Wine Reviews: California Unoaked Chardonnay

Hey there wine nerds! I have been tasting a ton of wine this week (tough life right?!) so I have another wine review for you! This time I tasted an unoaked Chardonnay by Mer Soleil.

First things first. Let's review the white wine powerhouse that is Chardonnay. Chardonnay is the most widely planted white wine grape in the world - every body grows it. As a result, there is a ton of information and many different styles of wine made with Chardonnay. The grape originated in the Burgundy wine region of France, but is also grown most notably in Chablis, Champagne and California. Depending on the grape ripeness and the terroir, wines made with Chardonnay can be crisp with strong fruit flavors or buttery with notes of vanilla and baking spices. It is always interesting to be reminded that Chardonnay also is a major player in Champagne (as evidence of how versatile the grape really is)!

When it comes to California style Chardonnay, they couldn't be more different from it's Old World counterparts. Initially, California winemakers tried to mimic the Burgundy style of Chardonnay, which is more refined, fruit forward and restrains the emphasis of the oak. We can't talk Californian Chardonnay history without mentioning Chateau Montelena and the Judgment of Paris victory in 1976. This event put California Chardonnays on the map when Chateau Montelena beat out it's French competitors in a blind tasting. With this increase in demand, there was also a shift in style, where many California wine producers were harvesting riper grapes, using new oak barrels and aiming for a finished product with bold flavors. (Welcome the "butter bombs.")

If you like the heavily oaked styles of Chardonnay - more power to you - but I prefer the unoaked styles. Without the oak, the fruit flavors of the grape are more prominent and it generally pairs better with food. So let's check this individual review!

"C" is for Chardonnay!

Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay 2012.

Where it's from. Monterey, California. Specifically, the Santa Lucia Highlands, which is known for it's coastal climate.

Label says. Bright minerality, pink grapefruit and key lime on the nose with flavors of lemon zest and stone-fruit. This wine would pair well with salads, seafood or tomato-based dishes.

My Thoughts. I was so excited to try an unoaked Chardonnay that I may not have given this wine it's credit where credit is due. (Plus the bottle is so interesting - it's not glass but more like ceramic). Overall, this was a wonderfully drinkable wine. It was a bit strange to see California on the label but not get that bold, in your face, flavor that you might typically expect from California - but that is definitely a good thing. The flavor was fresh and definitely had fruit on the finish. The oak was not missed. :)

I would love to hear about your favorite producers of unoaked Chardonnay, especially those from the new world! Happy wining!

Cheers!

Benchmark Wine Tasting Class: Other Classic Whites

Hey there wine nerds! Welcome to the second installment of the benchmark wine series. For the newbies, I previously introduced a benchmark wine tasting series based on a tasting I did at Penn State University. Last time, I provided an overview on aromatic whites. Now, I will be discussing "other classic whites," or more specifically Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. We also tasted an Albariño just to mix things up.

This tasting couldn't be more interesting because I considered these grapes extremely different in flavor and character. When I think of Sauvignon Blanc, I think of bright citrus, spicy green pepper and high acidity. When I think Chardonnay, I think smooth vanilla, stone fruit flavors and full-body. However, now that I think a little more, the two grapes are similar in one curious way -- they are both very versatile. Both have adapted to a variety of locations and styles, resulting in a variety of selection for consumers.

Sauvignon Blanc.

I have said it before and I will say it again, Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite grape! If you drink Sauvignon Blanc, then you know it has those awesome citrus, herbaceous, or even grassy green pepper flavors. Thanks to the world wide web, I learned a fun new principle when it comes to the flavors of Sauvignon Blanc: the ripeness of the grapes plays a major role in the flavor profile. (Duh, but listen to this!) If the grapes are LESS ripe, the wine is more likely to taste like lime or green apple. While, if the grapes are MORE ripe, the wine will likely taste like flowery peach or citrus. The best regions for Sauvignon Blanc are Bordeaux, Loire Valley (specifically Sancerre), New Zealand, and California. When surfing the aisles at the wine store, you can also look for the following synonyms: Fume Blanc or Pouilly-fume and you will most likely be drinking Sauvignon Blanc. Looking for food pairing tips? A good general rule is "go green," since the herbaceous qualities of the wine will pair well with salads, but any herb based sauce would pair well also. Now that we have covered the Sauvignon Blanc basics, let's check out the wines I tried at the benchmark wine tasting:

BANCROFT ESTATE 2011

Where it's from. Marlborough, New Zealand.

