I have to be honest; I'm not a big chardonnay fan, so unless it is exceptionally good, I have a hard time getting excited.
The Palmeri Chardonnay is a classic example of California chard fermented and/or aged in oak (there is no indication on the bottle as to how this one was produced). Good fruit, well balanced oak, and just enough creaminess from malolactic fermentation to keep it from being sharp.
If you're like your Chards oaky, this is a good one. But if you're looking for something with a lot of buttery creaminess, or a wine that is very elegant, you will likely be disappointed. That said, I would say that at $20, the Palmeri is a good value, although for my personal tastes, I'd go with the more elegant and less oaky Sonoma Loeb, or perhaps a Pouilly Fuisse.
Recommended for those looking for a rich oaky California Chard.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
J.V. Fleury Cairanne - 2009
Great vintage, respected producer, highly regarded area. But the wine is very disappointing.
A bit of raspberry and a faint hint of vanilla on the nose, on the palate a bit of spice and earth, but nothing special. And the finish fades in about 5 seconds. This would be a decent Cotes du Rhone at around $10 or less, but as a declared village and a >$15 pricetag, it's just not up to it. And it certainly doesn't seem to have the body that would be indicated by the 14.0% abv. listed on the label.
I've wondered at times why Rasteau was promoted to AOC status but Cairanne was not, as I've always felt the two villages were of comparable quality. Perhaps wines like this from Cairanne are the reason.
Even though I feel that Rhone wines represent some of the best values, this wine simply does not live up to it. Unless you find it on sale for a deep discount, not recommended.
A bit of raspberry and a faint hint of vanilla on the nose, on the palate a bit of spice and earth, but nothing special. And the finish fades in about 5 seconds. This would be a decent Cotes du Rhone at around $10 or less, but as a declared village and a >$15 pricetag, it's just not up to it. And it certainly doesn't seem to have the body that would be indicated by the 14.0% abv. listed on the label.
I've wondered at times why Rasteau was promoted to AOC status but Cairanne was not, as I've always felt the two villages were of comparable quality. Perhaps wines like this from Cairanne are the reason.
Even though I feel that Rhone wines represent some of the best values, this wine simply does not live up to it. Unless you find it on sale for a deep discount, not recommended.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Barossa Shiraz 2009
In keeping with Aussie theme (despite the tennis not being on until 11:00), I'm having the newest vintage of one of my favorite big Shirazes. Thorn-Clarke makes several levels of Shiraz, with Shotfire being in the middle of the range, selling for around $20.
2009 was a very hot year in much of South Australia, and it shows in this wine. Clocking in at 14.8% abv, it is intense and full bodied. But despite the heat, the winemaker managed to keep the acidity at a proper level, as this has a near perfect balance.
Rich raspberry and blackberry fruit with a bit of spice gives way to a wonderful coffee to not-quite cocoa finish. A very good example of what I expect out of a Barossa Shiraz. I just wish I had a nice steak to go with it!
Recommended.
2009 was a very hot year in much of South Australia, and it shows in this wine. Clocking in at 14.8% abv, it is intense and full bodied. But despite the heat, the winemaker managed to keep the acidity at a proper level, as this has a near perfect balance.
Rich raspberry and blackberry fruit with a bit of spice gives way to a wonderful coffee to not-quite cocoa finish. A very good example of what I expect out of a Barossa Shiraz. I just wish I had a nice steak to go with it!
Recommended.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Calcareous Twisted Sisters Paso Robles Cabernet 2008
After trying the Twisted Sisters Zinfandel a few days ago, I was looking forward to trying their Cabernet. I wish I had tried them in the opposite order; the cab is very nice, but not to the level of the zinfandel.
A very good example of what a Paso Robles Cabernet can be. Good fruit, a little spice, and the earth and tar undertones that make Paso Robles unique. And enough body and richness to handle the 14.2% abv with no problem.
If you like Paso Robles cabs, like J. Lohr or Coastline, this is a wine you should try, especially with a nice steak from the grill.
Recommended.
A very good example of what a Paso Robles Cabernet can be. Good fruit, a little spice, and the earth and tar undertones that make Paso Robles unique. And enough body and richness to handle the 14.2% abv with no problem.
If you like Paso Robles cabs, like J. Lohr or Coastline, this is a wine you should try, especially with a nice steak from the grill.
Recommended.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Elderton Barossa Cabernet 2006 - Australia
Tasting the 2006 Elderton Cabernet makes me think that 2006 must have been a tough year in Barossa. How else to explain a producer as good as Elderton making such a wine? There's a bit of nice fruit up front, but the balance is a little off, with the acidity punching through, and the fruit fades quickly. The finish is very short, perhaps 5 seconds or so. Lighter than I would expect for a wine of 14.5% abv, there is nothing objectionable about this wine, but nothing exciting either. It's the type of wine I might expect at a party or art opening, but very disappointing for a bottle costing $20.
