Yield, San Francisco, CA

Wine is best enjoyed with friends.  A common theme in many of our posts is the location, dinner or friends we’ve enjoyed the wines with.  This posts is really courtesy of our friends Emmy and Ann who showed us a great up and coming neighborhood in the southern shadow of San Francisco’s Bay Bridge.

Yield is a small, intimate wine bar located in the heart of San Francisco's historic Dog Patch Neighborhood.  For dinner, make sure you visit Serpentine across the street.

From their website… Yield is the first "green" wine bar in San Francisco...  We are committed to supporting sustainable winemaking and agriculture, as well as family owned and operated wineries.  All of the wines featured on our rotating wine list are environmentally friendly — they are made from grapes that are farmed organically or biodynamically.  While many of our featured wineries even receive certification, all of them are as focused on making the best wine possible as they are on making it in the most environmentally conscious way.  To learn more about "green" wine, click here.  

Caught up in conversation, few wine notes were made about the groups choices: 

“Mmm” and “That’s a good wine”
Tempranillo, Kirios de Adrada, Ribera del Duero, Spain ’05                  
This was Mary’s glass and I thought it rude to start swigging and swirling her glass when I had my own in front of me.  I did notice murmurs of enjoyment from her so apparently it was a good wine for her.  Yield indicates fresh tobacco and roasted tomatoes in the dense medium red wine that is Biodynamic (farming with an emphasis on manures and composts and the exclusion of the use of artificial chemicals on soil and plants).
 
2.5 stars out of 5
Carmenère/Cabernet Sauvignon, Chamán de Santa Cruz, Colchagua Valley, Chile ‘05                          
I’m pretty spoiled when it comes to Cabernet and have enjoyed many.  Although this wine was smooth and drinkable, I felt that it could have stayed on the shelf an additional year before opening.  The first half of the glass had strong tannins and reminded me of a young zinfandel.  Yield indicates that they recognize smoked pineapple and bay leaves in the aroma and taste; to be honest, all I caught was alcohol and the giggles from jokes around the table.  I will need to return and try it again in a more serious manner.

Tapeña Garancha (Spain, 2007)

3 stars (out of 5)

We picked this one up at the local wine store because we recently tried Tapena’s 2007 Temparnillo and enjoyed it. Although perhaps a good value wine, this garancha was not as much to our liking as the previously-reviewed Tempranillo. The wine was deep ruby purple in color, and promptly stained my plastic cup from top to bottom. The musty cherry aroma was somewhat unsettling, but the wine opened up a bit in our mouths with flavors of dark cherry and fig. The finish was spicy like a Christmas cookie, cinnamon and clove.

XYin 2005 XYZin 10 Year Vines

4.5 stars (out of 5)

We discovered XYZin, a subsidiary of Geyser Peak Winery, on our last trip to California. This has quickly become one of my favorite zins – and I’m a zin gal, so that’s not something to be taken lightly. After nearly 18 months in the cellar, I actually opened this one (purists, cover your eyes) for cooking. I am pleased to report that it was the best beef burgundy stew I’ve ever made.

Luckily, there was some left over for drinking too. Here’s what we found:
• Color: Deep dark burgundy in color, nearly black
• Nose: Raspberry, chocolate, and earth
• Flavors: Blackberry, dark cherries, raisins
• A little hot on the finish with well-balanced tannins.

Ravenswood Zen of Zin Old Vine Zinfandel (Sonoma County, California, 2004)

2.5 stars (out of 5)

We had a hard time with this wine, and actually had to come back to it the next day because we couldn’t find the right words to describe it the first time around. This wine was black raspberry in color with a pink rim, and had has a nose of homemade strawberry rhubarb jam. Subtle flavors included cranberry, fresh earth, and autumn with a smoky vanilla finish. The wine was palatable, but not very complex. I wouldn’t recommend it for wine newbies because the flavors were hard to distinguish. Overall, it would probably pair easily with food but I wouldn’t add it to my list of top zins.

Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon (California, 2006)

1.5 stars (out of 5)

Encouraged by a delicious Bogle Petite Sirah that we tried last week, I thought I would pick up the Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon – a varietal that we normally enjoy. I am sorry to say that we were sorely disappointed with this one. The nose was mostly rubbing alcohol, even after it had opened for an hour or so. All three tasters agreed that the wine lacks distinct flavor, but tasted like sour grapes. It seemed to me that the tannins were out of balance; they were too pronounced without enough structure to support them. As a result the wine tasted tart.

We didn’t finish it – which is pretty unusual for us even with a bad bottle of wine – until later when we'd already burned through a second bottle. Thankfully, we had some others to get us through the evening. Read on for notes on those….

Jacob’s Creek Shiraz Cabernet (Australia, 2005)

2 stars (out of 5)

The best thing I can say about this blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon is that it wasn’t unpleasant. But it wasn’t exactly pleasant either… it was really simply nondescript. Our tasters couldn’t isolate any distinct flavors, except to say that it tasted like wine. Someone even mentioned box wine (I won’t say who). While I wouldn’t object to drinking it, I certainly wouldn’t purchase it again.

Cline Zinfandel (Sonoma, California, 2007)

3 stars (out of 5)

The best of the bunch, I selected the Cline because I like zinfandel and it had recently been featured on a podcast to which I subscribe. This wine tasted earthy, like freshly turned fields, and had a lingering finish described by different tasters as lingonberry, dark cherry, or currant. Clearly a young wine, it was not very robust and would probably benefit from aging a year or two in the cellar. Overall, I would rate it a fair value at $13.99 but am not sure I would reach for it again so soon.

Clayhouse Vineyeards Adobe Red (California, 2006)

4.5 stars (out of 5)

The third of our “Thanksgiving tasting panel,” Clayhouse Vineyard’s Adobe Red was a delightful sip. This 2006 blend is 58% Zinfandel, 17% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah, and 12% Malbec. Deep plum in color, it had chocolate and coffee in the nose. Subtle flavors were tobacco and dark cherry, with a burst of strawberry on the finish. Tasters reported that this wine was soft, with light flavor that dissipates quickly. I would note that this will probably be the red wine at our Thanksgiving table: it was luscious and easily drinkable, with subtleties that will pair well with lots of flavors.

Bogle Petite Sirah (Central Coast, California, 2006)

4 stars (out of 5)

Although perhaps a bit too heady for Thanksgiving, we all agreed that this is an excellent comfort wine. The nose had cherry, ripe blackberry, with a tart spiciness. We tasted chocolate and spice in the sip, especially once the wine had opened up and some of the alcohol taste had dissipated. The tannins were nicely balanced; as Kelly said, this wine “doesn’t taste like a migraine.” Though probably not our choice for Thanksgiving – it’s robust flavor might be a little much with such an assortment of foods – we agreed that this wine was highly drinkable and could possibly get you into a nip of trouble.

Anton Bauer Gmörk Gruner-Veltlinger (Tracken, Austria, 2007)

Having just found out that we are hosting Thanksgiving, I visited our local wine store to get some recommendations. Truthfully, they have all been great and we’re having a tough time deciding!

Anton Bauer Gmörk Gruner-Veltlinger (Tracken, Austria, 2007)
4 stars (out of 5)

Although I am a little unsure about serving an Austrian wine at such an all-American holiday, this gruner-veltliner would pair delightfully with a variety of autumn flavors. Elizabeth said the nose on this one “smells like wine,” but others detected aromas of citrus and hard cider. It was crisp and light on our tongues, with a long floral finish and nice minerality. Overall, an excellent value ($13.99) and will probably be at our Thanksgiving meal.

Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne Gold Label (France, 1999)

4.5 stars (out of 5)

This traditional champagne is sophisticated and savvy, with a light apple taste similar to an aged hard cider. This bubbly delights the mouth with tingly bursts on the tongue and a long subtle finish. Delicious alone or with all sorts of foods: lamb, caviar, and pork belly. This one is on my list next time we are celebrating a special occasion. Yum!

HRM Rex Goliath! Giant 47 Pound Rooster Pinot Noir, Vin de Pays d’Oc (California, NV)

1.5 star (out of 5)

One of my friends is a “bird guy” and likes to try wines with different birds on the label. Featuring a circus poster of Rex Goliath, the 47-Pound Rooster (natch), this one seemed like a sure bet.

He picked this bottle up for a Halloween party and it actually fit the theme: this wine was pretty scary. Weak in color and watery, tasters described it as tart and vinegary. I’m not a tremendous fan of Pinot Noirs in general, and this wine did nothing to convince me. I suppose it could have been worse, but it definitely could have been much, much better. The label, though, was appealing in a carnivale-gone-crazy sort of way.

Sebastiani Alexander Valley Merlot (California, 2006)

3 stars (out of 5)

A terrific wine that will only get better with age, my sister and I opened the 2006 Alexander Valley Merlot Appellation Selection the moment it arrived from Sebastiani (even though it is recommended for further aging of one to two more years). It’s a dark crimson color with aromas of berries, coffee, spice and black cherry. The first taste was smooth, silky and chocolaty. Similar to a zinfandel, the elegant wine was a perfect match to an evening of giggling and gossip but would pair well with a luxurious piece of chocolate or cheese.

This merlot is a composition of 75.7 percent merlot, 12 percent petite verdot, 6.6 percent cabernet sauvignon and 5.7 percent malbec. Released in August 2008, its relatively inexpensive price makes it an excellent addition to your cellar or dinner table tonight.

Hess Cabernet Sauvignon (California, 2004)

3 stars (out of 5)

Nothing spectacular, but this wine was lush and drinkable right from the bottle. Yummy with both my filet mignon and Jen's maple grilled pork tenderloin at Walter's in Portland's Old Port. However, I can boldly assert that this wine does not go with creme brûlée (yuck). Didn't really expect it to, but I still had a sip in my glass and thought I would give it a try.

This nice little sip from Napa Valley was priced "just right" on the restaurant wine list, at $36 per bottle. As always, I would estimate that a wine store purchase would be abour 1/3 of the restaurant price, or about $13.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Late Harvest Chenin Blanc (Washington State, 2005)

2 stars (out of 5)

I am not generally a fan of dessert wines, and usually find a late harvest too sweet for my liking. Some years bottled as an ice wine, this late harvest was thick and fragrant that the peaches were practically leaping out of the glass to grab you by the nose. Strong flavors of honey, lychee and very ripe pear were unmistakable. Not really my cup of tea, but a pleasant pairing with a trio of desserts that included cheesecake, crème brulee, and flourless chocolate torte.

MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir (California, 2006)

4 stars (out of 5)

This is an excellent young pinot noir from the Russian River valley. The garnet-colored wine was earthy and lightly mineral scented (copper?), evoking a frosty walk in the lush redwood forest. Hearty enough to pair with a grilled sirloin, the pinot noir was not so full-bodied that it overwhelmed the seared yellow fin tuna on my surf-and-turf plate.

Hubner Gruner Veltline, Alte Setzen (Austria; 2005)

2.5 stars (out of 5)

This was a very interesting taste: it had a burst of Muscat-like syrupiness without the sugar content of a dessert wine. Golden in color, this wine had strong citrus flavors – particularly grapefruit – and worked with both sweet and savory foods. Paired with a mini trio: jumbo lump crab cake, pan-seared scallop with vanilla beurre blanc, and an arugula and frisee salad with goat cheese and walnuts.

Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay, Russian River Valley (California, 2006)

3 stars (out of 5)

Chardonnay two nights in a row: what’s a girl to do? Surprised again, this chardonnay was actually quite good: light, clean, crisp, and a good match for spicy flavors of a chimichurri and roasted red pepper sauces. I guess I am learning that I am not adverse to the younger chardonnays that haven’t spent too much time lurking around in oak.

Stag’s Leap Karia Chardonnay (2005)

3 stars (out of 5)

I admit it, I am a hard sell with chardonnay. But Stag’s Leap estate grown 2005 Karia was a little different. The lightly lemon color of this chardonnay is more indicative of a light vidal blanc – hardly the robust color one might associate with an oaked American chardonnay. The expected buttery undertone was hardly detectable, and the subtle floral notes did not disappoint. Crisp, clean finish of tropical fruit was simply delectable with a salad of goat cheese, beets and walnuts.

Tapena Tempranillo (2007)

4 stars (out of 5)

The vintner describes this wine perfectly - a pinot noir in blue jeans. One of the lighter red wines we drink, this vintage could have stayed on the wine rack a year or two longer for me, but is ready to drink now for new wine drinkers and those of you who typically drink whites or lighter reds. Served with homemade red sauce and ground beef over pasta, we found the taste full of dark berries with a hint of smoky flavor and a strong alcohol scent. On its own, the wine was light and short-lived but when paired with food the finish was long with a hint of spice. I recommend this wine at the end of a warm fall day with good company. A terrific value for under $10 ranks it four stars out of five.

Folie a Deux Menage a Trois (2007)

4 stars (out of 5)

Besides loving the name (come on, how could you not??), this wine has recently become one of our favorites under $15. A food-friendly blend of merlot, zinfandel, and cabernet, this wine tastes like fresh summer strawberries and has a spicy finish -- sort of like berries all grown up. Delicious with a wide variety of Italian food, the Menage a Trois can also stand up to hearty summer barbecued meats and spicy sausages.

Truth, Lindsay's Cuvee (2005)

3.5 stars (out of 5)

Also part of a wine dinner, this interesting red blend is abundantly oaky and allows the drinker to really taste the barrel. The accompanying lamb tenderloin and autumn root vegetable melange complemented strong flavors of currant and white pepper. Can;t find out much info about the blend online, only that it's produced by Axios Wines, a self-proclaimed "super premium Napa Valley wine brand."

Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone (2003)

2.5 stars (out of 5)

This was part of a flight at a wine tasting dinner I recently attended. Paired with a salad of pan-roasted oysters, frisee, and champagne vinaigrette, the food brought out flavors of daffodils. This wine has a forward mouth feel, and a long finish -- it lingers on your tongue long after the sip is gone.

Plantagenet Omrah Pinot Noir (2006)

4 stars (out of 5)

Delicious, light pinot noir with strawberry flavors. Tasted with a NY strip steak but it wasn't overpowered by the taste of the meat. Could be aged a few years, but perfectly drinkable @ the present time.

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc (2006)

3.5 stars (out of 5)

This is a great pool wine for the summertime. Light and citrusy with strong grapefruit flavor and a bit of vanilla. We keep a case on hand for impromptu summer dinners with fresh ingredients from the garden. Also a good "starter" wine for those unfamilar with stronger flavors.