2009 NORTON MALBEC

I bought this at an Airforce base about six months ago. I had a beautiful guest come over for dinner this past week and I wanted her to help me clear out some of my wines in the closet; I hadn't had a Malbec in a while.




Eye- dark garnet


Nose- coffee and ripe berries

Mouth feel- astringent at first, then it softens

Taste- unbalanced, tannins (too young perhaps) come to the front, but quickly give way to tart, earthy, cherries and light fruit. it finishes fairly well.



Decant this wine and pair with a sharp cheese or perhaps a gamey meat.


I definitely enjoyed who was across the table from me more than what was in my glass;) I saw one review score it at 90... I'm not a sommelier but I know when I've found a wine that I won't buy again. On the other hand, I never enjoy a malbec quite like I do my zins and cabs, so perhaps it's a matter of subjectivity.

4/10

2009 ICONOCLAST FASCINATION- MERITAGE RED

Fantastic wine with the cabernet grape adding good tannic layers to the mineral rich cherry jamminess that is overtly expressed from the zinfindel grapes. finishes long; smooth almost sweet ending.



nose- cherry and plum

eye- garnet

mouth feel- balanced with good structure

taste- a dry red that has an almost sweet backbone to it; this'll be a good conversion tool for the white and sweet/ demi sec drinkers. Serve this at your next party and it'll start conversation with it's value and its pairing versitility.

7.5/10!

Lolonis Cabernet 2005

This was half-off at the local mart, and so I couldn't pass it up.  I usually do Zins more often so this will be a treat of difference.

Look/Smell - Sweet, green apple and the juiciest grape.  Red, then purple.  Sweetness is in the tartness.

Taste - Tart, plummy, green apple.  Tannins are light.  This one is suspiciously sweet for how high its alcohol content is.  The tannins come after the tart, they coat the tongue like a sheet, not like a blanket.

Rating - 6
Although this one is pleasing, I expect more from a cab.  It should be full of flavors and balanced.  This one is exceptionally tart which is unique but also its downfall.

Zaco Vina Tempranillo Rioja 2006

This one caught my eye because it was an older vintage of a varietal I had not yet tried.  It was right next to the Malbecs, my favorite varietal which intrigued me.  The bottle is very sexy which probably also led to my purchase.  This wine was created in Spain.

I let it rest for about 25 minutes, making sure it was chilled to around 60 degrees (by feel, but it was better than not think about it at all).

Look/Smell - Cherries and peach, not unlike a sweeter Malbec.  Deep red like cherry juice.  The cherry smell is wonderful.

Taste - Deep tannin profile, cherry flavors remain but are in the background.  The grapes are tart and warm, and the alcohol is only apparent on the warming after-swallow.

Rating -9
This one is worth every penny, and being around $12 it is an easy choice for your night-time sip.

Trivento Malbec 2008

It's been awhile so this will be fun.  It's also my favorite variety.

Look/Smell - Deep purple.  Citrus tart, orange and lemon symphony.

Taste - After resting for 15min deep tannin profile, orange's more prevalent than lemon.  Slightly vanilla on the way down and on the aftertaste which I'll attribute to the tannins.

Rating - 7
This one is great for the price.  It will satisfy you're craving for a deep, full red.

Angels Landing Caberinet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007

I went to a local wine store that I visit frequently and the manager pointed me in the direction of this wine, and can be quoted as saying "It's the best Cab. under 20.00 I've ever had in my life." This was no doubt a bold statement coming from a man of his profession. I bit.

I decanted.

I drank.

I liked.

Alot.


Color- Dark garnet.

Nose- Ripe orchard fruits and chocolate

Taste- A big bold Cab... Blackberry, chocolate, oakiness(most likely American), and layers of spicy, balanced tannins showing through in harmony during a jammy finish.

Ready to drink now; do just that!

Rating- 8.5

2007 Alexander Valley Sin Zin Zinfandell

This is my splurge for the week.  Hope it was worth the extra dough.

Nose & Look - Burgandy, clear when looking at it through a bright light.  Apple and orange citrusy notes.

Taste - Well rounded, bold up front, soft on the end.  Deeper citrus flavor during the taste than in the nose.

Rating - 8
This one is as good as I'd hoped.  Maybe I'll spend more often.

2007 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

This was a $10 wine from the local grocery store.  Hope it can keep up with the more expensive wines.  This was selling for $22 at a bigger wine store.

Nose & Look - Dark purple, very little red.  Cherry and strawberry, more fruit than earth.

Taste - Strong body, tannin front, lemon orange citrus mix in aftertaste.

Rating - 6
This one could pass for more, but I've had better.  Bring this to a party and tell them it was $30 and I bet they'd believe you.

2007 Trivento Amado Sur

This wine is a juicy, rich Malbec that is bolstered by smaller amounts of Bonarda and Syrah.  This one was also in my price range and I also believe it's good luck.


Nose & Look - Dark warm purple/red.  Warm smell, plum, vanilla, oak.  


Taste - The vanilla and oak are first up, plum underneath, tannin aftertaste.


Rating - 7
This one is a little crazy with oak and vanilla up front, which is a nice change from the sweeter malbec taste.

2007 Terrazas de los Andes Malbec

This was a good price at a favorite specialty drink store.  For under $15 I believe this is the sweet spot for good wine.

Nose & Look - Deep purple.  Vanilla & licorice, with cherries.  Very confident but not overpowering.

Taste - Tannins up front give it body, with the licorice/vanilla throughout.  The aftertaste is smooth with cherries. 

Rating - This is a great wine at under $15 and will be a believable $30-$50 wine

2004 Da Vinci Chianti Classico

I'm a sucker for anything Da Vinci related, whether it's his writings or inventions, and so when I saw this I was interested.  This one is at 13% alc and is straight from Italy.  Here we go...

Look & Nose - Purple to red, deep in both colors.  I let it decant for ~ 45 min.  Sweet apple, pear, low tannins. 

Taste - The sweetness takes a backseat to a rich tannin profile, small spice, and the sweetness turns up in the aftertaste.  Not too strong.

Rating - 7
This is a great medium bodied wine, a good bodied red.  This one will impress anyone at your party.

2007 Ravens Wood Vintners Blend Zinfandel

Found this for under $10 at the store and I was interested.  Here we go.

Look & Nose - Clear, rose red but not a deep red.  I let it decant for 45 min.  A nice sour maybe lemon or citrus orange.  Tannins are light.

Taste - Lightly rich, light being the operative word.  Great balance, the aftertaste containing all the tannins.  I'd say the secondary note is vanilla.

Rating - 6
I've been giving out sixes lately, but this one is a great find.  Under $10 will get you a wine that could easily fool the unacquainted. 

2008 Three Valleys Zinfandel, Sonoma County by Ridge

Ridge is a winery that needs no introduction. It's name in relation to California is along the same lines as Mercedes-Benz and Germany. I had been salivating at the thought of finally trying one of their creations. This wine is very very worth the modest $23.00 sticker price. Go buy a bottle...or 12.

Eye- Garnet, clear.

Nose- Raspberry and spice.

Taste. Whoooo man! beautifully balanced berry and spices with a layered and soft finish.

Rating- 9 and worth it!

2007 Conundrum

I picked up a 375 mL bottle for storage of half-drank full bottle wines (my precious reds). The cost was 8.99 at Central Market. This was a white meritage with no labeling of the exact grapes. One could take a very educated guess of it's contents, but ultimately the pleasure is in drinking, not thinking.

Eye- Golden, straw.

Nose- Apples, flowers.

Taste- Complex- layers of pineapple, pear and spice. Almost sweet. Very enjoyable and appealing to a variety of drinkers.

Rating- 7

BECKER VINEYARDS TRIP AND TASTING

My Trip to Becker Vineyards

On Sunday, I decided on a whim to take an afternoon trip up to Becker Vineyards to tour their facilities, grounds and tasting room. The previous week, I had drank, rated and loved their Iconoclast Cab and the experience sparked my interest in this particular vineyard.
Enjoying the beautiful hill country views during the hour drive up highway 281 and 290, I found myself excited at the thought of a quality winery being within reach of North San Antonio. Located less than 15 miles east of Fredricksburg, the 10,040 square-foot winery was easy to find off the highway. The Vintners, Richard and Bunny Becker are avid wine enthusiasts and the wines that they’ve managed to create using 100% Texas grown grapes of numerous varieties have won dozens of awards since the winery was founded in 1992.
Upon entering the winery’s entrance, I was greeted by rows of dormant grape vines on my right side. Pastures containing horses and other grazing animals were visible through the driver’s side window. As I drove up the driveway, I felt peace, relaxation and communion with the wonderful natural surroundings.
The beautiful limestone gift shop and wine tasting room’s entrance is located at the end of the gravel trail. I was immediately welcomed by Kay, a lovely lady and one of the winery’s associates who only work during weekends. She told me about the history of the winery, the dedication and pride that Dr. Becker puts into his craft and as she continued talking, I became aware of her pride in the winery as well.
Entering the tasting room through the gift shop, I was greeted by a beautiful sight- rows and rows of bottles with medals and other awards hanging from them, filling the shelves that surrounded the room. Centered in the middle was the wine bar. For ten dollars, visitors can sample up to six wines using a complimentary glass that is theirs to keep. I went this route and decided to use my credit card. Later, I found out that the cashier double charged me. I wasn’t too concerned with it however as they gladly and knowingly let me sample more than double the wines that the fee covered.
As I sampled, I had the pleasure of watching and conversing with Don and Stephanie, two employees who were happily pouring wine for the visitors while relaying the tasting notes and general wine knowledge. Stephanie was a lovely young woman and had a bubbly personality that immediately put me at ease in the already relaxed atmosphere. Don was older and handled himself with a certain courteousness and authority that suggested he knew his business there. They both shared the same enthusiasm for their work and pride in their employer as Kay had. I look forward to visiting and seeing them in the near future. I suggest you do the same if given the opportunity.
For those interested in visiting or contacting the vineyard, it’s info is listed below:

464 Becker Farms Road
Stonewall, Texas 78671
830-644-2681 phone
mailto:phonebeckervyds@beecreek.net

Hours:
Monday thru Thursday- 10 a.m. -- 5 p.m.
Friday and Saturday- 10 a.m. -- 6 p.m.
Sundays- Noon-- 6 p.m.


2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Wilmeth Vineyard

This was a wonderful Cab that won a number of awards, most recently a gold medal and Best of Show at the San Antonio Wine Festival.
Eye- Ruby Red.
Nose- Strawberries and floral notes.
Taste- Plum, flowers and berries. Tannins are smooth and balanced. Medium bodied and well structured with a good feel and an earthy mineral finish.
Rating- 8


2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Eye- Garnet red, clear
Nose- Cherries, oak, spice
Taste- Plum with velvety tannins. Medium body. Medium mouth feel. Finished well and vanilla snuck in at the very end.
Rating- 7.5

2007 Claret

Eye- ruby, clear
Nose- earthy, tart berries
Taste- Raspberries. Mineral notes, oak and tannins well blended and layered. This was apparently their meritage in a faux-Bordeaux fashion. I prefer French and Cali attempts better but this was enjoyable nonetheless.
Rating- 6

2008 Zinfandel

Eye- dark red
Nose- alcohol, bing cherries and vanilla
Taste- Cherries, vanilla, butter and spice. Heavy on palate. I thought it was a bit tannic- decant for a few hours or age.
Rating- 5

2008 Grenache

This dog won’t hunt; it wasn’t up to the standard of the others and certainly not of the quality of everyday Grenache’s from Catalonia or Rioja. This was the only one I didn’t care for.
Eye- garnet
Nose- blueberries, wood, alcohol
Taste- tart fruit, mineral. Poor etOH/tannin ratio.
Rating- 4

2008 Prairie Rotie

Eye- dark rose.
Nose- berries, oak
Taste- Layers or raspberry, oak, toasted nuts and well structured tannins. Smooth, long finish.
Rating- 7


2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Newsome Vineyard

Eye- ruby
Nose- earthy, fresh fruit
Taste- Currant, berries. Oakier than the other cabs with a slight jamminess and fuller mouth feel.
Rating- 6

2008 Cabernet – Syrah Reserve

Eye- dark purple/red
Nose- cherries, vanilla and spice
Taste- well balanced marriage of cherry, vanilla and spice layers. Wonderful finish with a med. body and nice mouth feel.
Rating- 8

2008 Barbera Peter’s Prairie Vineyards
Eye- ruby
Nose- oak, fresh berries and flowers
Taste- spicy berries and vanilla. Poor etOH/tannin ratio which will be helped by decanting and possibly age.
Rating- 5.5

2008 Port
Wow!
I don’t like port but I loved this.
Sweet berry essence from syrah grapes gives vibrancy to the typically darker, heavier drink. I tasted plums and allspice. Fresh. Alive. Wonderfully balanced. Unexpected.
Rating- 8.5

2007 Campus Oaks Old Vine Zinfandel

I picked this up at a favorite wine store in PCB The Wine Dog, where they have ~100 wines and a very nice staff.  They also have a good but small selection of craft beers, and a large walk-in humidor.  I wanted to find a Zin and this one fit my budget, I got it for ~ $15. 

Nose & Appearance - Clean pour, rose to pink.  I chilled it in the fridge for ~15min and let it sit in glass for ~30.  I smell spice, apples, pears, and vanilla.  This nose is sophisticated and delicate.

Taste & Aftertaste - The tannins mix with the apples and pears.  The vanilla and spice stay for the after-party.  The alcohol is understated which is good for me in a stronger wine.

Rating - 8
This one gets a great rating due to its low price, great nose, and great taste.  It might still be a little much for your friends who can't or don't drink reds, but it will impress your friends who do.

2008 Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir

Picked this up on the way home, wanted a nice red from California.  Hope it lives up to the name brand.

Nose & Look - Maroon leaning towards a red.  I let it decant for ~30min.  Rich first, with a spiciness second.  Hits a note of roughage, like walking through a brier or clean forest.

Taste - Spicy, rich, grapes are wise in how much they have to offer.  Getting this across may sound weird but it has a tomato feel to it, like delicious red sauce.  Tannins and alc come last with evenness.

Rating - 5
The spice I like, the richness I'm interested in, but that's it.  I will be trying others to compare and maybe revise this review, but I've had better.

2007 Gnarly Head Zin

Looked like a good pick...and hadn't had a red zin in a while.  Also had a hankering for a California wine.

Nose & Look - Not a super deep red that I expected, but a great color anyway.  Slightly clear.  Great tannin smell, great fruitiness and grape, great oak.  Everything comes very nicely.

Taste - Great fullness, which is accented by sharp fruit notes and tannins.

Rating - 7
This wine doesn't need to have much said about it except it's exceptional and will not disappoint.

2007 ICONOCLAST BY BECKER VINEYARDS

Oh Kids! This was my first taste of Texas Hill Country Cab and lets just say that while it didn't fit the normal "Cab" prototype in the big, bold Cali fashion, isn't that fitting considering it's name? After all, isn't the title derived from the word,"Iconoclasm", meaning the attacking of cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc? Ya' know, like what we think a cab should taste like? Works for me. No traditional Cab? No Problem! I absolutely LOVED this local wine!

Appearance- Ruby red with no sedimentation.

Nose- Blueberries, Cola bean and vanilla.

Taste- S-M-O-O-T-H tannins with a light to light-medium body. Taste true to nose with that of fresh blueberries, vanilla, cola and a soft mouth feel that finished easily. This wine did not drink like a Cali Cab but I loved it nonetheless.

Way to go Dr. Becker; this might be my new everyday red, and for 8.00/bottle, I can easily afford it!

Rating- 8

2008 Fetzer Merlot

This is a wine I'm familiar with.  Picked it up because it said it grew in a sustainable way and I like that.  Let's see how it fairs.

