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While visiting Santa Ynez, California, last December, I had the opportunity to taste several memorable wines, and the Rusack Anacapa was one of them. I’m not usually a fan of wine blends; I enjoy single fruit wines the best. However, one of the things I have grown to learn and respect about wine over the years is that one cannot restrict wine with absolutes – there will always be that one wine in a category that changes everything you thought you knew about wine. The Rusack Anacapa reminded me that blends can be delicious.

Appearance: The 2008 Anacapa was dark and clear.

Color: The wine was a deep ruby red color.

Aroma: I was a little confused when I first smelled this wine. It was hard to pull out a predominate aroma. I picked up a mix of rose petals, coffee and liquorice. I could barely pick up a little fruitiness, maybe a hit of cherry, but it was overshadowed by the rose and coffee bouquet.

Flavor: The flavor didn’t match the aroma profile very well. I immediately tasted black cherry and cocoa, not the rose, coffee and liquorice I was expecting. I did get a hint of those flavors before the finish, but it wasn’t at all what I had expected. The wine had an incredibly rich, lush texture and the tannins were nicely refined. While my first taste wasn’t exactly what I expected, the velvety mouth-feel of the wine and the blending of the flavors made it enjoyable.

Pairs Well With: The 2008 Anacapa would pair well with lamb, beef steak, grilled Portobello mushrooms, and grilled salmon.

Additional Comments: While I don’t think that I would add this wine as a staple, it was an enjoyable way to “mix” things up.

Overall Rating: I could drink this wine monthly.

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Over the weekend, my fiancé, Michael, and I set out to dispel the myth that you can’t find a good Pinot Noir for less than $15.00. We ventured up the street to our local wine store and pored over their selection. We were both attracted to Jargon’s bright and playful label. The character on the front of the bottle caught our attention, but it was the jumbled words he was shouting that helped us seal the deal for the purchase, “Just Good Wine.” That’s a pretty bold statement for a $12.00 wine.

Appearance: The wine was light and brilliant.

Color: The 2009 Jargon Pinot Noir had a light ruby color. The wine reflected the light well.

Aroma: I was pleasantly surprised by the aroma. The wine opened up with a bouquet of ripe red berries, mainly strawberries and red cherries. Next, I was able to detect a slight vanilla aroma, followed by a lovely oaky spice.

Flavor: This was a light-bodied wine with a silky smooth mouth-feel. The flavor was really interesting (in a good way!). I was immediately hit with the fruity flavor promised in the aroma, but just as I was able to detect the fruit flavors, the spice and vanilla came through. The finish was nice and long with the spice and vanilla owning the first part but then giving way to a delicate fruit and spice notes.

Pairs Well With: We enjoyed the 2009 Jargon Pinot Noir with Indian food. Just like other Pinot Noirs, the Jargon would be a perfect playmate with any meal.

Additional Comments: While this wine isn’t refined as some of my more expensive favorite Pinot Noirs, it should not be discounted. It was delicious, easy to drink, and surprisingly well-rounded for its price point.

Overall Rating: I could drink this wine daily.

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While traveling through the Santa Ynez Valley last month, we stopped off at the Star Lane Vineyard to check out some of their wines. The vineyard rests at the eastern end of the Santa Ynez valley in the “Happy Canyon” region. While we tasted several of the Star Lane wines, their Sauvignon Blanc was one of my favorites.

Appearance: The 2009 Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc presented as a light, clear wine in the glass.

Color: The wine had a greenish yellow tint that resembled bales of hay.

Aroma: At first inhale, the 2009 Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc opened up with a distinct tropical fruit aroma. Sauvignon Blanc’s flavor profile can range from assertively grassy to sweetly tropical. Luckily, this wine was on the sweetly tropical side. I was able to pick up a little mango, pineapple and papaya gently mixed with a slight grassy herbaceousness.

Flavor: First on the palate was a distinct citrus fruit flavor. The most noticeable of these was the flavor of mandarin oranges. The wine is fresh and elegant with hints of apple and pear. The finish is long and crisp, with the slight flavor of baking spice.

Pairs Well With: This wine would pair well with any kind of fish or seafood dish, including halibut, swordfish, sushi, or a classic ceviche. It would also go nicely with cheese and crackers or pear and walnut salad.

Additional Comments: This would be a perfect wine to enjoy during warmer weather. I could see the 2009 Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc being a staple during the late spring and early summer months.

Overall Rating: I really enjoyed this wine. I could drink it daily during warmer months.

As you’ve probably noticed, all grapes, whether light- or dark-skinned, have translucent pink flesh inside. Red wines (and whites) get most of their color and flavor from the complex compounds in the grapes’ skins. When the juice made from zinfandel grapes is separated from the crushed skins before fermenting, the result is white zinfandel — low-voltage, simplistic, and quaffable. My unfortunate source on winemaking and wine history, Wikipedia, tells me that the modern method and recipe for producing white zinfandel was discovered almost accidentally, but that once its commercial potential was discovered, it quickly became unstoppable.

