Merlot – Markham Napa Valley Vineyards

Markham Napa Valley Vineyards. Vintage 2017. Blend of 87% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petite Sirah, 1% Malbec. Fermented in stainless steel with 13 days of skin contact. Aged 15.5 months in American Oak. Pronounced nose of red cherry, red plum, mocha, mint, clove, and vanilla. Medium bodied and dry with medium tannins and mediumContinue reading “Merlot – Markham Napa Valley Vineyards”

Social Sparkling Wine

Social Sparkling Wine. Hibiscus Cucumber. Beautiful Rosé color. Extremely pleasant nose of green fruit and cucumber . Petillant, Crisp, and effervescent. Fmedium-pronounced notes of cucumber as advertised with hibiscus and other spring floral notes. Easy drinking at 4% ABV. The reviews in our household were really good. Somewhat of surprise, nevertheless very impressed! Can’t waitContinue reading “Social Sparkling Wine”

Pea Ridge Red – Parker-Binns Vineyard

Pea Ridge Red. Parker-Binns Vineyard, Tryon Foothills, North Carolina. Non-vintage blend of 2016, 2017, 2018 harvest. Estate grown Blend prominent of Merlot, also with Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Decanted 30 minutes. Utilizing the Saignée method of bleeding off the top free flowing of the blend to create a rosè, leaves a more concentrated volumeContinue reading “Pea Ridge Red – Parker-Binns Vineyard”

Roth Estate Heritage 2016

Vintage 2016 Roth Estate, Healdsburg, California. Sonoma County Alexander Valley. Proprietary Red. Decant for 60 minutes. Medium-Deep ruby in color. Still appears youthful in the glass. Pronounced nose of blueberry jam, black cherry, blackcurrant, mocha, nutmeg, hot cocoa, and vanilla. Red Blend: 25% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 8% Zinfandel, 8% Petit Verdot, 15%Continue reading “Roth Estate Heritage 2016”

Muscat Canelli – Biltmore Estate

Our wine tonight is the 2017 Muscat Canelli from the Biltmore Estate Winery.  Pale lemon in color. Enticing floral aromas of violets, lavender, and honeysuckle. Semi-sweet, light, with high acidity. Flavor notes of grapefruit, peach, pear, and lime, while finishing softly with hints of nutmeg. 12.5 % ABV. $17 a bottle.  Winery Escapade scoring onContinue reading “Muscat Canelli – Biltmore Estate”

Prunus Private Selection – Gota Wines

Our wine tonight is the 2016 Dão Prunus Private Selection.  Vintage 2016. Red blend of 80% Jaen, 10% Tinta Roriz, 5% Alfrocheiro, and 5% other varietals. Dão, Portugal wine region. Aged six months in French Oak and six months in the bottle. Deep garnet color. Medium nose of plum, blackberry, rose petals, light oak andContinue reading “Prunus Private Selection – Gota Wines”

Omen Red Blend 2017

Omen Red Blend. Sierra Foothills. Vintage 2017. Zinfandel 50% Barbera 25% Syrah 15% Petit Sirah 10% Aged in French Oak – 30% New 70% Decanted 60 minutes. Medium ruby in color. Medium intensity nose of blackberry, blueberry, black plum, black licorice, and pepper. Off dry with a full body and medium acidity, complemented with medium-highContinue reading “Omen Red Blend 2017”

Chappellet 2018 Mountain Cuvée

California Boudreaux blend. Chappellet is located in the Napa Valley’s Pritchard Hill. This Proprietor’s Blend used grape from both the Napa Valley and from Sonoma. Vintage 2018. Cabernet Sauvignon 44% Merlot 33% Malbec 10% Petit Verdot 8% Cabernet Franc 5% Decanted 60 minutes. Deep Ruby in color. Almost inky. Pronounced aromas of blackberry, black cherry,Continue reading “Chappellet 2018 Mountain Cuvée”

Merlot – Parker-Binns Vineyard

Merlot from Parker-Binns Vineyard Estate grown Merlot. Tryon Foothills wine region of North Carolina. Non-vintage newly released in February, 2021. Decanted 30 minutes. Medium ruby in color with a bright garnet rim. Medium intense nose of red plum, cranberry, Bing cherry, red licorice, and freshly cut grass. Medium bodied, and dry on the palate withContinue reading “Merlot – Parker-Binns Vineyard”

Pikes Clare Valley 2018 Riesling

Following are my tasting notes from WSET Level 2 study exercise. Pikes Clare Valley 2018 (Hills & Valleys) Riesling  Appearance: Pale Lemon Nose: Medium-Pronounced, aromas of lemon, lime, green apple, peach, petrol, honeysuckle, and daffodil. Palate: Sweetness: DryAcidity: HighAlcohol: MediumBody: Light Medium-Pronounced flavors of lemon, lime, green apple, peach, nectarine, petrol, honeysuckle, and dried dillContinue reading “Pikes Clare Valley 2018 Riesling”