Lindeman's Chardonnay South Africa Western Cape 2007

Founded as an Australian winery in 1843, and now one of the largest producers and distributors of Australian wines, Lindemans is now owned by Fosters Group (who also own Beringer, Stags Leap, Rosemount, and Penfolds). Their fame has been in part based on Australian wines released in carefully controlled batches—like the Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay, or Bin 50 Shiraz. They are one of the largest wine producers and distributors in Australia, and, since their acquisition by the Fosters Group, they have increased production and distribution, both. In Australia, the Lindemans Winery at Karadoc in Victoria produces wines for the Cawarra, Bin Series and Premier Selection labels, and a second, older winery in South Australia's famous Coonawarra region produce the Reserve and Coonawarra Trio wines.

Lindemans is best known for their "bin" range of Australian wines, but they have expanded in the U.S. to distributing wines sourced and produced in Chile and South Africa. In 2006, Lindemans (and Fosters) expanded their wine productions to Chile and South Africa in what they're calling a "country of origin" range of wines. These wines are distributed for sale only in Europe and the US. They're table wines, priced under $10.00. Lindemans' South African wines are sourced from the Robertson region of of South Africa's Western Cape, in partnership with Roodezandt Wine, and winemaker Abe Rossouw. The South African range began with Merlot, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2005 vintage as finished wines, and the 2006 Chardonnay before it had even been bottled. Today Lindemans' South African range consists of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, and Chardonnay, from South Africa's Western Cape, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile's Maipo Valley and Chardonnay from the Rapel and Curico valleys.

I've tried the South African Cabernet Sauvignon, and while there wasn't anything wrong with it, neither was it particularly memorable. It seems only fair to at least try their Chardonnay, particularly since it has in the past been praised as a "best of class." In the glass, this Chardonnay is a darker shade of gold than most of the Chardonnays I've tried. It has a slightly sweet aroma, like melon, or musk grapes, and, while it's on the dry side, this Chardonnay is sweeter than I'd expect from Chardonnay. It is very much fruit forward, with a distinct melon and green apple quality. It's a bit like Sauvignon Blanc, honestly, (yes, I know that's heresy) and not at all oaky. It is noticeably different from the Chardonnays I've tried from California, and Washington, and most similar to the low-end budget or Australian table wine Chardonnays I've tried. It's 13.55 ABV, and was a spontaneous purchase at the local co-op for $3.99, and was a super pairing with bacon popped popcorn. In other words, this is a perfectly decent table wine, meant to be enjoyed with your regular meals, or as a spontaneous pairing for a spur-of-the-moment meal with friends.

What is a Wine Tasting?

While it may seem easy enough to understand - a wine tasting can actually be quite a misunderstood experience depending on where you go, who you go with, who is there, and what you are trying. It can be quite simple like tasting a few wines with friends to something that is much more elaborate and professional.

When tasting wines there are a few things to pay close attention to. These things can seem quite silly - but make a lot of sense when trying to establish your preference for the wines (in fact tastings can help you find out what types of wines you might really enjoy without having to try them all). You are using many of your senses when tasting wine but basically you are looking for the appearance (sight) of the wine, the aroma (smell) of the wine, the sensation (touch) it has in your mouth, and of course the flavor (taste). You use all of these senses to see how you feel about the wine, whether you like it or not, and if you are going to buy it. The buying is the big reason tastings can be so elaborate. Wineries and related businesses want you to buy the product!

In reality it is that simple and that is how I feel most people should approach it. Try it - to buy it and if you dont love it - leave it. Don't get intimidated when the fancy pants know-it-all "experts" (Connoisseurs) use strange terms and basically ask you to make love to the wine. You are tasting for your own enjoyment and at the end of the day it is up to you to determine what wines you like and why.

Bottoms up!

Monticello Vineyards

The Monticello Vineyards are a must see (and taste) in Napa. It includes the Home Ranch Vineyard (Oak Knoll District, planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc), Knollwood Vineyard (Oak Knoll District, planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah), State Lane Vineyard (Yountville, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon), 'Tietjen Vineyard' - Niebaum Lane Vineyard (Rutherford, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon), and 'Yewell Vineyard' - Elhers Lane Vineyard (St Helena, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon).

The Chardonnay plantings are on our Home Ranch Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. This vineyard is planted to four different clones of Chardonnay: our Heirloom Clones and Dijon clones #76, #95, and #96.

The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are planted to clones #7, #8, #337 and the Cope Clone in Rutherford, Yountville, and St. Helena.

The Pinot Noir plantings are on our Home Ranch Vineyard in the Oak Knoll District. The vineyards are planted to five different clones of Pinot Noir: Heirloom Clone and Dijon clones #667, #777, #113, and #115.

The Merlot is planted on both our Oak Knoll District vineyards; each vineyard is planted to two clones of merlot Clone #181, Clone #6.

The Cabernet Franc is also planted on both our Oak Knoll District vineyards, each vineyard is planted to clones #312, #328 and #332. Our Home Ranch Vineyard is also planted to 'Clone X'.

The Syrah is planted on our Knollwood Vineyard to two ENTAV Clones, #470 and #174.

Goosecross Cellars

Goosecross Cellars is a quiet, cozy, and family-run winery in Napa Valley. It has a felling of home - perhaps because there is family home right on the property! The tasting area is very intimate, there is a large counter where you can see the offerings and on the opposite side there are the actual barrells of wine being created - which is pretty neat!

The service is fantastic and everyone there is really nice. I tried a large selection of what they had to offer and my favorite was the '05 Howell Mountain Cabernet. It was heavy on the deep smokey and dark fruit flavors and was just really was out of this world.

From the makers: Rich, deep and dark, our Howell Mountain Cabernet is perfumed with sweet black plum, dried cherry, roasted espresso bean and anise. Lush, palate-coating flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, cedar and subtle smoke finish with round, integrated tannins. Pairings: Prime rib, Osso Bucco and short ribs.

Also try the '06 Napa Valley AmerItal it has lots of oak and tobacco - just wonderful.

From the makers: Bright, fruit-forward flavors of sweet cherry, ripe plum, cranberry and toasty oak finish with a hint of earth and tobacco. Pairings: Grilled meats and sausages, pasta with red sauce, aged cheeses.

I loved the quaint feeling of it all while I was there - very welcoming. While you are there go around back and see the view of the vineyards - its truly breathtaking (see the image) and will be something you will certainly remember for a long time to come.

Franciscan Estates

Located deep in the Napa Valley (Highway 29 at Galleron Road) the Franciscan Winery is arguably one of the most recognized wineries in the region. The entire estate almost screams Napa Valley - and luxury. My tasting here was wonderful and the service was a true delight. It is - by far - the best experience I had - as well as some of the best tasting Whites I have ever tried (and I am not a big fan of the White). Two of my favorites:

Cuvee Sauvage Chardonnay '05 - creamy and rich with pear and vanilla tones. We had it with apricots and goat cheese - it is a wine that is best served with a light snack and not a meal - at least in my opinion.

From the makers: Round and mouth-filling, with flavors of rich pear, apple, and honeysuckle filling the palate. Vibrant citrus, honey, and mineral notes highlight the long finish. Textural and elegant.

'08 Fountain Court - another wine I would say is best by itself or with some very delicate pairings - this wine is very sweet and has a lot of citrus. We had our tasting with almonds and it was just perfect.

From the makers: Pretty and lively on the palate with rich lychee, lime, orange, and exotic fruit flavors. Elegant and bright, with a soft, round mid-palate. The off-dry finish lingers with orange blossom and passion fruit.

If you are going to Napa - you have to visit the Franciscan Winery - you will be so glad you did!

Cosentino Winery

If your going to Napa there are a couple of places you will want to check out - and the Consentino Winery is definitely one of them.

Cosentino Winery produces approximately 12,000 cases of wine per year, handcrafted from the wineries’ Yountville and Pope Valley Estates as well as from many of the same “Estate” grape sources that Mitch has maintained throughout the Napa Valley for nearly 20 years. Cosentino Winery’s stellar vineyard sources and relationships are a major factor in sustaining its quality and consistency.

If you get a chance to do a tasting - definitely have a blend of or the full Merlot. A little bit about it from the makers:

Cosentino Winery’s estate Merlot is grown on 3.5 acres directly behind the Winery and is well regarded as some of the most renowned and expensive Merlot produced in The Napa Valley. Although the majority of the estate Merlot’s harvest is often blended in Cosentino’s most popular meritage wines, it is also sometimes produced on its own in very limited amounts as “The Estate Merlot”. The Cosentino “Estate Merlot” is a very rare release and is only produced when growing conditions for the year are absolutely perfect. In the last 10 years Cosentino Winery has released only four vintages of The “Estate Merlot”; ’97, ’99, ’01, and our last release, 2002 was released in June 2005.

Tasting Daily: 7 days a week, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (M-Saturday) 10:00 am - 5:30 pm (Sunday) @ 7415 St. Helena Highway, Yountville, CA, 94599

Tasting Fee:
$10 Vintage Tasting
$20 Reserve Tasting

Blackbird Vineyards

Blackbird Vineyards—Oak Knoll, Napa Valley (1330 Oak Knoll Avenue, Napa, CA 94558)

About the beautiful location in the photo: Similar to the Pomerol region of Bordeaux, the Oak Knoll District is akin in its soil composition, microclimate, and rural qualities. The Oak Knoll District is one of the coolest regions in the valley—second only to Carneros—and like Pomerol, is home to gravelly, clay loam soils, which create an ideal growing region for Merlot. Due to the region’s cool nights, the vineyard retains good acidity and natural balance. The Haire-type soil holds moisture deep in the ground, allowing Blackbird to be virtually dry-farmed.

To sample the great wines offered by this vineyard you will need to go to MA(i)SONRY (6711 Washington Street, Yountville, CA  (707) 944-0889 tel) which is the tasting house for Blackbird as well as many other wineries. I recommend the Paramour by this vineyard as it is delicious. A little note about it from the makers:

"Paramour possesses both sensuality and commanding structure. Merlot and Cabernet Franc have a fragile but irresistible chemistry that flourishes when climate, soils and seasons align. The grapes allotted for this graceful red wine are grown in only the most auspicious conditions. Paramour reveals the passionate relationship between these two varietals and between winegrower and land."

Take a trip to Napa wine country where beauty, art, and food combine for a memorable vacation experience.

Hannah Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon Contra Costa, California 2005

I'm still very intrigued by the differences between California and Washington Cabernet

Sauvignon. For my part, I associate California with a tendency towards more oak, and Washington with a similar tendency to complex fruit. Consequently, this 2005 bottle of Hannah Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon practically leapt off the shelf and into my basket while looking for something to accompany home-made chile rellenos. The Hannah Nicole winery is located in Contra Costa, California. It's a family winery, but one that recently finished building a huge complex with a warehouse, and tasting room and shop, on beautiful grounds. The proprietors initially planned to grow apples; Granny Smith apples to be precise, but when apple prices dropped, they planted grapes. And then, caught by the joy of wine-making, in 2002 they bought more land, and planted more grapes. Last summer they completed the construction of a state of the art 18,000 square foot winery, tasting room and event center surrounded by landscaped grounds.

The Hannah Nicole 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon is a lovely deep red in the glass. The aroma is identifiably Cabernet Sauvignon, with currant and a hint of black cherry most noticeable, with a faint hint of something sharper and more earthy. It's a more delicate Cabernet Sauvignon than I'd expect from California, more fruit-forward, and less oaky. There's a just a hint of coffee or bitter chocolate in the finish.

The Website describes the wine as a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon & 10% Cabernet Franc, with grapes sources from the Quail Trail Vineyard, and from Suisun Valley, CA, respectively. After primary and malilactic fermentation the wine was moved to stainless steel tanks and then transferred to French, & American Oak barrels for aging for two years; 40% of the barrels were New Oak, and bottled in May of 2008. The ABV is 13.6%. This is not a robust Cabernet Sauvignon, but it stood up well to chile rellenos, and I'm intrigued enough to contemplate a bottle-to-bottle challenge with the California Meridian Cabernet Sauvignon. I note that the Hannah Nicole Website lists the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon for $27.00 a bottle, but that we purchased it locally at the BGO for $4.99.

Bacon Popcorn

We had crispy bacon for breakfast. It's not something we do very often, so it was a bit of a treat. It was fabulous, in that way that only just cooked crisp bacon on a misty slightly chilly early fall morning is fabulous. But then late this afternoon, in a fit of bourgeoisie decadence, we had popcorn cooked in a little bacon grease, with South African Chardonnay.

Now, don't get all excited;

we're talking just a little bacon grease, heated, much as you would olive or canola oil for popping popcorn on top of the stove; about three tablespoons full of bacon grease is sufficient unto the day. Essentially, you follow these fabulous instructions for making perfect popcorn on the top of the stove, but you substitute three tablespoons of bacon grease for three tablespoons of canola oil. The popcorn doesn't taste like bacon but it does have a lovely delicate slightly smokey flavor. You'll probably want to add a little salt, and there are those that even add a little butter. You can see complete step-by-step-instructions for your own bacon popcorn here.

As a wine pairing with your homemade, fresh bacon popcorn, I recommend a Chardonnay, possibly something from Lindemans, like their South African West coast Chardonnay, or even Crane Lakes Down Under Chardonnay, or a light Washington state Chardonnay from Avery Lane. If the idea completely horrifies you (it's your loss!) then fine; you can make your own homemade caramel popcorn instead. It's lovely with a light slightly sweet Chardonnay too.

Avery Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Washington Columbia Valley 2007

Avery is another Precept winery. Precept has a good handful of Washington wineries, including Pavin & Riley, Washington Hills, Bloom, Avery Lane, Barrelstone, Big Sky, Grizz, Sweet Pea, Sol Duc, Sockeye, Pine & Post and Shimmer. These are all budget wines, and, honestly, some aren't really even budget wines; they're just bad. Avery Lane as a label adorns wines sourced from Washington state's Columbia Valley appellation. I've previously tried the 2005 Avery Lane Cabernet Sauvignon, and wasn't impressed.

The 2007 Avery Lane Cabernet Sauvignon is a Washington-style Cabernet Sauvignon. It's fruit forward, right from the moment you open the cork. There's Blackberry on the nose, with hints of cherry. In the glass it's a dark crimson, but a little on the thin side. It's a little thin, even toned-down for a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon, but that it is suitable late afternoon wine for casual sipping with cold summer sausage, crackers and cheese at a local park. This 2007 is better than the 2005, but I suspect that that's at least partly because it's a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Lemberger, and 13.5% ABV. Wine Enthusiast's Paul Gregutt earlier this month described it as "Fruity and spicy, with strawberry and cherry candy flavors. Very pleasing picnic wine," and gave it 86 points and a Best Buy rating. In June, Wine Press Northwest labeled the 2007 Avery Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Recommended, called it a Best buy, and noted that "The addition of Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Lemberger help bring out components of purple blackberry, raspberry and pie cherries. It's built and priced for everyday enjoyment."

We picked it up at the BGO for $3.99. At that price, I'd consider buying more, but it doesn't compare to the Au Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, at the same price.

ETA: A second glass, approximately two hours after the bottle was first uncorked, was substantially different. The aroma openened up considerably, with cherry notes, and a hint of chocolate-coffee, a hint that was also evident in a much fuller-bodied taste.

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