2007 Rudolf Müller Auslese Riesling $16.99

I'm sorry mister, did you park your semi-truck near my nose?!

Almost hay-like in color. The nose of this $17 beast is to die for! This is why I got into the wine world. The nose is full of petrol notes with very-light hints of tropical fruit, maybe even a bit of jasmine in there.

The sugar level jumps out of your mouth like a bad case of the Hershey squirts! Acidity and balance are the key here. Wet rock, light mandarin and very crisp green apple hit the palate.

The finish is pretty soft yet still carries a bit of spice as it makes you wanting to take another sip. Thirst quenching yet refreshing. I wish more Americans knew about what are in these bottles.

Januik Winery Tasting

Look at how deep red this wine is. Even on the rim it is solid. Shit it should be, this was my spit bucket I was using while tasting at the Januik Winery.

Now that I have your attention here are my notes from the four wines I tasted today on this very shitty, rainy, windy and cold Seattle Sunday. As my wife would say "This wind is bullshit!"

The first time I tasted Mike's wines were at the 2001 charity auction of Washington wines at Chateau Ste. Michelle. He pulled out the 1999 Columbia Valley Merlot. I'll assume it was aged for 18 months in new french oak since when it hit my palate it felt like someone had put pepper, spices and TNT into my mouth and shook my head up like a fucking martini mixer. That's when I realized that this guy knew his Merlot and people who said they did not drink Merlot were never introduced a good Merlot like his.

Winery was packed with people who were talking shit about all the wines they have at home. I love how people only name drop first growth Bordeaux when you know they have never tasted one in their life. I held back from commenting and giving my 2 cents since I would have had to ask for change back.

2008 Januik Elerding Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $25

Wine color was almost light hay in color with a soft buttery nose. Nothing too special so far. Very soft citrus notes with a bit of vanilla bean. I'll chalk the vanilla part up to the 67% new french oak while the rest is one-year old french oak. On the palate there was more citrus but also a nice helping of lemon peel and grapefruit. Was this a Chardonnay I was tasting or a Pinot Grigio, can't remember. Finish was smooth and nice. Not your average Chardonnay by all means.

2009 Januik Bacchus Vineyard, Columbia Valley Riesling $20

I really like Riesling. Yah I know it is not manly but fuck off. Good wine is good wine. Wine is almost clear in color with notes of lychee and other tropical notes. On the palate this beauty is smooth with a light bite. Just enough to remind you that you are drinking quality Riesling and not Blue Nun! Normally I will stray away from a $20 Riesling but being that it is a single vineyard and very tasty, I'll bite.

2007 Januik Columbia Valley Merlot $25

Pretty decent in color in that it was garnet in the middle with a nice ruby rim. Looking good so far.

This Merlot is a blend of 95% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cabernet Franc. On the nose this was pretty much everything I have expected to smell from Mike's Merlot, cassis with some soft cooked mocha. On the palate this thing was pretty big for only being a Columbia Valley Merlot. Rich and full-bodied with great balance. Tannins are firm and balanced, again something I would expect from a wine that aged for 18 months in new french oak.

There was a slight bang on the finish in that it was like the tip of my tongue had black pepper on it. This is exactly what I remember from his Merlot's. Great.

2007 Januik Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $30

Deep red in color! Really deep! Deep like this..nevermind. Notes of bitter chocolate with vanilla and a light sweet or burnt sugar note. This Cab is a blend of 93% Cabernet, 3% Merlot, 2% Cab Franc and 2% Malbec. Wine sees 20 months in new french oak. Pretty HUGE on the palate in that you know you are tasting a big mutha fucka! Not big in that it is loaded with tannins and acidity, big in that it has flavor and you just want to keep shoving your dork in the glass to see what goes on next. Great spices on the palate with some firm tannins. This is an amazing wine for the price.

I always find it funny that new wine makers will charge 2 to 3 times more for their wines when they have only been making wine for a few years. Here we have someone who has been doing it for over 25 years and yet for some reason he can keep his prices low and still make great wine. Makes you question what you are paying for in other wines huh?!

Cantine Talamonti Tasting Notes

Yet another Saturday goes by and yes I am at another wine tasting. Seems like all I do is taste wine and write about it. OK, so that is what I do. Friday I missed a good wine tasting but since I was not feeling in the mood to taste, I didn't.

Saturday I had the chance to taste some wines that are not that far from my place in Rome. The following wines from Talamonti came from the d'Abruzzo region of Italy. Talamonti is making wines that on the shelf in Italy are around €7,00 and in the States are a bit more due to Washington State having the highest alcohol tax in the nation. Now for the tasting notes.

NV Ruggeri Valdobbiadene Prosecco, Veneto $19.99

Something about a nice Prosecco from the Veneto region just makes the day go round and round. Wine was clear with a hint of light hay in color. Very soft on the nose with light hints of citrus and dried straw or hay. On the palate it was creamy and soft with a very delicate finish. What a way to start the tasting off.

2009 Ilauri Tavo Pinot Grigio, Veneto $10.99

Here we have a nice little Pinot Grigio from the Veneto region. Pretty clean and refreshing. Not much for fruit but was better than buying a shitty Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio for $20+. This wine would be great with some shellfish or trout.

2009 Talamonti Pecorino "Trabocchetto", d'Abruzzo $19.99

This is one of those grape varietals that was pretty much lost for years until people started bringing it back. This is a white wine that I would love to pull out for people when they think that the only good white wine to come out of Abruzzo is Trebbiano. Pretty clear in color with a nice light hay hue. When it comes to the nose though things are going on! The nose has a citrus style going on with notes of light-lychee, apricots and very light hints of mint. Pretty full-bodied yet very smooth on the finish . Being that there was only 500 cases for the world to share...I'll be picking up a few for spring time use.

2009 Talamonti Rose', Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo $10.99

Many people do not know this but I love a good Rose! Most men will not admit that but they go with so many foods or are great by themselves. Wine was pumped over for around 18 hrs or so I believe to get that very light ruby color. On the nose this hits with notes of cherries and strawberries. On the palate it is fresh and smooth. Really great balance and acidity and would go great with a nice sandwich made from prosciutto cotto and mozzarella di bufala.

2008 Talamonti ModA', Montepulciano d'Abruzzo $10.99

Deep red in color with notes of cherries, dried fruit and raspberries and a light hint of wet fur (I like that!). On the palate it was medium-bodied but pretty well-balanced with a nice easy finish. Wine sees Slovenian oak for about 6 months. And look at the price!!

2009 Sassotondo Ciliegiolo, Tuscany $21.99

Again another wine that I am pretty sure most people have never tried straight. The grape Ciliegiolo is a grape that is usually blended in most Chianti's. In the last few years there has been a huge debate going on in the wine world on where the hell this grape came from and if it was an off spring from another. Names were called and feelings hurt but from the last papers I read, this is an off spring from the Sangiovese grape. I'm sure they will change their minds next year on this though.

The wine itself is pretty amazing. Deep red in color with great notes of earth tones (dirt, soil or terrior) with good notes of black and red ripe fruit. Medium plus dry on the palate with nice structure and a medium finish. The Sassotondo winery only has 10 hectares of vineyards of which 8 are dedicated to Ciliegiolo. Very small production and worth every peso. Wine does need a bit of time to age though.

2004 Talamonti kudos, Colline Pescaresi $29.99

Now we are talking some good shit. I was tasting these wines with two other people who love wine but are not nerds like I am. The first thing I noticed about the wine was the nose. The color..It was red people! The nose was something to die for. It reminded of the time when I was studying wine barrel staves from different parts of the world that make barrels. I nailed it on the first try yet had a hell of a time pronouncing the name of the forest where the wood was from since my French is so shitty.

There are five main forest where the wood is from; Allier, Trancais, Nevers, Limousin and Vosges of which this wine saw 24 total months of oak from Allier and Trancais then 12 more months in the bottle before being released to the public.

The nose of this wine was great. A blend of Merlot and Montepulciano, it had some pretty strong notes of black and blue vine fruit. Also has a few notes of vanilla and light chocolate notes that were hanging there as well. The palate was like having liquid silk in your mouth. Pretty big wine yet very smooth and gentle. I mean it was great, flat out! Fuck the Napa shit!

NV Il Conte Stella Rosa Brachetto $13.99

Then we come to the Brachetto that was a fine way to end the tasting. Soft yet fizzy with a nice light ruby hue and notes of strawberries and cream. Very smooth and delicate. Just a nice way to end the day.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Tastings

Sometimes my job is not that bad. I decided to take my mother in-law to Chateau Ste. Michelle for some wine tastings. I needed to brush up on some of the current vintages since we don't see much of their wines in the EU.

We started off at the bar with the rest of the folk but then ended walking past the Vintage Reserve Room where I was going to see if we could get in without an appointment. Well the VRR was not full but we were offered instead to taste alone in the library. We sat down and started to power through the line up.

I'll start with the four wines from the bar then head into the library tasting.

2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Pinot Gris $15

The 2008 Pinot Gris is a blend of 93% Pinot Gris and 7% Viognier. Very soft on the nose with a helping of green apple and ripe melons. There was a spice that I could not nail down but the finish lingered around like after grandpa using the shitter, in a good way.

2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Chardonnay $26

There are not a lot of Chardonnays I like that are from the US. Most of the time they are loaded with oak and have no flavor except that. This is not one of those cases. This wine is sur lie aged for I think about 10 months and is 100% malolactic fermented. Brings out those soft notes that I tend to like. Soft butter on the nose with that lovely malo nose added. Hints of citrus with good toasted notes but not enough to throw your mouth into a tail spin. Finish is quick and graceful. I would hit this with a nice breaded veal.

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Riesling $20

I really like wines that are made from Cold Creek vineyard. I have been a fan since I tasted my first 100% Cabernet back with the 1998 vintage. The Riesling (which I am a fucking HUGE fan of Rieslings) on the nose this wine blows you away with loads of ripe tree fruit like peach. It does have a light minerality note on the palate that leads to a soft beautiful finish. Try this with a Pad Thai. My mother in-law is now hooked on the Cold Creek vineyard. She even bought a bottle for when we have stir-fry.

2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 375ml $20

Have you ever had your mouth full of melon or a juicy over ripe peach? Then as you smile it starts to dribble down your chin like a toddler with applesauce? This wine is fantastic! On the nose this wine blows out notes like apricots, melon and light citrus. On the palate this thing is something else. It feels like cough syrup in your mouth, but not that crappy cherry Nyquil you drank back in high school. Finish was long and juicy. I would actually pour this over some cheese cake.

Now for the wines we have in the library. We started off with the 2008 Eroica.

2008 Chateau Ste. Micheele Eroica Riesling $24

This is the top echelon of Rieslings in Washington State. Some people may charge as much for theirs but in my humble opinion they will never reach this point. What do you expect when you have one of Washington's best winemakers and one of Mosel's best winemakers? Perfection. Nutrients on the nose with hints of lime and citrus. On the palate we have a light fizz that I love and lots of acidity with perfect balance.

2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Ethos Chardonnay $37

On the nose this thing is buttery. Yes it was aged in oak and yes it has malolactic fermentation. On the palate this thing tasted a bit oxidized but it could have been that the bottle was opened for too long. Low acidity with pretty good balance. I would like to re-taste the wine with a fresh bottle.

2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon $35

Deep red in color with rich earth tones, solid black fruit and solid amounts of oak. Palate wise, there was some dried leather and big tannins. This was a wine that I was not expecting to like. I am not one who likes big bold in your face wines but the balance of this wine was great.

2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Wahluke Slope Mourvedre $N/A

Lucky me...only 700 cases made or 8400 bottles and the one we tasted was looking great. This is something you do not want to spill on the counter. Almost ink in color. Loads of nuts and ink on the nose and a palate of farm animals. Basically what I am saying that this thing is everything I have wanted in a Washington Mourvedre. Rhone style all the way. Round, rich and beautiful.

2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Ethos Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $40

What can be said about a wine that is 4 years old and could use a few more years in the bottle. Really this wine is out there. Almost black in color. This wine shows notes of black fruit and hints of mocha on the nose. On the palate this thing was pretty big with solid tannins. The finish was silky soft. Imagine having liquid silk in your mouth...yup, that's right!

2008 Betz Family Winery, La Cote Rousse, Red Mountain, Syrah $62

With a color of almost blood-red in the center and a lighter rim, I knew this wine was going to be fucking great. It has never treated me wrong in past vintages so why would it be any different? Notes of blackberry and earth tones on the nose with a light stew-likeness (is that a word) that followed. On the palate it was pretty much the same as it was in my hooter, yet this time the tannins were there and making sure that I did not forget about then. How the hell could I when they made my mouth stand at attention? They were firm yet had perfect balance and acidity with the rest of the wine. Again at $62 per bottle, so one might not be cracking these open for dinner anytime soon. Matter fact I would wait a few years before I even cracked one anyway. Another great vintage for La Cote Rousse.

2008 Betz Family Winery, La Serenne, Yakima Valley, Syrah $62

I've known Bob Betz, MW for over ten years now and he is by far someone you can sit down and have a conversation about wine with and you'll never feel like he is putting you down for the lack of knowledge you might have. He is a Master of Wine which is 1 of 289 people in the world to hold this title. One might say, he knows his shit!

The 2008 La Serenne is a Yakima Valley wine with all the berries coming from the Boushey Vineyard. When it comes to the color, this wine is almost black. Don't spill this on any white counter top. The nose of this wine is loaded with black vine fruit with a really nice earth note that follows. (When I say earth, I mean dirt) Hints of wet leather are hanging around as well. The fruit follows through on the palate as the medium soft tannins fill out and make the fruit follow to a nice finish.

Overall this is a great wine that shows a Washington State Syrah can compete with its French counter-parts. Price per bottle will run you about $62 each. Most collectors will grab these up as soon as they come out but the average person will use this as a special occasion wine. I go both ways when my wife lets me. Most of the time I try to hide the fact that I am spending the money on the wine. I tend to get in trouble a lot!

2008 Darby, The Dark Side, Columbia Valley, Syrah

I love Syrah, especially Washington State Syrah. Like most red wines, yes the color was red. Nose was sound with notes of coffee, chocolate and light hints of a green shrub that I could not pick out. On the palate though this bitch was HUGE with spices and dried herbs. The tip of my tongue blew up with black pepper and fire. A bit much for me but a nice wine. To much alcohol though. What happened to the days when wine was around 11-12%?

2007 Stevens XY, Yakima Valley, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $42

OK so after tasting the Red Blend from Stevens I was really afraid of tasting the Reserve Cab. I was afraid it would be another reserve that just had the name tag not the quality that it should have. I was corrected!

This wine is nice! Deep red in the center with a nice burgundy rim. Doing good so far. Nose was amazing with hints of cherry, brown sugar and spices. She is winning me over. On the palate it was fuck-fest of fun. Loads of spices, lots of dark fruit and soft, silky tannins one might find on a cleanly shaven leg and like the leg...the finish went on forever. Normally I would walk away since the price was around $42 but in this case I would pick a few up and wait as long as I can. Decant this so you can get the real taste out of her. Good stuff.

2007 Gorman Winery, Columbia Valley, Zachary’s Ladder, Red Wine

Almost blood red in color with a lighter ruby rim. On the nose the wine has a lot of stone fruit and hints of a light green herb. Pretty big tannins with a huge amount of red fruit. Tons of acidity. Pretty full bodied. $28

2006 Argyle Brut Sparling Wine $24.99

So this is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Clear as a bell and with a nose of light citrus, green apple, with some nice spice. There are even some notes of currants. On the palate I was even more impressed. Smooth and elegant. Finish was something out of this world. I would love to taste this up against some medium to high-priced Champagnes. Lovely.

2007 Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain Red Wine $24.99

I remember when Hedges was more of a joke when it came to wine making. Wine reps would bring it to me and you would just ask them to not pour it. You were like, "No thanks I just ate." Things have changed. This red is great and more European in style than ever before. Light on the alcohol percentage (which I think is just fine) and more on the actual fruit in the bottle. Nose of rich red fruit and some good spices. This is how wine should be made and the cost is pretty fucking nice as well. On the palate there is plenty of acidity with nice firm tannins but not like a Parker bomb. Balanced and well made. I am guessing that it is only aged in oak for less than a year. WOW.

2008 Board Track Racer Cellars by Mark Ryan, Columbia Valley, Red Wine

Burgundy in color with strong notes of blue/black berries and a helping amount of black pepper. On the palate she was massive and full-bodied, sure did not hold back on the oak here. $20

Light hay in color with a sound nose of floral and citrus notes. On the palate it seems a bit oxidized with very light spring flowers and sea salt touches. I actually liked this Viognier but again, the price of $20 kind of gets me.

