This week’s selection:
Winery : Emilio Moro
Varietal: Tempranillo
Price Paid: $21.99
Vintage: 2006
Area: Ribera Del Duero, Spain
Alcohol: 14.5%
Purchased: Plum Market – West Bloomfield, MI
Overall: Absolutely beautiful, mouth wateringly delicious wine. I served this wine on 2 different occasions and everyone literally loved this wine. It was #99 on the Wine Spectator Top 100 and frankly blew away the Lan Reserva Rioja (Lan was good but not as good) that made #52 on the list. Buy this wine!
Reviews
"Ripe cherry, fig pudding, vanilla and spice flavors mingle in this firm, lively red. There's plenty of structure, but the red fruit flavors are bright and expressive. Drink now through 2016."
92 Points
Wine Spectator
"The 2006 Emilio Moro was aged in French and American oak for 12 months. It has a superb bouquet of smoke, roasted herbs, scorched earth, and blackberry. Layered on the palate, it has tons of fruit, plenty of spice box notes, a firm structure, and 2-3 years of aging potential. This lengthy effort should provide pleasure through 2026. "
92 Points
The Wine Advocate
"Opaque ruby. Brooding cherry and blackberry aromas are complemented by smoked meat, minerals and anise. Sappy dark berry flavors stain the palate and are braced by zesty minerals and dusty tannins. Gains weight and sweetness on the finish, which repeats the dark berry note and lingers impressively. "
92 Points
International Wine Cellar
Showing posts with label Top Wines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top Wines. Show all posts
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Michele Chiarlo 2007 Barbera D'Asti
This week’s selection:
Winery: Michele Chiarlo
Varietal: Barbera
Price Paid: $15.99
Vintage: 2007
Area: Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Alcohol: 13.5%
Purchased: Colasanti’s Market
Overall: This was recommended as a bargain. I like Barbera but honestly this didn’t thrill me. It was ok, dry with a nice touch of acidity. But would not buy again.
Reviews:
The Wine Advocate (Robert Parker):
"The estate’s 2007 Barbera d’Asti Superiore Le Orme is a mid-weight offering with good definition and focus in its perfumed red berries. This refined, subtle wine offers good balance in an approachable, feminine style. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. "
88 Points
Winery: Michele Chiarlo
Varietal: Barbera
Price Paid: $15.99
Vintage: 2007
Area: Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Alcohol: 13.5%
Purchased: Colasanti’s Market
Overall: This was recommended as a bargain. I like Barbera but honestly this didn’t thrill me. It was ok, dry with a nice touch of acidity. But would not buy again.
Reviews:
The Wine Advocate (Robert Parker):
"The estate’s 2007 Barbera d’Asti Superiore Le Orme is a mid-weight offering with good definition and focus in its perfumed red berries. This refined, subtle wine offers good balance in an approachable, feminine style. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2012. "
88 Points
Winemaker notes:
Michele Chiarlo selects his Barbera d’Asti from the best of these vineyards planted in older vines and harvested at peak maturity. Vinified at the Chiarlo cellars in Calamandrana, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and is then aged a least one year in oak.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Masi Masianco White Blend 2008
This week’s selection:
Winery : Masi (Masianco)
Varietal: Pinot Grigio & Verduzzo
Price Paid: $17.00
Vintage: 2008
Area: Friuli, Italy
Alcohol: 13%
Purchased: Papa Joe’s
Overall: OK, I am not a big Pinot Grigio fan. But, this is a delicious wine! It is 75% Pinot Grigio and 25% Verduzzo (which adds a bit of peach, apricot, honey…). The Verduzzo is picked slightly overripe to provide more body and a bit more sweetness but this is not an overly sweet wine. I bought this wine for my wife's "Girls Night Out" and they loved it. This is one of my favorite wineries and I have never had a Masi wine that I did not like, I enjoy their appassimento style (ancient process of drying grapes to make wine dating back 3,00 years), they have simply one of my favorite Amarone’s and even their Campofiorin is excellent (they have it at Maggiano’s Restaurant chain).
Reviews
Shoppers Wine
Golden straw color. Ripe lemon and orchid aromas. Soft entry. Light-to medium bodied palate of ripe lemon, tangerine, and apple flavors with a crisp, stylish finish. Great balance and flavor. 89 Pts. Shoppers Wines
WineChateau.com
Tasting notes
The wine has a bright pale straw color with golden reflections. The complex and appealing bouquet shows fresh notes of white fruit and citrus, as well as warmer aromas of apricot, honey and dried figs. On the palate it is full, overwhelming and smooth, with a delicate vanilla note on the finish.
Winemaker notes
Fermented separately then assembled. Fermented 25 days for Pinot Grigio, 30 days for Verduzzo. Stainless steel aging for 4 months for Pinot Grigio, 4 months in barriques for Verduzzo.
Food pairing
Masianco is an ideal aperitif. It is perfect with hors d’oeuvres, fish and white meats.
Winery : Masi (Masianco)
Varietal: Pinot Grigio & Verduzzo
Price Paid: $17.00
Vintage: 2008
Area: Friuli, Italy
Alcohol: 13%
Purchased: Papa Joe’s
Overall: OK, I am not a big Pinot Grigio fan. But, this is a delicious wine! It is 75% Pinot Grigio and 25% Verduzzo (which adds a bit of peach, apricot, honey…). The Verduzzo is picked slightly overripe to provide more body and a bit more sweetness but this is not an overly sweet wine. I bought this wine for my wife's "Girls Night Out" and they loved it. This is one of my favorite wineries and I have never had a Masi wine that I did not like, I enjoy their appassimento style (ancient process of drying grapes to make wine dating back 3,00 years), they have simply one of my favorite Amarone’s and even their Campofiorin is excellent (they have it at Maggiano’s Restaurant chain).
Reviews
Shoppers Wine
Golden straw color. Ripe lemon and orchid aromas. Soft entry. Light-to medium bodied palate of ripe lemon, tangerine, and apple flavors with a crisp, stylish finish. Great balance and flavor. 89 Pts. Shoppers Wines
WineChateau.com
Tasting notes
The wine has a bright pale straw color with golden reflections. The complex and appealing bouquet shows fresh notes of white fruit and citrus, as well as warmer aromas of apricot, honey and dried figs. On the palate it is full, overwhelming and smooth, with a delicate vanilla note on the finish.
Winemaker notes
Fermented separately then assembled. Fermented 25 days for Pinot Grigio, 30 days for Verduzzo. Stainless steel aging for 4 months for Pinot Grigio, 4 months in barriques for Verduzzo.
Food pairing
Masianco is an ideal aperitif. It is perfect with hors d’oeuvres, fish and white meats.
Monday, August 23, 2010
14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
This week’s selection:
Winery: 14 Hands Winery
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cab Franc
Price Paid: $12.99
Vintage: 2008
Area: Washington State
Alcohol: 13.5%
Purchased: Papa Joe’s
Overall: Had a glass of this wine two nights in a row at a hotel I recently stayed at. Enjoyed it so much the first night that I looked forward to another glass the 2nd night. Good with hearty food and a nice bargain in a cab blend.
Reviews
Wine Maker
The vintage
Delayed by cool weather in the spring and a moderate summer, harvest began 10 days later than previous years. Hot temperatures in August ripened the fruit, and harvest was quickly ramped up in order to obtain fruit at its optimum ripeness. The cooler than normal growing season and full crop loads led to flavorful fruit with restrained sugar levels and ample acidity.
winemaking
Grapes were sourced from vineyards throughout Washington State, including the Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope and the Yakima Valley. Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Franc were added to create a fruit-forward blend and to enhance mouth feel. The wine was aged for 12 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels to build structure and complexity in the blend.
flavor profile
“14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of sweet cassis and black cherries with subtle hints of spice and dried herbs. Dark stone fruit flavors are joined by notes of cocoa and complemented by fine, velvety tannins.”
recommended food pairings
Tomato-basil bruschetta, eggplant parmesan, herb crusted prime rib, grilled beef steak, hearty venison stew.
Winery: 14 Hands Winery
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cab Franc
Price Paid: $12.99
Vintage: 2008
Area: Washington State
Alcohol: 13.5%
Purchased: Papa Joe’s
Overall: Had a glass of this wine two nights in a row at a hotel I recently stayed at. Enjoyed it so much the first night that I looked forward to another glass the 2nd night. Good with hearty food and a nice bargain in a cab blend.
Reviews
Wine Maker
The vintage
Delayed by cool weather in the spring and a moderate summer, harvest began 10 days later than previous years. Hot temperatures in August ripened the fruit, and harvest was quickly ramped up in order to obtain fruit at its optimum ripeness. The cooler than normal growing season and full crop loads led to flavorful fruit with restrained sugar levels and ample acidity.
winemaking
Grapes were sourced from vineyards throughout Washington State, including the Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope and the Yakima Valley. Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Franc were added to create a fruit-forward blend and to enhance mouth feel. The wine was aged for 12 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels to build structure and complexity in the blend.
flavor profile
“14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon features aromas of sweet cassis and black cherries with subtle hints of spice and dried herbs. Dark stone fruit flavors are joined by notes of cocoa and complemented by fine, velvety tannins.”
recommended food pairings
Tomato-basil bruschetta, eggplant parmesan, herb crusted prime rib, grilled beef steak, hearty venison stew.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
This week’s selection:
Winery: Beringer
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price Paid: $18.00 - $20.00
Vintage: 2007
Area: Sonoma, CA
Alcohol: 14.3%
Purchased: Costco
Overall: Simply the best Cab in this price range I have ever had in almost 20 years of drinking mainly Cabs. Right now I am drinking the late 90’s vintages out of my cellar. I learned the aging potential of this gem from Ron Edwards, Master Sommelier. Serve this to company with grilled meats, roast beef, etc. and no one will be disappointed. I poured this 2007 through an aerator before drinking and found the 2007 outstanding and delicious. If you don’t have an aerator you may want to decant.
Reviews
K & L Wines
According to Robert Parker: "Several other great values emerge from Beringer, including the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Knight’s Valley. A major sleeper of the vintage, this $27 wine will probably be marked down at discounters, making it a terrific value. This sexy North Coast Cabernet offers copious quantities of black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with smoky barbecue, roasted herb, sweet cassis, and blackberry scents. Round and gentle with silky tannins, this is a plush red to drink over the next 5-8 years." (12/09)
89 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Good deep, bright ruby. Black cherry, licorice and fresh herbs on the slightly medicinal nose. At once dense and juicy, with lively acidity and a firm tannic spine keeping the bright dark berry and licorice flavors under wraps today. This has good weight and balance and finishes with broad, serious, building tannins that call for a year or two of patience. Already showing a bit of flesh, but give this another year or two to round out in bottle." (May/June 10)
Winery: Beringer
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price Paid: $18.00 - $20.00
Vintage: 2007
Area: Sonoma, CA
Alcohol: 14.3%
Purchased: Costco
Overall: Simply the best Cab in this price range I have ever had in almost 20 years of drinking mainly Cabs. Right now I am drinking the late 90’s vintages out of my cellar. I learned the aging potential of this gem from Ron Edwards, Master Sommelier. Serve this to company with grilled meats, roast beef, etc. and no one will be disappointed. I poured this 2007 through an aerator before drinking and found the 2007 outstanding and delicious. If you don’t have an aerator you may want to decant.
Reviews
K & L Wines
According to Robert Parker: "Several other great values emerge from Beringer, including the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Knight’s Valley. A major sleeper of the vintage, this $27 wine will probably be marked down at discounters, making it a terrific value. This sexy North Coast Cabernet offers copious quantities of black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with smoky barbecue, roasted herb, sweet cassis, and blackberry scents. Round and gentle with silky tannins, this is a plush red to drink over the next 5-8 years." (12/09)
89 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Good deep, bright ruby. Black cherry, licorice and fresh herbs on the slightly medicinal nose. At once dense and juicy, with lively acidity and a firm tannic spine keeping the bright dark berry and licorice flavors under wraps today. This has good weight and balance and finishes with broad, serious, building tannins that call for a year or two of patience. Already showing a bit of flesh, but give this another year or two to round out in bottle." (May/June 10)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Airfield Estates 2008 Riesling
This week’s selection:
Winery: Airfield Estates
Varietal: Riesling
Price Paid: $15.99
Vintage: 2008
Area: Yakima, WA
Alcohol: 14.1%
Purchased: Colasanti’s Market
Overall: I like my Rieslings on the dry side but this had a pleasant sweetness with enough acid to balance it out. Apple, citrus and a good Riesling to have with Chinese or Curry in particular.
Reviews
Winemaker’s Notes:
A family owned and operated winery located in Prosser, Washington -- in the heart of the Yakima Valley AVA. Great wines begin in the vineyard! Airfield Estates uses 100% estate grown fruit. Our first vines were planted in 1968 by Don Miller. Today, the estate vineyard spans over 860 acres and includes 26 different varieties.
The vineyard is located at the foot of the Rattlesnake Mountains in the Yakima Valley. All of the vineyard blocks are situated within a 3 mile radius of the original WWII airbase. Within this range, there is a considerable amount of diversity of soil and microclimatic conditions. To maximize quality, we carefully match grape varietals to the most suitable sites.
Well balanced with impressive acidity, this slightly sweet Riesling offers a bouquet of citrus and apple with a touch of minerality. It begs for Asian inspired foods, oysters, shellfish, and salads.
From Fullpullwines:
http://fullpullwines.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/2008-airfield-states-riesling/
This Riesling comes from a block of 30-year-old vines that also goes into Ste Michelle’s Eroica Riesling program, routinely recognized as one of the state’s premier Riesling bottlings. Lots of citrus notes on the nose, with just the barest hint of petrol adding attractive complexity. On the palate, there is zingy acid that immediately hits the sides of the tongue, bringing flavors of lemon, flower, and clay. The 1.7% residual sugar is almost imperceptible, balanced beautifully by all that acid.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Chateau des Karantes
This week’s selection:
Winery: Chateau des Karantes
Varietal: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre
Price Paid: By the glass or bottle at Leaf, Barley and Vine (link on the right) also for $18.99 Whole Foods
Vintage: 2007
Area: Languedoc, France
Alcohol: 14.6%
Purchased: First tried by the glass at Leaf, Barley and Vine. Go and try a glass you will not be disappointed. Also, for you non-Michiganders by the bottle at Whole Foods.
Overall: Wonderful nose, great flavors described well below, and overall just delicious. Want to escape? All you have to do is read the setting described below…
Reviews (Past Vintages -Nothing on the 2007 that I could find)
WINE SPECTATOR:
92 Château des Karantes Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape 2005 Very spicy and rich, with lively flavors of raspberry, red cherry, cream and mocha. Finely balanced, with a long, vibrant finish of spice and chocolate. Drink now through 2014. –K.M.
DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS: BRONZE MEDAL
CONCOURS 2008 DES VIGNERONS INDÉPENDANTS: GOLD MEDAL INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2008: BRONZE MEDAL
From the Chateau
Production: 5000 bottles
Location: Coteaux du Languedoc - La Clape
Soil: Clay and Limestone
Vinification: Hand harvested and sorted, the grapes are transferred by gravity to 60 hL oak vats. The fermentation and maceration lasts from 3 weeks to one month. The wine is aged in 300 Liter and 600 Liter French barrels and in oak tanks for 12 months.
Tasting Notes: This wine pairs well with light meats such as roasted pork, poultry, grilled meats as well as soft cheeses. A high class wine, ready to drink or to age.
This delicious wine presents notes of ripe plums and cherries. The nose portrays typical Grenache character with caramel, tobacco and toasted accents. Well balanced, round and supple.
THE SETTING
Château des Karantes is a magnificent vineyard situated in Languedoc-Roussillon. The domaine is in the heart of a small valley located two minutes away from the Mediterranean between the seaside resort towns of Narbonne Plage and St. Pierre sur Mer. The estate offers a beautiful panorama of the Mediterranean Sea with the Pyrenees Mountains visible in the distance. The vineyard is named after a former Bishop of Carcassonne, owner of the estate hundreds of years ago.
THE VINEYARD
The terroir of château des Karantes is distinguished by its proximity to the sea and its South-East/East exposition. The inland side of the vineyard is surrounded by the cliffs of La Clape which protects the grapes from the drying ‘Vent du Nord’ (North Winds) while the cool breeze from the sea assures the balance and freshness of our wines. The soil is predominately Clay and Limestone and allows the production of rich, powerful and aromatic Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre based wines. At the entrance of the estate an area of sandy-silty soils produce delicate and elegant red and white wines.
The Vineyard is planted with the traditional varietals of La Clape, (17.8% Carignan, 29.3% Grenache, 32.2 % Syrah, and 16.6% Mourvedre) and a small one hectare parcel of a white varietal called Terret and Bourboulenc 4.1 %. The Terret are the oldest vines planted on the estate, dating back to 1927. There are Carignan vines that can be traced back to 1928. The vines are planted 5000 per hectare. In our goal to improve the vineyard, 5.7 hectares of Syrah were planted in 2005 and then 3.4 ha of Syrah and 1 ha of Mourvedre in 2006.
Winery: Chateau des Karantes
Varietal: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre
Price Paid: By the glass or bottle at Leaf, Barley and Vine (link on the right) also for $18.99 Whole Foods
Vintage: 2007
Area: Languedoc, France
Alcohol: 14.6%
Purchased: First tried by the glass at Leaf, Barley and Vine. Go and try a glass you will not be disappointed. Also, for you non-Michiganders by the bottle at Whole Foods.
Overall: Wonderful nose, great flavors described well below, and overall just delicious. Want to escape? All you have to do is read the setting described below…
Reviews (Past Vintages -Nothing on the 2007 that I could find)
WINE SPECTATOR:
92 Château des Karantes Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape 2005 Very spicy and rich, with lively flavors of raspberry, red cherry, cream and mocha. Finely balanced, with a long, vibrant finish of spice and chocolate. Drink now through 2014. –K.M.
DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS: BRONZE MEDAL
CONCOURS 2008 DES VIGNERONS INDÉPENDANTS: GOLD MEDAL INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2008: BRONZE MEDAL
From the Chateau
Production: 5000 bottles
Location: Coteaux du Languedoc - La Clape
Soil: Clay and Limestone
Vinification: Hand harvested and sorted, the grapes are transferred by gravity to 60 hL oak vats. The fermentation and maceration lasts from 3 weeks to one month. The wine is aged in 300 Liter and 600 Liter French barrels and in oak tanks for 12 months.
Tasting Notes: This wine pairs well with light meats such as roasted pork, poultry, grilled meats as well as soft cheeses. A high class wine, ready to drink or to age.
This delicious wine presents notes of ripe plums and cherries. The nose portrays typical Grenache character with caramel, tobacco and toasted accents. Well balanced, round and supple.
THE SETTING
Château des Karantes is a magnificent vineyard situated in Languedoc-Roussillon. The domaine is in the heart of a small valley located two minutes away from the Mediterranean between the seaside resort towns of Narbonne Plage and St. Pierre sur Mer. The estate offers a beautiful panorama of the Mediterranean Sea with the Pyrenees Mountains visible in the distance. The vineyard is named after a former Bishop of Carcassonne, owner of the estate hundreds of years ago.
THE VINEYARD
The terroir of château des Karantes is distinguished by its proximity to the sea and its South-East/East exposition. The inland side of the vineyard is surrounded by the cliffs of La Clape which protects the grapes from the drying ‘Vent du Nord’ (North Winds) while the cool breeze from the sea assures the balance and freshness of our wines. The soil is predominately Clay and Limestone and allows the production of rich, powerful and aromatic Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre based wines. At the entrance of the estate an area of sandy-silty soils produce delicate and elegant red and white wines.
The Vineyard is planted with the traditional varietals of La Clape, (17.8% Carignan, 29.3% Grenache, 32.2 % Syrah, and 16.6% Mourvedre) and a small one hectare parcel of a white varietal called Terret and Bourboulenc 4.1 %. The Terret are the oldest vines planted on the estate, dating back to 1927. There are Carignan vines that can be traced back to 1928. The vines are planted 5000 per hectare. In our goal to improve the vineyard, 5.7 hectares of Syrah were planted in 2005 and then 3.4 ha of Syrah and 1 ha of Mourvedre in 2006.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
CUVAISON 2008 Chardonnay
This week’s selection:
Winery: CUVAISON
Varietal: Chardonnay
Price Paid: $21.59
Vintage: 2008
Area: Carneros, CA
Alcohol: 14.2%
Purchased: Bella Vino Fine Wines
Overall: Delicious Chardonnay, not overly oaked, overly sweet or overly anything. I like drier, less oaky styles and this has a nice balance of fruit, oak and acidity to make this a wonderful wine to pair with food.
Reviews
Winemaker Comments:
Cuvaison's Carneros Chardonnay comes from the winery's own estate in the southern part of Napa Valley. This cool climate vineyard allows nearly perfect conditions year after year to produce world class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah. Controlling all farming aspects within their own vineyard gives Cuvaison an advantage in producing the best quality fruit therefore minimizing over manipulation at the winery. This 2008 offers an aroma of kiwi, clove spice, nectarine and lime zest with a hint of toasty oak. On the palate this exquisite Chardonnay is chock full of lush, mouth filling flavors of peach, apricot and papaya backed by vanilla and allspice.
