Wine Review: 2006 Carneros Creek Reserve Pinot Noir

Name: 2006 Carneros Creek Reserve Pinot Noir

Producer: Carneros Creek

Region: USA, California, California, Napa Valley, Carneros

Classification: Reserve

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Pinot Noir

Year/Vintage: 2006

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $19.99, Total Wine & More

Date Logged: 06/27/2008

Pairing(s): 1) Grilled Chicken 2) Pizza

My Rating: 1.5 Star

OK, but not very likeable. A little more tannic than I expected. I anticipated a fruit bomb, but other than some light cherry flavors (think Ludens Cough Drops) nothing much to write home about. Thin and short finish. Not worth the price tag. Bad choice for pairing with the grilled chicken. It faired a little better with the garlicy pizza.

Wine Review: 2005 Chateau Coucheroy Blanc

Name: 2005 Chateau Coucheroy Blanc

Producer: Chateau Coucheroy

Region: France, Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan, Graves

Classification: Grand Vin de Bordeaux

Type: White Wine

Variety: 90% sauvignon blanc and 10% semillon

Year/Vintage: 2005

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $12.99, Total Wine & More

Date Logged: 06/23/2008

Pairing(s): Scallops and Shrimp

My Rating: 3.5 Star

Nice pale straw color. Grassy nose with citrus and apricot tones. More citrus and peachy flavors on the palate, with a little mineral background and strong acidity – nice if you like that kind of thing. Fantastic pairing with a light seafood medley, and perfect for summer sipping.

Wine Review: 2005 Louis Chavy (Alfio Moriconi Selection)

Name: 2005 Louis Chavy (Alfio Moriconi Selection)
Producer: Louis Chavy
Region: France, Burgundy, Cote D’Or, Beaune
Classification: Vin de Bourgogne
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Pinot Noir
Year/Vintage: 2005
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $12.99, Total Wine & More
Date Logged: 06/22/2008
Pairing(s): 1) Pork Loin, 2) Salmon
My Rating: 1 Star

Not good. Closed nose. Felt like water in the mouth. It was drinkable with food, but that’s about it. Tasted more like a cheap Rose than a pinot from Cote D’Or. Fruit was nearly non-existant, and the acidity was way out of balance. I've seen other reviews that rave about this wine...so, I don't know, maybe it was just a bad bottle. I'm missing something here.

I have had little to no success with any wine labeled as an “Alfio Moriconi Selection”. This is the first I’ve had that this label appeared so prominently on the front of the bottle. I will beware of this in the future.

Wine Review: 2006 Chateau Saint-Robert Blanc Bordeaux

Name: 2006 Chateau Saint-Robert Blanc Bordeaux

Producer: Chateau Saint-Robert

Region: France, Bordeaux, Graves

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Year/Vintage: 2006

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $14.99, PA Wine & Spirits
Date Logged: 06/20/2008

Pairing(s): Orange Roughy

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Wonderful nose of lemons and citrus. Worked well with light fish dish, but also drank nicely with fresh fruit appetizers and by itself. Almost candy-like on the palate, with a Jolly-Rancher sort of melon flavor. Not overly complex, but well balanced, with nice acidity and just a hint of smokiness through the medium finish. Had a lively and pleasant feel in the mouth. Excellent value.

Wine Review: 2003 Chateau De Bel-Air Lalande de Pomerol

Name: 2003 Chateau De Bel-Air

Producer: Chateau De Bel-Air

Region: France, Bordeaux, Lalande de Pomerol

Classification: Grand Vin de Bordeaux

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec

Year/Vintage: 2003

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $17.99

Date Logged: 06/15/2008

Pairing(s): Various grilled meats

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

We had this wine over several days. It actually improved (i.e., became more complex) each day after opening.

Great value-driven Bordeaux wine. Very nice dark ruby color. Complex nose and palate…plenty of tobacco, chocolate and black cherry tones. Finishes pleasantly long and tannic. Pairs superbly with grilled meats.

Wine Review: 2006 Barons de Rothschilds (Lafite) Chardonnay Los Vascos

Name: 2006 Barons de Rothschilds (Lafite) Chardonnay Los Vascos
Producer: Vina Los Vascos and Domaines Barons de Rothschilds (Lafite)

Region: South America, Chile, Colchagua

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Chardonnay

Year/Vintage: 2006

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $11.99, PA Wine and Spirits

Date Logged: 06/13/2008

Pairing(s): Grilled scallops and shrimp

My Rating: 3 Stars

Los Vascos was 50% acquired by Rothschild (Lafite) in 1988. A team of winemakers from Domaine Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) control the viticulture, harvest, maceration, fermentation and aging of the wines at Los Vascos. All production is estate bottled.

Almost colorless in the glass, with just a hint of pale straw tint. This is a light chardonnay that paired very nicely with a light summer seafood medley of shrimp and scallops. The palate was citrusy with some very nice apple and peach notes, and finished with an interesting mineral tone. Well balanced and a good deal.

