Wine Review: 2002 Renwood Zinfandel Old Vine

Name: 2002 Renwood Zinfandel Old Vine
Producer: Renwood
Region: USA, California, Sierra Foothills, Amador County
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Zinfandel
Year/Vintage: 2002
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $16.99, PA Wine & Spirits (several years ago)
Date Logged: 02/08/2009
Pairing(s): Grilled pork loin
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

We drank this wine quite a bit in 2005 but it’s been awhile since I’ve had it. I remember it as a jammy fruit bomb from back then. After a few years in the cellar, it has settled down a little and picked up some nice complexity to go with the fruit. It’s still pretty jammy, with blackberry and cranberry flavors being the most discernable. But now it has some cigar and cedar components as well. This wine was always a little hot and spicy in the past, and that still is the case. It has big tannins, is a little on the acidic side, and has an astringent and medium finish. The color is medium red and seemed a little browner than before, so I think some oxidation has definitely taken place. It paired very nicely with the grilled pork, and is quaffable by itself despite the astringent finish. I think the price point of the more recent vintages has pushed over $20. If they are similar to this, they’re still a decent buy and can be drunk now or put away for several years.

Wine Review: 2000 Frank Phélan

Name: 2000 Frank Phélan

Producer: Chateau Phelan Segur

Region: France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

Classification: N/A

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Year/Vintage: 2000

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $28.99, PA Wine & Spirits

Date Logged: 02/06/2009

Pairing(s): Pizza

My Rating: 3 Stars

This is the second wine of the renowned St.Estephe estate Ch.Phelan-Segur. The Grand Vin goes for around $150 a bottle. The vines for this wine have rather illustrious neighbors, namely Chateau Montrose and Chateau Calon-Ségur.

With all of this hype, I may have expected too much of this wine. Although I wasn’t disappointed by it (it is a very nice wine), I can’t say that I was blown away by it either. It is typical of a decent Bordeaux, with all of the tannins and complexity you would expect – old leather, musty basement and pencil shaving components dominate. There is a little fruit left, with a hint of cherries coming through on the nose and mid-palate. There is also a subtle vegetal character, but I couldn’t quite nail the exact flavor component. None of the flavors really stood out, though, and the wine seemed a bit closed – it may have opened up if I had decanted it longer.

I paired this with pizza, which certainly wasn’t perfect…a nice charcoal-grilled steak would have been ideal. I wish I had a second bottle to give it another try with a red meat after decanting. Unfortunately, at almost $30 a bottle, that may have to wait.

Wine Review: A Homebrew from Chateau de Kephart

Name: 2007 Chateau de Kephart

Producer: Allen Kephart
Region: Italy

Classification: Homemade Kit Wine

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Sangiovese/Merlot

Year/Vintage: 2007

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: Free, November 2008

Date Logged: 1/29/2009

Pairing(s): Grilled burgers

My Rating: 2.5 Stars

A friend of mine made this wine from a kit and asked me to give it a whirl. It was his first shot at winemaking. The juice came from Italy and is reportedly a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, so I’m guessing the style is intended to be sort of “Super-Tuscan”.

As far as homebrews go, I thought this came out pretty well, and in fact I think it would stand up against a lot of the Kendall Jackson-like wines I’ve paid as much as $10 for. The wine was beautiful in the glass, with a deep ruby color that reminded me of Syrah. The nose was a little closed but was definitely dominated with plenty of cherry cola-like aromas. However, it also had some vegetal characteristics lurking in the background that were reminiscent of pickled beets and green peppers - a little more complex than I expected, and reminded me a little bit of Italian salad dressing...unusual to say the least.

It was pure fruit-bomb on the front palate, with cherry once again playing the dominant role. The mid-palate was attacked with some uneven acidity that gave it a little bit of a vinegary impression, but it was quickly replaced with a firm but very short tannic finish.

We paired this with classic grilled American hamburgers, which it supported fairly well. The acidity actually seemed to balance out a little better when put up beside the pickle relish and mustard, and the tannins had just enough umph to cut through the grilled flavor without lingering too long at the end. All in all, a very drinkable effort. Given the elements present in it now, it is likely to evolve over the next year or so into a more complex profile that could prove interesting.

Wine Review: 2001 Gloria Ferrar Carneros Syrah

Name: 2001 Gloria Ferrar Carneros Syrah

Producer: Gloria Ferrar

Region: USA, California, Sonoma, Carneros

Classification: N/A

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Syrah

Year/Vintage: 2001

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $9.99, PA Wine Store, December 2007

Date Logged: 1/23/2009

Pairing(s): Grilled burgers

My Rating: 4 Stars

A pleasant surprise from the cellar. This wine is a dark, dark garnet color, almost black. It has a really nice, Frenchy nose of dark fruit, cherry cola and hints of leather and smoke. It has a smooth and full feel in the mouth, with complex flavors reminiscent of some much more expensive Rhone valley wines. The front palate is hit with a full spectrum of dark berry fruits, followed by coffee, smoke and peppery flavors. It finishes with some nice strong tannins and lingering fruit that complemented our grilled burgers quite well.

