2008 Fetzer Gewürztraminer Valley Oaks

On March 9, 2010, In White, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2008 Fetzer Gewurztraminer Valley Oaks from California. This bottle was purchased for under $6. I believe this wine sees no time in oak barrels and is aged in stainless steel instead.

Color

In the glass this wine is a beautiful golden color.

Aroma

There is a hint of cinnamon on the nose of this wine. I also get orange and ripe mango components. There is also some pineapple as well. Overall a very tropical fruit nose.

Flavor

On the attack the oranges and peaches are dominant. In the mid-palate and finish I get more citrus components which remind me of red grapefruit. Be prepared for the sweetness on this wine. It is definitely not dry. I couldn’t find the amount of residual sugar on this wine, but it must be fairly high. Comment if you know it please. However for a spicy meal it should pair well and the acid is enough to balance some of the sweetness.

Rating

I like this wine. It is a steal at this price. Just know what you are getting regarding the sugar levels. But if sweet fruit forward white wines match your palate then I strongly recommend you try this wine. I rate it 86 points.

Have you tried a Gewurztraminer before?

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2006 Glass Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

On November 16, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2006 Glass Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon by Markham Vineyards in California. This is a blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Shiraz. It is aged in oak and I found it for under $6.

Color

In the glass, this wine is closer to a Pinot Noir than Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a bit thin.

Aroma

On the nose, this wine shows some blackberry and woody aromas. It also has a earthy component to it.

Flavor

The blackberry carries through from the nose to the attack on the palate. The mid-palate is pretty plain and it finishes with some oak. There is a little hint of cherries throughout. This is a very simple wine without much flavor other than oak.

Rating

I don’t recommend spending money on this wine. I rate it 75 points.

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2006 Beringer Founder’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

On November 12, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2006 Founder’s Estate California Cabernet Sauvignon by Beringer Vineyards in Napa. I located this common brand for under $6.

Color

In the glass this wine is a dark ruby. Good, but not great color.

Aroma

There is obvious oak on the nose. Cedar and tobacco are also coming through. Black pepper is showing up. There is also a tiny amount of creme de cassis which is quite unusual. Not a bad nose at all.

Flavor

The attack is quite good with sweet cherries and black currant. The oak definitely begins to dominate on the mid-palate and finish. The finish is awkward and a bit hot. There are some sour tannins on the back-end which might disturb some palates. This wine is way too sweet for a cabernet sauvignon. It has some interesting flavors and a long finish.

Rating

I think this is a drinkable wine, but not something I can recommend. It definitely has a low price point, but there are some more interesting choices in this range. I rate it 82 points.

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2008 Oak Grove Reserve Viognier

On November 11, 2009, In White, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting a interesting varietal, Viognier in the 2008 Reserve Viognier by Oak Grove in California. I found this bottle for under $8. I am going to try very hard to pick out the specific aromas and flavors of this bottle since I think it is a inexpensive way to try a new varietal. Have you already had a Viognier? If so, what did you detect on the nose and palate?

Color

The color in the glass is very light with a hint of green and very little yellow.

Aroma

The nose of this wine is very strong with lemon and lime prevailing. Viognier is noted for its perfume and floral notes, but I can only detect the citrus on this one.

Flavor

The lime carries through from the nose to the palate on the attack. But it is completely replaced with a very distinctive flavor which is unlike anything I have ever found in a wine. The closest description I can give it is that it tastes like a pineapple liqueur. It is full bodied, similar to Chardonnay, but finishes a little bitter. There is some oak, peach, and lemon present. Overall this is a decent wine to have with food, but I am not too fond of it on its own.

Rating

I think this wine is worth trying and I think I’d like it in a blend with Syrah. But it is definitely not delicious. I rate it 82 points.

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2005 Angeline Mendocino County Riesling

On November 4, 2009, In White, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2006 Angeline Riesling by the Martin Ray Winery from Mendocino County in California. This 100% Reisling was procured for under $5. Rieslings are touted as being some of the most complex and desirable wines in the world. With high acidity they can last for decades and they pair very well with food. What is your impression of this varietal?

Color

The color is a medium gold which looks very appealing in the glass.

Aroma

Green apple is present on the nose along with petrol.

Flavor

Green apple again is present but there is also honeydew melon on the mid-palate. A nice finish with more fruit. For such a low price, this wine offers lots of different flavors. It is a little weak on the acidity; although, I think most people will enjoy the smoothness of it. The maker touts it as a dry Riesling. It isn’t as sweet as some but still is quite sweet. The finish reminds me of Muscadine grapes.

Rating

I think this wine is a great value. But it is sweet and fruity. I rate it 88 points.

