David Bruce 2003 Petite Sirah: Review

Vineyard Designate Series

Davidbrucewinery.com

Paso Robles

Shell Creek Vineyard

14.8% abv

Looks like I have had this bottle around for a little while.  Time to review and drink it up.  I was not planning to review this bottle but, it tastes so damn good I might as well say some good things about this Petite Sirah.

Appearance: Deep purple almost black body with a purple rim. 

Aroma: rich black berries, pencil lead, some spice hitting the nose

Flavors: oh, juicy black berries that are just yummy, 85% like dark chocolate, a little earthy feel bringing it all together, hint of pepper late on the finish. 

Look at the dark purple end of the cork

Mouthfeel: smooth, almost creamy berry feel today, a little jammy feel is building on the palate here on the first glass.  Tannins are under control and the acidity works with the big berry taste.  I’ll bet this was a lot bolder four or five years ago.  

To the Point: I sure wish I had more of this 2003.  It is one tasty Petite Sirah now at nine years old.  

Bowers Harbor 2010 Riesling Block II: Review

90 degrees outside makes the bottle sweat a little

Old Mission Peninsula

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Bowersharbor.com

12% abv

$20.00 a bottle

I tried this yesterday and doing the review today.

Appearance: pale yellow

Aroma: faint floral and mild citrus meat,

Flavors: the citrus bite is bigger than I was expecting, lemon mineral water with an extra squeeze on the lemon, once in a while I think a note of some other fruit shows up but, the lemon just dominates. 

Mouthfeel: pucker power, acidic, very dry, like biting on a lemon wedge

To the Point: I thought my taste buds were off yesterday and thought I needed to wait one more day to review this … it is a lemon drop.  I had to stop after one glass yesterday because the acidic nature of this Riesling started to bother me.  I think I’ll cook some shrimp and scallops with the remainder of this bottle.  Not what I think of as a Riesling.  Maybe with this high acidity this Riesling could be aged and the flavor profile may mellow with time.  

Bry's Estate Pinot Grigio 2010

Bry’s Estate Vineyard and Winery

Old Mission Peninsula

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Brysestate.com

13.5% abv

$22.00

Appearance: straw

Aroma: delicate citrus notes

Flavors: lemon is the main profile here along with a touch of orange meat.

Mouthfeel: light and refreshing for that summer day that calls for a white wine.

Arcturos 2010 Pinot Gris: Review

Black Star Farms

Old Mission

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Montague Estate, Capella and Mountana Rusa Vineyards

Blackstarfarms.com

$18.00 a bottle

12% abv

Here is what they say on the bottle: “… crisp and refreshing with distinctive fig, melon and white flowers in its aroma and pronounced ‘slate’ on the palate.”

Appearance: yellow diamond.  This is as close to water in color without being water.  Okay, there is a very slight yellow hue. 

Aroma: you may have to swirl the glass to pick the aroma up.  Very delicate with fresh honeydew melon on the nose.

Flavors: fresh melon, mineral water that reminds me of mountain stream water washing over some stones, a little lemon twist but ever so slight, citrus on the aftertaste and lingers in the back of the palate. 

Mouthfeel: very crisp and delicate

To the Point: I wish I had a few bottles to age another one to three years.  This is a near perfect summer time white wine on a hot summer day.  Too bad they don’t have this vintage anymore.  But, good news the 2011 is on the market.  Looking forward to getting there this summer.  

Bry's Estate Pinot Noir / Riesling: Review

No vintage date found on bottle

Bry’s Estate Vineyard and Winery

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Blend: 73% Pinot Noir; 27% Riesling

Brysestate.com

12% abv

$14.99

Appearance: liquid strawberry

Aroma: light red fruits like strawberry and pomegranate mixed with a hint of melon and fresh pear.  

Flavors: a little more tropical like than I expected.  A little acidic pineapple twang, red fruits similar to the nose,

Mouthfeel: a refreshing and lightly sweetened red fruit style on the delivery with the tropical notes hitting my mid-palate with that acidic pineapple tone on the back.

There is also a tart note playing in the back of the palate.  Nice balance.

To the Point: have to say it again; I am not a fan of rose or red and white blends.  BUT, and as you can see that is a big but, I think I like this one.  I like the red fruits and the light strawberry sweet/tart aftertaste. 

On their web site they say to have this with BBQ.  Well, it’s summer, so go pick up a bottle and light up the grill.  

Wine Bottle Cooler: Review

I bought this wine cooler for around 20 bucks last December.  In January I did this test to see how well it actually works.  I had two bottles or Riesling from Blue Water Winery (one Dry and the other Semi-Dry) and I placed one in the cooler and left the other just sitting on the counter.  The house temperature was 66 degree on that January night.  I poured each one into a glass and measured the temperature on the half hour for a total of 2 hours.  So, let’s see if this helps to keep your bottle cooler than just sitting out on the counter. 

I opened the bottles at 8:00pm

The Semi-Dry poured at 46 degrees

The Dry poured at 47 degrees

Half Hour Later

The Semi-Dry (in the cooler) poured at 50 degrees

The Dry poured at 51 degrees

One Hour Later

The Semi-Dry (in the cooler) poured at 51 degrees

The Dry poured to the temperature of 56 degrees

One and One Half Hour Later

Semi-Dry 52 degrees

Dry 60 degrees

Two Hours

Semi-Dry 53 degrees

Dry 63 degrees

Two hours later the bottle in the wine cooler saw a temperature increase of 7 degrees, while the bottle just sitting on the counter increased 16 degrees.

I did not handle either bottle in-between the times.  I did drink each little pour of wine with some help from my wife. 

I started using this wine cooler for my large (750ml) bottles of beer and I have to say I was impressed. 

I am planning to do this experiment again on a warm/hot summer day.  So, stay tuned.  

Click here to read about the wines in this posting
Blue Water Dry Riesling
Blue Water Semi-Dry Riesling

Blue Water Dry Riesling 2009: Review

Blue Water Winery

Carsonville, Michigan, USA

In the Thumb of Michigan 

Bluewaterwinery.com

12% abv

$14.00

Appearance: Light straw with a yellow hue

Aroma: green apple

Flavors: green apple tartness, citrus zip with a lemony touch

Mouthfeel: very dry and has a little pucker power.

To the Point: if you like it dry, this should work for you.  

Blue Water Semi-Dry Riesling 2009: Review

Blue Water Winery

Bluewaterwinery.com

Carsonville, Michigan, USA

12% abv

$14.00

Appearance: light straw

Aroma: green apple and a hint of cat pee.

Cat pee is an old term that they don't use anymore. I think they call it guava now.  

Flavors: a mix of green and red delicious apple flavors, touch of pear and a hint of sweet nector

Mouthfeel: it lives up to the name ‘semi-dry’

To the Point: I would try this again.  A decent Riesling for the money.