What We Are Drinking - Carol's Vineyard J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

J. Lohr Carol's Vineyard
St Helena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2014

One of the advantages of being a vineyard or winery wine club member is that we receive wines that we otherwise either would not or could not buy on the retail market. The club allows us to enjoy some higher end wines while also diversifying our tastes and wine experience.

The J. Lohr Wine Club is no exception. Chris and I have been members since we were fortunate to have visited their Paso Robles, California, tasting room a couple years ago and enjoyed a beautiful day learning about the J. Lohr process and experiencing their wines first hand. 

The other evening, Chris and I decided to enjoy a special wine and it was one of those higher end wines that I chose. It was the J. Lohr Carol's Vineyard St. Helena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 that I pulled. It is more expensive, as wines go, that the wines we usually drink. I paid $54 for it through the wine club and I noted that through the website the 2016 vintage retails for $60. The drinkability period for the wine is from 2020-2025, so it was right in the drinkability zone according to Cellar Tracker. The 2014 vintage received ratings of 91-92 from most of the rating agencies and a 88.5 average from the two people who tasted the wine--both during 2020. My personal rating, made before reading the reviews, was 91.

The winemakers notes are as follows: The 2014 vintage of J. Lohr Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon expresses this classic valley floor site in an approachable way. Savory fruit elements wrapped in a barrel signature of hazelnut and cocoa powder. Firm and angular in structure with red and blue fruits on the finish. Excellent with grilled entrecôte and shallots, or a roasted pork loin with porcini mushrooms and fennel.

I highly recommend the Carol's Vineyard series of J. Lohr wines for a special occasion or just because you want something really nice to enjoy.

One of the problems that we have, well it is not really a problem, is deciding when to drink some of the higher priced wines that we accumulate from the wine clubs that we have joined. We enjoy having them in the cellar, but sometimes we have to just decide that tonight is the night! And that is exactly how we decided to enjoy the Carol's Vineyard 2014. And we were not disappointed. 

Sometimes it is just fun to pull out a special bottle of wine and enjoy it--just between the two of us. On the up side that means we get a second glass because we are not sharing it with friends!

-- Bob and Chris Doan, Elkridge, MD

Chateau St. Jean 2004 Reserve Merlot

Valentine's Day Dinner

It was Valentine's Day!  We celebrated at home because, to be honest with you, I hate fighting crowds and waiting forever for a table only to be rushed out to make way for another couple.

We have been celebrating at home for four years now and the highlight of every meal is picking a very special wine from the wine cellar.

The selection we chose this year was just that, VERY SPECIAL!!

Bob and I were in Sonoma several years ago on our first real wine vacation and found Chateau St. Jean to be one of our favorite stops.

The winery is beautiful and the wine is delicious.  We tasted this Merlot and knew immediately it would stand the test of time.  So we did what many do and purchased this wine for $75.  It was and still is one of the most expensive wines we have purchased.  

We brought it home and determined that we would save it for a special occasion.  The problem then becomes, when is special, special enough for such an exceptional wine?  Well, we keep track of all our wines through Cellar Tracker.  One of the features of Cellar Tracker is that it lets you know when a wine is at it's peak. This one came up as a drink now and that's what we did.

This Merlot is fantastic!  Merlot is my favorite varietal, which makes me a bit old school.  The wine has a wonderful color with a great nose and a taste that lingers reminding you that sometimes you just have to spend the extra money because, well, you are worth it.  It is smooth with hints of dark cherries, a hint of vanilla and mature tannins.   If you like reds and are looking for a special wine this is one I would definitely recommend.

-- Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Springtime on the Back Deck with Fess Parker

Fess Parker wine on the Back Deck

There is nothing better than sitting on the back deck with my favorite wine poured into one of my favorite souvenir glasses from a winery that I have visited. 

The winery is Fess Parker and the iconic coonskin cap is on the glass. 

I had the opportunity to visit Fess Parker winery and vineyard and enjoy first hand their down home hospitality while relishing in the memory of one of my favorite actors from my childhood.

Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard Tasting Room

The winery and tasting room is spectacular. They offer a great Wine Club program and one of the best wine marketing programs to the members of any of the wine clubs in which I am a member.

That, and the wines are great and modestly priced as well. Fess Parker winery produces wines that have a nice complexity and should appeal to all kinds of wine lovers. In addition to wine, they also offer a selection of vinegars and oils which are largely unique. 

RECOMMENDATION: Try some Fess Parker wines. Better yet, visit the vineyard and get a glass from your tasting. They do not ship the glasses, I tried to get one to replace a broken glass. I am a red wine drinker and I joined the Wine Club because the Pinot Noir's and the Syrah's are very enjoyable and drink like wines significantly more expensive.

-- Bob and Christina Doan, Elkridge, MD

Arcadian 2005 Syrah Westerly Vineyard

I haven't written much about individual wines lately. I have been recording my likes and dislikes and recommendations in CellarTracker, an application which allows me to manage my wine and do research. But, I have found a wine which is one of those very special wines that plays well above its weight.

The wine is Arcadian 2005 Syrah Westerly Vineyard form the Santa Ynez Valley in California.

I was introduced to this wine through an email offering form a respected wine agency and bought two bottles, sight unseen or tasted. I read the description an believed that if the wine was half as good as the write up it would be worth the price.

Turns out, it is far better than that. It is a great wine that one person I served it to remarked that it was equal to $100 bottle wines he had been served. Now I don't know who can afford $100 per bottle wines, but it is nice to know that I have one that is in good company with them.

One reviewer wrote: "Darn nice wine made even more impressive by the price. Rich but lively so it's not heavy at all with smoke, blackberry, earth and black pepper. There seems to be just a hint of brett (I could be wrong but myself and winemaker friend thought there was a bit) which added to the complexity without overwhelming. Good acidity and a nice medium length finish. Wish I bought more of this."

Another reviewer wrote: "Bright medium red. Red and dark berries, smoked meat and Christmas spices on the nose. Midweight raspberry and bitter cherry flavors are complicated by beef jerky and floral pastille qualities. This strikes me as a blend of pinot noir and syrah, with the former variety's finesse and sweetness and the latter's game and earth character. Finishes crisp and long, leaving a peppery note behind."

Recommendation: This is a great wine and I highly recommend it. At $26 per bottle it is a bit more expensive than many of wines I buy--but worth the extra cost.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Hahn Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - Review

It has been a while since I reviewed a wine, mostly because I have been using Cellar Tracker and writing reviews there as I sample different wines.

But, this wine was recently recommended to me and I really need to let everyone know how good this wine is--and it is a best value, even according to Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Chris and I sampled Hahn Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 the other evening. We were both very impressed. This wine is really special.

The wine is described this way on the website:

Luscious scents of sweet berry fruits, opening to wisps of cola, licorice, and spice. Ripe blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors are accompanied by notes of cassis and vanilla, balanced by firm tannins and food-friendly acidity.

Deep ruby in the glass, this Cabernet Sauvignon commands attention from the moment it is poured. Rich, luscious scents of sweet berry fruits entice the nose, opening to wisps of cola, licorice, and spice. An intense core of ripe blackberry and boysenberry greets the palate, giving way to notes of cassis, vanilla and earth. Firm tannins and food-friendly acidity balance the plush fruit, leading to a long, pleasant finish.

The intense character and complex nature of this Cabernet Sauvignon make it a strong partner for meat dishes such as beef stew and roasted venison. Try it also with a flavorful starter, such as gorgonzola and walnuts, or a simple dessert like espresso gelato.

I found this to be very true. I wrote the wine us as follows: This is a great wine especially considering the price. Great nose followed by a taste which includes dark cherry and black currant flavors. Some structure underneath the berry flavors with tannins. Nice feel in the mouth and it finishes strong and lingers.

RECOMMENDATION: If you like Cabernet Sauvignon, buy this wine. For about $10 per bottle, the price is great and the wine drinks very nicely and it should continue to drink nicely for a few more years.

Parador Cellars: A Review

During our Napa trip, and I guess on any trip, there is always the hope that I will discover something that not everyone else has discovered. Of course, with all of the wineries and commercialism in Napa and Sonoma, that is nearly impossible to do.

Chris and I along with my sister Pennie and her husband Scott; however, did find that unique memory of the trip in the form of a very small winery called Parador Cellars. How it happened is almost as much of a story and the pure enjoyment we got from "discovering" something that not everyone finds.

Parador is run by the winemaker--Steve and his wife. Steve is solely responsible for the quality of the wines and the blends. And, I believe he hit it perfectly in the wines he makes. A visit to the Cellars, is a visit to their home in Napa--and a phone call for an appointment.

We were introduced to Parador Cellars at Zu Zu, a tapas restaurant in Napa where we found the Parador Red Wine, a Cabernet-Tempranillo blend on the wine list and tried it. It is fabulous. As is the Tempranillo that Parador produces.

We were treated to a personal tasting at the house and were able to taste an assortment of the wines. I was able to taste the 1999 Reserva which was a Cabernet-Tempranillo-Sangiovese blend as well as the 2004 and 2005 red which was the Cabernet-Tempranillo blend and complimented the 2003 red we enjoyed at the restaurant. We also sampled the 2005 Tempranillo and the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon which were used to create the red.

I highly recommend these wines and the experience of meeting the winemaker, Steve and his wife, to discuss the wines and get to know them was fantastic and was truly a highlight of the week in Napa.

The find of the week! Fine wines and a great winemaker.

Sterling Winery: A Review

The first winery we visited, right out of the barrel was Sterling.

Sterling is located in Calistoga, near the north end of Napa Valley.

Although I had read mixed reviews about this winery, we still wanted to visit it because it is just plain neat--with the cable car ride up the hillside to the winery.

We upgraded to the reserve tasting, so the admission was $30 per person. That is pretty standard around here for tours and tastings. The basic tour and tasting was $25--so we really only had a minor upgrade.

The gondola ride was beautiful and provided a nice way to see the valley in the morning sunlight. It was a beautiful way.

The tour is self-guided--but the positioning of tasting stations along the tour route was really nice and creative. The winery is beautiful. The tour is great and fun to wander around the various stations. Although the tour is not informative about the history of the winery.

Here is the real thing: the wines are not that good! They are so-so wines. Fun to taste, but even though it was our first winery, we knew that these were not the great wines of Napa County. They are OK--and over priced OK. There are much better wines out there.

But the winery is fun and is a must visit kind of place.

Recommendation: Visit this winery. The gondola ride is fun and the construct of the tour is unique. The winery is beautiful and definitely with the visit. Use the wine tastings as a baseline for other wineries.

Angeline Merlot 2007 Sonoma Valley - A Review

We had a bottle of the 2007 version of this wine the other night.

The nose was very fresh and light with hints of berries. The taste is smooth and light and continues the light berry flavors, and adds some cherry and a hint of vanilla and some mild tannins. The light purple color is very pleasant. I found the finish a bit weak however. It does not linger very long--and is too soon gone. I would wish it to linger a bit longer to add to the enjoyment.

If you are looking for a light wine to enjoy with some light munchies--this is the wine to try.

Don't look too close at the label depicted here--we had the 2007 Sonoma Valley wine--which has the same label except for it says Sonoma Valley instead of Russian River Valley. But the label otherwise is identical.

RECOMMENDATION: A good buy at $12 per bottle.

Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2006 - Review

Let me start by saying this is a great middle of the road Zinfandel!

I was looking for a fruity and spicy wine which was versatile and I believe this wine is it. The wine was the hit of our wine group last Friday evening. Everyone raved about it and we really enjoyed this wine a lot.

Here is what actually makes this wine: it is 86% Zinfandel and 14% petit sirah.

The tasting notes for the wine are:

The wine is dark purple and opaque in the glass. The nose is luscious and reveals intense, ripe berries, candied strawberry preserves and cinnamon spice. The palate follows with juicy, rounded fruit flavors that mingle with layers of warm, supple tannins leading to a long, plush finish.

Great on its own and perfect with barbeque, try pairing the wine with Baby Back Ribs or Gourmet Pulled-Pork Sandwiches garnished with sweet and spicy coleslaw.

RECOMMENDATION: Get this wine. At about $22 a bottle it is not inexpensive, but it is well worth the price.

Hart & McGarry 2005 Merlot - Review

This Napa Valley wine was recommended to me by my favorite wine person at the ABC Liquor Store in Jupiter, Florida because I was looking for a good Merlot.

I know--merlot's are passe, right? Not true.

This merlot is well worth seeking out. It is very smooth and has a very inviting bouquet which immediately invites you deep into the rich color of the wine for a special experience. The smells of dark berries begins the experience. Once in the mouth there is the pleasing taste of black current and cherries which start forward and then continue across the palette for a smooth and lingering finish.

