grapevine: hear.it.first

Posts Tagged ‘cream’

2007 Casal Novo Godello

Monday, April 13th, 2009

89/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 31 Mar 2009

Pale lemon core with a clear rim. Crisp, fresh aromas of white grapefruit and lime with a hint of honey and ripe honeydew melon. Reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc, but with softer melon notes. Surprisingly creamy on the palate entry. Round and full with flavors of kiwi, honeydew and citrus all backed by a wet stone minerality on the finish.

This is a stunning and unique summer wine that is a must, because you’ve probably never tried anything like it. It’s made from the Godello grape, a rare variety local to Valdeorras. Has all the great citrus-crisp intensity of a fresh New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but hits you in the mouth with amazing balance, creaminess and full body. A definite winner for lounging in the sun on a picnic, but it will also stand up impressively well to full-bodied, meaty fish like tuna or shark on the grill.

Click here for full grades section.

2007 J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay

Monday, April 13th, 2009

89/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 10 Mar 2009

Medium lemon yellow core with a clear rim. Ripe yellow pear is accented by citrus aromas of lemon and mandarin orange. Tropical mango notes are surrounded by wafting creamy vanilla toast. Very ripe and bold in the mouth. Juicy mandarin orange, yellow pear and mango lead to some tangy pink grapefruit on the finish with a good dose of lingering creamy vanilla.

Click here for full grades section.

2006 Landmark Chardonnay Overlook

Monday, April 13th, 2009

89/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 11 Feb 2009

Pale gold core with a bright lemon rim. Youthful aromas of lemons and cream are surrounded by toasty oak, ripe tangerine and yellow pear. Round and full-bodied with lots of cream and toasty oak up front. Lemon and white peach swarm in on the mid-palate and lead to a long vanilla finish.

Made mostly of grapes from Sonoma County (77%) but with a healthy does of Santa Barbara County (14%) and Monterey County (9%) as well.

Click here for full grades section.

2007 J. Lohr October Night Vineyard Chardonnay

Monday, April 13th, 2009

90/B

Tasted by Mike Supple - 12 Mar 2009

Bright medium lemon core with a clear rim. Good intensity on the nose with bright lemon and lime softened by ripe yellow apple. The whole nose has a sweet orange blossom note lifting the aromas out of the glass. Very floral on the palate. Round and full-bodied yet with great balancing acidity. Oranges, lemons and limes are softened by the yellow apple. Just a touch of oak and cream rounds out the finish.

Click here for full grades section.

2007 Bodegas Ateca Atteca Old Vines Garnacha

Monday, April 13th, 2009

89/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 29 Jan 2009

Dark purple core with a bright ruby rim that stains the glass. Big aromas of blackberry and blueberry are lifted from the glass by a crushed rose petal note, all surrounded by dark wet stone, game and a touch of smoke. Very floral on the palate with dark charcoal and chocolate notes rushing in around ripe blackberry. Great acid on the mid-palate and a spicy, creamy, nutmeg and vanilla finish.

The acid core of this wine screams for food while the dense, dark, smoky fruit says “whatever you eat, make steak and put it on the grill.” Garnacha (Grenache) is the staple of the Calatayud region in northeast Spain. Recent developments in winemaking (fermenting in steel, aging in new oak) have changed the local style to a more robust, clean and powerful red. The Atteca is a great example of this style, and by using old vines (80-120 years) they get intensity of flavor while maintaining fantastic balance. Grenache of this intensity from just a few miles further northeast (such as Chateauneuf du Pape) would easily cost twice the price.

Click here for full grades section.

2008 Calina Chardonnay Reserva

Monday, April 13th, 2009

86/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 08 Mar 2009

Pale gold core with a water white rim. Fresh lemon and yellow apple aromas are surrounded by light toasty oak and vanilla. Very ripe, intense fruit on the front of the palate with so much power that it gives a hint of sweet to the palate. Classic Chardonnay flavors of lemon and apple with a touch of ripe melon giving way to some creamy oak on the finish.

Click here for full grades section.

2006 Heron Chardonnay

Monday, April 13th, 2009

86/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 21 Feb 2009

Soft lemon yellow hue with a clear rim. A touch of oak and butter floats on the nose over bright citrus and green apple. Lemons and limes fill the front palate, and are matched by a slightly sweet hint of yellow apples. Clean finish with a lingering touch of oak and cream.

A very mellow, easy-to-drink wine.

Click here for full grades section.

2002 Roederer Estate l’Ermitage Brut

Monday, April 13th, 2009

91/B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 24 Feb 2009

Medium lemon green color with tons of very persistent, tiny bubbles. Raspberry aromas flow from the glass and are quickly surrounded by biscuit, lemon, yellow apple and a touch of wet stone. Creamy entry in the mouth with a hint of raspberry followed by lemon and lime zest. The little bubbles fill the mouth, and the flavors linger with a touch of toast and vanilla.

Click here for full grades section.

NV Canella Prosecco Brut Spumante

Monday, April 13th, 2009

86/A-

Tasted by Mike Supple - 17 Feb 2009

Clear with a light lemon-green core and tons of tiny bubbles. Fresh, youthful and bright on the nose with lemon, lime and green apple aromas. Tiny creamy bubbles fill the mouth. Fresh green apple is accented by lemon zest and a touch of white peach. Crisp with a hint of sweet and a fairly short finish.

Click here for full grades section.

2007 Olivier Leflaive Freres Puligny Montrachet Champ Gain 1er Cru

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

91-93 / B+

Tasted by Mike Supple - 03 Feb 2009

Lots of yellow pear exploding on the nose, lifted by light wild flowers, all underscored by wet stone and a touch of sweet nutmeg. Big stony entry on the mouth. Round and full with tons of lemon zest with sweet green pear and crisp green apple. Good length on the finish with a lingering touch of cream.

Aged in 100% French oak, 20-25% of which is new.

Click here for full grades section