But for all that ill repute, zinfandel can make a very decent wine when left to its own devices. Today’s wine, an economy zinfandel from Sonoma County in California, is a sweet, yet well-bodied wine, equally suited for drinks with friends or for sipping with dinner. It won’t be the best wine you ever drink, but if you’re in the mood for something a bit less dry than normal, it’s a nice change of pace.

How’s it look? Dark and opaque, and much more purple than red — something between royal purple and indigo. The legs are thin, especially for a sweet wine like this, but the wine does coat the glass well after it’s been swirled.

How’s it smell? Fairly ordinary — mid-range, nondescript fruit notes with some light floral touches. I don’t notice any tannins or other such harsh touches. That’s a bit surprising, since the bottle tells me this zinfandel is 15 percent alcohol by volume.

But how does it taste? Again, solid, but fairly ordinary. There are sweet berry notes — blackcurrant, or maybe plum. By now, this 2008 wine has aged fairly well, so the tannins are almost nonexistent, and the high alcohol content only serves to clear the palate after every sip. Overall, this a nice, if uncomplicated, wine. I’ll drink it again.

What should I eat it with? I realize it’s mid-winter, but anything grilled — meat or vegetable — would be nice with this zinfandel. Any simple oven-roasted or broiled dish would work as well. Maybe a nice sweet, savory sausage? German meatballs?

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My fiancé, Michael, and I just returned from our vacation in California. During our trip back West, we took a private tour of four truly astonishing vineyard tasting rooms. The Rusack tasting room was the last one on our trip, but it supplied us with our favorite Chardonnay of the entire day. It’s surprising to me that even after tasting several different wines all day, we were able to find our favorite wine at the end of the tour; however, the Rusack Chardonnay is no ordinary Chardonnay – it’s a bright, crisp, nicely balanced wine. I think this is partly due to the unique growing climate of Santa Barbara county.

Appearance: The 2009 Rusack Chardonnay was brilliant and light.

Color: The wine had a pale gold color.

Aroma: The 2009 Rusack Chardonnay had a delightful fruit aroma. First on the nose was the mixed bouquet of honeydew melon and orange.

Flavor: The wine had a light-mouth feel. I immediately tasted the melon and citrus notes. The producer notes hints of Asian pear, which were pleasing to find. While this wine was fermented in a mixture of new (40%) and older French oak barrels, it didn’t have an oaky aftertaste. The finish was crisp and refreshingly clean.

Pairs Well With: While the 2009 Rusack Chardonnay can certainly stand on its own, it would be delicious paired with a light pasta dish or grilled chicken.

Additional Comments: This wine will be best while it still has strong young fruit aromas; it should be enjoyed now.

Overall Rating: I could drink this wine daily.

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The Seghesio Zinfandel is produced in the same area as one of my all time favorite Zinfandel wines (Ravenswood), so I figured why not give a wine from the region a try? I’m so glad that I did! I think Sonoma, California has hit the jackpot for quality Zinfandels.

Appearance: The Seghesio Zinfandel was dark and clear, with a velvety sheen.

Color: The wine was a ruby red color.

Aroma: At first, I picked up the fruit aroma. It smelled like a mixture of black and red berries. Next I was able to pick up a little bit of cherry, oak, vanilla, and a hint of mushroom earthiness.

Flavor: Seghesio Zinfandel is a full-bodied wine that has a lush, velvety mouth-feel. First on the palate was a bit of raspberry and blackberry flavors. Next, a tinge of earthy spice coated my tongue before giving way to a faint hint of oak. The tannins are nicely refined, so the wine’s finish was incredibly smooth and rich. My only complaint about the Seghesio Zinfandel is that the finish didn’t linger nearly as long as I had hoped it would. I would have liked to enjoy the flavor of the wine a tad longer. Then again, all things considered, that’s not the worst thing that I could say about a wine.

Pairs Well With: I would pair this wine with red meat and hearty vegetable dishes. I think it would go particularly well with steak or beef stew.

Additional Comments: According to the producer, the Seghesio Zinfandel grapes come from four estate-farmed vineyards, including San Lorenzo, Home Ranch, River Road in Alexander Valley, and Cortina in Dry Creek Valley.

Overall Rating: I could easily drink this wine on a daily basis.

Happy sipping!

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It’s no secret that Pinot Noir is my favorite wine. Its balance of fruit and spice makes it easy to drink and its versatility makes it an easy pick for any occasion. Despite it being a favorite, I’m open to trying new wines. That’s part of the fun of wine tasting – discovering something new, so when Michael brought home a bottle of Pinot Meunier, I was intrigued.

Pinot Meunier is a black grape that’s a mutation of the Pinot Noir grape. The Pinot Meunier grape is most often used in champagne or in a red wine blend; however, it has recently gained popularity and is being used as a singular varietal. Hmmm… a grape that’s a close cousin to my beloved Pinot Noir? I was ready for a tasting!

Appearance: The Pinot Meunier was clear and brilliant. It was shockingly light in color; it looked more like a rosé than a Pinot Noir.

Color: The 2007 Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier was brick red in color.

Aroma: This was an incredibly fruity wine. The strong aromas of cherry and strawberry were all I could really smell.

Flavor: This was a light-bodied, fruit forward wine. The promise of red fruit flavor attacked my palate first before giving way to a spicy finish. The spice was reminiscent of a Zinfandel – it had a warm lingering sensation, like being hugged from the inside. This was a well balanced wine with nicely refined tannins.

Pairs Well With: The 2007 Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier would pair nicely with spicy food. I’d like to try it with Indian food.

Additional Comments: I’m going to be on the lookout for more Pinot Meunier producers. I’d imagine it will be easier to do since the Pinot Meunier grape is far less fickle than the difficult to grow Pinot Noir.

Overall Rating: I could easily make this a weekly indulgence.

Happy sipping!

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Last Saturday night Michael and I met some friends for dinner at a local restaurant, The Chef and the Gardener. After we perused the wine menu, we opted on the Angeline Pinot Noir for three of reasons. First, it’s a California Pinot that uses sourced grapes from two of California’s best areas for Pinot Noir – Santa Barbara and Sonoma counties; second, it was a 2010 (a Pinot Noir vintage we haven’t had yet); and finally, we knew that no matter what we decided to order, Pinot Noir is an incredibly versatile wine that pairs well with anything.

Appearance: The wine was brilliant and clear.

Color: The 2010 Angeline Pinot Noir was a dark brick red color.

Aroma: The wine opened up with the powerful aroma of black cherry and the subtle hint of ripe strawberries. Next, I detected a pleasant smoky spice.

Flavor: This was a medium-bodied wine that had a smooth and silky mouth-feel. First on the palate was a bit of the red fruit promised in the aroma. The fruit flavor lasted just long enough to get the point across that I was drinking a Pinot Noir before it slowly dissolved into a pleasant, earthy spice finish. The finish lingered slightly with just a tinge of heat before it finally faded. This is a shockingly well-rounded wine for the vintage.

Pairs Well With: The 2010 Angeline Pinot Noir was a perfect accompaniment to the entire meal. We started enjoying the wine during each of our appetizer courses (clam chowder and grilled pear salad) and our chicken entrees.

Additional Comments: The producer noted that the 2010 harvest was unusual – it was a long, cold season that placed them about four weeks behind schedule, which unexpectedly produced a sensational harvest of grapes.

Overall Rating: Daily. At the price point, this is a new favorite.

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Wild Horse Pinot Noir is one of those wines that I enjoy immensely when I’m drinking it, but for one reason or another, I don’t often pick it up when grabbing a bottle of wine from the store. I’m not sure why I keep forgetting about this treasure, but in some ways I’m happy that I do. Drinking this wine is like rediscovering why I fell in love with it in the first place.

Appearance: The 2009 Wild Horse Pinot Noir wine is a light and brilliant wine.

Color: The wine had a rich ruby red hue. It presented exactly as a Pinot Noir should.

Aroma: I easily detected red berries (raspberries and strawberries) and maybe a little pomegranate. It was difficult to pinpoint the fruit flavors since the playful aroma of vanilla and delicate scent of spices insisted on tickling my nose.

Flavor: The 2009 Wild Horse Pinot Noir has a light mouth-feel. Like all good Pinot Noirs, this was a fruit-forward wine that gently gave way to an earthy, lingering finish. After letting the wine breath for an hour, it opened up nicely, offering a little more cherry up front. Overall, this is a fairly balanced wine that delivers excellent quality for a reasonable price. While the wine is delicious now, it can cellared and enjoyed for another three years.

Pairs Well With: We enjoyed the wine with grilled filet and rice pilaf. This is a versatile wine that can easily be paired with lamb, fish, poultry and light pasta dishes.

Additional Comments: The Wild Horse name was derived from the wild mustangs that used to run free east of the Wild Horse estate.

Overall Rating: Weekly.

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Growing up in California, I thought that everyone knew that Zinfandel was a red wine. Zinfandel is probably the most symbolic grape of California wine making since it’s planted in over ten percent of all California vineyards.

It wasn’t until I moved to New England that I discovered when most people hear “Zinfandel” they think of a sweet, rose wine. While White Zinfandel certainly can be a refreshing summertime drink, I am not a fan. I prefer my Zinfandels bold and spicy, in their natural varietal form.

Appearance: The Liar’s Dice Zinfandel was dark and clear.

Color: The wine was a ruby red color.

Aroma: At first, I picked up the aroma of cherry, pepper, and vanilla. In fact, on the nose, the wine is incredibly fruity with an abundance of all red cherry aromas. At first it appeared to be a little one-dimensional, but after my second inhale I was able to pick up a bit of pepper, rose, and earthy aromas.

Flavor: The Liar’s Dice is a full-bodied wine. It had a slightly silky texture that melted into a deliciously juicy finish. The wine lingered on the finish with hints of fruit and a little pepper. The tannins were nicely refined, coating the mouth with a smooth feeling.

Pairs Well With: This wine would go well with just about anything. It would be especially good served with a bowl of piping hot harvest stew and a slice of warm bread.

Additional Comments: According to the producer, approximately 20% of the grapes from this wine were sourced from Dry Creek Valley, giving the wine a nice balance of spice and black raspberries. In the tradition of classic Zinfandels, the winemaker blended with wine with 3% Carignane grapes.

Overall Rating: This is one of my all time favorite zinfandels. I could easily drink this daily.

Happy sipping!

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Ravenswood is one my personal favorite producers of Zinfandel wine. The winery has been making Zinfandel for over 35 years, and is dedicated to mastering the art of creating a great Zinfandel. I usually drink their Zinfandel from the Lodi appellation, but this weekend I decided to try something a little different – the 2007 Old Vine Sonoma County Zinfandel. According to the producer, this vintage is a classic representation of the area’s best Zinfandels. We’ll see…

Appearance: The Ravenswood Old Vines Zinfandel Sonoma was luminous. The wine wasn’t cloudy and it didn’t have any floating particles in it.

Color: The wine had a deep ruby red color.

Aroma: At first, I picked up the aroma of ripe blackberries and purple plums. Next I detected a gently earthy bouquet laced with an oak finish. On my final inhale I was able to pick up a little bit of spice and vanilla. Overall, the aroma was pleasant.

Flavor: When I first tasted the wine, the predominate flavors that came through were plum and red berries. The fruit overtones gave way to layers of vanilla, oak, and spice. The wine had a medium-body mouthfeel. The texture was thick and chewy with a slightly tannic finish.

Pairs Well With: This wine would go well with burgers, stew, steak, or all by itself.

Additional Comments: Most people think of a white wine when they hear the word “Zinfandel.” Zinfandel is actually a variety of a red grape. White Zinfandel is a semi-sweet rosé wine that is produced from processed red Zinfandel grapes. Red Zinfandel is a bold, spice wine.

Overall Rating: I really enjoyed this wine. I could easily see myself drinking it daily.

Happy sipping!

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While roaming up and down the wine aisle of my local wine merchant’s store, in search of my next victim, I paused in front of a red labeled Zinfandel that sported the name Gnarly Head. What a great name for a wine, I thought. I broke out the iPod and pulled up the vineyard’s website in an effort to learn more about them before committing myself to the purchase. I learned that the wine’s name was inspired by the gnarled old vines that are pruned in a special, mop-topped way. The owners of the vineyard decided to call their company “Gnarly Head” as a way of paying homage to the wine’s roots (pun intended).

Appearance: Brilliant. The 2009 Gnarly Head Zinfandel was extremely radiant; it wasn’t cloudy and didn’t contain any visible floating particles.

Color: The wine had a deep purplish-red color.

Aroma: At first, I was hit by a focused red berry and plum flavor. After my second inhale, I picked up the scent of vanilla and a little oak.

Flavor: The promise of red fruit that I detected in the wine’s bouquet came and passed entirely too quickly. I had barely tasted the plum before the flavor quickly dissolved and I was left with a lingering spicy finish. The flavor of oak came through on my next sip. The texture was chewy and smooth. A friend who tasted the wine with me commented, “There’s no nasty after-grossness,” which means it didn’t have a harsh tannic finish.

Pairs Well With: According to the producer, this wine pairs well with pizza and barbecue. I’d have to agree.

Overall Rating: While I liked this wine, I like my Zinfandels to be a little more complex. I would drink this on a monthly basis.

Happy sipping!

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I tasted the Steele “Rats Reserve” Pinot Noir for the first time last Saturday night. A good friend of  Michael’s  and mine recently returned from the region and had a few amazing bottles to share with us.

The grapes for the “Rats Reserve” Pinot Noir are harvested from two California vineyards: Bien Nacido, which is the single largest vineyard conglomerate in Santa Barbara County, and the Goodchild Vineyard, which is owned by one of the most renowned grape growers in the area – Louis Lucas. The Rats Reserve Pinot Noir is aged in 30% new French oak barrels for eight months before being moved into production.

Appearance: The wine is dark and luscious.

Color: The Steele “Rats Reserve” Pinot Noir is a dark burgundy color.

Aroma: The wine opened up with the scent of blackberries and ripened red cherries. Next I detected a little cola and a slight mineral aroma. It had a slight astringent smell that caused a little bit of concern; I was afraid the wine wouldn’t deliver on the fruit flavor.

Flavor: I’m happy to say my reservations about the aroma were completely unfounded. The Steele “Rats Reserve” Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied wine. It’s a round, smooth, pleasant wine. As with all good Pinot Noirs, the “Rats Reserve” delivers strong cherry and berry flavors at first before melting into other flavors. After the first punch of cherry and strawberry, I picked up tones of cola and sassafras. It finished with a long, earthy note. This wine has an excellent, complex structure.

Additional Comments: Steele Wines believes in taking a minimalist approach when crafting wine – they feel the appellation should be able to speak for itself. Considering that the Santa Barbara growing region is an ideal location for the finicky Pinot Noir grape, I couldn’t agree more with their decision.

Overall Rating: Weekly. This wine could easily become one of my favorites.

