Tuesday, September 6, 2011

White Hall Lane 2007 Merlot & Campo Rioja Gran Reserva 2003 Tempranillo, Week-End Duo



White Hall Lane Napa Valley 2007 Merlot, $25.99-$30.99, 92 points, is like an old friend with a new hair-cut and new shoes. However the old friend (wine) is still the same person we've always loved.
White Hall Lane 2007 Merlot has a clear Burgundy red color with flashes of amber tints.
The Bouquet is of sweet-spice, slightest of earth tones, and the three Cs: a pleasant balance of Cinnamon, Clove, and Cedar.
A sleek silky mouth-feel gains power throughout the palate with espresso, plum, licorice, and gentle floral notes.
The finish is long and wonderfully spicy, my Zinfandel taste-buds were a-singing.
Often, I try to review wines for my "average" reader: people who don't want to spend more than $10.00, $20.00  Maximum, for a bottle of wine, but if you wanted a vacation day to have a special wine (Like We Did), this Merlot fit the bill perfectly (Paired with "Hot" Salami pizza and dark espresso chocolate).
So, with a Merlot from France and one from Washington State, the reviews were ordained to have a California Merlot in the mix.

Campo Viejo Rioja Gran Reserva 2003 Tempranillo, $14.99-$18.99, 90 points, is 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo.
The color is a clear rusty red with orange hints.
The aroma is gently sweet, with cedar-spice, plum-coffee, and grape hints.
The mouth-feel is supple and smooth in a light to medium body.
The flavors are strawberry and plum with a light bitterness.
I loved this wine. Some others who were with me thought it just okay, but for the price, this wine is a good introduction to Rioja wines.




Copyright 2011 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reservedTemplate provided by Blogger 

3 comments:

  1. Compliments to Jim from the NHLS 93 North, for being the best at what you do:

    http://nhwineman.blogspot.com/2011/03/list-of-viva-market-vintners-sells-or.html

    Thanks for you help,
    Dennis

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  2. The Whitehall Lane fails to disappoint again! Great review Den. I've been trying some great new wines out here and have a few names I'm going to send your way. See if you can find some of them!

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  3. Oh, a challenge for the NH Wineman?
    I'm putting my cape on now.
    Your twin says: "Yes! Yesss!"

    ReplyDelete