Category: WIne Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: France
Grape: 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc
Body: Medium
Year: 2012
Alcohol: 5%
Price point: $27.00 for a 375 ml bottle (1/2 bottle)
Year Reviewed: 2017

I was at a fantastic wine store in El Paso, Texas and saw this interesting wine in a ½ bottle, so had to check it out.  Jean-Louis Trocard’s family has some great land nestled between Saint-Emilion and Pomeral (a gold mine region) and this winery has been making wine since the 16^th century.  Note that some of the premium wine producers are small chateaus, just like Jean-Louis Trocard, that are technically outside the prestigious appellations of Bordeaux.  Only 250,000 bottles were produced of this wine.  The Bordeaux Superieur indicates that these wines are slightly superior to the standard AOC or AC wines. (See home page for “Other wine info and education” for GI explanation)

It did wine a Bronze Medal in Paris for the 2014 vintage.  If interested in this wine, also try the 2014 and 2015 vintages as I have read they have been highly rated also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.bordeaux-undiscovered.co.uk

 

Origin: La Morra, Italy
Grape: Nebbiolo
Body: Medium
Year: 2013
Alcohol: 14
Price point: $13.99
Year Reviewed: 2017

First tell me where you can get a Nebbiolo for under $15.00 that is labelled DOC too.…… (See home page for “Other wine info and education” for GI explanation)  You have seen I love this grape and for its uniqueness in many facets.  Its color is always a bit red with some brownish tones.  This grape is so earthy.  Try this one, my Nebbiolo friends.

On the nose I get smoke, tobacco, spice (maybe thyme) and wet leaves or grass with cherry tones.  On the palate, I get a well-balanced, medium acidic wine with a medium finish. It is a younger wine but still, I love it, especially for the price since most Nebbiolos I have found start around $45.00 a bottle.

Gotta tell some of my Nebbiolo friends about this one.

THE HISTORY OF MOLINO WINE CELLAR

Located in the centre of the territory of Wine Barolo, Franco Molino is an ancient winery, whose origin date back to the forty, when great grand father, during one of his business trips, discovered the hills of the Langhe: he was so enthusiastic that decided to move here. With the whole family he settled in the small village of La Morra were he bought the farmhouse CASCINA ROCCA, and several vineyard plots. Now the Winery Franco Molino manage about 10 hectares of vineyards, located all in the Barolo production area. The vineyard are: Bricco Zuncai and Vigna Sarmassa (Barolo), Rocche dell’Annunziata and Bricco Rocca (La Morra), Villero (Castiglione Falletto).

THE  VINEYARDS

The wines of Molino Franco derive exclusively from grapes coming from its vineyards, located in the most prestigious areas of the territory of Barolo: “Bricco Zuncai” and “Sarmassa” in the town of Barolo, “Rocche dell’ Annunziata” and “Bricco Rocca” in La Morra, “Villero” in Castiglione Falletto. The structure and nature of the terrain, their position, exposure to sun and a favorable microclimate, are basic requirements for achieving great wines. The various vineyards are followed with care and attention, advanced technologies are used for cultivating the vine and a high respect for tradition. On the 10 hectares vineyards are cultivated only autochthon varieties of vine: Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera and Favorita.

http://www.cascinarocca.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: California
Grape: 98% Chardonnay 2% Gewürztraminer
Body: Medium
Year: 2013
Alcohol: 5%
Price point: $11.99
Year Reviewed: 2017

Yet another Chardonnay from Wente Brothers. This wine is fermented first in Oak and the second fermentation process in stainless steel.  For those who like that clean fruit flavor in Chardonnay, this is your wine and look for others aged in Stainless steel only.   This wine did get its name because the fog comes across the San Francisco Bay area from cool winds, great for grape growing,  from the Pacific Ocean and covers these grapes with a “morning fog” as this vineyard from Wente is in the Livermore Valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you taste Wente’s Chardonnays, remember that they were the first in California to produce Chardonnays back in 1936.

On the nose, I get lemon, green apples, honey dew and pineapple.  It is very light, but still pleasant aromas.  On the palate, a buttery, mineral lingering with a bit of tartness, but crisp fruits mentioned above. Reminds me of a well created lemon sconce!! There is a long finish to complete your tasting.  Some of these grapes are from 100 year old vines.  Pretty cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Moncayo Mountains, Spain
Grape: Garnacha
Body: Full
Year: 2015
Alcohol: 15%
Price point: $14.00
Year Reviewed: 2017

 

 

 

 

Thought this cork was unique and has the icon or emblem that typifies the winery, Borsao.

Heard of mint aromas in wine but never experienced one, so pretty excited when I opened this Garnacha.   Incidentally the glass on this bottle was quite thick and the bottle was quite heavier than usual wine bottles.   The mint was so noticeable that it reminded me of peppermint lifesavers.  Kept smelling this in the glass and it was like a beautiful floral garden in a glass.  Also smells of vanilla and leather were present.  Readers, you must smell this wine and try this beautiful Garnacha.  Upon tasting, the taste matured into a more robust, cherry and raspberry rich notes with hints of leather.    This Garnacha is grown in a hotter climate in Spain in the Moncayo Mountains, hence the translation into English of the name of this wine, Tres Picos, simply means, as you would suspect, three peaks, which is what the mountain range looks like.

 

 

 

 

 

Picture of Mt. Moncayo

http://www.holloworbs.com/1815.htm

This Garnacha is a complex wine with medium acidity.  After it was breathing awhile, it showed its complexity by a new unique sweetness and fruity flavors of red grape and raspberries appearing.  Be aware of the higher alcohol content in this wine, so it doesn’t sneak up on you.  Try with a butternut squash ravioli dish surrounded by red sauce, garnished with fresh basil.  I have tried other Grenaches that I have not enjoyed even half as much as this bottle.  I actually have shied away from them as the ones I have tried have been flat and uninteresting.  Not the case with Tres Picos.   This 2015 was fermented in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels and then aged in French oak for 10 months.    I can see why Grenaches/Garnacha are used to produce such beautiful Rose wines.  I will most definitely seek out other wines from this winery.  I have left you with the link below to learn more about this historic and successful wine maker and to learn about their other wine offerings.

 

 

 

 

http://bodegasborsao.com/production/garnacha/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Lodi, CA
Grape: Red Zinfandel
Body: Medium
Year: 2015
Alcohol: 5%
Price point: $9.00
Year Reviewed: 2017
This is a clean, medium intensity Ruby colored wine in appearance.  On the nose, I get pronounced aromas of vanilla, honeysuckle, oak and a bit of strawberry and raspberry.  On the palate there is a slight sweetness, with medium acidity, medium body and a long finish.  I do love wines by Gnarly Head as I enjoy the old vine wines that provide the taster such a bold flavor.  Try the other Gnarly head wines also.  Pair with a veal and caper dish, lamb or other gamey meats.  This wine is a good crowd pleaser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Rioja region, Spain
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Body: Medium
Year: 2011
Alcohol: 5%
Price point: $13.00
Year Reviewed: 2017

Ruby color and pepper, nutmeg, vanilla and currant smells after this wine opens up a bit.  A smooth, well-balanced wine with a bit of a unique finish of spice and a nice tartness.  Upon tasting, a get hints of smoke and tobacco, cherry and light minerality.  Try with some light cheeses, pork or ham, lighter beef dishes.

So what is a Crianza?

A crianza is wine aged for at least two years, at least one of which was in oak. Rioja Reserva is aged for at least three years, of which at least one year is in oak. Finally, Rioja Gran Reserva wines have been aged at least two years in oak and three years in bottle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rioja_(wine)

This particular wine was aged 14 months in barrels and 8 months in the bottle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More about this winery and the wines they carry:

https://www.bodegasramonbilbao.es/en/wines/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Italy
Grape: Corvina, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Full
Year: 2013
Alcohol: 5%
Price point: $18.00
Year Reviewed: 2017
So the joy of having my own blog is to try various grapes and educate my readers and followers on all types of wines.  I had read about the Corvina grape in Italy, and its thin skin, and since I love the Nebbiola grape from Italy and this seemed a bit similar, I wanted to find a wine with 100% Corvina grapes.  I also have read that the Corvina grape can depict tastes of tobacco, coffee, and mocha and I know I love these flavors in my red wines, so it was only inevitable that I would try this grape and this wine by Zenato.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corvina is widely grown on the Veneto shore of Lake Garda and the hills of Valpolicella to the north and north-east of Verona. Sometimes known as Corvina Veronese, it is blended with Rondinella and Molinara to produce Valpolicella and Bardolino. It can be a tricky grape to cultivate, as it ripens late and is prone to rot if affected by rains at harvest time. It is a high-yielding grape and quality is very dependent on keeping yields low.

Corvina-based red wines can range in style from a light, cherryish red to the rich, port-like Recioto and AmaroneValpolicellas. Most Valpolicella from the plains is pale and insipid, and bears little comparison with Valpolicella Classico from the hills. Some producers such as Allegrini are now producing very high quality 100% Corvina wines.

https://www.bbr.com/grape-co-corvina-corvinone-blend

Brilliant ruby in color, Alanera delights the senses with a variety of aromas and flavors that include fresh and dried cherries and prunes, sweet spice, and hints of coffee and tobacco.  On the palate, Alanera is full-bodied with elegant and velvety tannins.  Vibrant acidity brings balance and freshness, and supports a long and harmonious finish.  Learn more about the Zenato wines below.

Alanera translates as “black wing,” a reference to the raven, “corvo” in Italian, and an homage to the Valpolicella region’s treasured indigenous grape, “Corvina”.  Alanera is a seductive wine that derives extra richness from an innovative variation on the traditional appassimento method practiced throughout the zone.  50% of all the grapes harvested to produce this wine are partially dried for 45-60 days.  The classic Valpolicella varietals are dried in the main drying facility in Sant’ Ambrogio where the Zenato family dry their Amarone grapes, while the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are dried at Zenato’s Santa Cristina winery. The highly concentrated juice from these partially dried grapes adds an unusually complex spectrum of aromas and flavors to the blend.  12 months in barrel round out the tannin structure in this eminently drinkable red.

https://www.thewinebowgroup.com/our-brands/zenato/alanera-rosso-veronese-igt/

I love reading about the wine laws around the world and this wine is classified as IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) so what does that mean?

I.G.T. – Indicazione Geografica Tipica

April 30, 2006 in Drinking Wine

“IGT!”

“Gesundheit.”

No that wasn’t a sneeze, it was I.G.T. or Indicazione Geografica Tipica: the new wine classification introduced in  1992 as part of a general reorganization of the D.O.C. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) Italian wine law. I.G.T. was to be a new controlled quality level just below the D.O.C. to create a home for wines that, for many reasons, did not met the D.O.C. requirements, but had regional character.

Predictably, the introduction of the I.G.T. has been a mere sneeze as far as consumers are concerned — and a great example of a bureaucratic shell game.

The creation of I.G.T. was made necessary by the inadequacies of the D.O.C. regulations and by the widespread revolt against them by many famous and politically powerful wine producers. These producers were being forced to give their top wines, often internationally styled ones that did not follow D.O.C. rules, the lowly Vino da Tavola (table wine) designation.

http://winecampblog.com/journal/2006/4/30/igt-indicazione-geografica-tipica.html

Try this beautiful grape with Merlot and Cab…..all you red wine lovers!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Italy—that’s all they will say for 90 + cellars
Grape: Sangiovese
Body: Medium
Year: 2013
Alcohol: 13%
Price point: $9.00
Year Reviewed: 2017
Here is yet another 90+ cellar wine.  Remember, “ 90+ Cellars searches the globe for outstanding wines from highly rated wineries and vineyards and bottles them under their own label for a price to make you smile.”  When presented on the nose, I smell some white pepper, black cherry, beautiful spices, hints of vanilla, rose petal and a small hint of lavender.  When tasting, I did get a lot of acidity on the roof of my mouth when the bottle was newly opened.  After this wine has been breathing for hours or decanted, its more complex flavors appear.  I would say open a few hours before you wish to serve.   Try this with a nice Gouda cheese as an appetizer and finish your meal with a bold Italian dish, and you will be pleased.  A great deal for under $9.00.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Grape: Pinot Noir
Body: Light
Year: 2015
Alcohol: 13%
Price point: $15.00
Year Reviewed: 2017
I had the opportunity to go to a wine demo from this winery and the winemaker from New Zealand spoke about their sustainable and organic vineyard.  Their chief founder and owner, Sir George Fistonich, who is now in his 70’s but has run the vineyards since 1961, is innately involved in making the best wines out of New Zealand.  This winery had many offerings, so I encourage you all to look up their wines and try some varieties.  Featured here is a soft Pinot Noir.  On the nose, very remote tones of cherry.  On the palate, not much acidity or spice, so for the wine drinker who enjoys supple tones and flavors, this one is for you. This is one of their more simple wines but works well with those folks new to wine.  Goes well with most foods and with aged cheeses and mushroom dishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Capay Valley
Grape: 98% Chardonnay 2% Gewürztraminer
Body: Medium
Year: 2014
Alcohol: 1%
Price point: $20.00
Year Reviewed: 2017

This is a white winner also.  Nice clear lemon colored wine.   What a beautiful bouquet that kept my nose in the glass until I could identify all the complex aromas I was getting.  I got pear, apple, lemon balm, fresh meadow flowers and citronella.  Yes, that was the aroma I was getting, like a beautiful high quality citronella candle.  This is a well-balanced wine that was soft, creamy and buttery on the palate and so ever smooth.  There was a nice tang from the citrus flavors and lower acidity that gave a gentle tingling on the sides of the tongue with a nice long finish.  See notes below on many of these grapes being “organic.”   I will buy this wine again even though it exceeds my usual price point, as it is well worth it. Drink now and enjoy with pungent cheeses, fish or chicken or a stir fry rice with pork and shrimp.  So refreshing and as the bottle says, “All about U.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grenache blanc is thought to have originated as a mutation of the red version of Grenache in Spain.

In Winemaking:  Grenache blanc responds best to low fermentation temperatures which produces a fresh, dill scented wine in its youth. The grape is fairly flexible in winemaking and can be exposed to malolactic fermentation, extended skin maceration, lees stirring as well as oak aging. In addition to being blended with Roussanne, Grenache blanc is sometimes blended with Muscat and made in a varietal style.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenache_blanc

An Oakland cellar capturing the magic of distinctive California grapes in honest wines. Urban legend’s wines begin with skilled growers who sustainably cultivate fruit that expresses the soul of California’s landscapes. Many of our growers practice organic and sustainable farming. All are hands-on in their vineyards

https://www.winematch.com/vineyard_7198_Urban-Legend-Wine.html

By now. You may have realized that many grapes are grown in “valleys.”  This Grenache Blanc is derived from grapes grown in the Capay Valley of California

 

 

 

 

Urban Legends Winery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Urban Legends Vineyards