Renaissance Cabernet Sauvignon 1999: Review

This cabernet comes from the Sierra Foothills in Oregon House, California. This 13.5% abv red wine is still fine eleven years later. There is a nice dark cherry nose. I like the blackberry bite that mixes with the plum, earth, black cherry, spice, and sweet cedar notes. This wine leaves a good thick earthy quality or jammy feel on the palate. This cab has some good body.

With each sip I can taste that moist plum flavor and then the dark fruits kick in to add some body structure to the flavor profile. The spice and woody notes play on the back of the palate for that nice Cabernet Sauvignon finish. I think I’ll give this wine a 7 on my strength scale. (medium-full)

This bottle use to sell for around $27 - $30 a bottle and I just picked up a few bottles at $15.00 each.

Concannon Petite Sirah 2005: Tasting

Central Coast Petite Sirah

Limited Release 2005

Concannon Vineyard

Livermore, California, USA

1.5L bottle
13.5% abv

Listed on the bottle: “It is full-bodied, rich with cherry flavors and has a hint of toasty oak for a smooth, silky finish.”

I am not ready to call it full-bodied but, for $10.00 for this 1.5 liter bottle this is a deal. The dark berry and dark cherry flavor is pleasing and there is a hint of toasty oak. Now, this is not complex, it is pretty straight forward and simple. Did I mention it was only 10 bucks for this big bottle? A fine wine to open up for that party or just to enjoy over a few days. Yes, this wine will be good for a day or two after opening. Actually, I think this wine was better on the next day.

Buy: yes, if you can find it.

I purchased it at the Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan.

2007 CEV Chardonnay Musque

12.4% Abv
Colio Estate Vineyards
Harrow, Ontario, Canada

This has a big apple profile. There is a slight tartness of a green apple on the palate mixed with the freshness of a Fuji apple. I also like that peach like taste. The spice from the acidity keeps things interesting.

Buy: Pick up a bottle.

visit: coliowinery.com

Bry Estate Off-Dry Riesling 2007: Tasting

Bry Estate Winery is located in Traverse City, Michigan, USA. This 13% abv white wine has a very soft straw like color. The aroma is fresh fruit and the taste follows. The white peach taste makes for a nice summer day drink. There is a slight citrus note and delicate spice. Overall, a refreshing white wine that would pair well with salad, shellfish or white fish. I enjoyed this bottle with a shrimp pasta dinner.

Fess Parker 2008 Chardonnay: Review

Santa Barbara County

Fess Parker Winery

On the bottle, ‘Flavors of ripe apple, butter, lemon and melon are perfectly balanced with light toasty oak on the palate.’

They always have a really good written description on their bottles of wine. As a wine drinker I really appreciate a well written description. First, it can help me in the selection of the wine. Then, if I have not had the wine before, it prepares me for some or all of the flavors I am going to experience.

To me this Chardonnay has a nice green apple taste and a slight lemon taste. The lemon is not bitter like ‘lemon rind,’ or puckering like ‘lemon juice.’ It is a very pleasing lemon taste. I could not place the other notes so, that is when I checked the list on the bottle. Melon and butter was left that I did not get.

First the butter, I don’t get it except for a descriptor of the mouthfeel – ‘buttery smooth’. The mouthfeel is smooth like butter. When I started thinking about the melon note that was the other flavor that I could not place. To me it is like a honey dew melon.

This is a perfect white wine for a hot summer day. Very fresh tasting notes and a fine smooth texture to please your palate.

Dizzy Daisy Michigan White Wine 2008: Review

Dizzy Daisy Winery and Vineyard
Bad Axe, Michigan

This 11% abv white wine has a very nice fresh fruit aroma and a light straw appearance.

The fruit flavor is just wonderful on a summer day. The pear, nectarine, white peach, green grapes, with a light touch of lime in the background are some of the flavors this wine has to offer. I would recommend this wine as a must buy.

I plan to make a visit to this winery this week or next and I’ll have to find out more about this ‘White Wine.’ I also hope they have some left to sell.

Smith and Hook 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon: Tasting

I bought this wine while I was out to dinner. This wine went well with dinner. It is not a big Cabernet and did not come across as being complex. When I got home and I had just the wine by itself I then got to experience the true flavors.

By itself there was a stronger bell pepper and a cherry flavor. This was an interesting combination. Actually, I was starting to think I really didn’t like this wine. Then, I decided to have some cheese and a cigar with the wine. The flavor of the wine was better again. There was a better berry flavor to mix with the cherry notes. The bell pepper profile was still there but, not as noticeable.

This wine needs to be paired up with something. By itself I found it ‘strange interesting’ and with food it was at least ok.

Buy: I am Iffy on this one. I would say find another Cab.

Pink Peppercorn

Pink pepper is not related to black pepper. It is not even a peppercorn. Pink pepper is native to Brazil. The aroma is aromatic compared to black peppers pungent smell or white peppers musky smell. The taste of this berry is sweet and mild. When I tasted the pink peppercorn I remember being surprised with the sweet taste. This is good to grind over your filet mignon or pork tenderloins, according to gourmetsleuth.com. Now the guy at Spice Merchants told me it is not good to leave the pink peppercorns in a grinder (all pink being used) because they have more moisture in them compared to the black pepper family. So, they do not grind up as nice as real peppercorns. That is way we see them mixed in with the other peppercorns and not by themself.

Green Peppercorn

Green pepper is the one most of us probably know nothing about. We may have seen it in the clear pepper grinders mixed in with the other peppercorns. Green peppercorns are black peppercorns, just picked earlier off the plant. So, we could say they are under-ripe peppercorns. They are mild in their flavor and that is one reason to mix them in the grinder with the other stronger ‘hotter’ peppercorns. Green pepper is good to use on vegetables and sauces. When I tasted the different peppercorn I thought it tasted like the black peppercorn without the big bite. I think I’ll be getting a new pepper grinder to have on hand for the green peppercorns.

Tomorrow Pink Peppercorn Posting

White Peppercorn

White pepper is black pepper without the outer crust of the berry. Whitepepper.com has a brief explanation on white pepper. The flavor is usually cleaner. I don’t think it has that citrus bite like the black pepper. When I tested the white peppercorn, I did not get that citrus bite but what I did get was a hotter taste. When I taste the fine grind white pepper in a jar (wet the end of your finger and tap the white pepper) I defiantly get a softer pepper taste. No citrus. Remember that nice pungent smell of black pepper? Well, forget it when you smell white pepper. Whole white peppercorns smell bad. They are musky or like my wife (the bloodhound) said, ‘this smells like shit.’ White pepper does not have a pleasant aroma but, the taste if very good.

Tomorrow Green Peppercorn Posting

Black Peppercorn

Most of us are familiar with black pepper. We use ground black pepper in our homes and when we are out to eat. We may even have a pepper grinder to grind the peppercorns. I personally use the grinder. With the grinder I can adjust the coarseness of the grind. I like the chunky coarse grind on my salads. Then, I like a fine grind on my eggs, when they are over easy. Scrambled eggs I prefer a medium-fine grind. Black pepper will have a citrusy overtone and a hardwood note. I think the coarse grind helps to deliver that stronger citrus bite. Think of the times you have bitten into a small chunk of a peppercorn and you get that strong black pepper taste. Then, think of the times you use a fine ground black pepper and there is a slight floral note along with the other qualities. That pungent smell of black pepper is just wonderful.

Tomorrow White Peppercorn Posting

Understanding Pepper as a Tasting Note

When reading tasting notes on wine, beer or cigars you will eventually see the note of pepper. It may have a peppery aroma, slight peppery taste or a spicy peppery flavor. When I read the word pepper, I usually think of black pepper. And, there have been times when I taste a peppery note and I have started to think, ‘what kind of pepper is this,’ because it does not taste like black pepper it seemed softer. The peppery like taste can come from several things; the alcohol content, the ingredients used that make a bitter taste, and citrus notes.

So, thinking about pepper as a profile flavor got me to the Spice Merchant Store and I bought four different peppercorns: black peppercorn, white peppercorn, green peppercorn, and pink peppercorn. In this series of postings we will review the four different peppercorns so we can use them in our description of wine, beer, and cigars.

I bought a half an ounce of each peppercorn and I poured each into a small glass so I could spend some time smelling the peppercorns and then I took a bite of each one to experience its particular flavor.

Jackson Triggs Vidal Ice Wine 2007: Review

I love Ice Wine! And, oh do I remember my first experience (we are talking Ice Wine). I was visiting Niagara On-The Lake, Ontario, Canada back in the late 90’s. I had stopped by a winery called Stony Ridge. They offered me a sample of ‘Ice Wine’. Being the Red Wine Snob I said, ‘I only drink reds thank you.’ He said, ‘does not matter what you drink this is an excellent dessert wine.’ Oh, then it is sweet. Sorry, I don’t do sweet wines. He returned, ‘do you like deserts?’ YES! Then, it was in my hand. I had one little sip; then another, and I said, ‘wow this is great!’

I ended up buying six bottles. And, the good stuff is not cheap.

Back then I had made it to the Niagara region to visit the different wineries several times. I am looking forward to getting back there one day. If you love wine it is a must plan trip.

I have been able to find the Jackson Triggs Ice Wine in a local wine store. This is a very good ice wine. It comes in a 187ml bottle for $20. This is a perfect size for me and my wife. It does come in a larger 375ml bottle. Remember, you are only going to drink about 50ml per person in a day.

When you drink this wine you should use an Ice Wine glass which holds about 50ml. And, that is all you should drink of this lovely sweet wine. The sugar content is really high.

The Jackson Triggs Vidal Ice Wine has a fantastic summertime fresh fruit and tropical fruity flavor. The papaya and mango covers the tropical and the nectarine covers the summertime fruit. That sweet, syrupy, ripe nectarine in a glass.

Now, this is a sipping wine. Take your time and enjoy the flavors. It is best to chill this before serving. If you do not have Ice Wine glasses then use a cordial glass. This does go well with fresh fruit. Some people have told me that they have had it with ice cream. I love it with dark chocolate (70%). Or, the best why to have it --- by itself, after dinner.

This is a MUST HAVE.

A Wine Review: Clos Du Bois Briarcrest 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

I got this bottle at a fundraiser for Waggin Tails Dog Rescue. They had a wine tasting, auction, and the opportunity to buy some wine from Pilgrim Party Store located in Plymouth, Michigan. During the wine tasting I enjoyed this one and of course a few others so, I bought a bottle of each. Now, it is time to do a review on this tasty Cabernet.

Here is the bottle description: “This powerful wine showcases Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in its pure form: Blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, anise, sweet tobacco, vanilla and spice.”

I really like this wine. The dark berry profile is flavorful. There is a nice earthiness to the body and I like the delicate spice. This is winner in my book. I think I’ll buy another bottle. This would be wonderful with a tasty filet.