Author: Bruno Donaggio

Food Network Cocktails, Caviar, Champagne and a Seminar

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The annual Food Network Food & Wine Festival began this week on Thursday. It’s a fun week of food, spirits, and parties. I began the festivities Saturday attending a wine seminar and a caviar, cocktails and champagne event.

Seminar

The World’s Top Wine Estates hosted by Ray Isle

NV Drappier Brut Natural (Champagne).  An unusual dark copper color, yeasty, green apple on the nose, very tart green apple on the finish. No dosage added.

2013 Schloss Johannsberg Riesling “Silberlack Erstes Gewachs” (Rheingau). Medium yellow, dusty closed nose, tight fruit, closed, tart.

2013 Chateau La Louviere Blanc Pessac-Leognan (Bordeaux). Light yellow with greenish tints, turned dirt and green vegetable on the nose, toast notes on the fruit, mouth-watering astringency.

2012 Flowers Chardonnay Estate “Camp Meeting Ridge” (Sonoma Coast). Gold in color with ripe papaya and a hint of barnyard on the nose with lemon custard and crushed rocks on the fruit and finishes tight.

2009 Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (Tuscany). Dark brick in color with a big perfume of fresh rosemary and dark leather, concentrated, chunky and tight, silky tannin.

2012 Coudelet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone Rouge (Rhone). Dark red with crushed red berry and slate on the nose, chewy, dense fruit, stone, silky tannin on the long finish. Tasty.

2009 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon “Mt Veeder” (Napa). Inky black with crushed black fruit and dark chocolate on the nose, dense and concentrated with cedar notes on the finish.

2011 Graham’s Quinta Dos Malvedos (Portugal). Black in color with cooked fruit and wet rocks on the nose, dense, very tight at the end with big tannin.

Later that afternoon, I attended the Delta Airlines sponsored Caviar, Champagne and Cocktails event at the Wayfarer at 101 West 57th Street in Manhattan. It was a big cocktail party with Caviars provided by Paramount Caviar, Champagnes from Henriot and various cocktails such as the Kentucky 75, Devil in a Red Dress, Courvoisier Cooler and the Courvoisier Classic. I’m not a huge fan of caviar but I did like the hackleback which were small pearls of very buttery tastiness. It was a fun party.

Sonoma

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Last day of the California wine tour was spent in Sonoma. Beautiful clear, sunny, dry day as has been for the week. After the obligatory lunch at In-n-Out, I concentrated my touring to the Southern part Sonoma mostly in the Green Valley sub appellation.

Taft Street Winery. A “garagistes” small production winery using sourced fruit.

2014 Pinot Gris. Very light copper-colored, big grapefruit notes on the nose with crisp, vanilla oak on the finish.

2014 Chardonnay “Reserve” Chardonnay. 173 cases made, medium yellow, honeydew on the nose, ripe tropical fruit, tangerine and oak on the finish.

2013 Syrah. Dark purple with a sweet perfume of violets and rosemary, starts juicy and tightens at the end, pickle juice notes at the finish.

Marimar Estate. Owned by the Torres wine family of Spain, the winery, built to look like a Catalan Farmhouse and is perched on top of a hill with a great view overlooking the surrounding vines. Organic and unfiltered wines.

2014 Chardonnay “Acero”. Gold in color, tropical fruit notes on the nose with full and rich tropical fruit on the finish.

2013 Chardonnay “La Masia”. Light gold, crushed peaches on the nose with moderate green vegetable on the nose and lime notes on the firm finish.

2013 Pinot Noir “La Masia”. Unfiltered, medium brick, cloudy with crushed red fruit on the nose, red cherry cola on the fruit.

2012 Pinot Noir “Mas Cavalls”. Dark red to black with crushed black fruit on toasted oak on the nose, plums and dark leather on the fruit. A big Pinot.

2012 Red Blend “Don Miguel Vineyard”. Only 60 cases made, an equal blend of Syrah and Tempranillo, inky purple with dried herbs and black licorice on the nose, chunky with silky tannin and nice acidity on the finish.

Lynmar Estate. Slick, modern winery with a spectacular view from the outdoor patio.