For 10 bucks, this is an excellent buy (a steal actually). The more recent vintages are currently going for around $20. If they are anywhere as nice as this one, then they’re still worth seeking out even at twice the price I paid.

Wine Review: 2004 Loimer Grüner Veltliner

Name: 2004 Loimer Grüner Veltliner

Producer: Loimer

Region: Austria, Käferberg

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Grüner Veltliner

Year/Vintage: 2004

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $17.99, PA Wine Store, January 2009

Date Logged: 1/19/2009

Pairing(s): Grilled Pork Loin

My Rating: 2.5 Stars

This was my first experience with a Grüner Veltliner. Unfortunately, it was a little boring. There’s nothing wrong with this wine; it’s just not much to it. It is fairly lightweight, with some citrus (mainly grapefruit), a little grass, and some faint minerality. It was fairly well balanced, with a short, slightly astringent finish. Although light overall, it did manage to stand up to the pork, and may become more exciting with grilled seafood or maybe sushi. For $18, though, I doubt if I give it a second chance.

Wine Review: 2004 Olek-Mery Cuvee Des Tireaux

Name: 2004 Olek-Mery Cuvee Des Tireaux Chinon

Producer: Olek-Mery

Region: France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Chinon

Classification: N/A

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Cabernet Franc

Year/Vintage: 2004

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $21.99, PA Wine Store, February, 2008

Date Logged: 1/17/2009

Pairing(s): Pizza

My Rating: 4 Stars

A very nice food-friendly wine. Beautiful color and nice red berry-rich nose. It followed up on the palate with raspberry and cherry fruit, and loads of green peppers. The latter really made it go well with the classic pepperoni and vegetable pizza that we paired with it. It finished with a mild dose of tannins and a slightly metallic aftertaste. A little pricey, but different and tasty enough to get again.

Wine Review: 2005 Bodega Septima Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: 2005 Bodega Septima Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

Producer: Bodega Septima

Region: Argentina, Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo

Classification: Gran Reserva

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Year/Vintage: 2005

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $18.99, PA Wine & Spirits, October, 2008

Date Logged: 11/15/2008

Pairing(s): Grilled steak with gargonzola cheese and butter

My Rating: 4 Stars

The bottle that this wine comes in looks larger than usual and feels a bit on the heavy side. Which is fitting, since this is a big wine. Dark, dark red color in the glass. Lots of red fruit on the nose - cherries, raspberries and strawberries, all of which follow through on the palate, along with some green pepper and vegetable components as well. Not overly complex, but not exactly a fruit bomb either. Quite tannic on the long finish, this wine needs a strong food to pair with. I had it with grilled NY Strip at Café Du Jour, and the wine complemented the spices and gorgonzola cheese that they rub on the steak very nicely. If you’re looking for a delicious, almost-but-not-quite-Bordeaux style of wine for a big meal, this is a good choice for less than 20 bucks.

Wine Review: 2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Kabinett

Name: 2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Kabinett
Producer: Rudolph Muller
Region: Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Classification: N/A
Type: White Wine
Variety: Riesling
Year/Vintage: 2007
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $12.99, PA Wine & Spirits, October, 2008
Date Logged: 11/12/2008
Pairing(s): Green Curry (spicy 9 out of 10)
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

Our string of hits continues. Another good value from the Mosel river valley of Germany. This wine paired very well with a relatively spicy curry. Very pale in the glass, almost clear, with strong green apple and citrus components on the nose and palate. The wine had a delicious sweetness up front and a really nice mineral finish. Better with food than without, but easy-drinking either way. Highly recommended.

Wine Review: 2004 Placido Chianti Classico

Name: 2004 Placido Chianti Classico
Producer: Placido
Region: Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico
Classification: Reserve
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Sangiovese
Year/Vintage: 2004
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $13.99, PA Wine & Spirits, October, 2008
Date Logged: 11/9/2008
Pairing(s): Spaghetti, red sauce and meatballs
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

Nice. Perfect match for a hearty pasta dish like spaghetti and meatballs. A little red fruit mixed with great earthy and leathery undertones on the nose and palate. The acidity mixes well with tomato-based food, and I can see having this with pizza as well. Medium finish, with a nice mouth feel all the way through. Great value.

Wine Review: 2006 Domaine Saint Martin Bourgogne Blanc

Name: 2006 Domaine Saint Martin Bourgogne Blanc

Producer: Domaine Saint Martin

Region: France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, St. Véran

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Chardonnay

Year/Vintage: 2006

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $13.99, Total Wine & More, February, 2008

Date Logged: 11/7/2008

Pairing(s): Greek Chicken Wraps

My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

This was a very nice Chardonnay from the Mâconnais region of France. Very pale straw color in the glass, with a pleasant nose of grapefruit and peaches. Crisp and well balanced on the palate, with good peach, citrus and melon flavor components, and a little bit of mineral on the back end. The finish was a little short, and there was almost no detectable oak. The wine matched very nicely with some soft cheese and lemon-based chicken wraps, but it would also serve quite well as a nice summer sipping wine.

