June 2006

Syrah Shiraz

You say syrah, I say shiraz, mate
Syrah and shiraz are different names for the same grape. While there are exceptions, Rhone-style syrah usually requires a few years of cellaring to reach its peak, while the Australian shiraz style is soft and ready to drink.

Red for go as sales on the up
And it seems to be red “for go” – in this case Shiraz. I’ve got to confess that while France has always been my first love I’ve suddenly developed a taste for this New World plonk even though shiraz is really syrah whose homeland is the Rhone valley.

Notes from the Wine Knot
In this category look for Gamay, particularly Beaujolais, Syrah (shiraz) from anywhere but Australia, Grenache red, and Pinot Noir. In the medium category again Shiraz and blends of Grenache and Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignon, Sangiovese, Tinto Uno or Tempranillo, and many of the newer obscure but developing grape varieties.

Whatever the name, this wine's no wallflower
Indeed, there is a wine called K Syrah, from the same company that produces a label called House Wine. Wines from this grape that are grown in the Rhone region of France, California and the Pacific Northwest are called syrah, whereas those from the same grape grown in Australia are called shiraz.

The Wine List
Cremant de Bourgogne; July 29, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, and Priorat vs. Class 2: How wine is made, California wine labels, domestic Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Cab Merlot and Syrah wines.

Sydney Morning Herald
For John Duval, only the third person to be entrusted with making Penfolds Grange shiraz, the answer is easy: keep making wine. Fittingly, for someone who has started afresh in his career, the Longshadows syrah is called Sequel.

If Points Were Years
Cte Rtie was a name mentioned with respect and awe not so many decades ago, but now drinkers are more interested in Shiraz than Syrah. The definition of great Syrah is still in the Northern Rhone Valley of France.

Stone Cellars Shiraz-Cabernet 2004
Stone Cellars Shiraz-Cabernet 2004 starts with a spicy, slightly leathery, aroma. This blend is 62% Shiraz and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and manages to be better than the sum of its parts.

Water Wheel Vineyards, "Memsie" 2004
Water Wheel Vineyards, Memsie, Bendigo, Australia 2004 ($17) - An interesting blend of 83% Shiraz, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Malbec.

Vina Robles, "Signature" 2002
Vina Robles, Signature, Paso Robles 2002 ($18) – A blend of 48% Petit Verdot, 33% Syrah, and 19% Petite Sirah.

Late Spring 2006 Releases
2003 Penfolds, Cabernet Shiraz, Bin 389, South Australia, $25. 2003 Adelaida, Syrah, Paso Robles, California, $26, 648 cases.

New Orleans Wine
Blend of Syrah, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc and Petite Sirah. 2004 Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz: Think bacon-wrapped-blackberry.

From pinot to cabernet, grapes to go with grilling
Wine: 2004 Crane Lake Shiraz, California: soft and rich, with red berry flavors and the sweetness to go with the spice; $5. Wine: 2003 J. Lohr Estates South Ridge Syrah, Paso Robles: Zingy, rich and spicy, with black plum flavors and the sweetness to match the ribs; $15.

Tasting: McClaren Vale Shiraz (and Grenache)
Maxwell Wines, Four Roads Shiraz, 2000, $24 (Avg: 6; 4 and 7).

Haiku, cubed
I tried the 2003 California Cabernet-Shiraz blend, and they've got a few more types available, including Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.

Red Bicyclette Syrah
Their Red Bicyclette line (available at your neighbourhood MLCC for $15.99 per bottle) comes in three flavours – Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah. So in my ongoing quest for a decent French red under $20, I decided to give the Syrah a shot at glory.

03 Chateau Ollieux-Romanis, Corbieres Cuvee Classique
Its heady, grapey grenache taste and floral syrah aroma make me think of great 03 Chateauneuf.

Finca Flichman Syrah Mendoza 2004
Enotheque: Finca Flichman Syrah Mendoza 2004 Enotheque Wine Reviews I think it’s important to keep in mind that Mendoza’s terroir dimensions bring forth an entirely new spin on Syrah, decidedly distinct from the Hermitage and Côte Rôtie wines many have grown fond of.

The Little Penguin Shiraz 2005
Our favorite Australian Shiraz, which alas we can rarely get, is (the much more expensive) Barossa Valley Estate EE Black Pepper Shiraz, still or sparkling. See the next entry on the Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz...we tasted it side by side with this one.

Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz 2003
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1997

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2002
St Henri is one of my very favourite Australian shiraz. If I was to take one wine overseas and announce this is what South Australian shiraz is really all about most likely it would be St Henri.

Tasting Notes for May 13, 2006
Wine 5: 2004 McLean's Farm Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon. Alcoholic, hot aroma, but with plenty of classic Shiraz flavor.

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 1997
Lovely medium red, ginger and spice nose - seems to be mainly shiraz, though there is an undercurrent of herbal leafiness.

Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2003

Richard Hamilton Gumprs Shiraz 2002
The Richard Hamilton Gumprs Shiraz has slipped under the winetastic radar until it was highlighted this week as part of Dan Murphys Top 50 promotion. When I see 2002 and McLaren Vale shiraz in the same sentence I typically get rather excited, especially when the wine is available for under $15.

Western Australian Super Shiraz.
"The wine is a shiraz and blends grapes from the five wine producing areas of the great southern. Labelled 'Five Virtues', the shiraz was blended in secrecy and placed in a 290-litre bottle to set a Guinness world record.

Meerea Park Shiraz Viognier 2004
Shiraz viognier blends are all the rage at the moment, today its the Meerea Park Shiraz Viognier 2004 from the Hunter Valley, but I also have my eye on a couple more for the next few weeks. Basically its hunter shiraz with a little lift, a complex wine with a style that does not quite suit my palate.

Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz 1997
The Coonawarra mint is still evident along with soft berry/shiraz flavours.

New releases. Late May 2006
Torbreck Barossa Valley Woodcutter's Shiraz 2005 . This was totally different from any other shiraz on the day.

Redman Coonawarra Shiraz 1998
We lost faith with the regions Cabernet for a while but the Shiraz always seemed to be good. Compared to the Wynns 97 it had gobs more mint and clean shiraz fruit.

05 Woop Woop, Shiraz
Red Bicyclette SyrahCasillerro del Diablo Shiraz 2004

GNGNB Ep30: Loxton Winery
Curious to know the difference between a Shiraz and a Sirah?

Maygars Hill Reserve Shiraz 2004
It has a rich style of shiraz that suggests musk, plums and a hint of fennel. This is well made warm climate Shiraz from a year that was good but with vines recovering from the drought.

St Marys 1999 Shiraz
If you like funky shiraz with superb balance and a little age this wine is for you.

Morrison Lane Vineyards
Morrison Lane Vineyard has been growing grapes for Walla Walla wineries since 1994, when Dean and Verdie planted five acres of Syrah, and since then several local wineries have used the Morrison Lane Vineyard grapes to make award-winning Syrahs. The vineyard has now grown to 23 acres of Rhone (to include Syrah, Viognier, and Counoise) and Italian varieties, as well as Carmenère.

