Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Le Petit Clos - Chardonnay - Stags Leap District - 2008 - (Modern, Balanced) - Yellow with green/gold cheeks.  This vintage of Le Petit has a highly intense nose of: green apple, yellow apple, banana peel, white peach fruit with peach and lemon blossoms as well as a mild biscuit/toasted brioche note.
  In the mouth, nutty almond paste, creamy lees and banana peel speak of 9 months of partially (25%) new French oak.  White florals, peach and orchard fruit plateau through the mid-palate, whilst spice and biscuit notes round out the impressively lengthy finish.

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Sans Barique - Chardonnay - Carneros - Napa Valley - (Balanced, Food Wine) - $32 - A pale straw/platinum wine in color with intense aromas of ripe yellow pear, creamy banana custard and green fig.  A light biscuit note precedes the juicy pear and cream flavors.  The wine is un-oaked & non-malolactic, but has seen extended lees contact in stainless steel tanks.  Only 400 cases made.

Wines Tasted April 5, 2010

Domaine Vacheron - Sancerre - Loire - France - 2008 - $NA - (Modern/Classic, Food Wine) - A classic Sauvignon Blanc with New World traits of roasted jalapeno, chive, ripe gooseberry, lime and melon rind, yet with that unmistakable edge of ground limestone.  Ripe and rich at 13% alc., an easy transition for a Marlborough, NZ SB fan.
Jamek - Stein Am Rain - Kamptal - Niederosterreich - Federspiel - Gruner Veltliner - 2006 - $16 - (Classic,  Food Wine) - A pale green/straw wine with some gas evident and medium viscosity.  A slightly floral nose with orchard fruits and lemo peel, but with a sea shell/chalky quality.  Acids were moderate+ but since the wine had an underlying sweetness, it seemed less so.  More viscous than its 12.5% alc. label, yet delicate as any GV.  Lacking a bit in the vegetal department, but that should bode well for the fruit-seekers who shun Gruner for precisely such a reason.
Hafner - Alexander Valley - Sonoma - Chardonnay - 2006 - $16 - (Modern, Great Buy) - A rich butterscotch, leesy, orchard fruit-rich wine with obvious ML/Barrel ferment qualitits.  A great buy for any consumer seeking a traditional California chardonnay with these qualities.
Norton - Mendoza - Argentina - Malbec - Reserva - 2006 - $16 - (Modern/Classic, Great Buy) - If Mendoza makes classic malbec, then this is smack dab in the thick of it, and a price that is fair in every way. A black/purple/fucsha wine of considerable viscosity and an opacticity that defines midnight.  Ripe blackberry, black raspberry, black plum fruit leed off for a clean-up crew of: cocoa, melted chocolate ganache and fresh brewed coffee.  Noticable oak presence is integrated and lushly-sweet.  A mouthfull of roasted fruits, cocoa and chocolate layer on until it's almost too much, then the dryness sets in and acidity refreshes the tongue.  A drinkers wine, unless you've got grilled sausage ready to go.
Willamette Valley Vineyards - Willamewtte Valley - Pinot Noir - Barrel Select - 2007 - $25 - (Old World, Food Wine) - Not a favorite of mine, mostly due to what it lacks...it was too Old World for me to believe 2007 could produce such a green, stemmy wine, even in 2007.  That said, it was a pale red wine with a red/ruby rim and low viscosity.  The nose had such a dillyness and tart aromas of early picked strawberries and cranberries that I really thought this was a 2004 Beaune Village wine (tart, green and stemmy, sorry 2004).  Very good if you're a Burg Hound looking into Oregon for the first time or just hate Cali Pinots because they are too ripe and fat.
Castello Banfi - Chianti Classico - Reserva - 2006 - $16 - (Classic, Great Buy) - A beautiful ruby clear color with a ruby rim.  The nose attacks with ripe almost candied red cherry, cherry Life-Savers, red currant and ripe strawberry with limestone, fennel, rose petal and dried herb characteristics.  Turns less ripe on the palette, in the classic Classico way, to tart red fruits and plum pit notes with limestone texture to fine but persistant tannins and fresh acids.  A great bargain for dinner tonight if you plan on pasta with ground beef tomato sauce and basil...as simple as I can make it...

Pine Ridge Vineyards Staff Tasting - January 23, 2009

Staff Tasting Recap – Jan. 2009
By: Eric C. Maczko

On January 28th I led the first tasting of 2009: the Line up of All Current Release Wines
We had 18 attendees. Most were able to stay the duration. We even had a top referrer join us.
I began the tasting with a comparison of 2007 & 2008 Chenin Blanc Viogniers.
I followed those with a flight of Chardonnays: 2006 & 2007 Dijon Clones and 2006 Le Petit Clos.
The first two reds were: 2005 Carneros Merlot & 2006 Crimson Creek.
Then we covered the Cabernets two by two: 2005 Cabernet Franc & 2005 Onyx;
2006 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon & 2005 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon;
2005 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon & 2005 Epitome Cabernet Sauvignon;
2005 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon & 2005 Andrus Reserve;
2004 Fortis & 2005 Fortis were the concluding wines.

