#winesoftheweek

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Wines of the Week #11: 2012 Firestone Chardonnay

Quick Hits (Taken from the wine.com):

Relevant Critical Acclaim: 2010 vintage was rated 91 in Wine Enthusiast

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 14.2%

Winemaker’s Notes: Full-bodied and well-structured, our 2012 estate Chardonnay is bursting with tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Pineapple, papaya, citrus, pear and vanilla complement hints of toasted oak and a bright acidity to round out the finish.

Our Thoughts:

We love Chardonnay, but found this wine to be quite disappointing. It had very little aroma, and not a strong taste either. Perhaps it’s because we got it on sale, and it may have been a little past its prime, but we were quite disappointed. It had a small bite on the front of your tongue as soon as you sipped it, and not much of a lingering after taste. We could perhaps pick up a bit of pineapple, and maybe a bit of oak, but otherwise, it was kind of bland to our pallets. If you’re looking for a good, or even a decent Chardonnay, look elsewhere, as we won’t be getting this again.

Velzen Grade: C-

Some Pics:

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Wines of the Week #10: Castello del Poggio Moscato Provincia di Pavia

Quick Hits (Taken from the wine.com):

Relevant Critical Acclaim: N/A

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7.0%

Winemaker’s Notes: Straw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse. Fruity and very inviting, with intense scents of peaches and exotic fruit. Fresh and pleasantly sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal characteristic.

Our Thoughts:

We had tried this wine at Olive Garden, and really liked it, so we decided to buy it from the local liquor store, and give it a go. Overall, we enjoyed it, but it was not quite as good as we remembered it. It had a pretty golden hue, and perhaps there were even scents of peach/exotic fruit, but we didn't really notice that. What we did notice, however, was how cloyingly sweet it was. The flavor was great, but the sweetness was overpowering, bordering on so much so that it inhibited us from enjoying it. It was definitely evident that there was a low alcohol content, as well. Maybe this is intended to be a dessert wine, and we just didn't know it? I'd say that we'd probably get it again, but we would try it for a dessert wine, or on its own late at night, not paired with a meal.

Velzen Grade: B

Some Pics:

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Wines of the Week #9: 2013 Beringer Simply Sophisticated Chardonnay

Quick Hits (Taken from the wine.com):

Relevant Critical Acclaim: N/A

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 13.5%

Winemaker’s Notes: Enticing blend of ripe stone fruit and vivid citrus flavors. The bright citrus perfectly offsets the honeyed apricot.

Our Thoughts:

This wine had a very weak aroma/flavor. It had a faint soapy smell, and a flavor that was pleasant and unoaky. We could taste a hint of honey, but didn't sense any apricot. We got it for $5, and with that in mind, it was a really nice wine. We would buy it again, and definitely reasonable to drink on a weekend, or a cheap wine to drink on the weekend, but obviously, for that price, it isn't anything too astounding. A pleasing, simply, smooth Chardonnay, to be sure, but nothing off the charts.

Velzen Grade: B

Some Pics:

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Wines of the Week #8: 2012 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel

Quick Hits (Taken from the wine.com):

Relevant Critical Acclaim: Tasting Panel score - 88; "Juicy and toasted with some sweet raspberry fruit and cinnamon spice; tangy, fresh and balanced."

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 15.0%

Winemaker’s Notes: An intense, full-bodied wine with red fruit, blackberry and spice. Lingering tannins over a long, smoky finish. Bright raspberry, blackberry, black pepper and smoky oak. Bold red raspberry, cherry, juicy blackberry, black pepper with smooth tannins.

Our Thoughts:

This wine was shockingly good. We are usually mired with a lack of optimism when it comes to the weeks where we are trying a red wine, but this one did not disappoint. We definitely noticed a tangy, almost biting, quality at the tip of the tongue when it first entered your mouth, and it finished with a very smooth hint of oaky-ness. Describing it as a "smoky oak", as the winemaker does, is perfect. We also noticed some fruits present in the flavor, although we couldn't identify them as raspberry, blackberry, or cherry. It was one of the smoothest, and, ultimately, most drinkable red wines we've ever had. We paired it with an Asian steak dish, and it was quite good, both during the meal, and after. It was also a beautiful hue of red, almost resembling a purple color something like plum. We really enjoyed it, and will definitely reach for Zinfandels more often in the future when we are going to get a red wine.

Velzen Grade: B+

Some Pics:

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Wines of the Week #7: 2013 Sterling Pinot Grigio

Quick Hits (Taken from the bottle):

Relevant Critical Acclaim: None

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 13.5%

Winemaker’s Notes: In our Pinot Grigio you will find fresh kiwi fruit and golden apple flavors accented by floral and mineral notes. These characteristics come from California's Central Coast, the most diverse appellation in the state. Here you will find both cool, foggy nights, and warm, sunny days, which result in bright and fruit-forward wines. Chill and serve with sushi, salad, chicken, or seafood.