My thoughts. I love NZ style Sauvignon Blanc because it's so distinct. The flavors can be grassy, spicey, or peppery. This particular bottle had a lighter style than I have experienced with most NZ Sauvignon Blancs, which was fine. It definitely had the spicey finished and white pepper notes tha I expected. Overall, this wine was delicious but, as the only NZ Sauvignon Blanc on the tasting, I was hoping for a bolder style. The room thought it would be hard to pair with food - but I argue it would go great with an arugula salad. (Don't knock it before you try it!)

Chardonnay.

Chardonnay and I have a love-hate relationship. Generally, I am not a fan of most those "butter-bomb" styles. But, the unoaked styles, generally out of the Old World, are quite lovely. Like our discussion above, the ripeness of the Chardonnay grape also changes dramatically with ripeness. MORE ripe and you may notice flavors of pineapple and other tropical fruit, LESS ripe and you may notice strong notes of lemon or green apple. Similar varietals include: Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier, Semillion and Fiano (Italy). Check out the wines I tasted below:

KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER'S RESERVE

Where it's from. California.

My thoughts.  Definitely not a favorite. If you like the buttery styles, you may like this, but it's definitely not for me.

HENRY FESSY CHARDONNAY 2010

Where it's from. Pouilly-Fuisse, France

My thoughts. This wine could give any ABCer a run for their money. (Anything But Chardonnay). It had a pungent aroma that I was sure would mirror the taste - but I was so wrong. The flavors were subtle and sweet. Definitely an interesting wine.

LOUIS LATOUR 2008

Where it's from. Côte-d'Or, Burgundy, France.

My thoughts. This wine may have been my favorite white, maybe even my favorite wine of the tasting. This producer is just awesome. Yes, it is a bit more expensive - around $40 a bottle - but arguably worth every penny. The wine had a very refreshing aroma, including aloe or mint. However, it had a smooth and round taste, with an almost tart finish. I loved the complexities.

Albariño.

This grape is lovely. If you are ever in the wine store looking for something a bit different in the white wine aisle, Albariño is a great option. It is most commonly grown in northern Spain, specifically the Rías Baixas region. This grape is interesting because it has a pronounced fruit-forward aroma. For our benchmark wine tasting, we tasted the 2010 Mar de Vinas Albariño from Spain. Another great wine! It had the fruit aromas and bright acidity that I was hoping for - so check this wine out!

That is all for this post on benchmark wine - classic whites!

Cheers!

Grape Tales: Rousanne

Dear fellow wine nerds, I have made a terrible discovery.

I think I finally found a grape that I do not like. Sure, it's really not a shocking discovery, nor particularly newsworthy but, it saddens mean nonetheless. Before this discovery, I prided myself as an "all-inclusive wine drinker," who loved all wines (well, except port/sherry, but I never counted them). Yet, my palette has proved me wrong. No worries I will still try anything once and keep trying to find a style of Rousanne that I enjoy. 

Photo Source.

Now, for those of you that are thinking, "what is Rousanne anyway?" Let me fill you in! Rousanne is the name of a grape. I first came in contact with it while making wine at home - it was used in a white blend. That is when I discovered that it is traditionally grown in the Rhone wine region of France and is typically blended with another white grape called Marsanne. (The names sound pretty, right?) You may also see Rousanne blended with several other grapes in the white wine styles made in Chateauneuf-de-Pape, a region of southern Rhone. At this point, it seemed Rousanne was used in some big names in France, so I was definitely interested to try it on its own.

Photo Source.

According to my usual wine references, Rousanne is a interesting grape. The grape skins are not clearly white or red, but a reddish brown color. It is known for its herbal tea aroma. When grown in warm regions, it can e full-bodied with rich honey flavors. When brown in cooler regions, it can have a lighter-body and higher acidity. Most commentaries suggest that the flavor mimics it's herbal aroma. Luckily, I had the opportunity to tasted a wine that featured Rousanne at my Benchmark Wine Tasting event back in January. Unluckily, however, the wine was corked. So when I saw a bottle in the store, I eagerly grabbed it once and for all to confirm he typically flavors of Rousanne - like I said above the results were mostly negative.

SABON ESTATE ROUSANNE 2012.

Where it's from. Amador County, California.

My Thougts. This wine did not taste good. But I am not sure it was undrinkable or corked -- it smelled nice. It had a strong aroma of smooth butterscotch, plus it just smelled heavy, no citrus or minerality. But it just tasted oily, maybe even like petroleum -- which may be how it is supposed to taste -- but it just wasn't for me. (I couldn't even finish the glass). I would be interested in hear if someone had a Rousanne and thought something different. Overall, I was not a fan.

Until next time, Cheers!

The Enthusiasts! NYC Wine Club: American Wine

"I want YOU to drink American Wine!"

Photo Source

Dear Enthusiasts! This month's wine club brings us back to the good, ol' U.S. of A -

get excited

- we are learning about the Wines of America!

Now before you all head to your wine cellars and grab your favorite bold Cabernet Sauvignon or creamy Chardonnay from California - take note - CA wines are

off limits.

 That's right folks, this week we are examining American wines and totally not inviting the most popular kid in school.

So, let's talk history!

  In case you didn't know, the U.S. has its own native grapes! The most common,

vitis lambrusca

, produces an exotic, but somewhat wild wines (at least for the Europeans). But these wild wines satisfied the local thirst and Americans kept producing wine. Until, duh... duh... duh... Prohibition. This "dry legislation" resulted in the uprooting of hundreds of vineyards and the destruction of the wine industry. Prohibition, together with the Great Depression and those pesky World Wars left the American wine industry very out-dated. 

Yet around the 1960s, Americans began to produce wine from

vitis vinifera

 grapes and eventually the great Europeans regions began to sense the competition. Today, wine all across American is recognized internationally.

U.S. Appellation System.

  So what will you see on the wine label?? Historically, much of American wine is organized around the political borders of the 50 states. However, much  of the major wine regions are organized into

Approved Viticultural Areas

 (AVAs), based on geography and climate. You may think, this sounds similar to the European tradition of placing the village or vineyard on the label. However, I still think it is extremely uncommon for American winemakers to label based on region or sub-region without also putting at least the state or grape on the bottle as well.

A Few Fun Facts...

• The U.S. is the world's #1 consumer of wine (passing France in 2010).
• The most popular varietals in the U.S. are: #1 Chardonnay, #2 Cabernet, #3 Merlot.
• Only grape names approved by the TTB are allowed to be used on labels, currently there are 312 varietals approved.

Now we know that wine is produced in all 50 states (yes even Alaska). But, I know we don't have time talk about everything from Alaska to Wyoming, so I have featured the top 15 based on wine production:

1. New York (3.692% of US Production).  

Leave it to the Empire State to come in at #2 after California, who produces nearly 90% of American wine. Most wine nerds argue that New York has the greatest potential for wine-making in the Atlantic Northeast, but isn't quite reaching that potential yet. Biggest problem - New York is still producing wine with native grapes (thus not using the major players consumers are used to from Europe). Yet, the New York soil does yield some interesting wines (mostly shale, slate, schist and limestone). So check out Long Island, Hudson River Valley and the Finger Lakes wine regions.

Photo Source

2. Washington State (3.250% of US Production).

  Until 1889, when Washington became the 42nd state, there was an issue of sovereignty because Spanish, American Colonists and British had all claimed the land as theirs. Identity issues aside, the Pacific Northwest produces some great wines, focusing on Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling and Syrah. Best recent vintage for Pacific Northwest was 2008.

3. Oregon (0.906%).  

Much of Oregon's success actually came from new winemakers who decided to dropout of California and set up shop in a different region. Specifically, winemakers from Hill Crest, The Eyrie Vineyards and Tualatin were some of the early producers that helped establish Oregon as a notable wine region. 

Primary varieties grown here include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Favorite regions include Columbia Valley (which includes Walla Walla and Yakima) and Willamette Valley.

4. 

Pennsylvania (0.476%).

  Man, in Pennsylvania all roads lead back to William Penn. Penn established the first vineyard in PA in 1683 (unfortunately, it failed). But lasting wine producing success can be linked to Conrad Weiser in 1729. The most successful varietal in the state is Chambourcin, a native grape known for its tough resistance to rot and producing Beaujolais-like red wine.

5. Ohio (0.440%).  

Ohio may be the dark horse of the Atlantic Northeast. Back in the 1860s, it rivaled California for vineyard acreage. While the vineyards dwindled for much of the 19th century, there has been expansion lately. The most popular varietal grown there is Catawba, a

lambrusca x vinifera

 hybrid, known for its "foxy" aroma. Some notable wine regions include: Grand River Valley, Isle St. George, Loramie Creek, Lake Erie and the Ohio River Valley.

Photo Source

6. Kentucky (0.316%).  

There are approximately 65 wineries and 4 vineyards in Kentucky. Most stick to growing the native American grapes and there has been some success with the American-French hybrids. One notable

vinifera

 producer is Chrisman Mill, known for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Or... you could stick to drinking Bourbon, we all know Kentucky does that well.

7. Missouri (0.270%).  

The "King of Missouri grapes" is Norton. Norton is a black grape variety (sometimes called Cynthiana) native to the United States

without

 a "foxy aroma." (And while I don't know what "foxy" means in terms in flavor, I think going without it is a good thing). The wine made from these grapes can been tannin and high in acid. Producers to look for - Mount Pleasant Vineyards and Stonehill Winery.

8. 

Florida (0.258%).

 The first wines in FL were made around 1563. Beware the local grape, Muscadine (not to be confused as a member of the Muscadelle family), its not too tasty. Its safer to try some of their fruit based wines. Yes, they make wine with oranges, key lime, mango and passion fruit in Florida!

9. New Jersey (0.207%).

 New Jersey is actually more famous for cider rather than wine, but actually produced the first American wine to win an international award. In 1767, two NJ vintners were recognized by London's Royal Society of the Arts. Today, there are approximately 32 vineyards but no major recognition of late. 

Photo Source

10. Texas (0.182%).  

Who knew the Lone Star State made wine in addition to great BBQ. Much of France should be indebted to Texas winemakers because it was Thomas Volney Munson who saved the phylloxera-infected vines by sending Texas rootstock. Producers to look for - Caprock (aka Teysha Cellars), Flat Creek Estate, and Messina Hof Wine Cellars.

11. Michigan (0.179%).

  Initially, Michigan vintners only grew native grapes, but around the 1960s there was a major transition to French hybrids. What is interesting about Michigan is the soil - glacial scree in Fennville. I don't know if glacial soil produces tasty wines, but its definitely something different! Wineries to look for: Left Foot Charley and 2 Lads.

12. Virginia (0.137%).

  Despite Thomas Jefferson's attempts, Virginia was not the first state to make wine - that honor goes to Florida. Virginia was the first state to attempt to cultivate the

vinifera

 grapes, but unfortunately most attempts failed due to the hot and humid growing season. (The heat leads to overripe grapes and the humidity encourages disease). The quality of each vineyard widely varies.

13. Colorado (0.046%).

  Its a bit tough to actually grow grapes in Colorado, but the number of wineries is on the rise. In the past 20 years, the number of wineries has grown from five to ninety! The most popular varieties are Chardonnay and Merlot.

Photo Source

14. Maryland (0.045%). 

 Sadly, my home state of Maryland is not a major player, producing a mere 0.045% of American wine, and most of it is a fruity sugar bomb. But, Maryland has been making since 1662 (shout out to Lord Baltimore for that one!) and has three major wine regions: Catoctin, Cumberland Valley and Linganore. Look out for wine festivals that feature small producers because there is quality out there, its just hard to find. My favorite local winery - Boordy Vineyards (Who couldn't love a bottle of wine with a Terrapin on it - honestly!).

15. Idaho (0.042%).  

For you east coasters (myself included) that aren't exactly sure where Idaho is on the map, its technically grouped with the Pacific Northwest when discussing U.S. wine. Wine production here is typically an extension of Washington State's Snake River, where extreme

diurnal* 

differences create wines with high acidity and alcohol balance. 

Primary varieties grown here include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling.

And that wraps up our overview of American Wines. While the International community makes a mean glass of fermented grapes, get out there in you local community and see what is available. You just may find something delicious!

Cheers!

*Wine Nerd Definitions...

 diurnal, term used for extreme temperature variations between day and night (warm days and chilly nights).

Sauvignon Blanc Comparison: Pouilly-Fume vs. California

Dear Enthusiasts! It is no secret that Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite grape. It's made into delicious wine all over the world - New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. However, this post focuses on Sauvignon Blanc made in two key regions: California

and

 Pouilly-Fume.

