Last Week's Tasting:
New American Wines at Good Prices
February 1, 2012
Is Merlot back? You certainly would think so from some of the tasters' comments last week.
"Rich and satisfying", one taster’s comment on the 2009 Ty Caton Annadel Estate Merlot was typical. And so the wine was, its full rounded fruit nicely offset with a balancing acidity and light wood notes. It was the tasting favorite
Some liked and one claimed as his favorite the other Merlot, the 2008 14 Hands from Washington State. It was leaner and less full than the Ty Caton, but had a similar crisp acidity
Another favorite especially for price, was the 2008 Villa San Maurice Cabernet Sauvignon. From California’s Central Coast, it was lighter, smoother and sleeker than cabernet from north of San Francisco Bay, but it endeared itself with its exotic floral sweet spice and smooth everyday drinking texture.
The 2007 Ramsay Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast showed as described. A solid, well balanced California cabernet for the price. Tasters really enjoyed this wine.
We had began with the 2008 Lamoreaux Landing Chardonnay from New York’s Finger Lakes region. A number of people remarked on its lighter style with more acidity than one would typically find in a chardonnay from California. One customer purchased a full case while stating that this is their favorite wine from the region.
The second white was the 2009 Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay. While clearly a bigger wine than the first, it was not simple. For the money, this wine offers balance of fruit, acidity and oak. Both whites were enjoyed equally, just different stylistically.
New American Wines
White
2008 Lamoreaux Landing Chardonnay (Finger Lakes); Color: pale gold green; Aroma: rather sweet a touch luscious, lightly oaked, creamy, touch of apple & papaya; Mouth: crisp mineral fleshy new world, good acidity & balance, lots of citrus, very clean; Very Good ; 15.99; Mixed Case, 14.39; Case, 13.59
2009 Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay; Color: pale gold green; Aroma: light fresh clean, leanish rather firm. pretty; Mouth: clean light firm, fine acid ripe & sweet, good acidity; Very Good Plus 19.99; Mixed Case, 17.99; Case, 16.99
Red
2008 14 Hands Merlot; Color: light medium concentration dark hue; Aroma: some rich oak fine acid, lightly smoky; Mouth: clean lightish in body, firm, light bright acid, clean & racy; Very Good 13.99; Mixed Case, 12.59; Case, 11.89
2008 Villa San Maurice Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast: Dark purple. Smokey cassis and spice. Medium to full bodied with lively acidity and mild tannin. Fresh cherry fruit with a hint of mint. Long balanced fresh finish Very Good Plus 11.99/bottle 10.79/mixed case 10.19/case
2007 Ramsay North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark Purple. Aromas of dark berry fruit, vanilla and mild oak. Medium to full bodied with raspberry and thyme flavors. Finishes long and balanced with dark chocolate and raspberry. Very Good Plus 15.99/bottle 14.39/mixed case 13.59/case
2009 Carlton Brooke Annadel Estate Merlot Sonoma: Purple. Plum, cedar with bit of forest floor. Full bodied and savory with notes with plum and herb. Balanced acidity and tannins with a long finish. Very Good Plus 21.99/bottle 19.79/mixed case 18.69/case
2/1/12 New American Case: Special, two each of the above wines - $171
Instore only 2/1/12 New American Pack: Special, one each of the above wines - $90
Order by phone at 617.367.8605, or reserve by email here: Orders
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts.