Friday, May 30, 2014

Hunt Country Vineyards 2011 Meritage, Finger Lakes


Finger Lakes Wine Hour will be held Saturday, May 31, 2014, 6:00 – 10:00 PM EDT. You can participate by opening a bottle of Finger Lakes wine and tweeting using #FLXwine or commenting on Facebook (Finger Lakes Wine Fan Page). It’s a great opportunity to experience the wine of one of our favorite regions.
Hunt Country Vineyards will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was the very first Finger Lakes winery we visited (in the middle of a rainstorm several years ago). They also produce a range of tasty and affordable wines in a scenic family farm setting.
We opened this bottle earlier this week in anticipation of the Finger Lakes Wine Hour promotion. It proved to be a delicious prelude.
The Meritage is medium red in the glass. It has the aroma of a jumble of berries.
On the palate this is a unique blend, not the sedate Bordeaux-style blend you might expect. The body is light to medium. It is 35% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. Perhaps that’s why it serves up a slice of smoky and woodsy goodness with an accompaniment of juicy berries.
The wine is only produced in years where they are satisfied with the quality and balance of the component wines. Hunt Country has released Meritage in the 2004, 2006 and 2011 years. Seems like we were fortunate to snare this bottle while at the winery since only 421 cases were made.
If this were California, they would slap a “reserve” label on it and crank up the price. I’m pleased to say this was only $18 – and that’s an incredible value.
Each grape variety is fermented separately for an overall equivalent of nine months in the barrel. The alcohol level is moderate at only 12%, making this a tasteful, but not heavy wine.
Our Finger Lakes celebration is off to a galloping start, thanks to Hunt Country Meritage.
Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 5 of 5
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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Wolf Blass 2008 President’s Selection Shiraz, South Australia


So that’s where you are, Wolf Blass! In this day of technology connectedness, there are so many devices it is hard for a wine blogger to keep track.
I had just returned from 10 days in Hawaii and wanted to do an article on this very nice Wolf Blass Shiraz. The tasting notes were in hand and my mind was formulating the write-up. All I needed was the photo to accompany the post.
First I checked my Samsung Galaxy 4, which has a very nice camera. There were photos of hula dancers, rare Hawaiian birds, the mountains of Colorado, but no Wolf Blass.
The next step was to check my wife’s camera. Lately I’ve been letting the Green Dragon take some of the “bottle shots” and she’s done a fine job. Cabling up and downloading revealed no Aussie wines.
Next up we checked my tablet. Then my wife’s tablet. It left me so desperate I decided to move on to review another wine. As I was downloading the photos from my main camera, a Fujifilm 12-megapixel Finepix, I found myself relearning an old lesson – lost things are usually found in the place they should have been in the first place.
You can see that I located my artistic Wolf Blass photo. I’m glad I found it, because this was a very nice wine – and hand gestures don’t work real well on a wine blog.
A deep ruby color with aromas of blackberry invite you to taste the wine. On the palate strong tannins come forth. The wine is rich with flavors of spice and stewed plum. Raspberry notes are interwoven in the mix.
The opening and finish of the wine were highlights but I found the mid-palate a bit flat. This is certainly a nice example of Shiraz, though, and it is produced by an iconic Australian winery.
I picked this bottle up at a fundraiser for $20. That’s a fair price and it tasted especially good knowing that I was helping a worthy cause. The missing wine has been found – and there was much rejoicing!
Rating: 3 of 5  Value: 2.5 of 5
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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: May 28-31, 2014

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(Photo credit: jwalsh)
Wednesday, May 28
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, May 29
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Wine & Cheese Thursday. Explore the wonderful world of wine and cheese. Try four different wines with a sample platter of the day’s cheese.
Friday, May 30
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. New arrivals (red). Five wines for $10.
Saturday, May 31
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. The Long Shadows Vintner Collection. The Long Shadows project brings the world's finest winemakers to Washington State to collaborate on exciting special projects. Here are some of the featured winemakers: Michel Rolland - Consultant on hundreds of the best of Bordeaux, Armin Diel - Schlossgut Diel and Germany's premier wine writer, Randy Dunn - Built Caymus and Pahlmeyer. Currently Dunn Vineyards, John Duval - Former Chief Winemaker of Penfolds Grange. Nominal fee per sample.
Up & Coming…
Beach Party, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Friday, June 6. Toledo Zoo wine tasting at the Penguin Deck and Main Plaza. $40 for Toledo Zoo members, $45 for non-members. Appetizers, South of the Equator wine and entertainment by Glass City Steel.
AREA WINE BARS
  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
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[Information on tastings can be sent to TWAV@ATT.NET.]
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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Domaine du Grapillon D’Or 2011 Gigondas