A few reminders on the awesomeness of the Sauvignon Blanc grape: the taste is most commonly described as grassy, bell peppers, asparagus, and even cirtrus fruits. Sauvignon Blanc is both lighter and less expensive than the traditional Chardonnay Americans reach for.

(1) Honig 2012 Sauvignon Blanc

Grapes:

 97% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Semillion, 1% Muscadet

Where its From:

 Napa Valley. This label also has a Sauvignon Blanc specifically from Rutherford - obviously for a larger price tag - I'd love to hear a comment if the extra bucks are worth it.

Alcohol:

 13.5%

Comments:

 Wine was aged 90% in steel tanks, 10% in neutral oak.

The label says...

 zippy acidity lends a crisp freshness to tropical flavors of mango, kiwi, lemongrass & freshly squeezed grapefruit. Juicy and refreshing, with aromas of honeysuckle, peach and grapefruit rind. Medium bodied, with a smooth, minerally finish.

I thought...

 this wine is definitely a grapefruit bomb! Balanced - but grapefruit bomb. Don't get me wrong it was a great wine and I would definitely drink it again, but the Pouilly-Fume just seemed more complex and interesting.

(2) Domaine Masson-Blondelet 2012 Pouilly-Fume

Grapes:

 Sauvignon Blanc

Where its From:

 AOC Pouilly-Fume (Eastern part of Loire Valley)

Alcohol:

 13%

Comments:

 Pouilly-Fume is sometimes more difficult to find than the Sauvignon Blancs from Sancerre, but its definitely worth it if you find one! The limestone soil produces light-bodied, citrusy, acidic wines with a minerally finish. I love the steely finish limestone gives to these grapes! Pouilly-Fume is rumored to be fuller bodied that its neighbor Sancerre. This wine in particular was aromatic, citrusy with that awesome minerality I was looking for - highly recommended!

Wine Photos:

 Honig on right; Pouilly-Fume on left.

Next time you are at the liquor store, considering buying your favorite grape from two different regions and do a comparison yourself! Until next time!

Cheers!

Introduction to American Wine: The Results!

While this post is a bit dated, please enjoy!!

Image from goodfoodgoodfriends.com

This year my family started what I hope to be an annual Christmas tradition - a Wine Tasting and Holiday party held on December 26th.  In the end, it was a very successful event and the whole family is looking forward to next years! Below is the list of wines we tasted and some comments from the group:

(1) Rombauer Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay

Grapes:

 Chardonnay

Where its from:

California, Napa/Sonoma County, Carneros Appellation

Vintage:

2010

Alcohol:

14.4%

Comments: 

The label says...

Rich yellow color and becoming more golden with age. Inviting fruit aromas of honeydew, yellow peach and fig are supported by vanilla and caramel. Creamy vanilla integrates with honeysuckle, pineapple and apricot for a fabulous richness on the palate. A luscious mouthfeel leads to a generous and creamy finish.

The group said...

4 out of 5 rating, smooth, pronounced flavors with a buttery taste. For many it was their favorite wine of the evening.

Recommend to a Friend?

Definitely! The label did not lie - the wine was so smooth and had a balanced flavor.

(2) Aliceanna Riesling

Grapes:

 Riesling

Where its from:

Baltimore, Maryland

Vintage:

n/a

Alcohol:

n/a

Comments:

 This is a new winery located in a relatively undeveloped wine region. The riesling grape is known for its light and refreshing taste, fruitful and floral aromas and sometimes slightly sweet taste.

The group said...

all sorts of things! The average group rating was 3.5 out of 5. The comments ranged from overly fruity, weak and lacked character to lovely flavor with a sweet sparkling taste.

Recommend to a Friend?

Yes with Reservations. I would recommend this to a friend if you know that they enjoy reisling. (Really who doesn't?!) This was definitely a well done reisling, but may be too sweet for those who don't enjoy this style of wine.

(3) Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Grapes:

 Sauvignon Blanc

Where its from: 

California, Napa Valley, including Rutherhford and St. Helena

Vintage:

2011

Alcohol:

14%

Comments:

The label says...

vibrant aromas of gooseberry, pineapple and fresh pink grapefruit. Flavors include pear, guava, passion fruit and citrus lime tones. The wine has a lush mouthfeel and  notes of sweet clover and melon, with balanced acidity.

The group said...

light and smooth. The average group rating was 3.5 out of 5. Many in the group would buy this wine again.

Recommend to a Friend?

Yes. Overall, this is a solid wine that would make a good addition to any table.

(4) Sterling Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Grapes:

 Sauvignon Blanc

Where its from:

California, Napa Valley

Vintage:

2011

Alcohol:

n/a

Comments:

The label says...

 Flavors of ripe melon, fig and citrus. Grapefruit flavors with a tart element. This wine pairs well with summer dishes, including grilled chicken and light pasta salad.

 The group said...

 light, fresh, very smooth, crisp and delicious. The average group rating was a solid 4 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

 Definitely. This sauvignon blanc is well balanced and fresh. 

(5) Folie a Duex Pinot Noir 2011

Grapes:

 Pinot Noir grapes from 

Clarksburg, Central Coast and North Coast.

Where its from:

California, Napa Valley, St. Helena 

Vintage:

2011

Alcohol:

13.3%

Comments:

The label says...

vibrant cherry flavors, dusky violet notes and silken finish.

The group said...

 very oaky. The average group rating was 2 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

  Yes with reservations. By no means is this wine undrinkable. For those who love a round, creamy or oaky finish - this wine will be great for you. However, for those of you who are turned off by an overly oaky wine, I would steer clear.

(6) Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Grapes:

 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Where its from:

 Napa Valley

Vintage:

 2010

Alcohol:

 13.8%

Comments:

The label says...

the aroma primarily consists of plum and dark fruit. The taste includes black and red fruit flavor with a hint of cinnamon and tobacco. This wine aged for 17 months exclusively in French oak. 

The group said...

 they could not really taste the cinnamon, but definitely noticed a sense of burnt tobacco. The average group rating was 3 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

Yes. 

(7) Napa Cellars Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Grapes:

 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Where its from:

 Napa Valley

Vintage:

2010

Alcohol:

 13.8%

Comments:

The label says...

this wine has cherry and plum aromas.  The taste includes black and red fruit flavor with a subtle hint of spice. This wine aged for 20 months in exclusively French Oak (92% of it new oak). 

The group said...

 nice, dry, spicy flavor that would be great with steak. Others said this wine was full bodied and lovely. The average group rating was 4 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

 Yes. White wine drinkers may try to steer clear, but red wine drinkers will fine this wine both developed and complex. 

(8) Sterling Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Grapes:

 Cabernet Sauvignon

Where its from: 

Napa Valley

Vintage:

 2009

Alcohol:

 n/a

Comments:

The label says...

this wine has a deep purple color and an aroma filled with black fruits and oak. The taste includes dark fruits, dried cherries, dark cocoa and sweet hazelnut. 

The group said...

 subtle taste, sharp and short finish. The average group rating was 4 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

 Yes.

(9)

Sterling Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Grapes:

 Cabernet Sauvignon

Where its from:

Napa Valley

Vintage:

 2007

Alcohol:

 14.8%

Comments:

The label says...

 this wine smells of dark fruit and fragrant spices. The taste includes layers of dark cheers, licorice, espresso and vanilla. 

The group said...

 amazing flavor with a smooth finish. Also, the wine had a nice bite at the end. The average group rating was a 5 out of 5.

Recommend to a Friend?

 Definitely! This wine is big, bold and complex. Definitely worth tasting.

(10) Folie a Duex Merlot 2010

Grapes:

 92% Merlot, 7% Syrah, and 1% Petite Sirah 

Where its from:

 Napa Valley

Vintage:

 2010

Alcohol:

14.2%

Comments:

The label says...

this merlot tastes of ripe, juicy black cherry flavors with notes of vanilla, tea and cocoa. 

The group said...

 very smooth and not much else. Do not get me wrong - this by no means an undrinkable wine. However, by this time in the tasting, the group was more interested in partying that taking intricate notes... a good night in my book!

Recommend to a Friend?

 Yes. Try it for yourself and leave a comment about the taste! I will update the blog with your comments!

With that, we have reached the end of our introductory tasting of American wines (aka California). Special thanks goes to my mom - Lori - to choosing this wonderful selection of wine from her collection and hosting the party at her place! Here's hoping next year is even better! (I'm hoping for from wine from south africa!)

Cheers!