Freixenet Sparkling Wine: Review

(Fresh-eh-NET)

Freixenetusa.com

Cordon Negro

Brut Sparkling Wine

Spain

12% abv

Under $20 a bottle

The Black Bottle Bubbly

Appearance: ultra-pale straw, tons of bubble when fresh,

Aroma: very light and crisp red apple with a hint of citrus meat; pour a glass and let the bubbles hit the nose – that nasal fizzy blast is much more interesting than the nose of this sparkling wine.  Once the wine has settled in the glass there’s not much at all to the aroma.

Flavors: follows the nose with the apple and citrus meat; lemon bitterness on the finish

Mouthfeel: very crisp, light, a citrusy bitterness builds on the aftertaste making for a dry feel, super fizzy at first and mellows a bit with time … look at the bubbles coming from the bottom of the glass … how fast they are rising will dictate how fizzy the carbonation will feel. 

To the Point:  it’s an okay sparkling wine, I would say it is not one for sitting around to just enjoy by itself … it should be good to go with a fresh salad with mandarin oranges … pair it with a tropical chicken breast or white fish. 

   

Crew Meritage 2007: Review

Colchester Ridge Estate Winery Inc. (CREW)

Harrow, Ontario, Canada

Colchesterridge.com

13.4% abv

Appearance: light crimson body with a crystal edge; this is going to be a lighter bodied Meritage in weight and flavor … I’ll bet

Aroma: nice berry on the nose … then not much else … a bit of tobacco

Flavors: plum, raspberry, red current, light dry green spice, little dusty earth

Mouthfeel: too thin on the delivery, little acidity on mid and finish, berry bowl on the finish but light in feel, mild-medium overall in body,

To the Point: I bought this a couple of years ago and had one bottle and to me it was on the thin side for a Meritage and thought a couple of years of aging might … just might help it a little … so I saved the other bottle.  I would have to say, it didn’t help.  If you like a lighter bodied red this will work for you.  If you know what you are drinking … this is not that impressive.  The berry flavor is nice and if you are eating a burger this bottle should do the trick then.   

fogdog 2008 Pinot Noir: Review

Sonoma Coast

Freestone Vineyards

Freestone, California, USA

13.5% abv

$45.00 from Mitchell’s Seafood Restaurant

Appearance: deep garnet body with ruby edge.  With the darker body this Pinot should have some body weight.

Aroma: berry bowl mix, wild berries and blueberries, little floral, touch of dry green spice with a hint of bay leaf. 

Flavors: berry bowl mix, just take your pick … red current, black raspberry, cranberry, blueberry, cherry, black berry; splash of coffee, pinch of earth, duo tone of wood – oak upfront and cedar spice on the finish

Mouthfeel: tart cherry and cranberry, slight coffee bitterness, so the acidity is at work without dominating, don’t let the ‘tart’ and ‘bitter’ words scare you here for the mouthfeel is suave like, firm body that reminds me of a pair of knee high boots and skin tight jeans, little alcohol warmth and spice on the finish, the flavors linger for a short time on the palate.

My Strength Rating: 6 – medium-full (see my strength rating scale in the right margin)

To the Point: this Pinot has some character; it’s not your smooth supple Pinot, firm and compact comes to mind while tasting this Pinot; looking for a bolder Pinot – this is the one – not big time bold but it sure has some style.  Dinner at Mitchell’s I had Ginger Salmon.  Back home in my lounge I paired it with a CAO Black Cigar and finished off the bottle.  

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin 2008: Review

Gnarlyhead.com

Gnarly Head Cellars

Manteca, California, USA

14.5% abv

$7.60 a bottle

I have had this bottle floating around for a while so it is time to do a review. 

Appearance: deep garnet body with a purple edge

Aroma: dark berries, nice spice box … dry green spice with a dash of pepper

Flavors: black current, boysenberry, plum, oak on the mid and late, toasted vanilla, hint of roasted marshmallow, black licorice, nice earthy tone, dash of pepper on the finish

Mouthfeel: earthy feel, the dark berries coat the palate, light bitterness on mid and late, semi-smooth feel, medium-full body,

To the Point: this is proof you can get a good tasting wine for under 10 bucks, I enjoyed this wine, I would buy this again, a good medium-full bodied wine to have at your next party for those who enjoy a red wine with some body.  

De Loach Pinot Noir 2009

DeLoachVineyards.com

Central Coast

Santa Rosa, California, USA

13.5% abv

Cost: $30 from a restaurant; I would guess around $15 retail

Appearance: rich ruby body with a lighter crystal ruby edge

Nose: red berries, light spice, touch of wood

Flavors: mild notes of strawberry, sweet cherry, red currant, pomegranate, light dry herbal leafy earthiness

Mouthfeel: smooth, delicate, supple, gentle red berries linger on the palate, mild in body

My Strength Rating: 2

To the Point: a tasty light bodied inexpensive Pinot; pair with salads, veal, white fish maybe sea bass or how a swordfish.  

Justin Cabernet Sauvignon 2010: Review

Justin Vineyards and Winery

Paso Robles, California, USA

Justinwine.com

13.9% abv

The 2010 vintage has a new look to the bottle … no label.  Personally, I like the old label.

Appearance: deep and dark purple body with a ruby rim

Aroma: bountiful dark berries and nice spice with a vanilla caramel note

Flavors: black current, touch of tart cherry, an interesting touch of cedar wood.  I say interesting because it was aged in American oak barrels for 18 months.  

Mouthfeel: a little tart feel probably coming from the tannins, could use another year of aging for this wine to excel, it was just bottled in April and May of 2012 so it has only been in the bottle for five months at the time of this review, medium body, 

Black Star Arcturos Sur Lie Chardonnay 2011: Review

Black Star Farms

Old Mission

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Blackstarfarms.com

Isidor’s Choice and Capella Vineyards

$22.99 a bottle From Bavarian Inn Frankenmuth

They are overpriced for it should be around $16.00

13% abv

Appearance: very light straw

Aroma: citrus skin, pear, and mineral water

Flavors: citrusy acidity, a tangy grapefruit peel tantalizes the tongue; crisp apple and white grape to add a little balance, nice touch of floral, lingering tart feel on the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: the acidity is very crisp from start to finish

To the Point: this might be a nice one to age a few years; the acidity should mellow with time and the flavors should shine.

Twist off cap

   

L Mawby Conservancy: Review

Extra Dry Sparkling Wine

Methode Champenoise

L. Mawby

Leelanau Peninsula

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

12% abv

$21.99 Westborn Market

Lmawby.com

Cuvee 189

en tirage - May 2010

degorgement - January 2011

The Detroit Tigers are heading to the World Series so I had to open this bottle and enjoy a little bubbly like the players are doing in the club house.  Go TIGERS!  Forgive me for all the things I said about you during the regular season.  Well, they did look like crap at times during the regular season.

How about the TV announcers talking about those Tigers and how they came together and played great baseball in the post season - Oh, they didn't! All we heard in the last two or three innings of the game was all about the Yankee Stankees.

The Detroit Tiger were up to bat in the 8th inning and there was dead silence while Young was batting.  To break the dead silence they had to chime in about Derek Jeter.  REALLY - the Detroit Tigers are heading to the World Series and three outs away and they bring up Jeter.  These announces will probably go to the Yankees room after the game and hang out with those losers because they love them.       

Appearance: light straw, nice head, plenty of bubbles

Nose: nice sweet fruits; apples, pear,

Flavors and Mouthfeel: tart apple, sweet pear, dry lemon bread, very dry on the palate and finish, smooth with a fine fizzy feel

To the Point: a nice bubbly for the price, set up the fruit and chocolate fountain and this should be a winner.  

2009 Treana Red

Treana Winery

Hope Family Wines

Paso Robles, California, USA

Blend: 70% Cab Sauvignon; 30% Syrah

15% abv

I don’t have my receipt but, I think it was around $40.00 a bottle

Appearance: deep garnet

Aroma: dark berries, that remind me of black currant and boysenberry, little brown spice,

Flavors: the black currant comes through, dark berries, little tart cherry, and a little dusting of brown spice

Mouthfeel: smooth, stylish, classy mouthfeel.  Firm body.  The tannins seem under control.  The flavors seem to linger on the palate. 

To the Point: a very pleasing wine to drink.  Factor in the price and it is worth what you are paying for.  

Ramos Pinto Porto 20 Years

Twany Port

No Vintage on Bottle

Quinta do Bom Retiro

Produced and bottled by:

Adriano Ramos Pinto

Portugal

19.5% abv

750ml bottle

Appearance: shiny copper with amber edges

Aroma: nutty for sure, reminds me of almond and hazelnut, also vanilla and oak, brown spice, toasted caramel,

Flavors: roasted caramel, roasted almond, touch of hazelnut, dried cherries and candied fruit, oak backbone with toasted vanilla shining through,

Mouthfeel: smooth, the alcohol is not showing (have to be careful for it is tasty), touch of sweetness on the delivery, dry on the mid and finish, pleasing complexity, 

Isidor’s Choice 2009 Blanc de Noir

Sparkling Wine

Leelanau Peninsula

BlackStarFarms.com

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

100% Pinot Noir

12% abv

$22.00 a bottle

I reviewed this Sparkling Wine back in the middle of summer.

Appearance: bridal blush pink

Aroma: bubbles tickle the nose, dusty grapes,

Flavors and Mouthfeel: the first thing I notice is the effervescence and then the dry mouthfeel, hint of muskmelon with a touch of strawberry, lightly tart cranberry, with a pinch of pink peppercorn

To the Point: I don’t know about having this sparkling wine on a hot summer day like today (95 degrees with 80+ humidity).  I wanted something different on this hot day and this has been sitting there waiting to be selected for at least six months.  I thought a little sparkling wine might go well on a hot day.  I don’t think the dry mouthfeel fits the bill.  Save this for a cool fall night. 

I do like this sparkling wine just not on a hot day.  

Peninsula Cellars 2010 Dry Riesling: Review

Peninsula Cellars

Traverse City, Michigan, USA

Old Mission Peninsula

12.5% abv

$15.00 a bottle

Appearance: yellow crystal

Aroma: soon as I opened the bottle I knew I was going to like it.  First off I did not smell straight out lemon.  I am soooo tired of lemon.  A lot of the beers I had this summer and spring had a lemon note, some stronger than others, and then when I would have a white wine guess what note was prominent you got it lemon.  So, I had to read this bottle first before opening and I did not see the word lemon.  It did had lime but, no lemon.  Back to the aroma: tropical fruit all right; mango, white peach, Fuji apple, pineapple acidity,

Flavors: apple, green apple, summer stone fruit, touch of tangerine and a dose of lime. 

Mouthfeel: crisp notes, there seems to be an ever so slight watery edge that hits the tip of the tongue but, right after that ‘tip’ it is nothing but dry baby. 

To the Point: between the aroma and the flavors this is a real treat.  This would be good with white fish.  I love shark, tuna, and swordfish and I think this would be good with the pineapple, mango, and ginger sauce I make to put on my swordfish.  

Concha Y Toro Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009: Review

Serie Riberas

Conchaytoro.com

Product of Chile

I picked this bottle up at a restaurant on their half off a bottle Wednesday special.  I think it cost me $16.00.  I have not had Concha Y Toro in a long long time. 

Appearance: nice garnet body with a ruby edge.

Nose: dark berries and rich black soil earthy tone

Flavors: the dark berry style reminds me of blackberry and dark currants; a 60% dark chocolate like feel – a little creamy and semi-sweet;

Mouthfeel: nice acidity, tannins seem under control for this three year old, firm body, just on the edge of feeling jammy with each sip,

To the Point: to me – a typical Concha Y Toro Cab not complex (not a bad thing) but, damn tasty for the money.  The berry flavor is just right and it feels like it has some good body weight to it to make it feel like you are drinking a good wine.  And you are. 

I am enjoying this wine tonight (Thurday) with a La Flor Dominicana Colorado Oscuro No. 4 Limited Edition.  Size: 5.25 x 54.  Guess what?  It truly is a Limited Edition.  So many cigars have on their labels ‘Limited Edition’ and they have been around for 5 or 50 years – they are on the shelf every day of the year.  I read somewhere that they ship out about 500 boxes, of each size, in December and July. 

This is one tasty cigar in my book.  Rich coffee bean; soil, Portobello mushroom, and wood earthy tones; toasty sweet grains; with a good dash of white peppercorn. There is a note swirling around that I just can’t put my finger on it – is it an herbal note or a floral note.  This is flavorful and smooth. 

This cigar paired extremely well with this Cabernet.  Both have an excellent body that complemented each other.  The dark berry flavors of the wine mingled well with the earthy tones of this cigar.  This was a very good medium-full bodied experience.  

The Big Easy 2009: Review

Origianl artwork on the bottle by Diane Millsap

Fess Parker Winery

Fessparker.com

Santa Maria, California, USA

61% Syrah, 23% Petit Sirah, 16% Grenache

14.9% abv

Appearance: deep garnet, plenty of leg action after each swirl of the glass,

Aroma: just wonderful, I wish I could do it justice; big juicy blackberries, mulberries, mixed with a good dose of red berries – reminding me of raspberry and sweet cherry, smoked pecan wood, the hint of vanilla reminds me of the butter horn rolls that I pick up at Zehnder’s for some reason,

Flavors: a lot of the nose follows along with some dark chocolate likeness, a little sweet vanilla cherry, hint of spice

Sorry, I didn’t get to finish mouthfeel.  I got called away and I never came back to finish the review but, I did finish the bottle and it was terrific.  I’ll finish and update the review when I open another bottle.  

The coon skin cap Daniel Boone wore