St Supery Estate Vineyards & Winemaker Michael Scholz on ToutSuite

When Jenna at St Supery asked if I would like to participate in an online taste with winemaker Michael Scholz it took me all of 1 second to say heck yes. I loved my visit there a few years ago and during this tasting I had a dejavu moment.

We started the evening off with the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc. Big fan of this wine with it's huge lime and grapefruit notes, tropical aromas with a tickle of lemon zest. In the mouth lime citrus, grapefruit with lemon accents on the finish. Crisp refreshing wine just in time for Spring.

Next up the 2010 Merlot Napa Valley. A varietal which saw it's popularity decline among wine drinkers, this bottle from St Supery is outstanding. Rich dark plum, raspberry, blueberry, dark cherry with hints of vanilla and spice. The nose is all about the dark vibrant fruit. On the mouth raspberry and plum, espresso, chocolate followed by vanilla and oak. The finish teases you with a splash of raspberry. How Merlot should be made!!!

The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a steal for the price. Blackberry, cherry, plum with currants, mocha, molasses and toasted vanilla oak. When I said I had a dejavu moment here we go. On my visit to St Supery I had the opportunity to barrel taste and guess what. Yes you are correct the 09 Cabernet. Young, no idea what he/she wanted to be when they grew up, I can say without a doubt you have aged well my friend. Blackberry, plum with sweet molasses, a hint of leather and a nice little spice which warms you up. Opened 2 hours before tasting. Screams for a steak!

Final wine was the 2012 Moscato. Mandarin orange, ripe peach with fresh melon on the nose. In the mouth juicy ripe peach, lemon citrus with hints of orange peel on the finish. Nice little after dinner wine or a sipper on the patio. My daughter "Hey Dad this is really good can I have more?" Yes it is now save some for me!

Thanks to Jenna, Lesley and Michael for including me in the tasting. Wonderful wine from some great folks at St Supery Another superb ToutSuite event!

Cheers
Dan

2006 DuNah Montre Red Wine Mendocino On TV Tuesday Live

What an awesome wine tonight on TV Tuesday the 06 Montre from owners Rick and Diane Dunah with winemaker Greg La Follette. I think Greg could do a comedy tour or Rick could as well. I asked Greg what his favorite varietal to produce is and why...."Whatever wine my wife likes!" Scott gave him kudos on that one. Rick was asked his favorite wine and food pairing "Whatever food and wine I'm having at the time." Laurel & Hardy ride again! The wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Carignane with a splash of Gewurztaminer to calm this little rascal  down. Greg called it young with many more years to grow. The wine was barrel aged for 30 months.

Beautiful nose of dark fruit. Black cherry, blackberry with a nice dark pepper spice. Hints of expresso, mocha, cocoa and cedar. Allowing the wine to open up the pepper spice flows into chocolate mocha which then releases the dark cherry ending with the blackberry and cedar. Amazing!

Montre is why you should drink small production wines. Cherry, black pepper spice finishing with raspberry and blackberry. While the finish was long there was this most amazing silky smooth ending to this luscious bottle. Scott raves about Greg's wine making ability and Ricks attention to the vineyard, well gentlemen you have expressed your style very well in this bottle. Actually every bottle of the DuNah portfolio is delicious.

Stop into Cellars of Sonoma and taste the DuNah Winery portfolio. It's some of the best juice your palate will ever enjoy. Scott, Greg, Rick thanks so much for letting us spend the hour with you learning about your wine making techniques and philosophy. Sipping this juice was a treat.

Cheers
Dan

2010 Kramer Vineyards Brut Sparkling Wine Yamhill-Carlton Oregon

Bubbles are just what the doctor ordered for this twitter taste featuring sparkling wine from Kramer Vineyards The 2010 Brut Methode Traditionnelle a wonderful blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, is created using the same techniques as those making champaign.

The aromas of cherry, strawberry, apple and pear with hints of fresh baked bread. Nice little accent of of citrus zest with the perfect amount of acidity.

The apple/pear is really showcased in the mouth with a nice citrus finish. My pairings for the evening were fresh melon fruit balls with a little sparkling drizzled over them followed creamy warm brie over butter crackers. Both were excellent but the richness of the wine was enhanced with the warm cheese making both soft and inviting. Then Kim Kramer suggests something salty like popcorn or potato chips. Holy cow what a pairing the chips were. I thought it was nuts but really the salt on the chips calm the citrus on the finish but magnifies the pear. Always trust those close to the wine!