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2007 Coastline Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

On November 2, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2007 Coastline Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Not sure if this wine from Coastline Cellars is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon or not. Do you know? I found it for under $9. I’d really like to see more information from the winemaker about this on their website. Was it barrel aged? Is it a blend?

Color

Dark red in color, but very thin for a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Aroma

This wine has a nice nose. Black currant, pepper and plum dominate. Very aromatic overall.

Flavor

Dark fruit on the attack. Black cherries and blackberries. Cherries on the mid-palate and then a great spicy finish. I am really surprised by the quality. It is a medium-bodied wine. The color had me worried but the nose and flavor are winners. Great value and will pair well with strong cheese and dark meat.

Rating

I recommend this wine and rate it 88 points. Have you tried it?

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2005 Buffalo Grove Barrel Select Zinfandel

On November 2, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2005 Buffalo Grove Barrel Select Zinfandel from Santa Rosa, California. I am not certain if this is a 100% Zinfandel varietal or a blend. Do you know? I found this for under $7 and am eager to see what Buffalo Grove Wine Cellars has to offer.

Color

Right off the bat I am concerned. The color is dark red and very thin.

Aroma

There is cherry on the nose. However, it seems to be combined with a bizarre fuel-like smell. I find the aroma to be disconcerting.

Flavor

There is some fruit on the attack and licorice in the mid-palate. It finishes with some decent tannins. Like most Zins there is a high amount of alcohol, but this one doesn’t have the fruit to balance it out. I don’t find the flavor pleasing. I wouldn’t drink it alone, but am going to try it with a beef dish.

Rating

The wine has a flavor and aroma that seem off-balance and I don’t recommend it. I rate it 78 points.

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2006 Trader Joe’s Coastal Merlot

On October 27, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2006 Trader Joe’s Coastal Merlot from the central coast of California. Similarly to the 2006 Trader Joe’s Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine comes to Trader Joe’s from Castoro Cellars. I found it for under $5 and have enjoyed previous vintages. I am not sure if it is 100% Merlot or a blend. Anyone find out?

Color

The color is good with dark ruby red and purple.

Aroma

This wine is tight on the nose. There are minimal dark fruit aromas and little else.

Flavor

This is not a good tasting wine. It starts with a very small amount of fruit on the attack, then immediately kicks into some sour cherries and then finishes with bitter tannins. The finish is actually quite long. It also seems quite acidic on the finish. It probably tastes better with a strong flavored food, but definitely isn’t good on its own.

Rating

I recommend you avoid this wine and rate it 80 points. Too bad, because I found prior vintages to be enjoyable. I hope 2007 is a better year for them.

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2006 Trader Joe’s Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon

On October 26, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2006 Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon by Trader Joe’s. This wine is bottled by Castoro Cellars with fruit from the central coast of California. Peeking at some of Castoro’s branded offerings I found that they often blend their Cabernet Sauvignon with other varietals, so I am not sure that this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I found it for under $5.

Color

Here is the first red flag. This is an extremely thin Cabernet Sauvignon. I can easily see through it. The color reminds me of a Pinot Noir.

Aroma

The nose is interesting. There is definitely some black currant and blackberry fruit. But it also shows some spice. Perhaps even anise.

Flavor

The attack is fruity with some black cherry and the mid-palate has sour cherry. The finish is very quick and a bit hot. Although this is at 13.5% reported alcohol, I suspect it is higher or else there just isn’t any fruit to balance it. Very basic wine flavor. Definitely not a big wine. It could pair with pasta or pizza well.

Rating

Overall this is a basic wine with some decent fruit. I rate it 86 points which isn’t bad considering the price. Think of it as more like a Merlot or Pinot Noir and you won’t be disappointed.

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2005 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon

On October 25, 2009, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2005 Sebastiani Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon from California which I found for under $13. The 2001 vintage was one of the best wines I have ever had with an incredible velvety flavor. This Bordeaux blend is 84.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 4.5% Merlot, 2.7% Petite Sirah, 2.2% Petite Verdot, and 1.4% Cabernet Franc. It is aged for 10 months in American Oak.

Color

This wine is a dark red color, not very black.

Aroma

This wine is quite aromatic. The oak/cedar box is present along with lots of dark fruit. I can smell some dark fruit and even black tea, but the oak is a bit too overpowering. I am disappointed by it.

Flavor

Dark fruit such as currant and blackberry are present on the attack. I get some plum in the mid-palate and the finish has some very nice tannins and spice. I really like the ending. It is long and shows pepper and even tobacco notes. Really nice. It will pair well with steak.

Rating

If you are comfortable with quite a bit of oakiness, then I definitely recommend you try this wine. It has quite a bit of complexity on the palate. I rate it at 89 points.

Have you tried any other Sebastiani Cabs?

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