winewaves

Ménage à Trois California Rosé 2004

Ménage à Trois Rosé 2004 is a new offering from Folie a Deux*, and is a blend of Merlot, Syrah and Gewurztraminer. Vinification was all stainless steel, and 24 hours of contact with the skins was allowed. The Gewurztraminer portion was cold-fermented separately.

Tasting Notes:  Color: Bright watermelon red/pink, transparent. Bright, light candied cherry and orange flavors are supported by hints of ginger spice. The mouthfeel is light and tart, with a sensation of sweetness front-palate. Red berry and lime/orange citrus flavors, plus that bit of exotic spiciness, resolve very nicely as the wine finishes just barely off-bone-dry. Closure: Real cork. Very nice value ($9) in a Rosé for the masses that isn't sweet. This Rose paired very well with a Grouper sandwich at Guppy's (see recent post for a picture).

*Folie a Deux was purchased by Trinchero Family Estates in 2004.

Waterstone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Jens Rosenkrantz, of Cincinnati Wine Warehouse, provided a bottle of Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 for tasting and enjoyment, after Winewaves' post "A Good Cab Was Hard To Find". Waterstone has not yet been spotted in the Nashville area.

The source was Napa Valley (a combination of sub-appellations), and the composition is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot , 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot.  Production: 4400+ cases.

Primary fermentation was in stainless, and the wine then underwent malolactic fermentation and 18 months aging in small French oak barrels (85% new). Tasting Notes:  Color: Warm deep crimson translucent. Rich black cherry, cassis, sweet pie spice and dusty earth aromas are very inviting. On the tongue, this Cab is medium-bodied, with moderate acidity, good structure and dusty tannins. Ripe dark fruit and plenty of cedary oak flavor, plus hints of sweet spice, lead to a firm dry lingering finish. Closure: Real cork. Very nice value ($24).

Thanks Jens. You were spot on with your recommendation of this Cab.

Update: Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Here is an update on Winewaves' recent post on Smoking Loon 2004. The 2004 blend was 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Syrah, sourced from Monterey (45%), Paso Robles (35%), and Lodi 20%).  The oak aging program was 12 months in 83% French and 17% American (Missouri). 175,000 cases were produced.

Soirée Oregon Pinot Noir 2003

Soirée Oregon Pinot Noir 2003 is 100% Oregon Pinot Noir.  Barrel aging was 8 months in 3/10 new French oak, 1/4 1-year-old French oak, and the remainder in neutral French oak.

This is a collaborative project between Low Country Imports of Raleigh, NC, and Rex Hill Vineyard's Winemaker Ryan Harms. Tasting Notes:  Bright cherry red transparent in the glass, the appearance telegraphs the upcoming performance. Fruit forward cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavors take the lead, with nutmeg and clove spices supporting. This is a light dancer on the tongue, fluid and polished, precise, with nothing to rub you the wrong way. The red fruit keeps going through the easy conclusion, which begs and encore.

Very nice value ($12). Production: 2000 cases.

Vince Neil Vineyards Sonoma Chardonnay 2003

Vince Vineyards "V" Chardonnay 2003 was the inaugural bottling of Vince Neil's (Motley Crue fame) side project in the wine business. Vince is acting as part celebrity marketer, part wine negociant, in bringing out this Chardonnay. Vince definitely enjoys good wine, and worked with Adler Fels* Winery to produce his own label.

There was also a Cabernet, which sold out in Nashville. New releases and a website are expected to be introduced soon.

Vince was in attendance along with MÖTLEY CRÜE band members Tommy Lee, Mick Mars and Nikki Sixx, as the they received the 2,301st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last Wednesday (January 25th).  The ceremony was timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the band's founding.  Their star is apparently across the street from the Erotica Museum and Frederick‘s of Hollywood, a fitting location.  (see Photos by Wire Image)

Tasting Notes. The light golden straw color is an indication of the style of Chardonnay. Rich, buttery, spicy and lightly smoky nectarine, peach, apple and candied lemon aromas make a statement. On the tongue, "V" is medium-bodied, creamy and round, with good acidity and nutty oaky structure. Elegant tree fruit flavors, somewhat buttery and pie-spiced, balanced with tartness, lead to a smooth finish which reverberates oak and fruit. Closure: Artificial composite cork. Nice value ($17) in a rich style Chardonnay. Surprise, you're not being overcharged for the celebrity label.

*Adler Fels Winery, located in Santa Rosa, also brings Yellow Bird California wines ($6-7), Leaping Lizard Napa wines ($10), Big Ass Cab ($15) and Big Ass Zin ($15) to market. Adler Fels is also a producer of several other private label wines produced from purchased grapes. The winery was purchased in late 2004 by Adams Wine Group. Harry Parducci stayed on board as Winemaker.

Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Like Pepperwood Grove, Smoking Loon is a value-oriented label produced by Don Sebastiani & Sons*.  Smoking Loon 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon recently arrived.

The 2003 vintage was a blend of 85% Cab and 15% Syrah, all sourced from Monterey. Tasting Notes:  Color: Warm deep crimson, semi-opaque. The blackberry, cassis, roasted vegetable and toasted oak aromas lead to a medium-bodied, very slightly underripe tart Cab on the tongue, showing rustic dry tannins. The structure is still a bit out in front of the dark fruit and black olive flavors, but that's okay. Here is a good food wine, that would match well with savory dishes, such as Hearty Beef Stew. Closure: Artificial composite "Neocork". Very nice value ($8.50).

Update: New information about the 2004 vintage, posted January 30th, 2006.

*See Winewaves recent Pepperwood Grove Viognier post.

El Coto Rioja Rose 2004

El Coto Rose 2004 is a blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha (approximately 50/50), from Rioja* Alavesa. Vinification was an all-stainless-steel affair. The skins were in contact with the juice for 2 days. Tasting Notes. Color: Bright warm pink, transparent. Aromas: Strawberry, framboise, grapefruit, light flowers, and oregano/herbal notes. On the tongue, this rosado is light, dry and a bit peppery. Citrusy grapefruit and orange rind combine with light red berry flavors and hints of herbaceousness, as the wine finishes crisp and refreshing. Closure: Real cork. Very nice value ($8-9). Food pairing: By itself, or with light dishes such as chicken salad, chicken noodle soup, or fish soup.

*See recent Winewaves post on Marques de Caceres Rioja Rose 2004.

Hogue Columbia Valley Merlot 2003

Hogue* Columbia Valley Merlot 2003 is a blend of 82% Merlot (Wahluke Slope 42%, Horse Heaven Hills 27%, Yakima Valley 30%), 9% Syrah, 7% Lemberger, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

The different lots were aged separately for up to 10 months in oak. Co Dinn, a Louisiana/Texas native, with a background in Oil & Gas prior to enology, is Winemaker. Tasting Notes:  Color: Deep warm ruby, semi-opaque. Aromas: Dark cherry and spicy oak, plus hints of roasted cocoa beans. On the tongue, the wine is medium-bodied, with nice tartness, and moderately firm dusty tannins. As you taste, cherry and plum flavors dominate, with nuances of baking spice, pepper and herbs, and a firm finish. Closure: Screw cap. Excellent value ($9). A surprisingly sophisticated and firm Merlot.

*Hogue Cellars was purchased by Vincor International, Toronto, Canada, in 2001. Current total output at Hogue is about 570,000 cases. Constellation Brands attempted to buy Vincorp in December, 2005, but failed to win shareholder approval. Vincor also owns a number of brands including R.H. Phillips, Kim Crawford, Inniskillin, Jackson-Triggs and Goundrey Offspring.

Peirano Vineyards The Other Red 2004

Peirano's The Other Red 2004, a blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi, has recently been released. The "seductive" label and reasonable price are factors in its popularity. The lots are separately vinified and oak aged prior to blending. Tasting Notes. Color: Deep purple eggplant, semi-opaque. There are aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, and hints of smoke, roasted/coffee notes and gravel. One the tongue, The Other is medium bodied, with a slightly sweet sensation on the front, mild acidity, and light easy tannins. Very accessible dark berry fruit flavors combine with restrained oak, spice and vanilla influences. The finish isn't complicated, but is fruity and warm. Closure: Real cork. Nice value in a blended red that is, in fact, seductive at its price ($12).

Kanu Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2004

Cape Classics* imports a number of South African Cape wines, including Kanu Chenin Blanc 2004. Kanu** wines are grown and produced on the Goedgeloof*** Farm, in Stellenbosch, which is East of Cape Town. The vines average 26 years old, bush trained, and produce only about 2.5 tons/acre.

The composition is 97% Chenin Blanc, 3% Chardonnay.  During vinification, oxygen is kept out of the headspace, and fermentation is cold, in stainless steel. Richard Kershaw is Winemaker. Tasting Notes:  Color: Light lemon straw, with a slight greenish tint. Aromas of lemon, cold blossoms, apricots and wet slate are a nice prelude to the minerally, mildly tart and just barely sweet sensation on the tongue. Apricot, tangy lemon and mineral flavors lead to a clean dry finish. Closure: Real cork. Nice value ($11).

*President Andre Shearer and his brother Gary first began exporting Cape wines from South Africa in 1990.  Later, Andre moved to New York and began the USA importing Company.

**Legend has it that the Kanu is a mythical bird of promise, and that all who fall under its shadow as it flies will be blessed with an abundant harvest.

***Pronounced "hoot-ha-loofe", which translates to "good life".