Many thanks to Kim, Beau and all the fine folks who make Kramer Vineyards a huge success in Oregon wine country. I was very spoiled drinking this sparkling goodness. My congratulations to you for celebrating your 30th year in the Oregon Wine Industry. Anyone visiting the region, this is a must stop. Located in Gaston Oregon at 26830 Northwest Olson Road, the tasting room is open 11-5 daily April-Oct with winter months Nov-March 11-5 Thurs-Sun. Enjoy the patio with a picnic and wine lunch or admire the beauty of the property. Don't forget you can also sign up for The Cellar Door Wine Club and receive wines year round delivered right to your doorstep.

Cheers
Dan

2008 Ceja Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

I left this wine in the cellar for just the right moment to open and enjoy. My last Ceja bottle (yes I must get more) from my second wine club shipment a few years ago and oh how this juice has aged. Back in December 2011 I opened the first bottle and many winemakers will tell you to open a few bottles at different ages to see/taste/smell how these wines have evolved. Pouring very nicely.

On the nose red raspberry, blackberry, dark cherry with hints of plum and anise. As I continue to swirl, cloves and a slight hint of vanilla circle my nose. Beautiful fruit and spice combination,  a trademark of Ceja Vineyards Wine

Luscious silky mouth feel. Fresh dark cherry and red raspberry treat the palate with a nice splash of blackberry. Juicy long finish of raspberry with just a touch of spice which warms me right up. The wine has softened even more. A wonderful bottle of wine, well crafted with love. Five years ago Amelia, you introduced me to your portfolio of wine and each vintage gets better and better. Salud!

I hope you get the chance to taste some Ceja Vineyards Wine very soon. Always a special treat.

Cheers
Dan

Welcome To Portugal and Vinho Verde

Being part of the Wines of Vinho Verde blogger nation, I have come to love these inexpensive, lower alcohol very food friendly wines from Portugal. I look forward each quarter to my next tasting and what suprise will await me. Today we tasted Famega and a 2011 Colheita Harvest Arca Nova Branco. If you stopped by my house you might possibly have heard me say "I love Portugal"

I started with the Famega a crisp, clear, very clean white wine. Fresh melon, cantaloupe and white peach on the nose, the citrus fruit was very pleasing. On the mouth, the cantaloupe and white peach were refreshing with a nice hint of mineral on the finish. I was sipping while I cooked deep fried shrimp (there went 1/2 the bottle) and enjoyed a glass with dinner. Nice compliment to the dish. I was in the mood for spring and this wine hit the spot.

Next to taste the Arco Nova with its bigger citrus nose of lime, lemon, pear and fresh peach. Nice fresh fruit aromas. On the mouth a big lemon lime beginning with pear and mineral finish. I enjoyed this wine with a salad of fresh crisp greens drizzled with lemon juice and olive oil. Delicious.

Drink by themselves or pair with food these versatile white wines from the Vinho Verde region of Portugal will treat you and your friends. Wines which won't break the bank, deliver the taste you expect in wine....what more could one ask. Enjoy some juice from Portugal.

Cheers
Dan

2011 Rodney Strong Vineyards Chardonnay Sonoma County

Today's wine is a nice little crisp sipper from family owned Rodney Strong Vineyards. The grapes are harvested from a vineyard just 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean, in one of the cooler regions of Sonoma County. Solar power was even used to produce the wine!

On the nose fresh lemon and green apple followed by toasted almonds. As the wine opens pear and pineapple with hints of honeydew melon, vanilla and allspice. Light straw in color. I'm getting in the mood for spring swirling/sniffing this little devil.

Tropical is the first thing on my mind with the initial sip. Pineapple and pear with hints of melon. Nice crisp apple and baking spice with a lemon/pineapple finish. Crisp, bright, clean with just the right amount of acidity. I paired with a lemon drizzled cod and then by itself on the second day. I want to be sipping by the ocean breeze Robert!

Learn more about Rodney Strong Vineyards by clicking their link. Stop by for a visit open 10-5 daily 11455 Old Redwood Highway Healdsburg California with winery tours 11 and 3. Sip, smile and relax with the wonderful folks at Rodney Strong Vineyards.

Cheers
Dan