Sierra Cantabria 2009 Crianza Founded in 1957 by Guillermo Eguren, Sierra Cantabria is sheltered in the heart of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a town of historic winemaking tradition, positioned in a unique location between the River Ebro and the Sierra Cantabria mountain range. The Sierra Cantabria mountains and the Ebro river create a special microclimate with Mediterranean and Continental characteristics providing mild winters and gentle summers, unique for vine cultivation. In addition, the summers get a “thermal jump” with intense heat during the day with crisp night temperatures which creates an increase in the level of polyphenols, found in many fine wines. The soils are calcareous clay which is…
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Qupé 2010 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah A California resident, Bob Lindquist named his winery “qupé” to honor the Chumash, the indigenous people of the Golden State’s Central Coast and Channel Islands. Since many of the sounds of the Chumash language have been obscured by time, Bob gave “qupe” its pronunciation (“kyoo-pay”), with an accent on the final syllable. In Chumash, “qupé” refers to the poppy, a flowering plant traditionally used for food and medicine. Pictured on the winery’s label, a stylized poppy stands amid a swirl of stems studded with leaves and seed pods. The arresting image – originally intended as an embroidered motif for bed linens – was selected…
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Castello Di Pomino 2012 Chardonnay Pomino, meaning “Little Apple” is a small DOC located in central Italy’s picturesque region of Tuscany. The classified area encompasses the town of Pomino and includes vineyards within the Chianti Rufina sub-zone in the province of Florence. Although relatively unknown, this is a premium wine producing area, and was granted its DOC title in 1983. In a decree drawn up by the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1716, he declared Pomino to be one of four major areas in Tuscany that had the potential to produce quality wines. It was also hailed by the 17th-century writer and scientist Francesco Redi, who said, “The Pomino district…
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Don Olegario 2012 & 2013 Riax Baixas Albariño I recently tasted both the 2012 and 2103 vintages of Don Olegario Albariño. The Falcon brothers currently manage Bodegas Don Olegario, however the tradition and passion for wine was inherited from their grandfather Adolph Falcon, who since 1950 was dedicated to the marketing of wine locally. Olegario, the Falcon brothers father, established himself as winemaker in 1980, bought the vineyard and began making Albariño wine under the name of Don Olegario, and in 1988 joined Dorian Baixas. Today, the third generation of Falcon brothers are committed to maintain the same style and quality of wine produced by their father. Rias Baixas is…
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Rombauer 2012 Chardonnay Carneros Koerner Rombauer was born and raised in Southern California, in the small, agricultural town of Escondido, near San Diego. He attended public schools in Escondido and went to the same high school as Joan Ransome, who would later (in 1959) become his wife. Koerner’s first great career passion was flying, and was a commercial pilot with Braniff and flew as a captain along a South American route until the airline ceased operations in 1972. The Rombauers moved their family, two horses, and five dogs from Dallas to the Napa Valley. They purchased 40 acres of hilltop land on the Silverado Trail, near St. Helana, however without…
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Terrabianca 2009 Campaccio Toscana In the medieval times Podere Terrabianca found itself in the ambiguous situation of being situated in the part of the countryside under the rule of Florence and, at the same time, also in the diocese of the Bishop of Siena. The very first documents mentioning its presence, dated 1085, describe it as being a country estate as, in fact, its name clearly implies. Today the winery Terrabianca is located at the heart of the Chianti Classico region, in the middle of Tuscany. The soil consists of layers of chalk, sand and clay from the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic ages which is the ideal composition to grow grapes…
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Heitz 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Recently I reviewed Heitz Cellars 2012 Napa Chardonnay (see my July 15, 2014 review), not overly complex, but a refreshing Chardonnay. However, Heitz is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, so let’s get to it. I previously mentioned that in 1966, Joe Heitz had the foresight to single vineyard designate the Cabernet grapes from the May’s vineyard and crafted the renowned Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, initiating a concept in Napa Valley. Joe’s winemaking mastermind was evident, and the acclamation for Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which continues for 48 years and counting, helped to usher California onto the world stage. Heitz makes a few different Cabernet Sauvignon’s,…
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Ramey 2011 Chardonnay Russian River Earlier this year I reviewed Ramey Wine Cellars 2010 Syrah, see my March 28 Review. Ramey Wine Cellars crafts outstanding quality wines that are both delicate and magnificent and comes from some of the finest Sonoma vineyards. Ramey selects vineyards for their ability to continue producing the highest quality fruit. David and his wife Carla founded Ramey Wine Cellars in 1996 after spending time at Matanzas Creek, Chalk Hill, Dominus and Rudd. Ramey Wine Cellars is located in Healdsburg, in the heart of the California wine country. Ramey’s varietals are basically Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah. Today I will review their Chardonnay, and I know…
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Alto Moncayo 2010 Veraton Bodegas Alto Moncayo is truly among one of Spain’s finest wine estates. Bodegas Alto Moncayo is a joint venture of Jorge Ordoñez, Jose Miguel San Martin, Dan Phillips together with Bodegas Borsao. Their flagship wine is Alto Moncayo made from 100% old vines Grenache grapes. Today I will comment on their other offering, Veraton, also made from 100% old vines Grenache grapes planted between 50 and 100 years ago. As you will soon learn, the Veraton is an outstanding wine that is a significant value for the price. Their website is still being developed, but check out what they have and read the reviews from Robert…
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Sonoma-Cutrer 2011 Les Pierres Chardonnay Recently I commented on Sonoma-Cutrer 2012 Russian River Chardonnay (see May 9, 2014 post) and described that I first became acquainted with Sonoma-Cutrer during a Sonoma wine tasting event in the 80’s and met Brice Cutrer Jones. When I tasted his Chardonnay, in a word, outstanding, one of the best I have tasted, but that was a while ago. The Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay was my “go-to” Chardonnay until about the time Brice Cutrer Jones was no longer associated with the winery. In 1999, Brown-Forman, the Kentucky-based drinks giant acquired Sonoma-Cutrer, and 2 years later fired Brice Cutrer Jones. Since Brice’s departure, the Chardonnay…