jasons wine blog

I kicked off the 2009 year in review by giving thanks to all of you that are reading this today! For the second part of this series I wanted to, much as I did in 2008, take a look across all of the wines I tasted during the year. As much as I would like to use a tool like Cellar Tracker or VinCellar on Vinfolio (who, by the way, just declared pseudo-bankruptcy) I am still chugging away with my little home grown (Microsoft Access) tool that could. That said, it allows me to take a good look into the rear view mirror so let’s get to the tale of the tape…

For the year I tasted 318 wines with an average cost per bottle of $10.18 which brought me back in line with my numbers from 2007 when I averaged $10.03 (versus $8.93 in ’08). This can be certainly attributed to the drop to 56% (avg. cost: $6.18), from 72% in ‘08, of purchases being made at Trader Joe’s. Winery direct at 14% (avg. cost: $17.86) and K&L Wines with 12% (avg. cost: $11.29) round out the top three in the purchasing category. 2007 (33%) replaced 2005 as the most prevalent vintage consumed with 2008 (23%) jumping past 2006 into second. Wonder how those ‘06’s are missing my cart… My oldest wine of the year was a ’94 Vintage Cava from Segura Viudas that I opened on New Year’s Eve.

As many of you know, what draws me to wine is the proxy it provides for physically traveling the world. First and foremost on my mind is always the opportunity to try a new grape or a new region. With that, in 2009, I samples wine spanning 44 grapes from 13 countries representing 54 different wine regions. The US led the way at 57% with Italy, France and Chile filling the next 3 spots. Red Blends were once again the dominant choice with Zinfandel moving into the 2nd spot and Pinot Noir the 3rd. I attribute Pinot being 3rd to the incredible offerings Trader Joe’s has had over the last six months that brought this varietal into a comfortable spending range from me.

Six wineries crossed into the 10+ bottle category this year. Three, Navarro, Rosenblum and Epicuro, are repeats from last year. Of the three to join the ranks one is a new favorite in Sobon Estates where I have tried many of the offerings and never been disappointed. Another is Central Coast Wine Warehouse who has been placing a number of private label offerings in Trader Joe’s. My personal favorite being the Franc Merlot which I am hoping to see a new vintage of soon. And the last is Jim Neal Wines, maker of the Chariot Gypsy which purely based on my consumption of that single wine…

To round out this segment the let’s take a look at both ends of the price spectrum. On the lower end I had 2 offerings at $3, the 2008 Down Under Chardonnay and 2008 Il Valore Sangiovese. Against the odds, I was a fan, and have repurchased, both! As I found this of interest I took a quick look at the $4 lot and was surprised to find that I found 25% (5 of 20) to my liking. Might dig further into the QPR aspects in a further post. As for the most expensive, for Open That Bottle Night I picked the 2003 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at $55 which, while it didn’t disappoint, failed to excite me.

By the way Open That Bottle Night takes place on the last Saturday of every February. That means it is just around the corner. Start thinking about what you might want to pull out of that special hiding spot for the evening! While you’re thinking stay tuned for the last in this “2009 Year in Review” series where I plan to cover highlights of what I learned about wine, my most interesting wines of the year and some thoughts for where I see myself headed in 2010. Hope everyone’s New Year if off to a great start!

As everybody is well aware on January 12th, 2010, a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, causing widespread destruction to the city and surrounding areas, leaving thousands in need of medical attention and many more desperate to survive. The Red Cross estimates the disaster has affected 3 million people and while no official figures exist, media are reporting that thousands are feared dead.

Now nearly one week after this disaster struck, as the spotlight begins to turn away, the needs are as stark as ever. With that, and I realize how far out of character this is, I wanted to ask all of you to consider contributing, knowing many already have, in any way you can to the relief efforts. Here are four ways I have done so:

1. SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. This is no doubt the fastest way to contribute to the cause.
2. Donate money to the charity of your choice (more here…) and don’t forget that your employer likely matches your contribution doubling the impact.
3. Donate frequent flyer miles/hotel points (more here…)
4. Bid in the Palate Press Wines for Haiti Auction auction or visit enobytes for food & wine fundraisers for Haiti. Consider reallocating your wine budget for the next three months to purchase wine via one of these auctions.