2012 Chardonnay “Russian River Valley”. Deep gold with honey and spicy vanilla on the nose, mouth coating glycerin a nd dried flowers and honey on the long finish. Very yummy.

2012 Chardonnay “Quail Hill”. The nose more closed than the RRV Chard, dried herbs and lime on the nose, restrained on the balanced finish. Nice Chard as well.

2012 Pinot Noir “Russian River Valley”. Medium purple with warm black cherry cola on the nose, juicy, red cherry fruit.

2012 Pinot Noir “Quail Hill”. Cloudy dark red with warm smoky black cherry and dark leather on the nose, deep and concentrated with silky tannin, great balance and long finish of leather and black cherry. Very tasty.

Merry Edwards Winery: Easy going tasting room.

2012 Chardonnay “Olivet Lane”. Gold with dark flowers and honey on the nose, lemon custard on the full fruit with tart lime on the finish.

2012 Pinot Noir “Klopp Vineyard”. Dark purple, barnyard and black licorice on the nose, concentrated with bitter black cherry on the finish, some heat.

2013 Pinot Noir “Klopp Vineyard”. Dark purple, pretty perfume of floral black licorice, darkly concentrated with bitter cherry on the finish. Tasty.

2012 Pinot Noir “Olivet Lane”. Dark purple, warm black fruit and some coconut on the nose, concentrated and chunky, silky tannin.

Woodenhead Winery: Small, off the radar winery with the tasting room on a hill overlooking the vines.

2014 French Colombard. Unusual to see this varietal bottled on its own, light yellow, barnyard on the nose, medium body with nice acidity and earth notes on the finish.

2012 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley. Unfiltered, light red with red cherry on the nose, medium body with green herb on the tight, moderate to long finish.

2008 Zinfandel “Martinelli Road”. From 130 year old vines, cloudy dark purple, strawberry jam on the fruit, dusty, minty jammy fruit, black licorice on the finish.

Martinelli Winery: Old school winery from a family farming in the valley since the 1880’s.

2012 Pinot Noir “Three Sisters Vineyard”. Light brick with a big red cherry cola nose, spicy nutmeg on the fruit, good acidity.

2013 Pinot Noir “Moonshine Ranch Vineyard”. Light purple, closed nose, bright plummy dirt and red leather on the fruit with firm tannin and acidity on the finish.

2007 Syrah “Lolita Ranch Vineyard”. Inky purple, green asparagus and petroleum on the nose, dense, concentrated, very firm.

2012 Zinfandel “Vellutini Ranch Vineyard. Light purple with green herbs on the nose, jammy and tight. 17.3% alcohol but didn’t feel it on the finish.

Anderson Valley/Mendocino

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Yesterday I arrived in the valley late in the afternoon so my tastings were limited. Today I was up early and ready for a day of wine tasting. Beautiful weather in the valley, not as oppressively hot as in Paso. I began at the northern edge of the valley at the town of Navarra, the town being one general store and a two pump gas station. The redwood forest began at that part of the valley and it was a memorable sight for me since I’ve never seen so many trees that huge before. So I sat at the general store and enjoyed my morning coffee and the beautiful sunny day surrounded by the Redwood forest and the scent of pine, plus the herbal aroma of the other cash crop of the valley. I stayed in Ukiah which is sixteen miles East and would recommend staying in the valley if you plan on a comprehensive tasting. That sixteen mile route from the valley to Ukiah is on a one lane road over a mountain range with one curve after another. Something I wouldn’t want to do after too much tasting.

Lula Cellars: First stop of the day, small production winery, casual tasting room with a cool winery dog. Lost tasting notes.

2012 Mendocino Pinot Noir

2012 “Peterson’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir

2012 “Costa Vineyard” Pinot Noir

Drew Vineyards: Estate vineyards on the Mendocino coast. The tasting room is in a Mediterranean styled resort called “The Madrones” in the town of Philo.

2014 Albarino. 150 cases made, yellow with a greenish tint, white floral nose with tight lime notes on the finish.

2013 “Fog Eater” Pinot Noir. Medium brick with smoky black cherry on the nose, very tight, clean, and could have used a bit more on the finish.

2013 Syrah “Valenti Ranch”. Very dark purple, crushed dried herbs on the nose very tight with mouth tingling acidity, light finish.

Goldeneye Winery. Not the mom and pop operation like most of the vineyards in the area, slick tasting room and a gorgeous view of the vineyards and mountains from the outdoor terrace, nice vertical of Pinot.

2012 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Medium black, crushed red berries on the fruit, tight, astringent, with roasted nuts, oatmeal and dark chocolate notes on the finish.

2012 “Gowan Creek” Pinot Noir. Medium red with warm dark fruit and crushed stone on the nose, concentrated, slate and toast notes on the firm finish.

2012 “The Narrows” Pinot Noir. Dark red with smoky black cherry on the nose, tight leather, bitter cherry with some barnyard on the fruit.

2012 “Ten Degrees” Pinot Noir. Dark red, dried mushroom, forest floor and slate on the nose, starts juicy but turns tight, dried herbs on the moderate to long finish. Some heat at the end.

Back in Ukiah I had time for a couple of more tastings. There are wineries up and down highway 101.

Barra of Mendocino. This winery was the sleeper of the day. 100% Certified organic, you taste in a spectacular wood-beamed and tiled room. They have two tiers of wines, the Girosole which do no see any oak, and the Barra which do see oak. The wines are solid, unpretentious, everyday drinking wines at a fair price.

2011 Sangiovese Girasole. Dark red, cooked fruit, mint on the nose with dusty, ripe fruit notes.

2012 Sangiovese Barra. Dark red, some barnyard on the nose, black mint on the fruit with crisp acidity.

2011 Zinfandel Barra. Dark red with a beautiful perfume of crushed blueberry, camphor, juicy with gamey cooked fruit notes on the finish. The owner opened another bottle of the same wine and the fruit was brighter. Tasty.

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Barra. Inky black, crushed black fruit and mint on the nose with dark chocolate and sour cherry on the finish.

2011 Petite Sirah Barra. Inky black with toasty black fruit on the nose, very big rustic and chunky fruit, good structure on the finish.

Parducci Winery. Widely available in New York, one of if not the oldest winery Mendocino, carbon neutral and my first chance to try their estate wines.

2011 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Medium brick, cola and forest floor on the nose with mushroom notes on the moderate to bright fruit.

2013 Petite Sirah “Reserve”. Dark purple to black, pencil shavings on the nose, dill pickle notes on the tannic finish.

2013 Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark red, dill pickle on the nose, dark prunes on the fruit with big, silky tannins.

Coro Mendocino: A few years ago a group of Mendocino County wine makers got together to create an ultra premium wine blend to showcase the Mendocino heritage varietal of Zinfandel. The wine must me made with 100% Mendocino fruit and contain 40-70% Zinfandel and up to nine varieties. The wine must then pass review of a panel of wine makers in a blind tasting. If it passes, it’s certified and bottled in a uniform bottle and given the Coro seal. It was an opportunity to try wines with some bottle age and each bottle was an individual blend of the winemaker.

2011 Barra of Mendocino “Coro”. 69% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark red, big perfume of wild flowers with minty tannin on the firm finish. If tasted blind I would have guessed a Chianti.

2007 Parducci “Coro”. 47% Zinfandel, 45% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah. Dark red, cooked fruit on the nose, chunky with minty tannin on the finish.

2006 Parducci “Coro”. 55% Zinfandel, 19.5% Syrah, 18.5% Petite Sirah, 5% Grenache, 2% Charbono. Dark red, big perfume of violets and leather, chewy and dusty on the firm finish.

Anderson Valley Day 1

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After a couple of days touring Paso Robles, it was back on highway 101 and a five-hour drive northbound to my next destination, Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. At Hopland, I left highway 101 for highway 128 and a torturous drive over the mountains (thank God it wasn’t raining) to the valley. At the head of the valley I ran into the tiny Yorkville Highlands appellation and stopped at the first winery of the day. After which I followed 128 which meanders through the valley and stopped at the small town (about four blocks long) of Boonsville for a couple of tasting rooms.

Yorkville Cellars: First winery of the day in Yorkville Highlands, they bottled all six of the Bordeaux blend varietals individually from estate fruit.

2013 Malbec. Dark red, crushed strawberry on the nose, bright fruit, leather notes on the finish with good balance.

2013 Petite Verdot. Inky black in color with a big nose of black licorice, tight and silky with firm tannin at the end.

2013 Carmenere. Don’t see much of this grape bottled on its own, dark purple, juicy and silky with green vegetable on the fruit, balanced tannin and acid.

Meyers Family Cellars: Right up the road from Yorkville Cellars, family owned winery founded by Silver Oak Winery.

2014 Chardonnay. Light gold with toast, honey on the moderate fruit with melon notes and nice balance.

2012 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark red with a pretty nose of leather and pencil shavings, tight and dusty with graphite on the finish.

2012 “Spitfire” Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. American oak, dark red, closed nose of dried plums, concentrated with a dusty , moderate to long finish.

Foursight Wines: Tasting room in the town of Boonville, husband and wife team making very some very nice small production wines.

2012 Pinot Noir Charles Vineyard. Light red, slightly cloudy, warm cooked spicy fruit on the nose, bitter licorice on the firm finish.

2012 “Clone 05” Pinot Noir Charles Vineyard. Clear medium red, barnyard, earth on the nose, bright dark berry fruit, dried mushroom on the moderate to long finish.

2013 “Paraboll” Pinot Noir. Light brick, wood and forest floor on the nose, gorgeous fruit, mushroom, cola and a balanced, long finish.

Lazy Creek Vineyards: up a long road off the main highway, owned by Ferano-Carano.

2013 “Lazy Day” Pinot Noir. Clear light red, red leather on the nose, bright, tart cola notes on the finish, astringent.

2012 Estate Pinot Noir. Clear, medium purple, warm dark berry fruit on the nose, tight and tart.

2013 “Middleridge Ranch” Pinot Noir. Medium purple, cooked black fruit on the nose, tart and toasty.

 

Paso Robles Highway 46

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Second day of tasting in Paso Robles. Decided to focus at wineries along highway 46 which runs East to West as highway 101 runs North to South. I assumed visiting wine country in the Autumn would be full of cool, crisp days in the countryside. Not in Paso this week, today the temperature made it to 97º (36º for you foreigners) in the afternoon and that’s hot. Did begin the day visiting the Warbird and exotic car Museum in the East side of 46 where I began wine tasting and headed Westbound for the day and finally ending at some tasting rooms in tow.

Eberle Winery: First stop on the highway, the “godfather” of the Paso wine industry.

2014 Viognier “Mill Road Vineyard” Yellow with earth and honeysuckle on the nose, earth notes on the full and balanced finish.

2013 Sangiovese Dark brick, spicy black vanilla and cherry on the nose, dusty tannin on the moderate to long finish.

2013 Syrah “Steinbech Vineyard” From the 2nd oldest syrah vines in North American so I’ve been told, dark purple with a big perfume of toasty crushed black berries, chunky with big tannins at the end.

Peachy Canyon: Family owned winery on highway 46.

2012 “Especial” Low production of three zin lots,  dark purple, cooked vegetable on the nose, starts out juicy, tightens up with cola flavors and moderate tannin and acid at the end.

2011 “Para Siempre” All five Bordeaux grapes, dark red, green bell pepper on the nose, tight, concentrated with dill notes on the moderate to long finish.

2012 “Vortex” Zinfandel A blend of four single vineyard zinfandel, dark purple with crushed red berry and mint on the nose, dusty, dark chocolate on the finish.

Caliza Winery:

2013 “Sidekick” 140 cases mad, mostly Roussanne, deep gold with a stinky nose with full, rich fruit and some sweet notes on the finish.

2012 Primitivo Estate wine, dark purple with a big nose of cooked vegetable, chewy and chunky, big fruit, juicy, dark plums and nicely balanced.

2012 Syrah Estate wine, dark red to black, warm graphite on the nose, thick, concentrated and chewy, good balance.

Four Lanterns Winery: From the Willow Creak AVA, about 750 cases total produced.

2014 “Apricity” Picpoul Blanc, light yellow, dried herbs on the nose with tart lime notes on the finish.

2013 “Shadow” Grenache/Syrah blend, dark red to black, red leather on the nose, slky red leather on the fruit and green herbs, nice balance.

2013 “Firelight” Syrah, decanted, dark red to black, nose of crushed black fruit and mint, silky red fruit and nice balance.

Tooth & Nail Winery: Low key winery, big castle with a moat.

2013 Stasis Viognier Murmer Vineyard Light gold to greenish tint, white flowers on the nose with full tropical fruit flavors with some peachy notes on the finish.

2012 Stasis Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Big old school Chard, vanilla oak, buttery finish.

After touring the wineries I usually head back to town to end the day at the urban wine trail. Usually the wines aren’t impressive. While wandering around I stumbled on a couple of off the radar tasting rooms that would be worth a visit if you are in the town of Paso.

Paso Under Ground: A small sign on the sidewalk directs you to walk through a clothing shop with a back room with a terrace with four tables staffed with small, independent producers pouring their wine. I stopped at Copia Winery which had the owner/winemaker as well as the owner of the back room Michael Dewiit pouring his wines. At 200-300 cases total production from the Willow Creek AVA for the year, these wines are extremely limited.

2014 “The Reason” 100% Viognier, yellow with a greenish tint, some green vegetable notes on the nose, rich fruit with good acidity and green apple notes on the finish.

2014 “The Answer” GSM blend, black in color with green, black fruit on the nose, thick and chunky, mint notes with good acidity on the finish.

2013 “The Blend” Another GSM blend, black with a purple robe, crushed green, red berry on the nose, big and juicy with moderate tannins and acids on the finish.

Another sign on the sidewalk pointed you to an entrance in an alley for Taste in the Alley. Small, brick-lined room that’s actually a wine shop but they will open any wine they have for a glass. I had a glass of the 2010 Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir.

Paso Robles West Side

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After a night in Buelton, the next morning I got back on highway 101 and headed North about an hour and a half to my next wine region destination, Paso Robles. The region is more or less divided by the highway to the East and West. I concentrated on the very hilly west side.

Kukkula: My first stop far up in the mountains, the owner poured and told the story of the Finnish heritage of the label.

2008 “Sisu” A GSM blend, Dark brick with black cherry tar on the nose, chewy dark fruit with bright cola notes and balance on the long finish.

2010 “Lothario” Dark brick  with warm black fruit on the nose, juicy, black cherry and leather on the fruit.

2011 “Pas de Deux” Syrah and Grenache, dark brick with a purple robe, earth and dried mushroom on the nose, bitter dark fruit on the firm but balanced finish.

Thacher Winery: The grasshopper logo is from the family crest, very small production.

2012 Mourvedre Medium red with earth and dried mushroom on the nose, chewy cherry vanilla flavors on the fruit.

2012 “Controlled Chaos” Red blend, dark purple. closed nose of red leather with dried herb notes on the balanced finish.

2012 “Constant Variable” A GSM blend, dark purple with dried herbs and bright red cherry on the nose, bitter cherry on the finish.

Oso Libre Winery: “Free Bear” , sustainable vineyards and winery with various sheep and Black Angus cattle grazing on the grounds.

2012 “Carnal” Red blend, medium red with ripe black fruit on the nose, silky black cherry fruit and nice acids.

2010 “Grande” Bordeaux blend, dark red, dried herbs on the nose, tight and concentrated with silky tannin at the end.

2007 “Jovis”  red blend with some Nebbiolo and Sangiovese thrown in, brick with a big, funky perfume that I can’t place, cigar box and funky earth on the crisp finish.

NV “Solera” Unusual wine, they don’t sell but offer it to club members, made in the solera method with wines left over from each harvest, brick in color with cooked fruit and cigar box on the nose, leather on the fruit and a nice balance.

Villa Creek Winery: Very small production.

2013 Roussanne Gold in color with green apples on the nose with full, ripe and floral fruit, herb notes on the finish.

2013 Garnacha Whole cluster fruit, dark purple with red licorice on the nose, silky bright red fruit, firm acidity on the moderate to long finish.

2012 “High Road” GSM blend, dark purple with crushed red berries and green herbs on the nose, juicy dark chocolate on finish with some green tannin at the end.

Shale Oak Winery: Very modern looking wine room, Cassie hooked me up.

2013 Albarino Light gold with cooked asparagus on the nose, moderate fruit and a nice balance, tasty.

2012 Zinfandel From 60 year old vines, dark purple with a big, brambly nose, chewy with some mint notes on the fruit.

2012 Petit Verdot Dark red to black, fresh herbs on the nose, concentrated and silky and nicely balance.

LXV Wines: A boutique winery with the tasting room in downtown Paso Robles with juice from the Willow Creek AVA and art on the walls from the KarmaSutra.

2014 “Summer Satine” 100% Viognier, yellow with a greenish tint, earth and floral notes on the nose, earth notes on the balanced fruit.

2013 “Crimson Jewel” Brunello clone of Sangiovese and Petite Sirah, dark red with graphite on the nose, dusty, chewy and balanced on the long finish. Very nice.

2013 “Lovers Spell” Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, dark purple, closed nose, chunky, mint notes on the fruit, still young.

California Wine Tour: Los Olivos Wine Crawl

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Taking a week for a wine tour of California. Flew into Los Angeles, picked up my rent a car and spent a couple of hours on highway 101 heading north to the town of Los Olivos for a wine crawl. Los Olivos is a very small town, about five blocks long and three blocks wide with the usual small shops and restaurants. What it also has are a lot of tasting rooms, about 40 in fact.  Many of the local small producers don’t have tasting facilities at their vineyards so they have them in town so there are lots of options for a day of wine sampling.

Saarloos + Sons First tasting room of the day.

2013 “Daddy’s Girl”. 100% Sauvignon Blanc, yellow with a greenish tint with melon and kiwi notes on the nose, nutmeg on the moderate fruit with nice acidity.

2014 “Matriarch”. Estate Grenache Blanc, light yellow, bubble gum and cinnamon on the nose with vanilla spice on the finish.

2014 “Extended Family”. Pinot Noir, only 85 cases produced, brick in color with smoky, toasty nose with black licorice on the moderate fruit.

2013 “High Hill”. Syrah from the estate in Ballard Canyon, medium red with smoky, dark fruits and some funky earth on the nose, moderate fruit with some mint and black licorice notes on the fruit, good balance.

Carhatt Winery

2013 Pinot Noir “Riverbench Vineyard”. Medium cloudy red, smoky black cherry on the nose with tart, red cherry fruit.

2012 Grenache Noir Santa Ynez Valley. Floral perfume of Asian spices, moderate-light fruit with a dusty, long licorice finish.

2013 Sangiovese Estate Santa Ynez Valley. Medium red with some toasty tar on the nose, tight with bitter cherry fruit notes.

2012 Mourvedre Curtiss Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley. Only 220 cases produce about 3 miles from the tasting room, dried red fruit on the nose with crushed black fruit notes on the finish.

2012  Estate Merlot Carhatt Vineyard. Dark purple in color, some green fruit notes on the nose, licorice, crushed black cherry on the fruit with a hit of tannin at the end.

2013 “Rebel Roan”. Rhone blend, medium purple, cigar box on the nose, tight red tarry fruit on the firm finish.

Kaena Winery launched by Mikael, the “Grenache King”

2013 Grenache Larner Vineyard Ballard Canyon. Medium brick, red licorice on the nose, bright fruit with red licorice flavors.

2011 Hapa Red Santa Ynez Valley. Red blend, dark red with sweet violet on the nose, bright fruit with dusty, cigar notes on the finish.

2013 Ronin Santa Ynez Valley. A blend of Malbec and Tempranillo, dark red with red licorice on the nose, tight, a bit unbalanced, high tannin.

Larner Vineyards  Closet sized tasting room

2014 Malvasia Bianca. Yellow with a big, spicy nose, tight but big spicy fruit with a moderate tart finish. 25 cases made.

2011 “Elemental”. GSM blend, dark red, crushed red fruit on the nose, bright black fruit, firm acids.

2010 Syrah Estate Ballard Canyon. Dark red to black with a nice perfume of smoky violets, tight, smoky fruit with silky tannin at the end.

2010 Syrah Reserve Ballard Canyon. Bottle was opened yesterday, dark red to black, juicy, black fruit, tight with lip-smacking tannin at the end.

Cheers New York

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Cheers NY was an event showcasing New York State made wines, ciders, beer and spirits. It was a consumer event with two sessions on Saturday afternoon and evening and a session on Sunday afternoon. I attended the Saturday afternoon session. The event took place at The Factory Floor at Industry City, 241 37th Street in Brooklyn. I’ve been to a few events at this venue, no frills in the industrial waterfront in Brooklyn.

Wines

2013 Brooklyn Winery Chardonnay (Finger Lakes). From a boutique urban winery in Brooklyn, un-oaked, clean and crisp with some lime notes at the end. Very drinkable.

2012 Brooklyn Winery Cabernet Franc (Finger Lakes). Black with a purple robe, spice and cooked fruit notes on the nose with chunky and dusty tannins and black cherry on the finish.

2013 Brooklyn Winery Old Vines Zinfandel (Lodi). Black in color with sour notes on the nose, chunky, mint notes on the fruit, balanced with some green on the moderate to long finish.

2013 BOE Rosé of Cabernet Franc (Finger Lakes). Brooklyn Oenology, another urban-based winery in Brooklyn, salmon in color with cherry fruit.

2013 BOE Social Club White (NY State). A blend of several  varieties, yellow with nutmeg and cinnamon on the nose, moderate fruit with some vanilla notes on the crisp finish.

2013 BOE Pinot Gris (Finger Lakes). Gold in color, sweet candy on the nose, lighter in body than it looks, starts crisp and drops a bit at the end.

2012 BOE Social Club Red (North Fork). A blend of several red varieties including one I’m not familiar with, Corot Noir, dark brick with ripe black fruit and Asian spices on the nose, tight with black licorice on the moderate to long finish.

2010 BOE “Motley Cru” Red Blend (North Fork). Dark brick in color with dark plums on the nose, cooked black fruit notes on the fruit and firm acids and tannins at the end.

2014 Red Hook Winery “Salt Crush” White. And another urban winery based in Brooklyn using several wine makers using New York State fruit, medium yellow with lime punch on the nose, medium bodied with some RS on the saline finish.

2011 Channing Daughters “Mosaico” (South Fork). The next two wines poured courtesy of 61 Local bar, an exotic field blend of six white varieties, very light copper color with a ripe nose, ripe funky fruit with good acidity.

2012 Palmer Vineyards Chardonnay “Reserve” (North Fork). Gold in color with damp earth on the nose, chewy fruit, good acidity with honey notes on the long finish.

Ciders

Awestruck Cider Company

Eastern Dry

Lavender Hops

Hibiscus Ginger

The Standard Cider Company

True Thirst

True Couple

True Believer

True Companion

McKenzies Original Hard Cider

Original Sin Hard Cider

Standard Oak & Rye Wormwood Absinthe. Brown instead of green because they don’t use herbs in the blend, didn’t see the brown farie.

 

 

Best Of France 2015 Edition

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This weekend, Best of France which is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to “promote the image of France abroad, through major events which highlight the expertise and “Savoir-Faire” of France”, held their 2015 festival in New York City. It was to promote Franco-American friendship and to showcase French art, culture, fashion, technology, gastronomy and of course, wine.

The last time this event was held in New York was a couple of years ago when it was called “Taste of France” and took place under the big tents at Bryant Park. This year the Grand Wine Tastings in which over 100 French wines from the leading French wine regions were poured, were held on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon in the AXA Equitable Center at 787 7th Avenue near Times Square in Manhattan. I attended the Saturday evening session. As to be expected, excellent bread and cheeses (and cookies) were served to accompany the wines.

Champagne

NV Drappier Rosé Brut “Nature Zero Dozage”. Light red, crisp and earthy.

NV J.L. Vergnon Blanc de Blancs “Conversation”. Crisp with citrus notes.

2005 Pascal Doquet Blanc de Blancs “Le Mont Aime”.  With doughy and yeasty notes.

Burgundy

2012 Domaine Guillot-Broux “Genievrieres”. Organic, gold in color with butter-scotch on the nose, tight and crisp with some funkiness at the end.

2012 Domaine Thierry & Pascal Matrot Meursault. Gold with ripe tropical fruits on the nose, chewy for a white wine with some salinity on the long finish.

2012 Joseph Drouhin Pugliny-Montrachet “Folatieres”. Light gold with ripe pineapple on the nose, full ripe tropical fruit, balanced with good acidity.

2012 Domaine Michel Juillot Mercurey “Clos des Barraults”. Light red in color, closed nose of black cherry.

2012 Domaine Petitot Cotes de Nuits Villages. Bright red with smoke and minerals on the nose, bright red cherry fruit and a hit of tannin at the end.

2012 Domaine Lecheneaut Morey St. Denis. Bright medium red in color with barnyard on the nose, tight with oyster, saline notes on the finish.

2010 Domaine Aurelien Verdet Chambolle Musigny. Brick to light red in color with warm black cherry on the nose, silky black fruit on the long and balanced finish.

Bordeaux

2012 Malartic Lagraviere Grave Blanc. Light gold with ripe kiwi on the nose, nice fruit and crispness on the long finish, very drinkable.

2005 Chateau Sudiraut Sauternes. Beautiful wine.

2007 Branaire Ducru St. Julien. Dark red, bell pepper, dried leaf on the nose, dense and tight with a firm finish.

2008 Duluc de Branaire Ducru St. Julien. Dark red with an amber robe with cooked red berry on the nose, chunky, dried leaf on the fruit with moderate acids.

2012 La Croix de Beaucaillou St. Julien. Dark red with dusty dark berry and mint on the nose, silky with crisp acidity.

2010 Chateau d’Armaihac Pauillac. Dark red to black with a warm nose of crushed nuts, dusty fruit with some earth on the firm, long finish.

2008 Chateau Pichon-Longueville Pauillac. Black in color with a perfume of red licorice, chunky, minty fruit.

2007 Chateau Palmer Margaux. Dark red, warm black cherry on the nose, tight silky tannin on the finish.

2004 Chateau d’Issan Margaux. Dark red with some funky barnyard on the nose, dense and firm.

2011 Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere St. Emilion. Dark red, smoky black cherry on the nose, silky black licorice on the great balance.

2005 Chateau Gazin Pomerol. Black in color with a piney nose with tons of chunky fruit.

Rhone

2012 Domain Ogier Condrieu “La Combe de Malleval”. Yellow in color with a nose of sweet peaches, full body of canned peaches with moderate to low tannins.

2010 Chateau du Trignon Vacqueyras. Medium red, black cherry on the nose, silky black licorice fruit, firm and balanced.

Languedoc

2011 La Fond del’Olivier Carignan “Vieilles Vignes”. From Carignan that are over a hundred years old, black in color with slate and black fruit on the nose, dense, chunky and chewy, like a good baguette, nice glass.

Pig Island NYC 2015

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As the Summer is winding down, the trade tasting season is starting to heat up. That’s when the various wine and spirits importers, distributors and trade associations hold their portfolio or specialized wines and spirits tastings. There are plenty of consumer events as well. This Saturday I attended the 6th annual Pig Island pork Bacchanalia. Over 20 area Chefs created dishes using hogs raised by Flying Pigs Farms, a farm in Washington county upstate New York that raises heritage breeds of pigs. New York State declared Pig Island a “Taste NY” event for their commitment to support New York farms. Of course as well as the swine, the event had on hand beer, wine, cider and local and regional spirits.

The event was held next door to an IKEA mega-store at Erie Basin Park in Red Hook Brooklyn. The park is in a remote area of the borough surrounded by the rusting and decaying remnants of its waterfront past which made for a dramatic backdrop to the festival.

At the Beaujolais tent:

2014 Domaine Romy Rosé

2013 Chateau de Lacarelle Beaujolais Blanc Cuvée Grande Reserve

2011 Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages

2013 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages

2013 Domaine des Billards Saint-Amour

2013 Chateau du Châtelard Moulin-a-Vent

Local and Rum & Whiskey:

Van Brunt Stillhouse

Widow Jane Distillery

Hudson Whiskey

Cider:

DownEast Cider

Original Sin