Black Bear / Red Chair California Petite Sirah 2010

Rocket ship wine company partners with the Childhood Cancer Society to raise money and awareness for cancer research. 

This beautiful Black Bear / Red Chair is sourced from Paso Robles, Lodi and the Sierra Foothills, using a blend of 81% Petite Sirah, 14% Zinfandel and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon all fermented separately in stainless steel and then combined and aged for 14 months in oak barrels. 

Violet colors the glass with aromas of chocolate, mint, vanilla, eucalyptus and ripe blueberry. The palate shows super ripe cherries, cocoa, cola, white pepper and tobacco along with spice and cassis. Very complex mature flavors with a good long finish and mild tannins rounding out the profile.

$18 bottle price, may be purchased on line from BB/RC, see link above where you can also find a list of restaurants and wine shops where it is available.

Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 California at 1st Wine Society of Queens Meet-up

The first meetup of The Wine Society of Queens was held this weekend at The Wine Room of Forest Hills, where we sampled over a dozen new wines from California, France, Argentina, Italy, Spain and even Georgia (Russia). One of my favorites was the Leese-Fitch Cab and here are some tasting notes:

I know the label says Cabernet Sauvignon, in reality what you get is an amazing blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, 5% Syrah from River Junction, 5% Tempranillo from Moneterey, with Lodi contributing the 2% Alicante Bouchet, and 2% Petite Sirah.

Very attractive aromas of cassis infused with intense cherry liquore, sarsaparilla and black currants, flavors are floral influenced and herbal on the back palate. At the tail end hints of tea leaves, bits of cedar, milk chocolate and roasted marshmallow finish off nicely. This is a great bargain at $15.

Cocobon Vineyards Red Blend, California

I recently found this unbelievable bargain in a local shop in my neighborhood sitting in a sale bin, Cocobon Vineyards Red Blend. The bottle caught my eye, and I bought one because the name and label intrigued me and hey... I'm glad I did! I bought a case and I'm heading back tonight to buy another. I love this stuff! It's a perfect everyday wine at just under $9 by the case.

It's a velvety blend of 61% Zinfandel, 17% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Petite Sirah, definitely a new world red, with fruitiness upfront as a major component, but it also has so much going for it on the nose and palate. I could hardly detect any smoke so I'm guessing it is not barrel aged, at least not for long. It shows aromas of chocolate, vanilla, and very ripe cherries. Rich flavors ring out as cocoa and dark jammy fruits coat your palate. The finish is silky and long for a wine this inexpensive.

Here I thought I discovered something new but with a little Google search I discovered it was a huge seller on the west coast at Trader Joe's stores (where it sold for under $7). They couldn't restock the shelves fast enough. It's produced by Underdog Wines, the makers of Cupcake Wines. Click here to find a location near you.

The Show Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 California

The Show is a big, rich, deep Cabernet, although according to the website there are also small quantities of Merlot for softness, Cabernet Franc for earthiness and acidity, and even Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot to give it a deep ruby color... all aged in French and American oak.

Big is the key descriptor here... with vibrant aromas of bacon, dried black cherries and hints of violets on the nose, accented by jammy chunky nuances of fruits, spices and vanilla and good length on the finish. Good bang for the buck.

Enjoyed this at Dee's Brick oven Pizza, also available at The Wine Room of Forest Hills.

More Wines for Thanksgiving

I'd like to thank Kristen and her good friends for helping me taste this flight of wine picks for Thanksgiving. The wines were from California, Italy, France and New Zealand. (Also thank you to Kristen for photo above.)

Chateau Julien Gewurztraminer 2010 Carmel Valley, California
Light golden colors, clean citrus notes of grapefruit, flowers, honey and jolly rancher green apple, the mild and simple palate shows spice and nice acidity. Gewurztraminer is versatile and will pair well with Turkey dinner, especially if your stuffing is spicy, also may be used before dinner with cheese or after dinner with dessert.