I’m not concerned with how, where or what you donate. All that I ask is that you do all that you can to support those afflicted during this time of need. If you have any questions or ideas on how I can help further please share them in the comments below. Thank you for your consideration.

Best,
Jason

Donate Money

As I mentioned above please donate to the charity of your choosing, any is fine with me as it will help with the overall recovery effort. For those of you that may be looking for a recommendation I would offer Doctor’s Without Borders. They are an organization that has been operating for some time in Haiti and are providing excellent coverage as to what is happening on the ground via their site and twitter. The latest being that they have given primary care to 3,000+ people and performed 400+ surgeries, the need for resources is still immense and their latest supply plane was not able to land in Port-au-Prince. I, for one, appreciate this visibility into the situation and feel like I can see my money at work.

For those interested in other options, here is a list of other support organizations that are actively working in the affected areas in Haiti courtesy of the Gates Foundation:

• American Red Cross
• CARE
• Catholic Relief Services
• International Medical Corp
• International Rescue Committee
• Mercy Corps
• Oxfam America
• Partners in Health
• Save the Children
• UNICEF
• World Food Programme

Donate Miles/Points

We all know times are tight and money may not be a feasible option for some. Think beyond dollar donations by donating airline miles and hotel loyalty points. If any of you are like me you have many accounts open where you will never redeem the points. This presents the perfect opportunity to use them to make a difference. Whether American, Continental or United on the airline front or Hilton, Marriott or Starwood for hotels, those and many more offer the opportunities to convert your miles/points into charitable contributions. The LA Times has all the details here.

With the passing of the New Year it is always good to take a moment to step back and reflect on the year that has passed and look towards the future with fresh eyes and a clean slate. I intend to do that here throughout the month of January. For those that may have more recently discovered the site I am nearing my three year anniversary in the wine blogging arena. 2007 was the year I got my feet under me. In 2008 I transitioned to a self hosted blog and much to my delight began discussing wine with some of you all here on the site. 2009 was a remarkable year. It will be remembered for many things;
Grape Madness, receiving my first samples (more on this in another post), redesigning the site and most importantly really developing an active community to talk about wine.

And on that note, I want to thank all of you! Google tells me that over 95,000 of you stopped by to read the 119 posts that were published last year. Those 119 posts generated a remarkable 1,036 comments! An extra special thank you to Angela and Danny for being the most active commenters. Likewise to joshiemac, RJ, Jeff, DP and PeterB who were also regular contributors. I know at times I can be slow (or worse) to respond but these comments and the dialogue are what keep me going. So thanks again to all for your contributions and please let’s keep the conversation going!

And finally… Everybody knows I’m a sucker for a Top 10 list so I thought I would share how you all voted with your clicks. With that I present the “Reader’s Choice” Top 10 List of Wines for 2009:

1. 2007 Chariot Gypsy
2. 2007 Castle Rock Mendocino County Pinot Noir
3. 2005 Epicuro Aglianico
4. 2006 Chiusa Grande Tommolo Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo
5. 2006 The California Wine Party Franc Merlot
6. 2008 Honey Moon Viognier
7. 2008 Blue Fin Pinot Noir
8. 2006 Epicuro Nero d’ Avola
9. 2005 Howell Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
10. 2007 Pancake Cellars Big Day White

Have you had any memorable moments here on the site in 2009?  If so, I would love to hear about them in the comments…What a year it was!

Next up: 2009: The Year in Wine…

Price: $9.99 @ Trader Joe’s

What They Said:

Nada, the bottle said absolutely nothing. So the detective work began and I think I found my new best friend. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) registry where a search returned these results. This led me to the Owl Ridge Wines which happens to be located in Sebastopol. Once here, Google helped me locate some text near the bottom of the page referencing people to their affiliated winery, Willowbrook Cellars , for information on outstanding Pinot Noirs. A visit there led me to their online store which had a 2008 Sonoma County Pinot on offer with the alcohol content listed as 14.5%, wouldn’t you know it the same as the Sebastopol Hills. Do we have conclusive evidence? Nope, though I have emailed the winery seeking confirmation and will report back if we do. For those that believe we have corroborated enough facts you can find more information about the Willowbrook offering on the winery website where their Sonoma County offering goes for $24.

What I Think:

So what about the wine itself? I opened this with hamburgers on the menu and it’s a beauty. You’re greeted with blueberry, herbs and mint on the nose. The palate delivers deep fruit flavors on a well balanced and structured profile. A nice acidity emerges late in the mid-palate and leads to a dry, herbal lingering finish. This one has some very nice depth and length to it. I need to grab a few more bottles of this one before it disappears…

Rating: Buy It

With New Year’s Eve less than 24 hours away in some places I wanted to take the chance to share my limited insight into the offering in a limited time frame. In an effort to keep this short let’s jump right in. Before doing so I once again want to profess that this is an area where I have had difficulty scoring over the years. Nonetheless, here are my top four value choices. Let me
know your faves and I’ll be sure to give them a try over the next few months as time and circumstances allow. Without further adieu let’s talk bubbles…

1) Zonin Prosecco Brut ($6): This one is a long time favorite that I have been serving to guests for years and has yet to disappoint. The nose shows floral aromas with hints of citrus. This wine is a nicely balanced and offers a frothiness in the glass that leads with lemon flavors throughout the palate. The finish is very dry and clean. This is a battle tested sparkler that may be right for your New Year’s Eve celebration! And if not there this is perfectly suited for mimosas the morning after.

2) RSVP Brut Sparkling ($6): A new offering to Trader Joe’s this one arrives with a Bronco Wine Co. pedigree. For those unfamiliar with Bronco they are the owners and producers of Two Buck Chuck amongst fifty or so other labels. Even with that predisposition I couldn’t help but like this one. Nice and frothy up front it is quickly brought into balance and turns slightly sweet on the finish leaving me to dream about lemon custard pie…

3a) Blason de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs ($11): This is about as close as you are going to get to the ancestral home of Champagne without breaking the bank. Bourgogne, in nearby Burgundy, delivers this sparkler that is full of fizz and bubbles in the glass. In the mouth you can feel the creaminess but a slightly (sour) acidic note continually pushes to the fore. The finish is dry and fades quickly. I’ve liked this one more in the past than I did this time around. As this generally mimics the profile of the above offerings I would steer clear and get two time as much for my money by grabbing one of those other bottles…

3b) Schloss Biebrich Sekt ($5) My initial post tried to shed some light on the history of Sekt for those interested. As for the rest of you let’s get to the juice. This one showed subdued fruit aromas; mostly apples and peaches. The palate starts full and rich, towards the middle the bubbles kick in full force and I mean a lot of bubbles. The finish is light, crispy and just a hint tart making it a crowd pleaser.

And for all of you big spenders looking for a dead ringer, this Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut ($40) is always a hit. Enjoy your festivities and don’t forget to let me know what wines were on offer as you welcomed in the New Year…

Price: $2.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Americal Beverage Group

What They Said:

Per the bottle “This 100% Sangiovese wine from the Puglia region is smooth and fruity with a touch of red berries.”

What I Think:

I had this one a while back and promised to revisit it. I did so, beginning with the label. Sangiovese traditionally hails from Tuscany, the center of the Italian wine world. This one, however, comes from the heel of the boot in Puglia which is located on the southern Italian peninsula. Wonder what the difference in terroir might mean…

With spaghetti squash pasta on the table I decided to take the opportunity to find out. The nose is muted. The palate delivers racy acid that settles nicely with food showing dried cherry & herb notes. This likely isn’t one those new to wine would enjoy and I wouldn’t recommend drinking it on its own. While complimenting its merits I was reminded of a comment I saw from joshiemac on RJ’s Wine Blog. Prior to that I would have called this one a nice table wine, but think joshiemac’s nice cooking wine is much more appropriate. This isn’t something to impress your friends with but it is a perfect wine for sipping while simmering some spaghetti sauce…

If you’re interested in another take check out what The Gourmez had to say about this one.

Rating: Buy It

Apologies! I missed Thanksgiving and yet again Xmas. With that I promised facing an 0-2 count I would deliver for New Year’s. At least for those waiting until the last minute to do your shopping! Little was inspiring me to publish a new Top 10 list, so much so that I was heading towards writing the classics list just to highlight those wines that had delivered vintage after vintage. Sometime over the last few weeks I realized I had more than enough new offerings to publish a Top 10 list of interest and without further adieu I present the latest:

Trader Joe’s Top 10 Wine List

Enjoy! And let me know your thoughts. Stay tuned for the aforementioned classics list as well as my report on my top wines of 2009.

Price: $9.99 @ Trader Joe’s

What They Said:

Per San Antonio Winery “Windbreak is handcrafted at Orcutt Road Cellars in the Edna Valley of San Luis Obispo. Both clonal selections are fermented separately in small, open-top tanks. The cap is “punched down” in order to delicately extract color without creating excessive tannins. After aging in French oak barrels, the individual lots are evaluated and blended. The wine is dark and structured with intense flavors of black cherry and raspberry. Barrel aging contributes nuances of oak spice and cedar with a long, mouth-filling finish.”

What I Think:

This one is a product of the San Antonio Winery and the ’07 goes for $35 a bottle on the site which also mentions in its awards that it received 89 Points from the Wine Enthusiast in September 2008. As to the brand, the description from the bottle describes the Windbreak (brand) as the rows of trees planted to protect the vines from the maritime winds.

This one is light brownish red in color, almost sun-baked mud. 14.5% abv. On the nose this one offers black cherries, rhubarb and green pepper action. The palate greets you with forward, bright fruit and racy acidity. The structure is sound but the acidity is a bit overwhelming for me to grab another bottle. Especially considering the stellar Pinot lineup Trader Joe’s has on the shelves today. Granted I might be getting greedy and expecting a bit much but there are plenty of options out there. What’s your favorite $10 Pinot Noir today?

Rating: Pricey

Price: $21.99 @ K&L Wines

What They Said:

Per K&L Wines “93 points Robert Parker: “The 2007 Côtes de Tablas is a sensational wine as well as a great bargain. The fact that it is finished with a screw cap may give some consumers the wrong impression, but this is a serious, mouthfilling red. A blend of 50% Grenache and the balance equal parts Syrah and Counoise, it exhibits sweet, gamy notes along with plenty of pepper, licorice, roasted herb, blackberry, and cassis characteristics, a velvety, lush texture, a full-bodied richness, beautifully integrated acidity, abundant Provencal typicity, and good minerality for a wine of such remarkable flavor depth. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years.” (08/09)

Tablas Creek, a partnership between Robert Haas and the Perrin family of France’s famed Château de Beaucastel, has been at the forefront of growing and producing top-notch Rhône varietals for more than 20 years. Their “Côtes de Tablas” blend of Grenache, Syrah and Counoise is an homage to the wines of the Southern Rhône kissed by the California sun. The 2007 vintage is fantastic and alluring from the moment you pop the cork. Lead by bright red cherry aromas underscored by hints of iron, game and fresh cracked black pepper, the bouquet translates seamlessly to the palate, which is fresh and spicy with a vein of anise that weaves itself through to the finish. Like other Perrin wines, this medium-bodied beauty is built for the table. Try it with braised short ribs, grilled hanger steak with shallots or bucatini all’Amatriciana.”