Nose & Look - Burgundy, slightly transparent.  I let it decant for 30 minutes.  Tutti-Frutti, a great sweetness with a floral comes to the front.  This will make you want to eat some fruit.

Taste - The tannins that were a no show in the nose come out to help fill in the rest of the song.  The fruits and flowers take a back seat to an oaky and slightly spicy tannin. 

Rating - 6

This is a wine that in is comparable to others, and would be good to serve with dinner.  I think there are better, but this one might be the quick pick while at the store.

2008 Tilia Malbec

I've become enamored with Malbecs and anything from south America, and I couldn't pass this one up because it's extra upside is it advertises being sustainably farmed.  Hope it's heritage is held up by its rating.

Nose and Look - Super deep red, doesn't let any light pass through.  I let it decant for ~30 min and I get a very rich wood and grape, with tannins in the background.  The wood and maybe vanilla are electrifying.

Taste - The oak and grape push through still, with the tannins more pronounced than in the nose.  The alcohol stays in the back which is always good for a higher alc. content wine.

Rating -7
It might be my bias towards reds and specifically Malbecs, but hey this is my review.  This is what a good ~$15 bottle of wine should taste like.  Tilia also makes a white so I might try that sometime.

Martin Y Rossi Prosecco

So my wife loves the regular Martin Y Rossi sparkling wine and I decided to get her the prosecco becase she loves this brand and because prosecco is something I have come to love 2nd hand.  Here is my review of this desert wine.

Nose & Pour - Clear with a full amount of carbonation.  Cork less witch helps in opening.  Awesome bouquet, and a supreme white nose.  This will knock your socks of with whiteness.

Taste & feel - I hope you've noticed my inconsistency in adjectives. Great bouquet, great carbonation.  Bitterness equalizes the sweetness.  Tannins are almost inconsequential.

Rating - 8 
I have to give it  a great rating for what it is.  A one-of-a-occasion type of drink.  This will finish off the dinner, this will impress your friends, and this WILL make you happy :D
It's hard to argue with it being under $15

Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Blanc from Chile, left to decant for ~30 min.

Nose and Pour - Slight sediment, clear just like most blancs.  Sweet nose, no tannins, great citrus background. 

Taste - Sweetness first, then a slight tannin, but mostly sweet.  Great flower and citrus on the way down.  Easy going and sophisticated.

Rating = 6 
I wasn't enthralled, but this was a great wine for ~$10.  I'm always partial to south American wines, and this one won't disappoint unless your looking for the spectacular.  Great sweetness will pair with desert or with a light fish and salad.

The $3 Oak Ridge Cab

So I know Sean is going to hate me for putting this on his blog, but in my defense we did review Bug Light Wheat (rating = 2) and so I thought it was only fair.  Plus the value of this wine can theoretically only go up.  So here I go.

Nose & Look - Grape and spice, with tannin behind.  I detect something warm, and maybe some citrus.  Looks a little thin but an o.k. red.

Taste - I would have to say it's bland, but what would you expect.  You get equal amounts of alcohol and grape.  Less tannin, even less warmth and citrus.  What you would expect from something this cheap, but I can't say it's horrible.

Rating -4
I believe this is a pretty fair rating.  Nothing about this wine makes it spectacular, nothing makes it great, and nothing really makes it good.  It gets one better than a three because of the value factor, but I do have to say that spending even $7 more will get you something more around a 6.  Trust me, bring this to a party in another bottle and most won't no the difference, but if you want a great wine look somewhere else.

Clos Du Val 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon From Napa Valley, California

Clos Du Val 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, Ca. is a very young cab. which is a meritage of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot.

The vintner, Bernard Portet, was born and raised in Bordeaux, France and as a result, he developed a deep love for the legendary viticultural region and it's prized creations. This heritage blatantly comes out in his style of blending and balancing the grapes.

Despite it’s immaturity the wine is certainly no slouch. Tonight I paired it with grilled Beef Tenderloin that was dry rubbed with garlic, salt, pepper, onion and olive oil and then grilled medium rare. As a side dish, I had grilled zuchini. The pairing was a good match.

I wish i could have had the time to decant this wine; this would have probably allowed the tannins and other elements to reach a better balance. I expect this wine to be complete in it’s true form given the proper time to age as this wine’s tasty complexity and layering has great potential.

Price- $25-$30/ 750mL or $15-$18/ 375mL. The 2005 is actually cheaper than the 2006 which generally retails around $30-$40 and was rated higher and better suited for earlier consumption.

Sight- Rosy red with no visible sedimentation.

Nose- Currants, blackberries and carnations.

Taste- Layers of dark currants, blackberry, tart, young cherries and a spicy yet smooth finish emerge with a medium body and mouth-feel despite it’s tannic quality.

Grade- 5* I enjoyed the experience and the food/wine pairing was a good marriage. I see this getting better and better with time. As I suggested earlier, it’s young and like an awkward kid with growing pains, this wine has some growing up to do before it reaches it’s prime.



*will be a better rating when aged properly or possibly if decanted/aerated.

Malbec Alberti 154

2008 Malbec Alberti 154 from Mendoza, Argentina. 
Aged 6 months in oak barrels, 14.5% alc. vol.

Now we are in for a nice afternoon.

Price - $22 for the bottle, right in my price range.  I feel this is the range that gives the most bang for buck.

Nose - Great sweet grape smell (duhh right, but this ones to the moon).  Low tannin smell, but you can easily detect its value.  Last value is floral, and its the undertone.  Very little alcohol to smell.

Taste - The grape nose becomes the undertone, being moved behind the tannins.  The florals come steadily, with it being that last taste you have, then nice soft tannins again.  Distinctly unalcoholic, which allows me to taste the notes better.

Grade - 8
It's hard to beat the value and what you get for it.  Great red that would pair well with and tomato based sauce and fatty meat.  Would overpower any other food i.e. fish  This wine should be in your go to wine holder.

2001 Mendocino County Zinfandel by Windsor Vineyards

I am so peaceful and mellow right now after spending time with my family and a great bottle of wine. Unlike paintings and other forms of fine art, wine is created to be consumed/destroyed. Through the process of destruction/consumption/digestion it, like world-class cuisine, (often paired with class-A wine) is meant to be disassembled down to it's bare elements. Tonight's vino is no exception as I'm feeling good while looking at an empty bottle.

Windsor Vinyards has managed to produce fine wine since 1959 and was originally created by the legendary Rodney Strong. The quasi-indiginous Zinfandel grape has been cultivated into wonderful red wine in America for years now and W.V. has kept up with and led standards in terms of quality balance and value.

2001 Mendocino County Zinfandel

Price- It varies as this is a wine that is very very hard to find and usually reserved for the 'bottled for business' variety. I happened to stumble upon 3 bottles that were sitting in my country club's inventory for too long, and so the once $40.00/ bottle price tag was reduced to wholesale for the sake of getting rid of inventory. My 18.00/ Bottle X 3 was well spent.

Sight- Dark, ruby red when looking through light. Good clarity with no sedimentation.

Nose- I noted that of cherries, roses, a slight astringent scent of prominent tannins and the smell of alcohol (please note that this variety is 16.5% EtOH by Vol.

Taste- Upon first swill, I agreed with my nose in that I sensed cherries and roses. I allowed the wine to breathe for 30 minutes to smooth and round out the alcohol's power ( 1-2 hrs would probably maximize this process). The result was a medium to high acidity wine with a balanced structure and feel. The wine presents with a smooth and long finish and hints of plum, nuts and fig.

Rating- I give this a 6.5/10 in that it could be balanced a little better in the fruit to EtOH(alcohol) ratio. Overall, I would drink this daily and fall asleep with a grin on my face.

Recommendations- LET THIS OL' DOG BREATHE! I think that a decanter or an aerator like the Vinturi is in order to grasp the flavor waiting to be unleashed. Don't let the alcohol drown the character that is hiding behind the nasty organic chemical beast!

Tonight Shall Be The Debut Post

Hold on to your glasses, folks. Tonight will be a tasting of Winsor Vineyards 2001 Zinfindel that I've been waiting to try.

See you soon!