This is a complete smooth and pleasing wine. I highly recommend it--especially if you are looking for a red that is different from the usual run cabernet sauvingnion or shiraz that are so popular. I know merlot is unpopular right now--but try this one.

Recommendation: Try it. At $15 per bottle it is a great wine for the value.

Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvingnon 2006

I am a big fan of the Smoking Loon wines--but I have to say I was disappointed by this wine. Unlike most of the others that I have had the pleasure to sample, this wine was lifeless. The nose was flat, the palette unremarkable, and the finish non-existent.

The tasting can be described as: This wine is dark deep plum in color with a nose of cherry pie and dark ripe berries and tree bark spice. Flavors of dark berries again fill the palate with a rich fruitiness and tingling acidity while ending with a smokey finish.

While the cost of this wine is definitely less than $8.00, I believe you can do better.

RECOMMENDATION: Not a first choice. In desperate times following two or three other bottles--it will hold up.

Wine Tasting Saturday

Saturday, the last day of February we had a very enjoyable experience in attending a wine tasting. We made our second ever visit to the Iron Bridge Wine Company to taste some wines and enjoy some food with friends.

We actually started with the reds since we really prefer reds. The tasting was excellent and we were able to taste a wide variety of wines and even bought a few.

Attending these is a lot of fun and allows the tasting of wines we otherwise might not get to enjoy. There were a number of gems in the wines we tasted and I will be reviewing a couple of them in the near future.

Two that both Chris and I enjoyed were:
Possum's Vineyard Shiraz, 2004, McLaren Vale, Australia and
Mas des Aveylans "Cuvee Prestige" Syrah, 2004 Rhone Valley, France.

Bottom line though--a great Saturday afternoon activity.

Stuhlmuller Vineyards Estate Zinfandel 2005

A great wine--Stuhlmuller Vineyards Estate Zinfandel 2005 with a fabulous bouquet, a deep inviting color and a smooth finish which lingers. The wine is a blend of Zinfandel (88%) and Petite Sirah (12%).

The vintner describes the wine as follows: Displaying a beautiful dark ruby color with purple hues, this Zinfandel overflows with aromas of earthy red berry, raspberry and sweet candied strawberry. On the palate, this medium-weight wine is loaded with red fruit and floral flavors, while possessing a natural acidity that translates to a long, spicy finish.

I found this to be accurate. I have always enjoyed Zinfandel's for their spicy flavors and long finish. And this wine did not disappoint.

RECOMMENDATION: A solid wine for a special occasion--at about $24 per bottle--probably not to be used as a table wine, but one that should be on the table for a special dinner.

Bogle Vineyards Phantom 2003

We sampled this wine on Friday evening at a friend's house and absolutely loved it.

It was a very smooth wine with a complex and delightful nose that is stunning. It rolls onto the tongue with in a deep, silky manner treating the drinker to flavors of berry, steak, black pepper and other spices blended in a manner that is very pleasing. And the taste lingers on the palette. It truly envelopes your whole mouth in a sensory experience.

The wine is a blend of Petite Sirah 55% - Zinfandel 42% - Mourvèdre 3% and truly is designed to please.

Recommendation: Buy and drink this wine. At about $20 per bottle this is a wine that can definitely be used for special occasions and will definitely impress. And I hear the 2005 vintage is every bit as good if not better than 2003.

2006 Four Vines "Heretic" Paso Robles Petite Sirah

Wow--we tried this wine at a local wine store wine tasting, bought a couple bottles and discovered that it is fabulous from the bottle during an evening with friends and food.

The wine has a superior nose and is extremely smooth on the palette with berry flavors and some black pepper. There is a complexity to the wine which makes it very enjoyable. Not over powering, but pleasingly complex with berries and some black pepper which gives the wine some zing. And then it lingers for a while so that the full flavor comes out.

This is no ordinary wine. I believe it would be excellent with a meaty, spicy meal like ribs--and it would hold its own.

As good as the wine is straight from the bottle--it gets even better when decanted.

Recommendation: A bit pricey at about $35 per bottle--but so pleasing to taste and enjoy. A great bottle of wine for that special celebration.

Cannonball 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a very interesting wine--not your traditional Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is bottled by Cannonball Wine Company of Middletown, CA.

This is a very complex, fruit forward Cab which starts with a strong and pleasant nose and lingers on the palate. The wine is 89% cabernet sauvignon and 11% syrah.

The label describes the wine as: "Exploding with black cherry, wild berry fruit and notes of chocolate and oak, the rich texture lingers long with a bright fresh finish."

I enjoyed this wine. It is one of those wines which allow you to enjoy each aspect of the wine to then appreciate the whole wine as a package. In addition to the tasting notes on the label, I tasted a hint of black pepper.

The syrah adds the zing and excitement to the cabernet sauvignon, and being a huge fan of syrah/shiraz anyway, it really added to my tasting experience with this wine.

This is a stand alone and wine and cheese kind of wine. It is a bit too fruity for heavy meals.

Recommendation: A solid house wine for treating friends. At about $15 (or less) this is a very enjoyable wine and will be an ice breaker for discussion.

Big Ass Chard 2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay Wine Review

Well in keeping the theme of white wines to go with a seafood dinner, the back-up wine for the evening was the Big Ass Chard 2005 Napa Valley Chardonnay. We had been impressed with the Syrah from the same vintner and decided to give the Chardonnay a whirl as the second wine for our seafood dinner.

We were not disappointed in this wine either. It was very buttery with a hint of oak. A good light Chardonnay to accompany the meal. One purveyor of wines, the Salt Creek Wine Company, describes the 2005 as follows:

There is nothing subtle about our Big Ass wines! From the name to the label to the fruit-driven flavor profile, these wines make a bold statement. Big Ass wines deliver everything that typifies the California winemaking style: soft, round, buttery-toasty Chard. These wines are as big as their name!

I have to agree. This was an excellent middle of the road Chardonnay.

An interesting tidbit I picked up about the winery: Big Ass wines are made at Adler Fels’ Sonoma County winemaking facility under the direction of head winemaker Harry Parducci Jr. The brand was introduced in 2004 and produces just over 30,000 cases annually of premium varietal wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

Recommendation: A solid wine to compliment many foods and which will also stand on its own with cheeses. Very enjoyable. A good buy for $14.99.

Big Ass Syrah 2005 Napa Valley Syrah - Wine Review

Big Ass Syrah 2005 Napa Valley Syrah. OK--so I was a bit amused when we decided to try this wine based upon the recommendation of the wine guy at ABC Wines in Jupiter. FL.

The wine is described as follows:

Ample, full, rich, generous - Big Ass Syrah lives up to its name! Ripe fruit aromas of blueberry and cassis are meshed with caramel and toasty oak. This powerful nose also exhibits elegant aromas of dried rosemary, which adds complexity to this full-bodied wine. On the palate, flavors of blueberry and blackberry are exhibits on the entry, while savory, smoked bacon is found on the mid-palate. This wine is aged for 16 months in new French and American oak, which adds vanilla and a hint of pepper to the fruit characters. Dark chocolate flavors linger on the finis.

The wine is excellent. We served it with pork ribs which were very well spiced and the wine held its own. The wine is definitely fruit forward with an excellent nose and good staying power--but not over-powering. It goes down very smoothly and despite a name which might cause one to over look the wine--it is worthy of a good tasting.

Rating: If you like Shiraz/syrah--try this wine. It is good with spicy foods. The nose is excellent and the staying power is well refined. I really liked this wine and found it unique enough to become a house wine. The wine is between $11-15 per bottle.

Smoking Loon Merlot 2006

We tried a bottle of this wine last evening. It is a great bottle of wine for under $10 and i highly recommend it if you like a Merlot with a good, fruity bouquet and a nice finish. The wine slips off the tongue very nicely. It is very drinkable and enjoyable. We were drinking it with a nice mild French cheese and it complimented the cheese very nicely.

The review on this wine from Madwine.com is as follows: "This Merlot has a dark ruby color and the aromas are reminiscent of raspberry jam with hints of lightly toasted oak and caramel. This wine is made in a fruit forward style exhibiting mouth filling Bing cherry, white chocolate, and just a touch of cranberry finishing soft with ripe plum and delicate vanilla oak flavors."

And I agree with everything--it is all right there to enjoy.

Recommendation: Good house wine for all occasion