Category Archives: Wine Reviews

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Santa Pia Mini Vertical of 2007 and 2008

March 13,2014

2007 and 2008 Vino Nobile di Montepulicano Riserva Santa Pia

The difference is the weather. 2007 had mild temperatures that formed budding of about ten days ealier than average. There was a dry and not to hot summer.

2008 started off cooler and budding was ten day later than average. It was a rainy spring with below average temperatures. August was hot and dry. September’s temperature dropped slowing down the grapes maturing. This weather caused a slow and regular ripening process. As a result the wines have more structure than the 2007 vintage.

2007 La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Santa Pia2008 La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Santa Pia

1997 Diebolt Vallois Fleur de Passion Champagne and Daylight Savings Time

March 9,20141997 Diebolt Vallois Fleur de Passion Champagne

Happy Daylight Savings Time Day (DST)!

Daylight savings time brightens our days just like a glass of champagne.

Today we have the 1997 Diebolt Vallois Fleur de Passion champagne to celebrate with. There are lots of happy streaming bubbles celebrating by forming a mousse necklace in celebration of DST Day. The champagne has a pales sunny gold color. Aromas of citrus and toasted nuts invite us to the bubble party on our palate. The champagne finishes with another filled glass.

2010 Tenuta Terre Nere Etna Rosso and the First Day of Lent

March 5,20142014 Lenten Sacrifice to Give Up Drinking Bad Wine

For those observing the Lenten season, highlighting a wine from a vineyard located on the volcanic soil of Mount Etna in Sicily Italy just seems the Ash thing to do. It is almost like from ashes to wine. Let’s have some pizza tonight with this tasty 2010 Tenuta Tere Nerre Etna Rosso. See review below.

But we first must decide what we are going to give up for Lent this year. So I have declared to give up drinking bad wines.

2010 Tenuta Terre Nere Etna Rosso

 

 

 

Vidal Blanc: A Grape from New York State

Vidal Blanc Grape VarietyMarch 4,2014

Looking for a new grape experience, start in upstate New York. The grape variety Vidal Blanc is grown in this cold region. The Vidal Blanc grape has a thick skin and is cold resistant (you have to be to live in the ground there). Wines from this grape are floral and fruity with mouth watering acidity. Sounds like another one of your favorite grapes?

 

2012 Whispering Angel Rosé Wine is also a Snow Angel

February 27,20142012 D'Esclans Sacha Lichine Whispering Angel Snow Whispering Angel Rose Cotes de Provence

2012 D’Esclans                     Whispering Angel Rosé

Did you ever think of a Rosé wine frolicking in the snow? This one is a Whispering Angel  Rosé telling us all to come out and play. Put your coats on and bring out your wine glasses. Let’s make a snowman together. You can also bring that chilled 2012 Whispering Angel inside and enjoy that salmon colored wine of 73% Grenache, 9% Cinsault, 8.5% Syrah, and 5.5% Mourvedre. There are aromas of light red berries with soft mineral notes.On the palate there is mouth filling softness with gentle red fruits and the elegance of  Provence. It finishes clean and dry without needng to be mouth watering.

These angels are truely saying come play with me or is it come drink rosé wines with me.

2013 Brokenwood Semillon Hunter Valley-The Chalkboard Special

February 21,2014

There is something special about a less than usual grape variety that comes from a less than usual place. We are talking about the Semillon grape grown in the Hunter Valley of Australia. This grape gives you all that creaminess without the use of oak and leaves you with the pure fruit to enjoy.

2013 Brokenwood Semillon

1784 Haut Brion, 1994 Caymus Vineyards Reserve, Thomas Je fferson and President’s Day 2014

February 17,2014

In May 1788 our former President Thomas Jefferson ordered 125 bottles of a then recent 1784 vintage of Haut Brion. With that many bottles ordered, that sounds like Thomas Jefferson’s favorite wine.

 

Unfortunately I have not tasted that wine so I will share an American wine of a more recent vintage to celebrate Presidents Day. When including President Jefferson in a wine commentary it would be more appropriate to include those special wines from Virginia, however, I am deprived of that treat of tasting wines from Virginia at this time. So we look towards Napa Valley.

Our 2014 President’s Day favorite wine selection is:1994 Caymus Special Selection Reserve

 

1994 Caymus Vineyards Reserve Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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