Snooth.com - recent reviews by Randy Hall

Elke Pinot Noir Donnelly Creek Vineyard 2005

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:34:42 -0400

Name: Elke Pinot Noir Donnelly Creek Vineyard
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Region: USA > California > Mendocino > Anderson Valley
Price: $31.49
SnoothRank: 4/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 4/5
Randy Hall's Review: Lovely wine. Bright red cherry, cedar box, mild spicy nose. Smooth mouthfeel, light tannins. Ripe cherries, tabacco, leather flavors in rapid succession. Enjoyed this with thyme-roasted pork loin and was a lovely pairing.

As posted on Snooth

Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée 1996

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:26:13 -0400

Name: Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée
Vintage: 1996
Varietal:
Winery: Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves
Region: USA > California > Sonoma > Sonoma Coast
Price: $47.24
SnoothRank: 4/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 4.5/5
Randy Hall's Review: Fabulously clean sparkling wine. Slightly nutty on the nose, no sign of a yeast smell due to the long time en tirage (during which the yeast basically disintegrate and give back wondrous flavor compounds to the wine). The mouthfeel was creamy and luxurious, with still lively fruit. Pricey for a bottle of sparkling wine, but definitely worth it for that special occasion.

As posted on Snooth

Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:15:32 -0400

Name: Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2003
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Beringer Vineyards
Region: USA > California > Napa
Price: $95.00
SnoothRank: 4/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 3.5/5
Randy Hall's Review: I tasted this wine on June 19, 2007. My notes were very sparse, but here goes:

Intriguing nose of oak, dark chocolate, and plum. Tannins were mellowing, slight leather, light mouthfeel, long finish, but not silky smooth.

As posted on Snooth

Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:08:58 -0400

Name: Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2006
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Winery: Charles Krug Winery
Region: USA > California > Napa
Price: $18.95
SnoothRank: 3/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 2.5/5
Randy Hall's Review: I tasted this wine on June 19, 2007. My notes were sparse, but here goes:

Nose had rose petals and earth. Flavor showed a hint of grapefruit, with some pear on the finish, not very tart.

As posted on Snooth

Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2003

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:04:00 -0400

Name: Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs
Vintage: 2003
Varietal: Chardonnay
Winery: Schramsberg Vineyards Company
Region: USA > California > Napa
Price: $27.99
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 3.5/5
Randy Hall's Review: I tasted this wine on June 19, 2007.

I'm not one that normally goes for sparkling wine. However, I found that Schramsberg's product was particularly good. Later in 2007, I was fortunate to get an extensive tour of the Schramsberg winery and caves. Highly recommended.

The notes on this wine were sparse, but here goes:

Nose of classic Chardonnay, not yeasty, but fresh smelling, with a tiny bit of oak. Flavor was neutral, tart, less crisp than their 2004 Blanc de Noir. Clean and not over-oaked.

As posted on Snooth

Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs 2004

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:01:20 -0400

Name: Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs
Vintage: 2004
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Schramsberg Vineyards Company
Region: USA > California
Price: $34.66
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 3.5/5
Randy Hall's Review: I tasted this on June 19, 2007.

Soft floral nose. Tart finish, light mouthfeel.

As posted on Snooth

Vine Cliff Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:57:03 -0400

Name: Vine Cliff Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2004
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Vine Cliff Winery
Region: USA > California > Napa
Price: $49.30
SnoothRank: 4/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 3/5
Randy Hall's Review: My first and only taste of this wine was last summer (June 12, 2007). At the time, my notes were sparse, but here goes:

Nose of big fruit, little oak, strawberries, slight vanilla (perhaps more oak than I describe with "little"?)

Flavors were typical Cab (i.e. cassis), with strong tannins. I think my notes indicate the tannins weren't harsh, but rather strong in structure.

As posted on Snooth

School House Pinot Noir 2003

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:53:23 -0400

Name: School House Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2003
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: School House Vineyard
Region: USA > California > Napa > Spring Mountain
Price: $75.00
SnoothRank: 4/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 4/5
Randy Hall's Review: I was fortunate to taste this last summer (June 12, 2007). My tasting notes are sparse but here you go anyway:

Nose was clean, not stinky. Flavors were "nice fruit" (apologies), currant, tannins had good grip (which I take to mean firm but smooth), medium mouthfeel and tart finish that went on and on.

As posted on Snooth

Buena Vista Pinot Noir 2005

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:21:40 -0400

Name: Buena Vista Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Winery: Buena Vista Winery
Region: USA > California > Napa > Carneros
Price: $20.99
SnoothRank: 3/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 3.5/5
Randy Hall's Review: I tasted this last Summer (almost exactly a year ago, actually: June 12, 2007). At the time, my tasting notes were sparse, but here goes anyway.

Nose of sweaty sock and soap. Flavor profile includes black cherry, with a good mouthfeel, not too bitter, slightly sour at the start of the finish, which was long, with lots of secondary flavors I didn't write down at the time.

As posted on Snooth

Kaz Vineyard & Winery Hooligans Grenache 2005

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:57:39 -0400

Name: Kaz Vineyard & Winery Hooligans Grenache
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Grenache
Winery: Kaz
Region: USA > California > Sonoma Valley
Price: $34.00
SnoothRank: 4/5

Randy Hall's Rating: 4/5
Randy Hall's Review: Sometimes I go hot and cold for Kaz's wines, despite that I co-host Wine Biz Radio with him. If you ever meet Kaz, just ask him what he thinks of his 2004 Sarah Nader. You get extra credit if he makes a face.

His 2005 Hooligans Grenache hails from the Annadel Estate Vineyard, which makes me think it's located somewhere at the northwest end of Sonoma Valley (the AVA on the label).

The color is a bright brick red (not too orange, but definitely away from purple), not deep, reminiscent of old-world Pinot Noir. After letting the bottle breathe for a couple hours, hints of cedar and spice greet your nose. The flavor is subtly acidic, with plenty of currant and ripe red cherry, with a long lingering finish hinting of leather, right down the middle of my tongue. All this in spite of a somewhat thin mouthfeel.

I served this with Chicken Divan and it paired nicely, the acidity all but vanished when paired with food, but the currant and cherry helping the dry sherry that was used in the dish.

As posted on Snooth