Casillerro del Diablo Shiraz 2004
Lots of Shiraz starts off this way, give it time and let it breathe up I thought.

New Releases at the College Cellars
We also tasted their 2004 Rose of Syrah (a great picnic wine) and a very unique 2005 "Lemberger Carbonique" - an experiment of carbonic maceration that came out fruity as can be like a fresh new wine. The 2004 Governor's Blend is a very elegant wine of 27% Syrah, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 9% Petite Sirah.

Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2003
The Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz is yet another value for money red highlighted by the current Top 50 promotion at Dan Murphys. This Shiraz is blood red in colour with aromas of plum, cherry and chocolate.

Top 100 Vin De Pays Tasting
For the reds a Cabernet Franc (Carnaval) and a blend of Cabernet and Syrah (Mas des Bressades) led the pack. The former is a little expensive at around fifteen quid but worth a punt if you are feeling generous but both were eclipsed by the superb La Crois Cascaillou that hit the spot with its blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.

Placing Wine Reviewing In Context
The other approach is to place some context on the wine that may or may not be relevant (e.g Kalleske's Johann Georg Shiraz from the Barossa Valley comes from a vineyard that once went to Penfold's for Grange.

Woop Woop Shiraz 2005
Ben Riggs, Winemaker at Penny's Hill, and Tony Parkinson, owner of same, have released their 5th vintage of Woop Woop Shiraz. Winewaves recently reviewed Woop Woop's older sibling, Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2005.

Lite (alcohol) Reds
Meanwhile - my hunt for a low alcohol Australian shiraz continues.

FALESCO LAZIO SYRAH - 2002
This Syrah was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for 7 months in Allier barriques, creating a rich, soft wine. It has a very old world "terroir" style taste which makes it a unique and interesting Syrah in a marketplace flooded with California fruit bombs.

Reynell Basket Press Shiraz 2000

It Bites
Warning: if you like California merlot or Australian shiraz with cute animal labels selling for under ten bucks a bottle, avoid this wine at all costs.

I'm Not Even Going to Try to Explain Why I Ate the Lizard Egg
The ooh's and ah's started when the cheese plate was served with a 2002 Marquis Philips '9' McLaren Vale Shiraz.

Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2004
We came across the Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2004 at a Dan Murphys tasting last week, it was the pick of the wines on show and did not disappoint at home after half a bottle. This is exactly what I look for in McLaren Vale Shiraz, full bodied, juicy and almost too easy to drink.

Bannockburn Shiraz 2000

Yarra Burn Shiraz Viognier 2002
A soft wine that has cool climate shiraz and a little apricot lift from the Viognier.

Fangaroo Tail Shiraz?
Just imagine the marketing possibilities - Fangaroo Tail Shiraz.

Chenin Blanc

The Winerys Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2005 builds momentum for ...
The Winerys Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2005 will be released on the South African market in July, retailing at R50. Alex Dale, founder of this Stellenbosch producer, believes the quality of this vintage surpasses the 2004 which was highly rated internationally. Dale says that each year The Winery succeeds in building a higher profile internationally for premium South African Chenin Blanc.

Robert's Rock Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay 2005
This inexpensive ($10-$11) Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay mix from Robert's Rock came across mostly as a Chardonnay.

Nina Simone on Chenin Blanc
Neil Pendock wonders whether the late jazz diva Nina Simone would have approved of current elegant and understated styles of South AfricanChenin Blanc.

Late Spring 2006 Releases
2005 Dry Creek Vineyard, Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, California, $11.50, 12,800 cases. 2004 Snoqualmie Vineyards, Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washington, $7, 5,000 cases.

Hooray, Vouvray!
In the process, I found myself rediscovering and falling in love all over again with the wonders of Chenin Blanc, and especially Vouvray. Vouvray–which comes from France’s wine appellation of Touraine–must by law be produced from 100 percent Chenin Blanc grapes.

Top 10 wine movies
One of the family's winemaking techniques is novel: Albert's father, explaining why the family reserve Chenin Blanc is so delicious, says, "The very least touch of honey added to wine as it ferments ..." Wonder if anyone other than meadmakers has tried that?

Hindu Business Line
Today it has more than 300 acres under grape cultivation and sells a variety of wines, including a sparkling wine, a Chenin Blanc, a Cabernet Shiraz, a Sauvignon Blanc and a blush Zinfadel.

Pack a Picnic Like a Pro
says Danley. If youre more of a wine drinker, he suggests Touraine ros? or Bonny Doons Pacific Rim Chenin Blanc.

Join the club and get bargains from a distinguished name
Saumur Reserve des Vignerons 2004 Val de Loire (£4.99, Majestic, but buy two and it's £4.49) is a smoky, mineral-flecked white that's a very attractive example of the chenin blanc grape.

Skipjack’s uncorks digital ‘Wine Skipper’ steward
And some customers are loathe to acknowledge to their dinner companions - whether its a client or a date - that they dont know the difference between a sauvignon blanc or a chenin blanc.

Mount Rozier Strikes Gold Again - Mount Rozier Cabernet Sauvignon ...
SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD MEDAL WINNERS: Brampton Shiraz 2004 (Rustenberg) Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Semillon 2004 (Distell) Forrester Meinert Chenin Blanc 2004 Lomond

Link
Ken Forrester (big Chenin Blanc producer) was apparently forced to export in bulk and bottle in Europe were Stelvin (screw-cap) closures are far cheaper due to the fact that no bottles were available in SA by Consol and that it was an urgent order for a UK retailer that only accepts wines under Stelvin closures.

2004 Domaine Pichot Vouvray "Domaine le Peu de la Moriette" (Loire Valley, France)

Goats do Roam White (2005)
Blended from a mixture of Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, and Riesling (with a touch of Viognier and Grenache Blanc to keep it interesting), this is a great little summertime sipper.

Rosenblum Vintners Cuvee Blanc V

The Season for Riesling
Chenin Blanc, another white grape that doesn't get enough attention, has great crispness, and deserves more consideration, but it is still no Riesling.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2002
Red wine in the dead of summer? How about huge red wine? Mount Veeder, where Hess Collection collects the grapes for its most significant ...

On the Lees: Bargains in Oakville
In the not-too-distant past, those who produce Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon came under fire for skyrocketing prices. Detert 2003 Cabernet Franc (45): Softer and less tannic than cabernet sauvignon, this juicy, slightly stemmy cabernet franc from winemaker Tom Garrett has a peppery nose and is a mouthful of ripe black fruit.

Mount Rozier Strikes Gold Again - Mount Rozier Cabernet Sauvignon ...
Forrester Meinert Chenin Blanc 2004 Lomond Sugarbush Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Cape Legends/Distell) Mount Rozier Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvee Burr 2004 ...

2004 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon, South Africa ($10)
This elegant, full-bodied red wine delivers exceptional value for the price. Where in the past South African wines tended toward ...

New releases. Late May 2006

Trove Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
At least on US shelves, Trove Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 is likely to be one of the pricier box wines on the shelf. Whether you are hosting a party where you want the convenience of a box, or are a glass-of-red-wine per day drinker, Trove Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 wont disappoint.

