2009 Passaggio New Generation Unoaked Chardonnay

You have to love the motto of owner and winemaker Cindy Cosco when it comes to her Passaggio Wines: "Drink all you want, I can make more". Keeping true to her Italian roots, Cindy is continuing the family Italian winemaking tradition by producing award winning wines. The 2009 Passaggio New Generation Unoaked Chardonnay will impress you.

I love the aroma's this wine produces and each sniff encounters a different combination. First the nose picked up the pear/lemon-lime aroma followed by the tropical fruit and pineapple. Second sniff was opposite with the pineapple/lemon-lime finishing with the pear/tropical fruit. The concentration of fruit and crispness on the nose told me this was going to be one tasty wine.

I told Cindy my first reaction was WOW. So much fruit in the front of this wine starting with the ripe melon. Middle of the wine produces the lemon which carries through to the finish and beyond. Right before the finish is the hint of red grapefruit and the minerality combines nicely at the very end. Each flavor flows perfectly in every glass. Never wanted this bottle to empty. Just means I must order more!

Cindy has a great talent for making amazing wine. I cannot thank her enough for introducing me to her Chardonnay but more important I have gained a friend in her. I will continue to keep her wine on hand in my cellar. Incidently as we were talking about wine regions on my visit, she informed me at no time has she ever tasted an Iowa wine. Well this week Cindy will be receiving a bottle of Cedar Ridge Vineyards Geisenheim grown and produced here locally.

Cheers my friend.
Dan

Stepping Stone Wines by Cornerstone Cellars TasteLive

What an awesome opportunity in conjunction with WBC 10 to taste excellent wine with attendees and other fellow bloggers around the country.While it was a late night honestly the wine was well worth the wait. Tonight we will enjoy 5 wines from Stepping Stone: 09 Sauvignon Blanc, 09 Corallina, 08 Syrah, 08 Cabernet Franc, 08 Cabernet Sauvignon. Stepping Stone is a sister label to Cornerstone, "conceived from the beginning to be wines that weave elegance, complexity and a more forward character into wines you don't have to wait to enjoy".

First wine of the night was the 09 Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh melon and tropical fruit aroma. Crisp and the smell of citrus. In the mouth what a nice melon fresh fruit flavor. Juicy lemon on the finish that lasts long. Flavors are well balanced refreshing. Excellent wine to start the night off.

Second wine of the evening was the 09 Corallina Rose. Strawberry and rose pedal on the nose with a hint of spice. All I can say is wow. Strawberry at the beginning, cranberry in the middle and the finish is a cinnamon spice with heat. Nice long finish and a flavor packed wine. I'm a big fan of the Corallina.

Wine three was the 08 Syrah. Nice deep color with the aroma of dark berry and an earthy spice. Getting a little pepper on the nose as well. Can you say keeper and from tonights comments the winner and a steal at $20. Dark cherry, dark berry, pepper spice and a long finish. A hint of plum in the middle. Flavors flow perfectly start to finish. Grapes are from Carneros one of my favorite places in Nappa Valley/Sonoma. I had a friend who is a big fan of Syrah also taste and the big thumbs up from him as well.

Wine four was the 08 Cabernet Franc. A wine which I have the least exposure, I really enjoyed the wine this evening. Raspberry and cherry are the first aromas followed by a blackberry/blueberry combination. My curiosity grows as I taste this wine. Cherry, raspberry, blueberry, a hint of blackberry and a nice finish of spice. Why the hell haven't I been drinking this wine before.

Final wine of the evening was the 08 Cabernet Sauvignon. Definate dark berry and spice aroma and to me a classic cabernet. Black raspberry, dark cherry and spice/oak. Finish was silky with a little bite. Very good cabernet and one where I would like to hold onto a bottle for a couple years and compare the taste. I think it will get even better over time. One of my "wine group" buddies also was impressed with this wine and loved the flavor. There will be a purchase from the folks in Iowa shortly.

Five tremendous wines this evening and a must in your cellar. Craig thank you very much for the opportunity to taste and enjoy Stepping Stone Wines from Cornerstone Cellars. You have 4 new fans here in Iowa and I'm sure more to come across the country. Thanks to TasteLive for allowing us to participate as well. I had the opportunity to hook up with some great bloggers during this event.

Cheers
Dan

2008 Ceja Vineyards Bella Flor Rose Sonoma Coast

One of my favorite stops recently on our trip to Napa, friends bragged that Ceja Vineyards produced a knockout Rose which sells quickly. Having the opportunity to taste this wonderful Rose wine with owner Amelia Ceja, it took approximately 2 seconds to determine the wine would be purchased and headed back to Iowa.


Love the aroma on this wine. First a hint of fresh strawberries followed by juicy cherry. Next fresh cut roses so elegant. I caught myself continuing to swirl and smell without tasting.


Wonderful fruit and so many refreshing flavors. Cherry started the wine off nicely followed by a hint of what I identified as cranberry. Nice combination and so crisp. In the middle the strawberry appears and lasts through the finish with a hint of red berry. I enjoyed this wine alone and also with some turkey taco's, cilantro, lime juice and a touch of salsa. Loved how it complimented the food and highlighted the cilantro.


Another excellent wine from the folks at Ceja Vineyards. Check out your favorite wine shop for Ceja wine. Join their wine club or order directly from the winery website. Don't miss an opportunity to enjoy these wonderful wines from Amelia and the fine folks at Ceja Vineyards in Carneros.

Cheers
Dan

Three Sticks Wines TasteLive Event June 17

Imagine my excitement having the opportunity for the first time to participate in a tastelive event featuring Three Sticks Wines in Sonoma California. Once chosen, I visited the Three Sticks website to learn more about the winery, winemakers and the wines produced. What an awesome chance to taste wines produced by Head Winemaker Don Van Staaveren who for over 30 years has been creating award winning wine. His 1996 Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages named Wine Spectators No 1 Wine in the World 1999. I'll admit goosebumps. Tracey Bledsoe Assistant Winemaker has 8 years experience recently with Artesa Winery producing world class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Kudos as well to Vineyard Manager Steve Hill and Durell Vineyards Owner and Founder of Three Sticks Bill Price. Picture a kid opening up a christmas present thrilled to death and that would have been me when the wines arrived for the event.

Participating with my fellow tasters from across the country and even my wine friend Grace in DesMoines Cellarmistress, the excitement built as we all logged on. Winemakers and winery staff were online to particpate in the tasting offering advice on the wines as well as answering question about the winery and the wines produced. How cool is that!

First up the 2006 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Durell Vineyards. I decided to taste this wine with a hand tossed sausage pizza on the advice of Don. The aroma of this wine was an excellent ripe cherry and and perfect balance of spice. Wonderful color. I could smell this wine all day. My comments along with other tasters were a big thumbs up on this first offering. I love the juicy cherry/spice combination and the finish is long but silky smooth. Amazing fruit flavor on the front of the wine. Perfect Pinot Noir!

Second wine of the evening was the 2007 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Durell Vineyards. Different than the 06 this Pinot on the nose exhibited dark fruit. First aroma was the dark cherry followed closely by the black raspberry. Wonderful spice finished off the wine. My first taste as I anticipated with the aromas was a more full bodied Pinot Noir. Definate rich flavor from the dark cherry, black raspberry and spice but when I reached the finish is was so smooth just like the 06. I commented about buying a bottle of the 07 and drinking it one year from now to see how the wine may change which I love to compare. Both wines the flavors marry together and a seamless transition flavor to flavor. At this point I am blown away at the quality of these wines. We were enjoying the Pinot's so much we lost track of time and up next the Cabernet.

Last wine of the evening was the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley. I opened this wine well before the tasting to allow it to breathe. Excellent nose on this wine as well. Huge red berry aroma with raspberry coming to the front. Spice and a hint of earth rounded out my aromas. The flavor combination on this wine is perfect. I believe my comment "This is liquid heaven" describes this wine. The black cherry/chocolate combination (and I also had a piece of chocolate with my wine) along with a hint of oak was harmony in the mouth. Unlike many Cabernets I have tasted, the finish was so soft for a wine with huge fruit at the front. 

I asked a couple of my friends to taste the 07 Pinot and the 05 Cabernet to see what they thought of the wine without any of my comments( call me selfish but the 06 I drank all by myself). As anticipated they had the same thoughts with respect to aromas and flavors as I tasted and smelled. Once I told them these were the wines I tasted for the event all suggested Three Sticks Wines were excellent choices to drink. Couldn't agree more with their thoughts except amazing would be my description.

Thank you TasteLive and Three Sticks Wines for allowing me an opportunity to be introduced to wonderful wines. Bill, Don, Tracey and Steve along with all the staff at Three Sticks thank you for producing some of the best wine I have ever tasted. I loved being able to bounce questions off you all during the event and just tell you how much I enjoyed the wines. You have a new fan here in Iowa.

Cheers
Dan "The Iowa Wino"

Eric Ross Winery Visit Sonoma County

 

Eric Luse winemaker and owner of Eric Ross Winery is lets say a character (and a fellow Iowan). I knew when planning my trip missing this stop would mean a lost chance at tasting some excellent wine (that and about 100 of my favorite california wine friends bragging him up). My friend Grace Cellarmistress bragged about Eric's wines so they must be top shelf.

Walking into the tasting room there is that face behind the bar. I was meeting the real Eric and he was meeting the real Dan for the first time. We chatted for a few minutes traded some jabs and then it was time to taste some wine. Eric even encouraged me to spit/dump as he tastes with his wines all day long. Spitting is for wimps but then I remembered how day 1 concluded, worn out so dumping it will be.

I had the opportunity to taste each of Erics wines from the Albarino, Struttin White and Red, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Syrah and Port. What I found in each was an excellent display of fruit flavor/aroma all in perfect balance and each finish begging you to drink more. Eric offered up the fact fruit makes all the difference and he is particular about the fruit for each of his wines. I'll add his passion for producing quality wine is a big factor in the final product. While I purchased 2 Pinots both bottles Eric signed for me, I can't brag enough about the quality of the wine he creates.

Eric thank you so much for the memorable visit my friend. The conversation and wine were both awesome. I would like to see more of your wines for sale here. Wine lovers are missing alot if they are not drinking Eric Ross Wine. Maybe one of our wine shops in Cedar Rapids could host the winemaker at a tasting. You and I will share a couple bottles and a story or 2 if you make it back this way.

Cheers
Dan