Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Sonoma County: Review

Louis M Martini Winery

Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California

Louismartini.com

This is a decent cab. It’s not bold; there is nothing special here; it is just a good decent wine. 

Appearance: deep garnet body with a purplish edge

Aroma: dark berries, throw in a little earth, and a touch of spice; moderate-light nose

Flavors: dark berries; plum skin; black currant; soft earth; soft peppery feel

Mouthfeel: tannins are moderate; nice acidity; flavors are nice but, nothing special nor complex here; moderate depth at best; just seems to be missing something

To the Point: I liked the 2008 much better than this 2010; like I stated earlier – it’s decent; should be easy to pair with any type of food

Cook’s Brut Grand Reserve: Review

Cook’s Champagne Cellars

Madera, California, USA

Cookschampagne.com

11.5% abv

They say it has a ‘special dosage of Brandy’

Appearance: crystal water with plenty of bubbles

Aroma: citrus … and I am thinking of a dusty citrus … no … toasted white bread and a soft citrus peel – Yes. With a touch of floral.

Flavors/Mouthfeel: on the bottle it says, ‘hint of delicate vanilla’ – a little redundant.  Maybe if there was a hint of vanilla I might pick it up or maybe if the vanilla was just delicate I might pick up the aroma and/or flavor of vanilla … but, no … it had to be a ‘hint of delicate vanilla’ and I don’t get it at all.  No vanilla for me.  I pick up white bread on the front with apple and then the bubbles explode on the palate followed by dry citrus meat and tart apple on the mid and finish along with plenty of effervescence to keep it lively; nice tartness that lingers on the palate for a minute or so; damn, I think I noticed a ‘hint of delicate vanilla’ as I was trying to figure out the aftertaste … maybe it was a delicate hint of vanilla … a whiff … a trace … a vestige …

To the Point: for a cheap sparkling wine this is not all too bad; if you are having a big group this should do; if you are looking for an everyday type of sparkling wine this should do; if you are looking for a sparkling wine to go with a fruit tray or salad this should do;

Side Note: to me Champagne is like Single Malt Scotch.  Some people go by price to say, this is a great … fill in the blank.   The guys at the cigar store did it with Single Malt Scotch and Blended Scotch … they said, ‘Johnny Walker Blue Label was the best and they could pick it out of any line up of Scotch.’  So, I called their lame little bluff (knowing they would never buy Blue for $200 a bottle) I said, I’ll buy five or six different Scotches and you could never tell which one is Blue.  Well, we did a blind tasting and Blue was ranked #5 out of 6 and Macallan 10 was the number one pick and nobody picked the right name for it – but, they liked it the best.  I think Champagne is the same thing.  With opened eyes and know the price they pick they fancy one; with a blind tasting … you would have a different result.  

Alvear Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927: Review

Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927

Montilla, Spain

16% abv

Sherry

Appearance: looks like raisin juice or a deep mahogany if you like; long dripping syrupy legs hang on the glass

Aroma: thinking raisin, it smells like sweet raisins and fig; touch of chocolate and a light nutty note

Flavors: just like the nose

Mouthfeel: sweet; syrupy feel; light in body; short or thin on the aftertaste; the alcohol does not play a role in the taste or mouthfeel; a light spice, maybe from the alcohol, on the back; easy to drink

To the Point: a nice sherry; seems like a porto to me but, I don’t know a thing about sherry wines - I just say call it a Raisin Late Harvest, Late Harvest is just short of an IceWine; if I was going to grade this wine I would give it a solid B; short on the aftertaste, nice on the nose but nothing special, pleasing flavors; if you like dessert wines this is worthy of a bottle purchase

I’ll bet this pairs well with dark chocolate or a fine cigar.  I already have the cigar burning with this wine and I am going to get some dark chocolate. 

Just a side note: this is not a 1927 vintage. They make this sherry or raisin wine with the wood used from 1927 - so the belief is that it imparts some of the 1927.   

Jackson-Triggs 2008 Vidal Icewine: Review

Jackson-Triggs Estate Wines

Niagura-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

Jacksontriggswinery.com

VQA Niagara Peninsula

9.5% abv

187ml bottle

The crystal golden-yellow body looks so nice in the icewine glass.  Light sweet tropical notes greet the nose.  The flavors follow the nose; candied mango, papaya, and nectarine swarm the palate and clines to the cheek and gums; a nice sweet pineapple note shows on the aftertaste.  This icewine like all good icewines has a syrupy feel that is silky smooth and coats the palate. 

