Tasting Notes Archives

2005 Chateau Mont-Redon Chateauneuf du Pape

February 18, 2011 by Peter 4 comments

Review of 2005 Chateau Mont-Redon Chateauneuf du Pape.

2005 Sterling Three Palms Merlot

February 13, 2011 by Peter Comments are Disabled

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.

2008 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon

February 6, 2011 by Peter Comments are Disabled

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”

February 2, 2011 by Peter 3 comments

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

January 29, 2011 by Peter Comments are Disabled

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

January 21, 2011 by Peter Comments are Disabled

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

January 21, 2011 by Peter 1 comment

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 […]

2008 Clos De La Chapelle Muscadet

January 9, 2011 by Peter Comments are Disabled

We had the 2008 Clos De La Chapelle Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie with some Dover Sole. The color is a very pale yellow, almost clear. We tasted the wine before eating and it had some floral notes and also a smell that reminded me of the ocean. In the mouth you first notice the high acid content and […]

Tawny Port Comparison

January 9, 2011 by Peter Comments are Disabled

I was drinking a Taylor Fladgate 10 year old Tawny Porto and saw in the local wine shop an Australian “Tawny” and decided to see how they compared. I did expect a difference since the Taylor Fladgate is a true port while the Seppeltsfield is a Grenache, Syrah blend aged like a tawny port. The Taylor Fladgate was a dark […]

2002 Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon

December 20, 2010 by Peter Comments are Disabled

This Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon has a very dark garnet color after aging in our cellar for a few years. The nose was light with dark fruit and a hint of vegetal. The flavor was dark fruit, leather and a hint of vanilla with moderate tannins and acidity. The wine had a medium body and a moderate length finish. We also […]