It's a rainy, miserable day in upstate New York. Probably soon to be freezing rain and then snow. So, I'm going to do some quick updates. The first is from a tasting done in October with about 30 wines. I'm just going to give the quick notes I jotted down, as this was a quick tasting, not an extended discussion session. I'm also only going to give notes for ones I liked. All wines can be found at The Wine House in Manlius, NY. Tell Tim and Matt you read it here if you go stock up for a holiday party.
3 Brooms Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - Good. About $15. Typical Sauvignon Blanc.
Ledgewood Creek Merlot 2006. Suisun Valley. About $17.
Ledgewood Creek Cabernet Sauvigon 2006. Napa Valley. About $25. Not a bad, inexpensive California Cab. But I wouldn't pick it up for myself.
Scott Harvey Zinfandel 2006. Amador County. $16, it was a light-bodied, light colored zinfandel, had little spice on the front, but had a long finish. Great at the price.
Chiarito Zinfandel 2006. Mendocino County. $25. Darker that the Scott Harvey, had lost of fruit, some spice, and no brambly component that typifies some Zins. Good Zin at the price, though there are a few I like more.
Crane Brothers Syrah 2005. Napa Valley. $29 due to a great deal. I've reviewed this before, I still like it, it's a dark red, medium mouth weight, some nice spice and very typical of the Syrah I like. Great at this price.
Changing distributors now:
Buehler Chardonnay 2008. Russian River Valley. $17. Mildly oaky, some malo apparent, fairly typical California Chardonnay, and while it's OK, it's not my style. Others loved it though.
King Estate Pinot Gris 2007. Lorane Valley, Oregon. $17. I noted it's "A good Pinot Gris." I guess that says all that needed to be said.
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2006. Australia. $17. Peppery, spicy, SHIRAZ. Good price, typical Aussie Shiraz. Would buy it for parties, or casual get togethers.
Nardi Rosso Di Montalcino 2007. Italy. $27. Light red, essentially a baby Brunellow, from the second pressing, it would be great with dinner, and it had great balance.
Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. California. $25. Nice fruit, balanced, little acidity, and it's a nice Cab if you buy California Cab at this price. Take it to a friend as a gift.
Another grouping:
Stuhlmuller Chardonnay 2008. Napa Valley. $25. Nice fruit, not too oaky, good acidity, balanced and another bottle to take to friends who like California Chard.
Montinore Pinot Noir 2008. Willamette Valley, Oregon. $19. Great little Pinot for the price, peppery, light color and mouth weight, interesting in a good way. Did I mention Pinot at under $20?
Hedges Red Mountain Estate 2006. Washington State, Red Mountain. $28. It's a little lighter than most Red Mountain blends I've had, 51% Merlot, the balance Cab. It's a terrific bottle at about half the price of my favorite (Cadence Ciel du Cheval). Might have had a bit of bramble on the nose. Recommended.
3 Brooms Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - Good. About $15. Typical Sauvignon Blanc.
Ledgewood Creek Merlot 2006. Suisun Valley. About $17.
Ledgewood Creek Cabernet Sauvigon 2006. Napa Valley. About $25. Not a bad, inexpensive California Cab. But I wouldn't pick it up for myself.
Scott Harvey Zinfandel 2006. Amador County. $16, it was a light-bodied, light colored zinfandel, had little spice on the front, but had a long finish. Great at the price.
Chiarito Zinfandel 2006. Mendocino County. $25. Darker that the Scott Harvey, had lost of fruit, some spice, and no brambly component that typifies some Zins. Good Zin at the price, though there are a few I like more.
Crane Brothers Syrah 2005. Napa Valley. $29 due to a great deal. I've reviewed this before, I still like it, it's a dark red, medium mouth weight, some nice spice and very typical of the Syrah I like. Great at this price.
Changing distributors now:
Buehler Chardonnay 2008. Russian River Valley. $17. Mildly oaky, some malo apparent, fairly typical California Chardonnay, and while it's OK, it's not my style. Others loved it though.
King Estate Pinot Gris 2007. Lorane Valley, Oregon. $17. I noted it's "A good Pinot Gris." I guess that says all that needed to be said.
Penfolds Bin 28 Shiraz 2006. Australia. $17. Peppery, spicy, SHIRAZ. Good price, typical Aussie Shiraz. Would buy it for parties, or casual get togethers.
Nardi Rosso Di Montalcino 2007. Italy. $27. Light red, essentially a baby Brunellow, from the second pressing, it would be great with dinner, and it had great balance.
Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon 2007. California. $25. Nice fruit, balanced, little acidity, and it's a nice Cab if you buy California Cab at this price. Take it to a friend as a gift.
Another grouping:
Stuhlmuller Chardonnay 2008. Napa Valley. $25. Nice fruit, not too oaky, good acidity, balanced and another bottle to take to friends who like California Chard.
Montinore Pinot Noir 2008. Willamette Valley, Oregon. $19. Great little Pinot for the price, peppery, light color and mouth weight, interesting in a good way. Did I mention Pinot at under $20?
Hedges Red Mountain Estate 2006. Washington State, Red Mountain. $28. It's a little lighter than most Red Mountain blends I've had, 51% Merlot, the balance Cab. It's a terrific bottle at about half the price of my favorite (Cadence Ciel du Cheval). Might have had a bit of bramble on the nose. Recommended.