Wine Review: 2004 Simonnet-Febvre Millesime Chablis

Name: 2004 Simonnet-Febvre Millesime Chablis

Producer: Simonnet-Febvre

Region: France, Burgundy, Chablis

Classification: Grand Vin

Type: White Wine

Variety: Chardonnay

Year/Vintage: 2004

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $11.99, Total Wine & More

Date Logged: 06/10/2008

Pairing(s): 1) Tilapia w/fresh herbs and tomatoes, 2)Greek chicken wraps and grape leaves

My Rating: 4+ Stars

This was a good wine. Nice weight and rich feel in the mouth, well-balanced oak and acidity, and interesting mixture of citrus and mineral flavors. Extremely food-friendly, pairing well with both dishes. Next time I would like to pair it with raw oysters or steamed mussels.

Initially oily texture on the mouth with apple and tart citrus flavors. The mid-palate is dry with flint and maybe some nut flavors. It finishes a little sweet and fruity, with a nice length. Overall interesting from start to finish. At $12 it is a HUGE value.

Catching Up...Seven Wine Posts

I've been spending a lot more time lately drinking than blogging...time to catch up. I haven't drunk anything lately that has completely rocked my wine world, so I'm just going to do a mass summary review of everything I've had lately. They are listed in the following seven posts in order of Best-Value to Least-Value. All of them were decent, none were overly pricey, and none were must-haves. Tis the season of mediocrity.

Wine Review: 2005 d’Arenberg McLaren Vale d’Arry’s Original Shiraz Grenache

Name: 2005 d’Arenberg McLaren Vale d’Arry’s Original Shiraz Grenache
Producer: d’Arenberg
Region: Australia, McLaren Vale
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Shiraz and Grenache
Year/Vintage: 2005
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $16.99, PA Wine Store, June 2007
Date Logged: 06/02/2008
Pairing(s): Burgers
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

Quick Comment: Nice earthy and balanced wine, excellent value, easy-drinking, would buy again

Wine Review: 2003 Davis Bynum Limited Edition Pinot Noir

Name: 2003 Davis Bynum Limited Edition Pinot Noir
Producer: Davis Bynum
Region: USA, California, Russian River Valley
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Pinot Noir
Year/Vintage: 2003
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $21.99, PA Wine Store, June 2007
Date Logged: 06/01/2008
Pairing(s): Pizza, grilled pork
My Rating: 3 Stars

Quick Comment: Explosive fruit-forward wine, moderate value, paired OK with pizza, better with pork, better options available for less money.

Wine Review: 2006 Carpineto Dogajolo

Name: 2006 Carpineto Dogajolo
Producer: Carpineto
Region: Italy, Toscana, Chianti
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Sangiovese
Year/Vintage: 2006
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $12.99, PA Wine Store, April 2008
Date Logged: 06/03.2008
Pairing(s): Pizza and various
My Rating: 3 Stars

Quick Comment: Nice, fruit-forward wine, good value, food-friendly, would buy again

Wine Review: 2005 Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir

Name: 2005 Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir

Producer: Villa Maria

Region: New Zealand, Marlborough

Classification: N/A

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Pinot Noir

Year/Vintage: 2005

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $14.99, PA Wine Store, October 2007

Date Logged: 05/27/2008

Pairing(s): BBQ Chicken

My Rating: 3 Stars

Quick Comment: Interesting, moderately complex wine, good value, food-friendly, would buy again

Wine Review: 2003 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay

Name: 2003 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay

Producer: Landmark

Region: USA, California, Sonoma

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Chardonnay

Year/Vintage: 2003

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $15.99, PA Wine Store, April 2007

Date Logged: 05/31/2008

Pairing(s): Grilled Shrimp

My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

Quick Comment: Old standard, still good, nice value at the purchase price (cannot find it around here for same), moderate oak

Wine Review: 2005 Wild Horse Chardonnay

Name: 2005 Wild Horse Chardonnay

Producer: Wild Horse

Region: USA, California, Central Coast

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Chardonnay

Year/Vintage: 2005

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $12.49, Total Wine & More, February 2008

Date Logged: 06/07/2008

Pairing(s): Grilled Shrimp

My Rating: 2-1/2 Stars

Quick Comment: Unremarkable but drinkable, decent value, a little oaky, probably would not buy again

Wine Review: 2005 Martin Ray Chardonnay

Name: 2005 Martin Ray Chardonnay

Producer: Martin Ray

Region: USA, California, Russian River Valley

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Chardonnay

Year/Vintage: 2005

Bottle Size: 375 ml

Purchased: $8.99, Total Wine & More, February 2008

Date Logged: 06/09/2008

Pairing(s): Grilled Chicken Salad

My Rating: 2 Stars

Quick Comment: Tight nose, easy to drink but not very interesting, oaky, not worth $18 for a full-size bottle