Occam’s Razor 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Columbia Valley &  Walla Walla, Washington State, Rasa Vineyards
Grape: Shiraz, Cabernet, and small amounts of Malbec, Merlot and Sangiovese
Body: Medium
Year: 2014
Alcohol: 2%
Price point: $16.00
Year Reviewed: 2017

This wine kicks butt!  Found this wine at a wine tasting in Geneva, Il and bought a bottle to enjoy one Sunday afternoon.  Was going to go run/walk, but opened this with lunch and let me say, just wanted to relax and enjoy this gem of a wine.  Let this breathe for about 1 hour after opening to get the full complexity of this beautiful wine.

This clear Ruby colored wine blew me away.  On the nose, I get cherry, allspice, mocha, currant jam, earth and mineral.  On the palate, I receive medium tannins, a beautiful complex well balanced wine with buttery vanilla cherry flavors—doesn’t that sound just great?  It surely is.  I even get some mild characteristics of the Nebbiola grape, which is not in here, but I believe the Malbec is adding to the complexity of this wine.  I also suggest that after about 2 glasses of this wine you read about the philosophy of “Occam’s Razaor.   See below.  Try with some blue cheese. OMG!

History[edit]

The term Occam’s razor did not appear until a few centuries after William of Ockham‘s death in 1347. Libert Froidmont, in his On Christian Philosophy of the Soul, takes credit for the phrase, speaking of “novacula occami“.[6] Ockham did not invent this principle, but the “razor”—and its association with him—may be due to the frequency and effectiveness with which he used it.[7] Ockham stated the principle in various ways, but the most popular version, “Entities are not to be multiplied without necessity” (Non sunt multiplicanda entia sine necessitate) was formulated by the Irish Franciscan philosopher John Punch in his 1639 commentary on the works of Duns Scotus.[8]

Formulations before Ockham[edit]

Part of a page from Duns Scotus’ book Ordinatio: “Pluralitas non est ponenda sine necessitate“, i.e., “Plurality is not to be posited without necessity”

The origins of what has come to be known as Occam’s razor are traceable to the works of earlier philosophers such as John Duns Scotus(1265–1308), Robert Grosseteste (1175–1253), Maimonides (Moses ben-Maimon, 1138–1204), and even Aristotle (384–322 BC).[9][10]Aristotle writes in his Posterior Analytics, “We may assume the superiority ceteris paribus [other things being equal] of the demonstration which derives from fewer postulates or hypotheses.”[11] Ptolemy (c. AD 90 – c. AD 168) stated, “We consider it a good principle to explain the phenomena by the simplest hypothesis possible.”[12]

The Indian Hindu philosopher Madhva (1238–1317) in verse 400 of his Vishnu-Tattva-Nirnaya says: “dvidhAkalpane kalpanAgauravamiti” (“To make two suppositions when one is enough is to err by way of excessive supposition”).[citation needed]

Ockham[edit]

William of Ockham (circa 1287–1347) was an English Franciscan friar and theologian, an influential medieval philosopher and a nominalist. His popular fame as a great logician rests chiefly on the maxim attributed to him and known as Ockham’s razor. The term razor refers to distinguishing between two hypotheses either by “shaving away” unnecessary assumptions or cutting apart two similar conclusions.

While it has been claimed that Ockham’s razor is not found in any of his writings,[15] one can cite statements such as Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate [Plurality must never be posited without necessity], which occurs in his theological work on the ‘Sentences of Peter Lombard’ (Quaestiones et decisiones in quattuor libros Sententiarum Petri Lombardi (ed. Lugd., 1495), i, dist. 27, qu. 2, K).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor

 

 

 

 

 

http://rasavineyards.orderport.net/product-details/0119/2014-Occams-Razor

PRODUCER The Naravane brothers, Makrand (Pinto) and Yashodhan (Billo) were born in India and came to the United States in 1974, when they were 7 and 5. Both parents worked to establish themselves economically and in the community. The brothers learned many lessons from these experiences and most profoundly, the importance of hard work and following your heart. In 2007, the brothers formed Rasa Vineyards. Rasa is Sanskrit for ‘essence’ and ‘juice’. The word encapsulates the brothers’ heritage and winemaking philosophy, which is rooted in maximizing the most authentic expression of terroir. Prior to following their passion for wine, life was centered around the Computer Industry. Lucky for them (and us) they made the move, though the qualities that served them in the tech industry, namely an attention to detail, and a high level of organization and thoughtfulness, continue to serve them today. Their 28-acre estate, 9 of which are planted to Syrah as of 2016, is located in the newly established Rocks District of Walla Walla. They are also fortunate enough to source fruit from the very best and many of the oldest vineyards in the region, specifically DuBrul, Monette and Kiona Vineyards. Practices in the vineyard and winery are minimal and intended to reveal the character of the site.

