Author: Peter

2005 Sterling Three Palms Merlot

The 2005 Sterling Three Palms Merlot had a dark ruby color. The nose was rather restrained with dark fruit, smoke. There was light vanilla, dark fruit and smoky complex flavors. Medium tannins, more than you would expect for a Merlot. Good acid and a medium length finish.

Sparkling Wines on the Cheap

Inexpensive sparkling wines was the theme for our weekly tasting at Fine Wines of Stockton. The wines could be from anywhere in the world with the most expensive being less than $25.00. We had a pretty good turnout with some visitors from as far away as Idaho. We thought these would all be non vintage but it turned out that […]

2008 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2008 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon (Bodega Zapata) is made from grapes grown at high altitudes (3700 to 5000 feet) and has a medium garnet color. The nose is light with dark spicy fruit and cedar. The tannins are well integrated with nice acid and there are leather, tobacco, dark fruit flavors with a little vanilla. A beautiful complex wine with […]

2006 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir “La Bauge Au-dessus”

This Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley has a light ruby, semi transparent color and a smokey, earthy nose. It has flavors to match the nose, earthy and smokey with tart fruit. There are moderate tannins and good acidity. The body is light with a moderately long finish of both flavor and tannins (alc 13.5%) The […]

2007 Bodega Norton Barrel Select Malbec

The 2007 Bodega Norton Barrel Select Malbec from Mendoza is a dark ruby color with dark smokey fruit and a hint of tar on the nose. There are medium tannins and plenty of acid to accompany the flavors of dark fruit, tar, leather and smoke. The body is light and the finish is medium to long.

2004 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Jerusalem Hill Vineyard

This wine from Oregon’s Domaine Serene’s Jerusalem Hill Vineyard was a light ruby color. There was a minimal nose of blackberries and smoke, decanting would probably bring out the nose more. There was a lot of fruit, fairly big wine with some smokiness, very flavorful. The tannins were smooth with good acid and a medium length finish.

2007 L’Ecolle No. 41 Columbia Valley Merlot

The 2007 L’Ecolle No. 41 Merlot from Walla Walla in eastern Washington has a dark ruby color has aromas of dark fruit and tobacco. The flavors are dark fruit, light vanilla and some spiciness, maybe black pepper. The tannins are light and well integrated with good acid. It has a medium length finish. While the wine was nice drinking on […]