Category: Wine Review

Screen Door Cellars – 2012 Pinot Noir

by norcalwingman, posted in BBQ, Pinot Noir, wine, Wine Pairing, Wine Review

image

If you’re lucky enough to find it, this Russian River Valley pinot should please even the most discerning palate.

Leather, clove and vanilla accentuate the bright red berry fruit. A velvety mouth feel leaves you craving another sip.

As I understand it this wine is limited in production so you may have troubles Finding it.  The winemaker Bobby Donnell is a Texas native and has hooked up his kin back home sip it may be tough to come by around here.

I know Bobby used to run a Texas style BBC, so it’s no surprise this wine pairs perfectly with the baby back ribs I did up tonight.

Darioush

by norcalwingman, posted in wine, Wine Review

A picture should be worth a thousand words…

image

Tonight I had visions of a great bottle of red wine with dinner, and it took (unfortunately) three bottles to reach that goal.

 

I picked up a couple of fantastic New York steaks at the market with some fresh green beans, I had the purple and red potatoes, with some fresh shallot at home already.  I knew a great meat and potatoes dinner was in my future so diligently scoured the wine cellar for a worthy Cabernet to pair with my dinner.

First up:  2006 TR Pasalaqua Block 18 & 19 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek AVA, this beautiful wine we (the wife and I) found a few years back on a great wine tasting trip to Dry Creek, unfortunately this bottle (pictured in the way back) was corked, damn my eyes!  I’ve been saving that bottle for some time!

 

Second:  A gift from some friends, a Napa Valley Cab, 2007 Soquel, this and a bottle of nail polish remover would be likely misconstrued for each other…

 

And finally:  And most importantly, refreshingly, an amazing recent production 2008 Darioush, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This is a big wine, definitely one of the Napa Cabs you read about in the rags, it’s big, bold, fruity and forward.  It unabashedly pronounces itself to your palate and kicks your molars around.  Huge mid-palate tannins assert control of your mouth and remind you of what a big bold Napa Cab is all about!

 

Anyhow, I seriously took pause at opening a 3rd bottle of wine tonight, but I’m very glad I made the final move that I did.  This is  a fantastic wine that can easily stand on its own, but has the stuff to pair up with a great steak, potatoes and green bean dinner.

 

That is all for now,

Wingman out.

 

By the by, I really tried hard to give the Soquel a chance, the aldehyde was potent and I thought the magical powers of the Soiree might be able to blow out the funk, but alas, it can only work so much magic.   It’s done a fine job with the big Napa Cab though!

Hey! Finally getting around to some samples.

by norcalwingman, posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, wine, Wine Review

image

 

Apologies to the supplier of the sample for the late review, but hey…  Sometimes you just got to lay down some wine!

That being said, this is a fine wine at a great price.  Unfortunately it seems the ’09 vintage may be unavailable, but it was a good’n.  A great fruit forward Cab, with balanced tannins and length.  All-in-all, I’m going to give this one a solid thumbs up, let’s try the ’10 and see if they have a winning record.

On the up-and-up, this was provided as a sample (at some point in the past), regardless…  it’s good.

Drink up!

Another box for Christmas

by norcalwingman, posted in wine, Wine Review

It’s a nice chilly evening up at the condo we are lucky enough to have access to through “the wife’s” family and we’ve just finished off a great bottle of Michel-Schlumberger “Coteaux Sauvages” and we still need more vino…

20111220-193252.jpg

So it is on to the Seven non-vintage Red wine of Spain. This box of wine is a blend of, you guessed it, seven varietals including 24% Shiraz, 24% Cab, 11% Garnacha, 11% Graciano, 10% Tempranillo, 10% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot. If you are after your century club, this may help…

20111220-193016.jpg

Anyhow, this is a red with a baked/cooked fruit character, not too bad and definitely a valid second bottle if you are trying to save the good stuff or have a house full of people who wouldn’t differentiate a great bottle with a handle of Gallo.

Read that last part, good for large family gatherings that tend to happen around this time of year… Get my drift?

Anyhow, I wish you all the best and happiest of holidays! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the NorCalWingman!

Long time no see.. 2009 Neumeister – Grauburgunder

by norcalwingman, posted in Pinot Grigio, Steirische Klassik, wine, Wine Review

First off, an apology for not being here with you these last few months, however, every now and then a hiatus it in order.  Regardless of the reasons I’m here now with a new sample provided to me by the Austrian wine contingent.  A new wine for me to be sure, but not a new varietal.

A 2009 Grauburgunder Steirische Klassik from Neumeister.  This wine is made from an Austrian Pinot Grigio and has been a decent companion to my post Financial Statement Analysis MBA course, paired up with some Sonoma Jack cheese and crackers.

This is a nice light wine that has some Sauv Blanc / Fume Blanc characteristics and is a very easy drinking wine.  Easy to open (with it’s screw cap) and easy on the palate.  Nothing too complex here.  The wine was finished in some oak and there is definitely some wood on the nose.  The body of this light wine has a touch more body than that of a stainless-only white.

The details are as follows:
Varietal: Austrian Pinot Grigio
Alcohol: 13%
Wine Area: Südost-Steiermark
I can’t read Austrian, but if you do, check out the producer website here: http://www.neumeister.cc
Online Retail: $18-$24

It’s nice to be back, I’m hoping to get back into a more regular schedule of postings, I look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,
Norcalwingman

In Vino Veritas: This wine was provided to me as a professional sample