Juan Gil 2011 In a previous post I discussed wine from Jumilla, see Bodegas Luzón. The Jumilla region has been growing grapes and making wine for over 5,000 years, yet this region is just beginning to catch on. More and more offerings are appearing on the wine shelves. I have always been a big fan of Spanish wines and always passionate in my search for Fine Wines. Bodegas Juan Gil winery originated in 1916, when Juan Gil Giménez, great-grandfather of the present generation, started getting involved in the world of wine, building a winery in the heart of Jumilla. His son, Juan Gil Guerrero, dedicated his life to this…
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Charles Krug 2012 Chardonnay Carneros Charles Krug Winery was founded in 1861 by a 27-year old Prussian immigrant, Charles Krug, who came to America with little means but had the drive to work hard and build the cornerstone of the first winery in Napa. Charles Krug brought much influence, innovation and development into the Napa wine making era. For example he introduced the first cider press for wine making and it remains on display today. He experimented with selecting rootstocks, varietals and vineyard sites, unheard of in 19th century America. The winery changed hands at the turn of the 19th century and after Prohibition, in 1943, the winery was sold…
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Breca 2011 Garnacha Old Vines I am going to comment on another fine selection from the Jorge Ordoñez Group. They produce some of the most admired and prized wines internationally. My previous comments were on LaCana, see my January 22, Post. The Bodegas Jorge Ordoñez was founded in 2004 by the Ordoñez family from Malaga and the Kracher family from Austria, together with a group of friends and entrepreneurs from Malaga. Perhaps the most novel aspect of this winemaking venture was to enlist the services of world-renowned Austrian winemaker, Alois Kracher, who was the undisputed number one in Austrian sweet wines. He was succeeded by his son Gerhard Kracher in…
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Nita 2011 Priorat Nita is a unique gem from the Spanish appellation of Priorat produced by the Meritxell Pallejà Winery. The Catalans call it Priorat, pronounced (pree-ohr-aht), most others in Spain say Priorato. However one pronounces it, Priorat has been a region on the rise for Spain causing a stir among wine aficionados around the globe for this cult wine. The vineyards are located in the southern part of the Tarragona province, approximately 2 hours from southwest Barcelona. The countryside of Priorat are hilly and rugged, with soil made of nutrient-poor brown slate soil mixed together with rocks that the Spanish call llicorella. The vines become gnarled because of the…
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B.R. Cohn 2010 Silver Label North Coast Chardonnay While looking through my cellar, I came across a B.R. Cohn 2010 Silver Label North Coast Chardonnay. Recently, I have been disappointed with some 2010 Chardonnays (as I believe some were past their prime), so I decided to give this 2010 a try. This Silver Label offering from founder Bruce Cohn, who (for us older rockers) managed the Doobie Brothers, one of my favorite groups of the 70’s. Mr. Cohn, when not managing the Doobie Brothers, was learning all about wine and launched a winery in 1984. I opened his 2010 North Coast Chardonnay, chilled at about 48 degrees, (my wife likes it colder…
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Robert Mondavi 2011 Napa Chardonnay Robert Mondavi winery, located in Oakville, CA, makes a number of outstanding and consistent quality wines. I thought it was best starting at an entry point with his Chardonnay offering from Napa. Robert Mondavi established his winery in 1966 with a vision to have his Napa Valley wines to be among the world’s finest. Robert Mondavi also believed his wines should reflect its “roots” and be a signature creation from a combination of the soil, climate and production techniques, both new and old, which transforms the grapes into a fine wine. Opening a bottle of 2011 Napa Chardonnay, you notice a pale golden color sparkling…
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2012 Mollydooker, The Boxer, Shiraz Let’s go down under where the weather is 80 degrees and NO Polar Vortex! Thinking about warm weather, I came across a recently released 2012 Shiraz from Mollydooker, The Boxer, and decided to give it a try! The winery, owned by Sarah & Sparky Marquis, is located in McLaren Vale, less than an hour outside of Adelaide in Southern Australia. I would suggest that you visit the Mollydooker website as there are a number of interesting things to read and a bit about Sarah & Sparky Marquis and how Mollydooker came to be. In addition, the winery suggests that you do the “Mollydooker Shake” before…
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Chateau St. Jean 2011 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast The internet said last week that 49 of the 50 states had snow! Where is some of that global warmth? Trying to rush the warm weather, I grabbed a nice classic white that reminded me of summertime. Chateau St. Jean’s 2011 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast was my choice. The estate of Chateau St. Jean is located at the foot of Sugarloaf Ridge in the Sonoma Valley near Kenwood, California. The estate was founded in 1973 and recognized as a true leader in “Vineyard Designated” wines. The winemaker, Margo Van Staaveren, brings with her 30 years of experience and draws out the best that Chateau…
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La Caña Albariño 2012 Sitting here waiting out the storm I decided I wanted something bright and crisp reminding me of warmer times, so I grabbed a bottle of La Caña Albariño. Wine maker Alistar Gardner (from New Zealand) hand selects Albariño from old vines planted in 1966. About 75% of the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and the balance is fermented in French Oak until bottling. The winery is located at the southern tip of the Salnes valley in Rias Baixas, close to the Atlantic Ocean. The soil is poor composed of granite and is highly acidic due to it’s proximity to the Atlantic. Vivid yellow appearance…