Looking up the vintage on Parker's website, he rates the vintage as very good, although possibly still tannic. This is not coming across tannic, just weak (but at least it's not sweet like so many Aussie wines!). I'm left wondering what went wrong. Is it a bad bottle? It doesn't show an obvious flaw, just seems like a weak wine. Is Parker wrong? Well, I've disagreed with him in the past, but a good Barossa is right up his alley, so I expect his opinion to be at least close. Or did Elderton just not get it right? Hard to believe from a winery that's done so well in the past.
I've liked Elderton wines in the past, and while this would be good for a sub $10 bottle, at $20-$25, it's very disappointing. Not recommended.
Looking up the vintage on Parker's website, he rates the vintage as very good, although possibly still tannic. This is not coming across tannic, just weak (but at least it's not sweet like so many Aussie wines!). I'm left wondering what went wrong. Is it a bad bottle? It doesn't show an obvious flaw, just seems like a weak wine. Is Parker wrong? Well, I've disagreed with him in the past, but a good Barossa is right up his alley, so I expect his opinion to be at least close. Or did Elderton just not get it right? Hard to believe from a winery that's done so well in the past.
I've liked Elderton wines in the past, and while this would be good for a sub $10 bottle, at $20-$25, it's very disappointing. Not recommended.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Finca Flichman Barrancas Syrah blend 2007
I've long been a fan of Finca Flichman, but this is the first time I've tried their flagship Syrah based blend. I was not disappointed.
Like their other flagship wines (Tupengato and Dedicato), this is a very full bodied intense wine. Blackberry and blueberry are the dominate fruit flavors, but the fruit is secondary to the vanilla and chocolate, which is unusual in being evident in the mid palate, not just the finish.
Oddly, I enjoyed the wine greatly, finding it rich, smooth, and full of fruit and other great flavors, but my wife, who normally likes big full wines, did not care for it, saying it tasted like "tart cherries". Perhaps this is just a little too "old world" style for her tastes, although I find it very unlike a Rhone style wine (but equally unlike an Aussie Shiraz).
I've long joked that Argentina is good at growing two things, grapes and cows; and their wines work great with beef. But the extra bit of earthiness in the Barrancas may make it also work very well with a hearty pork dish.
Whether you want an earthier more complex alternative to an Aussie Shiraz, or just like rich full bodied wines in general, this is one that I can recommend.
Like their other flagship wines (Tupengato and Dedicato), this is a very full bodied intense wine. Blackberry and blueberry are the dominate fruit flavors, but the fruit is secondary to the vanilla and chocolate, which is unusual in being evident in the mid palate, not just the finish.
Oddly, I enjoyed the wine greatly, finding it rich, smooth, and full of fruit and other great flavors, but my wife, who normally likes big full wines, did not care for it, saying it tasted like "tart cherries". Perhaps this is just a little too "old world" style for her tastes, although I find it very unlike a Rhone style wine (but equally unlike an Aussie Shiraz).
I've long joked that Argentina is good at growing two things, grapes and cows; and their wines work great with beef. But the extra bit of earthiness in the Barrancas may make it also work very well with a hearty pork dish.
Whether you want an earthier more complex alternative to an Aussie Shiraz, or just like rich full bodied wines in general, this is one that I can recommend.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Calcareous Twisted Sisters Zinfandel from Paso Robles
In the past, I've been known to say "I've never found a Zin from Paso Robles that was any good; it's Cab territory". Well, never again. Not only is the Calcareous Twisted Sisters better than any other Zin I've had from Paso Robles, it's one of the best Zins I've ever tasted.
Rich fruit, very full bodied, but velvety smooth. Blackberries and vanilla, with just a bit of spice and pepper. The incredibly long finish (nearly 2 minutes!) has notes of chocolate that evolve into a hint of dried tobacco. It's a magical wine, one that is almost difficult to comprehend.
Although I typically drink wine by itself rather than with a meal, I try to think of what foods would match well with the wine I'm drinking. In this case, that's quite hard, because I think even a filet mignon would tend to detract from the beauty of this wine (although the filet would be greatly enhanced!) This is a wine that, even though it could add to just about any meal, may be best enjoyed on its own.
If this was a $35 bottle, I would recommend it. At around $20, it's a steal.
Very highly recommended.
Rich fruit, very full bodied, but velvety smooth. Blackberries and vanilla, with just a bit of spice and pepper. The incredibly long finish (nearly 2 minutes!) has notes of chocolate that evolve into a hint of dried tobacco. It's a magical wine, one that is almost difficult to comprehend.
Although I typically drink wine by itself rather than with a meal, I try to think of what foods would match well with the wine I'm drinking. In this case, that's quite hard, because I think even a filet mignon would tend to detract from the beauty of this wine (although the filet would be greatly enhanced!) This is a wine that, even though it could add to just about any meal, may be best enjoyed on its own.
If this was a $35 bottle, I would recommend it. At around $20, it's a steal.
Very highly recommended.
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