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Showing posts with label Chardonnay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chardonnay. Show all posts
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Veramonte Organic Wines and Patagonia Provisions
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Art of Earth Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
This isn't my first run-in with Art of the Earth by Mack & Schühle. I reviewed their Montepulciano d'Abruzzo while I was cooking up some burgers and they paired deliciously. These wines here, however, are from Mendoza, Argentina. Like the Montepulciano, they are 100% organic. I'm sure you've guessed that's kind of the point of the brand.
The Chardonnay is 100% unoaked and it's basically a refreshing and citrusy white wine. It could have spent more time aging with the lees to bring out more tropical fruit and Chardonnay character, but honestly I really didn't care. I'm kind of over that analytical stuff when it comes to my own pleasure, and I liked it for what it is. For a $12 unoaked Chard, it gets the job done.
The Chardonnay is 100% unoaked and it's basically a refreshing and citrusy white wine. It could have spent more time aging with the lees to bring out more tropical fruit and Chardonnay character, but honestly I really didn't care. I'm kind of over that analytical stuff when it comes to my own pleasure, and I liked it for what it is. For a $12 unoaked Chard, it gets the job done.
The Cabernet Sauvignon is also unoaked and it's totally solid. This is straight up what you should demand to expect in a Cab at that price range instead of what we're now given. It's got good quality, good structure, current and cherries, and a nice addition of savoriness.
It just looks like these guys are bringing you $12 wines (the hot spot for the average US wine consumer) with some good stuff for the price, while bringing 100% organic in as a bonus. It hits just right: just what you want, right where you want it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Grapes & Capes Episode #16: Rumble at Ron Rubin's
*** Help Support the Podcast ***
- Prologue, iTunes review
- Ron Rubin Winery
- RON RUBIN PAM'S UN-OAKED CHARDONNAY 2018 ($14)
- Do not be scared by screwcap enclosures
- Pineapple Chili Wings
- The Green Lantern Corps #18 (2007)
- What's up with Kyptonians and lead
- Origins of Sodam Yat and Superboy Prime
- WandaVision and Dr. Who
- RON RUBIN RUSSIAN RIVER CHARDONNAY 2018 ($20)
- Chardonnay love affair
- Getting into Port
- The Immortal Hulk #23 (2019)
- RON RUBIN RUSSIAN RIVER PINOT NOIR 2017 ($25)
- Local Restaurants
- Cursing
- You do not have to hoard wine
- The Immortal Hulk #24 (2019)
Intro Music: "Know Your Enemy" by Rage Against The Machine
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Morgan "Metallico" Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2019
The 2019 Metallico Un-Oaked Chardonnay by Morgan is out of Santa Lucia Highlands and saw 8 months aging in stainless steel. Fuller bodied and very tropical with notes of pineapple, limoncello, pears, and vanilla. A solid $22 un-oaked Chardonnay that you can nurse and take in its intricacies or use as a refreshing thirst quencher. Excellent stuff! Pair with rotisserie chicken or pork.
Listen to Mike and Joey talk about this wine on Grapes & Capes Episode #12: Hope & Hijinks!
Friday, January 1, 2021
Grapes & Capes Episode #12: Hope and Hijinks
Mike and Joey sip on wines by Morgan while talking about some uplifting stories to ring in the New Year, and give their opinion on Wonder Woman 1984 because why not?
Breaker / Overcast / Pocket Casts / Radio Public / RSS
*** Help Support the Podcast ***
Prologue: Wonder Woman 1984, being a podcasting parent
Wine #1: Morgan Metallico Unoaked Chardonnay 2019, Metallo, Superman the animated series
Comics #1: Superman #7 (2016), Superman in New 52 and Rebirth, what makes Superman the greatest, Rebirth costumes, the aging and destruction of Jon Kent
Wine #2: Morgan Twelve Clones Pinot Noir 2018
Comics #2: Quantum and Woody Volume 1, hide yo kids hide yo wife
Wine #3: Morgan Double L. Vineyard Syrah 2018
Monday, November 23, 2020
The Arsonist Chardonnay 2018
This is 100% Chardonnay from Dunnigan Hills, California, that was aged in five months in oak after going through malolactic fermentation.
It's full bodied and rich with a bright acidity. It's very tropical with pineapple and banana, but also has notes of cooked apple, buttered biscuit, toasted vanilla, and butterscotch. Mike calls this "a dessert", and Joey says it's one of his favorite Chardonnays for under $20. Pair with a Chinese PuPu Platter or your traditional Thanksgiving dinner!
Listen to Mike and Joey talk about this wine on Grapes & Capes Episode #7 "Pyromania"!
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Grapes & Capes Episode #7: Pyromania
The building is on fire as Mike and Joey drink two wines from Matchbook Wine Company's The Arsonist label and read about the ultimate pyromaniac villain Heat Wave in The Flash #218 (2005)!
*** Help Support the Podcast ***
Wine #1: The story of Matchbook Wine Company, The Arsonist Chardonnay 2018, pairing it with Chinese food, Royal Palace in Dennisport, Wok 'n Roll in South Yarmouth, finding the right Chardonnay to win you over, wines for Thanksgiving
Comic, Part 1: The creation and origins of Heat Wave, The Flash #218 (2005) "Heat Wave" pages 1-12, the darkness and brutality of Heat Wave while feeling sympathy for his character, more Game of Thrones (should we just make a GoT podcast, I mean jeez), Donny Cates
Wine #2: The Arsonist Red Blend 2017, Petite Verdot is the miracle grape
Comic, Part 2: The Flash #218 (2005) "Heat Wave" pages 13-22, Siri never helps, the connection that keeps Heat Wave and Captain Cold connected forever
Thursday, October 8, 2020
La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018
La Crema Sonoma Chard is always a good, solid, never-let-you down standby that you can find anywhere. The 2018 vintage was aged for seven months in 75% French oak and 25% American (17% new). There's notes of vanilla, honey dew melon, pineapple, and balanced oak. For $15 it's a damn good deal.
Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #3!
Listen to Mike and Joey talk about it on Grapes & Capes Episode #3!
Friday, October 2, 2020
Grapes & Capes Episode #3: Robots don't eat cookies
Michael and Joey read The Ultimates #1 and Vision #1 while tasting Oak Farm Vineyards Fiano, La Crema Sonoma Chardonny, and Banshee Rosé. Wines provided by Colangelo & Partners.
*** Help Support the Podcast ***
Wine #1: Oak Farm Vineyards 2018/2019, sitting on the leese
Comics #1: The Ultimates #1 (2002)
Wine #2: La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018, New World wine vs Old World wine, effects of oak, what is Zinfandel
Comics #2: Vision #1 (2015), Tom King's Batman, War of Jokes and Riddles, Tom King's comicsgate controversy, Scarlet Witch
Wine #3: Banshee Rosé 2019, how they make pink wine, orange wine, dry rosé vs sweet rosé
Comics #3: the death of Deadshot, DC Universe Infinite, HBO Max, call Tony Stark at 212-970-4133, Marvel getting cosmic
Sunday, August 9, 2020
Justin Bogaty Winemaker Series ~ Chardonnay 2019, Rosé 2019, Merlot 2019
In the four years that I've been reviewing wines by the Justin Bogaty / Bogati Family Winery out of Virginia, I've had some of their Chardonnays but never their Justin Bogaty Winemaker Series Chardonnay. The 2019 vintage is medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel and tamed acidity. It's got a tropical classic aroma and flavor profile of pineapple and banana, and then of course vanilla. It's a good solid Chardonnay and I like it, but that Veramar Chardonnay (also made by Bogaty) is still on my mind. The 2019 Rosé continues to be juicy and fun with a melting pot of Jolly Ranchers. Sour apple, watermelon, and strawberry. Full bodied and, yeah, it's a little sweet but everybody needs to calm down with their fear of that word. I said it's fun. Have fun. The 2019 Merlot is just so amazing on the nose. Super spicy with black pepper and cinnamon, then plums and cherries. It's lighter on the midpalate than I was expecting, with also brighter acidity. Perky with tart unripe blueberries and almost like an apple skin thing going on. There's also plums, a nice minerality, and black tea. It's got such a great nose and it's so different and interesting on the palate. I'm thinking it would actually be pretty damn good with a grilled cheese.
Look for three more wines by the Bogaty Famiy Winery in the premier episode of the upcoming Grapes & Capes Podcast!