Winemaker notes:
Cold fermented using Steinberger Yeast, known for its slow fermentation, allows the winemaker the ability to maintain natural varietal flavor and a slight residual sugar. While semi-dry in flavor, this wines slightly higher acidity balances the residual sugar for a refreshing, lighter style of wine.

Rasciatano Rose, Puglia Italy
Made with 100% Montepulciano grapes pressed softly then fermented partly in stainless steel vats at a temperature of 13-15° (C) and partly in second and third passage barriques, followed by aging in stainless steel vats for 4-6 months and 4 months in bottle. Rose petal colors, aromas of sour cherry, and peach, on the palate dry, slightly metallic with good acidity.

Dino Torti Forza Inter Pino Nero Oltrepo Pavese 2008 Italy
Also soft pressed, complex aromas of almonds, fruits and flowers, flavors of nutty, apple and pear, dry but satisfying.

Maison Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages, 2009 France
The grapes (Gamay) are gently crushed, an extended maceration of 12-20 days gets you the extraction of color and tannins, then aged in French oak for 8 to 10 months. On the nose notes of tar and forest floor, fruit forward on the palate of black sour cherry, pepper, an attractive minerality and holiday spice, good finish. Great deal at $10.

Te Muna Road Vineyard Craggy Range Pinot Noir, 2009, New Zealand
From the region of Martinborough, 100% Pinot Noir grapes are fermented in open-top tanks followed by aging in 33% new French oak barriques for 10 months. Rose red, medium weight but at the same time velvety, tree bark, smoky earth and violets, dry but sweet, beautiful balancing act, plums. Nice long layered finish. SRP $40. A majority of the tasters really enjoyed this one.

St. Francis Winery Sonoma County Old Vines Zinfandel, 2008 California
The average age of the vines here are 80-100 years old, and actually is 89% Zin, and the rest a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Mourverdre, Carignane, Syrah and Petite Sirah. The grapes are fermented then aged in new American oak for 12-15 months. Complex, underbrush, cigar box, cherry vanilla, raspberry, plums, pepper and spice. For the price ($17) very nice.

Luccarelli Pazzia Primitivo di Manduria Old Vines 2007 Puglia, Italy
Deep rich purple ruby colors show such an opacity as to preview what's to come, namely rich cherries with prunes and spices on top of vanilla and chocolate nuances. Very fruit forward but with an Italian flair. Beautiful. $40.

Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni 2005 DOCG Montefalco Italy
Made with the best grapes of 100% Sagrantino, aged 2 years in French Oak Barrique and a minimum of 6 months in bottle. What is immediately apparent is the very deep dark opaque colors, with strong and vibrant vanilla concentrates on the nose, laid over violets, earth and spices. Flavors of ripe fruit woven with spices and vanilla, great aging potential.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!

J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

This Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California is made from 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 1% Malbec-- quite an intense mix, but it works. Stainless steel fermentation, then 14-16 months in oak casks. Bright reddish purple in color with strong fruity fragrance of cherries cedar and blackberries, and cherry soda, chocolate and vanilla on the mouth. Enjoyed this with a cheeseburger at a new restaurant in Forest Hills called Bonfire Grill, at $9.50 a glass. 13.8% alcohol.

7 Inexpensive but Good Wines

Here are 7 of my most recent favorite inexpensive but good wines.

J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
This Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, California is made from 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 1% Malbec- quite an intense mix, but it works. Stainless steel fermentation, then 14-16 months in oak casks. Bright reddish purple in color with strong fruity fragrance of cherries cedar and blackberries, and cherry soda, chocolate and vanilla on the mouth. Enjoyed this with a cheeseburger at a new restaurant in Forest Hills by the glass, and it can be found retail at the $20 range. 13.8% alcohol.

Cantina Di Casteggio Oltrepo Pavese Barbera 2005 DOC
This medium weight ruby colored 100% Barbera is unoaked, so there's no wood influence, allowing a nose of pure mild red fruits, a palate of sour cherries, spice, white pepper, and a mix of fragrant herbs. After an hour of decanting the finish was smooth and fleeting, but after 4 hours the finish stretched out nicely. The mild tannins would hold up well to a pork or veal dish, or even barbecue. We are in the $12 range.


Rocca Delle Macie Campomaccione Morellino Di Scansano DOC 2006
Blend is 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot. Rocca Delle Macie Campomaccione Morellino Di Scansano DOC 2006 is a ruby red, dry, full-bodied wine from Tuscany with ripe red fruit and chocolate on the nose, and a fresh smooth palate with a good finish. 13% alcohol and $7.99.

Santa Carolina Reserva Carmenere 2006 Chile
This Carmenere from Chile is aged for 8 months in small oak barrels, is a deep purple red, has mild floral aromas and complex fruit flavors including cherry, with spice and vanilla. This is an interesting pick... the flavor profile is unique (it's my first 100% Carmenere)... I haven't seen many around. Found this in the $10 range.

Chateau Grand Moulin 2005 France
This red wine from France is a blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes. Color is clear dark garnet red with cherries, ripe fruit and tar on the nose. Palate has black cherry and white pepper undertones and moderate tannin. It is paired well with warm gruyere gougeres. Not bad by the glass for $9.

Straccali Sangiovese Di Toscana 2004 IGT
This is a 100% Sangiovese red wine made from grapes from various locations in Tuscany, Italy. There's barnyard on the nose with black cherry and oak with cinnamon, and mild flavors of fruit and good balance. This is an inexpensive, but decent everyday wine, I believe it was $6.

Fattoria Del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2004 DOCG
This DOCG from Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy is made from 80% Prugnolo Gentile (a Sangiovese clone) and a 20% blend of Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo. 80% of the grapes are aged for two years in Slavonian oak and 20% in French oak. On the nose is cherry, oak, rose and vanilla and on the palate black cherries with moderate tannins and a smooth medium finish. In the $20 neighborhood, this is a good vintage to drink now but you can also cellar it for a few years.

The Prisoner (Red Blend) 2008 Orin Swift Cellars California

Here is a fine Napa blend of 46% Zinfandel, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono, and 1% Grenache.

Deep violet colors in the glass, spreading to a garnet outer ring, with aromas of red berry and ripe black cherry and wafts of smoke. Opens softly with big fruit flavors of raspberry, and later hints of black pepper and a dried herb, licorice and coffee finish, shows great complexity and structure.

Robert Parker: 90 pts
Wine Spectator: 92 pts

Retails: $35

Blind Tasting of 12 Chianti/Sangiovese

Attended another blind tasting last night hosted by Greg dal Piaz of Snooth, and I'll be posting 4 flights of 3 wines each over the next 24 hours. Here is the first flight:



2005 Cosentino Il Chiaretto California 14.8% $18

With 92% Sangiovese and equal parts of 2% Petite Sirah, Early Burgundy, Merlot and Alicante, this is aged approximately 13 months in small barrels, and bottled unfined. On the nose resinous leather, fruit, white pepper, plastic wrap, high alcohol, with a palate of sour cherries, licorice sticks or twizzlers, and a woodsy profile... tasting like a Merlot blend.



2006 Ruffino Santedame Chianti Classico DOCG 13.5% $18

85% Sangiovese and remainder composed of various other reds, the alcohol fermentation took place in thermo-controlled stainless-steel vats for 10 days. Post-fermentative maceration on the skins continued for another 7 days. After completing the malolactic fermentation one part of the wine was refined for about 8 months, first in oak barrels, then in tanks and finally in bottle.

Very muted aromas of wet earth, structured tannins, with moody layers of white chalk, ash and a dark finish.

2007 Flora Springs Napa valley 14.2% $15

On the nose cranberry candy with a vegetal swash of green peppers, cologne and manure, while the flavors are earthy and cedar.