In revere, I found that both vintages of Chenin Blanc/Viogniers tasted great, but different due to acid/fruit profiles. But, one could conclude that the wine will age for 3 – 4 years successfully. I also noted that the Dijon Clones wines were remarkably similar, even now. That did surprise me. I found the 2006 Crimson Creek to be “early” in its bottle development, while the 2005 Carnereos Merlot was excellent, if a bit bulky, now.
The 2005 Cabernet Franc was less expressive than previous vintages as far as raspberry fruit, but more expressive in the bittersweet chocolate, cocoa and black cherry/dry sage arenas. The 2005 Onyx impressed upon me a solid, Rioja Reserva character, now that is a positive despite some people’s reactions to my observation. It was hearty, toasty, cedary and full of Zino Platinum Cigar qualities. Spice led fruit in the general state of affairs in the Onyx, and that’s why I feel it is always a cigar lover’s style or a Syrah lover’s style.
The 2006 Napa Cabernet was showing its Malbec component up front, while expressing firm wood based tannins through the finish. The fruit layers were evident as well as being pleasant. The 2005 Oakville was tight and firm with classic Napa character: black and red cherry, cedary toast, rigid tannins and ‘peppery’ spice-box. The 2005 Stags Leap District Cabernet was by-and-long the most fruit driven of the line-up, pumping out ripe black cherry, plum, cassis, and bursting blueberry character astride with fresh tobacco leaf, tannins were caressing yet firm. While it’s “brother”, the 2005 Epitome SLD Cabernet, was atomic with crushed red currant, fresh brewed mocha latte’ and green peppercorns: this is easily my crush for the vintage. The 2005 Howell Mountain Cabernet was a full bodied, massively structured wine laden with black cherry, grilled blueberry, beef carpaccio, coffee grounds, and minerality only Howell Mountain’s Volcanics can deliver. The 2005 Andrus Reserve was so quaffable I had to repour myself! A Rutherford based wine from the vineyard of the same name, it showed elegance in place of power. The red berry mix was both ripe and balanced here. The 2004 Fortis was showing well. The full bodied, layered cuvee was all about cherry pie filling, spice and chocolate, while the highly anticipated 2005 Fortis was more about black cherry and plum with coffee grounds. Both versions of the Flagship Fortis were highly extracted, full bodied, and balanced while drifting slightly to the ultra modern.

Domaine Alfred becomes Chamisal Vineyards!

NEWS FLASH: Domaine Alfred Elevates Branding to Represent the Historic Chamisal Vineyard

Beginning with the release of Winemaker, Fintan duFresne's 2007 Vintage wines, the Crimson Wine Group owned property will seek to emphasize the source of it's acclaimed fruit through a beautiful new package.

The Chamisal Vineyard, which it has always been known, has been growing first class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes since 1973. The Edna Valley and Chamisal lie just 4 miles east of Pismo Beach, CA.

Look for the 2007 wines in their new skin beginning in March!

October 30, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Below are my notes from multiple tastings of Alpha-Omega Winery's best wines. Alpha-Omega lies in Rutherford off 29 in the former Quail Ridge location. A Face lift and more assure us that the former tenants are long forgotten. A great place to relax and enjoy a bottle on the terrace.

Alpha Omega - Syrah - 2007 - Napa Valley - $? - (Modern, Food Wine, Drink Now) - Black berry, black and red currant, black raspberry, light pepper, graham, cinnamon & sweet tea aromas flow rapidly from the glass and transition quickly. Raspberry, red berry, juniper, and sandal wood mesh on the palette with moderate tannin as well as moderate plus acidity. A good food wine that appears and opens brooding in typical Syrah fashion, but reveals a bright almost Grenache like wine later. We had roast striped bass over greens and toasted fresh made tortillas.

Alpha Omega - Proprietary Red - 2005 - $74 - Napa Valley - (Modern, Ager, Drink Now, Stand Alone) - My favorite of the AO line up of wines, and tasted multiple times from barrel to bottle. Caramel, mocha, sweet clove and florals begin the trek through beautiful red and black plum that lies in total harmony with the wood. Hits its high note in the mouth which tells of red and black berries, cherries, currant and sweet ripe round and sexy tannins...like silk and satin in the mouth. Moderate tannins and moderate but well balanced acidity. I just love this wine! A blend of 69% Cab and 31% Merlot. "I recommend not buying this so there is more for me..."

Alpha Omega - Chardonnay - 2005 - $38 - Napa Valley - (Modern, Food Wine) - Chardonnays seldom get the nod from me, but when a wine comes off this well made and balanced, I can't resist. A partially Malo-lactic(30%) and barrel fermented(70%) wine which shows restraint in winemaking. Leesy-apple, lemon peel, light almond toast, and sheer mineral which is often lacking in a Napa chardonnay. Light and airy on the entry making it a good choice with food, yet smoky and dense through the moderately high acid finish. I like this wine for it's more Burgundian framework. I'd recommend: Seared Scallops with Caramelized Shallots, Grilled Shrimp with Tarragon, Chervil & Lemon or Roast Chicken Breast on the Bone with Lemon Thyme.

BREAKING NEWS !!!!!!!!!!!!! Pine Ridge Acquires Domaine Alfred

The Gag-Order is off and the news is out! Just announced officially at 3:30PM today, The Crimson Wine Group (Pine Ridge Vineyards-Napa, CA; Archery Summit Winery-Willamette Valley, OR & Double Canyon Vineyard-Horse Heaven Hills, WA) has added Domaine Alfred of Edna Valley, CA to its portfolio of "World-Class Wine Estates".
CEO, Erle Martin made this announcement to the staff just minutes prior to this posting, and is excited to see a top notch Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Vineyard, The Chamisal Vineyard(Edna Valley's Oldest, 1972) included in the Group's holdings.
I too am excited to see the future-in-the-bottle of this incredible Estate. Notes and pairings to follow shortly, now somebody tell me where I can find a bottle of Chamasal Vineyard Pinot...!!!?