Wine Tasting, Saturday, Nov. 27th

Wine Tasting

Saturday, 11am-7pm

November 27th, 2010

10% off on all wine tasting wines!

The Whites:

Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco 2008 (Alto Adige, Italy) Reg. $17.99, Sale $15.99 - Outstanding white from NE Italy! Aromas of honey, green apples & peaches. Flavors of tart green apples, white grapefruit, and crisp pears. Dry, crisp and great minerals in the flavors. Medium-bodied & mouth-filling. Refreshing. Nice length on the finish. Zippy, tangy acidity. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged on the lees (the residue in the vat from the fermentation) for 3 months – this adds richness & complexity to the wines. This is drinking beautifully right now and will aged well for 2-4 years. Biodynamic & organic farming. Solar-powered winery. Food pairing – salads, asparagus, seafood of all kinds, pasta dishes.

R. Stuart & Co. Big Fire Pinot Gris 2009 (Oregon) $13.99 - This is a fabulous Pinot Gris! Delicious! Fresh and vibrant! Aromas of flowers, vanilla, apples and pears. Wonderful fruit and acidity in the flavors - apples, pears and vanilla. Crisp, vibrant finish! Rob Stuart was here in January and we were able to taste this with him (along with all his wines!). Great guy and great winemaker! 100% stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing - shellfish, creamy pasta dishes, light appetizers, spicier foods & sipping on its own. Great with spicy Thai dishes.

Montinore Borealis 2009 (Willamette Valley, Oregon) $11.99 – This is a delicious, fragrant Alsatian-style wine that reminds me also of Torrontes from Argentina. This has a lot of fruit and great acidity to balance that out. Aromas and flavors of melons, apples, pears and more. Blend of 45% Muller Thurgau, 24% Gewurztraminer, 18% Pinot Gris and 13% Riesling. Stainless-steel fermentation. Organic and biodynamic farming. Food pairing – smoked fish, seafood, lighter sausage meals, poultry.

The Reds:

A to Z Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon) $19.99 - Wonderful Pinot! This is a great vintage from Oregon! Clear and vibrant with a beautiful dark color. Aromas of mixed berries, earth, smoke, violets, Asian spices and minerals. Flavors that mirror the aromas with a lush texture and good acidity. Long finish that shows this wine’s beautifully balance between richness & power, the wine possesses amazing depth and purity. Restrained use of oak – this wine sees about 9-10 months of aging before bottling. Food pairing - Great on its own. Try it with lobster, grilled chicken & pork, chicken salad, smoked salmon, grilled shrimp, sushi, gazpacho and more!

Mas de la Dame Les Baux de Provence Cuvée La Gourmande 2007 (France) $18.99 - This is a tasty wine! It tastes like Provence! Big, full-bodied, spicy, with notes of herbs. Deep, dark color. Big fruit in the nose & flavors. I tasted this 24 hours after it was first opened & it was great. When it was first opened it was tight with BIG tannins for the 1st hour. Certified organic & Biodynamic. Blend of 50% Grenache & 50% Syrah. Most importantly, it’s excellent wine! Food pairing - Great with grilled meats, roasts, mushroom dishes and just drinking! Decant this!

Falesco Vitiano Rosso 2008 (Umbria, Italy) $12.99 - This is, plainly put, a TASTY wine! An absolutely GREAT value!!! Deep ruby red color. Rich, fresh fruit aromas and flavors. Spicy, peppery finish. Well-balanced fruit and acidity. Medium-bodied. Just a classic Italian! Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend (equal parts). Aged 3 months in Nevers (French) oak. Food pairing – grilled meats, mushroom dishes, lasagna, spaghetti, roasts & flavorful aged cheese. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points, “…it’s almost too good to believe at this price”

J. Lohr “Wildflower” Vadiguié 2009 (California) $10.99 – This is a delicious wine from a little-known grape, Valdiguie. It’s bursting with berry fruit – boysenberries, cherries, cranberries and more. Soft, soft tannins. This drinks well on its own and with meals such as poultry, Asian food, ham and more!

Michel Torino “Cuma” Malbec 2009 (Argentina) $12.99 – This is a smooth, easy-drinking Malbec with soft tannins. No bite to this! Organically-grown grapes. Food pairing – steak, beef stew, lamb, robust meals. Drinks well without food as well.

Wine Tasting, Friday, Nov. 19th

Wine Tasting

Friday
Nov. 19th
3:30-7:30pm

The Sparkling (Ned’s table):

Avinyo Cava Brut NV (Spain) $19.99 - Extended aging on the lees makes this reserve cava crisper, fuller, and creamier. It also has hints of toasted nuts under the aromas of citrus and pear. This is a complex intriguing sparkler that could pass as Champagne if you closed your eyes. The flavors are perfect to pair with Turkey and the effervescence will remove the fat and grease of gravy from your mouth. Aromas of green apples, citrus, fresh bread and minerals. Fresh and dry flavors of apples, fresh bread, pears and peaches. It’s been aged on its “lees” for 18-22 months, adding a yeasty quality to the wine similar to many Champagnes. Minerally-driven dry finish. This shows as much complexity as many Champagnes at a fraction of the cost! Blend of Macabeo, Xarello, and Parellada. Aged on lees for 18-22 months. Non-vintage. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points; Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, 88 points

The Whites:

Ned’s Table:

Jelu Torrontés 2010 (Argentina) $12.99 - An earlier vintage was a Huge HIT at a tasting and we just tasted this and wanted to bring it back! Torrontés is the grape and it is the dominant white grape in Argentina! This is really floral, kind of Muscat or Viognier like aroma. Lots of orange, apricot and some pineapple. That fruit is the first thing you taste, but then you get a hint of spice midway à la Gewürztraminer and then the finish is very clean and dry. Totally not what you expect from that first smell. Really cool wine! Food pairing – shellfish, seafood, lighter pasta dishes, grilled chicken or pork. Drinks well with or without food!

Sybille Kuntz Trocken Riesling 2008 (Germany) $22.99 - This is an excellent DRY Riesling from one of Germany’s best new winemakers! Aromas & flavors of pineapples, apricots, minerals and a hint smoke. This is just fabulous! Finishes clean and crisp! Husband-and-wife team. Sybille Kuntz is a rarity in Germany – a woman winemaker. 40-80 year-old vines. Organic & Biodynamic Farming. Food pairing - Goes smoked fish, freshwater fish, seafood & ham, spicy Asian fare, such as Thai food. Great choice for a pork roast.

Tabitha’s Table:

Napa Station Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (California) Reg. $14.99, Sale $12.99 - The Sauvignon Blanc is lively, crisp, clean and bursting with citrus notes along with honeydew and nectarines. Sustainable farming. 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon. 2,010 cases made. Stainless steel fermentation on the lees (not stirred). Food pairing - perfect as an aperitif, served with grilled seafood, Thanksgiving Dinner, chicken or light pasta, as well as spicy Asian and Latin dishes.

Viña Vistamar Chardonnay 2009 (Chile) $11.99 – This is a soft, smooth, easy-drinking Chard from Chile’s Central Valley. This sees a little oak during fermentation, but it sees no oak during aging, so this isn’t at all oaky. It’s clean and crisp. Aromas and flavors of apples, pears, melons, huts and more.

The Rosé (Ned’s table):

Trésors d’Antan Val de Loire Pineau d’Aunis Rosé 2009 (France) $13.99 – This is an unusual grape from the Coteaux de Vendomis in the Loire Valley. This rosé is unusual because it is made entirely from the rare Pineau d’Aunis grape. This grape is unique to the Loire Valley – even in the Loire it is rare as it has been pulled up for decades in favor of better-known grapes, such as Cabernet Franc. Pineau d’Aunis was born in the Middle Ages at the Priory of Aunis in Dampierre-sur-Loire. It’s also known as Chenin Noir and is one of the oldest grape varietals in the Loire. This has peppery aromas, which is typical of this grape. The flavors definitely include grapefruit, as well as strawberries and raspberries. This also has an interesting and pleasing note of pomegranates. Food pairing – great as a cocktail wine or with most any fish, poultry, softer cheese and desserts with red fruits.

The Reds:

Ned’s Table:

Domaine de Grisy Bourgogne Côtes d’Auxerre 2008 (France) $18.99 - Perhaps you'd like something brighter, lively, and not too heavy? A red that keeps drawing you back for another sip, but doesn't tire your palate out? Look no further than the Domaine de Grisy. This is bright racy Pinot Noir at it's best.

Mas de Flauzieres Gigondas 2008 (France) - This Gigondas is a Grenache-based Rhône blend that's bigger and sees some oak aging. It's more powerful than the Burgundy and has more pepper, earth, and a touch of sweet vanilla from the oak on the finish. This is right about $20 and is a good choice for hams, pork roasts, and turkey if you simply prefer something bigger than Pinot Noir.

Château Haut-Bayard Montagne Saint-Émilion 2008 (France) $14.99 - Beautiful Bordeaux at a great price! This is rich and chewy. Wonderful aromas of black plums, black currants, leather and wet stones. Flavors of black plums, black cherries, mocha and leather. Long finish. Blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in neutral oak barrels for 6-8 months. Light filtration and fining. Sustainable agriculture. Food pairing – beef stews, coq au vin, duck confit, lamb. Even cheddar cheese.

Lockhart Cabernet 2009 (California) $12.99 – This is a great drinking, soft, smooth Cabernet! Rich, lots of fruit….hints of vanilla.

Tabitha’s Table:

Vistamar Pinot Noir Reserva 2009 (Chilean) $12.99 – This is a lush, smooth Pinot that is a great combination of fruit with a touch of brambliness. Aromas of wild berry fruits and flowers. Light and refreshing flavors with lots of berry flavours like cherries and redcurrants. The finish is smooth and has nice toasty notes.

Cave Saint Desirat Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2007 (France) $12.99 – This is a really nice wine from a great vintage in the south of France! Full-bodied. Aromas of dark fruits, baking spices and pepper. Blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre. Hand-picked grapes. Grapes are 100% destemmed. Sustainable farming. Bottled unfiltered and unfined. Food pairing – roasted meats, game, Thanksgiving Dinner.

Atrea Old Soul Red 2006 (California) $24.99 – Called by many a close relative of “The Prisoner” from Orin Swift. California’s famed David Ramey is a consulting winemaker for this wine. Aromas and flavors of red berries, baking spices, white pepper, mocha and more. This has ripe, full flavors that are loaded with fruit. The tannins are soft and the wine is lush! This drinks well right now and can age. Blend of 39% Zinfandel, 36% Syrah, 15% Petite Sirah and 10% Malbec. 1,891 cases made. From vineyards that are organic and/or sustainably farmed in Mendocino County. Grapes are destemmed. Aged in Burgundian and Hungarian oak (25% new) for 17 months. Bottled unfiltered. 90 Points, Stephen Tanzer

Mooiplaas “The Bean” Pinotage 2009 (South Africa) $13.99 - Unusual, delicious wine! This is a deep, dark color. The aromas and flavors definitely show mocha and roasted coffee as well as dark berry fruit. Aged in French oak barrels whose toasting was done in a way to accent the coffee/mocha flavors. 100% Pinotage. This has good tannins that have softened in the oak. Food pairing - Drinks well on its own. Grilled or roasted meats.

The Dessert:

Neirano “Pitula” Moscato d’Asti 2010 (Italy) $12.99

Wine Dinner Featuring Robert Kacher at Havana South

Robert Kacher Wine Dinner

Friday, Nov. 12, 2010
6:00PM

Havana South

50 Wharf Street

Portland
$69/person

Reservations are required.
(207) 772-9988

No ifs, ands or buts.....a good, no a GREAT, importer is key to finding good and great wines you have never tried before.....especially wines at great prices! Bobby Kacher is one of the best importers in the business.

Bobby will be coming to Maine for one special evening at Havana South. In the wine world, he's an icon.

"The strip label indicating a bottle of wine is a Robert Kacher Selection has become as close to a guarantee of high quality as consumers are likely to find."

-Robert M. Parker Jr., The Wine Advocate

The bulk of the wines in Bobby's portfolio are made from grapes that are farmed organically.

The Dinner

amuse/hodo--citrus cured Scottish salmon w/ a chili spiced raspberry coulis and crème fraiche

1st course--Pan roasted scallops w/ a celery root and local apple slaw and an avocado cream

2nd course--Moqueca "Light" - Our traditional Brazilian moqueca hold the dende oil....Moqueca is a traditional Brazilian seafood stew.

