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