It was an unwelcome occasion that brought me back to Telluride. My beloved brother Jay passed away after succumbing to cancer. As our family gathered in this rustic Colorado ski town, I was reminded by my brother Bill, that we should focus on celebrating his life – not wallowing in sadness.
Jay would have wanted it that way.
To say J.R. Nershi lived life with joie du vivre would be an understatement. He was a hang gilder and paraglider pilot who had flown off the peaks of Gold Hill in Telluride and mountains in South America. He helped found the Telluride Air Force flying group.
He spoke four languages including French, Portuguese and Spanish. At varying times he lived in the Canary Islands and also helped harvest grapes in Spain. He also owned one of the best bars and restaurants in Telluride, the Floradora Saloon. I was proud to work there as dishwasher and cook once upon a time.
Jay also loved his wine. So after an outdoor memorial service in City Park with the snow covered peaks in the background, we gathered at La Marmotte, an upscale French restaurant that has a unique Telluride chic. The restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in town, the historic ice house.
I was asked to order wine for our group of 20 or so. For the white I selected the Pride Mountain Vineyards 2012 Viognier. This is a crisp white with flavors of apricot and orange blossoms.
For our red selection, I chose the Domaine du Grapillon D’Or 2011 Gigondas. The winery was founded in 1806 and has been operated by the Chauvet family since then. Grapillon won its first gold medal in 1893 in Paris, so they’ve learned quite a bit over the years.
Gigondas (Zhee-gone-dahs) is a rich, a Grenache-driven wine blended with Syrah. The grapes are hand harvested, destemmed and then lightly crushed. It is aged in oak for 14 months.
In the glass this is a deep garnet color. On the nose there is red fruit and liquorish. This is a full bodied wine with smooth tannins. Lush flavors of raspberry and pepper flow into a long finish. It paired nicely with my red and gold beet salad and entrée of tender braised short ribs.
Here’s to you brother Jay. May your final flight have a safe landing.
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Friday, May 23, 2014

Cain NV9 Napa Valley Cuvée


This delightful wine emerged during a dinner at Bali Steakhouse at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu. Steve, the server, is a wine connoisseur and a hotel historian. He certainly came up strong with this selection.
My staff and I were treated to a delicious dinner by the sales manager and my counterpart at Hilton. The cuisine at Bali is remarkable and the views of Waikiki beach at sunset leave nothing to be desired either.
Steve produced the Cain Cuvée and my anticipation for the meal began in earnest. We had an array of delicious appetizers before diving into our entrée.  
Cain is a producer I’ve been wanting to try for a while and the Cuvée is a well known wine with an award-winning reputation. I find myself increasingly drawn to Bordeaux style wines that calibrate just the right blend of varieties.
The Cain Cuvée is a non-vintage wine that a 53% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot blend. Not only is it a blend of different grapes, but it is also a blending of the 2008 and 2009 vintages. Although this is considered a non-vintage wine, I call it doubly refined, with a carefully selected blend across grape varieties and two vintages.
Bali specializes in Hawaiian and Polynesian cuisine, so we also had a delicious Starmont Napa Valley Chardonnay to sample with seafood dishes. I opted for the Monchong, a local fish that is a delicacy (and needless to say can’t be found in the Toledo area).
The Cuvée blended nicely with the succulent fish. It is a smooth wine with a round finish. It is light on the palate with black cherries and ripe red fruit. The tannins are loose and comfortable.
Cain began their Cuvée project 20 years ago and select grapes from the Napa regions of Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Spring Mountain and Atlas Peak. The NV9 is a blend of 57% 2009 vintage with the remainder coming from 2008. It’s a refined wine that tastes like an $80 bottle – but is a mere $30.
This Cain is Able.
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Rating: 4.5 of 5  Value: 5 of 5
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Thursday, May 22, 2014