What I Think:

Tablas Creek is a wine I have been meaning to try for years. With that it silently became the movie that everyone raved about. Expectations growing each day as you await the experience. A bit ago they had a tasting at K&L Wines but I managed to catch a cold around that time. From my sick bed I added a couple bottles to my virtual cart which I picked up a few months later. Then the wine sat in the rack begging for me to drink it. Last Friday I took it up on the offer but could it meet the lofty expectations?

This effort was 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Counoise. Anyone ever had a varietal bottling of Counoise? I haven’t but would love to give it a try. No better way to learn about a grape. Speaking of learning something crossed my mind when drinking this bottle; currants. This is a smell/taste that crosses my mind often. I need to get more familiar with it. I decided that part of my New Year’s Blogging Resolution (#nybr) will be to explore a different flavor component each month. The goal being to familiarize myself with each and expand my wine tasting vocabulary. Anise may be my early choice for February. Who else has wine related resolutions to share? Ok, ok let’s get to the wine…

The Côtes de Tablas greeted me with an expressive nose showing spicebox, herb, black cherry and dark brambly fruits notes. It was medium to dark garnet in color. The entry to the palate showed a glimpse of fruit that is quickly enveloped into a tight, but balanced, acidic wrapper from which emerges a dry, finish laced with red licorice flavors. My initial impression was that this wine was clearly well made, a bit tight and enjoyable without being memorable. Those that know me are aware I am looking for more than that in a $20 bottle. After four nights I learned that this one just needed more time in the bottle. Though enjoyable initially a few days of air made a world of difference. With time the front of the palate softened and the wine now greeted you with nice, warm fruit on entry while still holding its balance with a nice acidity emerging towards the middle that leads to a long, dry, chalky finish. In hindsight, I would have liked to let this one lie for at least another year (or decanted for a few hours). Had I checked earlier perhaps the Tablas Creek vintage chart (pdf) could have saved the day. It currently lists the ‘07 Côtes de Tablas as “early maturity”. The ’06 is drinking at “peak maturity”. I wonder if I can find a bottle for comparisons sake. In the mean time what to do about that bottle of ’07 Esprit de Beaucastel…

Rating: Pricey

Price: $21.00 @ Mill Valley Market

What They Said:

Per Jon Bonné “Just 85 acres of Charbono are planted in California. Its fans are few but devoted, including Calistoga’s Summers family. Their estate vineyard produces the most Charbono in the state, including the fruit for this lively effort, aged in 50 percent new American oak, with its engaging dusty, floral scents that preface an overt fruit – crushed raspberry and blueberry – with an herbal-tinged finish and buoyant acidity that reminds you why it’s so pleasing with food.”

What I Think:

I had this one a bit ago with pork chops. Pork chops is the inside code for the wife was away as she is not a fan of the swine. This time the kids were away to so it was a quiet and I was looking forward to spending the night with a (pseudo)new grape. I had never had Charbono before but I have had quite a few experiences with Bonarda aka Charbono. After my last trip to Argentina in early 2006 I have been on the lookout for more Bonarda to appear in the US market but it has yet to materialize. As they give the average Malbec a run for their money at half the price I guess it is no surprise. Anyhow, this waiting led me to learn about Charbono which in turn led me to grabbing this bottle to pair with pork chops. Care to hear more?

On the nose this jumps out with juicy, raspberry aromas. Traces of mint linger closely by. Smooth and silky on the palate this wine coats the tongue with smacking tannins on a nice, dry herbal finish. Do you know the kind of finish I mean? An effort that nicely balances fruit with acidity and is easy to drink. At the same time I prefer to see a few more dimensions (or better said a bit more complexity) at this price point. I know, I am hard to please… That said I will be trying more Charbono, anyone out there have any favorites to recommend?

Rating: Pricey