Roussanne, Horse Heaven Hills, $19
Another great white blend from Isenhower cellars, in 2006 the Roussanne component takes over, relegating the Viognier to 25 percent. Another racy and tasty white wine from this Winery, white pepper, with specks of orange rind and fresh green herbs. It’s light for Roussanne, but very refreshing.
Archive for March, 2008
1 Mar
2006 Isenhower Cellars Snapdragon 90 points
29 Feb
2004 Big Ass Zinfandel 92 points
Zinfandel, Sonoma County, $15
Another big powerful red with an unusual name and label. This zinfandel Is dry, grippy in dusty tannins and complex, with earthen flavors, freshly ground coffee, dried cherries, tobacco, blackberries and black pepper. Not to sweet or hot as so many Zins are, the alcohol is a modest 13.9%. The wine is [...]
28 Feb
2004 Hugel Cuvée les Amours 91 points
Pinot Blanc, Alsace, $15
This company makes alot of high end wines and i’t doesn’t suprise me there entry-level is so good. This medium-bodied opens with aromas of flint and citrus, as it opens hints of green apples, lemon zest and honeysuckle come out. The finish is big and long for a great bottle wine and [...]
27 Feb
2006 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 4 Sawcut 91 points
Pinot Noir, Marlborough, $29
From a blend of Dijon clones, with it’s intense aromas of ripe cherries, root beer float, cola and chocolate. The texture has a silky mouth-feel, while the flavors take on an intriguing grassy edge that adds to the dimension of the ripe fruit and a full palate of oak. Finishes complex, herbal and lingering; [...]
26 Feb
2006 Hall 91 points
Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, $20
A beautiful and alluring Sauvignon Blanc, with lots of acid and a intence mouthfeel. This wine bursts out of the glass with hints of grapefruit, lime and guava, add a little lemon zest on the finish for a classy bottle of wine.
25 Feb
2006 Wattle Creek 91 points
Sauvignon Blanc, Mendocino County, $17
Fruit, fruit and more fruit burst out of the glass and add to that, a little of this wine was barrel fermented in new oak. The majority was stainless-steel fermented. But that little bit of oak adds a subtle hint of richness to the brilliant fruit, which is a blast [...]
24 Feb
UNIÓN DE COSECHEROS DE LABASTIDA 91 points
Rioja Castillo Labastida Reserva 2001 ($19)
2001 was a great vintage for rioja and this wine does not dissapoint. This balanced red offers crisp cherry, cola, vanilla, tobacco and fresh herb flavors, supported by well-integrated tannins that give way to a spicy, floral finish. Drink now through 2011. 15,000 cases made
23 Feb
2005 Cayalla RTW 90 points
Red Blend, Columbia Valley (WA), $13
Red blends are hot this year! Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah from Washington and Oregon vineyards are mixed into Cayalla, a tart, supple, somewhat chalky red wine. It’s medium bodied and lush, balanced and clean, with flavors are of wild strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb. Easy drinking wine and a [...]
22 Feb
2006 Valley of the Moon 89 points
Chardonnay, Sonoma County, $16
I like a full bodied Chardonnay with lots of oak and this Valley of the Moon Chard did it! This wine shows how the art of blending can produce a really nice Chardonnay at a fair price. It shows a cool-climate acidity and is quite dry, with a rich under-tone of oak [...]
21 Feb
2002 Taltarni Shiraz 91 points
Shiraz, Pyrenees, $20
Intense Blackberry and vanilla flavors take on a cinnamon character, on the palate, it’s all bouncy fruit and a lush mid-palate. Finishes with oakie vanilla notes. Great bottle of wine for 20 bucks, drink now thru 2010
