Monday, December 22, 2014

Perfectly Aged Wine: Keswick 2010 Merlot

They say that about ninety percent of the wine sold in America is consumed within 48 hours of purchase. We couldn't actually find a reference to quote, but we have heard this statistic quoted so many times that it is at least an Urban Legend. 

When we opened a bottle of Keswick Vineyards Merlot 2010 the other evening, we were greeted by a wine which is at its peak. It is fabulous with its smooth depth and nose. The winemaker's notes suggest this wine will be good for up to 8 years and I believe that this will definitely be true.

The experience reminded me that saving the right wine for the right amount of time significantly improves the enjoyment. It is a bit sad the wines are sold before they are ready to be consumed--especially when certain ones age so well. 

We had enjoyed other bottle of this vintage a few weeks ago and were ready to fully enjoy this one when it was opened.

Not every wine is designed to be aged--but those that benefit from "laying down" can be very special when they are finally opened. 

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Wine of the Night - Six Mile Creek

Looking for something special to enjoy on an evening after the Thanksgiving holiday has ended and while looking forward to the chaos of Christmas, we chose a wine that we bought earlier this year while in Ithaca, NY. 

The wine is Six Mile Creek's 2012 Quintessence at $22. 

Who says that New York Finger Lakes vineyards can't make a nice, deep, Bordeaux-style red wine? Six Mile Creek has figured it out!

The wine has a nice deep ruby color. Hints of plums and dark berries on the nose and consistent with the complex flavors and mild tannins. There is a hint of acidity in the taste which has a medium finish. Decant it for an hour and let it open up and it becomes a dynamic wine. Right out of the open bottle the flavors are a bit sharp--but they mellow out quickly.

RECOMMENDATION: At a $22 price point--this is a good wine!

Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Three Wines--the Key to a successful dinner

Amid all of the preparations for the Thanksgiving feast comes the inevitable decisions about which wine or wines to serve.

We believe the key to a successful Thanksgiving dinner comes in a trio of wines. Consider this--the Thanksgiving feast is probably the largest eating experience most of us have during the course of the year. One wine will just not do it.
Pre-Dinner Whites

Thanksgiving dinner has three great opportunities to pair wine with food.

First, the pre-meal appetizers. The choice here is a light white or and possibly one with some fizz. A Riesling will suit the mood very well. We have also come across a sparkling Muscat which is a nice starter. We are choosing Oregon wines for this part of the meal.

Willamette Valley Vineyards 2013 Riesling - $12
Tulatin Estate 2012 Frizzante - $15

Then for dinner, especially a turkey dinner, we like a medium to light bodied red. Our preference is for a Cabernet Franc or a Pinot Noir. This is where we spend our wine budget for the dinner. This is, after all the main event.

Fess Parker wines
This year we're going to Fess Parker in Virginia for the Pinot Noir.

Fess Parker 2012 Pinot Noir Clone 2A Bien Nacido Vineyard - $55
Fess Parker 2012 Pinot Noir Pommard Clone - $38

We think these will even go with the cranberry sauce!

Finally, comes the dessert. Our choice is a port or port-style wine, but others like dessert wines.

This year the choices are from Virginia.


King Family Vineyards 2010 Seven - $26

Pearmund Cellars Vin de Sol NV - $23

We know, we wrote that three wines will do it--so it is easy, select one from each category. We'll probably take all six just because, as one friend says, "Nothing succeeds like excess."

Can you really ever have too much wine?

We think not. 

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Wine of the Evening - 2009 Keswick Vineyards Consensus

2009 Keswick Vineyards Consensus
Every so often one of those truly unique wines comes along and just screams: why couldn't there be thousands more cases of this wine.

The 2009 Keswick Vineyards Consensus is one of those wines. I opened a bottle this evening to check its progress and was truly amazed. The winemakers notes say it may be laid down for five years and, well, it has been five years!

The nose remains as vital and exciting as when this wine was blended. How do I know? Because I had a hand in blending this Gold Medal winning wine. I love the smokiness of this wine and many dark Virginia wines. This one is dark, too; no light escapes.

The taste is medium, but complex with some tannins and a good whole mouth taste with some acidity and a hint of minerality and dark fruit flavors.

This wine has been aging in my cellar and I still have a few bottles. It is sad, though, that there aren't more for sale. The wine is at its peak.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Wine for the Holiday Gathering


Holiday time is upon us and with it comes the inevitable decision associated with which wines to serve.

There are multiple opportunities to serve wine during the holiday season, whether for meals or social gatherings with friends and family. Each opportunity presents its own special challenges. 

Wines are deeply personal. Each person has their own favorites and even among my wine drinking friends, although we generally enjoy similar wines, we have different likes.

For the holiday gathering I recommend a solid middle of the road white--a Viognier, a Pinot Gris, and maybe a Muscat with a bit of fizz in it. My specific recommendations are:

2011 King Family Viognier - $24
2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris - $14
2012 Semi Sparkling Muscat Frizzante Tualatin Estate - $15

On the red side, offer a dark red, shiraz or cabernet sauvignon and a lighter red like a cabernet franc or a pinot noir. 

2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir  - $22
2013 F Stephen Miller Shiraz Angel Reserve - $11
2013 King Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc - $24
2011 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon - $13

Keep the prices moderate and figure four glasses per person--you should have enough for the evening that way. Remember, each bottle contains five five ounce glasses of wine. Most people pour heavy resulting in six or seven ounce pours.

Most importantly, though, have fun and enjoy the wine!

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, October 27, 2014

Pure Wine Cafe

Pure Wine Cafe Interior
Set along Main Street, Ellicott City, Maryland, is one of the premier wine cafe's in the area. The Pure Wine Cafe is everything that we look for in a wine cafe. 

It is cozy, upscale, friendly, and full of great wine and food!

We spent a Friday evening Happy Hour with friends at the cafe two weeks ago and could not have enjoyed our experience more.

The interior is small, cozy and very inviting. The wait staff was extremely knowledgeable about the wines being offered and the Happy Hour specials are worth stopping by to enjoy especially with friends after a long, grueling week at work. The menu is easy to read and understand and the waitstaff is eager to help pair the best wine with whatever is chosen. We especially recommend the truffle fries. 

One of the staff recommendations that we definitely enjoyed was the Inman Family 2010 Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley. It was the perfect wine for the evening.

RECOMMENDATION: The Pure Wine Cafe is great place for happy hour, dinner, snacks, and most of all enjoying an evening with friends. Check it out, it is worth the trip.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

The Top 100 Best Buys 2014

We love this time of year. Not only are the grapes being harvested to create the wines of the new year, but the annual top 100 wine lists are published.

We subscribe to Wine Enthusiast and the magazine publishes multiple top 100 wine lists annually. 

The first one was published this week and it is the Top 100 Best Buys of 2014

While wine is intensely personal, lists like this give us the opportunity to expand our tasting into new wines based upon reviews. We don't have to agree with the rankings--but they provide a great place to find new wines.

The Top 100 Best Buys of 2014 is, in our mind, one of the best lists because it focuses on widely available wines with moderate prices. Seriously--the top 10 are composed of wines priced between $7-$14. Now those are really best buys.

This particular list is proof positive that solid, enjoyable wines do not have to cost over $20. We were also encouraged by how many Finger Lakes region wines were on the list and by how many of the vineyards that we have visited were represented on the list. 

Check it out and head off to your local wine retailer to expand your wine experience.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Wine Dinner Excellence

We attended a wine dinner in Frederick, Maryland, the other evening which brought together a beautiful venue and very enjoyable wines. Together, it was the perfect combination for a fantastic wine dinner. 

The dinner was hosted by the Ayse Meze Lounge in Frederick Maryland. The food and the wines were paired beautifully. It was advertised as a five course dinner, but two of the courses had seconds--so it was really a five plus course dinner. With the weather being incredibly mild that evening, we were able to eat outside and enjoy the late-Summer coolness in a beautiful setting.

The wines were from the Willamette Valley Vineyard in Oregon. Yes, we've been there, but we really appreciate the wines they produce. Jim Bernau, the founder and CEO, was on hand to introduce the wines for each course of the dinner. Jim was in great form at the top of his game.  Every time we listen to Jim tell the story of Oregon wines and the vineyard, we learn something new and gain a better appreciation for the complicated process it takes to transform a dream into the glass of wine in my hand. 
Halibut first course

So why go to a wine dinner, especially when we already appreciate the wines? Simple. Wine dinners showcase gourmet cooking paired with exactly the right wine to create a perfect dining experience. The elegance and the chance to enjoy a delicious meal with friends is something that must be experienced.  After the meal there is the opportunity to purchase the showcased wines, usually at a discount, and more importantly--the opportunity to meet and talk with the wine producers is something that must not be missed. Being serious about wine, we want to know more and more about the process--the weather, the soil and the choice of grapes for a particular climate. There is a lot of detailed information out there and it cannot be absorbed in one sitting.

The wines served were during the evening were:

2013 Willamette Valley Vineyard Riesling
2013 Willamette Valley Vineyard Pinot Gris
2011 Willamette Valley Vineyard Dijon Clone Chardonnay
2013 Willamette Valley Vineyard Founders Reserve Pinot Noir
2012 Willamette Valley Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir

Each of the wines represented very well.  We were familiar with all of them, but it was nice to enjoy them paired with gourmet food. 

RECOMMENDATION: Find a local wine dinner and attend it--just for fun. Our experience has been that the service is fantastic and the wines are well paired with the food offerings. Wine dinners provide an opportunity to make new friends and enjoy wine.

Our thanks go out to:

Ayse Meze Lounge for hosting the event. The lounge is definitely on our list for a return visit. The service was awesome and the venue beautiful.

Willamette Valley Vineyards which produce some of the best Pinot Noir wines in the world and continue to be a first class operation committed to all around quality. A big thanks to Jim Bernau for not only making the wine, but for making the trip across the country to share his love of wine with all of us.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Glasses Really Do Make a Difference

Riedel XL Pinot Noir glass
We bought some special Pinot Noir glasses while we were in Oregon. They are made by the famous wine glass makers, Riedel. 

Originally, the story goes, they were designed as Oregon Pinot Noir glasses, but marketing them as that met some obstacles. They are now known as Riedel XL Pinot Noir wine glasses--but they are Pinot noir glasses. 

I did a test the other day with some friends.

I poured Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir into the glasses. I also poured the same wine into some regular wine glasses--unbeknownst to those drinking the wine.

The Test
I asked them to compare the wines.

Wow--three people were involved. All three were convinced that I had poured different wines into the glasses. All agreed that the wine in the Pinot Noir glasses was superior to the wine in the straight wineglass. It was difficult to convince them that the same wine was in both glasses.

Amazing confirmation. 

Glasses really do make a difference. The right glass enhances the smell and, therefore, the taste of a wine.

If you have ever had to drink wine from a plastic glass--like on an airplane, you understand what a travesty it really is. Even a great wine will not show to its potential in a plastic airline glass.

To fully enjoy great wines, take the time and spend the money to get stemware, glasses, that compliment the wines being served.

Do the test yourself--you will be amazed.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Friday, September 5, 2014

Willamette Valley Vineyards -- Oregon Trail

Entrance to Willamette Valley Vineyards
We have been slow to write a review of Willamette Valley Vineyards, one of the wineries we visited during on our trip to Oregon's Willamette Valley for wine tasting, primarily because this winery and vineyard was the greatest stop on the journey. It is a big, but friendly, winery that offers so many views of grapes, wine, wine production and retailing that trying to write a review of our visit there seemed overwhelming. 
Wines for Tasting

We had the pleasure of staying on the vineyard for three nights and as a result we saw the in-depth side of winery operations. Walking through the vineyards in the morning before the world was fully awake was truly a highlight of our visit--but, then, so was sitting on the veranda outside of the guest rooms watching the sun set over the coastal mountains of Oregon, sipping some of the well balanced wines produced by the vineyard and enjoying the conversation with friends as the darkness fell ending another exciting day of adventure. 
Willamette Valley Vineyards Tasting
Room player piano

The vineyard is easy to find, being right off Interstate 5 south of Salem, Oregon, at The Enchanted Forest exit. It is kind of funny to think about the exit offering excitement for kids of all ages. Even though it sounds like a long way from the Portland airport, the drive was easy and fun.
View Across the Willamette Valley

The newly constructed tasting room must be seen to be appreciated.  Sitting up the hill, it provides a commanding overlook of the Willamette Valley south of Salem. The tasting room is the nicest and most welcoming tasting room of all the ones we experienced in the region. 

And then, and this is not an afterthought, there are the wines. The vineyards possesses a great assortment of wines to please almost every oenophile. 

Pinot Noir is king at Willamette Valley Vineyards and that is as it should be in this region. Ten different Pinot Noir wines were available for sale during our visit. We were able to participate in our first ever horizontal Sub-AVA tasting consisting of Pinot Noir wines from five different sub-AVAs within the Willamette Valley. The tasting helped us to understand the differences of the different regions. But the tastings did not stop there. Willamette Valley Vineyards also provides a dynamic Pinot Gris--which we felt was one of the best Pinot Gris offerings we have ever experienced along with Riesling, Chardonnay, a sparkling Muscat, and Viognier offerings. The winery also has a second label, Griffin Creek, which offers Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Viognier, and Malbec wines.

Although the choices seem overwhelming--there are definitely some "best buys!"

Bob and Chris's Willamette Valley Vineyards Best Buys:

2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, $22. It is hard to beat this wine as a great go to wine that will please nearly everyone. Although promoted as "liquid fruit salad in a glass"--we found it to be a great wine suitable for many occasions, especially sitting around the pool after a long hot day. 

2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Reisling, $14. A semi-sweet wine with fruit and a touch of effervescence that refreshes.

2013 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris, $16. Fabulous! We are not primarily white wine drinkers, but if all white were like this one, we might convert. The balance, minerality, flavors, and acidity of this wine are unsurpassed. 

2012 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Bernau Block, $55. This is a great Pinot Noir and we were happy to be able to secure a few bottles for our collection. It is the signature wine of the founder and CEO of Willamette Valley Vineyards. During our stay we were able to walk around the vineyards block from which the grapes for this wine are sourced. 

2010 Willamette Valley Vineyard AVA Series Wines, $50. If you want to experience the variations and differences among the Willamette Valley sub-AVAs, get these wines. They each provide a flavor the the valley and the regions from which they come.

RECOMMENDATION: This winery should be at the top of every Pinot Noir drinkers bucket list. 

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD
#wvv #wine4yourlife

Monday, August 18, 2014

St Innocent Winery - Oregon Trail


Driving the highway near Salem, Oregon, we made our way to St Innocent Winery, which had been recommended to us, late one afternoon. It was a great find not just for the wine, but for the art, the atmosphere and a bonus, the chance to talk to the owners.

Oregon wine tasting provides the opportunity to experience a wide variety of wines and we believe that St Innocent is providing some of the highest quality wines at a great price point in the Willamette Valley. This is one of those wineries that while it seems to be just a bit off the beaten path, it screams for recognition because Mark and Vickianne Vlossak have created a world class winery that we believe has a very bright future. The wines are focused and complex.

St Innocent Winery Barrel Room

The day we visited the tasting room, St Innocent was tasting 10 wines which provided a good representation of the winery. We found something special and interesting in each of the wines. 

We were very impressed with the 2012 Pinot Gris, Vitae Springs Vineyard. At $26, this was a very nice wine that we felt was in the upper tier of the Willamette Valley Pinot Gris offerings. Done in an Alsatian style in stainless, the wine was spicy with complex fruit notes.

The 2012 Pinot Noir, Temperance Hill, $36, had just been released and had a great nose. The cherry and spices in the nose and on the palate hold up well with grilled dishes. It competed well with offerings we sampled at other vineyards in the $45-65 range.
Poster in the Barrel Room
Note the Reflection in the Corner

One of the highlights of the winery is the  tasting room. It is decorated with intriguing poster art. The art adorning the facility must be experienced and, as we discovered, it is all through the tasting room and into the barrel room. Mark provided us with an impromptu tour and we were not disappointed. It was clear that in every area they are committed to creating and offering high quality wines.

RECOMMENDATION: St Innocent is a must stop on an Oregon Willamette Valley       wine tasting excursion.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Left Coast Cellars - Oregon Trail

Driving across the Willamette Valley on a beautiful July day we arrived at Left Coast Cellars  in Rickreall, Oregon, to enjoy some great wine tasting. 

We were greeted on our arrival by Suzanne, one of the owners, who welcomed us to her cellars and vineyard. She is rightfully proud of the vineyard and the operation.  This winery is a showplace--adorned with flowers and bees, and 130 acres of vineyards surrounding a great tasting room and outgoing friendly people. And great wines--did I mention the wines?
Left Coast Cellars Tasting Room

This is one of those not to be missed wineries in the Willamette Valley. The atmosphere is enjoyable, the diversity of the wines is solid, and the quality is superior. Jen guided us through our tasting and she was very knowledgeable about the wines and the operation of the vineyard. She was able to answer my myriad of questions while also presenting the wines in the best possible manner. I appreciated her enthusiasm and love of the wines produced. While we were there the vineyard manager, Luke, also stopped by for a visit and a chat. He is rightfully proud of the wines produced by Left Coast Cellars. 

The day we visited, six wines were being tasted. We felt that the 2013 Orchards Pinot Gris, $18, was an especially good buy. It had a nice fruity nose of peach and pear with bright flavors and good acidity and minerality. 

Another good buy was the 2013 White Pinot Noir, $20, which we found to be unique and smooth with tropical fruit, peach and pear. It was a very enjoyable wine which should be very good with a wide variety of foods and cheeses. A nice summer time wine.

One other wine, which was not on the scheduled tasting, but which we were able to taste was the 2012 Cali's Cuvee Pinot Noir, $24. This wine was a real treat with lots of cherries and plums with hints of floral flavors and good acidity to make a very nice wine. 
Flowers at Left Coast Cellars

There is more to this winery than just the wines. There is a kitchen which offers a variety of sandwiches and some very nice chocolate candies. There is an outside seating area to purchase a bottle of wine and enjoy a sandwich. The vineyards are very scenic with walking paths and trees. This may be one of the most scenic vineyards that we visited during out visit to the Willamette Valley to enjoy Oregon wine tasting. 

RECOMMENDATION: Do not miss this winery during a Willamette Valley wine tasting tour. The wines all have great price points and the beauty of the winery and surrounding area must be experienced. 

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, July 21, 2014

Elizabeth Chambers Cellar - Oregon Trail

We went looking for an established winery in McMinnville, Oregon, which had been recommended to us and in doing so we discovered a new brand that is truly a gem among the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir wine producers. 

We drove to the address we were given for Panther Creek Cellars and found Elizabeth Chambers Cellar. We were not disappointed. This newly branded winery was actually and literally putting its name up on the door and preparing for its grand opening as we arrived. We were a little confused, but were greeted with open arms even while the staff was preparing for the huge celebration scheduled to occur on the next day.
Elizabeth Chambers Cellars Tasting Room

What did we find? Natalie met us at the tasting bar and guided us through a tasting of five Willamette Valley wines, one 2013 Pinot Gris and four 2011 Pinot Noir. She is not only enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the wines and wine production, but her ability to explain the geology of the region and the vineyards from which the grapes are sourced is superior. 
Barrel Room Reflecting the Outside

We had the opportunity to chat with Michael Stevenson, the Winemaker, about the wines and his view of winemaking. He  is excited about the opportunity to use his creative license to develop cutting edge wines and he is also very excited about the newly renovated facility. His approach to winemaking is direct and effective--make good wines that people appreciate. We believe that, in his these offerings of Elizabeth Chambers Cellar, he has met his goal.


Each of the five wines we tasted presented something special and was representative of the region and the exceptionally fine wines produced here. 

Starting off the tasting with the 2013 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, $18, we were immediately immersed into a wine full of citrus with hints of grapefruit and orange, nice acidity, and tropical fruits. We found this to be a noteworthy Pinot Gris that stands out from so many others in its unique character highlighted by complex flavors and just the right amount of brightness.

Then the tasting quickly turned to the Pinot Noir offerings, which truly are the stars of the wine tasting experience. 

Leading the tasting was the 2011 Winemakers Cuvee Pinot Noir, $32, which was rated 92 by Wine Enthusiast in their August 2014 edition. And it is! This is a highlight wine that I initially felt should be the last one tasted rather than the first--because I truly felt that it would be hard to top this wine. The price point makes this wine a very good buy. 
Tasting Room

Each of the remaining three 2011 Pinot Noir wines: Shea Vineyard, Freedom Hill, and Lazy River (each $45) provide a integrated and complex interpretation of Pinot Noir highlighting the regions or vineyards from which the grapes were sourced.  I especially enjoyed the Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir for its dark, smoky, and brooding tones.  

The tasting experience was extremely enjoyable and the facility has been extensively renovated transforming it into a creative space for producing high quality wines. What could be better? Well, how about going back the next day to enjoy the grand opening celebration? How many times do we really get the opportunity to be at the public opening of a winery?
Elizabeth Chambers Grand Opening
Looking into the Barrel Room


At the celebration we did a barrel tasting of the 2012 Lazy River Vineyard Pinot Noir. Although not scheduled to be bottled for some months yet, this wine is complex and balanced with a nice deep color and an enticing nose. This is going to be a great wine when it is released.

RECOMMENDATION: Find the wines from this winery and enjoy them. They are of the highest quality with a great price point.  If you are fortunate enough to be visiting McMinnville, Oregon, stopping by Elizabeth Chambers Cellar is a must. 

-- Bob and Chris Doan, writing from Carlton, Oregon


Monday, July 14, 2014

Black Ankle Winery - Maryland Wine Trail

Black Ankle Tasting Room
A visit to Black Ankle Winery provides a view of what many wineries are striving to become in terms of the facilities and the sustainability. The winery is devoted to being "green" as well as self-sufficient in terms of grapes used in their wines. We laud and appreciate these ideals--so long as they result in great wines and an enjoyable experience. 
Pressed Grapevine Wine Bar in Foreground

The tasting room is beautiful and well designed. And it is green! The construction is unique to the area. We were impressed by the pressed grapevine wine bar. It has to be seen to be appreciated. 

The vineyard consists of 42.5 acres planted with 12 varieties of grapes.  The varietals are fairly standard for the region with the exception of the Gruner Veltliner. We were very interested in this grape and wine, but it was not available for tasting on the day we visited except by wine club members.


The winery has many outdoors seating areas and places for picnicking and presents a very enjoyable atmosphere for family activities. On the day we visited, there were a lot of families 

The tasting fee is $10, and on the day we visited during late June, only 5 wines were being tasted. The winery is devoted to Italian-style wines. The best tasting wine the day we visited was the 2013 Rose, which at $24 was a good buy. It was a dry Rose composed of a six wine blend consisting of Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The 2011 Rolling Hills, $32, sporting a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon was a very light bodied wine and would be a good all around table wine suitable for daily use. With 1088 cases produced, it is the highest production wine at the winery. 

The 2011 Leaf-Stone Syrah, $52, was very light bodied and not spicy and did not exhibit the classic Syrah characteristics. 
Black Ankle Tasting Room

The Terra Dulce III, $45, port-style wine was exceptionally good. We found it enjoyable and complex with a nice blend of flavors. We thought the price point to be a bit high, however.

The Passeggiata VII, $28, had nice tones of strawberry and was delicious with a nice blending of spiciness. 

There were two other very interesting wines on the tasting list; however, they were only available for tasting or purchase by wine club members and when we inquired we found the wine club to be currently closed for new members. We felt they should not advertise the wines if first time visitors cannot enjoy them, especially if they represent the best the winery has to offer.
Green Bird House at Black Ankle

We was disappointed in the overall tasting experience. While the facility is fabulous and beautiful as well as inviting, the server was unfamiliar with the composition of the wines, the types of grapes grown by the vineyard, and many other basic facts. The tasting was strictly a tasting without the additional information about the wines, the harvest, and the winery that we are accustomed to receiving. A good tasting should strive to make a connection between the winery and the taster by explaining the process, the grapes, the methods, and selling the wine a bit. This tasting was strictly a tasting--"Here is the wine, what do you think?"

RECOMMENDATION. While the tasting experience was less than optimal, there are a lot of positives to enjoy about this winery. The open architecture, the seating areas, and the atmosphere are very nice and inviting. The dedication to going green is laudable. Be sure to check the website for tasting hours, the are generally open on weekends, but this is subject to change. This winery is worth a visit as it is one of the premier wineries in Maryland.

-- Bob and Chris Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday, June 30, 2014

Serpent Ridge Vineyard - Maryland Vineyards

Serpent Ridge Vineyard Tasting Room
Nestled into the forest along a scenic Carroll County, Maryland, road we happened upon a jewel of a vineyard which epitomizes a dream becoming reality. Serpent Ridge Vineyard is admittedly small, with only four acres of vines, but it is significant in the quality of the wines produced and the friendly welcoming atmosphere.

We were met as we entered the tasting room by Janell, who exhibited enthusiasm about the wines and also in depth knowledge of the vineyard. She expertly took us through the tasting and answered my myriad of questions. Most of the wines are produced from grapes grown on the estate. 
Serpent Ridge Vineyards

The day we visited, six wines were being tasted. They represent a good mix of white and reds. The vineyard uses a unique closing system for the bottles--a zork resealable wine closure. They are the only winery that we have visited using this system and I like this much better than screwtop bottles, although I do remain a cork-o-phile. The zork does have many advantages including potential use on other bottles after the wine bottle is came on is long empty.

The tasting room is nicely situated providing a beautiful setting for sipping good wine, relaxing and enjoying a summer afternoon. As we sat talking over wine, cheese and crackers; Karen Smith, one of the owners, came and spent some time taking about the history of the vineyard and their plans for the future. I was impressed with her realistic vision and approach to winemaking. She recognizes that there are opportunities for winemakers and is definitely looking to fill a niche which will attract others to Maryland wines.

The wines were tasting very well and we were especially impressed with the 2011 Albarino and the 2011 Cab Franc Rose. The dessert wine, appropriately named Slither, was also very nice.

The 2011 Albarino was crisp with some minerality. It had nice fruit on the nose and hints of peaches and pears. The nose was full and enticing. This is a good sipping around the pool wine and was our favorite of the day.

The 2011 Cab Franc Rose was especially interesting because the nose and the taste seemed to be very different from each other. The bouquet was full of jammy fruit, but the tastes were of light strawberry in a very dry interpretation. I enjoyed alternating between enjoying the bouquet and then finding the flavors as I sipped the wine. This wine definitely needs to be served chilled.

Slither, the dessert wine, is one of those wines that needs to be in everybody's cellar. It is a very well done combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese. With its 5 percent residual sugar and 19 percent alcohol, this wine is meant to be enjoyed very slowly and we could think of many ways to enjoy it, from over ice cream, to even on its own in a glass as a dessert on its own--chilled, of course.

The vineyard has a solid schedule of events planned throughout the summer--to further attract people. Check out their events calendar. There is ample parking and the tasting room is spacious and pleasant, as is the on lawn seating for the enjoying the summer evenings ahead. 

RECOMMENDATION: Check this vineyard out. We found Serpent Ridge to be a very enjoyable foray into Maryland wines and winemaking and the setting provides a great way to spend a summer afternoon. Be sure to check the website for hours of operation.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD


Thursday, June 12, 2014

Home Wine Cellar, Part 2: Storage

Why did the size of our wine cellar increase beyond 18 bottles, which was sufficient to meet our daily needs? 

Well, frankly, it was not a conscious decision. It just happened! As we became more familiar with wine and the impact that aging can have on better wines, we began to buy multiple bottles of wines. One to enjoy now and more to enjoy later.

A great conundrum is realizing that the wine being tasted today may not be available tomorrow and trying to decide how many bottles to buy to be able to continue to enjoy the wines.

One of my personal rules of wine shopping is never buy a single bottle of wine. Buy wine in pairs. If it is good enough to buy today, I will want to enjoy it again. Buying wine like this naturally increases the number of bottles that are maintained. A really great wine at a really great price point may mean that a case needs to be purchased to lay down and to have for later. 
No, This isn't my Wine Cellar

It have to admit that for good wines, it is a lot of fun to watch a wine develop. And, it is educational. We are watching a wine that we helped develop mature in the bottle. It is a 2009 vintage from Virginia and it has changed significantly from when it was first bottled and sold.

Changing the way wine is purchased means that wine holdings just naturally begin to increase, incrementally over time and then, suddenly, there are cases of wine crammed into closets. Ultimately, I would love to have a real wine cellar like the one in the image--but I have neither the space nor the money for such an ornate cellar. Something, however,  has to be done or good money will be wasted on wine that will go bad in the bottle.
Small wine Refrigerator

Three words:

Storage, storage, storage.

Start small. Buy an inexpensive wine refrigerator that holds 50 or more bottles. That will provide two of the most important aspects of managing a small collection: darkness and consistent temperature. 

Light and fluctuating temperatures are known enemies of wine. A small wine refrigerator allows the wine collection to be maintained, even near the kitchen or on the main level of a house, where temperatures fluctuate and sunlight is present.

As enjoyment of wine increases, we have found that having a selection our favorites on hand is always preferred to running out to the wine shop for something fast. Having a modest cellar has increased our wine enjoyment immeasurably because we always have something on hand suitable for everyone's personal tastes.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Perigeaux Vineyards & Winery

Sitting above the Patuxent River in Calvert County, Maryland, on a scenic plot with eight acres of vineyards, we found a charming and enjoyable winery: Perigeaux Vineyards & Winery. It was a spur of the moment day trip to wineries within about an hour and a half of the house and we were not disappointed. All of the wines which carry the Perigeaux label are estate grown--which is no small feat considering the size of the vineyard.
Perigeaux Tasting Room

It was a beautiful, late-May afternoon and our visit to the winery was thoroughly enjoyable. We were met as soon as we walked  into the tasting room by Katie who demonstrated a deep knowledge of the winery and wines produced. Varieties grown on the estate include: Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, and Zinfandel. 

I learned something really interesting while in the tasting room. One of the pairings they proposed for their 2011 Chardonnay was with quiche! Yup--quiche. Wine is not just for dinner anymore and can rival the cheap sparkling wines used to make breakfast mimosa's. 

The winery is most proud of its dry red offerings, but we also found a unique interpretation of Chardonnay. 

The 2011 Chardonnay was very impressive and found an excellent balance between the steel tank and oak barrel fermented Chardonnays. This Chardonnay is held in oak barrels for just a few weeks--and this imparts soft tones into the wine without becoming overpowering oaky or buttery. 

The 2012 Pinot Gris Reserve was also very nice and definitely worth the taste.

The reds, however, were truly the hit of the visit.

We were able to sample some of the double gold winning 2011 Montepulciano and it was every bit as good as a double gold winning wine should be. Sadly, there were only a few bottles of this wine left.
Gift Area in the Tasting Room

But, there were some other great reds to be sampled. The 2011 Cabernet Franc was very nice and surprisingly full bodied, while the 2011 Mackall Road Cabernet Sauvignon was similar to a Washington State interpretation with a very light body and almost no tannins.

It was a perfect day to visit the Winery and Vineyard and I recommend it as a must do stop on Maryland's Patuxent Wine Trail

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD