April 23, 2009 GreatAmerica Tasting

Pat was the person on the spot this evening. We started with a 2006 Las Rocas Grenache from Spain. Flavors of black cherry, raspberry and a spicy pepper finish. For the majority of the group this was their first grenache. Wine 2 was a Casillero Del Diablo 2005 Merlot from Chile. Blackberry, chocolate and an earthy finish for this wine. Out of the blue a 2004 Duck Pond Pinot Noir showed up. Raspberry and strawberry at the start with a spicy dry finish.

1st Ave Wine House April 20th Tasting

The weather didn't want to cooperate but an excellent evening tasting wines from Owen Roe Vineyards in Oregon and having the winemaker David O'Reilly on hand talking with tasters and signing bottles. We started off the evening with a 2007 O'Reilly Pinot Gri. Station 1 allowed us to taste the 2007 O'Reilly Riesling from the Wallula Vineyard. Next a 2007 O'Reilly Pinot Noir with grapes from the Willamette Valley. Station 2 upstairs brought the 2007 Sharecroppers Pinot Noir and Cabernet. Both excellent wines and the Cabernet was a purchase this evening (very smooth). On to station 3 where we tasted Syrah. 2006 Sinister Hand Syrah was the first. Excellent blend. Next the 2006 Ex Umbris Syrah which was lighter in color and taste but very good. The 2007 Ex Umbris Syrah was full bodied and explosion of flavor. The last wine at station 3 was the 2007 Abbot's Table Blend. Rich red wine that surprised me. The final station yielded 2 Oregon Pinots the 2007 Kilmore Pinot Noir and the 2007 Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir. Excellent berry flavors with the Amity Hills being slightly more earthy. Next a 2007 Solomon Hills Pinot Noir from California. Classic california Pinot. Finally the 2006 Lady Rosa Cabernet Franc. So much flavor in this wine (huge berry taste and smell). Excellent Night Traci.

April 17 Great American Wine Taste

Joe was our designated "wino" this evening. We started off with a Deloach Private Collection 2006 Merlot. Smooth wine deep red color. Raspberry, black cherry oak and vanilla were the features of this wine. This was a selection from his wine club. Very good choice. The second wine was a 2005 Mestizaje Bobal. An excellent red blend with cherry, raspberry and strawberry. Touch of oak at the finish.

2006 Brassfield High Serenity Ranch Pinot Noir

Excellent wine on the advice of my friend Traci at the First Avenue Wine House in Cedar Rapids Iowa. This wine was a new arrival to the shop. Light bodied but a ton of flavor. Juicy cherry smell and taste, vanilla and a hint of spice. The winemaker notes say the spice is cinnamon. The winery is located in Clearlake Oaks California.

April 10 Great American Wine taste

Brooke was the lucky contributor this week as we had a limited crowd as the holiday loomed (just more for us darn the luck). The first wine was a Redcliffe 2006 Pinot Noir. Dark cherry/berry aroma with a red berry/cherry flavor. Medium bodied wine excellent choice. The second wine was a selection from Francis Ford Coppola 2006 Rosso. The wine is a blend of 48% Zin, 27% Syrah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep purple in color again medium bodied. The wine is an excellent balance of spice from the zin, black berry flavor from the syrah and red berry from the cabernet. Both excellent choices again this week. We have yet to duplicate selections.

2007 Zaca Mesa Chardonnay

Watching the National Championship Game just had to pour a glass of Chardonnay. Opened the 2007 Zaca Mesa from the Santa Ynez Valley. Ton of tropical flavor with mango, papaya and tangerine (being the dominant I felt). Definately a different chardonnay but this would be great a conversation wine on the patio with friends.

April 3 Great American Wine Taste

Thanks Amy for 2 excellent selections tonight. The 1st was a 2006 Mitolo Jester Shiraz. Very smooth almost like drinking milk chocolate. Deep purple in color a definate dark fruit flavor with hints of oak. The second selection was a 2007 Hey Mambo Bistro Style Wine "Sultry Red". A blend of several different grapes (Syrah, Barbera, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec and Alicante Bouchet). A full bodied wine with a dark cherry flavor and spice finish.