2007 Edward Sellers Syrah Selectionnee Paso Robles

My latest post comes courtesy of "the wine fairy" who so nicely dropped this wonderful Paso Robles Syrah (only 598 cases produced) sample at my door step. It's my first post from the Edward Sellers Vineyards and excited to learn more about their wines.

Edward Sellers Vineyards was established in 2003 in the booming farm community of Paso Robles by Ed and his wife Dani. Ed even described the area as "Napa 30 years ago!" The area they chose "The Templeton Gap Corridor" is perfect for growing their favorite rhone varietals syrah, grenache, mourvedre, roussanne, marsanne and grenache blanc. The soil is rocky where temps can reach 90 but cools nicely by the winds from the Santa Lucia Coastal Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean. On each bottle of their award winning wines you will find a 32 point compass rose usually found on old world maps chosen specifically by Ed.

When I first poured the wine in the glass just amazed the first aroma was the pronounced smoke. Next the black raspberry with hints of black cherry and oak.

I paired the wine with my family favorite pulled bbq pork sandwiches and homemade slaw. The spice, oak and smoke were perfect with the bbq sauce and meat. Full bodied wine with the star of the taste the dark fruit. The dark fruit gives me flavors of blackberry and black raspberry. The spice and earthiness compliment the fruit perfectly. Hints of dark cherry and oak round out my tasting pleasure. A wonderful bottle of wine and one of the great Syrah's I have tasted. I look forward to enjoying more selections from the Edward Sellers Vineyards portfolio of wines.

Cheers
Dan

2007 Bone Dance Merlot Napa Valley JAQK Cellars

Tonights wine was a sample sent to me and is the 07 Merlot from JAQK Cellars in beautiful San Francisco. You see from the previous post I was very impressed with their chardonnay and honestly this merlot is really really good. Merlot is making a comeback and folks are taking notice.

Big aroma as I poured this wine. Rich dark cherry starts your sniffing pleasure. Next comes the raspberry, licorice and finishes with a wonderful earthiness (for my followers you know how I enjoy that aroma earth). My wife would describe the aromas as "potent" to which I would laugh and say yes dear ripe fruit.

Definate full bodied wine in my opinion rich defined flavors. Love the combination of the black cherry followed by the black raspberry. Very juicy from start to finish. I get a slight hint of licorice, plum and oak towards the end. Highly recommend this merlot to drink and share with your friends.

Cheers
Dan

2008 Her Majesty Napa Valley Chardonnay JAQK Cellars

Q

A big thanks to Kelsey Morrison Marketing Manager at JAQK Cellars in San Francisco for tonights very nice sample. The  Her Majesty Chardonnay will also be one of the feature wines March 22 at Sullivans Steakhouse in Omaha Neb as Republic National sponsors a dinner featuring 4 JAQK Cellars wines. Wine bloggers in the Omaha area this is your chance to taste great wine along with some awesome food. Email if you are interested in attending and I'll get you in touch with Kelsey.

Really a nice nose on this wine crisp and refreshing. A fresh green apple aroma followed by ripe pear. The second swirl gives me a blast of citrus with a slight hint of vanilla.

The first sip really showcases the pear and follows quickly with a lemon citrus sensation. I get a touch of the green apple in the middle but very impressed with the fruit how lively and fresh. The finish is long and juicy. Nice impressive chardonnay. Stay tuned for my review of their Sauv Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet. JAQK Cellars will be a wine you want to keep on hand.

Cheers
Dan

2008 Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Scouring my local wine store (my good friend Traci at 1st Avenue Wine House who by the way was in napa while I was shopping) and craving some cabernet I spotted this lovely Napa Valley Cab from the folks at Black Stallion Estate Winery located on the beautiful Silverado Trail in Napa. The winery is open daily 10-4 for your tasting pleasure and a highly recommended stop!

I'm guessing there are a few reading this thinking "It's an 08 Cabernet why don't you allow the wine to age awhile?" Good point but then what fun would that be for me :) What a wonderful nose on this wine. When first poured in the glass a huge lucious dark cherry aroma fills the nose. Fresh plum greets you on your next swirl and finishes with a rich spice.

Excellent flavor! The taste starts you off with a ripe fruit berry jam sensation (dark cherry, blackberry, plumb, hint of red raspberry) which was tremendously delicious. Towards the middle a hint of chocolate and finishes with just a touch of spice and oak. While this was my first wine from Black Stallion it won't be my last.

Cheers
Dan

2007 Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot Alexander Valley

Having talked with Harry Wetzel on numerous occasions online I was so thrilled to find some of the wine in my local area I just had to grab a bottle to drink. I chose the 2007 Merlot one because I tend to shy away from the grape not having enough knowledge about it but also because the Wetzel name is synonymous with very good wine the merlot must be good one.

Excellent nose on this wine with a wonderful spice and ripe blackberry and dark cherry. Hint of fresh plum and rounding out with a nice touch of oak.

The blackberry and black cherry so juicy and a nice long finish. The spice compliments the wine perfectly. Slight hint of plum in the middle of the taste with a touch of vanilla. Wonderful smooth wine right now I can't wait to see how it ages and gets better.

Really enjoyed the opportunity to taste this Merlot from Alexander Valley Vineyards and glad I chose this wine to add to the blog. I can't wait to taste many more of their fine wines.

Cheers
Dan