2007 Stevens 424, Yakima Valley, Red Wine

This is one of those Bordeaux blends that is really trying to be something. I really like it but feel that it could use a little time in the bottle to mellow out a bit more. If it really wants to be 'like' a Bordeaux blend it will sit for a few years then be cracked. Great wine for the price. With a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot this wine has an amazing color to it with hues of light ruby on the rim and solid brick-red center. Nose is layered with rich red and black fruit and light hints of dried herbs. On the palate is was dry and had some hard tannins. I'll chalk up the tannins to just being opened. Pretty solid finish. Like I said, wait a few years and this will be amazing.

2008 Mark Ryan Winery, Columbia Valley, Chardonnay

Honestly…I was not that impressed with it. Pale yellow in color with a nose that was sound but had hints of light citrus, dried grass and soft oak. There was pretty much the same going on with palate with exception some white pepper and loads of heat. Not really worth the $27.99 price tag.

2002 Suavia Soave Classico, Veneto $14

Another beautiful Soave from the Veneto. Wine see's no oak at all which tends to show in that light straw looking color with a soft green-like hint around the rim. On the nose you can pick up some soft honeydew and herbs like mint. On the palate she was pretty full-bodied with some really good acidity. I might even take this down with some nice spicy phad thai! On the finish there was more melon and citrus with a hint of minerals. There is a lot more going in this wine than most would think. I like it.

2001 Bridgman Cellars Yakima Valley Sangiovese $ 14

Here is a wine that I was not looking forward to trying but glad I did. Almost purple in color with soft strawberry's and little spices. I am going to guess that with the strawberry notes being what they were, the vines were only a few years old and they were trying to get all the money out of the vineyard they could. A bit smokey on the palate yet made the wine taste good. I believe there was a brush fire near by as some other 2001's had the same smokey note. I like it but I do not think they are making it anymore. Tasted 1/04.

2000 Guenoc North Coast Petite Sirah $20

Light in color, looked like a dark fruit punch kool-aid, minus the "OH YAH." Nose was pretty solid but lacked the spice I was looking for. Medium body with a light finish. Not bad, but for the price I would rather just pick up a nice bottle of CSM. Tasted on 1/04

1999 Langtry Meritage $25

Deep red in color and tight as nails on the nose and palate. I was having a hell of a time trying to pull anything out on the nose and was having even more of a time trying to get anything but acidity and tannins on the palate. The finish was pretty much no there since the tannins were sitting in my mouth. tasting this wine was like being at a heavy metal concert, but not being able to hear anything and wanting to put your fist in the air and not having any hands. Tasted 1/04

1999 Guenoc North Coast Claret $25

I find it funny that they don't make the same wine anymore. The current vintage is the 2005/06 Meritage and comes form Lake County. The 1999 I tried came from the North Coast and even though they called it a Bordeaux blend it was more like a general Meritage. Brick red in color with a nice rich vanilla nose. Fruit was lacking on the palate and the finish did nothing for me. Tasted on 1/04

2000 Guenoc North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon $20

Brick red in color with very light red legs. Must have been a hot harvest or hot that summer. On the nose there is nothing but oak and dark red fruit, at least the fruit came out on this one. On the palate though there was some nice fruit to compliment the fruit on the nose. Pretty decent acidity and the alcohol was actually on the lower side when it came to the palate. Finish was a bit off but was not unpleasant. Nice. Tasted on 1/04

2000 Guenoc Lake County Zinfandel $10

Wine had a light red color, almost the color of a not fully ripen cherry. Loads of black spices and herbs with a hint of cinnamon on the nose. On the palate there was a helping amount of tannins and acidity. The palate and the nose did not match. I have a feeling that they might be trying to cover the lack of fruit with oak. None of those jammy notes that you want in a nice zinfandel. Wine was tasted in 1/04

2002 Abbazia di Novacella Sylvaner, Trentino $18

Almost lemon peel yellow with some good but light wet stone and wet fir-like plant leaf going on. There even seemed to be a light petrol note as well. Pretty decent acidity on the palate with some nice wet stone and petrol notes again. Finish wise, this was amazingly long for a sylvaner but was drinking very well. Again, light petrol on the finish. Wine is 100% sylvaner, spends 1 year in stainless steel and 4 months in the bottle prior to shipping. Good stuff.

2002 FRASCATI D.O.C. SUP. Regillo Black Label $10

This is one of those great little gems that is nice to have around the house when people show up. Goes great with loads of different foods. Clear with a nice lemon/perfume nose. On the palate, things are jumping around, has a light almond finish and leaves you wanting more. Great for those summer nights. Talk about a blend of grapes though...Malvasia di Candia - Trebbiano - Malvasia del Lazio - Bombino - Greco.

Bisol Prosecco Di Valdobbiadene "Crede" - Veneto - $14

I have always loved this Prosecco because it is so simple yet goes with everything. Made with 90% Prosecco and 10% Verdiso & Pinot Bianco, this beauty is clear with very tiny bubbles of goodness. Has a very-light hue that looks like a dash of lemon dropped in water. On the nose this charm tends to pull out some pear and hay notes with a very soft almost delicate palate. The finish is clean and crisp. I might even take this over some higher-end Champagnes!

Marco De Bartoli Vecchi Samperi Ventennale $70

This fortified wine is made up of 100% Grillo grapes. This is one of those rare chances when I was able to try something that is out of my comfort zone. Marsala is something that I normally won't jump on but being that this was a 20 year old Solera I said what the hell. Aged in oak barrels for around 20 years while it is put through the Solera method.

Dark amber in color. Orange blossoms on the nose with a light cream or soft runny cheese to follow. On the palate there were some good toasty notes with lots of spices and nutmeg. Dry as the desert and would go great with a nice cigar. Impressive.