Our Thoughts:

This wine was quite plain. It had very little smell, and a weak flavor, as well. The flavor it did has was slightly fruity and bright, and had a nice, stringent sting on the back of the tongue that lingered far after you swallowed. We did get some mineral smells/flavors, but can't say we smelled/tasted any kiwi or apple. Overall, not the most exciting wine, and we probably wouldn't get it again, but not unbearable. It did give us a chance to try out our cool moose glasses :)

Velzen Grade: C+

Some Pics:

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Wines of the Week #6: Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Claret 2012

Quick Hits (Taken from wine.com):

Relevant Critical Acclaim: Cellar Tracker median score - 88

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 13.5%

Winemaker’s Notes:  Our prize offering, the ultra premium Claret, sports a label that honors the first Cabernet Sauvignon blended in a Bordeaux style by Gustave Niebaum in 1910. Claret is a term originally coined by the British to describe Cabernet-based wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc blend is alluring and sophisticated; it is memorably lush with a tapestry of smooth tannins and succulent flavors of wild berries, plum and anise. Borrowing tradition of European wineries, we add gold netting to bottle to signify outstanding quality of wine.

Our Thoughts:

This wine was fairly difficult to place. It has a strong oaky aroma, and a smooth mouthfeel, as well as a nice aftertaste that lingered on the back center of the tongue. We couldn't smell anything to distinct other than the oak, however, and it did not taste like your average Cabernet Sauvignon, though, which is what I was hoping for. Perhaps that is because it was "blended in the British Bordeaux style", so it wasn't truly a Cab at all? We thought it tasted fine, but nothing to write home about, and certainly not the big punch of flavor that I tend to enjoy from a big Cabernet. It was a mild red wine with a decent texture, and definitely provides a nice weeknight glass, but not something we'd bring to a holiday party.

Velzen Grade: B-

Some Pics:

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Wines of the Week #5: 2012 William Hill Chardonnay

Quick Hits (Taken from wine.com):

Relevant Critical Acclaim: Wine Enthusiast score - 91. "The winemaker blended multiple vineyards into the wine, from cool places in Carneros to warmer northern areas, and the result is impeccable. You’ll find crisp acidity and minerality, along with a range of fruits, from green apples and peaches to pears and tropical fruits. Barrel fermentation and lees aging add rich notes of smoky butter and sour cream to this complex Chardonnay."

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 13.8%

Winemaker’s Notes: Ripe tree fruit and heady notes of baked apple are supported by layers of caramel, brown spice and toasted oak flavors.

Our Thoughts:

This was an incredibly complex wine. We liked it a ton. It was immediately clear that it was barrel aged by the oaky flavors, and we noticed a hint of sweetness right after you swallowed. It almost tasted like a freshly baked pie with caramelized brown sugar, not overly sweet, but noticeable. We also picked up a hint of fruit in the smell, and maybe a bit of a grassy flavor. It was quite rewarding to see most of these smells/tastes reflected in the Winemaker's Notes and Wine Enthusiast review, it means we are improving at analyzing wines :) It was an incredibly pleasing wine from first smell to lingering aftertaste, and probably the best we've had so far. It was also very satisfying/enjoyable to drink such a complex wine, definitely a fun one to discuss with those around the table, and a good selection for a wine/cheese party if we have one in the future

Velzen Grade: A-

Some Pics:

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Wine of the Week #4: 2011 Souverain North Coast Sauvignon Blanc

Quick Hits:

Relevant Critical Acclaim: Couldn't find any

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 12.5%

Winemaker’s Notes: In 1944, Souverain founder J. Leland Stewart began making wine in California's North Coast. This Sauvignon Blanc follows his tradition, sourcing fruit from the renowned Sauvignon Blanc sites of Lake County, yielding a complex wine with bright citrus, passion fruit, and floral notes.

Our Thoughts:

This wine was pretty much average. We enjoyed it during dinner, but certainly weren't in love with it. We noticed some fragrance of perfume and some light fruit scents at first sniff. It was a rather fruity taste, resembling a Riesling to us, but not quite as sweet. Quite a smooth taste with just a little bit of bite at the end of it. Not a strong, lasting flavor, certainly something that would have gone better with appetizers, such as cheese and crackers, or some bread and goat cheese, than with the main course chicken dish we paired it with, but all in all, an acceptable wine.

Velzen Grade: B-

Some Pics: