The Prisoner -- 2010 Napa Valley Red Wine

I've been wanting to write a review for this one for quite some time now! I finally got my hands on this wine. I've been a fan of Orin Swift's Papillion and was curious to try one of their other well-known wines,  The Prisoner.

Brooke's Tasting Notes  
This wine packs a power-punch of super-ripe berries with a smooth, sweet and supple finish. I have heard this wine is a sure-fired crowd pleaser and after trying it, I believe it! I think that this wine markets to many tastes, like people who like big Zins, a lot of this having to do with the detectable levels or residual sugars. 

Brooke's Rating:  For a sort of hodge-podge of grape varietals + residual sugar wine, I give this wine a B-. I'd drink it again if someone gave it to me (and probably enjoy it) but I don't think its worth the value.
My other recommendation? Splurge a few more bucks and stick with Orin Swift's Papillon or if you can find it, get the Nickel Head.

Composition
44% Zinfandel
26% Cabernet Sauvignon
18% Syrah
  9% Petite Sirah
  2% Charbono
  1% Grenache

Have you tasted this wine? If so, tell me what you think!

Cheers,

B

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2010 Cote de Brouilly --Chateau Thivin

When I saw this in a local wine shop I couldn't help but get super giddy inside, as it immediately took me back to the time I visited that very winery in France.  It was a wine I simply could not pass up, as I recall very fond memories of my most recent trip to France to this Burgundian winery.

The photos below are ones I saved from my trip to France, circa two years ago:

Brooke's Tasting Notes:  

This 2010 Chateau Thivin, Cote de Brouilly (website here) exudes notes of red raspberries on the nose, with a slight sweet cranberry, lingering finish. I like the fact that this light-bodied, easy-tannic wine really shows the true terroir of the Gamay fruit on the Beaujolais soil from which this wine originated.

Review Date: March 30th, 2012

Region: Burgundy

SubRegion: Beaujolais

Appellation: Cote de Brouilly

Grape Variety: Gamay

Aging: In oak casks for six months

What would you pair with Gamay?


Cheers,
B

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Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

 

There's nothing better than sharing a beautiful wine with beautiful people.  This time I had the opportunity to share this wine with my mom last weekend.  It was a special treat to try this Alexander Valley Cab from Jordan over a yummy dinner downtown with her. (Thanks again, mom!) :)

Brooke's Tasting Notes: 

This '07 Jordan Cab is pretty full-bodied, well-balanced and velvety smooth.  Hints of plum and oak aromas exude from the glass, with a long lingering yet dry finish on the tongue.  The tannins are soft, allowing this wine to be a refined, well balanced, and overall excellent wine. 

My rating:  very good (92)

Review Date: March 10th, 2012

Appellation: Alexander Valley 

Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and less than 1% Malbec 

Barrel Aging: 12 months in 70% French oak and 30% American oak 

Alcohol Level: 13.5% 

Bottling Dates: July 6 - August 7, 2009 

Release Date: May 1, 2011

 

Have you tasted this wine? If so, I'd like to hear your feedback. 

Cheers,

B

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TASTING NOTES—2008 Ehler's Estate: One Twenty Over Eighty

I'm a big fan of this 2008 Ehler's Estate: One Twenty Over Eighty.

We bought this Cab on a trip to Napa on my birthday weekend in Napa (seen in this post), and waited for another special occasion to enjoy it together with the family. Sadly this 2008 vintage is now sold out, but it is available on wine.com as of today.

Tasting Notes

This Bordeaux blend is comprised of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with just 4% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc.  The name, 120/80,  is the 'ideal' blood pressure and is a playful reminder of this fully non-profit winery--all proceeds go toward cardiovascular research.  It is a nice, full-bodied and balanced wine with notes of raspberry, dark berry and spicy oak on the palette and ends with a bold, tannic finish. 

My rating: A-

Wine Profile:

Final Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc

Harvest Date:  September 21st – October 15th, 2008

Bottling Date: August 18, 2010

Alcohol %: 14.5%

Fruit source: 100% estate grown Farming: California Certified Organic Farmer since July

2008 Oak Regime: 100% French Oak, 50% New 

Primary Coopers: Nadalie, St. Martin, de Jarnac, Baron, Demptos

Cheers,
B

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TASTING NOTES—2006 CALI 351 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes:

When we opened this wine last night with dinner, I knew I had to share this one on the blog! Awarded 92 Points--Wine Enthusiast, this Cab has "classic Napa tannins" and just the right amount of acid to give a nice sharp bite on the tongue while balancing well on the palate.  Tasted great after allowing it to aerate a bit.  It was a sad moment when the last drops of the fruit-forward, musky ripe raspberry and dark cherry-driven flavors left the bottle.  I have a feeling this wine will age well and will taste great in a few years...good thing we purchased more than one bottle!

Harvest Chemistry:
Avg Brix: 25.6
pH: 3.65
TA (g/L): 6.5

Technical Wine Notes:
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon: 84%, Cabernet Franc: 16%
New Oak: 80%
Alc %: 14.7%
pH: 3.72
TA: 6.1 g/L
RS: 1.1 g/L
9L Cases Produced: 969
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Cheers,
B

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TASTING NOTES—2008 Signature Merlot: Darioush

My family was happy to savor this '08 Napa Valley Merlot with our Christmas dinner.  In fact, this was a wine I picked up (per request) on my most recent visit to Napa (my experience of the winery here).

Tasting Notes

With just a sip of the wine, the Merlot has prominent notes of strawberry and spicy raspberry on the palette with soft tannins and subtle acidity but the Darioush website describes it best:   

"The moderate 2008 growing season yielded small amounts of mature, highly-concentrated Merlot. The resulting wine offers a profile of dense, expressive dark fruit, black raspberry, cherry and dried fig supported by a tight core of dark cocoa, licorice and cola. Sweet, succulent tannins add textural complexity, while a beautiful, long finish reveals notes of rosemary, cinnamon and graham cracker"

Winemaker's notes below:

{photo property of Darioush Winery, Napa Valley. Click for larger view}

Cheers,
B

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TASTING NOTES—2006 Yountville Vintage Brut-Domaine Chandon

This week, I want to feature a wine from Domaine Chandon. Chandon was my first-ever winery experience in Napa. Team Chandon and all of its players taught me so much valuable information (more than I ever imagined) this summer during the 2011 Sparkling Summer Harvest. I already miss it! ♥

{TASTING NOTES TUESDAY}

This '06 Yountville Vintage Brut is my absolute favorite wine from Domaine Chandon—hands down. (AND I have been to the winery's tasting room several times to taste their entire wine selection!) I have only bottle for myself in my personal collection and I'm definitely saving it for a special occasion. :)

This is the wine I referred to in one of my previous posts here. It actually reminds me of a particular type of Veuve Clicquot I have tasted before. Aromas of peach, granny apples and cinnamon on the nose play with my senses and finish on the tongue with flavors of delicate amaretto and crisp nectarine. Its mouth feel is described as "extremely rich and creamy, combined with bright acidity [which] make this interesting, well-balanced sparkling wine an appealing choice" (via Chandon)—couldn't have described it any better. 

Have you ever tried this wine or have any favorite Chandon wines of your own? I'd like to know! 

Cheers,

B

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TASTING NOTES—2010 Singature Viognier: Darioush

{TASTING NOTES TUESDAY}

{photo property of Darioush Winery, Napa Valley. Click for larger view}

I went back to Napa last weekend for a fun day trip with some of my girlfriends. And as we were driving along Silverado Trail, Darioush was a winery we simply couldn't pass up. I tasted their Signature Flight, which included five of their signature wines: Viognier, Chardonnay, Merlot, and two vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon.
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This week I wanted to feature the Darioush 2010 Signature Viognier, mostly because this wine really stood out to me and I don't think I have had anything like it. One of the employees behind the bar even told me that people who come into Darioush who are not huge fans of white wines and choose usually to be red-wine drinkers end up leaving with a bottle or two with this Viognier--I definitely see this happening because this wine has so much complexity, is not sweet yet has a wonderful balance of acidity and floral, peach-cream and honey-suckle taste to it. AND, I totally regret not taking a bottle home with me! But you have to save something for next time, right? ;)
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Wine Spectator even said this wine is "very refreshing, showing a lip-smacking acidity that gives a fresh, vibrant feel to the apricot, peach, nectarine and citrus flavors. Wonderful purity and persistence mark the finish, punctuated by a terrific sleekness. Drink now." Gotta love it.
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Cheers,
B

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TASTING NOTES—Left Coast Cellars: 2006 Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir

 Today is Tuesday and you know what that means...

...TASTING NOTES TUESDAY!!! (whohoo!)

I have a really good wine to share with you all—this time, its a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley:
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{The Left Coast Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot we enjoyed with dinner}-

{TASTING NOTES}

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TASTING NOTES—Cabernet Sauvignon Hess Allomi 2008

In between my busy interning schedule, I was able to squeeze in a nice visit to Hess Winery last week with another intern I work with at DC.

Located in a desolate forest among the lush hills of the Mount Veeder district, Hess' winemaking practices--both in the cellar and in the vineyard-- are eco-friendly. Plus they have  a multi-million dollar art collection--one of the most extensive art collections in the Valley.
The property grounds are stunning and the contemporary art collection was fascinating. (More info + photos to come) But first, I want to share one of my favorite wines I tried in the tasting room during my visit--the Hess Allomi Cab Sauv vintage 2008. I believe this wine is available in stores and/or most wine shops and not just the winery--so you won't have to go to too much trouble finding it. :)

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{TASTING NOTES TUESDAY}

This wine shows dark fruit on the nose: blackberry, dark cheery, and plum. Hints of oaky flavors from the American oak barreling is sprinkled with notes of vanilla bean, working to give way to a complex, intense, yet well-balanced and smooth tannin finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon Hess Allomi 2008

Varietal Composition:

87%	Cabernet Sauvignon
12%	Petite Sirah
1%	Petit Verdot

Appelation: Napa Valley, California   

Alcohol: 14.4%

pH: 3.83

TA: .55g/100mL

Aging: 18 months in American oak (25%)

Retail price: ~$28.

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TASTING NOTES—Sauvignon Blanc Ehlers 2010

And the tasting notes continue! Now that I can access internet on my laptop in my lovely home-away-from-home in Napa, expect more posts from me on a regular basis. Beginning today, I will be reviewing a wine that I recommend —that's well-worth a try —every Tuesday.

{TASTING NOTES TUESDAY}

This crisp, dry and full-bodied '10 Sauv Blanc was thoroughly enjoyed at my birthday lunch at Ehlers Estate last week. Sipping the well-balanced wine with notes of grapefruit and lemon with hints nectarine and apricot, it was refreshing treat on the warm Napa summer afternoon.

Using bio-dynamic practices, I love the fact that Ehlers makes their wines from 100% estate-grown, certified organic grapes. In addition to their impressive environmental awareness, Ehlers Estate also exhibits a philanthropic mission. The not-for-profit winery donates one hundred percent of their proceeds in wine sales to support the Leduq Foundation for cardiovascular research. Makes every sip that much more rewarding.

Sauvignon Blanc Ehlers Estate 2010

Composition: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Appelation: St. Helena, California   

Alcohol %: 13.8%

pH: 3.31

Harvest Date: August 31, 2010

Cheers, B

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TASTING NOTES--Cabernet Sauvignon Cupcake 2009

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I've been enjoying the extra time spent in San Diego with friends and family, improving my tennis game, and going to the beach on a regular basis (even though it seems we are experiencing June gloom...in August!) 

{TASTING NOTES TUESDAY}

My first impression of this Cab blend by Cupcake Vineyards is marked by its cute label and display in the store. Plus the back of the label reads, "Live Deliciously."  Irresistible? I think yes! 

An initial sniff of the wine sends me in oaky aroma overload, yet I find the wine mellows out after letting it breathe a bit.  The medium cherry color wine holds a thin viscosity and is somewhat transparent. A few swirls later, the wine shows a ripe blackberry, dark cherry aroma layered with cedar and a slight vegetative character. The dark berry flavor wine has a spicy finish; either tarragon or clove.  Very drinkable and makes for a great match with BBQ meats or mixed chicken and vegetable kabobs.

Cons: The Cab was slightly acidic, seemed thin and weak (not very substantial); but it might be too young still.

Final words: For a wine of this price, I'd say its a pretty smart buy.

{Serious props to Cupcake Vineyards and their brilliant marketing strategies}

Cabernet Sauvignon Cupcake 2009

Composition: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah,  2% Merlot & 2% Petite Syrah 

Location: Central Coast California.   

Alcohol %: 13.5%

pH: 3.6

Acid:0.66g/100mL 

Sugar: 25

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