French Alsace Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

French Alsace Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée

Though I find few French wines from the Alsace Appellation, for the purpose of indexing the ones I've found and reviewed, I'm adding this list to my Index of wines found at the bottom each post.
Cheers de vins français!

Cave de Ribeauvillé Lieu Dit Mühlforst Alsace 2019 Riesling Réserve, $15.99-$26.99, 93 points

Cave du Roi Dagobert Alsace 2019 Riesling, $16.99-$21.99, 91 points

Domaine Gérard Metz Alsace 2013 Pinot Gris (France), $14.39-$18.99, 89 points

Domaine Gérard Metz Vin D' Alsace "Melody" 2015 Pinot Gris (France), $17.99-$19.99, 85 points

Domaine Herbert Meyer Alsace 2021 Sylvaner, $5.59-$19.99, 90 points

Domaine Specht Mandelberg Alsace Grand Cru 2017 Riesling, $21.24-$26.99, 90 points

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Alsace 2013 Riesling, $18.69-$21.99, 90 points

Domaines Schlumberger Alsace Saering Grand Cru 2008 Riesling (France), $30.39-$37.99, 91 points

Henri Ehrhart Alsace Grand Cru Kaefferkopf 2013 Gewürztraminer (91 points) was approximately $20

Hugel Les Amours Alsace 2018 Pinot Blanc, $10.19-$14.99, 88 points

Kuentz-Bas Alsace 2015 White Wine, $15.99-$18.99, 86 points

Pierre Sparr, Alsace, 2019 Grande Réserve Riesling, $17.99-$19.99, 91 points

Trimbach Alsace 2013 Gewürztraminer, $16.14-$20.99, 90 points

Trimbach Alsace 2009 Riesling, $15.29-$19.99, 86 points

Trimbach Alsace 2014 Riesling, $6.65-$19.99, 88 points

Willm 2012 Alsace Riesling Réserve, $17.00, 91 points

Willm 2016 Alsace Riesling Réserve, $12.99-$14.99, 90 points

Willm 2017 Alsace Riesling Réserve (France), $14.39-$15.99, 90 points


Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2024 Dennis Tsiorbas, all rights reserved, Template provided by Google Blogger

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Alsace 2013 Riesling

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Alsace 2013 Riesling,
$18.69-$21.99, 90 points, poured a glossy copper/gold color.
Smells of warm wet stone with hints of apples and a floral component allowed a touch of petrol to smartly add complexity.
Roundness and viscosity marked its light-plus body which carried mouth-watering acidity and flavors remarkably reflective of the nose.
Finished long on citrus notes and a sweet-spot 12% alcohol with an amazing stoniness.
Paired nicely with my sautéed sea scallops, broccoli and carrots in a cheddar-cheese sauce.



Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger


 

Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $34.99-$39.99, 93 points, poured an inky core black grading deep crushed black currant toward the broad crystalline wine ring.
Aromatic red raspberry jam, sandalwood, and fresh laundered linen with soft floral and black fruit smells wafted wonderful.
Full-bodied, fruity, herbal, appropriately tannic with good acidity managed a near perfect gestalt of flowers, fruit, and herbs with hints of sweet tobacco and warm spices.
Finished long on the trailing palate, hints of pomegranate, mint, eucalyptus and a well-integrated 14.1% alcohol.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger 

Clos Du Val Family Owned Estate Vineyards, Why it's a "go to winery".

Clos Du Val Family Owned Estate Vineyards,
why it's a "go to" winery:
Simply its Quality, History, and Consistency;
Where Delicious Wines Grow on Sustained Vines!
History, you ask?
In 1986 their Cabernet Sauvignon won first place in Paris, and fifth place in the famous thirtieth anniversary of The Judgment of Paris (this was Clos Du Val's first vintage)!

Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $26.99-$30.00, 91 points
Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $25.49-$39.99, 92 points
Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, $22.94-$39.99, 92 points
Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $31.99-$39.99, 90+ points
Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $34.99-$39.99, 93 points
Clos Du Val Stags Leap District 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $49.99, 93 points

Clos Du Val 2007 Carneros Chardonnay, $16.99-$24.99, 90 points
Clos Du Val 2013 Carneros Chardonnay, $21.99-$26.99, 92 points

Clos Du val Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99-$30.99, 92 points

Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2012 Merlot, $24.99-$31.99, 91 points

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
 

Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2012 Merlot (Americans love their Stars, their Dogs, Chocolates, and their Wine)

 

Americans love their Stars, their Dogs, Chocolates, and their Wine!

Clos Du Val Napa Valley 2012 Merlot, $24.99-$31.99, 91 points, poured deep ruby reds grading a crushed blackberry purple/red toward the clear wine ring at the leggy glass bowl.
Redolent aromas of cedar, anise, truffle, loam, and blackberry were excellent.
Near full-bodied with good acidity, a mellow underlayment of sweet tannins, and mucho black fruit flavors with cedar, anise, and red cherry cordial were also excellent.
Finished long on that red cherry cordial, easy spice notes, hints of violets and a perfect 14.1% alcohol.
Varietals were 77% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc.
Paired perfectly with my rare spiced-rub Porterhouse steak.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Clos Du Val 2013 Carneros Chardonnay

Clos Du Val 2013 Carneros Chardonnay, $21.99-$26.99, 92 points, poured a glossy gold color.
First whiffs while cold (40 degrees) were propitiously subtle honeysuckle, tangerine, and lemon zest morphing toward an earthy estuary while warm (70 degrees).
Flavors were a wonderful tightrope balance between minerals, lemon, and hints of vanilla with a bright ginger note all of which were amplified by the bright acidity.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a striking white pepper spiciness, and hints of cumquat with a sweet-spot 14.1% alcohol.
This is Cali Chardonnay done right (JMHO).
Paired perfectly with my heirloom tomato, best applewood-smoked-bacon, and Foxy iceberg lettuce (BLT).

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

North By Northwest Columbia Valley 2014 Rosé

North By Northwest Columbia Valley 2014 Rosé, $6.99-$14.99, 86 points, was not the easiest Rosé color to nail down, so roughly it was orange red with a maroon tint.
Aromas were reticent strawberry and watermelon.
Light-plus body managed straight-forward flavors of strawberry, kiwi, and a hint of hibiscus with fair-plus acidity.
Finished okay on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were an interesting Merlot, Syrah, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Bonny Doon The Heart Has Its (2013) Rieslings

Bonny Doon The Heart Has Its (2013) Rieslings, $7.99-$14.99, 86 points, poured a light gold color grading water clear.
The nose was overwhelmingly petrol.
The light-plus body carried a slight sweetness (off-dry), fair to good acidity, and flavors dominated by petrol notes with some apple and hints of guava.
Finished tart on the trailing palate with an innocuous 9.5% alcohol.
Paired okay with our Asian cuisine.
Keep in mind that many like/love warm-weather Rieslings with TDN like notes, but I'm not one of them, and though overall I liked Bonny Doon's expression of this wine (much of the petrol notes abated as the wine warmed), I didn't like it enough to buy it again.
For more on the subject see my post from St Hallett Eden Valley Barossa 2009 Riesling.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Castillo Monjardin El Cerezo 2014 Chardonnay, (unoaked) Navarra, Spain

Castillo Monjardin El Cerezo 2014 Chardonnay, (unoaked)  Navarra, Spain, $10.19-$13.99, 88 points, poured a pale brass color.
Aromatic apple, lemon/lime, and pome blossoms were excellent (I'm not usually enamored with Chardonnay smells).
More like a good Albarino than a Chardonnay, for the light-plus body, better than good acidity, citrus dominant flavors and minerality would have fooled me (easily done, I know).
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a hint of white pepper and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Chardonnay (Unoaked)

This is a work in progress!