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Veramar Vineyard ~ Chardonnay 2019 & Cabernet Franc 2019
I have a long standing relationship with the Bogaty Family Wine Group out of Virginia, going back to 2014. I've done so many reviews of their wine that they even have their own label on the blog. As I do a rebrand from blogging as my main focus to a podcast (don't worry, I'll still blog) it makes me happy that I'll blog about 5 of their wines before I premier the podcast with 3 of their wines. These guys are so good. I love their wine, I love their appreciation of the online wine community, and I hope to continue working with them for years to come. Veramar Vineyard is one of Bogaty's labels. The 2019 Chardonnay is literally like drinking the juice on the bottom of the fruit salad bowl. Pear juice, pineapple juice, melon juice. It's so flavorful and... juicy! Barrel fermentation gives it a nice oakiness, too. And its bright and tart acidity gives it a lot of spunk. I loved it! Spunky Chardonnay! Moving on, you all know how much I love Cabernet Franc and how much I've realized how good it can be in Virginia. This stuff... yo... this is AWESOME. It's medium bodied and it feels like it would have a silky mouthfeel if the tight grainy tannins and ethanol weren't so strong. (This is a nudge-nudge that you can let it sit to open up or age it). There's notes of plums, cranberry, tomato leaf, black pepper, and beach sand and/or ice melt. Wonderful. Just wonderful. Veramar does it again and makes me so damn happy!
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Morgan Winery ~ Highland Chardonnay 2018, Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Rosé of Grenache 2019
Wasn't Morgan just on this blog? Well, they're back! And delivering that same great quality as they always do. The 2018 Highland Chardonnay is like a buttered biscuit with a side of pineapples. It's pretty oaky and you know that's my jam with Chardonnay. However, the bright and tart finish makes it more versatile with food than most oaky buttery Chards. Speaking of bright and tart, the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc out of Monterey is all about the zip! There is Semillon in here so it's got a medium body and a round mouthfeel, but I hope you like Sour Patch Kids because the tartness will make your mouth pucker. And not in a bad way, because it's pretty yummy and very refreshing. It's very grassy with grapefruit and lemon. I'm drooling thinking about this with Oysters Rockefeller. Finally, it's the 2019 Rosé of Grenache. With a weighty mouthfeel and tamed acidity, this is a rosé that's meant to savor instead of porch pound. Of course there's watermelon and strawberry, but there's also vanilla and orange skin. The best part of this wine is the finish. It's super juicy and, in a big surprise, spicy.
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Goldschmidt Vineyards ~ Singing Tree Chardonnay 2018, Katherine Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Hilary Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
I first became aware of Goldschmidt when a customer requested a special order of them about a year or so ago. I looked them up online and they seemed pretty interesting, so it's pretty cool that I actually get to taste them now. The 2018 "Singing Tree" Chardonnay is a classic lightly oaked Chardonnay. Pears, pineapple, banana. It still has a big body but only a little bit of butteriness on the midpalate and crisp on the finish. As a Chard fan, I enjoyed it. The 2018 Katherine Goldschmidt "Stonemason Hill" Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a very nice example of an Alexander Cabernet. Softer and more elegant than a Napa Cabernet but similar in profile (and my opinion better overall). Medium bodied, beautifully smooth on the mouthfeel, with notes of cassis, plums, and pepper. Delicious! To me the 2016 Hilary Goldschmidt "Charming Creek" Cabernet Sauvignon out of Oakville is juicier and has sweeter tannins. There's A LOT of vanilla going on here with notes cherries and blackberries. It may be a fruit bomb, but fruit bombs can more than others be "stress relief wines".
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Ron Rubin Winery ~ Pinot Noir 2017, Chardonnay 2018, Pam's Unoaked Charonnay 2018
It's been a rough time for everybody this year, and I haven't had a more fun time throughout it all so far than opening up these bottles of Ron Rubin on the porch on this beautiful night on Cape Cod. Pam's Unoaked Chardonnay is like drinking the pear juice out of a can. Do not even think that is a bad thing right now or we'll have words, mister. Yeah, it has some sweetness, but damn is it crushable. The Russian River Chardonnay is much more sophisticated but can also be summed up simply: it's literally like drinking apple crisp. Baked apple, crumbly crust, and baking spices. Holy crap it's awesome and everything I want out of a Chardonnay. Then there's the Pinot Noir. It's got this alluring metallic thing going on, much more silver than the copper that I usually get on Pinot Noirs. There's also a full trading post of spices, licorice, and the fruit takes the background with plums and blackberries. The tart acidity is just begging me for something to eat. I can't let it down. Time to see what we have for snacks...
Friday, May 15, 2020
Talley Vineyards Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2018 & Rincon Chardonnay 2018
Talley Vineyards is having a big celebration of Chardonnay, so here's reviews 3 and 4 of the Chardonnays that I have from them!
Talley Estate Bottled Chardonnay is their flagship wine, and apparently it was the first Chardonnay made in Arroyo Grande Valley after the region became an AVA in 1986. It was sustainably farmed I don't have any more information other than that, such as how long it was aged in oak or whatever. It's definitely worth the price of $34, though. When I first opened it up it was overchilled and smelled a bit oxidized, but as the wine warmed up that was remedied. On the nose it's got a cloud of minerality over aromas of peach, pineapple, banana and ginger. On the palate it's medium to full bodied with a bright acidity that plays nice with its round mouthfeel. There's flavors of pineapple, apple, melon, and ginger. Then it finishes with a thick coating of pineapple and banana. Very nice!
QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $34
Rating: 3.5/5 = Satisfying / Recommended (what does that mean?)
The Rincon Vineyard in Arroyo Grande Valley was planted in 1983 by Don Talley. Not only is it the location of the Talley Vineyards tasting room, but also what the family calls their "home vineyard". Aaaaaan hooooo boy, it's godamn delicious! There's aromas of bruised apple, lemon meringue pie, and buttered cornbread. *SQUEEL*! It's full bodied on the palate with a rich, weighty mouthfeel and moderate acidity. For flavors, minerality comes out of nowhere to all of a sudden be everywhere. There's pineapple, pear juice, orange peel, and vanilla. Then this Chardonnay finishes off STRONG with impressively powerful and long lasting tropical fruit. I freakin' loved this stuff. $50? MORE THAN WORTH IT.
Talley is one hell of a Chardonnay producer. What a cool experience this was! :)
The Rincon Vineyard in Arroyo Grande Valley was planted in 1983 by Don Talley. Not only is it the location of the Talley Vineyards tasting room, but also what the family calls their "home vineyard". Aaaaaan hooooo boy, it's godamn delicious! There's aromas of bruised apple, lemon meringue pie, and buttered cornbread. *SQUEEL*! It's full bodied on the palate with a rich, weighty mouthfeel and moderate acidity. For flavors, minerality comes out of nowhere to all of a sudden be everywhere. There's pineapple, pear juice, orange peel, and vanilla. Then this Chardonnay finishes off STRONG with impressively powerful and long lasting tropical fruit. I freakin' loved this stuff. $50? MORE THAN WORTH IT.
Talley is one hell of a Chardonnay producer. What a cool experience this was! :)
QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $50
Both bottles used were supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Talley Vineyards Rosemary's Chardonnay 2018 & Oliver's Chardonnay 2018
Talley Vineyards is having a big celebration of Chardonnay, and I've got FOUR CHARDONNAYS made by them here to taste. So today I'm reviewing two of them, and in a few days I'll review the other two. Three of them are single vineyard Chards ranging from $50 to $60, and one of them is an Estate Chard for $34. I should have done a little research before I took pictures and opened the wine for today's review, so I could start with the $34 one, but it's too late for that now. Oh well! C'est la vie!
Rosemary's Vineyard surrounds Rosemary Talley's home in the Arroyo Grande Valley. It's the coolest of the Talley vineyards and has chalky shale soil that produces Chardonnay with refreshing acidity. That acidity is pretty prominent on the 2018 vintage, but I also got a lot of chalky minerality and salinity all over this wine. On the palate it's a lot lighter and crisper than I was expecting. There's aromas and flavors of green apple, white peach, lemon, nuts, and ice melt. It's super delicious, and even though I peronally like the next wine more mono e mono, this one is clearly the more of a versatile food wine.
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| PICTURED: A BIG DORK |
Oliver's Vineyard is located in Edna Valley, and no it's not named after Green Arrow. It's named after Oliver Talley; the founder of Talley Vineyards. The 2018 Oliver's Chardonnay has a bigger body than Rosemary's, although I still wouldn't call it full bodied on the Chardonnay scale, but is also more buttery and oaky, while I wouldn't say it's super buttery or oaky. It's all about the tropical fruits like pineapple, banana, and mango. And of course, vanilla and caramel. It's not like you're sucking on a Werther's or like you're going to get splinters on your tongue, but it's just enough of that kind of profile without going all-in and making the ABC people run away screaming in absolute horror. Dude, this is the kind of Cali Chardonnay that sends dopamine straight to my brain. Oak and butter while still being elegant and not over extracted. Perfection for $50.
QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $50
Rating: 5/5 = Highly Recommended (what does that mean?)
Both bottles used were supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
Both bottles used were supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
Sunday, April 26, 2020
The Arsonist Chardonnay 2018
April is Matchbook Wine Company Month, with reviews focusing on their wine all month! To see all of my reviews by this winery for the last five years, check out my Matchbook label. To learn about their history, read my article "A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company".
