The nose shows baked apple and cream. On the palate the use of new wood shows, but does not overwhelm. Flavors are baked pears, cream, and a tasting hint of Nilla Vanilla cookies. Mouth-feel is full. Drink with stuffed flounder. Recommended (87-89). DH WHO: Sadler-Wells Winery WHAT: Chardonnay WHERE: Alexander
2011 Kelly & Young Sauvignon Blanc This wine is fermented in stainless steel, then aged in neutral French oak for four months. The nose offers a grassy aromas under fresh fruits, grapefruits with sweeter tropical notes. The palate is softer and more tropical than the nose, with tangelos and hints
From grapes grown on a patch of the vineyard named after the owners' son, this is a very pretty wine at a very comfortable price. The nose shows high-toned red fruit over blue fruit. On the palate the red fruit takes the lead, sweet black cherries up front, with tart
2008 Shippey Vineyards "Flaming J" Petite Sirah The nose is dark, mulberry and black pepper. This is just as dark on the palate, with the same mulberries. There a loads of black pepper on the finish, paired with unsweetened chocolate. It is still young. It's big tannins are still rough,
Not many thirteen dollar Cabernets are worth keeping in the cellar. This is one of those exceptions. Black fruit is on the nose with eucalyptus and violets. On the palate it is high-toned, showing tart red cherries over the same black currants, but here is more - eucalyptus, a bit
I stumbled upon Hart's Desire at the Waterfront Tasting Room (53 Front Street, Healdsburg, CA) during Taste Alexander Valley, 2012. John Hart and his daughter, Shea, were working the room. They were both marvelous, their knowledge and enthusiasm for the wines filling the room with excitement. A small but adventurous winery,
The nose hints of Rhone, rather than Oz, with aromas of grilled meat and olives complementing blackberries dusted with graphite. On the palate, blackberries, the smoky charred end of prime rib, olives, pepper, and the tiniest hint of vanilla all show on a multi-layered palate that adds high-toned tart red
The nose is very floral, with near gardenia-power white flowers, with underlying aromas of ripe peaches. The palate shows wax and citrus fruits, lemon juice and lemon pith. The lemon lingers on the finish, transitioning to hints of roasted almonds as it fades. Drink with crab cakes. DH. WHO: Gauchezco