Castillo Monjardin El Cerezo 2014 Chardonnay, (unoaked) Navarra, Spain, $10.19-$13.99, 88 points

De Wetshof Estate "Limestone Hill" Unoaked (unwooded) 2015 Chardonnay, South Africa, $15.99-$16.99, 89 points

Mer Soleil Silver 2010 Unoaked Chardonnay, $16.99-$21.99, 86 points

Morgan Metallico Monterey 2009 Un-Oaked Chardonnay, $15.99-$18.99, 89 points



Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Green And Red Chiles Canyon Napa valley 2007 Zinfandel Revisited

Green And Red Chiles Canyon Napa valley 2007 Zinfandel Revisited, $18.99, 92 points, was surprising good, from stem to stern this eight year old Zinfandel excelled.
I tasted this wine four years ago, but wasn't as pleased as I was with this bottle, but there may be storage factors involved.
Appeared a bright red color which bled into the broad clear wine ring.
Aromas of blackberries, black pepper, and floral components were excellent (still).
Smoother than I remembered it being (2010, 2012); medium-plus body, good acidity, mostly resolved underlayment of tannin, flavors of wild briar berries, licorice, violets, and marjoram herb notes were lively.
Finished long on the trailing palate, warm spices, and a warm 14.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my prosaic grilled hamburgers.
This post is a continuation of Zinfandel Red Wines Enjoyed Years Ago and Revisited.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger


 

Twenty Bench Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Revisited)

Twenty Bench Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Revisited) $19.99, 90 points, was a deep ruby red grading bright red toward the bleeding wine ring.
Aromas of black currant, cedar, coffee, and violets were excellent.
The Twenty Bench Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon was surprising light-bodied (medium) with fair acidity, light and sweet tannins, modest silky texture, and flavors reflective of the aromas plus hints of anise, cola, and spearmint which were good.
Finished long on the trailing palate, easy spice notes, and a sweet-spot 14.5% alcohol.
Some thoughts on this wine:
I think this Cabernet Sauvignon has peaked, but I also think it has a few more drinkable years left.
I'm not sure Twenty Bench is sold in NH anymore, but I understand that they now produce a Chardonnay.
When I first tasted:
Twenty Bench Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon tasted in 2010.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Tenuta Greppone Mazzi 2010 Brunello Di Montalcino

Tenuta Greppone Mazzi 2010 Brunello Di Montalcino, $46.74-$54.99, 93 points, poured a deep maroon grading a brilliant sunburst red toward the glass bowl.
Aromatic lavender and roses slowly wafted over early blueberry and red fruit aromas.
Medium-plus body, approachable supportive tannin, and a rather single minded masculine flavor profile of pomegranate, a kick-@$$ spicy pepper, and an appropriate 14.5% alcohol MANifested a near perfect gestalt.
The Greppone Mazzi 2010 Brunello was 'bone-dry', and so good, I simple sipped it alone!
After six years of sinking my teeth into wine, I still find it helpful to consult John from Tuscan Vines, because spending a fifty or a hundred on a wine is serious business, not only that, this link has my favorite picture of him!

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
 

De Wetshof Estate "Limestone Hill" Unoaked (unwooded) 2015 Chardonnay, South Africa

De Wetshof Estate "Limestone Hill" Unoaked (unwooded) 2015 Chardonnay, South Africa, $15.99-$16.99, 89 points, was a light golden color.
Faint cantaloupe and lime aromas were okay.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a rather neutral flavor profile were accented by tasty hints of flowers, lime, and pear on a stony base, all of which were pleasing and quite refreshing.
Finished long on slightly tart citrus notes with a perky 14% alcohol and a hint of white pepper.
Paired perfectly with my roasted chicken, red skin mashed potatoes, and butternut squash.

National Chardonnay Day

Index-of-reviewed-wines


Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger


 

Landmark Vineyards Overlook 2012 Chardonnay

Landmark Vineyards Overlook 2012 Chardonnay, $13.59-$29.99, 88 points, poured a textured gold color.
Hints of citrus and hints of tropical fruit were the reticent aromas, both while cold and warm.
Flavors tagged along with the reticent nose, but typically Cali oaky caramel and vanilla flavors exhibited their usual, though slightly restrained characters.
Texturally, a rather smooth Chardonnay with fair to good acidity.
Finished fine on a remarkably well managed 14.7% alcohol, the trailing palate, and a touch of peach.
Paired perfectly with my BLT.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

 

National Chardonnay Day

Wednesday, May, 25th is National Chardonnay Day,

 and for once I'm going to get ahead of the soft-shoulder curve; inevitably, Vinogirl will do a post on one of the fourteen or so 'official' wine days,

 and I'll be belatedly shaking my head.

