2011 Mercer Canyons Chardonnay

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $13

Another home run from The Wine Merchant wine club - this Columbia Valley Chardonnay is true to varietal without being heavily oaked.  Winemaker notes: "A blend of stainless steel and barrel-fermented lots give this wine great complexity while remaining bright and fresh. The wine begins with fresh lemon lime, vanilla cream, apples and pears. The bursting fruit continues on the palate with richness and complexity, elegance and minerality. Bright acidity gives way to a lingering finish with notes of honey and orange blossom." 88 points Wine Enthusiast (Best Buy), 86 points Wine Spectator
Will be interesting to compare to future vintages, as 2011 was a notably cool growing season producing wines with ample acidity.

2012 La Crema Pinot Noir

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $20

La Crema Pinot Noir is exactly how I want my Pinot's to taste - like I've just been smacked by a Bing cherry in the kisser!  Also nicely balanced by an earthy minerality.  Reinforcing, yet again, that I prefer cool climate Pinot's (Monterey, Carneros - I must remember this!).  Notes from the winemaker: "We source our Monterey Pinot Noir from the northernmost tip of the region, where the fruit develops remarkable aromatic and textural complexity with crisp, firm structural elements. The 2012 vintage has been described by both winemakers and growers as ideal. The relatively mild conditions allowed the fruit to ripen slowly, developing the concentration and lush fruit character that can only come from extended hang time on the vine. Monterey Pinot Noir developed beautifully with this additional time to mature, while retaining its natural juicy acidity and freshness. This release offers up both savory and sweet tones, with pomegranate and blackberry taking the lead on the palate."  If I find this on sale, I would definitely buy a few bottles!

2010 Xplorador Merlot

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: <$10

From the Xplorador website: Chilean Merlots are friendly, fruity and light bodied, meant to be drunk young.  Well-ripened red and black fruits lend a bit of sweetness.  This merlot is soft and round, with flavors of black cherry, cassis and dark chocolate.   Liked it a lot!

2010 Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel

Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $19


This Old Vine Zinfandel comes from vines with an average age of 85 years.  Black raspberry, cedar shavings, pepper and spice on the nose.  Medium-bodied, with berries and dark cherry flavors, balanced with firm structure and a silky texture on the palate. This wine has a smooth and lingering finish.  I found it the absolute best tasting on day three! 

2010 Saurus Select Pinot Noir

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $17

 

Another great Wine Club find from Patagonia, Argentina, by The Wine Merchant, Cincinnati OH!  “The 2010 Saurus Select Pinot Noir has light red currant and strawberry notes on the nose. The palate is fresh and pointed on the entry with tart cherry fruit and touches of strawberry jam and cranberry on the focused finish. This is commendable, if missing the persistency of a great Pinot Noir. Drink now.” Wine Advocate, 87 points.  I think this could make a wonderful Thanksgiving wine given the balance and cranberry finish.  Interested to try their Malbec...Leonardo Puppato - Winemaker.

2010 Amado Sur Malbec

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price $15

 The 2010 Amado Sur is a meticulous blend of Malbec, Syrah and, the recently rediscoverd, Bonarda (Genuine Bonadra Piemontese is, as the name suggests, a red Piedmont grape which is now somewhat rare in its native Italy.) Dark red with violet hues and crimson reflections. Generous aromas of fresh red fruit combine with notes of clove, smoke, vanilla and toast. "This floral red exhibits juicy blackberry, raspberry and plum notes supported by medium tannins. The grippy finish unfolds with hints of mulled spice and licorice. Malbec, Bonarda and Syrah. Drink now." Wine Spectator, 90 points.  Even better on day two, with intensified spice and berry flavors.

2006 La Puerta Reserva Syrah

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $11 (on sale from $16)

At $16, this would be a steal.  At $11, I went back for two more bottles!  This is probably one of the best QPR wines I have ever had.  I immediatlely got layers of cocoa, followed by dense berry and some earthy tones.  This is an intense wine that benefits from decanting.  Stood up to grilled steak very well.

2009 Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $8-$13

And I thought Castle Rock only made Pinot Noir (and lots of them)!  I didn't care for this wine on wine night, perhaps because it was #6 or #7...much better the 2nd, or was it 3rd day.  I found this to be nicely balanced with a dark fruit finish. 

2011 Acronym

Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $10

My husband and I bought this for a teacher friend as part of a long-standing joke about acronyms vs initialisms.  Turned out, the joke was on us - the wine was pretty good!  Our friend returned the favor by bringing a bottle to a recent wine tasting (which is why you are getting two posts on the same date).  Of the six wines we tasted, this was by far my favorite.  Although that evening, I doubted I would repurchase it, on day two I found it quite pleasant.  Balanced, fruity. a little earthy, I would put it on par if not better than Apothic, which I occasionally find a bit heavy on the vanilla.

2011 Domaine R De La Grange Vin De Pays Du Val De Loire Chardonnay

Taste: 2/5
Value: 2/5
Price: $13

Description from the Winemaker: The Domaine R de la Grange Chardonnay is gown in the cool Loire Valley on clay and silica soils. This unoaked Chardonnay offers beautiful restrained fruit and bright acidity and exhibits a harmonious, fruity and floral nose. Smooth and crisp on the palate, this wine is easy to drink for all occasions. Serve as an aperitif or with salad, fish, pork, or cheese.
Goes to show you can make anything sound good - I found this wine unpleasantly flinty and sharp.  "Restrained" fruit translated to near non-existent for me.

2010 Jacuzzi Chardonnay

Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5 - 5/5 depending on price sourced
Price: $20 (have seen a range from $12-$20)

This is a nice, crisp, full-bodied and well-balanced Sonoma Coast (Carneros) Chardonnay, which I have found to be the source of my favorite Chardonnays.   Only lightly oaked with bright fruit flavors of peach, pear and apple.  I paired with a Parmesan crusted salmon and kale salad with vinaigrette, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese - delightful!

2011 Panzenello 'Le Piazzole'

Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $15


Le Piazzole is 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot.  Fresh cherry on the palate with a pleasant dusty/earthy spice.  Paired with spaghetti with meat sauce - delicious.  Will buy again!  If I can find it in the $12 range, I would give it 5/5 in value, although even at $15, it tastes more expensive.

2012 Tamaya Carmenere Reserva

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5
Price: $15.99

Apparently, this was Tamaya week at my house!  This was a Dec 2012 Wine Club wine, and much preferred over the Chardonnay.  This was deep and inky, powerful and spicy, while remaining fruit forward. The mouthfeel was round and full with a finish of peppers, blackberry and plum.  A great pairing with steak fajitas!  A close tie to another favorite - Tarima Hill Monastrell.

2009 Vina Casa Tamaya Chardonnay Reserva

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $15.99

 

This was a wine club wine from Jan 2012 and was an interesting Chardonnay.  Great if you're looking for a non-buttery, citrusy white wine.  For me, I would pick up a Sauvignon Blanc for that.  For the record, I kept thinking this WAS a Sauv Blanc.  The wine club description listed white peaches, fresh pears with citrus tones of mandarin orange and lemon.  I got neither cream nor vanilla nor body that I would usually expect.  I did get a tense finish, crisp and high in acidity.  Not bad, just not what I'd pay $16, although it did rate 90 points from Wine Spectator.



2007 Rombauer Merlot

Taste: 5/5
Value: 3/5
Price: ~ $30

This 100% Carneros Merlot was given to me for my 40th Birthday by my good friend and co-worker.  Upon opening, I was immediately transported back to Napa with the wonderful, complex wines I enjoy while there.  Aromas of boysenberry and black cherry with vanilla and plum.  A velvety mouth-feel, rich with blackberry, cranberry and toffee flavors with hints of spice with moderate tannins for a smooth, long-lasting finish.

2009 Moreccio Bolgheri

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $15 (WTSO 55% off)

Would I rate this wine so highly if I'd paid full price, probably not, but for $15 it's a great Super Tuscan, or so it was billed.  It's actually a 30-30-40 blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany.  Plush, soft and rich, it offers ripe concentration and mature aromas of spice, sweet cherry and blackberry with leather and tobacco.  Incredibly smooth.

2010 Core Grenache Blanc

Taste: 3/5
Value: 2/5
Price: $18

I was very excited to try this wine, which was one of my August wine club wines.  I have several Grenaches that I like, but have never tried a grenache blanc!  It reminded me of an unoaked, or lightly oaked Chardonnay, of which there are several I like better than this at a better price point.

2008 Clos du Bois Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $22 (on sale for $15)


Having thoroughly enjoyed Sebastiani's Alexander Valley Cab, I thought I'd give another label a try.  While not as good and Sebastiani's (which reminded me of Mt Veeder Cab), Clos du Bois was very enjoyable.  Rich and sumptuous dark fruit and cocoa with long, well-balanced finish.  Would definitely have benefited from aerating.  Winemaker Gary Sitton.

2009 Belleruche Cotes-Du-Rhone

Taste: 2/5
Value: 2/5
Price: $12

A 60% Grenache/40% Syrah blend from French winery M. Chapoutier.  The palate was very dusty and chalky.  Rated 89 points by Wine Advocate and claimed to be the best vintage of his lifetime by winemaker Michel Chapoutier, I feel like I'm missing something here.  I'll just have to assume it's my affinity for California wines!

2010 Riondo Pinot Grigio

Taste: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $12

In a blind tasting, I would have guessed Sauvignon Blanc, hands down - and there are several Sauvignon Blancs that I like better than this Pinot Grigio. 

Tasting notes from winemaker: This Pinot Grigio possesses honeyed, lemony, ripe apple and assorted tropical fruit aromas and flavors. It’s medium bodied and beautifully concentrated, with a creamy complexity that caresses the palate with no hard edges. This superbly pure wine is delicious by itself, but it also complements perfectly an assortment of culinary dishes.

I did not get honeyed or creamy, but definitely got lemony/citrus and some serious "vibrant" acidity.  Don't get me wrong, it was a pleasant wine, but not what I was expecting for a Pinot Grigio and not one I'd likely buy again.  Riondo Prosecco - now that's a different story!