Aging 8 months in small French oak barrels, 25% new French oak
Fermentation 14-28 days
Residual Sugar Dry
K and L Wines
2008 Cuvaison Carneros Chardonnay
By: Jim Barr | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 1/29/2010 | Send Email
One of my major complaints about most Chardonnays being produced in California is that they are way overdone with too much oak and alcohol, and too much creaminess. Moreover, many producers of that ilk also leave a bit of residual sugar in the finish wine to make it "bigger and richer." The theory, as it was expressed to me some years ago by one winemaker, is that the average American wine consumer will tell everyone that they like their white wines dry, but in reality they do not - or there wouldn't have been the off-dry to sweet White Zinfandel craze that took place nearly 30years ago. More importantly, it is almost impossible to match food (other than cheese) to that style of Chardonnay. That is why it is so refreshing to discover a Chardonnay that is dry, has good acidity and structure, and the emphasis is totally on the presentation of varietal fruit, as with the Cuvaison 2008 Carneros Charonnay. Eby has informed me that this Gem will be one of our house Chardonnays for the month. (Jim Barr)
By: Christie Cartwright | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 12/14/2009 | Send Email
This is a cool climate Carneros Chardonnay that is exploding with wonderful fruit and winter spice. On the nose are bright kiwi, peach and apricot flavors, followed by a mouthful of rich minerals and spice like nutmeg and cloves. It finishes with toasty oak and great acidity. Perfect for the winter season with its medium to full bodied expression, this is a for-sure hit for any occasion, party, or anyone you want to please, just pour them a glass and smiles will begin to shine.
By: Mike Parres | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 12/1/2009 | Send Email
Opens with appetizing oak flavors, then focuses its attention on its intensely wound core of vanilla, mineral, pear and fig-laced flavors, all of which are rich and concentrated. Draws you back for another sip.
Winery: CUVAISON
Varietal: Chardonnay
Price Paid: $21.59
Vintage: 2008
Area: Carneros, CA
Alcohol: 14.2%
Purchased: Bella Vino Fine Wines
Overall: Delicious Chardonnay, not overly oaked, overly sweet or overly anything. I like drier, less oaky styles and this has a nice balance of fruit, oak and acidity to make this a wonderful wine to pair with food.
Reviews
Winemaker Comments:
Cuvaison's Carneros Chardonnay comes from the winery's own estate in the southern part of Napa Valley. This cool climate vineyard allows nearly perfect conditions year after year to produce world class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Syrah. Controlling all farming aspects within their own vineyard gives Cuvaison an advantage in producing the best quality fruit therefore minimizing over manipulation at the winery. This 2008 offers an aroma of kiwi, clove spice, nectarine and lime zest with a hint of toasty oak. On the palate this exquisite Chardonnay is chock full of lush, mouth filling flavors of peach, apricot and papaya backed by vanilla and allspice.
Aging 8 months in small French oak barrels, 25% new French oak
Fermentation 14-28 days
Residual Sugar Dry
K and L Wines
2008 Cuvaison Carneros Chardonnay
By: Jim Barr | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 1/29/2010 | Send Email
One of my major complaints about most Chardonnays being produced in California is that they are way overdone with too much oak and alcohol, and too much creaminess. Moreover, many producers of that ilk also leave a bit of residual sugar in the finish wine to make it "bigger and richer." The theory, as it was expressed to me some years ago by one winemaker, is that the average American wine consumer will tell everyone that they like their white wines dry, but in reality they do not - or there wouldn't have been the off-dry to sweet White Zinfandel craze that took place nearly 30years ago. More importantly, it is almost impossible to match food (other than cheese) to that style of Chardonnay. That is why it is so refreshing to discover a Chardonnay that is dry, has good acidity and structure, and the emphasis is totally on the presentation of varietal fruit, as with the Cuvaison 2008 Carneros Charonnay. Eby has informed me that this Gem will be one of our house Chardonnays for the month. (Jim Barr)
By: Christie Cartwright | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 12/14/2009 | Send Email
This is a cool climate Carneros Chardonnay that is exploding with wonderful fruit and winter spice. On the nose are bright kiwi, peach and apricot flavors, followed by a mouthful of rich minerals and spice like nutmeg and cloves. It finishes with toasty oak and great acidity. Perfect for the winter season with its medium to full bodied expression, this is a for-sure hit for any occasion, party, or anyone you want to please, just pour them a glass and smiles will begin to shine.
By: Mike Parres | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 12/1/2009 | Send Email
Opens with appetizing oak flavors, then focuses its attention on its intensely wound core of vanilla, mineral, pear and fig-laced flavors, all of which are rich and concentrated. Draws you back for another sip.
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