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Tonight, we finished off the final ONEHOPE wine in our collection – the Sauvignon Blanc. Like the other ONEHOPE wines, the ONEHOPE Sauvignon Blanc was hand-crafted in partnership with Rob Mondavi, Jr. from select vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma County and California’s Central Coast.

Appearance: The wine was light and clear.

Color: The ONEHOPE Sauvignon Blanc was a light straw color. It actually had a slight green hue in the bottle.

Aroma: At first, I detected grapefruit, melon, and apricot, followed by the pleasant aroma of green herbaceousness. These are the hallmark aromas for a good Sauvignon Blanc.

Flavor: I was really surprised by this Sauvignon Blanc. At first I tasted grapefruit and melon as the aroma promised, but then I caught a subtle flavor of green grass. The finish had a crisp acidity to it, making the wine incredibly refreshing. This would be an excellent summertime wine.

Pairs Well With: I’d have to agree with the producer’s notes on this wine – it would pair well with fruit and cheese, light pasta dishes, salmon, halibut, and salad.

Additional Comments: ONEHOPE donates 50% of profits generated from the sale of every bottle of its Sauvignon Blanc to the cause Supporting Our Planet. From ONEHOPE’s website: “Few issues are as pressing today as the need to curb and reverse the effects of global warming on our planet. There simply is no deferment of this potentially cataclysmic issue. We must act now, before it’s too late. One way to help reduce the impact of our carbon imprint on the world is a rather simple one: the planting of trees. Trees convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. Not only that, they provide habitat for wildlife and create beauty that lasts generations. Everyone must do what he or she can if we are going to tackle global warming and for our part, ONEHOPE will plant one tree for every bottle of Sauvignon Blanc sold. Who knows, one day you can enjoy a glass of that Sauvignon Blanc under the shade of a tree you helped plant.”

Overall Rating: I could drink this weekly in the summer.

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The 2009 ONEHOPE Cabernet Sauvignon is the last of the reds in my ONEHOPE winery review series. Like most of the other ONEHOPE wines, this vintage was hard-crafted by winemaker Robert Mondovi, Jr. Proceeds from the 2009 ONEHOPE Cabernet Sauvignon go toward helping autistic children reach their potential.

Appearance: The ONEHOPE Cabernet Sauvignon was clear and brilliant.

Color: The wine is a dark ruby red.

Aroma: I was pleasantly surprised with the wine’s bouquet. At first I detected dark cherry and black currant (also called cassis), followed by hints of tobacco and earthy notes.

Flavor: This is a light-bodied wine, not something I expect from a Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, I tasted the cassis and red fruit flavors. The wine finish with a floral note with good tannins. It wasn’t too harsh or astringent, but I was really hoping for a stronger spice or earth on the finish. Aerating helped round it out a bit, but the 2009 ONEHOPE Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t my first purchase when looking for a cabernet sauvignon. This would be a great wine to serve at an office Christmas party.

Pairs Well With: Like most cabs, this wine would go well with lamb, duck, or prime rib.

Additional Comments: From the ONEHOPE website: ONEHOPE donates 50% of profits generated from the sale of every bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon to benefit ACT Today! to help autistic children achieve their highest potential. The partnership between ONEHOPE and ACT Today! helps provide funding and support for families who cannot afford specialized care for their autistic children. From social skills groups and referrals to biomedical treatments, ACT Today! is making positive change and providing hope to individuals with autism and their families.

Overall Rating: Monthly, but only because the proceeds go to a charity.

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Continuing with the ONEHOPE winery reviews, tonight Michael and I tasted the 2009 ONEHOPE Zinfandel. Like many of the other ONEHOPE wines, this vintage was hard-crafted by winemaker Robert Mondovi, Jr.

Appearance: Brilliant. The 2009 ONEHOPE Zinfandel wasn’t cloudy and didn’t have any visible floating particles.

Color: The wine had a deep brownish red color.

Aroma: First on the nose was a slight berry scent, which was immediately followed by a spicy, peppery bouquet. At one point, it almost came across as too astringent, but the moment the wine presented too much of an alcohol-ladden scent, I picked up a pleasant, earthy-mushroom aroma.

Flavor: The 2009 ONEHOPE Zinfandel has a light mouth-feel. It’s a mellow wine. In fact, it was too mellow. The promise of pepper and spice never came through. It was silky as a Zinfandel should be, but it was too soft. Based on the aroma profile, I expected a well-balanced, complex Zinfandel. Instead, I got a soft, bland wine that tasted more like a table red – simple, and easy to drink, but not a lot going on.

Drinkability Rating: At this point, I would not drink it again. It may do well as a base for mulled wine, but on its own – it’s just not complex enough for my liking.

Additional Comments: From the ONEHOPE website: ONEHOPE donates 50% of profits generated from the sale of every bottle of its Zinfandel to Snowball Express, an organization that supports families and children of fallen soldiers. Since September 11, 2001 more than 8,000 children have lost a U.S. service-member parent as a result of ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Snowball Express brings families together to provide hope for the future during the difficult loss of a loved one.

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Today Michael and I tasted the third bottle in my ONEHOPE wine half-case – the ONEHOPE California Chardonnay. I was looking forward to trying this wine since it was created in partnership with winemaker Robert Mondavi, Jr.

The grapes for the ONEHOPE California Chardonnay were sourced from a few select (undisclosed) vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma and the Central Coast of California. The winemaker also notes that it was blended with Muscat and Chenin Blanc.

Appearance: The wine was brilliant and light.

Color: The ONEHOPE California Chardonnay had a pale gold color.

Aroma: First on the nose was the aroma of apples and pears, followed by the intoxicating bouquet of sweet honeysuckle. I did detect a little tropical fruit scent as well.

Flavor: I was really impressed with this chardonnay. At first I tasted the crisp apple and pears that the aroma promised followed by a hint of pineapple but the fruit opening was balanced out nicely with a touch of oaky flavor. Thankfully the oak wasn’t too overpowering – it was just enough to break up the fruit flavor and remind me that I’m drinking a chardonnay. The finish was smooth and silky with just enough of a crisp linger to make me want to go back for a second taste.

Drinkability Rating: Semi-monthly.

Pairs Well With: While this wine can stand on its own, it would pair nicely with pork, chicken, light pasta, salad or an assortment of cheese and crackers.

Additional Comments: ONEHOPE donates 50% of profits generated from the sale of every bottle of its California Chardonnay to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The National Breast Cancer Foundation focuses on breast cancer education, prevention, and treatment.

ONEHOPE wine is working toward a contribution goal of at least $100,000 in October 2011. Pick up a bottle and help them reach that goal!

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Continuing with my ONEHOPE wine reviews, today Michael and I tried the most expensive bottle in the collection, the ONEHOPE Arroyo Seco Reserve Pinot Noir.

The ONEHOPE Arroyo Seco Reserve Pinot Noir was created in a partnership between ONEHOPE vineyard and Robert Mondavi, Jr. The grapes for this wine were sourced from Force Canyon Vineyard in Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California. The wine was aged for seven months in American and French oak.

Appearance: The ONEHope 2009 Pinot Noir wine was bright and clear.

Color: The wine had a dusty rose color.

Aroma: The aroma for this wine was pleasant. Upon my first inhale, I detected red berry and roses. The fruit and floral notes were nicely balanced; as the rose bouquet filled my nose and started to reach its fragrant peak, the smell of warm berry rose up to greet and complete the scent profile.

Flavor: This is a light-bodied wine that had a velvety mouth-feel. On the palate, I picked up gentle fruit flavor, followed by a long rose and spice finish. The wine is a little more floral on the finish than what I like in a Pinot Noir. It’s actually the spice in the finish that makes this wine worth drinking. If the spice wasn’t there to round it out, the finish would have left me with the feeling that I had just drunk rose water. We aerated the wine, hoping it might soften the floral notes; it helped a little.

Drinkability Rating: Monthly. This is an enjoyable wine. If you like light, floral wines, this is a great find.

Pairs Well With: According to the producer, the wine would be best accompanied by lean meats, mild cheeses, and mushrooms or truffles; I absolutely agree. I think this wine would be sensational served with grilled chicken and mushroom risotto.

Additional Comments: ONEHOPE wine is a charitable organization that donates an astounding 50% of its profits to various charities. The ONEHOPE Arroyo Seco Reserve Pinot Noir benefits Children’s Hospitals, which treat over 17 million children every year for all types of imaginable diseases and injuries, including pediatric cancer.

Wine Category: Red

The merlot grape originates from the Bordeaux region of France; it’s known for producing medium bodied wines with a variety of fruit flavors. It’s a fruit forward wine that often lingers with notes of black pepper and cocoa. Because of its round, sweet flavors, Merlot is often blended with other varietal wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, to help mellow out the Cab and give the Merlot some more structure.

Appearance: The ONEHope Merlot was brilliant – it was clear with no cloudiness.

Color: The wine was a dark garnet color.

Aroma: It was easy to pick up the black cherry and cola aromas, but the bouquet was overpowered by a harsh, tinny smell. The astringent aroma gave me serious pause about moving forward with the tasting.

Flavor: The ONEHope merlot is a medium-bodied wine that offers a first taste of black cherry and plum, followed by a hint of fig. It definitely tasted a lot better than it smelled. It has rich tannins and a soft mouth-feel. The finish starts smooth and then wham! It hits you with a punch of spice at the end that lingers.

We aerated the wine hoping it would open it up a bit more and mellow out the bouquet and the flavors. Aerating worked wonders for the flavor but didn’t solve the harsh aroma.

Drinkability Rating: While this wasn’t an outstanding merlot, knowing that 50% of the proceeds go to charity, I’d say it’s worth drinking monthly.

Pairs Well With: This wine is best accompanied by dishes that offer big, bold flavors. We enjoyed a bowl of jambalaya with our bottle.

Additional Comments: ONEHope wine is a charitable organization that donates an astounding 50% of its profits to various charities. Each wine has a designated charity (The ONEHope Merlot proceeds toward the fight against AIDS); however, you also have the option of selecting an additional charity at the time of purchase.