3rd course--Cinnamon spiced braised Colorado lamb shank with organic maple glazed carrots

4th course--Red wine marinated (with orange, red onion, garlic and a hint of chili) hanger steak with herbed local Yukon gold potato gnocchi

Dessert course--Chocolate Trio

The Wines

Wines listed below (this has all the wines listed unlike last week's note).

The Sparkling:

Betrand Ambrosie Crémant de Bourgogne NV (Burgundy) $27.99 - This wine estate dates to the late 1700's. It's just north of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Family-owned and family-worked. 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay (it's a white wine). Hand-harvested grapes. Methode Champenoise. This is an elegant, tasty wine with citrus and floral aromas. It is round and smooth in the mouth with a long, clean, refreshing finish. Food pairing - great as a cocktail wine. This will also pair up nicely with a red berry dessert.

The Whites:

Manciat St. Veran 2008 (Burgundy) $19.99 - Claude Manciat has long been recognized as one of the best winemakers in the Maconnais. Saint Veran is in the heart of the Macon and is very close to the appellation of Pouilly-Fuisse. The vines for this wine average 47 years. Because of the age of the vines, the yield is about 35% lower than allowed in Saint Veran, so Manciat gets great intensity of fruit (fewer grapes equals better grapes). Hand-harvested, which is rare in this region today. Aged in stainless steel and oak casks that range from new to 3rd usage. Aromas and flavors of pears and apples. Nice minerality. Spicy, creamy finish. Bobby Kacher has imported Claude and Simone's wines for over 25 years!

The Rosé:

Grand Cassagne Rosé 2009 $11.99 - Delicious, dry rosé from Costières de Nîmes in Southern France. This is bright, fresh and refreshing and loaded with red fruit aromas and flavors. Dry and crisp. Blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre.

The Reds:

André Brunel Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2007 (Rhône) $42.99 - Brunel is the renowned producer of the famed Les Cailloux wines. This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah. 75% of the fruit is destemmed. The Grenache is aged in large oak casks and stainless steel. The Mourvèdre and Syrah are aged in small 228-liter (300 bottle) barrels that are used once or twice.....so, this isn't oaky. This is ripe and loaded with cherry and blackberry fruit that is balanced with earth and baking spices. This is soft and supple and delicious.

Château d'Or et de Gueules Cimel "Only Girls" Syrah 2008 (Costières-de-Nîmes) $14.99 - Diane de Puymorin purchased the Domaine de la Petite Cassagne in 1998. She renamed the property after her family crest......d'Or (gold) et Gueules (red, in ancient French). This property is on the south/southeastern slopes of the Costières-de-Nîmes. The soil is rocky - the Rhône River deposited these rocks here centuries ago. "Only Girls" has the names of her daughters on the label - Chloé, Barbara, Charlotte, Clémence and Lucie. This is ripe and round and has rich tannins. A wine for meat!

The Dessert Wine:

Mas Lavail "Maury" Grenache 2007 (Languedoc) $23.99 - Nicolas Batlle (pronounced "buy") is a 5th generation winemaker and a young rockstar in Southern France! Along with his cousin, Lionel Lavail, he has created a fantastic new property. The vines are at least 80 years old. The soil is black schist (crappy soil for most things means good soil for great grapes!). Maury is a little town between the mountains of the Pyrenées and Corbières. This is a Catalan part of France. This wine oozes red fruit and cocoa and chocolate and more. This is akin to a Ruby Port. 100% Grenache Noir. Serve slightly chiiled....mid-50's. Food pairing - duck with cranberry sauce. Blue cheese. Chocolate desserts. Fruit desserts.

November Wines of the Month

All-American Wines

It’s November and what a day today has been!

Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away and we wanted to do wines from unusual places in the United States or wines that are unusual for their area!

Tier One

($8-$15/bottle)

Oregon isn’t that unusual of a place for wines from the United States, you say. You’re correct. That said, not a lot of wine is produced in the Illinois Valley in extreme southwestern Oregon; and, few of the wines are blends.

Only 7 miles from the California line, located in the Siskiyou Mountains, Foris Winery is the southernmost winery in the Pacific Northwest. This winery’s location in the Illinois Valley provides it with a climate that is similar to Alsace during the growing season – warm days and chilly nights. This diurnal temperature shift helps give the wines vibrant acidity and crispness. Unlike the rain-prone Willamette Valley, Illinois Valley has dry summers and falls.

Foris is a family-owned winery that Ted and Meri Gerber founded in 1971 when they bought acreage, built a house and began planting grapes in the remote Illinois Valley. For years, they grew grapes and sold them to other vintners. In 1986, they began making wine and haven’t looked back since.

Today, the winery is still family-owned and family-run.

The “Fly-Over” wines are so-named because the Illinois Valley is located midway between Northern Oregon’s Willamette Valley and California’s Napa & Sonoma Valleys. Much of the national wine press ignores this area.

The White

Foris Fly-over White 2008 (Rogue River, Oregon) $11.99 – This is a delicious, easy-drinking wine that will pair well with Thanksgiving Dinner and many other foods. Aromas and flavors of pears, apples, figs and baking spices. Medium-bodied with a nice softness from aging on lees. Crisp, clean finish. Blend of 61% Pinot Blanc, 22% Pinot Gris and 17% Chardonnay. Fermented and aged on their lees in stainless steel for 3 months. The lees are stirred bi-weekly to add richness and enhance the fruit flavors. 832 cases made. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner, smoked salmon, shellfish, roasted chicken or duck. Drinks nicely without food.

The Red

Foris Fly-over Red 2009 (Rogue River, Oregon) $12.99 – This is fly-over times two. To find the best fruit at the best prices and keep this wine moderately priced, Foris flew over the Willamette Valley to Yakima in Washington and bought grapes from a 30-year-old winery. This has a deep, dark color. Aromas and flavors of dark chocolate, mocha, blackberries and dark cherries. This has some bigger chewy tannins, so I prefer it with food. Blend of 55% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. 4,583 cases made. Food pairing – A hearty meal such as a steak, roast, lamb, etc.!

Tier Two

($15-$25/bottle)

Arizona Stronghold is a winery founded by Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer for Tool, as well as being a moviemaker (a movie about his starting this winery) and more. He is best known as the lead singer of the multi-platinum rock bands Tool and A Perfect Circle. Moving to Arizona in 1995, Keenan began his quest to make wine and has produced excellent wines through his labels Caduceus, Merkin and Arizona Stronghold.

Many Americans know of the “Four Corners” area where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah border each other. This area is also home to the great Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range arcing northward from Mexico into the US. This is another “Four Corners,” the Madrean. Sonora, Chihuahua, New Mexico and Arizona were once the homeland of the Chiracahua Apache, the mighty Chocise’s tribe.

The Arizona Stronghold Winery and Vineyards are near Sedona (just south of Flagstaff). The vineyards are at altitudes of 3,200 – 4,800 feet.

The White

Arizona Stronghold “Tazi” White 2008 (Arizona) $22.99 - This is a vibrantly aromatic white with aromas of tropical fruit, oranges, apples and pears. The flavors are loaded with fruit and minerals. Notes of citrus fruit at the start and minerals on the finish. The Chardonnay adds body and texture to the blend; although they harvest early to avoid too much softness. The Sauvignon Blanc adds a refreshing acidity. Riesling adds fruit to the aromas and flavors. Malvasia adds a ton to the aromas. Blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Malvasia Bianca. Aged in stainless steel and neutral oak. 1967 cases made. Tazi was Chocise’s eldest son and the peacemaker for the Chiracahua Apache. Food pairing - Enjoy with Oysters, Shellfish, Caesar Salads, Thai Curried Vegetables and Fettuccini Alfredo. Serve this a little warmer than you normally do white wine – at about 58-60 degrees….this will enable each grape to be in balance.

The Red

Arizona Stronghold “Nachise” Red 2008 (Arizona) $22.99 - . This has a lot of spice, dark fruit, red berry and a brambly earthy quality (wet leaves in the fall). The aromas also have lavender, sage, blueberries, blackberries and ground pepper notes. The mouth is loaded with lush, rich fruit. The long finish has nice drying tannins and a wildberry characteristic. Blend of Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre and Counoise. Aged in neutral oak barrels. The Syrah is from a clone from Australia (Shiraz-1) so this has some Australian as well as Côtes-du-Rhône characteristics. 2009 barrels made. Food pairing - Great with any type of game, roast lamb and grilled vegetables.

Tier Three

($25-$50/bottle)

The White

Westport River Winery Blanc de Noirs Brut 2000 (Massachusetts) $32.99 – This is a delicious sparkling wine made just like Champagne from Champagne grapes. Westport River Winery was founded in 1986 by the Russell Family (they also founded Buzzards Bay Brewing Company). It is the largest New England winery and it makes internationally-known wines, including sparkling wines that rival great champagnes. This is one of them. If you are looking at a “green” holiday and want to serve sparkling wine, pick this. It tastes great and getting it here is a short journey! The Blanc de Noirs is a blend of estate-grown Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (just as Blanc de Noirs Champagne is). These are the two “black” grapes of Champagne. They come together to make a juicy wine that has a tart, crisp finish. The winery is between New Bedford and Fall River and is located north of Buzzards Bay. Food pairing – Thanksgiving Dinner and toasts, Asian food.

The Red

This is from the same winemaker as the Tier 2 wines from Arizona Stronghold.

Caduceus Nagual de la Naga 2007 (California/Arizona) $42.99 – Big, bodacious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese from Ranchito Canyon Vineyards in Pleasant Valley in Paso Robles. The wine is made in Arizona at the same winery as the Arizona Stronghold wines. Maynard James Keenan expects to be able to make this wine from exclusively Arizona grapes within a few years.

This is Maynard James Keenan’s take on a Californian Super Tuscan. Like many great wines from Bolgheri in Tuscany, this is not just made from Tuscan grapes – it adds Cabernet Sauvignon.

This has those classic Sangiovese cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors. The Cabernet adds A LOT of weight and depth and ripe, dark fruit to the aromas and flavors. It also has aromas and flavors of figs, dark berries, prunes and other dried fruits. This is a big, rich mouthful of wine! The vines are hand-pruned and “green” harvested to reduce yield and increase quality. The grapes are hand-harvested. Food pairing – steak, braised lamb, veal shanks, etc.

Eberle Wine Tasting

Eberle Winery Tasting

Saturday, Nov. 13th
12:00-7:00pm

Eberle Winery is one of my favorite wineries.

Eberle is in Paso Robles. Gary Eberle helped co-found the Paso Robles appellation in 1980 and opened the doors of his winery in 1983.

One of the things I like about Eberle wines is they are balanced.....not too oaky, not too high in alcohol, not jammy, not overblown.....they are big, rich, complex wines!

10% savings on all tasting wines – take 10% off the sale prices on any wines that are on sale!

The Whites:

Eberle Chardonnay 2009 Reg. $19.99, Sale $17.99 - Fruit flavors of crisp green apple, pear, and lemon zest with a hint of toasted oak, along with a creamy mid-palate will leave a lasting impression in your mouth. 2/3 of this is aged in oak barrels, 25% of the barrels are new. This part of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation. 1/3 is aged in stainless steel and doesn't go through malolactic fermentation. 2009 was a great vintage in Paso Robles. Food pairing - grilled shellfish, scallops, and fresh salads, guacamole and chips or dry aged cheeses. Rich and buttery dishes, chicken with a cream sauce, linguine and clams, or a salmon and wild mushroom risotto. 93 points, Winereviewonline.com, Robert Whitley

Eberle Viognier 2009 $24.99 - One of the things I like about this Viognier is I don't taste the alcohol in it - too often, with California Viognier, I taste the alcohol in it. This has great aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, stone fruit, melons, candied ginger and more. This is from the Mill Road Vineyard. 1/3 of the wine is aged in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation. 1/3 of the wine is aged in neutral oak and the lees are stirred twice a week to add richness to the texture. The remaining wine is aged in neutral oak sur lie and this adds the honeysuckle flavors. 2009 was a great vintage in Paso Robles. Food pairings - The crisp acidity of our Viognier also balances out a rich and creamy pasta Alfredo, lobster bisque and grilled shellfish with garlic wine butter sauce in the most delightful way. Enjoy a glass of Viognier with a Triple Cream Brie, Piave cheese and roasted pistachio nuts. Best of Class/Gold Medal, Los Angeles Int'l Wine Competition; Best Viognier - Central Coast Wine Competiton

The Rosé:

Eberle Syrah Rosé 2007 Reg. $19.99, Sale $17.99 - This is a dry rosé with strawberry, apple and raspberry flavors and baking spices with a bright acidity.The grapes are destemmed and crushed and allowed to cold soak on the Syrah skins for 36 hours, so this is a darker rosé than most. A small amount of the juice is aged on Viognier lees to add floral aromas. The juice is then transferred to neutral French oak barrels for fermentation. 100% Syrah. 630 cases made. Food pairings - roasted pork, Thanksgiving Dinner, appetizers of roasted nuts, aged cheese such as Piave Vecchio and strawberries.

The Reds:

Eberle Côtes-du-Rôbles 2006 Reg. $24.99, Sale $21.99 - 2006 was an outstanding vintage in Paso Robles with a great, long harvest resulting in ripe berries. Aromas and flavors of earth, minerals, toasty oak and dark berries. This has good, softer, well-balanced tannins. This shows no alcohol heat. Blend of 47% Syrah, 29% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache and 4% Viognier. Each varietal and vineyard lot is hand-harvested, destemmed and kept separate through fermentation. The wine is blended after fermentation and aged for 16 months in 100% French oak (20% new). 1,734 cases made. Food pairings - savory cheeses such as aged cheddar or Parmigiano, wild game (quail, squab) or a hearty beef stew.

Eberle Syrah Steinbeck Vineyard 2007 $22.99 - This wine defines Paso Robles Syrah - it's big, but elegant with flavors of black cherry, sweet vanilla oak and baking spices. This has a great chocolate finish. Fine-grained tannins. Reminiscent of a true Rhône wine, Eberle Steinbeck Vineyard Syrah is beautiful in its youth, but will age gracefully over the next several years! The grapes were de-stemmed. Half of the wine is aged 18 months in American oak (12% new) and half of the wine is aged in French oak (12% new). 1,439 cases made. Food pairing - red meats, winter stews, grilled meats, etc. TOP 10 Brunch Wines, Novus Vinum; 4 STARS, Restaurant Wine, Issue #128; 90 points, Wine Enthusiast

Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyard Selection 2007 Reg. $22.99, Sale $19.99 - This is definitely a California Cabernet, but it is not "over-the-top." Like all Eberle wines, it is well-balanced. This is aged 16 months in oak barrels. This has beautiful flavors and aromas of wild berries, cassis, currants and more. The tannins are moderate and balanced. Barrel aged for 18 months in a mix of American and French oak barrels of varying ages. 4,700 cases made. 100% Cabernet. Food pairings - lamb shanks, roasted duck, rib-eye steaks with blue cheese.

Eberle Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 $39.99, Sale $32.99 - This is a big, robust, well-balanced wine this has an “Old World” elegance. This has lush, dark berry flavors. Aromas and flavors of black currants, dark cherries and mocha. Velvety tannins. It has more vanilla aromas and flavors than the Vineyard Selection Cabernet. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were destemmed. Aged 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels. 2,394 cases made. This is the 25th anniversary of this wine. Food pairings - hearty dishes, grilled ribs, steak, roasted lamb.

Eberle Zinfandel 2006 Reg. $29.99, Sale $22.99 - This Zin is from two of Paso Robles finest Zinfandel vineyards, the reputable Steinbeck Vineyard and the Wine-Bush Vineyard. The Steinbeck Vineyard contributes layers of sweet briar fruit with hints of earth and minerality, while the Wine-Bush Vineyard contributes depth of color and jammy flavors of ripe blackberry, red raspberry with a peppery finish. The grapes are hand-picked and destemmed. The wine goes through full malolactic fermentation and is then transferred to American oak barrels (20% new) for 16 months. 2,826 cases made. Food pairings - hamburgers, grilled meats, spare ribs, meats with rich sauces. Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition; Gold Medal, Lodi International Wine Awards; 3 Star, BevX.com; 2.5 Stars, The San Francisco Chronicle

The Dessert Wine:

Eberle Muscat Canelli 2005 $18.99 - This has great sweet melon aromas and flavors up front. Aromas of orange blossoms, nectarines and mangoes. Crisp and semi-sweet with a clean finish. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed. The fermentation is done at a cool temperature. When the wine reaches the desired sugar and acid levels, the fermentation is stopped by chilling the wine to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The wine is kept chilled for about 30 days to let the lees naturally settle out.a The wine is then filtered and bottled. Food pairings - cheesecake, crème brulee and fresh baked biscotti, soft cheeses, dried fruits and nuts. Foie gras.