1998 Castello di Meleto Vin Santo 375ml $50

This Vin Santo is 100% Malvasia and see's a staggering 60 months in oak barrique's! Grapes are dried on racks before pressing. The color of this Vin Santo is a light amber with a sherry-like nose. Has almost a pastry cooked nose to it as well with loads of nuts. On the palate though it had a nice citrus note with more nuts. This thing covers your mouth with luscious mouth-feel and goodness. The wine is perfectly balanced and is amazing. The finish begs for you to put just a little more in your mouth. Leaves you wanting more.

1998 La Salette Amarone Classico "Pergola Vece" $150

Blend of 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% Croatina with 36 months on oak, this is a beast! The grapes from this monster are hand picked from the top three cru's then dried for 6 months. Then to top it off they bottle age the wine for another 8 months. This wine will sit for 15 years but has the potential to last another 10+ years after that.

With a color that looks like iodine and nothing but pepper and spice with loads of tobacco and a hint of latakia, this thing blows your nose away. On the palate she was exploding with life and rich tannins. Balance and acidity were perfect as she put this thick layer of dark tree fruit all over your mouth. On the finish she lasted for another 45 seconds but not before she spit a little more spice at you then softly went away. This is why I love wine!

2002 Syncline Winery Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley $14

Dark purple in color, nose of black fruit jams and spices, a little sweet with a hint of pepper. Nice long finish of spices and herbs. Should age well for 10 years. Tasted Feb. 2004.

2002 Domaine Francois Mikulski, Meursault-Charmes, Côte de Beaune $50

This was the first time I was trying this producer and I can say that I really was not that impressed. I had heard a few good things so I thought, what the hell. Yah well it was decent but not for the price. A bit darker than hay in color with a light nutty nose and some honey/lemon on the palate. Good acidity and balance but nothing to really scream about. Wine should peak in a few years. I'll try it again in a few and see if she hits me different.

2004 Domaine Jean Boillot et Fils, Puligny-Montrachet, Clos de la Mouches, Côte de Beaune $80

Does the word minerals mean anything to anyone? This wine has it. Could it be since the vines are stacked on top of argilo limestone? Nah that couldn't be it at all. A light hint of honey and wet rock on the nose but then on the palate you get smacked with this white peach and over-ripe tree fruit that should be found only in Georgia! The wine is balanced and ready to roll. Minerals come through all the way to the end leaving a nice light peach/honey residual left for the finish. What the hell was I just tasting? Amazing.

2004 Vincent Girardin Corton-Charlemagne, Côte de Beaune $105

This bottle was great. Light as hay in color with a nice rich malolactic nose and a slight bread dough hint to follow. Very soft on the front palate with just a hint of spice on the tip of the tongue. Great notes of light white pepper and hints of very light vanilla. I think it was aged for about 14 months as it is a bit chewy on the end. Imagine this wine with a nice baked chicken and some fried potatoes! In about 7 years this wine will really show you what it's made of.

Box of wine

That's right, I had a box of wine with dinner and it was good. Non-Vintage box of table wine. Good citrus notes with a pretty light nose, clear as a bell and ready to rock. Only cost me €1,70 for 3 little boxes. Not bad for a daily drinker.

2007 Cantina dei Colli Amerini, Ameroe Rosso €4,00

A buddy of mine brought over this gem one night for dinner but we never got the chance to open it. A few night later she was cracked open. He told me it was about €4,00 and has been buying it for dinner. Not a bad little bottle! Great fresh nose of light flowers and a smooth delicate palate. The finish was nice and soft. This is not one of those big hitters where you need a steak, this will do fine for chicken or fish. Production is pretty small at only around 100 cases. Good choice Brad.

Matt Skinner: Yes, I've recommended untasted wines

The following was posted on the Decanter.com website a few days ago. This is the kind of shit that gives us wine nerds a bad name. People that are SO big on themselves that they start to recommend wines they have never tasted.

Matt Skinner: Yes, I've recommended untasted wines

November 13, 2009

Stuart Peskett and Adam Lechmere

Jamie Oliver's head of wine Matt Skinner has admitted to not tasting several wines that he recommends in his latest book.

In The Juice 2010, published by Mitchell Beazley in the UK, Skinner lists New World wines from the 2009 vintage that were not bottled until months after the last deadline for the book.

Skinner, who is group wine manager for TV chef Jamie Oliver's Fifteen restaurant in Melbourne, was originally criticised by New Zealand wine writer Michael Cooper in The Listener magazine.

Cooper claimed that Skinner could not have recommended a New Zealand wine months ahead of publication, before Cooper himself had even tasted it.

In a statement sent to decanter.com Skinner said, 'It is imperative that I taste all the wines that I recommend.

'However there are some releases that are consistent from year to year, and as popular, good value and accessible wines I want to include them because I know that my readers will appreciate them.

'In order to do so I include non-specific tasting notes based on the current and previous year's vintage, focusing more on basic flavours and compatibility with food.'

There is no indication in the text that these notes are non-specific. The entry for the Vasse Felix Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River, priced at £11.99, reads, '…the palate is fresh as a daisy and puncuated by the kind of lip-smacking acidity that makes this wine almost impossible to put down.'

The wines recommended from 2009 are Jacob's Creek Riesling 2009, Nepenthe Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Vasse Felix Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River, Brown Brothers Moscato, Unison Rosé, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand and Doña Dominga Old Vines Chardonnay from Colchagua, Chile.

Skinner's tasting notes are submitted every January, with a final revision date in May, before publication in October of the same year. Most of the wines in question are not bottled, or shown for tasting, until June or July.

Hilary Lumsden, Mitchell Beazley commissioning editor, said, 'For our first edition, in 2006, the feedback we got was that by the time people went out and bought the book, the wines were already off the shelves, so the book was effectively out of date.

'We either upset one side or the other. There's the side that wants the most up-to-date information, and there's Michael Cooper's side. The majority of the wines in The Juice don't rely on vintage variation. A lot of them are going to be consistent each vintage.'