But it's not this Day!

In fact, I intend to buck my lack of enthusiasm for Chardonnay by celebrating this most widely recognized, manipulated, and quite possibly the most broadly grown grape in the world, and by concentrating on this quintessential white wine most of this week.
Chardonnay is the wine often demanded by some on every occasion throughout the year, and I wildly guess, that I get it!
Also, let us not forget that recently many just finished (some continue) celebrating the Judgment of Paris 40th anniversary.

To the wine (Chardonnay of course):

Beringer "Simply Sophisticated" 2014 Chardonnay, $4.00 at Market Basket Super markets, 85 points, poured a pale straw yellow color.
Smells of apple with hints of tomato juice and honeysuckle were just okay for me.
Barely medium-bodied with good acidity and flavors of the aromas, minus the tomato juice, were surprisingly good.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a touch of lemon, and a sweet-spot 13.7% alcohol.
A straight-forward yeoman's everyday Chardonnay that will serve many well.
Paired fine with my spinach cheddar croissant.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
 

Château Les Pasquets Entre-Deux-Mers 2014 Bordeaux White Wine

Château Les Pasquets Entre-Deux-Mers 2014 Bordeaux White Wine, $8.49-$9.99, 86 points, appeared a light brass color trending water clear toward the glass wall.
A slightly sour lemon nose lead the way, with accents of orange peel, to a mediocre olfactory experience.
Light, crisp, stony, typically SB acidic, and flavors of lemon/lime, watermelon rind, and limestone minerality were fair to good.
Finished okay on a chalky trailing palate, a hint of grapefruit, and a modest 11.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Sémillon, and 10% Muscadelle.
Paired okay with my fried fish and chips.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Masciarelli Colline Teatine 2015 Montepulciano Rosado IGT

Masciarelli Colline Teatine 2015 Montepulciano Rosado IGT, $9.34-$12.99, 88 points, poured a salmon orange grading lighter as the wine nears the clear glass bowl.
The nose was floral with excellent strawberry and red raspberry aromas.
Light, crisp, and contrary to what a friend advised, possessed excellent acidity, but she was right about the Montepulciano grape lacking Rosé gravitas.
Flavors reflective of the aromas with hints of watermelon and kiwi with a trailing white pepper were good.
Finished okay on the fading palate and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
 

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2010 Brunello Di Montalcino

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2010 Brunello Di Montalcino, $45.04-$52.99, 95 points, poured a deep mysterious Burgundy lace color with a broad crystalline wine ring.
Aromatic cedar, oak, roses, black cherry, and truffle were amazing.
Nearly full bodied with excellent acidity and firm, sweet, grainy tannins managed wonderful fruit flavors of black cherry, damson plum, and fig with orange pekoe tea and truffle notes.
Finished smooth and long on the trailing palate with a hint of bourbon, warm spices, and a warm 14.5% alcohol.
This is a special wine, a pure clean wine of some character and excellence; I'm happy I bought more than one bottle.
Paired perfectly with my spiced lamb rib-chops.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Vivanco Rioja DOCa 2015 Rosado

Vivanco Rioja DOCa 2015 Rosado (Spain), $11.89-$13.99, 91 points, appeared, contrary to the Rosé-color-chart, the color of Syrah Rosé. Varietals were 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha.
The red-fruit aromas were excellent.
Light bodied with mouth-watering acidity and rich red-fruit flavors dominated by a bright red cherry and strawberry accented by black pepper, which were also excellent.
Finish long on the trailing palate with a wholesome, but hearty 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my prosaic baby-back ribs, mash potatoes, and butternut squash.




Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger


 

Tegernseerhof Mittelbach 2014 Zweigelt Rosé (Austria)

Tegernseerhof Mittelbach 2014 Zweigelt Rosé (Austria), $13.99, 88 points, was a lovely coral/orange color.
Straight-forward aromas of strawberry and kiwi were excellent.
This Zweigelt Rosé was light, crisp, refreshing with good acidity, flavors of watermelon rind, strawberry, and a floral note.
Finished fair on hints of hibiscus, ginger, and passion fruit with a well integrated 12.5% alcohol.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2016 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger