2007 Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County

My next entry was a sample received the 2007 Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel from Ravenswood. A nice wine I paired with roast, vegies and a hearty gravy. Aged 18 months in French Oak the wine can be opened now or in 5 to 7 years.

Once in the glass the oak really game to the front and bold. Time in the glass opened the wine up with the black cherry and spice combination. Now comes the blackberry and a slight hint of vanilla. Outstanding berry aroma.

Surprised how juicy this wine is. The blackberry and black cherry start at the beginning and are present all through the long finish. Little oak, slight vanilla, spice but the ripe fruit is the star. Overall a very good wine, nicely balanced, concentrated ripe fruit. One I think you should drink if you're thinking Zinfandel tonight.

Cheers
Dan

2008 Salvatore Principe Malbec Cafayate Valley Argentina

Another bottle break away from my norm was a wonderful Malbec from Argentina. Having tasted this varietal on a few occassions, I found that they are either hit or miss with my palate. The Salvatore was a wonderful wine.

Once in the glass the aroma of ripe plum followed by a wonderful spice really sets the wine up nicely. A hint of chocolate as I continue to swirl.

Nice silky wine. The juicy plum really starts you taste off. In the middle the spice really warms you and the finish is a wonderful juicy raspberry. I am excited to taste other Malbecs if they are as good as this one.

Cheers
Dan

2007 Cardinal Zinfandel Beastly Old Vines

Zinfandel was a wine I knew very little about and frankly I tasted rarely if ever. Some followers of the blog said Zins are great wines, full of flavor and enjoyable. Just happened that I was headed tailgating and picked up a Zin to go with the BBQ. Great pairing so it was definately time to try more of this great wine. I received the Cardinal Zinfandel 2007 as a sample and wow what a wine.

The first aroma once in the glass is an awesome spice. I really think it actually warmed my nose! Next the blackberry, plum, red berry round out my swirl smell swirl smell. Nice color on this wine as well.

Ok I now know why Zinfandel lovers get excited. The juicy plum begins your tasting pleasure. The spice appears in the middle of the wine and warms you. The blackberry follows up the spice and the finish is long and juicy with the plum/blackberry combination. Seriously good wine and one I will continue drinking. A big thank you to the folks at Cardinal Zin Cellars for a wonderful opportunity to taste their wine.

Cheers
Dan

2008 Spanish Tempranillo and 2007 Cabernet from Chile

Yes you read correctly I have gone outside the box and tasted wine from Spain and Chile. A good friend nicely pointed out that I tend to migrate to the American wines and particularly the regions of California, Oregon with a splash of Washington. It's time to branch out and find some gem's from other parts of the world.

The first wine I tasted was the 2008 Senda 66 Tempranillo from Spain. The aroma of plum, red berry, spice, a hint of leather and mocha. Excited to taste this one.

Nice intense flavor. The plum comes right to the front at first followed by the red berry flavors (cherry and strawberry). Mix in the spice and what a great wine. The finish is juicy and long with the cherry/strawberry combination.

Next up a wine brought over to the house from Chile the 2007 Los Vascos Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Really nice wine here as well. The aroma of the red cherries and raspberry combined with a smokey tobacco started the senses off. A hint of pepper as well.

Luscious flavor on this wine. The cherry/raspberry combination along with the pepper and clove spice really made this a nice wine. The smokey tobacco in the aroma vacated the glass the longer the wine was open. So far 2 for 2.

The final wine another brought over was the 2007 Ecos De Rulo Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile. The aroma of the spice on this one to me overpowered the fruit with black pepper, currant and cloves. Some plum and redberry evident towards the end.

Definate full bodied cabernet but again didn't really excite me. The spice in the aroma carried over to the taste with the pepper and currant overpowering the red raspberry and plum. Nothing wrong with the wine but just not one I enjoyed.

Overall a very good experience with these wines offered from the regions of Spain and Chile.

Cheers
Dan

2008 Toad Hollow Pinot Noir Goldies Vines

I can always count on recommendations from my wine friends when it comes to great wine. Toad Hollow wine at a price tag of $12.99( 1st Avenue Wine House) was in my opinion an absolute steal! Before you drink the wine though you need to understand "The Legend Of Toad Hollow"

The story of Dr Toad and The Dancing Badger who retired to the hollow is hilarious with or without a glass of wine. As you read the story you can really picture these 2 fine gentlemen and their friendship. Now before you proceed any further I am requiring you to click on the link Legend Of Toad Hollow but first a glass of wine. I would agree Toad Hollow creates some seriously great wine.

In the glass the aroma of black cherry and spice really treats the nose. Earthy leather, some red berry...... we have a good one here!

Talk about some great fruit used to create this wine. Black cherry very dominate at the beginning of the taste. In the middle the spice warms your mouth. The finish showcases the raspberry and the black cherry with a long juicy finish. Outstanding wine Toad Hollow!

If your planning a visit to the California Wine Country then Toad Hollow is a must stop. The tasting room located at 409A Headlsburg Ave in downtown Healdsburg, is open everyday from 10:30 to 5:30. Treat yourself to great wine.

Cheers
Dan

Three Sticks Tastelive Panel Tasting 08 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay 06 Cabernet Sauvignon

What an absolute honor to be chosen as a panel member for the release of Three Sticks Vineyards 08 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay and the 06 Cabernet Sauvignon. Luscious fruit, complex flavors this wine will spoil you with each taste. Sharing the stage with the likes of twitter friends DrinkwhatULike, HoustonWino, SwirlGirls, Cellarmistress, WineWonkette, MyVineSpot, CailynQ, and Three Sticks owner Bill Price was truly an experience I will never forget. Highly recommend all wines from Three Sticks!

We started this evening with the 2008 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay. First I found the aroma of butterscotch followed closely by pear. Others were just the opposite. As the wine warmed I really saw the pear aroma come to the forefront. Lemon zest/citrus along with the tropical fruit/melon.

I paired this wine with an iceberg lettuce salad and Cesar dressing and how wonderful. The flavors of apple, melon, peach along with a creamy vanilla flowed perfectly. A wonderful lemon zest finishes the wine which lingers long. A wine which truly spoils the Chardonnay lover.

The second wine of the evening the 06 Cabernet Sauvignon I paired with an Amana Beef Fillet grilled of course. Another spectacular pairing but then great cabernet and beef are a marriage.

The aromas of black cherry and blackberry explode once in the glass. Excellent nose on this wine. In the middle juicy plum. Another wine I could smell all night.

Wow was my first reaction. Boysenberry and plum with spice was so very good. Very smooth, juicy and as I commented drinks like a wine well above $100. The flavors flow nicely together and neither overpowers the other. A blend of 82% Cabernet, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec this lush wine spoiled me.

I know your excited to try your own bottle. Please visit their website Three Sticks Wine and sign up for their allocation list or to learn more about their wines. A big thank you to Owner Bill Price, Head Winemaker Don VanStaaveren, Assistant Winemaker Tracey Bledsoe, COO Prema Behan and all the fine folks at Three Sticks. Superb wine, great people. You spoil me with each bottle I enjoy.

Cheers
Dan