Clos Du Val 1981 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

A wine review by Tasting Team Member Dr. J.
Friday night Casey and I decided to crack open one of my "gift certificate" wines from California Wine Club.
I recently won a feedback contest at the California Wine Club.  I have been a member for a little over six months and I had no problem sharing feedback on such a positive experience.  Within about ten days I received a call that I had won the contest and that I had a $250 gift certificate to use on their wine.  
With a stocked cellar, I chose extra quality over quantity.  This was the perfect chance to try higher end wines that I might not otherwise get to experience.  My first choice was an aged Cabernet from my birth year; 1981.  This would be far and away the oldest wine I had ever tried.
The 1981 Napa Valley Clos Du Val Cabernet Sauvignon was light on the nose right out of the bottle.  We decanted for about a half hour and continued to enjoy the wine for the next hour and a half. 
As the wine opened, we experienced notes of camphor, tar, and leather.  This wine is very dry with a medium body and a smooth finish.  On the palate was cherry and wood chips with very soft tannins and a lengthy finish.  
I would have liked to try this about 10 years ago but there were still signs of life.  I wouldn't push this one much further.  At $80, I have had better for the price but it was great to try a wine as old as I am!

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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: May 21-24, 2014

English: Wine glasses from the tasting room at...

Wine glasses from the tasting room at Schramsberg Vineyards in Calistoga, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wednesday, May 21
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Good Wines for your Cookout. $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
 
Thursday, May 22
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Join us for Wines of Sean Minor, Not So Minor. $7 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
 
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Last Great Cabernet Tasting Before Summer. Nominal fee per sample.
 
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Nominal fee per sample.
 
TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Wine & Cheese Thursday. Explore the wonderful world of wine and cheese. Try four different wines with a sample platter of the day’s cheese.
 
Friday, May 23
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. No tasting.
 
Saturday, May 24
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Spring Into Delicious Wine. Spring is here and Summer is nipping on its heels. In the wine world, this is when we embrace delicious crisp whites, quaffable rosés, and meaty smoky reds.Nominal fee per sample.
 

AREA WINE BARS

  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
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Monday, May 19, 2014

Hermann J. Wiemer 2010 Reserve Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes


Hermann J. Wiemer is one of the premier Riesling producers in New York’s Finger Lakes region. That’s saying a lot. In an area with more than 100 wineries – with most producing Riesling of one type or another, Wiemer excels.
The winery’s namesake was born in Bernkastel, Germany into a family with 300 years experience in making the distinguished vinifera wines of the Mosel Valley. That lineage is evident in the refined wines they currently produce. Including a nice selection of single vineyard Rieslings.
The 2010 Reserve Dry Riesling is a flavorful wine with a dollop of acidity.The flavors are mouthwatering with citrus and peach. This wine doesn’t come across as a dry Riesling, which can sometimes have jarring acidity. Instead it is smooth and luxurious with the delicate aroma and flavors of flower blossoms.
This wine retails for $28.99 and is quite a bargain at that price. Wiemer produces fine wines with a number of varieties, Cabernet Franc for example, but their brilliance is revealed in their expressive Riesling.
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Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5
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Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Holman Ranch 2010 Hunter’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley



Holman Ranch is producing some outstanding wines from its scenic estate in California’s Carmel Valley. In particular, their Pinot Noir is expressive and offers flavors distinct from say a Sonoma Coast or Willamette Valley Pinot.
Holman Ranch is about 12 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and has thin rocky soil. The valley is warm, but a cooling marine layer helps create a perfect microclimate for Pinot Noir.
The 2010 Hunter’s Cuvee is a limited production wine that is only available to wine club members. It is aged 50% in new French oak and 50% in neutral French oak barrels. I must say, I like this approach. Rather than an oak toasty Pinot, the Hunter’s Cuvee has flavor ripples of blueberry and red fruit.
An herbal, eucalyptus note sets this apart from other Pinot Noirs. Green Dragon and I had to sample several glasses to tease out this unique flavor dimension. The finish is long and strong.
This is a wine to enjoy with a Pinot Noir lover. I would suggest drinking it with a bottle or two from other AVAs to compare and contrast. Of course, this would be a delicious pairing with chicken, fish or lighter meat dishes. It retails for $40.
Full disclosure: We received this bottle as a marketing sample.

Monday, May 12, 2014

All About The Mourvèdre Grape

We recently sampled a nice bottle of Mourvèdre rosé from Cline Cellars. It got me thinking that Mourvèdre is an underappreciated and, to most people, unknown grape. Here’s the knowledge download on Mourvèdre.
Mourvèdre is a red grape variety grown in a number of places around the world. It’s highest visibility is in the Rhone and Provence regions of southern France and in Spain, where it is the second most widely planted variety after Garnacha. There are also some plantings in California, Washington State and Australia.
The grapes produce a high-quality deep garnet colored wine with spicy and peppery characteristics. Mourvèdre can also be highly tannic and so is best known as a blending grape. The Rhone-style GSM blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre is a classic pairing that can be delicious.
Spain calls this grape Monastrell and it is often blended with Garnacha (which is Grenache). The Jumilla region has embraced Monastrell and produces some great big bodied reds with spicy notes. We’ve tried two: Wrongo Dongo and Tarima. These are great value buys that you can typical find for $10 or less.
We were impressed with the Mourvèdre rosé from Cline Cellars, which is also very affordable. The wine is dry and crisp with wonderful swirls of strawberry and a bewitching color.
In the Provence region of France, Mourvèdre is the key component in Bandol red and rosé wines. It is used to improve color and structure in the outstanding wines from Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf-de-Pape.
The grape clusters of Mourvèdre are compact with small thick-skinned berries that are high in both color and tannins. In addition to flavors of pepper and spice, Mourvèdre can impart soft, red fruit flavors as well as earthy barnyard notes.
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Thursday, May 8, 2014

Stella’s Italian Wine Tasting Explores Piemonte

The focus of  the most recent wine tasting at Stella’s Restaurant in Perrysburg was Piemonte. This is one of the most important wine areas in Italy, known for the Nebbiolo grape and standout regions like Barolo and Barbaresco.
The wines of Specialty Wine Company were matched with appetizers and a five-course meal prepared by Chef Rob Campbell. The host for the evening was Claudio Salvador, winemaker at Firelands Winery and importer of great Italian wines.
Treviso Prosecco De Faveri, a slightly sweet sparkling wine, was matched with an anti pasto assortment of meats, vegetables and cheeses. It was just the right way to unwind after a long day at the office.
Another white was on the tasting menu next: 2012 Cayega Arneis Tenuta Carretta. Arneis is sometimes know as the “white Barolo” and its name in Italian means “little rascal.” This is an unoaked reflection of crispness and acidity that paired fantastically with a “zuppa” of smoked cod, spring peas, leeks, new potatoes, thyme and cream served in a Mason jar.
We were joined at the tasting by Glorious T and the Cabinator. Glorious T may have a new nickname, “Mama Nebbiolo” after our most recent tasting.
The 2009 Nebbiolo d”Alba Tenuta Carretta is smoky and balanced. It is an ancient grape that is oaked in the traditional way. Nebbiolo produces some of Italy’s greatest wines and often requires many years to soften. This Nebbiolo, however, was drinking beautifully and was a great pairing with risotto prepared with hazelnuts, artichokes and goat cheese. Mama Nebbiolo needed additional glasses to confirm that this was indeed an awesome wine. It retails for $25.
The Vitello Scallopine, featuring veal studded with wild mushrooms and arugula, was paired with “Bric Quercia” Barbera d’Alba Tenuta Carretta. The Barbera I have tasted before have seemed lightweight. This version, however, was polished, velvety on the palate with a snap, crackle and pop. Contrary to my preconceptions, this wine was much darker than the Nebbiolo. The Barbera goes for $22.
We wrapped up with panna cotta prepared with strawberry, rhubarb, vanilla and chocolate mint. It paired with the “La Sera” Red Ambrosia from Malgra. This was a red sparkler that had spritz and a pop of sweetness. The sugar of the dessert ratcheted down some of the sweetness of the wine – a very successful pairing.
Not only did we enjoy a divine tasting, we even had a chance to test our vocal skills. Led by Claudio we sang “Volare” (Oh, Oh, Oh) while our glasses clinked and we nibbled on cuisine Italiano. Bravo!
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Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Toledo Area Wine Events & Tastings: May 7-11, 2014