However, in a recent GQ column, Skinner wrote: 'It's important to remember that every year is different and that no two years – even in the same spot – will ever be the same. That's the beauty of Mother Nature.'

Mitchell Beazley said in a statement, 'It is always our intention that the advice we give is accurate and reflective of the wines available.'

Mitchell Beazley is the UK's leading wine publisher, whose list of authors includes Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson (the World Atlas of Wine), Andrew Jefford (The New France), Stephen Brook, Michael Schuster and other major wine writers.

2007 Corvo Red Wine, Sicily 375ml €2,35

I was at the store a few days ago and picked up a few 1/2 bottles of wine to have around the new place. Since the wife does not like wine (I know) and I have no real place to store it, I will be buying wine as I go. I did see some nice 1/2 bottles of Sassicaia but Emily was with me and she already had a hunch I was going to try to sneak a bottle in. Back to the juice.

The 2007 Corvo Red Wine was shitty! I've sold tons of it at the store over the years, never really told anyone that I liked it but it sold so I left it alone. This this was just fucking gross. Color wise the wine was light to burgundy in color with a light rim. OK seemed nice. Had a nose of light fruit and sweet oak. Not sure what kind of oak but if I was a betting man I'd put a few dollars on Czech or Slavonian oak for 8 to 12 months. Again, just me though. On the palate this thing went down like a spiked punch then hit the tummy like a rock with acid covering it. Then came the burn of the throat and tummy. Where the hell are my Tums and what the hell was that. I'm having pasta with a medium red sauce and this thing just took my palate on a date with a ruffie to follow.

Lets hope the other bottle is better than the last!

I still have my eye on the Sassicaia!

No post in about a month

I will be posting soon. The wife and I moved to Rome Italy and have been setting up shop. Post will be coming in the next week......

Ciao

1994 Chateau Latour, Pauillac $400

This is the third time I have tasted this vintage. The first was at an auction tasting where I was outbid by $100 for the case and the other was when I cracked it open for a few people in the industry. This time it was ready for the rock and maybe even the roll.

Wine was still dark as night and very wealthy in the nose. I've always picked up the dark tree fruit and the hint of citrus but now I was getting a light fennel in the mix. On the palate this bitch was HUGE. Full bodied and rich with big tannins that tasted like having black pepper on the tip on the tongue. Tannins turned to silk as my mouth felt like I was having a silk milk shake. Finish was as long as a porn stars moan.

I've only got six bottles left so I think I'll wait a year till I crack another one. If I can wait that long.

2005 Beau Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon "Juliet" Napa Valley $50

As most people who know me, I am not a huge fan of California wines. It could be that I've tasted to many wines that were over oaked and lacking fruit. The 2005 Beau Vigne is completely different.

Barn door red in color. On the nose the wines has lots of soft black cherry and light coffee. The palate carries some light chocolate, vanilla with very silky tannins. Wine is medium to full bodied with a nice long 30 second finish. I really need to pick up a few more bottles of this.

Tasted 09/2008

2007 Leonetti Cellar Merlot, Walla Walla Valley $85.00

I want to be up front and honest. I have never been a real fan of Leonetti. The wines seem to be over oaked, over extracted and just to damn spendy for what they are. That being said...

***Please notes that I tried this wine about 12 hours after it was opened.

Rich red in color with a helping of oak, dried herbs and black tree fruit on the nose. On the palate more oak and herbs with some good sweet red fruit. The finish was actually smooth since the tannins were pretty calm and there are lots of fruit that follow. I think this might be on of the very few Leonetti wines I like.

2006 Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz Red Wine, Columbia Valley $50.00

I took this directly from the Betz Family Winery page. This is one hell of a blend.

47% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec

41% Horse Heaven Hills, 31% Yakima Valley, 28% Red Mountain

Another wine that blend that is out of this world. Burgundy in color with rich notes of Casis, mocha and a hint of espresso. Soft and rich on the palate with light cherry on the finish.

If you are looking for a wine that will knock your socks out for a great price. Plus for the so-called low-end Betz wine, look at all the different grapes and vineyards used for this blend.

2006 Betz Family Winery Syrah, La Côte Rousse. Red Mountain $75.00

First let say that this Syrah is almost black with a rich red rim. On the nose, rich spices, dried herbs and a hint of mocha/latte. On the palate this wine makes you stand up. Let me say that as a 2006, it should sit for another few years! On the palate black pepper comes to mind with very light hints of dark chocolate. The wine is perfectly balanced with the tannins being huge but still within the white line. I do know Bob Betz, MW to say that I have taken some wine lessons from him while I was working at Chateau Ste. Michelle and that he is someone I look up too in the wine world. He is a man of his word and makes wines that are made to drink and age. Damn good shit!

2005 Shafer One Point Five, Stags Leap District, Napa $70

All I can say is that this bitch is big and it felt like it was so full in the mouth it was going to dribble out. Loads of dry red fruit with a slight spice on the nose. On the palate there are some nice wood spices and currants. Tannins are full and pretty well balanced. Nice but really not my kind of wine.

2006 Spring Valley Vineyard Uriah, Walla Walla $50

With a blend of 54% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec, this wine is a beauty. Pretty dark in color with just a hint of purple in the center. Good amount of black vine fruit and stone fruit. Palate wise this wine has some pretty big tannins and the heat to back it up. I believe Speculator gave this around a 93 and I would guess Parker would hit it with a 94. Pretty nice wine if you like right-bank Bordeaux styles. I just wish we could go back to the days of 12% alcohol.

4 Wines From Chateau Ste. Michelle

I headed down to the winery today to just taste a few wines and sharpen my palate. First of all, the price of the pay tasting bar is now $10 rather than $5. Fine, I'll bite. Service was a bit poor and seemed like they were just not into what they were doing. Sad since when I worked there I always wanted to come into work. Had a group of people that came in from the Vintage Reserve Room (This is the high-end tasting room) and take up a bunch of room. They kept trying to get more people at the bar which was pushing me out. Funny since they could not pronounce the names of the grapes. Oh well.

2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay $18.00

Light yellow in color with hints of butter and tropical fruit. Has a slight spice on the plate yet finishes pretty smooth. It seems more like a Chardonnay that is wanting to be more than it can. I like it but nothing I would go out of my way to get.

2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Mourvèdre, Columbia Valley $26.00

With a blend of 90% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah, this beast is brick red with hints of cola on the rim. On the nose, wet fur and dander. On the palate...rich earth tones with hints of light smoke. The tannins are pretty soft and last for a few minutes. Food wine!

2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley $30

Black Cherry in color with hints brick red on the rim. Pretty full-bodied and rich on the nose with notes of cola and light tar. Tannins were round but full at the end. Nice wine but needs to be drank with food, maybe some pork.

2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabinet Riesling, Columbia Valley $17

At first I was kind of pissed that CSM would do a word-play on a German style of wine, but after tasting it I thought it was OK. Riesling was clear as a bell with a strong note of dried honey and light yellow pear. The palate was great but was nothing like a German Kabinet. Has a real zestyness to it. Lightly crisp on the palate with nice notes of light jasmine and fresh green apples. Finish was soft and beautiful. Nice wine.

2001 Eroica Single Berry Select by Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley, $200 for 375ml

If you ever have the chance to try any of the Single Berry Select Rieslings...DO IT! Only 145 cases of this vintage was produced, I have 2 more bottles of this liquid love.

With a color of light amber, almost looking like the 1988 Chateau d'Yquem. With a nose of light pineapple and honey still in the wax, this beauty coats your mouth like motor oil. Notes of wet stone fruit with hints of light clove...this thing was amazing.

While there were only four of us there when there was going to be about 12. They missed out like no mans business. Oh well, I know that Kathy, David and Asha loved it. That's all I cared about.

One down, two to go.

2004 Chateau Branas Grand Poujeaux, Moulis $24.99

Deep red in color with some great mocha and coffee notes. Medium to full bodied with notes of tar and cedar. Tannins are pretty balanced yet have a nice little sweet bit at the end. I like it.

2006 Stevenson Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley

Almost burgundy in color with a hint of mud. Soft on the finish with nice easy tannins. The wine was good but I think it may have lost some of its love over night.

2006 Stevenson Cellars Cabernet Sauvigon, Columbia Valley

Almost brick-red in color. Rich spices with soft red fruit and spices. Tannins are pretty big but are very well balanced. Finish of smoke and pencil lead were interesting. Not sure if there was any Cabernet Franc in the wine, but it sure had the note.

Steveson Cellars Red Wine, Columbia Valley $17.00

Before I started really getting into the wines of the day I was treated with a few wines from Stevenson Cellars wines that were poured the night before. The red blend is a non-vintage red wine that has a deep red color with strong cherry and wet cedar notes. Had lost a little bit of its power but had some solid spices and rich toasted oak on the finish. Very nice soft red wine.

2008 Wolf Pinot Noir Rose, Pfalz

Almost slightly light pink. Light sea salt on the nose. Soft on the palate with nice notes of fig and fennel. This is a great Rose for people who are afraid to taste rose wines, but has enough for the MW in all of us.

Wines from Alsace

I had a few wines from Alsace that were sitting around so I thought I'd take 20 minutes to go through them. I know that a lot of people from the US are not the Alsace wine drinking type but these types of wines are great.

2006 Hugel et Fils Riesling, Alsace $16.99

There is a light hint of yellow in color. Notes of rubber and minerals. On the palate there are some great notes of wet rock, stone fruit and a bit of sea salt. The finish is was a bit off as the wine seemed to be a bit flabby at the the end.

Tasted 8/09

2006 Hugel et Fils Gentil, Alsace $13.99

Almost pee in color with a hint of scotch whiskey with minerals and nutmeg, which was a bit odd! Solid on the palate with a slight spice of sea salt and minerals. Finish is smooth and kind of light. Pretty nice wine but again I think most from the US might not like the way this wine is made.

Tasted 8/09

2007 Pierre Sparr Riesling, Alsace $12.99

Clear with a light color of Champagne. Hints of lime peel with a dose of green crisp apple. Good acidity on the palate with some soft wet stone on the finish. Mineral notes are something that come to note on the Riesling. (People from the US might not like this one)

Tasted 8/09

2002 Pierre Sparr Riesling "Mamburg" Alsace $25.99

I'd have to say that this was and is a great Gran Cru Riesling from Alsace. Clear with a light Chardonnay in color, almost a hint past hay color. Wet stone with some minerals or vitamins on the nose, hints of light ginger followed. Good amount of RS with a soft silk-likeness on the palate. The wine flows through the palate like a wave of silk! Medium bodied with some pretty good acidity. Great wine.

Tasted 8/10/09

1971 von Simmern, Langwerth - Rauenthaler Baiken Riesling Auslese $175

If you really know me then you know that I'm kind of a German Riesling nut! When I come across a nice old bottle of juice, my wife usually can tell that something is up an will take my debit card away!

Riesling was a bit lighter than honey in color. Rich petrol, wet rock and fresh rain on the nose. On the palate this thing covered your mouth like a shot of Nyquil (not sure on the flavor, oil if they made it).

The finish was dry with more great petrol notes and nice notes of stone fruit. The acidity on this bitch could last another 5 years though! I love it!

**Image in not actual bottle

1986 Maison Leroy Gevrey Chambertin, Estournelles St. Jacques, Cote de Nuits $80

The first bottle I tried was cooked. Bottle two was a bit different though.

Bright red berry fruit on the nose as the color of the wines was less ruby and more brown than anything. Hints of light spices with red fruit on the palate. Wine actually held up pretty well for a 1er cru that was 20 years old.

On the finish it was silky soft with very light tannins. I think this wine is ready now and should be consumed within the next few years of less.

Tasted 1/07

1985 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $95

Deep red in color with a hint of brown on the rim. Brown spices and sugar on the nose with hints of dried fruit. There was pretty good acidity considering it was a 20 year old cab from CA. There was a light lemon zest on the finish which was strange since it was a red and I was tasting things that usually come from a white?

1979 Château Haut-Batailley, Pauillac $125

Deep red with light purple notes. Very veggie on the nose with a palate of green shrubs. This wine did not hold up well at all. Acidity was not there and the palate was kinda shot.

1978 Maison Jaffelin Echezeaux, Cote de Nuits $150

Almost a shade of brown in color with a nose of baked potato that headed toward dried flowers and light herbs. Light strawberry and cherries on the palate with little tannins coming into play. The acidity was pretty low as I think this baby was past her prime but still showing what a textbook Echezeaux nose is. It was nice.

1933 Justino's Malmsey Madeira $300

This was a wine or Madeira that I had been wanting to taste for years. This is the reason I got into the wine world.

The color of the beauty was like a light suede jacket. The nose was worth just sitting there and sniffing for a few days. With loads of caramel, butterscotch, and rusted nuts...I was willing to take the rest of the day off.

On the palate it had good dryness and light hints of cocoa, lime and more nuts. There was also a light hint of field grass.

Overall, this was something I was proud to put my name behind. It had enough acidity to last another 20 years but why would I want to wait? I want all my friends to try it. Maybe the reason why I bought 6 bottles.

Tasted 1/07 while assessing a cellar.

2000 La Spinetta, Barolo $120

Deep red to almost black in color. Nose of Jasmine and fancy soap. Lots of laundry and huge tannins on the palate. Less fruit but more wood, very strange since my last bottle was the opposite. The finish was pretty damn big and could use some air before taking the journey.

Tasted 1/07 while assessing a cellar.

1974 Bertani Amarone, Veneto $200

Bottle was in great condition so we decided that it was the best one to taste. Brown on the rim but blood red in the center. The nose was full of red licorice, candies, and light green bell peppers. On the palate it was holding up pretty well for a 33 year old Amarone.

Very sweet tannins with a nice rich prune/spice finish. Very soft on the finish. At $200 per bottle this wine was a gem. I wish I could have picked up a few but my wife would have killed me.

Tasted 1/07 while assessing a cellar.

1989 Chateau La Fleur-Petrus, Pomerol $120

Pretty deep red in color with a light brown rim. Rich wild blackberry on the nose with hints of pencil shavings. On the palate this wine was a full belly sit down! Rich tannins with a light herbal hint. Finish was a bit rough, almost like sandpaper. Give it a few more years or decant this bitch for a few hours.

Tasted 12/06 while assessing a cellar.

1982 Chateau Palmer, Margaux $200

Wine was great color for its age. Almost looking like a fresh Burgundy. nose of wet herbs and light berry jam. Very light on the palate with very soft tannins. On the finish there as more herbs with a very silky finish of light mocha and truffles. Wine was doing great and I think it is at its prime. Drink them up if you have them.

Tasted 12/06 while assessing a cellar.

1977 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port $130

Color of the port looked thin and brown. Nose was full of spices like Cinnamon. Pepper and spices on the palate with some nice rich tannins. Port was very well balanced and ready to rock and roll.

Tasted 12/06 assessing a cellar.

1987 Chateau Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac $45

the color was heading to the brown side of things. Nose of crushed green bell peppers. Soft on the palate with hints of spices and nutmeg on the end. Pretty on the finish with a light finish as well.

Tasted 12/06 assessing a cellar.

1943 Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac Leognan $650

Wine was ruby in color with soft red fruit with just a light-hint of VA. On the palate there were load of rust and iron. After 20 minutes or so the VA blew off and left some nice bright red berries and light minerals. Funny thing was that there was a little heat as well. Nice wine being that it was 63 years old.

Tasted 12/06 assessing a cellar.

1969 Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue, Musigny-Blanc $800

The picture shows a bottle of 1983, but the one I tasted was a 1969.

Golden yellow in color with it heading toward the cider side of things. Hazelnut on the nose with a hint of astringent. On the palate the acidity was pretty big with notes of lemon peel.

At first I thought it was lousy, then I tasted it again. By the third taste I was in love. I'd pick a few up if they came around, but my wife would kill me.

Tasted 12/06 assessing a cellar.

1975 Peturs, Pomerol $1600

The color of the wine was the color of a fresh Pinot Noir. Port-like nose, possibly slightly oxidized or maybe was cooked. A few minutes later the wine went toward the dried flower side of things with hints of light lead and minerals.

The funny thing was that the tannins came into play toward the end of the palate. Tannins were quick and medium bodied. Funny that Parker gave this wine 98 points, I would have gave it a lot less, maybe around 89 points.

This is the end result of someone trying to auction off wines.

Tasted 12/06 while assessing a cellar.

2005 Crauford Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside $20.99

I'm getting more and more concerned about the wine I taste from Newman. All the wines I tasted seem to be on sale and all of them are rated by J. Newman. The word that all his reps tell me is that he is the biggest buyer of American wines in the US. Why? Which wines?

Wine is deep red in color, almost black. Rich spices and herbs on the nose with good structure. Big tannins and acidity. Wine is full bodied with an OK amount of balance. Dry on the end with notes of nutmeg and cassis.

Tasted 6/24/09 via Newman Wine & Spirits