Tag: New Zealand

Fleming’s Steakhouse Pinot Noir Smackdown

I was recently invited to taste some of the Pinot Noirs put on the new Fleming’s 100 wines by the glass list. Having gone through my Pinot Noir phase before it’s popularity skyrocketed in 2004 with the release of the movie “Sideways” it takes a lot to impress me specifically a well-balanced Pinot that is not to oaky and toasty and more fruit driven.

With 8 wines tasted 7 were from California and Oregon and 1 was from New Zealand and here is what I thought of them….

2009 Garnet from Monterey County is made from all estate grown fruit near the Santa Lucia Highlands this wine was medium in body with a hint of spice, good fruit and dry. It finished smooth and had a bit of hazelnuts and cedar.

2010 A to Z Wineworks sources their fruit from at least 16 different Oregon vineyards. It had a nice nose of berries, made like most Oregon wines in a Burgundian style emphasizing toasty oak and minerals it was drier and powerful.

The 2009 Three Saints from Santa Maria Valley was a favorite. Made from all estate grown fruit from vineyards not far from the Pacific, that leads to cool ocean breezes and a longer growing season adding complex flavors. This wine was a was big, with hints of strawberries on the nose and on the palate along with wildflower aromas.

2009 MacMurray Ranch in the Sonoma Coast area was once owned by actor Fred Macmurray of TVs “My 3 Sons”. This wine is aged in both American and European oak and has a ruby color. With easy current and berry flavors this wine was well-balanced.

The 2009 Cambria “Julia’s Vineyard” from Santa Maria Valley is a Cab drinkers Pinot as it’s full-bodied with big oak and toast is very obvious. It’s aromas of cherries and berries give way to vanilla and cinnamon ion the palate along with some earthy flavors before its long finish.

2009 Migration is made by Duckhorn Vineyards and the fruit comes from the cool climate of Anderson Valley. It’s another big Pinot and is both spicy and fruity. The acidity makes for good food pairing along with a smoky finish and dry finish this would also make a cab drinker happy.

The 2010 Belle Glos “Meiomi” sources fruit from up and down the coast in all Monterey, Santa Barbara and Sonoma counties. Owned by Caymus Vineyards Wagner family, it’s made by 3rd generation winemaker and grandson of the founders Joe Wagner. This wine is medium in body, with a good fruit finish. It’s a good representation of the families traditional wine making along with 21st century innovation. Its long finish is worth savoring.

The 2010 Saint Clair “Vicar’s Choice” from Marlborough, New Zealand was the only imported Pinot and has a very old world nose and style. Known for their Sauvignon Blanc they are gaining a reputation for Pinot Noir as this wine has already garnered 2 Gold Medals. With well-balanced tannins and acidity it covers the palate with toasty oak and red cherries. A mellow finish offers up a hint of vanilla.

After tasting through these 8 Pinots I feel confident that each of their styles will pair well with any number of entrees that Fleming’s has to offer.

Tasting some of the winners from the 2012 San Francisco International Wine Competition & 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

This Labor Day weekend wine & spirits personality Anthony Dias Blue made his way to the Arizona Biltmore for its Wine & Spirits Festival with Anthony’s Tasting Panel Magazine. I had the opportunity to speak with Anthony and got a sneak peek to taste some of the winners from his San Francisco International Wine Competition and some of the Double Gold winners from his 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition that were there this weekend. Here is what I found from tasting some of the wines and speaking with those in attendance.

The 2004 Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Champagne tasted fresh and lively with its tiny bubbles and dry, vibrant finish. It’s no wonder it took “Best in Show” in the sparkling category.

The 2011 Astrolabe Pinot Gris from Marlborough, New Zealand represented well for Pinot Gris from a country known for Sauvignon Blanc and gaining a reputation for Pinot Noir.

The 2008 Stoller Vineyards “SV Estate” Pinot Noir from Dundee Hills was poured and was well-balanced with fruit, oak and acidity in a way I often don’t find in PNs so I was very impressed. As was I by the Best Varietal Award for Pinot Noir from the 2009 Lawson’s Dry Hills From Marlborough, New Zealand which had softer tannins and drank well when I paired it with some of the meats and cheese’s being served.

The 2010 Alexandria Nicole Grenache, Destiny Ridge Vineyard from Horse Heaven Hills in Washington State was an interesting find from an area known for Merlot and Chardonnay. Lush and medium bodied it showed your typical Grenache fruit without being over the top. Not surprising it won “Best Grenache”

The 2010 Exile Shiraz from The Colonial Estate in Barossa was a laid back Shiraz with good fruit and a hint of black pepper and medium, dry tannins. It was pleasant surprise as many Shiraz’s tend to be over the top in fruit and not always food friendly. It was a nice to taste a wine of this caliber as it retails for over $200.

It came as no surprise to me for an Arizona wine to be poured along side the other winners as was 2010 Arizona Stronghold “Dala” Cabernet Sauvignon from Graham County. The softer tannins made for this to be a very drinkable wine now yet still age worthy for a few years down the road.

The “must have” of the tasting was the “Best Sherry” winner from Gonzalez Byass and it’s “Leonor” Palomino Sherry which mentioned to me by several other attendees and by the time I made my way to it, the last bottle opened was empty. With nutty flavors along with that of caramel and a hint of honey I could see why it was so popular and was glad to get some as moments after I poured a taste “poof” it was gone as the bottle was emptied by the next guest.

On the spirits side only the Double Gold winners made the tasting. I had to the chance to taste the very aromatic Cardinal American Dry Gin from North Carolina which is a must for the gin lovers out there. More to my liking was the EFE Raki from Turkey which is very much like Ouzo from Greece. This clear brandy is made from grapes, raisins and anise. I would’ve sipped on this all day long had it not been for Anthony himself bringing over the bottle of the “Best Rye” winner. That went to the newly released Knob Creek Rye Whiskey which had a lot going on in the glass and had a long, lingering flavor in your mouth. It’s small batch production made for a great way to end my tasting as I probably would’ve by-passed it.

On the chit-chat side with Anthony and some other wine and spirits enthusiasts talked turned to sports, travel and other non wine and spirits related subjects. I did get to catch up with the 1 and only Paula Woolsey, National Sales Manager from Arizona Stronghold Winery and was glad to hear that Arizona Stronghold and other Arizona wines were continuing to gain distribution around the country and in the cities of Portland and Seattle where they appreciate wines from other states other than their own.