Tasted: 2006 Cave de Tain l’Hermitage Crozes-Hermitage

2006 Cave de Tain l’Hermitage Crozes-Hermitage

Appellation: Crozes-Hermitage (Northern Rhône)

Tasting Notes: 100% Syrah.  12.5% ABV.  Pretty violet, inky in the class.  Big jammy red fruit on the nose, with a little gameyness behind it.  On the palate, big red fruit (raspberry), the gameyness, some licorice.  The fruit is there, but isn’t over the top like the nose suggested.  Wonderfully smooth , like velvet.  Has excellent balance, complexity, depth, and weight.  Nice finish.  A fantastic wine for Sunday afternoon charcuterie; a great value.  This is great wine.

Rating: 5/5

Price: $14.99 at Beltway Fine Wines

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Tasted: 2009 River Road Vinyarda Chardonnay Reserve

2009 River Road Vinyarda Chardonnay Reserve

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Tasting Notes: 100% Chardonnay.  13.7% ABV.  Color is pale yellow, not as deep or rich as you’d expect.  Nose is buttery, with some melon and oak, and underlying spice.  This is a buttery chardonnay, which is not really my thing.  That said, it’s got nice fruit along with the oak, and it’s pretty well balanced.  There is some astringency on the back end.  Has some richness.   If you like your chardonnay a little oaky and buttery, you’ll like this

Rating: 3/5

Price: $14.99 at Beltway Fine Wine

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Tasted: 2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris

2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris

Appellation: Columbia Valley, Washington

Tasting Notes: 100% Pinot Gris.  13.9% ABV.  Color is a cloudy yellowish gold, almost looks like it’s too old.  Nose is very metallic at first, opens up with grapefruit.  This is all metallic/mineral and grapefruit.  Very one dimensional. Good acid.  Light.  Not bad, not fantastic, just average.  Certainly not a bad Saturday mid afternoon on the deck wine.

Rating: 2/5

Price: Unknown, someone brought this to our house.  Cellartracker says it’s about $11.00

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Tasted: 2008 Heartland Stickleback Red

2008 Heartland Stickleback Red

Appellation: South Austraila

Tasting Notes: 61% Shiraz, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon,  14% Dolcetto, 5% Lagrein.  14.5% ABV  Color is a very pretty dark purple.   Nose is fruit bomb, blueberry and raspberry.  Attack is very fruity, but more balanced than I expected.  Very smooth mouthfeel, nice subtle tannin, a little oak, but not overpowering. More blueberry on the finish.  Like a pie.  Way too fruity for my tastes, but not offensive.  A little heat on the back end, kicking it a bit off balance.  I was really excited to try this wine given the interesting blend, but it remains an over the top Aussie Shiraz.  Not my thing, but I won’t dump it.

Rating: 2/5

Price: Unknown, was in a mixed case.  Cellartracker says it’s $13.75.

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