4 to Spit, 4 to Sip

It’s not often that I find wines that I truly cannot stomach, but once in a while it happens. In this list I will also recommend an alternative for each. Again this is only in my opinion, but if I can help save you from wasting calories and money I will!

2005, Ridge Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains, Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California - $40

Vibrant ruby colored. The nose was very restrictive and never really opened up. Palate reflects the traditional blackberry, cherry, and other dark fruits. Tannins are still a bit intense. Hopefully with age it will improve, but I doubt it will impact it that much. This is a very average wine at best. Very disappointing for a winery of this stature.

ES – 82 WS – 85

Alternative to Ridge Santa Cruz: Justin, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California - $25

2005, Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne, Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France - $20

To sight this was a very translucent and unspectacular. The nose had a slight amount of red berry and spice, but also exhibited the smell of a plastic grocery bag. The palate was similar to a cherry jolly rancher, but was very short lived. It was very thin and watery, with a drying sensation towards the end.

ES – 81 WS – 84

Alternative to Faiveley: Joseph Drouhin Laforet, Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France - $18

2007, Fleur de California, Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California - $15

Like the Faiveley, light and unspectacular. Cherry and berries on the nose and palate, but not much else. It had a very boring and short palate.

ES – 80 WS – 82

Alternative to Fleur: Greg Norman Estates, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbera, California - $15

2007, Evodia, Old Vine Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain - $10 (as mentioned in an earlier post)

The pigment is a beautiful dark purple/almost black, but that is where the exuberance ended. The nose of this wine was very disjointed with hints of wet stone/cinder block and an unusual cherry dominating with the traditional influence of spice and black pepper certainly evident. The palate took on sour cherry, spice, and oak. Contrary to other reviews that I read after, I found there to be some sharpness to this wine. This seems to be a polarizing wine.

ES – 84 WA - 88

Alternative to Evodia: Chateau Pesquie Quintessence, Côtes du Ventoux, Rhône, France - $19

All wines named in this post are available at the NH Liquor store off of Exit 6 (behind the Nashua Mall)

4 to Spit, 4 to Sip

Terrific wines for the Summer

The summer is made for picnics, hikes, and barbeques. The summer is also made for two very special wine varietals, Zinfandel* and Sauvignon Blanc. It is amazing how two such amazingly opposite wines can both embody the same season so precisely. Zinfandels are bold, oaked and full-bodied red gems. Sauvignon Blancs are citrusy, light and crisp whites. What they do have in common, is that they both perfectly pair with summer fare.

Zinfandels and the grill are best friends. They seriously should go everywhere together. Pair a beautiful California Zinfandel with barbeque chicken and ribs or a grilled steak and you will not be disappointed. I also find them (as well as Sauvignon Blanc) exceptionally pleasant to sip on their own, but food really brings out the best in them. The Zinfandel we will be reviewing today is the 2006 Ridge Vineyards Geyserville, Sonoma, California.

Sauvignon Blancs, with their delicate characteristics pair very well with seafood (grilled or boiled, especially shrimp. When I think of Sauv Blanc I think of a fresh spinach salad with grilled shrimp and a light vinaigrette or lemon juice to dress it (OK, my mouth is watering). When picking a Sauvignon Blanc, the 2008s from Marlborough, New Zealand were amazing. Of those, the one we will be reviewing today is the 2008 Nobilo Icon.

2006, Ridge Vineyards Geyserville, Zinfandel, Sonoma, California - $35
Ridge Vineyards of California consistently produces some of my top choice Zinfandel's. For the past three vintages, Geyserville Vineyard, in Sonoma County has been my favorite of the Ridge vineyards. The 2006 is a wonderful meaty wine, with lush, dark berries taking over the aroma. On the palate you may find that raspberry and pepper dominate. A very appealing wine that is a perfect accompaniment with heavier grilled foods (beef, pork, vegetables and meaty fish).

Wine Spectator gave this a 90, but I believe it is a solid 91. 90 is just a little too marginal for me, this is an outstanding wine (Wine & Spirits agreed, scoring it a 92).

2008, Nobilo Icon, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand - $15
When I first came about this wine, I was doing some research at the local liquor store. I decided that it was a nice day for a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc, so I picked it up. It was kind of like finding a Benjamin in your jeans pocket! My favorite Sauv Blanc!

Upon first pour, the grapefruit aromas intoxicate and refresh you instantly. On the palate you pick up the grapefruit as well. After the grapefruit you get a hint of lemon zest along with slight minerality. Not to mention that the acidity is perfect! You put these components together and you have one terrific wine.

Wine Spectator scored this a whopping 92, but that is not even enough for me. When you factor in the aroma, brilliant visual appearance, terrific structure and complexity, and finally the palate, you have a wine that is safely a 94 for me. Not quite a classic, but very close!

*Important Notice* I by no means was referring to White Zinfandel. Blah!

Terrific wines for the Summer