‘W.U.'s Reviews: Judging the Juice’ Articles
Wine Reviews Unfiltered Style.
Retail Price: $60.00
I have to say, the Byron Tasting Room up in Los Olivos always treats me really well, and luckily they happen to also have awesome wines. Convenient, huh? It also helps that they have mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which are my favorites. Coincidence? Yea, actually. Cool.
This is their top-of-the-line Pinot Noir and at 60 bucks, it is a splurge for me. But you can clearly taste where the money is going. The W.U’s stats:
CHARACTER: BYRON 2006 MONUMENT PINOT NOIR
Vintage: 2006
Varietal Component: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Santa Maria Valley
Aging: 16 Months in 100% French Oak
Alcohol: 14.5%
Harvest Date: September 27, 2006
Bottling Date: February 12, 2008
Release Date: October 15, 2008
Case Production: 474 (6 – 750 ml cases)
DM : Drinkmaker JONATHAN NAGY. His notes: “These Pinot Noir grapes come in during the cool morning hours. Then they are hand-sorted and sent to cold soak for three to five days prior to fermentation to develop fruit character, color and body. During fermentation, a combination of punch-downs and pump-overs is used to circulate the skins and juice, ensuring maximum extraction. The Monument Pinot Noir is produced from Swan, Pommard 115 and Wadenswil 2A clones. Each of these clones adds a distinct component to the wine, making this the finest red wine we produce. The 2006 Monument Pinot Noir displays aromas of dark cherry and rose petal with hints of perfume, tobacco, mineral and brown spice. Flavors of dark cherry, blueberry jam and a smoky finish give way to an elegant and silky texture that expands beautifully over the palate”.
CRAFT SYSTEM:
Color: Glossy Rosewood.
Richness: Medium Body.
Aroma: Earthy Spices, Rose, Blueberry pie.
Flavor: Viscous and ripe red berry fruit, hint of spice, slight smoke and tobacco finish.
Texture: Smooth as heck. Lush and medium-long finish.
ABILITIES
STRENGTH: It is without a doubt, a middleweight. It seems to want to tip the scale over to a big red, but it is so luscious yet delicate that it can’t and I’m very glad. But make no mistake, there is no flab here.
DEXTERITY: Supremely balanced. Super flexible for any cuisine, but it is so good you may not even want food interrupting its taste and texture.
CONSTITUTION: Holds on tight for hours. And keeps getting better and better.
CHARISMA: Elegant and upstanding. A very well made Pinot Noir, at its best. It likes to take its time, so get ready for an evening with this bottle.
EXPERIENCE POINTS: Medium. A 2006 wine that is in its element and ready to go. But can easily be put down for a bit of time.
ARMOR CLASS: Unknown. I can’t even imagine finding out its lasting behavior. Too good for leftovers.
HIT POINTS: You probably have no more than 3 days. But what wine does?
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Rating: 1d20
Tags: 2006 Monument, Byron Wines, Pinot Noir, Review BYRON 2006 MONUMENT PINOT NOIR
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Retail Price: $19.00
Average BevMo price: $12-$15
BevMo 5 cent sale: 2 for $12.99
I love Shannon Ridge Wines. And the only reason I happened to chance upon their existence is due to a tasting with a Shannon Ridge rep present. We just couldn’t believe the value you got for the price, as I call them “VP Wines”. I have been pretty disenchanted with BevMo lately, but I do thank them for carrying two lines I love that are hard to find elsewhere: Shannon Vineyards and the Concha y Toro Trio Line.
Here is one of the Shannon Wines on the 5 cent deal that has not been jacked up in price for the sale. It is a supreme bargain. That is, if you like new world style Chardonnay. And I do. But like I always say “Tasting is Personal”, so what I love you may hate. The W.U’s stats:
| Alcohol: |
14.3% |
| Total Acidity: |
0.62 g/mL |
| pH: |
3.64 |
| Residual Sugar: |
0.50% |
| Composition/Blend: |
90% Chardonnay |
| Appellation: |
Lake County |
| Barrels: |
American oak |
| Time in Barrels: |
6 months |
| Cases Produced: |
8,000 |
DM : Drinkmaker Mike Wood. His notes: The grapes used to produce our 2008 Shannon Ridge Lake County Chardonnay were picked from several different blocks to help create an elegant multi-layered wine with great complexity. The wine was barrel fermented in American oak to help create the creamy vanilla flavors and rich mouth feel.
CRAFT SYSTEM:
Color: Light gold.
Richness: Medium to Full Body.
Aroma: Green Apple, Oak and Vanilla.
Flavor: Oak, Creme Brule, Tropical Fruit, Hints of Fresh Tart Fall Fruit.
Texture: Lush yet crisp, round, lengthy finish.
ABILITIES
STRENGTH: Tons of muscle. A big creamy California style wine with enough of an acidic backbone.
DEXTERITY: Decently balanced fruit and acidity. Maybe a -1 for a little too much butter in the balance. But a flexible wine for many occasions and food. I stocked up on a half-case as a weeknight wine.
CONSTITUTION: Quaffable and something you want to keep drinking again and again. A lot of bang for the buck. But wait too long and it may go over the top and malolactic flavor the heck out of itself.
CHARISMA: A very viscous and beautifully aromatic wine in my opinion. +1 for a strong personality and smelling expensive. It definitely lets you know its in the room, it’s in your glass, and it’s a California girl.
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EXPERIENCE POINTS: Low. This is a fresh new 2008 wine. No cellaring needed. Open and go. Yum.
ARMOR CLASS: Low. Its structure won’t last long in the fridge, due to it’s rich and dry nature.
HIT POINTS: You have 1 day.
SAVING THROW: It’s a screw top, so you can get a nice tight seal to ward off oxidation as long as you can.
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CAMPAIGN SETTING: Pair with Modern Family and Cougartown, (ABC Wednesdays, 8pm.)
Rating: 1d20
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Tags: Chardonnay, Shannon Ridge, W.U.'s VP Wines Under $10
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A very nice person representing Bouchaine Vineyards and Long Island Wine Council was kind enough to offer some wines for me to try, and see if we could not get the stigma of L.I. wines out of the sticks and onto the map. Well, it’s already on the map big time, but not here in California. Believe you me, I wish I could get more Long Island wines out here in Los Angeles. That’s a lie actually. I wish I could get ANY Long Island wines out here in Los Angeles. The offerings:
As the bottle description indicated, there were indeed clear hints of banana and flowers, but also definite Macintosh and Granny Smith apple flavors. Nice.
SPECS:
-Versatile drink.
-13.5% alcohol.
- Not sweet.
-Paired with guacamole and hummus platter.
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Sweet tropical fruit and citrus, vanilla and pear. This Chardonnay is definitely on the sweeter side, but I enjoyed this with hot and spicy homemade shrimp Pad Thai and it worked well in this case. I would not say say it is as viscous as a Viognier or anything, but if you are looking for a Chablis, keep looking.
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12.5% alcohol. Low tannin, dust, chai tea and cardamom, odd aftertaste. I’m curious what the 2003 Merlot tasted like, let’s say in ‘06 or ‘07, because to me at this point, there was an excess of rubber and strong random essences. But that doesn’t mean that there is not a more recent vintage that is worth a look. Because there probably is. The low alcohol is always appreciated.
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And I was lucky enough to also try some Carneros area wines, known for their Pinot Noir and Chards:
To my surprise, I actually enjoyed the non-estate Pinot Noir better. Maybe my taste in Pinots are changing, but I preferred the definite rose, orange peel, pencil lead and balsamic aromas over the dark, juicier estate fruit.
SPECS:
Appellation: 100% Carneros Napa Valley
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Alcohol: %14.5
Thanks so much to Jen for all the tastings!
Tags: Borghese, Bouchaine, carneros, Chardonnay, Jamesport Vineyards, Long Island wine, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sherwood House
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It’s hard to find a nice Pinot Noir under $25. But here is one:
The 2007 Laetitia Pinot Noir Estate $24,
Scent of vanilla, hint of oak. Medium ripe berries with sweet spices. Superbly balanced, smooth and light.
Rating: 1d10
Tags: 2007, Laetitia, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, under $25
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$45
Venice in a glass. Deep oaky fruit, vanilla, sensual texture, tons of baking spices and hint of incense. Smooth, ripe, elegant.
Not cheap. I didn’t care. It was joy in a bottle for me.
SPECS:
Barrel aged
Bottled in June of 2008
109 cases produced
15.2% alcohol
Convivial Pairing: meats, chocolate, love
Movie Pairing: “Dangerous Beauty” starring Catherine McCormack, Rufus Sewell and Oliver Platt
Rating: 1d12
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Tags: 2003 Merlot, Los Olivos, Merlot, Valentine's Day, Wild Heart Winery
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$7-10
You can often find this for under 9$. Dangerous. Big, smooth, solid. Juicy fruit of currants and dark berries. Defined hints of oak on the nose, soft yet strong flavor and solid texture. Weekly, weekly, weekly. Did I mention weekly? Worthy.
Specs:
- Appellation: Rapel Valley
- Aging: 60% small American oak, 8 months
Action to be taken:
-After work
-Dinner on Wed.
-Case for a party
Lifesaving Locations:
- Trader Joes
- Bevmo
- Pavillions
- Wine.com
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Rating: 1d12
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Calina Reserva Carmenere 2007
$6.99 -$10.99
Definite herbacousness and green pepper aromas along with it’s dark plum. Serious charcoal/graphite going on here. Tons of fruit, maybe too much. Tight acid is my problem with this wine. Maybe it’s just me, but tart fruit and acidity galore without much support equals pucker town USA.
I didn’t find it particularly round, maybe it was just a bad night. I don’t know. Yes, it is a fair price for what it gives. All I do know is that, to tell the truth, I still prefer Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2007 for the same price. That is if you can still find it.
Specs:
-13% Cabernet Sauvignon added.
Aged: 9 months in French (70%) and American (30%) oak.
- Appellation: Maule Valley
- Owned by California’s Kendall-Jackson.
Action to be taken:
-Dinner on a Tues
- Have with something oily
- Look for Casillero del Diablo Carmenere
Lifesaving Locations:
- Trader Joes
- Costco
- Vendome
Rating: 1d4
Tags: $6.99, Calina Reserve Carmenere 2007, Carmenere grape, Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2007, Costco, Red Wine
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Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label
Non-Vintage Champagne, France
3 SELLING POINTS :
1) Very accessible price for real Champagne @ approx. $40.00.
2) Crisp heady fruit, versatile with food AND dessert.
3) Hints of mineral, cream and apple.
POP. FIZZ. YUM.
Have a safe and fun New Year’s Eve!
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Rating: 1d8
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Justin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
$20-$28
USA > California > Central Coast
Super concentrated. Defined vanilla and hint of oak on the nose with a distant rose petal. Decanting doesn’t hurt it. Just enough tannin and lots of smooth black fruit. Very nice.
http://www.justinwine.com
11680 Chimney Rock Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
United States
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Rating: 1d10
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Tags: 2007, Cabernet Sauvignon, central coast, Justin, Red Wine, review
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Carivintâs Winery
476 First St.
Solvang, CA 93463
805.693.4331
Lover of animals, breeders of good taste, decidedly awesome furniture.
Caritas: charity (syn. philanthropy), an affection for giving to humanity [Latin]
Vin: wine [French]
Caritas + Vin: blending wine with philanthropy— Carivintâs
Cool, huh?
Carivintas is a winery with a great new tasting room in Solvang, CA. They are known for their philanthropic mindset and donate some of their profits to non-profit organizations involved in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Don’t forget the doggies. Love the doggies.
Bless you guys for having rocking hours. They are open until 9pm. Anyone who has been to the area knows there is almost squat to do after 7. But this isn’t just a place to go due to squattage or abundance thereof. Paul Ramos and Fleet Hamilton will take care of you as well as they take care of their wines. Fleet is their wine alchemist and knows his stuff. And Paul never seems to stop propelling Carivintas along. They did a great job on their new tasting room. Go.
Their wines:
2007 Otis & Myka Semillon (14.2%): A rare grape to find in California mostly alone. Refreshing and chilled. Would rule with soft cheese. Definite pear and green fruit notes. Nice.
2008 Chenin Blanc (13.5%): Brought this home with me. Crisp and very aromatic. Floral notes along with more exotic fruit. Rich and light. Is that possible? Yeah.
2007 Sadie & Shadow Chardonnay (14.6%): my kind of Chardonnay. Rich, lush, vanilla, round yet crisp edges. Yes, a hint of butter along with its lively fruit. Just calm down. I won’t tell anyone you liked a nice buttery Chardonnay.
2008 Rosé of Tempranillo (13%): Light rose. Classic. The slightly lower alcohol is appreciated.
2005 Brooklyn & Georgia Pinot Noir (14.1%): Definite spice, roses, cherry and maybe a vanilla splash. Nice fruit.
2006 Olive Mataro Mourvedre (14.6%): Probably my fave. Richness of cinnamon and game, black fruit and oak. Yumtasm. Aerate this and see what happens.
2006 Windmill Cabernet Sauvignon (14.2%): Solid tannins, plenty of dark fruit and pepper spice. Nice concentration. Decant and have fun.
The SB County Visa weekend is coming around again in October. If you are going, even if they are not on the Visa this year, stop on by. If nothing else, but to try a few and hang out on the decidedly awesome furniture.
Tags: Cabernet Sauvignon, california red, Carivintas Winery, Chardonnay, mourvedre, Paul Ramos, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, rose', semillon, Solvang, Tasting Room, Tempranillo, white wine
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