To the Point: this is a great dessert wine; a true sipper; only have one glass maybe two – the sugar content is high; Jackson-Triggs Icewine is still one of my favorites.  

THE SHOW Malbec 2012: Review

Three Thieves

Mendoza, Argentina

14.1% abv

You should be able to find this for under $13.00

I found this bottle at Kroger’s

Appearance: deep purple body with ruby highlights; nice legs drip on the glass

Aroma: dark berry aroma with an alcohol peppery spice and toasted oak; as the wine opens I am picking up a touch of green spice, not basil, not thyme, maybe the two together (I tried this at the spice rack in my kitchen) – close to marjoram   

Flavors: blackberry; black plum skin; toasted oak; spice; the alcohol and acidity are showing their teeth here on the first glass (did not decant); on the second glass the alcohol note itself subsides and comes across with a nice peppery note of white and green peppercorns; the flavors mingle together for a tasty Malbec

Mouthfeel: thick; almost jammy feel; the alcohol is a little noticeable on the first glass after opening; lingering blackberries and spice on the palate

To the Point: I think this might be a good one to age a few years; the alcohol and acidity I think are showing their youth; this should mellow in a couple of years; a nice Malbec for the price;

L. Mawby Cremant Classic Sparkling Wine: Review

L. Mawby Cremant Classic

Brut Sparkling Wine

L. Mawby

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Lmaby.com

100% Vignoles

Estate Grown

11% abv

$27.00

Appearance: crystal pale yellow

Aroma: white peach, buttered fruit-nut white bread, light toasted oak

Flavors: summer fruits, red apple up front, yellow peach and tart apple on the back and aftertaste; citrus meat (lemon) on the back and finish, just a touch of toasted oak

Mouthfeel: plenty of bubbles to please the palate; summer fruits up front; tart and dry fruits on the finish; dry to very dry

To the Point: Damn, another sparkling wine that I like from this winery – that means I’ll have to make another trip to the winery.  

L. Mawby Blanc de Blancs: Review

L. Mawby

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Lmawby.com

Leelanau Peninsula

Sparkling Wine

Traditional Methode

Brut NV

en tirage June 2010

degorgement October 2012

Blend: “Chiefly Chardonnay”

#0928 of 4297 bottles

11% abv

$23.00 a bottle

Appearance: pale straw with a whirl wind of bubbles.  The first glass poured was pure foam.  These bubbles were ready to escape from this bottle. 

Aroma: a light 7-up likeness; very light citrus and the bubbles are just pure … pure … fresh! 

Flavors: light lemon twist, light lemon meat bitterness, touch of floral and light mineral water

Mouthfeel: zippy, crisp, lightly bitter, and fairly dry

To the Point: a good one for a toast, perfect for a New Year toast, much better than buying a grocery store type bubbly, the effervesces seem to last longer on this one, it’s just pure goodness.  

Nicky Hahn Meritage: Review

Hahn Winery

Nicky Hahn Meritage

Central Coast

Vintage 2009

Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 45%; Merlot 29%; Cabernet Franc 12%; Malbec 11%; Petit Verdot 3%

Hahnfamilywines.com

14% abv

Under $18 a bottle

Appearance: deep ruby body with ruby highlights around the edges

Aroma: right off the bat – ripe black berries with an up front and center alcohol note; nice hint of sweet cedar and light earth

Flavors: dark berries; black plum skin; spice; touch of toasted caramel; and damn that alcohol note is right there on the back for the big finish;

Mouthfeel: the alcohol note plays on the nose and the palate; the alcohol warmth seems to dominate the feel; (even on the second day); very dry from start to finish;  

To the Point: I like the flavors of this wine but, the alcohol was playing a bigger role than it should.  The cork shows some leakage but it did not taste corked.  I don’t know if it was just this bottle so, I’ll have to look for this wine again and give it another try.  

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Brut: Review

California Sparkling Wine

Cuvee

Woodbridge winery

Madera, California, USA

Woodbridgesparkling.com

12% abv

100% Chardonnay

Appearance: light straw

Aroma: hint of pear, not much else

Flavors and Mouthfeel: pear and a touch of apple, dry on the finish and aftertaste which carries a very light lemon rind twist, light green apple on the finish

To the Point: this sparkling wine would be good as a mixer, orange juice, cranberry or pomegranate.  By itself, well, it is just boring.  

