Medium straw. Mellow scents and flavors of ripe pears and melon with a bit of honey. Many wines from Alsace are a bit sweet these days, but this Pinot Blanc is perfectly dry. Enough acidity for freshness but not enough to disturb the easy, peaceful feeling on the palate. Subtle twists of flavor on the medium long finish.
Medium deep yellow. Mellow scents and flavors of pears and ripe apples. Pleasantly full texture on the mid-palate that is the trademark of the Whole Cluster Riesling. Medium plus acidity and only a trace of sweetness. Some complexity starting to come through in the mellow finish.
Bright red with violet tones. Voluptuous aromatics of Nebbiolo--rose petals, cherries, black licorice--but also the subtle scents typical of Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa and Pinot Noir. Extremely friendly on the palate but with no sacrifice of depth or complexity. A wine that comes at your palate from all directions with subtle and ever changing flavors. Would match well with any meal from pizza to beef bourguignon.
Medium light ruby shading to garnet. Cherries, red berries--fresh and bright. Rose petals, black tea and spices. Medium bodied with good acidity. Long, ripe finish. 94 points and Editor's Choice from Wine Enthusiast. I will be on the lookout for this wine.
Notably darker than the Rodney Strong. Medium ruby color, brilliant .Enticing aromas emerge. Rose petals, ripe red berries, vanilla, baking spices. Medium light body. Delicate and pretty. Long, ripe finish with good depth. Will cost you twice as much as the Rodney Strong but will give you twice as much pleasure.
Medium dark garnet color. Aromas are slow to open. Cherries, plums, spice. Medium intensity flavors. Some complexity develops on the finish.Pleasant but lacks the excitement I expect from Russian River Pinot Noir.
Brilliant, light straw color. White peaches, lemon zest, minerals and even a hint of flint. Good acidity and a long finish. The French oak barrels used for aging were mostly neutral but some spicy notes have been picked up from time spent maturing on its lees (spent yeast cells). Jim Clendenen is one of my favorite winemakers. I have enjoyed his Pinots and was glad to get a taste of his Chardonnay.
Deeper, darker straw color and not as bright as the Frei Brothers. Aromas are a bit muted at first but open a bit as dthe wine aerates. Still lacks the enticing aromas that I found in the Frei Brothers. Ripe apple Carneros profile with a mellow finish. Medium intensity. According to the winery, the wine was barrel fermented "to increase the oak characteristic and develop complexity." Good wine but not my style, especially considering the retail price of $38.
Beautiful light straw color, bright and clear. Looks elegant, and it is. Subtle floral aromas along with ripe apple, pear and minerals. Very focused with well defined fruit and good acidity. Elegant finish. Many at our table did not like this wine, probably because they like bolder, more buttery profiles in their Chardonnays. My descriptors for this wine would include "lacey," "delicate," "subtle." At $20 a bottle, I am a buyer.
100% Grenache in 2009. Deep crimson, much darker than the 2000 regular bottling Then again it is nine years younger. Intense red berry fruit, ripe and concentrated. Absolutely astounding. Sweet but multi-dimensional lavors that grow and change as they glide over the tongue. Yes, this is a treasure of a wine. More ripe fruit, less spice and pepper than the 2000 Les Clefs d'Or Tradition, but that may change as the wine ages.
Medium light with considerable bricking on a small pour. In a full glass, though, the wine shows a much deeper crimson. Smells and tastes like traditional Chateauneuf. Cherries, strawberries, sea salt. Savory. Beautiful Grenache red berry fruit becomes increasingly apparent as the wine airs. Peppery Southern Rhone spice on a delicious finish.
I have had six bottles of this 2000 over the past decade, and this bottle is definitely showing the best. Les Clefs d'Or wines age well.
Bright ruby red. Dark cherries, blueberries, violets and blood oranges. Vibrant fruit and just the right level of acidity and plenty of flavor interest. Hint of black pepper on the slightly warm finish. Matches perfectly with the Rigatoni Basilicata.
Even though you can get a glass of it for only $10 at Salvatori's, Tenuta di Arcuna is not cheap, with a retail price of $25 to $30 a bottle. The person who knows how to make such incredible pasta sauces apparently also knows how to select wine.
Bright crimson, medium deep, clearly traditionally made. Still young and takes a few minutes to open up, but the Southern Rhone traits are apparent. Garrigue that matches up well with the herbs in the pasta dish. Red and black fruits, licorice and black pepper. Good vacqueyras at an excellent price. I will be back for more.
The "old butts" are gnarled, tree-like vines like those you may have seen if you ever visited Gigondas in France. And the vines were 80 years old in 1999. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak, small barrels. And it is drinking beautifully tonight.
Light brick color of a mature wine. Entrancing smells reminiscent of one of my favorite wines, the Domaine Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage of Paul Jaboulet. Dried fruit, olives, leather, cured meats. Compact like fruit cake. More savory than sweet. Loads of complexity. And a finish that lingers long after the last sip.Special wine.
