Recent Wine Blog Entries

2007 Domaine de Terrebrune

My husband and I are heading to Provence this summer, so last night we popped in the movie “A Good Year” and cracked open a bottle of red from Bandol to get in the spirit.

The wine we chose was the 2007 Domaine de Terrebrune.  This winery and its vineyards are located near the village of Ollioules in the south of France.  Bandol is considered the best wine appellation in Provence, producing small amounts of white wine and some lovely dry rosés, but their red wines are what put Bandol wines “on the map”.

By law, the red wines of this appellation must be at least 50% Mourvèdre, but many winemakers use as much as 100%.  Grenache and Cinsault compliment the blend.

The 2007 Domaine de Terrebrune, a deeply colored and full-bodied wine, is 85% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache and 5% Cinsault.  After pouring it into a decanter, I immediately poured some in a glass and swirled.  On the nose was watermelon and raspberry.  I then let it sit for about 30 minutes.  After allowing it to get some air, I found dark black cherry, earth and some wonderful fresh herbs on the nose.  The fruit and tannins were nicely balanced on the palate, and the finish was pleasant and long.  The longer this wine sat, the better it become.  At this point it definitely needs a few hours of decanting, or be sure to lay it down for a few more years.

This estate is certified organic.  They use no herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers.  Domaine de Terrebrune does not use machinery in the vineyards.  Everything is done by hand.  The grape selection is even done in the vineyard, not at a sorting table.  The wines are bottled unfiltered and unfined.

I look forward to visiting Domaine de Terrebrune this summer!  I’m sure I’ll find their current vintages as exciting as this 2007.

Napa Chardonnay Tasting

I attended a great tasting in Miami this week where I had the chance to try some stellar wines from Napa.  This “Master Class” was sponsored by the Guild of Sommeliers, and was conducted by Master Sommelier Matt Stamp, assisted by Master Sommelier Andrew McNamara.

We did many flights of some fabulous wines, but today I want to chat about the flight of Chardonnay we tried.  All three wines are 100% Chardonnay.

 

Massican 2011 Chardonnay – The Massican is a very elegant, understated Chardonnay.  On the nose are citrus, fresh cut grass and a hint of sea stones.  The well-balanced palate has green apple, citrus, a hint of melon and a lovely creaminess.  This producer has a reputation for making great young wines, where one doesn’t need to wait too long to drink them.

 

Mayacamas 2000 Chardonnay – Nope, that’s not a typo.  This is indeed a 2000.  And it’s drinking fabulously!!!  Grown on the famous St. George rootstock, these vines are 63 years old.  Well, they were in 2000!  Winemaker Bob Travers is notorious for making long-lived wines, including his Chardonnay.  This golden colored wine has some citrus and stone on the nose.  The palate has pear and a hint of vanilla.  I loved the “Old World” feel of this wine.  If you find a bottle of this 2000 Mayacamas, I suggest that you buy it and enjoy it soon!

 

 

 

 

Kongsgaard 2010 Chardonnay – I’m not normally a huge lover of big oaky Chardonnay, but the Kongsgaard is definitely the exception.  This wine knocked my socks off!  It is very aromatic with vanilla and pear.  It is definitely big and oaky, but it is so well made that the oakiness isn’t obtrusive.  The acidity and minerality balances out the oak and leaves a rich, delectable fruitiness that lingers on the palate for a nice long time.  I’ve been literally craving a glass of this wine every day since I tasted it this week!

 

 

 

 

This was a wonderful selection of very well made Napa Chardonnays, all created in a different style and producing lovely, and very different, wines.  If you have the opportunity to taste any of these Chardonnays, my advice is to definitely do so!  In fact, seek them out!  If you’re a fan of Chardonnay, you won’t regret it.

 

My March Wine of the Month

Frog’s Leap Winery
Merlot
Rutherford
Napa Valley
2010

Frog’s Leap Winery is a very special place.  Not only are they very “green”, using organic and biodynamic farming (along with many other interesting practices), but they also make some really great wines.

The Wine – This wine is proof that California Merlot hasn’t “died”.  Oh no, it’s still very much alive and singing in Rutherford Valley at Frog’s Leap Winery.  This wine smells and tastes like a Merlot is supposed to smell and taste!  It’s not trying to be a Cab.  It has some plum and other dark fruits on the nose, with a touch of earthiness and spice.  On the palate are some chocolate and nice round fruit, along with some earthiness.  It is well balanced and tastes like a Merlot should!  It is impressively true to the varietal.

Visiting the Winery – Tasting at Frog’s Leap is a really fun and charming experience.  Upon arrival, one is escorted outside to a beautiful wrap-around porch nestled among 40 acres of organically farmed vineyard.  A carafe of water and a lovely cheese plate accompany the wine tasting.

The Journey – Frog’s Leap Winery is located on Conn Creek Road in Rutherford, CA.  The drive up to the tasting room is along a beautiful vineyard.  One is welcomed by the historic Red Barn, which was originally built as the Adamson winery back in 1884.  Today, this “ghost winery” not only inspires their guests, but also the Frog’s Leap winemakers John Williams and Paula Moschetti!

To read more about their winery, check out their informative, fun and interactive website at: http://www.frogsleap.com/flash/intro.html

You can also find a blog I wrote about my visit to Frog’s Leap here: http://www.timetounwine-d.com/tag/frogs-leap-winery/

2001 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard

A fun way for a wine lover to celebrate an anniversary of any kind is to crack open a bottle from that respective year.  My husband and I did just that to celebrate our wedding anniversary last month.  We were married in 2001, so we selected a 2001 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon from Martha’s Vineyard.

The 1970 vintage of this wine was one of the wines in the famous 1976 Paris tasting, where California wines went up against French wines and won!  Although the Heitz didn’t win the overall ratings in Paris that day, one French judge did pick it number one and another French judge picked it number two over many wonderful red wines, including some first growth Bordeaux.

I was surprised at how youthful this wine still is, both in appearance and taste.  It still has a bright ruby color, with very little change of color at the rim.  The nose is vibrant with licorice, crème de cassis and earth.  I got a touch of eucalyptus, which is a trademark of this well-respected vineyard.  On the palate the fruit still shines!  I was pleasantly surprised by the brightness of the black currant and cherry.  The tannins are oh so smooth, but still present enough to hold up to some serious food.  I also tasted some wet earth and mocha, and the finish is nice and long.  I love that this is a California wine that doesn’t try to be BIG and over-stated, but instead lets its lovely depth and earthiness shine through.  It is proof that a California Cab can show fabulous terroir.

I am very confident that my husband and I will be able to enjoy this wine for anniversaries to come as well, as it shows no signs of slowing down.

The next time you’re in Napa, be sure to stop at the Heitz Cellars tasting room.  They provide a lovely tasting of some of their top wines.  They are also one of the few wineries in Napa who don’t charge a tasting fee.  Perhaps that is because it seems impossible to leave without making a purchase.  No pressure is needed!  Check them out at:  www.heitzcellar.com

 

Sherry – Lehmann Wine & Spirits

I’ve been reading and hearing about Sherry-Lehmann Wine and Spirits Merchants for years.  They are rated the number one wine merchant in Manhattan on a regular basis, and definitely have a high level of respect.  They were awarded Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Retailer of the Year in 2011.  I’ve often longed to check out the place, so while in New York last week with my husband, we did just that!

Established in 1934 on Madison Avenue, this family owned business opened after the repeal of Prohibition as Sherry Wine & Spirits Co.  Their first location was in the Louis Sherry building at Madison and 62nd.  The name was changed to Sherry Lehmann after taking over a competitor, M. Lehmann, in 1965.  Sherry-Lehmann opened their current location (with sparkling windows, a bit art deco, and beautiful wood interiors) in 2007.

The store itself is somewhat small and delightfully quaint, and the inventory is glorious.  They have rows of First Growths and Grand Crus.  The vineyards represented are some of the most famous, and they have vintages galore.

Not only does Sherry-Lehmann carry the likes of Petrus, Chateau Margeaux and Chateau Haut-Brion, they also have a wide selection of every day wines that won’t break the bank.  For example, one can pick up a nice little Spanish Garnacha for $8.95, or a highly rated Fleurie for under $20.   There is something for everyone here.  Considering their location on Park Ave, I expected higher than usual prices, but was pleasantly surprised at their reasonable rates!

My husband and I were looking for a nice bottle to accompany our anniversary dinner at a nearby restaurant.  We were married in 2001, so what better vintage to select than the year of our marriage.  We decided on a Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard.  I’ll review this fabulous wine in my next blog.

If you’re into wine, be sure to stop at Sherry-Lehmann the next time you’re in New York.  The customer service is fabulous and the wine selection will knock your socks off!

 

 

Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits

505 Park Avenue

New York, NY  10022

 

www.sherry-lehmann.com

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