Summer bargains: fruity finds under $11
The Apex label includes dry and sweet rieslings and gewürztraminers, chardonnay, vineyard-designated merlots, syrah and cabernet sauvignon.

Hogue Cellars Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 - A Strange Brew
As the story goes, the person opened their bottle of Hogue Cellars Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 to discover a high amount of sediment inside. Traditionally, Hogue Cellars Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 is described as having a warm raspberry and cherry fruit core with highlights of black olive, nutmeg, tobacco, vanilla, and coffee bean.

Pairing wine and chocolate
It can be an accidental pleasure: After dinner you have a half glass of great cabernet sauvignon left, so ripe and rich you can't give it up. Marsala, port and dark muscats work, but you can experiment with dry reds, especially cabernet sauvignon and zinfandel.

Tetsuyas Tantalizes With 10-Course Tasting Menu: Sydney Dining
I followed the sommeliers recommendation for a Sorrenberg sauvignon blanc (A$60) that was well matched with the seafood courses, stepping up to a Giaconda cabernet sauvignon (A$120) for the meat courses.

Whitehall Lane Napa Cabernet 2000
The Reserve 2000 in particular at 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petite Verdot.

2002 Armador Cabernet Sauvignon Valle del Maipo
Enotheque: 2002 Armador Cabernet Sauvignon Valle del Maipo Enotheque Wine Reviews For the present time, here is a recommendation for a Cabernet Sauvignon that merits some thought and appreciation regarding Chile’s potential if they manage to start emphasizing quality over quantity.

Wyndham Estate Bin 444 Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
HRM Rex-Goliath, "Giant 47 Pound Rooster", Cabernet Sauvignon NV

HRM Rex-Goliath, "Giant 47 Pound Rooster", Cabernet Sauvignon NV
Winecast Blog Archive HRM Rex-Goliath, Giant 47 Pound Rooster, Cabernet Sauvignon NV [] HRM Rex-Goliath,?Giant 47 Pound Rooster?, Cabernet Sauvignon NVIn my quest to taste the entire range of this label, I present the final red:HRM Rex-Goliath, Giant 47 Pound Rooster, Cabernet Sauvignon NV ($9) - Dark purple in color with aromas of currant, plum and vanilla.

Pine Ridge Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 2003

'02 Ruston Family Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford - Feminine Mystique

Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Marthas Vineyard 1974

Wine Dinner at EJ's
The Scherrer family makes a tiny amount (about 400 cases) of old-school Alexander Valley benchland Cabernet Sauvignon with enormous age potential. The Guilliams farm seven acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc on Spring Mountain about 1,000 feet above the valley floor.

Katnook Estate Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Regusci Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District (Napa Valley) 2000

Moon Mountain Vineyard, 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

Castano Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Finca Flichman Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2004

2002 Columbia Crest Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon "Grand Estates" (Washington State)

Root :1 Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley, Chile 2003

Wine Review: Bear Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

2004? Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon

Orlando St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Justin Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) 2001

13 and Under
I opened two of my cellar wines over the weekend; a 1989 Girard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a 1980 Fisher Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon - each were13% or less. We certainly dont know the answer, but the quality that these two bottles showed should make a lot of people insecure about extended aging of todays California (and others) Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wine Competition For Local Wineries

New Releases at the College Cellars
I am thinking that was for the 2003 Klipsun Merlot and the 2003 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The students were very fortunate to be able to produce a Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous Pepper Bridge Vineyard fruit.

WBW #21
We happened to have a favorite dish of ours, Lamb Shanks Braised With Anise 2003 Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina.

Some great summer wines at less than $12 a bottle
The Apex label includes dry and sweet rieslings and gewrztraminers, chardonnay, vineyard-designated merlots, syrah and cabernet sauvignon.

Deja Vu - From French, Meaning "Already Seen."
Frederick is a Cabernet Sauvignon blend (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) and the name stems from Frederick Corkrum who farmed the five generation wheat land that is now known as the Spring Valley Vineyard.

Lamb shanks braised in balsalmic vinegar and wine
At this time, the meat will be falling off the bone and ready to eat with a nice Cabernet sauvignon.

Tasting Notes for May 13, 2006
Wine 5: 2004 McLean's Farm Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine 8: 2004 Marquis Philips S2 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Why Multiple Critcs are Necessary...
Like many of the top wines of the vintage, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select has closed down, but it reveals impressive potential.

Top 100 Vin De Pays Tasting
Reflecting the poor quality harvest in 2004 the 16 judges chose not to award trophies for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Viognier.

Galena Cellars General's Reserve Red
Yet other websites claim that it's an unorthodox blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.

Perfect Red Wine for the Texas Heat!
The focus today is on hand crafted estate bottled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Olivet Lane vineyard in Russian River Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the family's Cloverdale Ranch in Alexander Valley, and an old clone Zinfandel from their Eight Cousin's vineyard.

Riesling

The Season for Riesling
And so too is it time for my annual Riesling Rant. Riesling is often considered a sweet wine, and while some of the most amazing examples are sweet, Riesling can also be bone dry.

2004 Covey Run Riesling
Such was the case with 2004 Covey Run Riesling, an inexpensive wine from Washington State. Had I not had Fuzz in the cart and had people not been milling about, I would have loved to chat with the person from Covey Run, but given the circumstances, I just took a taste of the Riesling and bought bottle from the nice wine person...even thought I thought the wine tasted a little too sweet and almost cloying.

Riffs on a Reuben: Riesling goes great with super sandwich
A warm patio, crisp pickles, a made to order sandwich and a glass of juicy, vibrant riesling.

This is my World Cup: riesling, Bach and telly on mute
I have ordered in six crates of riesling and intend to play at full volume the following music. This musical programme should provide, along with the riesling, the balm and solace to enable me to gain penetrating insight into the events on the pitch.

This Riesling Hasn't Changed My Mind
I've always steered clear of Riesling wines, not knowing anything about them except that they can be sweet. Feeling brave the other day I picked up a bottle of German Riesling at Whole Paycheck.

New Riesling Joint Venture from Finger Lakes Winery
The new label, with its innovative screw cap, also officially launched Riesling month... It’s a totally new Riesling experience we opened,” said Reinhardt, whose family has been involved in winemaking since 1438.

Riesling tames tart tomatillo sauce
One of my favorite food wines -- and I must admit that I have several -- is German Riesling. Because of its food affinity, a Kabinett Riesling is often my go-to wine when I want a white wine but don't know exactly what I'm having for dinner.

Link
For those put off by the ‘petrol’ quality of Alsace Riesling, or the sweetness of German offerings, Austrian Riesling has an ‘aerian’ (not Aryan) quality that endows it with an irreproachable finesse and elegance, no matter what the eventual concentration. I did however have a chance to try Gobelsberg's low end riesling, about $25cnd, and love it.

Try this world-class riesling from Napa Valley
There's no doubt that California's Napa Valley has the right stuff for producing world-class dry riesling. This first became apparent to me several years ago when I tasted the exceptional riesling from Smith-Madrone, the vineyard on Napa's Spring Mountain owned by Charles and Stuart Smith, who make very limited amounts of the wine.

