10.29.2008

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.

10.28.2008

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.

10.22.2008

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.

10.21.2008

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.

10.17.2008

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.

10.11.2008

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.

10.07.2008

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.