Snooth.com - recent reviews by WineJourney

Haan Merlot Prestige 2001

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:54:11 -0500

Name: Haan Merlot Prestige
Vintage: 2001
Varietal: Merlot
Winery: Haan
Region: Australia > Barossa Valley
Price: $40.00
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

WineJourney's Rating: 4/5
WineJourney's Review: Wow! What a difference some time in the cellar makes. I opened one of my 3 bottles of the 2001 Haan Merlot Prestige about 2 years ago. For all the good reviews it was very closed and not at all the complex fruit bomb I had expected. Well the bottle I opened this week was an entirely different and quite delightful experience.

Baron Hans Rudolf Haan founded the Haan winery in 1993 with the purchase of 45 acres in the Barossa Valley, Australia. James Irvine, the winemaker for this vintage, assisted in starting Haan Wines and restoring and replanting the old vineyards on the property. He also mentored Mark Jamieson, Hann’s current winemaker.

On the nose this wine expresses blueberries, blackberries, sweet spice, figs and coco powder. Still a youthful looking wine with an inky purple color and full bodied with well-integrated tannins and mouth watering acidity on the front and mid palette fading to soft silky tannins on the finish.

In the mouth a fruit explosion of blackberries, figs and dark plums infused with hints of mocha and sweet spices greets you on the initial sip and mid palette, with the finish exhibiting black cherries, more mocha and a light hint of vanilla.

2001 was a great vintage in Australia and in Barossa. Many well-made wines I have had from this vintage express tremendous fruit purity and complexity and have aged quite well. I originally purchased my Haan wines from Sam’s in Chicago, but now that they have been sold (new ownership under the name Binnys Beverage Depot) I don’t see that they are carrying it any longer. I am checking into current US distribution and will update this post as I am able to find more information. Expect prices to be in the $35 range for a recent vintage of the Merlot Prestige.
November 2009

As posted on Snooth

Boxwood Winery Boxwood

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:04:58 -0400

Name: Boxwood Winery Boxwood
Vintage:
Varietal:
Winery: Boxwood Winery
Region: USA > Virginia
Price: $19.69
SnoothRank: 3/5

WineJourney's Rating: 3/5
WineJourney's Review: Boxwood Proprietary Red 2007
When I first tasted this wine at a Virginia wine festival event I was pleasantly surprised. While I champion the idea of regional wines and believe VA wines overall continue to get better, I have yet to experience one that compelled me to think past the local region and dare to compare it with better wines I have had from the West Coast and beyond... until this one.

Boxwood is relatively new winery located in Middleburg, Virginia. It is owned by the John Kent Cook, son of the infamous Jack Kent Cook, who was the flamboyant owner of the Washington Red Skins during their heyday. His daughter, Rachel Martin, is the winery’s director and one of the driving forces behind the wine along with winemaker consultant Stephane Derenoncourt .

This 2007 was only the second release of the Boxwood Red, a Left Bank Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot. The lack of maturity of the terroir and vines (planted in 2004) is evident through its youthfulness. But this is a well made and elegant wine of moderate complexity that hints of the potential for greater things to come in the years ahead as the vines and winemaking mature.

I served this wine with a roasted chicken breast stuffed with thyme and rosemary seasoned goat cheese, thyme and garlic roasted red bliss potatoes and wild mushrooms and peas braised with a bit of pancetta. I was getting sweet spices, dark cherries, raspberries, new leather and a hint of vanilla/almond on the nose. With the roast chicken the sensation of sweet Moroccan spices and some nice acidity is very present on the front, with dark cherries, currant, cocoa on the mid palette with a touch of cassis and vanilla added on the finish. The wine is medium to full body with soft and well integrated tannins, most notable on the finish. The tannins suggest this is also a wine you could easily age another 3-5 years.

All in all this is one Virginia wine I would seek out again, especially at fairly reasonable price point for the quality of the wine of around $20.
October 2009

As posted on Snooth

Root One Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:37:31 -0400

Name: Root One Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery: Root: 1
Region: Chile > Colchagua Valley
SnoothRank: 4/5

WineJourney's Rating: 3.5/5
WineJourney's Review: If you are looking for a value priced Cabernet you can afford to drink everyday but tastes like something more special this is a wine for you. The average price seems to be around $13 for the 2007 and 2008 vintages, with some reporting a purchase price as little as $9 a bottle.

Hailing from the Colchagua Valley in Chile the winemaker boasts that this wine is grown on original European root that, in Chile, was spared from the worldwide phylloxera blight. The 2007 vintage is made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah.

This is one of the most food friendly Cabernet’s I have had. It has more of a medium body with balanced acidity making it quite a good pairing with less heavy fair like roasted game hens, grilled vegetables and even a marinara pasta dish I tried it with one night. It displays a pretty garnet color with ruby edges.