Clonakilla Canberra Riesling 2005
I'm a fan of the primary riesling flavours - so for me drink now - 2009. I only have a single bottle of this - do you think it has the structure to age past your window for those of us who prefer their Riesling to show secondary development?

DW-World.de - Deutsche Welle
Classy and citrusy, fruity and fresh, delicate and complex can only describe wine from a Riesling, Germany's most widely grown grape variety.

GUNDERLOCH RIESLING SPATLESE - 2004
After tasting Gunderloch's high end Gold Cap Riesling at Wine Spectator's Grand Tour, I sought out a bottle of my own. This Riesling from Gunderloch is a step down in price and sweetness, but still a tremendous bottle.

Alsace Wines From The House Of Leon Beyer.
2000 Riesling Cuvee des Comtes d’Eguisheim, 2000, Alsace, France. Almost resembles an aged Riesling on the nose but with more fruit - all dried apricots and squishy apples.

Sweet and sour flavors meet their mate in Riesling
One wine that fills the bill is German Riesling, specifically Spatlese and Auslese Rieslings. The Five-Spice Fish -- dusted with five-spice powder and white pepper -- is also good on its own with a lighter-bodied, slightly drier Riesling like a German Kabinett.

2005 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley ($22)
This elegant white wine, a collaboration of Chateau Ste. Michelle and Germany's Dr. Loosen winery, shows the enormous potential of Washington state riesling.

2005 Dr. Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Reisling
The Winery: Dr. Loosen, world famous for their great German Riesling wines. This is what makes Riesling the white wine for food pairing.

Annies Lane Clare Valley Riesling 2005
Another day another good value for money Riesling. The variety continues to impress with the high quality available at sub $15 prices, this week with the Annies Lane Clare Valley Riesling 2005.

Turkish Daily News
Nicole Kochan, who was nameda “Wine Queen”in Germany in September 2005, has been promoting German Riesling wines at more than 200 shows around the world. “Riesling wines, which play an important role in promoting German wines, are produced in20 percent of all vineyards in Germany.

The Age of Riesling
While many people justifiably love German rieslings, I adore Alsatian rieslings and believe a lot more people would become riesling drinkers if they started with the stuff from Alsace. I know rieslings, German and otherwise, are beginning to take off here in the U.S. According to recent reports, riesling is the second-fastest growing white varietal in America.

BALTHASAR RESS HATTENHEIMER SCHU"TZENHAUS REINGAU RIESLING KABINETT - 2002
This Riesling has the nose of a pineapple Lifesaver candy, honey and petroleum with flavors of peach, citrus and a hint of caramel. Well rounded white Riesling with crisp and refreshing acidity.

Stoneleigh Marlborough Riesling 2004

Sticky Chile Chicken
This was fiery, so I paired it with BD Pacific Rim Riesling.

Pipers Brook Estate Riesling 2000

Mount Horrocks Riesling 2003

Hondarribi Zuri and Riesling. Yeah, baby.
We found the less expensive Cuve Rserve Riesling in many ways more immediate, compelling and enjoyable than Schaetzels more expensive Grand Cru offerings. On Thursday, May 4th from 5-7 pm, well taste Ametzoi Getariako Txakolina 2005 and Martin Schaetzel Riesling Cuve Rserve 2002.

Wine Reports: Dr. Konstantin Frank 2003 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling ($15.99)
White fruit and stoney slate aromas display the odd but pleasant minerally scent that Riesling-lovers call "petrol." Its full, ripe flavor hits the palate with a surprising burst of tangerine, shaped by firm, steely acidity. Excellent Riesling; it would be intriguing to see it served "blind" in a flight of Rieslings from Germany, Austria and Alsace.

Henry of Pelham Riesling 2003
Last year my trip to Ontario wine country clinched my love for Riesling and Gewurtz from Canada. This delicious dry Riesling from the Niagara Peninsula is a bargain at $10.

Dr. Loosen, Riesling, Mosel 2004
Dr. Loosen, Riesling, Mosel 2004 Loosen, Riesling, Mosel, Germany 2004 ($14) - Clear with a hint of yellow in color with the classic Mosel aromas flowers, green apple and minerals; ripe green apple and honeysuckle flavors finish dry with nice acidity.

Finger Lakes News
Highlights include Best of Class, Riesling Champion, and Best White for Treleaven 2005 Dry Riesling, Double Gold for Anthony Road 2004 Sweet Dream, Double Gold for Atwater Estates - Estate White 2004 Celsius, Gold for Dr. Franks 2003 Cabernet Franc,

Wine Specials 02.06.2006

Do They Still Exist?
The 2004 Albert Boxler Riesling ( imported by Robert Chadderdon) is a really pretty wine that will develop and grow for many years, although I probably wont have the discipline to save my bottles as it is just too damn good to drink now.

Costco
I was at the Dufferin location this afternoon and picked up a case (6 stems) of the Bordeaux and a case (6 stems) of the Chianti/Riesling glasses. The Bordeaux was $99.99 (CDN) and the Chianti/Riesling was $94.99.

Toronto Trip
For dessert, we tried two glasses of 2004 Henry of Pelham Winery Ontario Peninsula Riesling Icewine. My expectations were not that high -- Canadian Riesling Icewine???

Special F.X.
Unsurprisingly, the focus is on dry wine made from Grüner Veltliner Riesling. Indeed this is an apt description for a wine which was harvested late in November from the ripest, most compact (Pichlers favor the smallest berried Riesling clones) single berries still clinging to the vines.

Winecast 62 - Willamette Valley Vineyards

Wine Specials 25.05.2006

Nicole Kidman German Wine Queen?
"Nicole Kochan, who was named a “Wine Queen” in Germany in September 2005, has been promoting German Riesling wines at more than 200 shows around the world.

Tasting Notes for May 13, 2006

Goats do Roam White (2005)
Blended from a mixture of Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche, and Riesling (with a touch of Viognier and Grenache Blanc to keep it interesting), this is a great little summertime sipper.

Oregon whites
Mostly Pinot Gris and Riesling with some Gewurztraminer, it’s very Gewurz-like with a floral, spicy muscatty aroma and a lightly alcoholic, sweet lychee flavor.

Oz tasting notes
I've heard some good noises about the Yellow Tail Riesling; must put it on my list of Rieslings to taste. I'll definitely have to try the Riesling then (and give the Shiraz a go at some point).

Zinfandel

Which wines will stand the test of time?
Enologist Andre Tchelistcheff, one of the men most responsible for bringing post-Prohibition California winemaking into the modern era, is credited with the observation that old Zinfandel eventually begins to taste like old Cabernet Sauvignon. But it doesn't have Zinfandel's uniquely spicy, brambly character.

Carlisle Sonoma County Zinfandel 2004
The label says 23% RR Syrah which means that since the wine is classified as "Zinfandel" it needs to have 75% of the stated grape and the balance can be...well anything. A prime example of what Sonoma can be in Zinfandel.

ZINFANDEL...America's Wine
No matter what the politicians say on the matter, there is no debating the fact that Zinfandel IS "America's Wine". Yet among those things that that Americans can claim as originally ours -- such as baseball, the two-party system, liberal free market capitalism, Hollywood, Jazz and pop rocks -- is Zinfandel ...

Pepperwood Grove Zinfandel 2004

Zinfandel tasting
My tasting group met again recently to taste Zinfandel, so hot in the 1990s but taking more of a back seat in wine circles these days in favor of Syrah. I love good Zinfandel, a grape that gives about as widely varying wines as you’ll find.

Tasting the difference is twice the fun
For instance, the Italian zinfandel rosé, they say, smells of raspberries, but tastes of ripe cherries and tangy fruit chews. Custom Made Central Valley Zinfandel (£5.99, Oddbins) has raspberries and plum aromas and offers extremely rounded, blackcurrant-tinged fruit with nary an aggressive tannin to be felt.

For food and wine
The establishment now has its own organic vineyards of Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc grapes, and produces three series of wines. The package of 12 bottles is comprised of three bottles each of Rubino Reserve 2002, Lacrime 2004, Zinfandel 2004 and Emerald Riesling 2005.

Plungerhead Dry Creek Old Vine Zinfandel 2004
Currently the only wine from Plungerhead is the 2004 Zinfandel which I found in a large (what else) stack at the local market for $8.99. This particular Zinfandel is 85% Zin and 15% Petite Syrah.

Senators vote to make Zinfandel Californias historic wine
State senators voted to make zinfandel California's official historic wine Thursday, despite sour grapes by some lawmakers who nearly defeated the purely symbolic legislation. Zinfandel grapes date back to the state's Gold Rush days and are found in each wine region of California, the only place in the world where they are widely grown.

BEARITAGE LOT #12 - NV
The zippy Zinfandel in the red blend did just the trick to accent the flavors of the meal. The Zinfandel gives it a nice kick, but does not overwhelm the Cab and Merlot.

Senate OKs Zinfandel as historic wine
Zinfandel would not become California's official state wine, but it would be a historic California wine under a bill approved Thursday by the Senate. The measure grants this distinction to Zinfandel because it has grown up with California, arriving here during the Gold Rush and flourishing in every wine-growing region in the state.

Zest for Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a non-conformist, a misfit which doesnt even know where it came from. ...

Zinfandel Declared Historic in California
According to Senate OKs Zinfandel as historic wine, the varietal will become historic in California, reflecting its long history in the state. This bill designates the wine of Zinfandel to be a historic California wine.

Zinfandel Named Historic Wine Despite Sour Grapes
Senators voted to make zinfandel California's official historic wine today, despite sour grapes by some lawmakers who nearly defeated the purely symbolic legislation. Senator Carole Migden originally wanted to name zinfandel the state wine.

We're wild about Zinfandel
Zinfandel is a vinous non-conformist, a misfit which isnt even sure where it came from. Its a love-it or leave-it grape with legions ... New! Get the

2002 Sausal Alexander Valley Zinfandel "Old Vines"

Magito Zinfandel (North Coast) 2004

Pedroncelli Dry Creek Mother Clone Zinfandel 2002
Most of the fruit for Mother Clone Zinfandel 2002 was sourced from average 25-year-old head-pruned vines cloned from the original plot.

Getting High On Low Gas Prices
California keeps making that awful "White Zin" in a box and their reason for making "White Zinfandel" in the first place was because of a glut of Zinfandel in California.

New Orleans Wine
2004 Souvrain Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley: One of my favorites. Other wines worth mentioning were, 2002 Toad Hollow Rod's Merlot Reserve, 2004 Renwood Barberra 2004 Renwood Lodi Zinfandel.

2003 Bogle Phantom
From the afore mentioned Petite Sirah to their Syrah and Zinfandel, the wines are always a great 'bang for the buck'. The wine weighs in at 14.6% alcohol and is a blend of 59% Petite Sirah, 34% Old Vine Zinfandel, and 2% Old Vine Mouvedre.

2003 Paraduxx
The grapes: One of the reason I love Paraduxx is the uniqueness of its blend, 63% Zinfandel, 33% Cabernet sauvignon, and 2% each of Merlot and Cab Franc. In 1994 Duckhorn decided to make this Zinfandel blend and named it Paraduxx.

Perfect Red Wine for the Texas Heat!
The focus today is on hand crafted estate bottled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Olivet Lane vineyard in Russian River Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the family's Cloverdale Ranch in Alexander Valley, and an old clone Zinfandel from their Eight Cousin's vineyard.

Just Count All the Stars...

Memorial Day Dinner
An unusual blend of red grapes, but the Zinfandel gives it some wonderful complexity.

On Zin...

Wine, Sangria and BBQ: Turning Late Nights into Early Mornings for Decades
Depending on the food type, I think you really can’t go wrong with a wine trifecta of Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and a Roe. Even with White Zinfandel sales dwindling, Roe sales are picking up with some vigor.

50 in 50 #4: Arkansas -- Chateau Aux Arc
Audrey focuses on and Chardonnay and Cynthiana, but also grow Kerner, Muller Thurgau, Schreube, Oraniensteiner, Cabernet, Primitivo, Zinfandel, Vidal and more.

Sauvignon Blanc

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Winemaker Mick Schroeter reports Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2005 was sourced from Lake County to Monterey.

US company thirsts for sauvignon blanc
International demand for New Zealand sauvignon blanc has led the Nobilo company to splash out $8 million on new land for grapes in Hawke's Bay and Marlborough. All the land, which totals 188 hectares (470 acres), will be planted in grapes for sauvignon blanc, the wine variety for which New Zealand is best known internationally.

Firestone Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Like a gymnast, this sauvignon blanc has a well developed body and excellent balance and grace.

2004 Sojo Sauvignon Blanc – Coastal Region, South Africa
The 2004 Sojo Sauvignon Blanc is a wine made specifically for this portfolio. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, this sauvignon blanc has a bit of acidity.

Matariki Stony Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005
If you're looking for a middle-of-the-road Sauvignon Blanc, here's a well balanced wild white that's not too shrill, not too tropical, and not too expensive. Hawkes Bay, the source of the fruit for Stony Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005, is located on the North Island, on the east coast (south of and on the opposite shore from Auckland).

Vanya Cullen
That was her third visit to SA and she had some encouraging things to say about evident improvements in South African wines, especially Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. (Langtons specialist wine auctioneers are associated with Christies.) The other flagship wines include Mangan, a blend of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot, as well as a Pinot Noir, a Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and a Chardonnay.

Matua Sauvignon Blanc and Coconut Crusted Tofu with Peach-Lemongrass Salsa
Both Scott and I thought we had a brilliant pairing when we picked out the Matua Sauvignon Blanc.

Drylands Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Sales of Drylands* 2005 Sauvignon Blanc jumped when Wine Spectator gave it 91 points.

Cape Legends wines richly rewarded
Lomonds maiden 2005 Sugarbush Sauvignon blanc was another wine to achieve international recognition, taking one of just 12 golds awarded to South African wines participating on the International Wine Spirit Competition in London.

Icons of Sauvignon Blanc
The article is fairly entertaining, definitely provocative and fightin’ words for hard core Sauvignon Blanc fans. Should Sauvignon Blanc then be thrown out of the “big six” pantheon of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?

Winning vintners share gems at tasting
Best of Show winners were Wente Vineyards 2004 sauvignon blanc; 2003 Wizard Winery cabernet; and Pleasantons own Mitchell Katz Winery for their 2003 Lodi ...

Sauvignon blanc shines now
Sauvignon blanc has languished in the shadows of better-known whites for years, even decades. But these days, sauvignon blanc is looking less like an also-ran and more like a star.

Out Of Africa
One such wine is the Zondernaam Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (Majestic.co.uk £6.99) which bubbles with crisp green pepper and gooseberry exuberance and has a subtle ...

Sauvignon blanc, asparagus pair well
One wine ritual I enjoy is celebrating the local asparagus season with a bottle of sauvignon blanc.

A fun vintage
2004 Four Emus Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Western Australia ($11.99) - Emus (the bird) are just weird, and so is Four Emus as the name of a wine.

Tasting: Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre and NZ)
The clear winner for this tasting was the ringer, Breggo 2005 Sauvignon blanc.

Reuilly
Whites wines which, I think, are the most interesting, are produced from Sauvignon Blanc.

Vineland Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2003

Patience is a Virtue – and
Light chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot blanc and similar whites will not appreciate in taste, and may last one to three years.

Oregon whites
Sauvignon Blanc isn’t that common in the Willamette Valley, but with the warmer years recently it seems like a nice prospect for the future.

Acid test: Matching Sauvignon and seafood
Sauvignon Blanc can pack dangerous astrigency -- both in the form of citrus flavours and heightened levels of acidity. That does not mean that Sauvignon Blanc should be removed from food settings.

White Meritage: A Truly American Wine to Toast the Fourth of July
White Meritage wines are sleek and elegant blends of two white grape varieties that hail from Bordeaux -- Sauvignon Blanc and Smillon. The lean, crisp and tart characteristics of the Sauvignon Blanc are tempered by the weightier, silky and almost honey-like nuances of the Smillon grape.

Conundrum (California) 2004
In 2004, I detect significant amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Canelli in the blend.

Wine, Sangria and BBQ: Turning Late Nights into Early Mornings for Decades
Depending on the food type, I think you really can’t go wrong with a wine trifecta of Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and a Roe.

Stormhoek Geek Dinner -- First Course

Rosenblum Vintners Cuvee Blanc V

Perfect Red Wine for the Texas Heat!
In addition to these wines, Sauvignon Blanc from the Leveroni Vineyard in Lake County is gaining recognition, and a small bottling of Carignan from the Piffero Vineyard in Mendocino has become a perennial favorite.

Tasting Notes for May 13, 2006
Wine 3: 2004 Paringa Chardonnay-Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc.

Kay Simon, Chinook Wines
It's Bordeaux variety country: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc a-plenty.

Merlot

Wine Lovers Page
More Merlot Continuing our inquiry into whether the bad rap on Merlot is justified. MacRostie 2002 "Keltie Brook" North Coast Merlot ($14) Well-made, nothing complex, but balance and acidity make it a table wine than your average Merlot.

Rex Goliath Merlot
Rex Goliath Merlot comes with a funky-looking label but is surprisingly good for an inexpensive merlot. The full name of the wine is HRM Rex Goliath Giant 47-Pound Rooster Free Range Merlot.

2004 Finca Flichman Merlot
Enotheque: 2004 Finca Flichman Merlot Enotheque Wine Reviews Flichman’s Merlot is made from rich fruit cultivated in the privileged altitudes of Tupungato and Maipú (12,500-18,000 ft).

Bordeaux for less dough
"To produce a rustic wine in Bordeaux is a shame, because you can do that anywhere," says Alain Moueix of Chateau Fonroque in St.-Emilion, which produces a $50 Merlot that's exotic, concentrated, focused and unlike any California wine. Bordeaux's climate is cooler than Napa Valley's, so the Cabernet Sauvignon- and Merlot-based reds are less fruit driven.

Calina Reserva Carmenere 2003 (Valle Del Maule, Chile)
The grape was imported to Chile in 1850 and was mistaken for Merlot and continues to often be mislabeled in Chile as Merlot. In fact, Carmenere and Merlot were planted higgledy piggledy amongst each other.

Five Rivers Merlot 2003
Five Rivers Merlot 2003, from Californias Central Coast, is a pleasant and affordable wine. If you like a Merlot thats not overly fruity but still offers flavor and complexity, give Five Rivers Central Coast Merlot a try.

Whimsical labels, solid value
Being highly competitive, they put out almost identical lineups, centered on the same four wines: a pinot grigio, a chardonnay, a merlot and a cabernet sauvignon. I rarely have good things to say about cheap California merlot, but here again the group surprised me.

3 Blind Moose Merlot 2003
We sampled yet another critter wine, 3 Blind Moose Merlot 2003. If you are looking for a $10 or so Merlot that competes well with Australian merlots from both a flavor and image standpoint, Three Blind Moose Merlot could be the ticket.

Revenge of the Merlot
Swanson is the largest single producer of estate-grown Merlot in the Napa Valley.

Another Marilyn Merlot collectible hits the shelves
Another Marilyn Merlot collectible hits the shelves Marilyn Merlot, which had its debut with the vintage of 1985, brought together the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe and merlot grown in Napa Valley.

Manchego and Camembert. Merlot and Cabernet.
Manchego from Spain, a firm cheese made from sheep’s milk that tastes zesty and delivers wild herb aromas, is even tastier when paired with a soft red wine like Merlot. If you still won't drink Merlot after watching Sideways pick up a preferred better half to Manchego found in a Rioja from Spain.

A Contrarian View of Merlot, part III
In French, the word Merlot means young blackbird, probably alluding to the grape's beautiful dark-blue color.

Wineries pitch macho Merlot for manly men
They're making macho Merlot in California wine country. Ray's Station is selling a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon both priced at about $15 and made mostly with grapes from hillside vineyards where the vines have to struggle to survive, producing richer fruit that adds heft to the flavors.

Beef Stroganoff With Green Bean Almandine
This meal is excellent when paired with a good Merlot.

Manhattan Merlot Mystery:
On one of the first warm days of spring, I slipped out of my office to buy a bottle of wine for a dinner party. ...

WebWineMan: Merlot gets up off the mat!
In contrast with The Wall Street Journal's recent Merlot review, which dismissed most of the under-$20 Merlots, we found quite a few good values among the affordably priced wines. Merlot is a food-friendly red, and we paired it with olives, hummus and pats along with an assortment of cheeses (Brie, a hard blue cheese, Asiago and an aged Gouda).

Pahlmeyer Merlot (Napa) 2002

A Contrarian View of Merlot
This week he tackles one of my major peeves, notably that Merlot, despite the heights of grandeur it can attain in various terroir throughout the world including France (Pomerol), Italy (Tuscany) and California, is continually derided as being inferior wine. In California, many producers grow merlot, cabernet, syrah and other grapes, often from adjacent plots, and then they bottle them separately so they can have a complete line of products.

A Contrarian View of Merlot, part II
The much-maligned grape has once again drawn the focus of Eric Asimov of the NY Times, only this time he goes into much greater detail about the root causes of merlot's sliding popularity (and what can be done about it). Twenty years ago merlot was a relatively minor grape in California.

Ray's Station Sonoma Merlot 2002
Ray's Station Sonoma Merlot 2002 is 83% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Cab Franc, from Alexander Valley. A full-bodied Merlot with lots of tannic structure, concentrated tart red fruit essences plus cola flavored oak overtones carry well in the warm dry finish.

Howard Park Cabernet Merlot 1996

Wine Reports: Nova Wines 2004 Napa Valley "Marilyn Merlot" ($26)
Pleasant, accessible aromas offer the standard profile for New World Merlot: juicy black cherries, dark chocolate and a whiff of vanilla.

30 Second Wine Advisor: Marilyn Merlot
Marilyn Merlot Offering its 20th annual release this week, the Marilyn label on this celebrity bottling makes it a noteworthy collectible. Nova Wines 2004 Napa Valley "Marilyn Merlot" ($26) Juicy and luscious, cherries and chocolate and vanilla come together in a crowd-pleasing style, but it's hard to believe that the collectibility factor doesn't drive the price.

Fruit Set
Merlot is a good example and because you can see poor berry set (coulure) and hens and chicks (millerandage). In 2004 we had significant fruit set problems in all our Merlot blocks.

Judging Merlot
But it had to be done, and so I informed them that the theme of our Grand Crew dinner was going to be merlot and braced myself against possible attack. In my column this week, I wrote about Swanson Vineyards campaign to rejuvenate the image of merlot.

Wine Competition For Local Wineries

New Releases at the College Cellars
Two outstanding wines (besides their Chardonnay that I wrote about in Wine Blog Wednesday #21), were the 2003 Klipsun Merlot and the 2004 Governor's Blend. I am thinking that was for the 2003 Klipsun Merlot and the 2003 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Armoire and a Bottle of Wine
Another plate of goodies was prepared with wedges of Greek flatbread spread with chick pea and black olive hummus and in the middle of the plate was a bowl of assorted green and black olives marinated in olive oil, herbs and Merlot. I closed my eyes and reached into my wine stash and pulled out a bottle of wine -- a Woodward Canyon Columbia Valley Merlot 2001.

On Long Island, a Case for Respect
Just as the merlot grape was establishing a reputation for making many of the best wines on eastern Long Island, the movie "Sideways" came out, with its blanket smear of merlot. Older wines are not necessarily better wines, but the capacity of a wine to age is considered a cardinal virtue, especially in wines made from Bordeaux grapes like cabernet sauvignon and merlot.

Ice wine makes a sweet choice
We switch between Winking Owl merlot ($2.49 per bottle) or Peter Vella merlot box wine ($13 for 5 liters) and sometimes a $10 bottle of merlot. My question (finally) is, Which red merlot is best for your health?

A TASTE OF BORDEAUX
2000 Chateau Brown Lamartine Bordeaux Superieur ($22) Made from 75 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 25 percent Merlot, it's beautifully layered and complex with tobacco, black currant and roasted meat aromas, juicy plum and cherry flavors and a dusty, gravelly sensation on the finish. 2003 Chateau Lamothe de Haux Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux ($15) A pretty, medium-bodied, Merlot-driven wine with raspberry, cherry and plum aromas and fruity, fresh flavors of plum, cherry, tar, rose and cinnamon.

Galena Cellars General's Reserve Red
Yet other websites claim that it's an unorthodox blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.

2005: In wine circles, it was a very good year for bordeaux
The grapes that are traditionally used in Bordeaux are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec. The wines from the Left Bank of the Gironde river such as Paulliac and St. Julien are going to be Cabernet Sauvignon based, while wines from the Right bank, will be mostly Merlot based.

BEARITAGE LOT #12 - NV
The Zinfandel gives it a nice kick, but does not overwhelm the Cab and Merlot.

CHATEAU PEY LA TOUR - 2003
Under the new label "Chateau Pey La Tour," the winery continues to produce a Bordeaux blend made predominantly of Merlot. 76% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1.5% Petite Verdot.

Whitehall Lane Napa Cabernet 2000
The addition of 14% Merlot and 2% Petite Verdot attest to the fact that the 2000 season needed a wee bit of assistance to bring out both the body and color in this wine. WHL also makes Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and a sweet dessert wine called Belmuscato, which is made from 60% Muscat Alexandria and 40% Orange Muscat grapes.

Perfect Red Wine for the Texas Heat!
The focus today is on hand crafted estate bottled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Olivet Lane vineyard in Russian River Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the family's Cloverdale Ranch in Alexander Valley, and an old clone Zinfandel from their Eight Cousin's vineyard.

New Orleans Wine
Other wines worth mentioning were, 2002 Toad Hollow Rod's Merlot Reserve, 2004 Renwood Barberra 2004 Renwood Lodi Zinfandel.

New releases. Late May 2006
Pierro LTCf (cabernet merlot with a touch of cabernet franc) Margaret River 2003.

50 in 50 #4: Arkansas -- Chateau Aux Arc
As part of 50 wines from 50 states, we've toasted New England, sipped merlot in OK, and enjoyed the intensity of AZ red wine.

Think You Hate Dessert Wine? These Will Win You Over
Galluccio Family Wineries calls their 2004 Barile Dolce ($30) a “merlot frost wine” because it is made with 100 percent estate grown merlot grapes that are frozen for two months before pressing.

The Wine Century Club

Deja Vu - From French, Meaning "Already Seen."
Frederick is a Cabernet Sauvignon blend (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) and the name stems from Frederick Corkrum who farmed the five generation wheat land that is now known as the Spring Valley Vineyard.

Houghton Jack Mann Red 1999
Like a big boned version of the Howard Park Cabernet Merlot .

Kay Simon, Chinook Wines
It's Bordeaux variety country: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc a-plenty. So Clay thought we could probably ripen Cab Franc here more successfully than Merlot or Cabernet Sauvingnon.

Top 100 Vin De Pays Tasting
Reflecting the poor quality harvest in 2004 the 16 judges chose not to award trophies for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Viognier.

