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MacMurray Ranch 2007 Central Coast Pinot Noir

Chris Urban — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:26:25 +0000

Well, dear reader, it has been over two months since a decent review, so we had better get cracking with a new year
~~approaching fast~~ freshly arrived.
Not sure where we picked this bottle up, but no matter – this is better than just decent pinot noir for under $20 (I think it’s less than $20), once it has had some time to breathe. Fresh out of the bottle is a bit harsh, but an hour later, this presents a nice combination of berries (cranberry? pomegranate? something tart) and spice under the chocolate nose. And you know how we feel about chocolate, so that makes this a thumbs up.
Notes on a 2006 we’ve seen suggest more blueberry and vanilla, but I feel pretty strongly this is more chocolate/nutty and a more tart berry than blueberry.

Zonte’s Footstep Shiraz Viognier blend

Chris Urban — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:39:20 +0000

From Langhorne Creek in Australia, another red blend. My wife really enjoyed this blend of shiraz and viognier, but I was just okay with it. This wine is packed with fruit and has the hint of sweetness and butteryness of a viognier. It even has some subtle pepper from the shiraz. This would be a nice summer drinking red since it’s not very heavy, but still complex. katherine (age 4) says it smells good.

Cline Oakley four Whites

Chris Urban — Thu, 08 May 2008 22:51:18 +0000

We’ve been noticing how vineyards are assembling interesting blends of whites and reds. Just when you finally settled on a preference for a cabernet franc/shiraz blend over a cab sauvignon/pinot noir, now we see blends of multiple varietals, which in the whites has become really intruiging. Hmm.

The label on this particular bottle has a picture of a rope, the label itself is nicely diecut to exude something old-Westernish in appearance. What does this have to do with blending white wines?

Well, the label alleges that the “gnarly, ancient” [dude!] vines they grow without water and constant winds produce grapes of exceptional character. And, indeed it does. This is a really nice, cheap white table wine. There’s a hint of fruity sweetness, it’s off dry so it’s still crisp. The viognier brings a nice flavor, and there’s the buttery smoothness of the chardonnay. Overall, this is a really easy pair with seafood or chinese food.

We’d definitely pick a couple of these up next time we’re in Jersey…

2003 Tempranillo/Shiraz Valencia “Tempra Tantrum”

Chris Urban — Thu, 01 May 2008 02:20:56 +0000

Yummy! Nice bite, solid red nose, this is a great wine with red, rare steak or even a meaty pizza. I have to admit, I was skeptical with a name like Tempra Tantrum, but one the first swill, I was convinced. Good solid woody, earthy nose and hints of ripe berry, this finishes very smoothly with light tannin. Great after it’s been open an hour or so. We’d buy this again, definitely – I think this was pretty cheap, too, under $10?

Champagne: Veuve Clicquot NV Brut Cuvée

Chris Urban — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:47:26 +0000

The grand dame (widow, actually) of Champagne, this is one of our all-time favorites. Excellent with cheeses, spicy dishes and we’ll find any excuse to open a bottle. Exceptional bubble feel, very smooth, almost velvety, with complex blends of lemon, lime, pear, butter and honey. On the finish there’s ever so subtle suggestive notes of peanut or almond, almost vanilla-like.

It’s worth noting that I firmly believe you really appreciate a well-crafted bubbly, or wine for that matter, after visiting where it’s grown and bottled. While that deserves its own post, tasting this champagne immediately conjures up the sight of racks upon racks of bottles patiently biding their time in their cool, dark chalk subterranean cellars.

Summary: a damn splendid champagne. Next challenge will be to put this head to head with the dominating Moët & Chandon White Star…

La Crema 2006 Pinot Noir

Chris Urban — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:18:10 +0000

A very nice Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – beautiful ruby color, delicate blackberry, cherry and earthy notes, wonderfuly smooth. Mild tannins on the finish – very tolerable. Overall, I’d say this was an exceptionally smooth, well-rounded pinot. What I have a hard time discriminating is the bouquet – it’s either very simple and nonintrusive, or it’s so incredibly complex I can’t tell anything apart. On one hand, that wouldn’t be so bad because this is so enjoyable already, it’s just that I yearn for one or more particular flavors to jump out in my mouth, at the start or finish, and none seem to do so.

The Crossings 2006 Unoaked Chardonnay

Chris Urban — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 01:52:14 +0000

This is a delightfully light and crisp New Zealand chardonnay. It starts with notes of pear and lemon, and develops into a nutty buttery almost olive-like finish.

This would probably pair well with some sharp or full-flavored cheeses. If you like your chardonnays to be more fruity and less oaky, this is probably a good choice to try. I wonder if this were oaked, how heavy and buttery it would have turned out?

Clos Mimi 2005 “petite rousse” Syrah

Chris Urban — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:17:16 +0000

Light, fruity syrah with simple bouquet. It has a light taste, ever so slightly spicy, and on the finish I could swear there’s a little mint – spearmint? This is a good afternoon before-the-barbecue red – this could go well with burgers but it’s a bit too light for the main course (or at least, my carnivorous taste in main courses). Not that I don’t like syrahs – this is a nice one – but I think I prefer the syrah-cab blends more, because the cabernet provides a nicer, solid footing than the syrah on its own. It’s like having a pretty car, but it’s only got four cylinders.

Black Opal Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Chris Urban — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:04:22 +0000

label: “…packed with ripe black cherry characteristics and a smooth, soft taste…”

This is a Cabernet that tastes very solid and mature – almost more plum than cherry. A little hint of pepper, as though there were a Cab Franc struggling to get out. Very smooth, great mouthfeel. This is a nice wine to enjoy with a hearty steak-and-potatoes dinner or even with a meaty pizza. A nice find – even after this bottle was open nearly a week it still possessed its original charm.

Champagne: Domaine Ste. Michelle Extra Dry

Chris Urban — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:55:15 +0000

Lovely, lightest golden color. No ‘winey’ aftertaste. Overwhelming favorite from the group – complex nose with many fruits. Difficult to compare to bruts, a completely different style of champagne. Up next: comparison to other Ste. Michelles and a head-to-head with Veuve Clicquot, the heavyweight champ. Bubble taste not as refined as the Moët, larger, coarser feel, but not to a point to detract from bouquet. Overall: surprisingly good, light, dry and complex. Definitely worthwhile in terms of bang for the buck.

Champagne: Piper Heidsieck Brut

Chris Urban — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:51:09 +0000

Light gold color. On opening, tasted ‘funny’ – slight chemical or artificial odor? Sweetest tasting brut in the bunch, but also had strongest bitter aftertaste. Driest, crispest taste – sweet hints of apple on nose. Generally liked least from tasting group. Bubble taste: not nearly as refined feeling as the Moët. Overall: disappointingly bitter.

Champagne: Moet & Chandon White Star

Chris Urban — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:47:52 +0000

Medium-light golden color – dry lemon taste. Tasters had varying opinions, but generally fair. Slightly bitter aftertaste. Bubble taste (the bubbly version of mouth-feel) was much smoother, finer, refined feel. Overall: solid, well-crafted; a safe favorite.

Muscat: Domain de Durban 2005 Muscat de Beaumes de Venise

Chris Urban — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:57:16 +0000

Medium golden color, typical syrupy consistency. Smooth, buttery feel with nose of burnt sugar more than caramel, almost like peanut brittle. Almost a bit overwhelming. Perfect match with a good stinky blue cheese.

Muscat: Two Hands Brilliant Disguise 2006 Moscato

Chris Urban — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 15:55:15 +0000

“Kind of like Sprite,” but in the light, citrus-y refreshing style. Nose full of chocolate and pear. Wonderfully bubbly and surprisingly light in color.

Twenty Rows – 2004 Red Wine

mimi — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:25:05 +0000

Finally got around to trying this wine, and was I pleasantly surprised.