Mer Soleil Silver: Review

Unoaked Chardonnay 2010

Mer Loleil Vineyard

Rutherford, California, USA

Santa Lucia, Highlands, Monterey Co.

Mersoleilvineyard.com

Appearance: pale crystal straw

Aroma: citrus meat, mineral water,

Flavors: grapefruit, stone fruit, mineral water

Mouthfeel: citrus tart, oily, crisp

To the Point: for under 20 bucks it is nice; I got it at a restaurant for $60 and that was too pricey for this bottle 

Blue Water Winery Pinot Noir-Rose: Review

Blue Water Cellars

Lake Leelanau, Michigan

Bluewaterwinery.com

12.5% abv

Winery is north of Port Huron, Michigan

Carsonville, Michigan

Appearance: peach blush

Aroma: sweet nose of strawberry and melon

Flavors: follows the nose; I feel like I am drinking a strawberry watermelon cocktail

Mouthfeel: very sweet; the flavors linger on the palate

To the Point: one glass maybe … maybe two for me and I am done, too sweet for me; if you like a sweet summer blush this is for you; it is tasty

Bry's Estate Pinot Noir Riesling: Review

Bry’s Estate Vineyard & Winery

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Brysestate.com

Blend: 73% Pinot Noir; 27% Riesling

No Vintage

12% abv

$14.99 a bottle

Appearance: a wonderful red blush (sorry no picture, I kept on saying I was going to take a picture but, I kept on drinking)

Aroma: light citrus and a hint of red berry

Flavors: light citrus meat, mango and pineapple, cranberry, soft mineral soil

Mouthfeel: a medium body blush, nice touch of sweetness with a touch of citrus

To the Point: I am not a fan blush wines but, this is tasty and perfect for a summer day.

Girard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon: Review

Napa County

Girard Winery

Healdsburg, California, USA

14.5% abv

$27.99

Sale: $19.99

Super Fine Wine & Liquor in Canton Michigan

Nothing like eight bucks off a bottle wine and I have not reviewed this one before makes the deal even better. 

Appearance: deep garnet

Aroma: big blackberry, black currant, toasted caramel, leather,

Flavors: oh the dark berries are tasty; blackberry, black currant, boysenberry, hell throw in black raspberry; other notes of oak spice, nice touch of pepper, roasted vanilla bean,

Mouthfeel: a pleasing thick feel without being jammy (not that jammy is bad), long lingering ‘thick’ dark berries, tannins under control, nice acidity,

To the Point: if it is still on sale … I am buying more.  I would guess 40 bucks for this bottle. 

Pair with steak, lamb chops, and tonight I had a sirloin burger with blue cheese mixed in with it and I added a pomegranate chipotle sauce when ready to serve.  I poured a raspberry vinegar and orange blood olive oil over the burger before cooking and cracked a little rose petal black pepper mix from my pepper mill.  Oh, how I enjoyed every sip and bite.   

On the second half of the bottle I enjoyed a Man O War Ruination Belicoso Cigar and this was a great pairing as well.  Damn Life is Good! 

Clos du Bois Marlstone 2008: Review

Clos du Bois

Geyserville, California, USA

Closdubois.com

Alexander Valley

Blend: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot

$40.00

Appearance: deep purple body with a purple rim

Aroma: juicy dark berries with a hint of spice

Flavors: blackberry, black raspberry, black currant, mocho coffee, light dusty brown spice like,

Mouthfeel: smooth, silky, sexy, tannins and acidity are under control, blackberry and dusty spice linger on the palate

To the Point: Not super complex here but, the interplay with the flavors and mouthfeel are just terrific. I only bought two bottles but, I am going to pick up a couple more. 

Looking at that cork in the picture below I was concerned but, everything was okay the wine was not corked.  

Talismon Sparkling Wine Brut: Review

Traditional Method

L. Mawby

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

Leelanau Peninsula

Lmawby.com

11% abv

Bottle #0090 of 4093

$37.00

Blend: Vignoles, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonny

Appearance: pale golden straw with a nice head and a whirl wind of bubbles

Aroma: Fresh apple, green apple, white bread toast, citrus meat, a little honey appears as the wine warms,  

Flavors and Mouthfeel: full of flavors; tart green apple, lemon meat on the front with lemon rind on the back, mineral water, white pepper, solid carbonation, super crisp, very dry finish, long lingering citrus and spice on the palate, medium – I might even go medium-full  body for its bitter, tart, spice, and complex flavor profile.

To the Point: I can get bored drinking some bubbly but, this is very nice.  Before I buy another grocery store sparkling wine I would make the time to get this shipped to me.       

Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon 2009: Review

Napa Valley

Sequoia Grove Vineyards

Rutherford, California, USA

Sequoiagrove.com

14.2% abv

$39.99

On sale $29.99

Appearance: very dark body, blackberry in color with a ruby edge

Aroma: very pleasing elegant nose, juicy dark berry bowl with sweet cedar, hint of smoke and delicate earth

Flavors: plum, black currant, red currant, bing cherry, touch of blackberry; trace of cedar, hint of cocoa powder on the back and aftertaste, mild roast coffee

Mouthfeel: silky smooth, thick berries, variety of berry flavors, tannins and acidity under control, that hint of cocoa powder seems to build by the finish of the first glass.  I’ll have to have a second glass just for the sake of research.

To the Point: a very fine Cabernet Sauvignon; I will be buying more at the sale price and it is worthy of the regular 40 dollar price.  

Bowers Harbor 2010 Cabernet Franc: Review

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Bowersharbor.com

13% abv

Erica Vineyards

Old Mission Peninsula

Appearance: fairly clear for a red; shiny ruby; probably a light Franc just looking at it

Aroma: very light, light earthy berries

Flavors: light, fruity, fairly thin

Mouthfeel: fairly clean for a red, mild body

My Strength Rating: 3 – mild; I don’t know if I have had a lighter tasting Cab Franc than this one

To the Point: a fairly weak Franc; I was hoping for better; I would pass on this one unless you want a light red

Bowers Harbor 2896 Langley 2010: Review

Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Bowersharbor.com

Meritage Blend of: 60% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, 1% Cab Sauvignon

$60.00 a bottle

Appearance: Rich ruby red; kind of light looking for a big Meritage – 60 bucks qualifies as ‘big’.

Aroma: nice berries, some red mixed with some dark berries, very light spice

Flavors: little blackberry, black plum, black currant mixed with a little tart cranberry and cherry; light earth,

Mouthfeel: light for a Meritage; thin in spots, lacks depth and character;

My Strength Rating: 5 – medium at best

To the Point: for $60 … pass; there are plenty of 20 to 25 dollar wines out there that are much better.  I did like the 2007 2896 Langley and the 45 bucks then had me on the edge but, I said yes it was worth it.  The 07 was far better than this one.  

JT Red Wine 2011: Review

Vineyards at Bowers Harbor
Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Old Mission Peninsula

Bowersharbor.com

Blend: 50% Merlot; 50% Cabernet Franc; both from Big Paw & Wind Whistle Vineyards

12% abv

$18.00

Appearance: very light translucent red.  Seems like the Michigan red wines that I have reviewed from the 2010 and 2011 vintages have all been very light in color.  I can go back to the 08 and 09 vintages on this blog and they have a deeper garnet body color. 

Aroma:  super faint, non-descript berries, and a touch of spice.

Flavors: thin berries, a little raspberry and a touch of cranberry,

Mouthfeel: thin, light body, not much on the aftertaste,

Let me spin it: a nice red to have with fish or a sandwich or even a fish sandwich.  Actually, this would work on a summer day.  I like big and bold reds so, in the summer I do not drink too many reds, this wine would do the job in the summer for its light body and thin style. 

To the Point: The 2011 JT Red is just too thin.  Personally, I would not buy this vintage again.  I am disappointed for I enjoyed the 08’s and 09’s from this winery so; I was looking forward to tasting their newer vintages.  You have to remember these are handmade and nature made.  With some bad summers in the last few years – and wow – think of 2012 summer – total crap from the bad spring.  This is sad, for Michigan was making some very good red wines. 

I am still stopping by Bowers when I make it into the Traverse City area.    

Their dog Brix greets my dogs

My hound Annie sings Brix a song.  My Corgi in the front seat
and my Mutt just behind Annie.