Archive for March, 2012

It has been a while since I was able to venture to London to sample some of the liquid goods soon to arrive at your local vintages store, but the wine gods were with me and I was able, and willing to sip a few of the wines slotted for release on the 31st of the month. Here is my take on a few of them.

302059 CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2010 Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Cave Spring Vineyard $17.95
Great typicity, exuding pleasing whiffs of almond cookie, lychee, a soothing layer of honey and some floral aromas. It carries the perfect amount of sweetness, gentle acidity and shows good length on the finish. Find this wine

256834 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES OLD VINES PINOT NOIR 2007 Niagara-on-the-Lake
This Pinot has some nice plumy and red fruit notes, a touch of mineral and dried herb, but the tannins are so overpowering, the fruit struggles to surface on the palate. Find this wine

250209 VINTAGE INK MARK OF PASSION MERLOT/CABERNET 2009 Niagara Peninsula $17.95
A blend of 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon showing good ripeness, nice brambly currant, cedar and wet soil aromas with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity on the palate. There are hints of chocolate and mocha on the finish. Find this wine

273482 CEDARCREEK PINOT NOIR 2008 Okanagan Valley $31.95
A perfumed, complex and enticing nose, showing cigar leaf, chocolate, pure dark fruit and layers of plum, black cherry and sweet spice. The texture is silky, it has a little bite, but the balance is spot on. Find this wine

272641 SODARO FELICITY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2006 Napa Valley $43.95
Rich and viscous, with notes of blood, blackcurrant, mocha, mineral and iron that lead to a palate of dark fruit, spice and a chewy texture. Find this wine

Read the rest of this entry »

I got a message recently from our good friend Christina Donley, Midwest Regional Sales Representative for Ridge Vineyards, telling me that she was in the neighborhood, wanted to check out Gomez at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit, and asking if I’d like to join her. I’ve been aware of this Brit band for some years, now, and while I would hardly claim to be a fan, I’ve always enjoyed everything I heard by them. Heck, they even played Rothbury in 2008, so between hearing some good music and hanging out with Christina, this was a win-win kind o’ deal! How could I say no?

You can often tell the quality of a band by how loudly the audience sings along with their songs, and the full house was in full throat on this occasion. Gomez was in fine form and a great time was had by all, and I’d go hear these guys anytime they come back in the area. Because she was flying back to the West Coast the following morning, Christina gave me two sample bottles that she’d been pouring for various accounts earlier in the day. I dutifully drove home and poured a glass of each in order to record the following impressions. Like I need an excuse to drink Mr. Ridge…
Read the rest of this entry »

Our friends at Signature Selections Wine Company in Auburn Hills, Michigan, took notice of our review of two wines from the Spanish producer Verasol a few weeks ago, and contacted us to inquire as to if we’d like to try some other things imported by José Pastor Selections, which they distribute in this area. We’ve never been known to turn down samples for review, especially from an operation such as Pastor’s, who’s mission (small batch wines made naturally, from sustainable, if not organic, vineyards and minimal use of oak) we very much admire, so we gratefully accepted their kind offer, and here’s what we discovered in those four bottles. Click images to enlarge.

German Gilabert Cava Brut Reserva NV, 11.5% alc., $14.99: This medium colored sparkler is a blend of 50% Macabeo, 30% Xarello and 20% Parellada farmed from organically grown vineyards in sand and limestone soils, with an average vine age of 30-35 years old located in Alto Penedez. Fine active bead, with more than ample mousse, it offers pungent green apple and mineral flavors and aromas; it’s fresh, expressive, bone dry and delightfully so. Medium-to-medium full bodied, with excellent acids and good length, this is a fine Cava, with very good QPR. This is a special project custom made for Jose Pastor, with no dosage. Find this wine

Read the rest of this entry »