Wine Notes

Below are my tasting notes for all the various wine’s I’ve tasting while traveling through wine regions, as well as other wines that have spoken to me – at home, while traveling, or while out to eat.

My favorites are indictated by a (*) next to the wine.

This list of wine thoughts will be constantly growing, so check back to see what new stuff I’ve been drinking. I’m also going back in time to add notes from past travels.


MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

andes in the distance at a winery in the uco valley outside mendoza argentinaAtamisque

Torrontes – fresh and crsip, lemon and green apples.

Malbec Rose – nice balanced cherry flavors

Pinot Noir – nicely balanced, red fruits everywhere specifically currants.

Salentein

Sauvignon Blanc – lots of sharp grapefruit flavors, but still rather sweet

Pinot Noir – strawberry and red berry flavors, with a mild vanilla and warmth undertone

Merlot/Malbec mix (5%/85%) – good tannin levels, alcohol is powerful, black fruit and eucalyptus flavors.

 Coming Soon: Aguijon de Abeja, Andeluna, and tastings from Vines of Mendoza.
 

 

 


YARRA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA

Yarra Valley Vines, AustraliaFergusson

Shiraz 2008 – Warm, a bit jammy, but balanced.

Shiraz Rose 2008 – Too sweet to be termed dry.

Muscat – a little too fruity. They hadn’t gone far enough in fermentatio.

Dominique Portet

Brut Rose – bright flavors, strawberries, very nice.

Sauvignon Blanc 2010 – Burgandy-eqsue, citrusy with ripe grapes, fume style so has warmth

Rose 2010 (*) – light in flavor, but strawberry flavor is pleasing.

Red Blend – Cab/Merlot/Shiraz 2008 (*) – red berries and blackberries, well balanced with good tannins

Chandon

NV Brut – Good acidity, nothing special but good balance and fruit flavors

 Coming Soon: Barossa Valley


MARTINBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND

Schubert Wines - MartinboroughHudson

Dry Riesling 2008 – too sweet and sticky for a dry wine, but still has grassy flavors

Sauvignon Blanc 2009 – tropical fruit, big flavor for a lightly colored white

Pinot Noir 2008 – warm coffee/toffee flavor with peppery, slight berry flavor.

Big Sky

Pinot Noir 2009 – different terroir is clear in the flavor. Big berries, with a little licorice and eucalyptus.

Schubert

Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (*) – mild, fruity on the finish but crisp on the palate. Yum.

Pinot Noir Rose 2010 – Strawberry one the nose, quite dry, has PN depth of flavor. Light in color.

Marion’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 – mushroom and earthy flavors, not fruit forward.

Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Blend 2006 – super earthy and musty. No berries in sight, but light on the palate.

Syrah 2008 – very peppery nose and palate. Mild alcohol but does over power a bit. Not too heavy in body and tannin.

Dolce (Muller-Thurgau) 2009 (*) – honey, apricots, and nectarine flavors. really fruity and sticky. Delicious.

Martinborough Vineyard Martinborough vineyards, New Zealand

Riesling 2010 – very mild flavor, tastes a little too light.

Te Tera Sauvignon Blanc 2010 – mineral and pineapple on the palate, really big nose.

Pinot Gris Burnt Spur 2010 – creamy and smooth, floral. Nice.

Chardonnay 2008 – mild oaky flavor, but not overboard. Still has a nice fruity flavor of green apple with vanilla.

Pinot Noir Burnt Spur 2009 (*) – toasty nose and flavor. Good mature berry flavor. Light in color but bold in flavor.

Pinot Noir 2009 – lots of strawberries, very light, too much alcohol for me.

Ata Rangi

Summer Rose 2010 – crisp and fruity but dry. very nice

Pinot Gris 2010 – crisp and fruity, but mildly oaks.

Chardonnay 2009 (*) – Balanced oak and fruit. Refreshing – Very Good.

Crimson Pinot Noir 2009 – Cherries! good mild and fresh drinking wine. Easy.

Pinot Noir 2009 – quite tannic for a PN, but refreshingly so. Good berries but somewhat mature

Celebre (Syrah, Merlot, Cab Sauv blend) 2008 – Peppery bite from syrah is apparent. Good balanced tannin.

 Coming Soon: Marlborough, Central Otago


NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Young Duckhorn GrapevinesDuckhorn Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – light lemony color, apples on the nose, sharp alcohol.

GoldenEye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2009 – young red/purple color, berries and warmth on the nose. Warm finish. Plums, currants, red berries.

Merlot 2009 – rich and dark velvety color. Acidic fruity nose. Red fruits on the palate.

Three Palms Merlot 2009 (*) – bright magenta color. Mild nose, but really bright in flavor. Really smooth tannins.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 – Youthful in color, mild red currant flavor

Monitor Ledge Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 – warm nose, red and black fruit, nice balanced oak.

The Discussion 2008 (*) – Rich in color, mild fruity nose, deep flavors of berries. Round and warm. Delicious. Wanted more.