Wine Tasting: 2015 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé

I've been trying more Rosé wines. Haven't had the chance to make many notes on them, but here is one.

Tasting Notes:
Smells of rose petals. (fitting) On the palete, a zing of marmalade, lemon, and lime followed up by softer florals on the finish.

Final Thoughts:
Light, not too sweet, not too dry. With a slight chili on the wine combined with the light citrus notes makes for a nice little evening summer wine to relax with.

Wine Tasting: 2013 Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec Reserva

In light of Argentina beating the US the other night in COPA America.  I decided I would buy an Agentinian wine.  That's what I'm tasting tonight though not necessarily due to the fact that Agentina lost last night to Chile.

Tasting Notes:
Surprisingly faint aromas overall, though I do smell hints of blueberry and a red cherry. Flavors of tart black current, dates, pepper, and granite.

Final Thoughts:
Interesting, though the flavors don't necessarily agree with my palette though I could see others finding it much more palatable.

  

Wine Tasting: 2013 Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon

I actually had this wine the other night, but I'm only getting around to posting my thoughts tonight.

I must say, that I am definitely becoming more of a Washington State wine fan of late.  Though I must admit a winemaking friend of mine who is really a fan of Washington wines  has really made me examine more Washington wines.

So, this wine is the 2013 Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting Notes:
Garnet in color with scents of plum, and licorice. Cranberry, with earthen flavors of forest floor and minerals with a long peppery finish. Smooth, but not quite silky. Good body and the alcohol punches forward, yet the bold flavors and long finish make it blend well.

Final Thoughts;
I enjoyed this wine, though another winemaking acquaintance of mine said he didn't qutie appreciate the 2014 version of this same wine.  Could be age, could just be a lacking wine.  Anyway, I do like the 2013 vintage.

Wine Tasting: 2012 Decoy Zinfandel

I've recently tried Duckhorn's Goldeye and thought it was fantastic.  Today, I wanted to try another one of their products.  The Decoy line of Zinfandel.  The 2012 vintage to be exact.

Tasting Notes:
Burgundy in color with medium legs.  Jammy red fruit on the nose, On the palate I would a completely sugarless raspberry.  The point that it's is on the edge of being outright bitter.  The acidity is quite high out of the bottle, but it burns off after a bit, though not enough to vastly improve the wine.  The wine is thin lacking the body you generally expect from a big Zinfandel.

Final Thoughts:
I'm a huge fan of big fat jammy Zinfandel.  I'm not a fan of this wine as it definitely is not one of those.  This is however, my first Decoy wine. I really enjoy Duckhorn's Goldeneye wines.  I hope other wines in the Decoy line do not disappoint as this one does.

Wine Tasting: 2013 Doran Vineyards Chenin Blanc

Tonight's wine is one of a white grape that interest me quite a bit. A South African Chenin Blanc.   Specifically, the 2013 Barrell Fermented Doran Chenin Blanc.

I'm really becoming a fan of Chenin Blanc.  While many white grape wines have a specific profile.  I've tasted Chenin Blancs that are surprisingly different.  In many cases, if I didn't know they were a specific varietal. I would think they could be blends of several known whites.

Tasting Notes:
Straw in color with a grapefruit and guava aromas.  The flavors start off as a mellow citrusy truffle and then quickly explode as the acidity brings limon, lime and apircot forward.
Final Thoughts:
This wine has a very interesting taste profile. Specifically the way it starts off mellow almost flat, then springs to life with a fantastic acidtiy and bursting with flavor.  Definitely a thumbs up!

Wine Tasting: 2014 Meiomi Pinot Noir

On the docket tonight is a wine that I've been meaning to try for some time, but there always seemed to be an excuse to open a different wine.

Meiomi Wines is a fairly well known brand.  I've tried one of their Chardonnays.  Tonight is their 2014 Pinor Noir and the grapes are sourced from three different locations within California. Monterrey County, Sonoma County, and Santa Brabara County.

Tasting Notes:

Scents of cranberry sauce and spices.  Fruit forward flavors with tangy strawberries, pomegranate, sour cherry following up with a smokey finish.  The wine is smooth and quite tasty.

Final Thoughts:

This is a tasty wine.  When I have company come over, especially company that doesn't visit often, I like to open a good wine.  This is a wine I would open with an infrequent visitor.

Wine Tasting: 2014 Selbach-Oster Riesling feinherb

Tonight's wine comes at the recommendation of a G+ wine friend of mine (+Margret P.) I haven't tried too many Rieslings, but the ones I've had. I've been quite impressed with.  Margret gave me a few recommendations, and this was one of them.

Tasting Notes:
Straw in color.  Aromas of citrus fruit, honeydew and rubber.  Flavors of Limon, light grapefruit, and pear.  A slightly highened acidity, though it works well with the vivid citrus structure.  It's smooth even with the acidiy and has a bit more body that I expected.

Final Thoughts:
Almost Sauvignon Blanc like, yet it still has the Riesling character.  Very interesting, and very good!

Wine Tasting: 2010 Yering Station Village Shiraz Viognier

Tonight's fare is a 2010 Yering Station Village Shiraz.  It's a blend of 95% Shiraz and 5% Viognier aged in French Oak.

Tasting Notes:
Dark purple in color.  On the nose I Raspberry, plum, hints of raddish, and black tea.  On the palate, I have a stewed cranberry of sort, vocanic rock, and a brazilian nut with hints of tobacco.  Medium plus body with a slight hint of higher acidity that burned off within minutes of the pour.

Final Thoughts:
It's a good wine for it's price point. ($14US)

Wine Tasting: 2012 Château Fleur Cardinale

Tonight's wine is a 2012 Château Fleur Cardinale Saint-Émilion Grand Cru.  It was paired with a Pasta Rigatoni with Italian Sausage.

Tasting Notes:
Dark inky like purple with scents of bramble and dark fruit.  Black cherry, raisin, black current and a bit of peat moss on the palate.  Not only full bodied, but a ripe full flavor with good structure to match.

Final Thoughts:
This is beautiful now, but I bet it will only get better. It's a keeper!

Wine Tasting: 2013 Columbia Crest Wautoma Springs Vineyards Reserve

Tonight was the night to ensure my Columbia Crest Wine Club shipment wasn't tainted by the heat during shipping. (a week shipping and 90F+ heat) I would have rather cellared it, but I needed to know if I had to send it back.

I like the packaging.  Simple yet elegant black and gold label with winemaking notes on the front of the label.  An ornate cork that is quite attractive.  

Tasting Notes:
A dark lushish purple and surprisingly fast legs.  On the nose there is florals, blueberry and an earthen minerality.  Medium bodied, yet very juicy with flavors of plum, black cherry and allspice.  It finishes is quite long and it begs for another taste.

Final Thoughts:
A bit thin and young, but very good none the less.  It doesn't appear tainted by heat during shipping.  I recieved two in my shipment and I may purchase another to replace this one in my cellar.