Wine Category: Red

Easing into a long weekend of rest on the heels of one too many late nights over the past few weeks, Michael and I decided to celebrate our time off from work by purchasing a bottle of our absolute favorite wine: David Bruce 2007 Pinot Noir. This wine is the benchmark I use to judge all other Pinot Noirs. If you ever want to get on my good side – just send me a bottle.

David Bruce is located in Sonoma Valley, California. The region is known for its cool ocean climate in the evenings with warm sunny days and ample rainfall – an environmental mixture that lends itself perfectly to grow the fickle pinot noir grape. In 2007, Sonoma Valley produced some of the most superb Pinot Noir grapes, and the masterful vintners at David Bruce harvested those grapes into a truly elegant wine.

Appearance: The David Bruce 2007 Pinot Noir wine was vibrant and clear.

Color: Maroon red with tinges of pink when held up to light or a piece of white paper

Aroma: The wine immediately presented a bouquet of ripened cherries and cranberries with a hint of soft floral notes. Next, I caught the aroma of nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and a tad of clove.

Flavor: On the palate, the red cherries and plum took over at first then rounded out nicely with the mild spices promised in the aroma. This is a full-bodied wine – it’s decadent and silky with a soft, supple mouth feel. It has a perfect balance among the acidity, fruit and tannins. The finish is absolutely lovely – fine tannins add to the smooth and creamy finish with hints of lingering berry.

Drinkability Rating: I would drink this wine daily if I could fit it into my daily caloric and monetary budgets.

Additional Comments: Michael and I first discovered the David Bruce Pinot Noir in May of 2006 and we’ve been fans ever since. We’ve introduced this wine to friends and family members and it consistently has been good every single time. For fans of well balanced Pinot Noirs, I highly recommend the David Bruce 2007 Pinot Noir.

Wine Category:

The first time I tried Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon was in 2006. Michael and I were driving cross country, as I moved from Illinois to New England. On our way back to Maine, we took a small detour and spent an afternoon wine tasting in New York’s Finger Lakes region. One of the vintners eagerly compared his wine to Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, promising it was just as good as the critically acclaimed wine. After tasting the local vintner’s wine, we purchase a couple of bottles in anticipation of our own wine tasting at home. That weekend, we purchased our first bottle of Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon so we could do a side-by-side tasting of the two wines. Stag’s Leap won our vote and has been a favorite ever since.

This past weekend, Michael and I opened another bottle of Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon for a proper tasting…

Appearance: The Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon was brilliant.

Color: The wine is a deep, dense ruby red color.

Aroma: The Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon has exactly what I expect from an outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. First on the nose is black currant, followed by plum, dark chocolate and a hint of toast.

Flavor: This is a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine has a smooth, velvety feel in the mouth. At first I tasted the black currant and flavors promised in the bouquet, but then I picked up some tobacco and dark chocolate notes. The tannins are remarkably present. It was a tad astringent at first, but it mellowed a little with the decanter. This is a nicely balanced wine.

Drinkability Rating: Monthly. The only thing that keeps me from enjoying it on a more frequent basis is the price point. While not outrageously priced, my budget only allows for this kind of indulgence every once in a while.

Pairs Well With: Beef, hearty pasta, duck, or all by itself.

Additional Comments: This is still a very young wine, but it shows a lot of promise. Properly cellared, the Stag’s Leap 2007 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon should be an outstanding wine in another four to seven years.

Trivia: A few years ago Michael and I watched the movie Bottle Shock, which depicted vintner Jim Barrett’s struggle to produce Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, and the wine’s surprising victory in the Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 (otherwise known as the Judgment of Paris). After watching the movie, I researched the Judgment of Paris and learned that California wines won each category. I was excited to discover that Stag’s Leap took top honors in the Cabernet Sauvignon category.

Wine Category:

The evening temperatures have slowly been dropping here in New England. Having spent most of the summer drinking refreshing white wines, I’ve been vying for cooler weather so Michael and I could enjoy a heartier red. We got our chance last night! As the splash and patter of cool summer rain came barging in through our windows, we cracked open a bottle of Franciscan 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and reveled in the serenity of the moment.

Appearance: The Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon was vibrant and clear.

Color: The wine is a deep ruby red color that reminded me of Red Depression Glassware.

Aroma: Wow! There was a lot going on with this wine. At first I detected dark cherry and cassis (black currant), followed by hints of tobacco, chocolate, coffee and earthy notes.

Flavor: This is a full-bodied wine. It feels rich and substantial in the mouth. On the palate, I tasted the cocoa first, which was immediately followed by cassis and cherry flavors. The finish lingered with flavors of currants and plums and delightfully refined tannins. My only complaint is that the finish didn’t last long enough. I wanted more!

Drinkability Rating: Semi-monthly. While I enjoyed this wine tremendously, I don’t think I could make it a daily indulgence. Monthly would be too long to be away from the flavor, so I think every other week fits nicely.

Pairs Well With: While the Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon would play nicely with steak or a hearty beef stew, I think this wine should be enjoyed on its own. Its rich, complex characteristics should be savored independently from food.

Additional Comments: This cabernet sauvignon is a big, bold red wine that has a lot of body and flavor. Usually, you can expect to pay a lot for a well-aged cabernet sauvignon. At the price point of ~$20.00 per bottle, the Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent bargain. This wine is a must have for your collection.

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A local wine shop recommended Windrun Pinot Noir over a month ago, but it’s been too hot to drink red wine. Michael and I have been waiting for summer’s oppressive heat to ease up so we could give it a try. Finally, the temperate dropped this weekend, and we purchased a bottle of Windrun Pinot Noir.

Appearance: The wine was exceptionally clear – you could see your fingers through the glass. This is exactly what I would expect to see in a good Pinot Noir.

Color: The Windrun Pinot Noir had a light burgundy color with a slight pinkish hue.

Aroma: Although the aroma carried the scent of cherries, raspberries and a hint of plum at first, I was hit by a strong peppery note that I couldn’t shake. The scent wasn’t too overwhelming or off-putting, though. I was looking forward to tasting it.

Flavor: The introduction had a combination of rose petals and earthiness. I didn’t taste the red fruit at all, and before I could search my palate for the sweet fruit flavors, I was stung by an extremely sharp bite. The finish was so astringent, I actually felt like I had just taken a shot of hard alcohol.

Drinkability Rating: I will not purchase this wine again. It might taste better in another a year or two, but for now I will choose to spend my money elsewhere.

Pairs Well With: I would not recommend pairing this wine with any food.

Additional Comments: I’m really disappointed that this wine didn’t deliver what the wine shop promised (i.e. a nicely balanced, juicy wine). Michael and I tried opening it up by aerating it, which helped round out the wine and improved its drinkability, but I still would not purchase this wine again in the near future.

Nonetheless, I try not to be a judgmental person. I don’t care if I get a bottle of wine at a swap meet or specialty shop – as long as it tastes good, it’s a winner. So pharmacy pinot noir? Why not?

Which brings us to this week’s bottle, a 2009 Mirassou Pinot Noir, coming to us from Modesto, California. (And, more directly, a local CVS, where it was on sale for $9.99.) Modesto’s just outside of San Jose, so it’s not quite in the Napa Valley, but we’re not quite in wine country either. So here’s what I found …

How’s it look? It’s a translucent ruby color, with fairly thick legs.

How’s it smell? Fairly smooth – not much of a boozy smell, but there are some tannins, and some faint fruit aromas.

But how’s it taste? At first sip, it’s pretty mellow. Even though it’s 13.5 percent alcohol by volume, I don’t notice an overwhelming flavor from the alcohol. The tannins are there, but they’re not the strongest flavor imaginable. What is? Cherry, plum, and some mild melon flavors are all there, along with some cinnamon afternotes. The wine goes down very smoothly and is complex enough to enjoy while sipping, but mellow enough to palate if you’re in the mood to drink a bit faster. (I’m on vacation, so I really can’t judge…)

What should I eat it with? The wine’s nothing too overpowering, so a mild version of a typical red-wine dish would be best. This would complement – but not overpower – a nice steak, maybe a meatloaf? Roast beef with potatoes and veggies? This wine’s even got the right profile to pair with the classic American-style spaghetti-and-meatball meal.

Wine Category:

Lately, when I go outside it feels like I’m walking into a raging sauna room. Make no mistake – summer is here. Between the heat and the rapidly increasing humidity, the last thing I have on my mind is a long, savory wine. I want something that’s refreshing and easy to drink.

While visiting family this weekend, I was offered a glass of Tisdale Pinot Grigio. I was warned the wine wasn’t as expensive as what I’m used to drinking, but that didn’t stop me from trying a glass. Although I do have proclivity for fine wine, I will never turn down a free glass of my favorite liquid libation.

With a glass of wine in one hand and a pen in the other, I decided to give this wine a proper tasting…

Appearance: The wine was clear. I didn’t detect any cloudiness or residue.

Color: It was an extremely light yellow color with a touch of a green hue.

Aroma: Citrus was the first aroma I detected. It had a lemon-lime scent. Unfortunately, the bouquet was somewhat one dimensional – I didn’t pick up any undercurrents of other aromas. Still, the fragrance was pleasant.

Flavor: The Tisdale Pinot Grigio had a light-body. It was paper thin in the mouth with fresh citrus notes. The finish came quickly, but it wasn’t too abrupt. All in all this was an extremely refreshing and easy to drink wine.

Drinkability Rating: I’d actually give this a Daily rating. It was pleasant to drink and refreshing.

Pairs Well With: Grilled white meat, salad, fruit, cheese and crackers, and light pasta dishes.

Additional Comments: After getting my notes together at home, I did a little research on the vineyard and learned that Tisdale Vineyards is owned by the Gallo Family of Wines. Apparently, their goal with this wine was to create an affordable, everyday wine. I think they succeeded beautifully. The Tisdale Pinot Grigio doesn’t disappoint.

Happy sipping!