The Arsonist is their label for wines a price point or two higher than their flagship Matchbook label. Their 2018 Chardonnay is 100% Chardonnay from the Matchbook Vineyard in Dunnigan Hills, California. It was barrel fermented and frequently stirred, and 100% when through malolactic fermentation. 10% of the best lots from the Chardonnay in the vineyard were aged an additional five months longer in oak, and only half of those were selected to become the final blend for the 2018 Arsonist Chardonnay.
Year after year this is one of my favorite Chardonnays. There's aromas of pears, melon, buttered grilled corn muffin, and vanilla ice cream topped with butterscotch. On the palate it's full bodied with a rich and smooth mouthfeel, and an acidity that pops on the finish. There's flavors of melon, canned pears, banana, and vanilla. Then it finishes looooooong with melon and banana. The Arsonist does it again. This is an incredible Chardonnay for the price!
Year after year this is one of my favorite Chardonnays. There's aromas of pears, melon, buttered grilled corn muffin, and vanilla ice cream topped with butterscotch. On the palate it's full bodied with a rich and smooth mouthfeel, and an acidity that pops on the finish. There's flavors of melon, canned pears, banana, and vanilla. Then it finishes looooooong with melon and banana. The Arsonist does it again. This is an incredible Chardonnay for the price!
QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $20
Rating: 5/5 = Highly Recommended (what does that mean?)
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Mossback Russian River Chardonnay 2018
April is Matchbook Wine Company Month, with reviews focusing on their wine all month! To see all of my reviews by this winery for the last five years, check out my Matchbook label. To learn about their history, read my article "A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company".
Mossback is the Sonoma label for Matchbook, and this Chardonnay is 92% from the Aquarius Vineyard (Russian River Valley) and 8% from the Matchbook Estate Vineyard (Dunnigan Hills). Despite just a small amount of the wine seeing oak aging, to me vanilla is the most prominent feature in the aroma and flavor. There's also pineapple, peach, lime, and honey. It's got a wonderfully rounded palate and is an overall balanced wine, and then there's the addition of butterscotch on the finish that ties it all together to be a solid, serviceable, and reliable Chardonnay for the price.
This is exactly what you want from an $18 Chardonnay without swinging too far to the left or too far to the right in the political spectrum of the Chardonnay oak & butter war. It's momma bear's "just right".
This is exactly what you want from an $18 Chardonnay without swinging too far to the left or too far to the right in the political spectrum of the Chardonnay oak & butter war. It's momma bear's "just right".
QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $18
Rating: 3/5 = Satisfying (what does that mean?)
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Matchbook Old Head Chardonnay 2018
April is Matchbook Wine Company Month, with reviews focusing on their wine all month! This is the second time Matchbook has had their own month on this blog, but I've done A LOT of reviews of their wines in the past six years. To learn about their history, read my article "A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company".
Their Old Head Chardonnay has become one of, I'd say, my top three suggestions for a Chard in the $15 price range. I've been reviewing every vintage since forever and I've loved it every time. The 2018 vintage is made from 100% estate grown Chardonnay using Clone 4, Clone 17, Dijon Clones 95, 76, 124, and Clone 809. 75% of it was barrel fermented while 25% was fermented in stainless steel. 78% saw aging in 2 to 5 year old French and American oak, 22% of that new. The final ABV is 13.9%.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
McIntyre Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2018
Holy Moly, this is my kind of Chardonnay! The 2018 McIntyre Chardonnay is out of Santa Lucia Highlands, which is in Monterey, which is in the Central Coast of California. The strongest aromas on the nose are ginger and banana and vanilla, followed by pineapple, cooked apple, and buttered biscuit. Uuuuuungh!!! When was the last time that I expressed my love for Chardonnay to you all? It's been too long. So, DAMN I LOVE CHARDONNAY! On the palate it's full bodied with a buttery mouthfeel and moderate acidity. There's flavors of pear juice, banana, vanilla, baking spices, and ginger. It finishes smooth and lush and eloquent, without a bit of tartness from the acidity and a bit of ginger heat. And, call me crazy, I even get a little white chocolate on the finish.
For $28 this is one hell of a Chard. It gives you everything that you expect in an oaked Chardonnay while not getting carried away with malo or oak, while both are still present. This should be a consistent case buy for Chardonnay fans who can drop the bucks, and I don't think I've ever said that about any other wine on this blog. I loved this wine. It's got solid Chardonnay expression with a great price for its excellent quality.
QUALITY VS PRICE RATING
Price: $28
The bottle used was supplied free of charge for the purpose of this unpaid review. To have your wine reviewed follow this link.
