Pahlmeyer Chardonnay

The Pahlmeyer Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay grape from Sonoma Coast within Sonoma, California.  The grapes were hand-sorted and gently whole-cluster pressed. The Pahlmeyer Chardonnay was aged in 90% new French oak for eleven months on the lees, which were stirred weekly.  The alcohol content is 14.9% and is sealed with a natural cork.  

The Pahlmeyer Chardonnay is rich golden color with blue hues.  The aromas are of fresh flowers, baked apple, fig, orange blossom, honeydew melon, ripe pear, peanut bitter, and slate. On the palate are hints of fresh oak, rich apple pie, glazed pear, roasted marshmallow, wet stone minerality, honeysuckle, fresh cut flowers, and crème brulee.  The finish is smooth and rich.  Overall, a perfect example of a California Chardonnay. 

Ellipsis Rose

What can I say? I absolutely LOVE a tasty rose as the weather gets hotter. To me, they are refreshing and delightful therefore I could not resist a bottle of Ellipsis Rose. The 2010 Ellipsis rose is made in northern Russian River Valley in Sonoma California from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. This wine was fermented in 100% neutral oak barrels and stirred weekly. This rose had a 13.4% alcohol level and was sealed with a screwtop.

The Ellipsis Rose was a salmon pink color. On the nose were hints of vanilla cream soda, ripe watermelon rind, wild strawberries, jasmine, honeysuckle, wet stone minerality, and overly ripe raspberry. On the palate were notes of vanilla, fresh cream, cucumber, strawberry, peach skins, wet river stone, orange blossoms, and citrus. Overall, this was a delightful rose that I promise to buy again.

Ridge California Lytton Springs Zinfandel

I have had this bottle stashed in my wine cabinet for a few months now....sort of saving it for a special event. So what is more special than having a night off, enjoying the weather, and cooking outside on the grill. The 2006 Ridge California Lytton Springs Zinfandel is a blend of Zinfandel (80%), Petite Sirah (16%), and Carignane (4%) grapes from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma Valley, California. This wine was aged 15 months in 100% air-dried american oak barrels (20% new; 55% one, two and three years old; and 25% four and five years old). This Zinfandel had an alcohol level of 14.7% and sealed with natural cork.

The Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel has a rich, opaque purple color. On the nose were anise, ripe raspberry, plum, black pepper, blackberry, all spice, clove, nutmeg, dill, stewed dark fruit, jammed blackberry, and vanilla. On the palate were hints of blackberry, anise, vanilla, browned sugar, ripe black plum, raspberry, dark cherry, nutmeg, clove, and fresh pine cone. This wine had ample tannins with a beautiful long finish. Overall, a wonderful Zinfandel.

Block 947 Cabernet Sauvignon

As a continuation of my North Coast themed weekend...what says California wine better than the ultimate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2008 Vineyard Block 947 Cabernet Sauvignon is grown on select mountain and valley floor vineyards in Calistoga, California (Calistoga is a sub-region of Napa Valley). Block 947 Cabernet is aged in French oak barrels for 21 months. This wine was sealed with a natural cork and had an alcohol level of 14.1 percent.

This wine was a dark purple color with red hues. On the nose were hints of baked cranberry, raspberry, violet, lavender, caramel, chocolate, butterscotch, espresso, clean soap, smoke, leather, rosemary, clove, and bacon. On the palate were notes of jammed blackberry, stewed dark plum, black pepper, green bell pepper, clove, nutmeg, chocolate, rosemary, vanilla, cassis, dark cherry, and charred wood. This Cabernet Sauvignon had medium high acidity and tannins for an overall full-bodied traditional Napa Valley Cab.

Arroba Winery Chardonnay

Well, what can I say....it was a North Coast, California (In wine terms, North Coast includes Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Mendocino County) themed weekend! The 2009 Arroba Winery Chardonnay is produced in Mendocino County, California located just north of Napa Valley. This wine was 100% barrel fermented and aged for 11 months in French oak. This Chardonnay has a 13.8% alcohol level and is sealed with a screwtop.

The Arroba Chardonnay was a golden color with green hues. On the nose were red apple, baked pear, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange blossoms, peanut brittle, peanut butter, vanilla, fruited apricot, and overly ripe peach. On the palate were notes of lillac, honeysuckle, powdered sugar, nectarine, baked red apple, pear skins, peach blossom, vanilla, roasted peanuts, and peanut shells. This Chardonnay had lush fruit flavors while retaining bright acidity for perfect balance. Overall, a delightful Chardonnay.

Bearboat Pinot Noir

Working in the food and beverage industry there are certain wines that one hears about....so when I saw the Bearboat Pinot Noir I had to give it a try. Bearboat Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes from Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Carneros. All of these AVAs (American Viticulture Area) are in California. This Pinot Noir had an alcohol level of 13.8% and was sealed with a natural cork.

Bearboat Pinot Noir was a rich purple color with brown hues. On the nose were hints of cinnamon, dark cherries, blackberries, nutmeg, toast, earth, stewed dark fruits, semi-sweet chocolate, and rich plums. The palate was similar to the nose was notes of blackberry, oak, toast, tart purple plums, earth, charred wood, and spice. This Pinot Noir had medium acidity with a long, full finish. Overall, Bearboat Pinot Noir was a wonderful surprise that did not disappoint.