Tampa's Napa Flair Wine Retailer and Francis Ford Coppola’s Directors Cut Cabernet Sauvignon

There’s something to be said about small independent wine shops. The individual attention they give you and the first hand knowledge of the wines carried in store can be of great benefit to all wine lovers. It’s one of those shopping experiences that can be quite an event. You will rarely receive your prized wine in one of those generic brown bags that are then shoved into a plastic bag. Instead, your wine is wrapped individually in a champagne colored tissue paper and handed to you like a gift. I stumbled across just this type of wine store, Napa Flair right off Sheldon between Tampa’s Citrus Park and West Chase. Feeling the need to celebrate, I found Francis Ford Coppola’s Director’s Cut priced nicely at $22.

The aromas are full of black pepper, cherry notes and hints of leather. Flavors are earthy and full of black cherries and cassis. It has a nice dry mouthfeel but not enough to make your cheeks pucker. This wine is truly spectacular.

While Napa Flair works on their website, Like them on Facebook and receive notices of upcoming events. This Friday June 17 join them 5-7 for a smattering of wines and tasty appetizers. My husband and I will be there.

So what exactly were my husband and I celebrating….I’ve teased this in a few blogs and now it’s official. My husband and I are moving to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. While so many things are still unknown and very much up in the air, I look forward to the challenge and to seeing what this chapter of our life will bring. At this point, our house is under contract, just awaiting the inspection and appraisal before we can finally breath a sigh of relief and begin the packing process. We don’t have housing yet, so if anyone in the Dahlonega area knows where we can get housing for 4-6 weeks while we look for a permanent home, please let me know. It’s going to be a great adventure!

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2011© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

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2009 Concannon Conservancy Chardonnay

As Florida waits for the rainy season to begin and offer some respite from the searing, scorching heat (as evidenced by the plethora of crispy and slightly brown lawns) time to grab another white wine. I know half of the country is caught in this heat wave, just remember all those hours of shoveling snow….and you were wishing for some sunshine and warmth. Well, as long as you have AC and nice refreshing wines, it’s all good. Last night’s wine was Concannon’s 2009 Conservancy Chardonnay, purchased at my local Total Wine for just $9.99.

Aromas are full of creamy honeysuckle. An array of citrus and floral flavors make up the primary flavor profile. Front of the palate is full of citrusy grapefruit. Mid-palate and the floral washes over, followed by a creamy smooth and hint of pineapple finish. Pairs well with your next backyard BBQ or with a summer shrimp boil.

I know I’ve reviewed Concannon wines many times now, so I won’t repeat myself with the same info. If you haven’t read my former blogs on Concannon, click here for a quick background on the winery. I did come up with some info on how Concannon is leading the “green” movement by example.
A decade long process, the winery recently completed a $30 million project to help preserve not only the vines but resources and materials that go into everyday production at the winery and tasting room. The restoration of the redwood tasting room incorporated re-used materials and an environmentally friendly design. Century old cedar planks, refurbished now hang on the exterior of the building. The original brick has found a new purpose in the courtyard fountain and redwood casks used for wine aging in a former life, now have a place in the restored tasting bar. The winery also practices sustainability in the wine making process by installing solar panels on 80% of the winery’s roof.
Recognizing it’s the unique rocky soil that sets their wines apart from others, the winery re-rooted their ancient vines promoting sustainability and healthy fruit for years to come. To ensure the land will be kept from urban development, Concannon established a conservation trust, preserving Livermore Valley viticulture and its simpler way of life…I say cheers to that!

Don’t worry, it will cool down eventually….say in 3-5 months, depending on your location. Until then, keep your wine chiller in the freezer, slip it on a great bottle of wine and brave the outdoors. Or just stay inside in the AC on the couch, which works too.

To donate to the America’s Disaster Relief Truck, currently helping Alabama tornado victims and Mississippi flood victims, click here.

2011© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

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2008 Robert Oatley Chardonnay Mudgee

Ooohhh doggies it’s hot out there. Talk about the dog days of summer, I think Florida’s been in it for a few weeks and it’s just now June. No better time to kick off my summer whites series then now. While I haven’t given up sitting outside, my husband and I have taken to sitting under the tree. The thermometer on the lanai currently reads 98 degrees, and that’s in the shade. Yep, it’s a scorcher! It’s time to break out a white wines that can stand up to the heat; Robert Oatley Chardonnay from Mudgee, Australia. If the Aussies know anything, it’s wine and heat.

Aromas are perfect for outdoor summer drinking, loaded with tropical mango and pineapple. Flavors are slightly tart but refreshing with pineapple and grapefruit flavors tantalizing the palate. The wine finishes with a nice clean and refreshing finish. Perfect for any outdoor or indoor wine drinking you may partake in this summer.

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Region: 100% Mudgee, New South Wales
Barrel Aging: Partial - 10 months in French oak barrels
Alc/vol: 12.2%
RS: 1.0g/100mL
pH: 3.30
TA: 6.3g/100mL

Gone are the days of those overly buttery Chards that just make my mouth feel like it’s been coated with cold cream. The Robert Oatley Chardonnay represents the new style of Chardonnays as they are now produced in a more crisp and clean style and I welcome them into my glass.

Known as one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, Mudgee was one of the first Chardonnay planting regions. At 1,500 feet above sea level, the red clay and volcanic soil provides just the right nutrients to the Oatley vineyards. The unique soil allows the wines to take on the full varietal potential along with  complexity and balance. For more info on the Oatley line, click here

As the Florida temperatures climb higher and no rainfall as a reprieve from the heat, I find myself reaching for white wine after white wine. Don’t fret red wines, as soon as the temps are back in a reasonable range, I will welcome you back with an open wine glass.

To donate to the America’s Disaster Relief Truck, currently helping Alabama tornado victims and Mississippi flood victims, click here.

2011© Kellie Stargaard.  All Rights Reserved.

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Sexy Wine Bomb Blends Have More Fun Red

Having seen Sexy Wine Bomb on a couple of blogs and upon finding it at my local Total Wine, I knew I had to give it a whirl. Not one to always jump on the wine bandwagon, the wine was priced right at $9.99, so what the heck!

Aromas are full of red and purple fruits. Flavors are spicy and jammy with underlying plum and cherry notes. While I find the label fun, I found the wine a little lack luster, no complexity. The wine did lose some of the overly jammy flavors with 5 seconds of the Clef du Vin. I’m not saying it’s a terrible wine, I think a younger wine drinker will find it just fine. And who knows, maybe it was just another off night for me but I don’t know if I’ll try this one again.

Blend: 38% Merlot, 38% Zinfandel, 23% Syrah, less than 1% Petite Sirah
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 15%
RS: 0.8

Just a few years ago, I would have thought this wine is delectable, maybe even delicious and a delight to drink. But something has changed, I know longer find those jammy under developed wines to be enjoyable at all. In fact, I find them to be almost appalling and they take the fun out of drinking wine. What’s wrong with me, could it be, has it happened…am I, gasp, a wine snob?

No, I refuse to believe I’ve turned into a wine snob. I find too many fabulous and incredible wines for between $8.99 and $12.99. Besides, I’m too cheap to be a wine snob. So maybe my palate has changed a little, maybe all those wonderful wines in the $20 range have swayed my taste buds a bit but I still have my go to favorites priced under $10 and unless I win the lottery, that won’t change.

Found at my local Total Wine for $9.99.

****To donate to the America’s Disaster Relief Truck, currently helping Alabama tornado victims and Mississippi flood victims, click here.

2011© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.
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Argyle Black Brut 2008

Seems like Florida’s summer began in early April but this week, we’ve had a reprise of early spring. Temps in the 70’s and low humidity mean wine time by the Koi pond is back! On top of this lovely and refreshing weather, I have some big things going on that I’m just bursting at the seams to tell you about. But, still waiting for things to be finalized, so until then I’ll just have to keep you on the edge of your seats and tell you about some of the great wines I’ve had recently. Oh and just in case anyone is thinking it, no, my big news does not involve children.

This week my husband and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary and we did it in style. We cracked up the third and final bottle of Argyle Black Brut 2008 which we shipped back from our honeymoon in Portland, OR.

Color is an amazing deep purple/garnet color. Looks like Pinot Noir but with bubbles. Aromas of black cherry bounce out of the glass. Flavors bursting of currant and blackberry are a delight. Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the grapes are sourced from Knudsen Vineyards located in Willamette Valley AVA, Willamette Valley, OR.

Brian Croser and Rollin Soles saw the benefits the Willamette Valley could provide to their wines with its cooler temps. The region is known for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and in 1987 the duo began using these grapes to produce methode champenoise sparkling wine. Grapes are hand harvested and chilled overnight to 35F before crushing. Chilling the grapes helps to retain the fruit characteristics and limits oxidation.

While the Black Brut is not available nationwide in-store, it is available on the Argyle website for $30, and completely worth it. You can find Argyle Blanc de Blancs a 100% Dijon clone Chardonnay nationally at Total Wine priced at $27.

To donate to the America’s Disaster Relief Truck, currently helping Alabama tornado victims and Mississippi flood victims, click here.

2011© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

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2009 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay

I’m experiencing a few changes in my world and hoping some really big ones come soon. In the meantime I find myself falling back to tried and true favorites. While I welcome the monumental changes that I expect and hope come soon, sometimes you just want to stick with familiarity that’s why I recently reached for Columbia Crest’s 2009 Grand Estates Chardonnay.

Aromas were a little closed at first but after some light swirling soft oaky aromas wafted out of the glass. Hints of apple and white fruit hit the palate. The flavors are creamy and buttery true to the new California Chardonnay style, smooth, clean and refreshing. I say new California Chardonnay style because not so long ago, CA Chardonnay tasted like you would pour over popcorn. I find the new styles, lighter, more delicate and very easy drinking.

I’ve covered Columbia Crest in several blogs, I mean why not, they’re affordable and they taste good. Two of the most important factors I can think of when choosing an everyday wine. I don’t want to sound like a broken record and give you the same info over and over. So what info can I dig up that I haven’t already covered…. Here’s something you may not know and it doesn’t have anything to do with the winery but is related to the area.

Mount Rainier located southeast of Seattle is noted as the most prominent mountain in the US. It is also considered to be one of the most hazardous volcanoes in the world. The top of the volcano contains three summits, the highest being named Columbia Crest. A little geography lesson for you today. I’ll throw in a little info about the winery as for those of you who have not seen my previous blogs.

Columbia Crest’s history begins back in 1978 when the first 500 acres of vineyards were planted in what would eventually become Columbia Crest Winery. By 1983 the winery is officially open for business just one year before official appellation (AVA) status is granted to Columbia Valley, WA. By 1997 the winery has one several accolades as well as being listed under Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines, an honor they now receive year after year.

Found at my local BJ’s Wholesale Warehouse for just $8.99.

2011© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

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2009 Big House Unchained Naked Chardonnay

Having just returned from a vacation to the Northeast Georgia Mountains, I find myself dreaming of running away to the mountains and making soaps and candles. Instead I face 90 degree temps on a hot and steamy Florida day. Hard to believe, it’s not even summer yet. Guess the best way to survive will be to stock up on some crisp white wines like my latest sample, Big House Unchained Naked Chardonnay 2009.

Pineapple, peach and tropical aromas swirl up through my glass. Flavors are full of citrus and tropical flavors. Mouthfeel is creamy but there is still a nice balance of acidity. The finish provides a little hint of sugar after the tartness subsides.

Bringing a weak and wimpy Chardonnay into the Big House compound wouldn’t do for these winemakers. They decided this Chardonnay needed to be able to stand up for itself. So they threw the traditional California Chardonnay standards to the guard dogs and opted for using steel tank and neutral oak barrels allowing the true fruit flavors to break through. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks meant the grapes were given time off for good behavior, skipping the secondary malolactic fermentation period. This allows the wine to cast off the traditional oaky flavors and take on more of the natural fruit flavors in the Chardonnay grape.

What can I tell you about Big House that I haven’t already covered? Looking around the website I stumble upon one of my favorite things; free stuff! There you’ll find PC wall paper, recipes, videos and you can even have a temporary tattoo mailed to you. While looking at the video, The Birdman Pinot Grigio, I was reminded of a very little known piece of my family history. The Birdman of Alcatraz, Robert Stroud, was a relative of mine. Yep, strange but true and even stranger, there’s mention of his family in a newspaper article outlining the murder of my great-great grandfather. Birdman didn’t have anything to do with that murder, I think that was a jealous ex-boyfriend of my great-great grandmother, uh the drama!

Priced at just $10 you won’t have to commit strong arm robbery, or murder, to get yourself some great wine for the upcoming summer months.

2011© Kellie Stargaard. All Rights Reserved.

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