Ridge California Geyserville, 2008

Date Tasted: 5/17/12

Price: Suggested Retail is $35.00 (Purchased for $26.00)

From The Winery: 14.8% alcohol, 72% Zinfandel/20% Carignane/6% Petite Sirah/2% Mataro. Ridge has made the Geyserville as a single-site zinfandel in every year since 1966. Vineyard Location is the western edge of the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County.

Impressions/Notes: Medium purple/ruby in color. On the nose, layers of sweet spice, rich blackberry and blueberry, eucalyptus, and black cherry and licorice. Medium-bodied and incredibly smooth in the mouth, with black cherry and moderate oak presenting before the long finish. Remarkably balanced, with sufficient acid and tannin to handle the high alcohol content, which was pushing 15%, with no feeling of heat in the throat. A pleasant, lingering aftertaste tided me over from sip to sip. As close to a stellar wine as any I’ve reviewed so far this year and another example of the amazing values that can be found with California Zinfandel.

Rating: Highly Recommended

 

Gruet Grande Reserve, 2003

Date Tasted: 4/28/12

Price: Suggested retail is $43.00

From The Winery: 600 cases produced.

Impressions/Notes: The current release of Gruet’s flagship sparkling wine. Complex and attention-grabbing, with pronounced layers of fresh baked bread, vanilla and hazelnut, and rich melon. Crisp but sensual and a strong value at $43.00.

Rating: Highly Recommended

 

Gruet Grand Rose, 2007

Date Tasted: 4/28/12

Price: Suggested retail is $33.00

From The Winery: 90% Chardonnay/10% Pinot Noir, 280 cases produced

Impressions/Notes: Apparently I have at least one thing in common with Oprah–we are both fans of this sparkling wine. On the nose, presented with a dominant aroma of strawberry creme, with a bit of roasted almond in the background. In the mouth, the pinot noir continued to exert it’s influence, adding an interesting smokiness. The Grande Reserve was certainly of higher quality, but this was my favorite Gruet wine. It reminded me a lot of New Mexico, the state from which it hails–beautiful with a rustic edge.

Rating: Highly Recommended

 

Handley Cellars Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, 2007

Date Tasted: 5/4/12

Price: Suggested retail is $29.00

From The Winery: 14.2% alcohol, 100% Pinot Noir

Impressions/Notes: Deep ruby in color. Enticing aromas of raspberry, pine, cinnamon, and tar danced around on the nose. In the mouth, approaching medium-bodied with solid acidity and generous oak shining through amongst the cherry vanilla cola flavors. A really solid pinot and nicely priced.

Rating: Recommended

 

Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, 2009

Date Tasted: 5/15/12

Price: Suggested retail is $22.00 (Purchased for $17.00)

From The Winery: 13.9% alcohol, 92% Cabernet Sauvignon/4% Cabernet Franc/2% Merlot/1% Malbec/1% Petit Verdot

Impressions/Notes: Featuring all five Bordeaux grapes, this cab oozed Asian spice and black cherry right from the get-go. Upper medium-bodied and graceful in the mouth, with flavors of cherry, vanilla, soy sauce, and noticeable bitter tannins that dissipated within thirty minutes after opening.

Rating: Recommended

 

La Crema Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, 2009

Date Tasted: 4/21/12

Price: Suggested retail is $22.00 (Purchased for $17.00)

From The Winery: 13.8% alcohol

Impressions/Notes: Golden in color, with lovely aromas of creme brûlée and ripe grapefruit. Oak certainly makes an appearance but still allows for the fruit to shine through. A solid wine and a nice value at around $20.00.

Rating: Recommended

 

Markham Merlot, Napa Valley, 2009

Date Tasted: 5/5/12

Price: Suggested retail is $23.00 (Purchased for $16.00)

From The Winery: 14.2% alcohol, 93% Merlot/3% Cabernet Franc/3% Petite Sirah/1% Cabernet Sauvignon

Impressions/Notes: A wine of dignity, with ripe plum, maple fudge, clove and caramel macchiato intermingling on the nose and palate. For those adamant of avoiding overly ripe, overly oaken wines, you’re safe with this one!

Rating: Recommended