Chardonnay

Talley chardonnay wins at historic tasting
Talley Vineyards of Arroyo Grande was named best chardonnay at The Judgment of Paris 30th anniversary event Wednesday in Napa Valley. The second flight included Talleys chardonnay and five other California chardonnays.
www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/14662779.htm

Peay Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2002
But that's not important right now.) Peay Chardonnay is one of those wines. Produced by Andy Peay with Venessa Wong as winemaker, (I've been here before...) the Peay Chardonnay from the coastal hills of the Sonoma coast is lush, fragrant, delicious, and amazing.
webmarin.com/blog/2006/05/peay-sonoma-coast-chardonnay-2002.html

Robert's Rock Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay 2005
This inexpensive ($10-$11) Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay mix from Robert's Rock came across mostly as a Chardonnay.
willettsonwine.blogspot.com/2006/05/roberts-rock-chenin-blancchardonnay.html

Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay 2004
This venerable, affordable, well-known popular Chardonnay is not resting on its laurels, but seems to be challenging the rest of the field to do more. What's there not to like about this classic Chardonnay?
volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/2006/05/kendalljackson_.html

Enjoying light Italian whites
Some producers also blend some Chardonnay with this grape to give more structure and flavours to the final wine. From the Veneto located in North East Italy, these wines are made from the Garaganega grapes but can also be blended with some Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Trebbiano.
www.canadaeast.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060603/TTLIFE04/606030367/-1/LIFE

Domaine Ramonet Puligny-Montrachet "Les Enseignères" 2001
Wendy deserved a special Chardonnay for her birthday.
www.winorama.com.au/?p=595

I'm Not Even Going to Try to Explain Why I Ate the Lizard Egg
It was really wonderful but the bottles went missing by the time I took notes at the end of the evening so I can't say anything more about what it was than that it was a classically crisp 2000 French chardonnay with no oak. Our gracious host also opened an oaked chardonnay for comparison (also French and quite nice).
winefoolery.blogspot.com/2006/05/im-not-even-going-to-try-to-explain.html

Ron Coleman, Tamarack Cellars
Kinda like how it never seems to get old for everyone to sneer at oaky Chardonnay.
thecorkanddemon.blogspot.com/2006/05/ron-coleman-tamarack-cellars.html

Corks of the Forks: Three Vintages. Three Styles. One Grape.
It highlights what one North Fork winery, Paumanok Vineyards, is doing with their chardonnay program. You are all well aware of my love affair with low-to-no oak chardonnay, but I was reminded of an important lesson with these wines.
lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/2006/05/corks_of_the_fo.html

Friends turn their passion for wine into business
In most cases, his offers to swirl, sniff and sip the creamy Chardonnay meet with eager acceptance. It's been more than a month since Mortorff sold out of Chardonnay.
www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/14738736.htm

Hendry Napa Unoaked Chardonnay 2005
The vintage is well captured in this edgy Chardonnay. The fruit for Hendry Unoaked Chardonnay 2005 was all estate grown, a blend of blocks 9, 19, 20 and 21.
volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/2006/05/hendry_napa_uno.html

Skywalker Ranch 2004 Chardonnay
The 2004 Skywalker Ranch Chardonnay will go on sale Monday, May 15th. There's a special offer to all readers of TheForce.net
www.theforce.net/collecting/story/Skywalker_Ranch_2004_Chardonnay_98467.asp

2004 Hess Collection Chardonnay – Napa Valley
As the Hess Collection’s chardonnay vineyards in American Canyon in southeast Napa Valley have reached maturity, their resulting wine has improved dramatically. This medium-bodied chardonnay is great for just drinking.
www.vailtrail.com/article/20060517/VALLEYLIFE12/60517007

My Guilty Pleasure
Big, fruity, buttery, oaky, in-your-face, so-over, 90s-style chardonnay. Chardonnay always has seemed to be a very loaded sort of wine compared with other varieties.
article.nationalreview.com/?q=NDlmMjBkMDU0MDZjNzdkMzllNzIyNDA0NTczM2RlNmI=

Tasting Notes for May 13, 2006
Wine 3: 2004 Paringa Chardonnay-Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc. Grapefruit on the nose, but the creamy feel and taste of Chardonnay.
wine-by-benito.blogspot.com/2006/05/tasting-notes-for-may-13-2006.html

Hoddles Creek Chardonnay 2004
wino-sapien.blogspot.com/2006/05/hoddles-creek-chardonnay-2004.html

WTN: Macari Vineyards 2004 Estate Chardonnay
Macari Vineyards 2004 Estate Chardonnay ($15) is a lean, crisp white made in stainless steel tanks.
lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/2006/05/wtn_macari_vine.html

Devil's Lair Chardonnay 2004
wino-sapien.blogspot.com/2006/05/devils-lair-chardonnay-2004.html

Bonterra Mendocino Chardonnay 2004
Bonterra Chardonnay '04 is all organic chardonnay, 92% from Mendocino County.
volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/2006/05/bonterra_mendoc.html

'01 Marcassin Chardonnay - Marcassin Vineyard - Magic in Gold
www.winerebel.com/WR/Wine%20of%20the%20Moment/7D8F3243-F78A-44CA-9842-8629E85B3D2D.html

Chateau St Jean Sonoma Chardonnay 2004
Once again, with the 2004 vintage, you can count on Chateau St Jean to put out a richer Sonoma Chardonnay than most under $15 bottles.
volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/2006/05/chateau_st_jean.html

Quick tasting at Bethel Heights
Being the driver, I sampled just a few including a 2004 stainless steel fermented and aged Chardonnay that was varietal and fairly crisp with a pleasant flavor.
elevage.blogspot.com/2006/04/quick-tasting-at-bethel-heights.html

Kim Crawford Unoaked Chardonnay 2005
Kim Crawford paves the way for the growing trend of Chardonnay marketed as Unoaked or Unwooded.
volunteer.blogs.com/winewaves/2006/05/kim_crawford_un.html

Joseph Phelps Chardonnay Los Carneros (Napa) 2003
Smith-Madrone Chardonnay (Napa Valley) 2001
www.professorbainbridgeonwine.com/2006/05/joseph_phelps_c.html

Smith-Madrone Chardonnay (Napa Valley) 2001
www.professorbainbridgeonwine.com/2006/05/smithmadrone_ch.html

Frank Family Chardonnay (Napa Valley) 2005
www.professorbainbridgeonwine.com/2006/06/frank_family_ch.html

Mumm launches prestige champagne: Mumm Grand Cru
www.bkwine.com//blog/2006/05/mumm-launches-prestige-champagne-mumm.html

WHEW what a trip
Rotari Arte Italiano Cuvee 28 Trento DOC 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir.
spacecitywineblog.blogspot.com/2006/05/whew-what-trip.html

GNGNB Ep31: Wine Blogging Wednesday#21
The Girl (and my lovely wife Pam) has cooked a delicious meal, and I chose the 2004 J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Vineyard Chardonnay as detailed below. WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS The 2004 J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Vineyard Chardonnay is a youthful yellow in color, with aromas of white flowers, lime custard, citrus and baked pear.
feeds.feedburner.com/AGuyAGirlAndABottle?m=76

A Week in Review...
You'd think Chardonnay would make a great pairing with tamales, so long as the tamales were mild.
everydaywinepairings.blogspot.com/2006/05/week-in-review.html

Vive La Difference
Au contraire, the winners were a Napa, California Cab and a Napa, California Chardonnay.
grapemashstash.blogspot.com/2006/05/vive-la-difference.html

The world's mo