2010 Stepping Stone By Cornerstone North Coast Red Rocks

Always a treat tasting the new releases from Craig and the folks at Cornerstone Cellars Tonight's wine is the North Coast Red Rocks a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Merlot. I paired this wine with a Gino's Chicago Sausage/Pepperoni Pizza.

On the nose as soon as I popped the cork I got a quick little smokey sensation. Plum, raspberry and blueberry with hints of pepper/clove. The longer in the glass.....plum, boysenberry and blueberry.

Plum dominated the taste with raspberry, white pepper and spice following. I really enjoyed this wine with the pizza. The plum complimented the tangy, chunky tomato sauce while the pepper added a nice touch of spice to the dish working well with the garlic and meats. Soft finish with the food and when I drank alone there definately were tannins.

Stay tuned for Stepping Stone's White Rocks tasting.

Cheers
Dan

2009 Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel Northern Sonoma

As summer slips away and the leaves start turning, there is still time for a little grilling and red wine. Tonight's dinner was bbq chicken breasts grilled to perfection paired with Rodney Strong's Knotty Vines Zinfandel. The price point runs $17-$20 but the quality takes me over the top.

Dark fruit fills the nose with blackberry, black raspberry, and plum. Gives you a jammy sensation with each sniff. Next a nice big black pepper aroma followed by cloves. Nice balance of fruit and spice but I love that huge pepper note.

Did you know this wine tastes perfect while held in the left hand as the right flips the chicken lol. Excellent juicy raspberry followed by blackberry and ripe plum. The finish a black pepper spice but soft. I used a smokey bbq sauce and what a pairing. The dark fruit complimented the thick rich molasses in the sauce with the pepper giving it a little kick.

Your next bbq consider picking up Rodney Strong Vineyards Knotty Vines Zinfandel. You will love the pairing.

Cheers
Dan

2010 Honig Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

College football season and the weather was perfect for a little shrimp, pasta and savignon blanc. I went with a California Sauv Blanc which tends to be more tropical vs a New Zealand. The 2010 Honig Wine from Napa Valley was full of tropical fruit with a crisp clean finish.

In the glass you know its sauv blanc with the trademark grapefruit aroma pouring from the glass. Fresh peach with hints of cantaloupe and tangerine followed by a nice lemon citrus sprinkled with floral notes. Felt like I was on the beach with the sea breeze blowing in my face!

Lively fruit with each sip. Mango with peach and cantaloupe starts your taste off. Grapefruit with white peach and lemon closing with a nice minerality. Crisp, refreshing wine which paired beautifully with my seafood dish. Does summer really have to end?

Honig Wine

Cheers
Dan

2009 Highflyer Pinot Noir Doctors Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands

Thursday was the 3rd Annual #PinotSmackdown a global day of tasting Pinot Noir my favorite grape. Wine lovers from all walks of life tasted from regions including New Zealand, California, France, Oregon, Washington, South America. Big thanks to @winetonite Mr Ed Thralls Jr for tonights event. The winner once again New Zealand with Oregon coming in second and California a distant third. My choice was the 09 Highflyer from Somerston Wine Co in California.

Having tasted a few bottles of Highflyer varietals previous to the pinot, I assumed this would be tasty like the others............ and I was correct. Once in the glass a huge dark cherry aroma fills my nose. Hints of earth and herbs, cola, spice with splash of raspberry.

One sip and it feels as if I am eating fresh cherry/berry pie. Layers of cherry, strawberry and red raspberry preceed a nice little warm spicy on the finish. The red fruit is the star and the cola/spice combination really complete the wine. Excellent balance. I served this with sauteed veggies tossed in angel hair pasta plus the cook had a taste prior to dinner. Hey you have to make sure the pairing is correct!!!! Bravo winemaker Craig.

Highflyer Wines "Exceptional wines produced by the perfect alignment of vineyard and climate." I couldn't agree more.

Cheers
Dan

2007 Krutz Family Cellars StageCoach Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Labor Day and grilling to celebrate the last long summer weekend called for Amana Beef Tenderloins and a Ribeye. Naturally a Cabernet Sauvignon paired with this dish exceptionally well. Since being introduced 2 years ago to Patrick Krutz owner of Krutz Family Cellars, I have become a huge fan of his wines. Rich fruit, velvet finish this wine is aging nicely.

In the glass the dark fruit aroma of blackberry and black cherry treat the nose. Hints of red rasberry, rich molasses, black currant, sweet vanilla cream and smokey oak.

The layers of flavor are just amazing with age on this cabernet. Cherry followed by raspberry with rich molasses quickly showcasing blackberry. As you move toward the finish the cherry reappears with current leading long into the soft finish. Silky smooth even more so than last year. Aging well and that friends is quality juice.

Highly recommend you pick up a few bottles of Patrick's wine and taste some of this boutique juice for yourself. Krutz Family Cellars check them out.

Cheers
Dan

2011 Cline Cellars Viognier North Coast

Tonights wine was a sample I received and pairs really well with my spicy chicken stir fry. Cline Cellars a family owned operation and producer of award wining wines since 1982, is located in beautiful Sonoma California. Their portfolio consists of many varietals from sparkling whites to bold reds. Quality affordable juice in every bottle!

Viognier is known for its floral scents and is meant to be consumed at at early age. The 2011 Cline Cellars exhibits a beautiful fresh floral aroma with loads of ripe peach. Apricot and pineapple give you a tropical sensation with a hint of lemon/lime citrus zest. Nice little nose pleaser.

Crisp refreshing pineapple greets your palate as you sip this wine. Fresh apricot combines with a hint of white peach and a lemon citrus finish. Not only did the wine calm the spice of the dish, it cooled me down on a rather hot start to September. I really need to drink more of this varietal!

Learn more about their history and wines by clicking the link Cline Cellars Treat yourself to a bottle or 2.

Cheers
Dan