Nine wines were presented during the Holdredge wine tasting.  These wines were made using the following varietals or grapes:  Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel, late-harvest Pinot Gris, and late-harvest Gewürztraminer.

Pinot Noir is John’s specialty, and his wine making technique focuses on showing off the features of the terroir in which the grapes are grown.  He uses an all-natural wine making process, one that is directed by his nose, palate and heart.  John produces truly fine Pinot Noir, and two of his new wine releases are included in my top 5 California Pinot Noir wines for 2007.

Wine Reviews and Wine Tasting Notes:  My Top 2 Holdredge Wines

Now, let’s talk about the Holdredge Wines, particularly the wines presented at the tasting.  The following are the two wines that I liked best among the newly released Holdredge wines:

2007 Bucher Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River)

This wine has the aromas of raspberry, rose petals, strawberry, hazelnuts, and some spices.  It has medium plus body.  It is heavier/bigger than the Wren Hop (see below), but it still has great structure, body and complexity.  This is one great wine.

2007 Wren Hop Vineyard Pinot Noir (Russian River)

This is the wine I liked best among the nine wines presented at the Holdredge wine tasting.  The 2007 Wren Hop Pinot Noir is such a delicate yet complex wine – almost Burgundian.  It has the aromas of cherry “griotte,” raspberry, strawberry, and maybe even pomegranate.  It is medium-bodied and elegant, and it has delicate structure with almost silky tannins and a lingering velvety finish.  This wine is truly very enjoyable even at such a young age; it should age well.

That’s all for this wine tasting.  I know my wine reviews and wine tasting notes are rather brief, but I hope they’ll still help you make wine buying decisions.  Cheers!

The Dierberg & Star Lane Vineyards organized this blind wine tasting.  Five well-known Californian Cabernets were featured.  Naturally, this tasting was held to promote Dierberg & Star Lane wines and to show that their wines can compete against the wines of some of California’s most “reputable” wineries or winemakers.  Around 20 sommeliers and wine industry professionals attended the event.

At the end of the blind wine tasting, the Star Lane Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 got the no. 2 spot although, on a price-quality scale, this cabernet sauvignon outperformed the rest and ranked first; at a third of the price of the other wines featured at the tasting, the Star Lane Cabernet Sauvignon definitely makes for a great buy.  The first place went to the Hourglass Cabernet 2004.  The Caymus 2003, the 100 Acres 2004 and the Opus One 2003 ranked 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th, respectively.

Personal note on blind tasting: When blind tastings are performed for the purpose of comparing wines of the same varietal and region, I like to see a more horizontal selection.  In my opinion, all of the wines featured at this blind wine tasting should have been of the same year as Star Lane’s Cabernet Sauvignon (2005).

That’s all for this wine tasting!  Cheers!

Gator Meat in a Wine Tasting; No Kidding!

One of Vin Sauvage’s sales representatives asked me if there was anything I found really intriguing in the tasting. Well, I had to be honest. The wines were really great – no surprise there – but it was the alligator meat that truly stood out.

As soon as I arrived for the wine tasting, I was served alligator meat. They did warn me that it was gator meat, but I did not take the warning seriously. I thought it was just a joke, you know? As I munched on, however, I realized that it was no chicken I was eating.

I don’t think I have ever had gator meat before this event. In truth, gator meat was not so different from chicken meat, but it was fattier and seemed almost like a hybrid of chicken and fish.

Now back to the really important stuff – wines.

Wine Reviews and Wine Tasting Notes

There were a lot of fine wines featured at this tasting, so I couldn’t possibly write wine reviews on all of them. As I usually do, I will discuss only a few of the wines I really liked. This time, moreover, I’ve decided to organize my favorite wines’ list by country of origin.

Wines from Italy

Italy was represented by no less than 16 different properties.

Fortediga Sodamagri

Wine tasting notes: Carlo Lavuri came all the way from Tuscany to present Fortediga wines, made by no other than Carlo Antonini’s son, Alberto. Fortediga Sodamagri, a 2005 Syrah from Maremma, Tuscany was the highlight of the Fortediga selection. Even though this wine is still young, it shows great structure, hence, great potential.

Selvapiana Vin Santo

Wine tasting notes: This dessert wine was a true delight. This wine, a 1999 blend of Trebbiano/Malvasia of Chianti Rufina, Tuscany, has golden amber tones and the aromas of dried apricot, roasted almonds, honey, and caramel. The Vin Santo is incredibly rich and complex but well-balanced with a lingering finish. It is very well-priced, too, considering the amount of work that goes into making this wine.

Wine from France

France was represented by an American. Yes, that’s right! His name is Bob, and his wine is called Vin de Bob, which obviously means Bob’s wine. Bob is a banker-turned-winemaker. This just proves that anything is truly possible these days. Bob makes a solid wine from Bergerac (Cabernet Franc), but only time will tell how Bob’s conversion to winemaker works out.

Wine from the US

2006 Cote de Crows

Wine tasting notes: Among the wines from the US, Morgan’s 2006 Cote de Crows caught my interest. This Syrah has a beautiful nose and is well-balanced. In the quality-to-price category, 2006 Cote de Crows is a great deal for all.

That’s all for this wine tasting. Cheers!

Wine Reviews and Wine Tasting Notes

More than 80 wine labels were featured in this wine tasting. Unfortunately, I can’t provide wine reviews on all of them. I won’t even try as there is no way I could do so objectively. I will, however, talk about five wines that left me with a lasting impression. In alphabetical order, they are:

Chateau Boswell’s Jacquelynn

I asked Joshua Peeples, owner of the Chateau Boswell Winery, “If we were to feature only one wine, which one should it be?” Without a moment’s pause, he replied, “Jacquelynn!” Half-kidding, I asked again, “Is Jacquelynn the name of your wife?” to which Josh replied, “YES.” A few seconds of silence passed as knowing understanding dawned: love is truly beautiful…

Jacquelynn, a Bordeaux-style white wine made from 50% Semillon and 50% Sauvignon Blanc, is Josh’s first personal label (half Jackie’s, if you know what I mean). I can understand his pride in it. In Jacquelynn, Josh managed to successfully blend the love he has for his wife with the other great love of his life, wine.

Derbès Wines’ Les Pinots

Cecile Lemerle-Derbès, master winemaker for Derbès Wines, makes a very interesting Pinot called Les Pinots (50% Pinot Noir, 50% Pinot Meunier).

Wine tasting notes: This wine has a beautiful bouquet that is both delicate and solid at the same time. Inoculated with Burgundy yeasts, this wine is aged in barrels for 17 months. Like Burgundy’s best, Les Pinots shows finesse. It has the aromas of strawberries, raspberries, fresh tobacco, and roasted coffee. This wine also has a definite touch of oak to it. This is definitely a great and unique wine. What’s more, it’s priced reasonably.

Detert Family Vineyards’ 2005 Cabernet Franc

Wine tasting notes: The 2005 Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Franc, with a 5% blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, has great potential. This wine is still young, but it is undoubtedly rich and intense. It has the aromas of black cherry, green pepper, sage, and black currant. This wine leaves a baked chocolate taste on the palate.

Stanton Vineyards’ Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Wine tasting notes: Doug Stanton’s 2005 Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which has a touch (7%) of Petite Syrah, is a delightful and well-rounded wine. The Petite Syrah gives this wine a nice, rather smooth finish. This is definitely one of my favorite cabernets at this wine tasting.

Tin Barn Vineyards’ 2004 Zinfandel

In the price-quality ratio category, Tin Barn’s 2004 Russian River Valley Zinfandel is this wine tasting’s champion. I am not a Zinfandel fanatic, as you probably already know, but I have also never turned down a good wine.

Wine tasting notes: Tin Barn’s 2004 Zinfandel is sourced from the Gilsson Vineyard. It presents the aromas of raspberry and cherry as well as the American oak-derived aromas of vanilla pod, new leather and toast. Well-balanced and very well-priced, indeed! The only thing I do not like about this Zinfandel is the label, but that can be easily remedied.

That’s all for this wine tasting. Cheers!