From Esterlina Tasting Room in Mendocino Count...
From Esterlina Tasting Room in Mendocino County California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Wednesday, May 7
The Andersons, Sylvania, 6– 8 PM. Wines for Mother's Day: 1. Pierre Chainier Rose Seduction, 2. Jam Red Wine, 3. Toad Hollow Merlot, 4. Primo Bacio Moscato d'Asti. $6 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Thursday, May 8
Andersons, Maumee, Wine Tasting. 5-7 PM. Mid-Spring Wines: 1. 2012 Hugo – Gruner Veltliner – Austria, 2. NV Hugo – Rose Sparkling – Pinot Noir and Zweigelt – Austria, 3. 2012 Willamette Valley Vineyards – Pinot Noir – Oregon, 4. 2012 El Chaparral – Old Vines Garnacha – Navarra, Spain. $6.50 per flight or nominal fee per sample.
Andersons, Talmadge Road, Wine Tasting. 6-8 PM. Lively Wines for Spring: 1. Botani Dry Muscat, Spain, 2. Whip White Wine, Livermore Valley, California, 3. Zolo Signature Red, Mendoza, Argentina, 4. Zuccardi Malbec, Valley de Uco, Argentina, 5. Zolo Cabernet, Mendoza,
Argentina, 6. The Spur Red, Livermore Valley, California, 7. Pariso Wedding Hill Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, 8. Weingart Riesling Spatlese, Mittelrhein, Germany. Nominal fee per sample.
Corks Wine and Liquor, Promenade Plaza, 27250 Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford – (419) 872-6800. 6-9 PM. Featuring Rob Murray wines. Special guest: Katy Feldhacker, of Tramonte and Sons. 1. Force of Nature Cabernet Sauvignon, 2. Tooth & Nail "The Possessor,” 3. Tooth & Nail "The Glutton,” 4. Amor Fati Syrah. Nominal fee per sample.
TREO Wine Bar, 5703 Main St., Sylvania, (419) 882-2266. Wine & Cheese Thursday. Explore the wonderful world of wine and cheese. Try four different wines with a sample platter of the day’s cheese.
Friday, May 9
Walt Churchill's Market, 26625 Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, (419) 872-6900. 4-7 PM. Springtime Rose. Five wines for $10.

Saturday, May 10
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. 12:00 – 5:00 PM. 2012 Oregon Pinot Noir – A First Look at Greatness. 2012 is being hailed as the "Greatest Vintage Ever" by many in Oregon. Austin has just tasted through hundred of the 2012 and we'll taste many of best. It's always to get ahead of the critics, because once the reviews start flying, quantities with disappear. Nominal fee per sample.
Sunday, May 11
Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000. Sunday, May 11, 6:00 – 8:30 PM. Wine Seminar: 100 Point Perfection from Pontet Canet and 1996 Mouton Rothschild. $150 per person. Limited to 20 participants.“In what is dramatically the greatest Wine Seminar we have ever had, we will focus our attention on the world’s premier wine region – Bordeaux, France – and taste some of the its greatest wines. Our tasting group will be joined by Importer/Distributor Mark Maher of Cutting Edge Selections who will be bringing a nice surprise as well.
Up and Coming:
The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee. Friday May 16, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Featured wines for the great outdoors, patio or deck. Three whites and four reds. Imported cheeses and hors d’oeuvres. $25 per person. Call to reserve your spot.
AREA WINE BARS
  • The Bistro at Maumee Wines, (419) 893-2525, 2556 Parkway Plaza, Maumee.
  • Tres Belle Wine and Martini Lounge, (419) 874-4555, 3145 Hollister Lane, Perrysburg (Levis Commons).
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Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Churchill’s Schedules “Dramatically The Greatest Wine Seminar We Have Ever Had” Sunday, May 11

French wine from the left bank Bordeaux wine r...

French wine from the left bank Bordeaux wine region of Pauillac (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In what Wine Manager Austin Beeman terms “dramatically the greatest wine seminar we have ever had,” Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield. Maumee, (419) 794-4000, will focus attention on the world’s premier wine region – Bordeaux, France – and taste some of its greatest wines.

The wine seminar 100 Point Perfection from Pontet Canet and 1996 Mouton Rothschild will be held 6:00 – 8:30 PM Sunday, May 11. The cost is $150 per person and it is limited to 20 participants.

Pontet Canet is the only organically-certified wine among the Great Growths of Bordeaux and in 2009 and 2010 Pontet Canet did the impossible. Robert Parker, arguably the world’s most important wine critic, gave Pontet Canet a perfect 100 out of 100 points for back-to-back vintages. Seminar participants will taste both wines side-by-side.

How do you follow up on that?  Well – great Bordeaux is meant to be consumed with lots of bottle age, so also on the tasting menu is the elite First Growth Mouton Rothschild from the glorious 1996 vintage.

The tasting group will be joined by Importer/Distributor Mark Maher of Cutting Edge Selections who will be bringing a nice surprise as well.

Here’s more about the featured wines:

1. Pontet Canet 2009 Pauillac - $349.99 - 100 points, Robert Parker. "An amazing wine in every sense, this classic, full-bodied Pauillac is the quintessential Pontet Canet from proprietor Alfred Tesseron, who continues to reduce yields and farms his vineyards biodynamically - a rarity in Bordeaux. Black as a moonless night, the 2009 Pontet Canet offers up notes of incense, graphite, smoke, licorice, creme de cassis and blackberries. A wine of irrefutable purity, laser-like precision, colossal weight and richness, and sensational freshness, this is a tour de force in winemaking that is capable of lasting 50 or more years. ...This vineyard, which is situated on the high plateau of Pauillac adjacent to Mouton Rothschild, appears to have done everything perfectly in 2009."

2. Pontet Canet 2010 Pauillac - $349.99 – 100 points, Robert Parker. "An absolutely amazing wine, ... It comes from one of the few biodynamic vineyards in Bordeaux...An astounding, compelling wine with the classic Pauillac nose. The wine has off-the-charts massiveness and intensity but never comes across as heavy, overbearing or astringent. The freshness, laser-like precision, and full-bodied, massive richness and extract are simply remarkable to behold and experience... it is really a privilege to taste something as amazing as this. ...Is there anything that proprietor Alfred Tesseron is not doing right? Talk about an estate that is on top of its game! "

3. Mouton Rothschild 1996 Pauillac - $999.99 - 96 points, Wine Spectator. Incredible nose of ultra-ripe fruit, it's yet subtle and complex. Full-bodied, with very ripe fruit and a long, long caressing finish. Superb. This is edging out the 1995.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010.

The seminar must be paid in advance and the registration is non-refundable. For more information, contact Wine Manager Austin Beeman at austin.beeman@waltchurchillsmarket.com or call the store at (419)794-4000 and speak to either Austin or Jim Krusinski.

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Monday, May 5, 2014

Cline Cellars Clicks With Stylish Rhone Bottlings

In 1982, with an inheritance from his grandfather, Fred Cline founded Cline Cellars near Oakley, California. Here, he preserved and restored many ancient vine sites to their rightful reign as premier California wine lands. Over the years the winery has grown and today is known for some of California’s most distinctive Rhone-style wines and flavorful Zinfandels.
We recently tasted through three current releases. The 2012 Sonoma Coast Marsanne Rousanne, 2013 Contra Costa County Mourvedre Rosé and 2012 Sonoma Coast Cool Climate Pinot Noir were on our tasting list. We paired the three with a meal of turkey cutlets with herbed white wine cream sauce, Swiss chard and some salad.
We opened with the Marsanne/Rousanne. the blend is 66% Marsanne and 34% Rousanne. The wine is unoaked, which we appreciate. It takes a skillful hand to prepare wines in this fashion, which allows the subtle flavors to shine. The wine has a mineral character and a dollop of honey flavor. There is a twist of orange zest.
There are less than 250 combined acres of these grapes in California, making them rare varieties. The wine has a rustic charm. As our chilled wine warmed, the flavors became more pronounced.
Our next sip was of the 2013 Mourvedre Rosé. It was the surprise of the night. The grapes come from Cline’s Oakley vineyards in Contra Costa County. The vines are centuries old, grown in deep, sandy soil.
It is made in a Blanc de Noir style, or a “white of a red grape.” The wine extracts a small amount of color from the skins resulting in a beautiful light strawberry hue.
This wine paired beautifully with our dinner. In fact, we wished this Northwest Ohio spring were warmer, because it would have been a sensational meal on a sunny patio. The wine is dry (0.81% residual sugar) and refreshing.
We had a slight chill on the rosé. It was crisp with strawberry and cherry flavors. It’s not what you might expect from a rosé – and it was our premier pick of the evening.
The Cool Climate Pinot Noir was another winner. I enjoy cool climate wines because they often display a range of flavors that contrast with their usual grape profiles. The Pinot displays a nice toasty flavor with a bit of acidity. It’s a vibrant wine with flecks of vanilla.
Aging for nine months in 35% percent new French medium toasted oak contributes to the delicious texture. The turkey cutlets are mild in flavor, which worked well for us since we tasted a red, rosé and white. This Pinot, due to the toastiness, can stand up to more robust meats like lamb or braised beef.
This is one of the most enjoyable Pinot Noirs I’ve tasted in a while.
This trio of Cline wine scored highly with us. Not only is the wine admirable, but their agricultural practices are as well.
Since 2000, Cline Cellars has farmed the Green String way - naturally and sustainably and avoid chemical pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers that are generally used in everyday farming. They retain healthy vineyards by using organic cover crops, compost teas, crushed volcanic rock and oyster shell, natural mined sulfur and sheep grazing.
Cost is no barrier for these wines. All three bottles are priced at less than $18. That’s a tasty value.

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Friday, May 2, 2014

Seven Hills 2011 Petit Verdot, Walla Walla Valley

Few wine regions excite us as much as Walla Walla, Washington. In addition to the coolness of just saying it long and slow, the wine there is a joy to savor – and the prices are easy to swallow too.
At a recent gathering at the home of Glorious T and the Cabinator, we were treated to the bottle from Seven Hills. It is a blend of 76% Petit Verdot, 17% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon.
No matter your dietary restrictions or environmental orientation, you’ll like this wine. It is vegan and 100% LIVE Certified Sustainable. None of that would matter if the wine wasn’t delicious – but it certainly is.
This is a lush wine that still has structure, rippling with blueberry, spice and plum. There’s a slight floral hint and notes of chocolate. A sip is like standing under a refreshing waterfall of flavor! The finish is long and polished.
It is a low production wine with only 171 cases produced. The wine aged for 19 months in French Oak, but Seven Hills Petit Verdot is not overly tannic.
Seven Hills was founded in 1988. Founder and winemaker Casey McClellan is a fourth generation farmer who planted the Seven Hills vineyard with his father. It is one of the oldest and most respected wineries in the region.
The 2011 Petite Verdot is a wonderful bottle at a MSRP of $35. It packs a punch of awesomeness that’s worth at least twice that.
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Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5
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Thursday, May 1, 2014

Martin Codax 2011 Ergo Tempranillo, Rioja


Ergo Tempranillo was a great discovery during a recent dinner with friends at Stella’s in Perrysburg. Martin Codax, the Spanish winery that is known mostly for Albarino, produces Ergo. That prompted me to select the wine during this special meal.
The Ergo label, featuring a decidedly contemporary scrawl,  hints at its innards. The wine is a Tempranillo blend, but it is a modern expression of the grape.
I was surprised at the big feel of this wine. Since we had a mixture of seafood and steak (mine) for entrees, I was looking for a medium bodied wine that would work for everyone. Score!
The Ergo was a revelation: an elegant wine at a very reasonable price point. On the palate it offered fresh berries and a dash of spice. Smooth going down, it was the perfect compliment to the evening with friends.
The meal was bittersweet as we bid farewell to our friends Gary and Kelly, who have relocated to Portland. They will now have to suffer living in the center of one of the world’s greatest wine producing regions. Ergo wove the conversation together with warming fruit notes, lush textures and a clean finish.
At $14 or so, this is a nice value pick and pairs very well with a variety of dishes from fish to lighter meat dishes. An enjoyable sip.
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