2009 Alpha Omega Napa Chardonnay

The 2009 Alpha Omega Chardonnay Napa Valley is a triumph.  The exceptional conditions for growing Chardonnay that existed in 2009 are brought forth with perfect sugar to acid ratios resulting in a wonderfully balanced and elegant Chardonnay.  Plenty of tropical fruit, vanilla, toasted oak and cedar notes on the nose with a palate of fresh citrus, marzipan and honeysuckle with just a hint of buttery oak.

Purchase this wine at Porthos

2009 Stanton Estate Cabernet – Dave Phinney

Well, Dave Phinney has done it again.  Fans of his Orin Swift wines (the Prisoner, Papillon and Mercury Head, etc) should sit up and take notice of the 2009 Stanton Estate Cabernet.  Driven by that wonderful Oakville characteristic of chocolate, espresso, and ripe fruit, this wine is absolutely stunning.

The Stanton family have been growing grapes for over 40 years.  In 1999 they decided to begin producing their own wine and during the 2002 vintage hired Dave Phinney as winemaker.

“In 2009 growing conditions were ideal. The result: a wine that is intensely concentrated with expressive aromas of ripe cassis, blackberry and blueberry, masterfully integrated with 50% new French oak” – Dave Phinney.

Black Kite Pinot Noir Redwoods Edge 2009, My Favorite Pinot Noir of 2011

People often ask my favorite wine.  Like many of you, my favorite depends on so many factors that there’s no way to narrow it down to one wine.  For 2011, my favorite Pinot Noir was the Black Kite Redwoods Edge.  I found it to be heady and muscular without being overbearing.  Plenty of black tea and ripe fruit notes.  This is a Pinot that has the range to accompany a myriad of foods but can also hold it’s own as a “cocktail wine”.  Here’s James Laube’s review:

“Deliciously elegant, supple, graceful and delicate, yet rich in wild berry, plum, raspberry and floral scents. Medium-bodied and deceptively deep and persistent, with the perfumed flavors gaining all the way. Drink now through 2018.”  94 points

Available at Porthos

Vineyard “8″ Chardonnay 2009 – winemaker: Luc Morlet

Fans of Luc Morlet can (and often do) attest to his unique ability to make wines that please both crowds and collectors at the very same time.  An example of this unique ability shows itself in the 2009 Vineyard 7 & 8 Chardonnay from Napa.  He adds just a touch of fruit from Lone Oaks Vineyard in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley to the Napa Estate fruit which gives the wine a roundness on the palate and an intense finish.  Vineyards 7 & 8 is a Spring Mountain property owned by Launny Steffens, a New Jersey Investment Banker and his wife, Weezie.

“This beautiful wine exhibits an intense bouquet of ripe lemon, wild honey and toasted almonds, intermixed with notes of chamomile and crushed stones.  Medium bodied, this bottling has great balance, displaying zest, mineral background and a smooth finish.” – Luc Morlet

California’s Central Coast Grenache – The Perfect Pairing Wine?

I’ve recently been enjoying two fantastic Central Coast wines: the 2009 Sans Liege “En Gedi” Grenache blend and the 2009 Dragonette Grenache.  Both are tremendous wines and about as food-friendly as a wine can be.  I had the Dragonette a few nights ago with a fingerling potato and prosciutto pizza and it was the perfect pairing!  Grenache is a grape that can pair with almost anything, from steak to quiche to (yikes!) vegetarian dishes.

2009 Dragonette Grenache Santa Rita Hills – ($44) The wine displays classic Grenache aromas of sweet red raspberry, strawberry and kirsch. On the palate, the wine combines waves of expressive, high-toned red fruits, along with streaks of creosote, and leathery notes in a pure, expressive, medium-bodied package. The wine’s finely textured fruits are lifted and maintained through a long finish by ripe acidity and firm, yet complex and spicy tannic structure, which will also provide for aging potential. Just delicious!  95 points

2009 Sans Liege “En Gedi” – ($45) A luscious California Grenache blend featuring bright strawberry and raspberry aromas with hints of the complexity of flavors to come. On the palate there are loads of rich cherries with brooding black tea, chocolate and lavender.  Classic 95 points

The Dragonette is available at Porthos

The Sans Liege is available at Porthos