Wine Tasting:
Blackstone 2001 California Merlot
Winery: Blackstone
Brand/Type: Merlot
Vintage: 2001
Country: USA
Region: California
Alcohol content: 13%
Closure: Synthetic cork
Appearance: Dark, inky, ruby red
Aroma/Bouquet: Pungent blackberries, noticable alcohol odor
Noticeable wood and spice flavors. Smooth, dry with a crisp spicy finish. Has a slight vinegar aftertaste.
Blackstone is a fairly popular/common brand name. Not sure why they feel it important to note that this is a “California” Merlot. According to the Blackstone website, this is actually a blend.
An average Merlot. As an alternative you could buy three bottles of Charles Shaw, have a better experience, have money left for gas, and do yourself no harm.
Wine Tasting:
Franz Reh & Son 2002 Pinot Grigio
Winery: Franz Reh & Son
Brand/Type: Pinot Grigio
Vintage: 2002
Country: Germany
Region: Pfalz
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Closure: Synthetic Cork
Appearance: Pale gold
Aroma/Bouquet: Lemon, pine
Dry, slight bit of oak, strong sharp finish with a hint of pear at the end.
An affordable wine that is very respectable. This is a fairly simple wine without much complexity but you can do far worse with other high priced pinot grigios. If you find this buy it. You’ll do no harm to your palate or pocketbook.
Wine Tasting:
2003 Bonny Doon Madiran Heart of Darkness
Winery: Bonny Doon
Brand/Type: Madiran
Vintage: 2003
Country: USA
Region: California
Alcohol content: 13.5
Closure: Synthethic Cork
Appearance: Dark Ruby/Garnet
Aroma/Bouquet: Blackberries, mmm, nice, rich, ripe blackberries!
Complex, heavy on the tongue, sharp finish.
Just in time for Halloween! Don’t let the Ralph Steadman label scare you! This is a robust and complex wine that begs to be savored slowly. If you let it out and allow the spirit to breathe, you’ll be rewarded by a soulful glass that won’t haunt you. Ok, Edgar Allen Poe we aren’t. Enough Halloween euphemisms already!
The longer I savored this, the more it reminded me of a Brunello. Not as dry, but that can be a positive with some Brunellos. Not as expensive either, so that would be a definite treat.
Bonny Doon isn’t afraid of pushing their limits or taking risks. This wine shouldn’t scare you either!
Wine Tasting:
2003 Fetzer Valley Oaks Merlot
Winery: Fetzer
Brand/Type: Valley Oaks Merlot
Vintage: 2003
Country: USA
Region: California
Alcohol content: 13.1%
Closure: Natural Cork
Appearance: Dark Ruby
Aroma/Bouquet: Deep, rich, blackberries and currants.
This is a very nice Merlot. Ample flavors, complex body, softly smooth and satisfying. Slight cherry and spice, a hint of oak. Not “too” dry.
Of special note; Fetzer grows all of their grapes organically.
Fetzer is one of the largest producers of organic wines in the world. Fetzer is also committed to other environmentally friendly practices. So in case you’re looking for a conscionable wine, Fetzer should be on your shopping list.
Wine Tasting:
2005 Chateau Chantal Pinot Noir
Winery: Chateau Chantal
Brand/Type: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2005
Country: USA
Region: Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Closure: Natural Cork
Appearance: Purple to ruby red
Aroma/Bouquet: Barely there… “wine-ish”.
Flat, little flavor, vague cherry, plum, smoke.
Rather disappointing. Considering that this was sampled at their tasting room, perhaps this was a bottle that was left open from the night before?
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