https://www.communalbrands.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/OccamsRazor.pdf

After learning more about this wine region, I definitely want to visit here.  For more information on Walla Walla Wineries, select this link:

 

 

 

 

http://www.winesnw.com/walla.html

90 + Cellars Cabernet 2016 Lot 53

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina
Grape: 98% Chardonnay 2% Gewürztraminer
Body: Medium
Year: 2016
Alcohol: 5%
Price point: $10.00
Year Reviewed: 2017

See my other notes on 90+ cellar wines.  6 months aged in French and American Oak, this is a crowd pleaser Cabernet.  On the nose, I pick up cherry, smoke, hints of plum.  On the palate it is a lighter Cabernet than anticipated.  This year is not as bold as some previous 90+ Cabs that I have tried, but gives a nice finish with some pepper, spice,  and acidity. For those Cab drinkers who like a medium complex wine, this one’s for you.

Chateau Trois Moulins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: France

Grape: Bordeaux

Body: Medium

Year: 2014

Alcohol: 5%

Price point: $14.00

Year Reviewed: 2017

I had such good luck with other 2014 Bordeaux’s that this wine caught my attention.  Being from the Haut-Medoc region (left bank)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

famous Bordeaux wine region of southwestern France, I have heard great reviews of the grapes from this area. Right after opening, there was not too much aroma and flavor, but after letting this wine breath for approximately 2 hours, a greater, more complex wine appeared.  (Suggest to open for several hours before serving or decant.)  Flavors of blackberry, dark cherry and anise are evident.  This wine has a clean smell to it.  I paired this wine with a caprese salad and a beautiful honey balsamic marinated flank steak, and it paired spectacular as the sweet foods enhanced the flavors of this Bordeaux’s acidity even more after the 2 hour breathing.

 

 

.

Chateau Lajarre

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: France

Grape: Bordeaux

Body: Medium

Year: 2015

Alcohol: 5%

Price point: $9.00

Year Reviewed: 2017

I wanted to try this wine, not only because it was a decent price, but it was classified as a Bordeaux Superior.  So if you see ‘Bordeaux Supérieur’ on a label, it does mean that the wine is a little more superior compared to a ‘normal’ Bordeaux wine. A little superior in the sense that the ‘Bordeaux Supérieur‘ wines are made under stricter appellation laws, setting it higher winemaking standards.  My palate picked up earthy mineral flavors and some licorice.  On the nose, this wine was totally lacking smell.   Odd.  Not possessing aromas, this wine was dryer on the tongue and finished dry.  Personally, it was okay but not one of my favorites, even though the price point was great. I decided to keep it in the reviews in case anyone out there liked non-aromic dryer wines.  Taste is so individualized, and for a price point under $10, why not try if this may describe other wines you have enjoyed.

Chateau Roustaing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: France

Grape: Bordeaux

Body: Medium/Bold

Year: 2014

Alcohol: 12%

Price point: $10.00

Year Reviewed: 2017

So for those of you who saw the Grape Bordeaux above….this technically isn’t a grape.  Red Bordeaux is a red wine that originates from the blending of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes.  Various Bordeaux will have different proportions of each grape and some distributers will not list the proportions.  Being from old vines and classified as a “reserve,” this wine is a steal for $9.99 and you can impress your guests to believing this could be a $30 bottle of wine. You will see the title “Reserve vieilles vignes” on the bottle representing “old vines.”  Reserve wine is a wine that is higher in quality than the usual wine from that producer or a wine that has been aged before being sold, or sometimes both.  The term is coined from winemakers who would “reserve” their best wine rather than sell it off immediately. This is a clear, garnet colored wine with a medium body, high acidity, long finish giving some tingling on the back of the throat, yet I pick up a slight gentle sweetness.  The aroma (nose) of this wine is the perfect Bordeaux smell and my nose could just live in my glass.  It’s the Cab Franc that is creating this joyous smell. Such complexity representative of most reserves, is truly evident.  Hints of cranberry, chocolate, pepper, strawberry and bit of vanilla is present. Stays fine in wine refrigerator for several days without loss of character, aroma, and flavor.  Be informed that there may be a small amount of sediment in the bottle so you may wish to decant first.  I keep coming back to this wine for parties with friends and just for an accompaniment with food.  The flavors of the wine interplayed with an antipasto salad of black olives, sweet grape tomatoes, salami and mozzarella in olive oil and spices

 

 

 

 

I experienced some new enhanced flavors in the wine with this pairing.  Wine enthusiast gives it an 86.  Personally I love it and would rate it much higher.

Puerto Viejo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: East Washington State

Grape: Merlot

Body: Medium

Year: 2012

Alcohol: 14%

Pricepoint: $11.00

Year Reviewed: 2017

From the Curico Valley in Chile, this cabernet sauvignon is oddly not very aromatic but has flavors of red licorice and berries. It’s odd how the nose on this is so subtle.   Being ruby in color and medium bodied, this is a very pleasing wine for those who don’t like big bold cabs, but like this grape.  Longer finish than upfront taste.  After this wine is open a few hours, you will experience some new complexity in flavors…raspberry and cherries.

Milbrant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: East Washington State

Grape: Merlot

Body: Medium

Year: 2014

Alcohol: 5%

Pricepoint: $15.00

Year Reviewed: 2017

Columbia Valley has outstanding luck with growing grapes….in this case Merlot grapes from 2014.  Hints of chalk, minerals, tobacco, cherry and vanilla are apparent in this wine.  The vineyard is a 60 year old family winery.

Cs – Cabernet Sauvignon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Washington State

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon

Body: Medium

Year: 2014

Alcohol: 5%

Pricepoint: $15.00

Year Reviewed: 2017

This deep garnet cabernet is an outstanding value for such an intense wine   Flavors of flowers, oak and fruit are apparent with tingling at the roof of your mouth.  A full body wine from Washington State.  Yet another treasure from grapes in the Columbia Valley.  High tannins are present with a long finish.  Try this one and keep on hand for every occasion and keep on hand to please your company.

Matsu (young man)”El Picaro”

Origin:  Spain

Grape: 100% Tinta De Tora (Tempranillo)

Body:  Medium

Year:  2016

Alcohol:  14.5%

Pricepoint:  $12.00

Year Reviewed:  2017

What can I say about this wine I love so much?  Discovered it at a wine tasting in Hinsdale, Illinois and have searched for it since then.  Make sure you are buying the “young man” label as Matsu has what they call “young man” label and “old man label.”  This wine is fermented in concrete initially and then finished in 6 weeks of Oak and its character is so enjoyable and berry (cherry filled).  Not only go I love the taste of this wine, the aroma is so pleasant and comforting.  Tastes of fresh meadow and earth, vanilla, and cherries and cleanness, all add to its complexity.  Think of how things smell after you clean or open your windows on a beautiful breezy spring afternoon.    Sniff it.   The fragrance and the bouquet I receive from nose to glass is an experience.  Maybe it’s the 90 year old vineyards that just makes the difference for me, as those “old vines” are my favorite and have stood the test of time.  Recommended to decant this wine in case of natural sediment, but 90% of the time I have not encountered any.  One of my all-time favorites– so you must try it if you love Tempranillos, love complexity, or are experimenting for your growth!!!  You will be as happy as me that you found this wine.  The down side is that you will probably drink too much of this wine after opening and not want to share it with friends!   Call me and I will be over.

Update on Matsu Young Man for 2017…..definitely a younger wine than 2016……wonder what the winemaker is doing differently.  Have not enjoyed this vintage as much.

Clos des Moiselles

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin:  France

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec

Body:  Medium

Alcohol: 14%

Year:  2014

Pricepoint:  $10.00

Year Reviewed:  2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This French blend is quite interesting with almost odd unique flavors upon uncorking.  Tastes of pepper, spices like thyme, cinnamon or nutmeg are apparent embellished with berries, plum, currant and chocolate.  That’s a lot of flavors for one wine, adding to its complexity!!!  Drinking without waiting long, there was a lot of tingling on the back of the mouth with an interesting almost explosive finish.  After breathing for about 2 hours, the wine mellowed a bit and was less intense.  Actually I enjoyed both tasting experiences.    Tried with some dark chocolate to determine what flavors that may due to this interesting Bordeaux, and I really didn’t enjoy it with chocolate.  Try with some spicy pasta or BBQ flavors.

Kept this bottle at room temperature and the next day I still experienced wonderful flavors and no loss in character of the wine.