Wine Review: 2007 Gunn Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Name: 2007 Gunn Sauvignon Blanc
Producer: Gunn Estate
Region: New Zealand, Marlborough
Classification: N/A
Type: White Wine
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Year/Vintage: 2007
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $14.99, PA Wine Store, Oct. 2008
Date Logged: 11/2/2008
Pairing(s): Grilled Chicken Salad
My Rating: 2.5 Stars

This wine is loaded with fruit. Lots of apricots, peaches and pineapple on the nose. More of the same on the palate, with a good dose of honey sweetness, but balanced fairly well with some acidity on the mid-palate. This is a light drinking wine that definitely goes well with salads and chicken. A little pricy for an average wine. I think the Kim Crawford Sav Blanc is a slightly better wine and is generally $4-5 cheaper.

Wine Review: 2005 Le Pont Bandol

Name: 2005 Le Pont Bandol
Producer: Le Pont
Region: France, Provence, Bandol
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Mourvèdre, others (e.g., maybe Cinsault, Grenache)
Year/Vintage: 2005
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $14.99, Total Wine and More, Feb. 2008
Date Logged: 11/1/2008
Pairing(s): Pizza
My Rating: 3 Stars

Bandol vines are located in the hills between La Ciotat and Toulon, near Marseille, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Bandol is one of the oldest vineyards in France. The first vine was planted in Bandol 2,500 years ago by the Romans!

This wine had a nice garnet color in the glass. The nose was rather closed, with hints of spiciness – it smelled a little hot. The palet was noticeably spicy, with black pepper as well as green and red bell peppers. We had it with pizza and it actually complemented the peppers and pepperoni quite nicely. It was mildly tannic, and would hold up to a savory meat dish just as well. Medium finish.

Overall, a good food-friendly wine and a pretty nice value.

Wine Review: 2006 Valkenberg Zeller Schwarze Katz Riesling

Name: 2006 Valkenberg Zeller Schwarze Katz Riesling

Producer: P.J. Valkenberg

Region: Germany, Mosel, Zeller

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Riesling

Year/Vintage: 2006

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $10.99, PA Wine Store, October 2008

Date Logged: 10/28/2008

Pairing(s): Asian Beef Stir Fry

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

This wine is a version of the famous Zeller Schwarze Katz, or Zeller’s "Black Cat." The legend goes that a black cat once chose the best wine during a tasting event long, long ago, by jumping on the barrel and clawing anyone that would come near.

We paired this version of the "black cat" with a mildly spicy beef stir fry. The light, fruity and sweet wine matched the medium heat of the stir fry perfectly. The wine had a nice, strong apple aroma, and the palate offered lots of apple and peach flavors, with smoke and mineral notes. The fruity sweetness is well balanced by clean acidity and a barely dry finish.

This is a very easy-drinking wine, and would pair well with just about any light meat or seafood dish, and would also be great with mild cheese or sour apples. At $10.99, it’s a great value.

Wine Review: 1995 Chateau Simard Saint-Emilion

Name: 1995 Chateau Simard Saint-Emilion

Producer: Chateau Simard

Region: France, Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion

Classification: N/A

Type: Red Wine

Variety: 70% Merlot/30% Cabernet Franc

Year/Vintage: 1995

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $27.99, PA Wine Store

Date Logged: 10/19/2008

Pairing(s): (1) Tomato pasta, (2) BBQ pork ribs

My Rating: 4 stars

This wine is one of the few affordable Saint-Emilion wines that the PA Wine Store routinely carries (if you can call $28 affordable). Neither of the pairings we drank this with were quite appropriate for this type of wine, but I have been wanting something old and complex lately, and this '95 sort of jumped out at me.

This is a nice wine. It is very complex, and has held up very well in the bottle. The tannins are strong but round, and the predominant flavor and aroma profiles are earthy and smoky, with a little bit of dirty laundry funkiness thrown in for good measure. The aroma reminds you of a forest floor and a campfire, and the taste brings to mind mushrooms and chocolate, with some spicy clove and black peppers in the finish. There's not a lot of fruit to speak of, although occasionally some black cherry would sneak in.

This is the kind of wine that definitely needs a steak or some kind of marinated grilled meat to be appreciated fully. The pork ribs worked better for us than the pasta, but in both cases I wasn't dissapointed in drinking such an interesting wine.

What We've Been Drinking

I had a few good wines lately that are worth having again. Two in particular, are the 2006 Villa Maria Gewurztraminer from New Zealand (3 stars, purchased $11.99 at PA Wine Store last October), and the 2006 Querceto Chianti Classico (3 stars, $13.99 at PA Wine Store this April). I paired the Gewurztraminer with both a spicy pasta as well as a chicken stir-fry, and it complemented both meals very well. We had the Chianti with pizza and Italian-style chicken & tomatoes, and both of these pairings were very good. Two good value wines worth seeking out again.

On the other hand, we had a 2004 Chateau de la Charriere, Clos Rousseau from the Santenay appelation of Burgundy (two stars, $27.99 from Total Wine and More this February). We paired it with barbeque grilled pork. Although not a bad wine, I didn't feel it delivered quite the experience that the two wines above did at half the price or less, so it was a loser on the value scale. Did I mention that it was an Alfio Moriconi selection (see previous dissapointments for this line)?