannins and a lot of jammy flavors upfront. I think it was the overly sweet jam flavors that killed it for me. Mid palate and you’re hit with spiciness followed by a nice smooth finish.

Technical Stuff:
Alcohol: 14.1%
Appellation: Mendoza
Sub-Appellation: San Rafael
Varietal: 100% Malbec

The Argentine wine industry is currently the fifth largest wine producer and Malbec is certainly the most widely planted grape.Under Argentine wine laws, if a grape name appears on the wine label, at least 80% of the wine must be composed of that grape variety. While Malbec began in Southwest France it’s now king in Argentina and is most often associated with that region. The Argentine Malbec differs from its French relatives as the Argentina grapes have smaller berries in tighter, smaller clusters. The varietal is typically deep in color and intense fruity flavors with a velvety texture. As of 2003 there were over 50,000 acres of Malbec.

While an average wine isn’t necessarily a bad thing, I think I’ll skip this wine in future purchases. If you would like to experience for yourself, I found this wine at ABC Fine Wine & Liqour for less than $7.50.

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I’m dreaming of the Italian countryside with my bottle of 2008 La Tancia Sangiovese

There are a few wine varietals that just take you away to a specific region just by mentioning the name. France has its Bordeaux and Burgundy and Italy has Chianti and Sangiovese. With my latest wine selection I’m whisked away to the Italian countryside with a wedge of cheese, a loaf of bread and with a nice bottle of 2008 La Tancia Sangiovese. Too bad I’m really just sitting on my couch but the wine is still delightful.

In my younger years I would have described this as someone swept up the attic and bottled it. As my palate and my senses have matured, I recognize this as a nice well balanced dry wine. The aromas are intoxicating as they tease the senses you know this could be the start of something good. The flavors are full bodied with lots of Earthy flavors. While it’s very dry, it’s still very well balanced and easy drinking.

I only had one glass the first night (I must have been ill or something) and on the second night the flavors had become much tamer as the wine was allowed to breath. I don’t advocate opening all red wines and allowing them to breathe as you may actually be missing out on the best features of that wine. So if you open a bottle of wine and feel the flavors are a little unbalanced, leave the bottle open or pour into a glass and let it rest for a few minutes. Swirling may even smooth the flavors and you can enjoy immediately.

Either consumed the same night or the night after, found at ABC Fine Wine & Liquor for $8.99, I think I’ll purchase this bottle again and enjoy with that cheese and bread I was dreaming about.

2010© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

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Reserve St. Martin Pinot Noir 2008

I can’t seem to get used to how dark it gets before 6:30 P.M. even rolls around. It really is putting a damper on my ability to sit by the Koi pond and drink some wine and just when the temps are getting tolerable. It’s time to grab the cat and head inside for tonight’s wine offering a bottle of Reserve St. Martin Pinot Noir.

The aromas are very fruity and a little on the grapey side. Flavors feel thin, dry and I’m picking up a hint of metallic. May just be my taste buds are off tonight as Wine Hubby seems to really enjoy his glass.

Reserve St. Martin Pinot Noir is produced by Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu, one of the largest wine producers in the world. The winery located in France plants over 37,050 acres has 17 cooperative cellars and produces 3.5m cases. After the grapes are harvested they are crushed but not de-stalked. They are then fermented in temperature controlled vats for 12 days.

Grape Varieties : 100% Pinot Noir
Finished Alcohol: 13%
Residual Sugar: 4 g/L
Acidity: 3.25 g/L
pH: 3.66

Looks like the early darkness and this wine have something in common, both leave me wanting a little more sunshine and brightness. I will give this wine another try just to see if it was me that was off tonight versus the wine.

2009© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/

Tempted by the label of 2006 Temptation Zinfandel and hooked on the taste

This Halloween season has presented itself with a delightful and sometimes frightful challenge, finding the perfect Halloween wines. Let’s hope 2006 Temptation Zinfandel won’t be another fright night wine. In the store, the first thing that draws you to the wine is the label, with an Elizabethan area lady in a near embrace with a skeleton holding a bottle of wine.

The bright red crimson colors in the glass and the multitude of aromas with citrus and berry notes wafting out of the glass prepare my taste buds for whatever the wine can bring. Flavors of Bing cherries, plums and ginger hit the palate along with smooth tannins making this a very nice drinking wine.

Temptation Zinfandel is produced by Alexander Valley Vineyard in Sonoma County. Maggie and Henry Wetzel purchased the property in 1962 and in 1975 their eldest son, Hank, produced the first wine. The vineyard now grows fourteen varietals from the Russian River banks to the hillsides. Temptation is the third Zinfandel addition that also includes Sin Zin and Redemption Zin.

Wine info:
Appellation: Californian
Grape Varietal: 96% Zinfandel, 4% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 14.5%

Happy not to face another night of under developed, flabby wines; Temptation will definitely be on my list of wines to purchase and drink with joy again.

This wine can be found at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits for $9.99.

2009© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

http://winechicksguidetoeverydaywines.blogspot.com/