I tried this wine from the same bottle over several nights and its character evolved as the wine opened up more on night 2 and 3. Initially I was getting some gamey earthiness prominent on the nose with dark berries and hints of eucalyptus underneath. By the last night the earthiness had subdued to the background and aromas of dark cherry and blackberry fruit came to the surface with a subtle layer of eucalyptus and cocoa rounding things out.

Flavors of sweet spices, dark plums, tart cherries, coco powder and earth blend in the mouth at first with the coco and some vanilla bean becoming more prominent on the finish.

While I enjoy a really good Cabernet from time to time, my food habits and taste usually point me to other grape varietals. But this wine has changed my impression by not being so overbearingly bold. It is a great find, especially at this price point.

As posted on Snooth

Charles Smith Syrah Boom Boom 2007

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:33:52 -0400

Name: Charles Smith Syrah Boom Boom
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Syrah
Winery: Charles Smith
Region: USA > Washington
Price: $17.99
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

WineJourney's Rating: 3.5/5
WineJourney's Review: This is a fun and boisterous wine. Drink it young, but give it some time in the glass to open up. Once you do it will reward you with lots of dark fruit, cassis, smoke and graphite and hints of vanilla on the nose. The first impression on the palette is an explosion of jammy dark berries, sweet spice, cassis, black pepper and a cross between smoked meats and French roast coffee beans, with a warm finish that highlights more of the smoke and some graphite and lingering black pepper and blackberries.

It’s a blast of a wine for around $15 and a great accompaniment for grilled meats this summer or anytime.

As posted on Snooth

Anne Amie Pinot Gris 2008

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:17:41 -0400

Name: Anne Amie Pinot Gris
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Winery: Anne Amie Vineyards
Region: USA > Oregon > Willamette Valley
Price: $18.24
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

WineJourney's Rating: 4/5
WineJourney's Review: This is not your typical American watered down Pinot Gris. This is a well-crafted wine that has been lovingly made with respect to what the Pinot Gris varietal can offer.

Don't let its pale yellow color fool you. Exhibiting cinnamon-pears, green apples and wet stone on the nose, it has a refreshing amount out of food friendly acidity and crisp feel in the mouth. The flavors include asian pears, citrus, peaches, with a hint of minerals and ripe peaches on the finish.

I had this wine with a delicate melon salad with a light caesar dressing and a cucumber wrapped Ahi Tuna and rice cake. It was excellent with both exhibiting its softer citrus and minerality with the salad, and more of the tangy peaches, acidity and mineral with the Ahi Tuna rice cake.
I would pair this with shellfish, roasted chicken, summer pasta dishes and Asian fare.

The Anne Amie vineyards are situated in the mountains of the Oregon wine region of Yamhill -Carlton where 1.6 acres are dedicated to growing Pinot Gris, originally planted in 2000.

As posted on Snooth

Domaine David Clark Bourgogne Passetoutgrains 2005

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:55:10 -0400

Name: Domaine David Clark Bourgogne Passetoutgrains
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Pinot Noir; Gamay
Winery: Domaine David Clark
Region: France > Burgundy > Bourgogne Passetoutgrains
Price: $19.41
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

WineJourney's Rating: 3.5/5
WineJourney's Review: This lovely Burgundian wine is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Gamay. It presents a deep crimson color fading to a brilliant ruby around the edges.

This is a very silky wine in the mouth with light and well integrated tannins, mouth watering and food friendly acidity with a medium body.

On the nose there is a very subtle touch of freshly sliced almonds followed by tart cherries with hints of strawberry and herbs.

The wine expresses flavors of tart cherries blended in harmony with a layer of subtle strawberry, rosemary and tarragon and just a hint of vanilla bean.

David Clark left formula 1 auto racing in 2003 to pursue his other passion, wine. He studied at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune and in 2004 purchased of a small vineyard and winery.

Domaine David Clark now owns 2 hectares of vines, in the communes of: Vosne-Romanée, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Brochon and Flagey-Echezeaux situated in the small village of Morey-Saint-Denis, in the heart of Burgundy's famous Côte de Nuits.

He has managed to make some wonderful new styled Burgundian wines that are a joy to experience for all wine lovers at an affordable price point.

As posted on Snooth

Malbec Familia Mayol 2007

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:59:06 -0400

Name: Malbec Familia Mayol
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Malbec
Winery: Familia Mayol
Region: Argentina > Mendoza
Price: $18.99
SnoothRank: 2.5/5

WineJourney's Rating: 1.5/5
WineJourney's Review: I'm just not feeling the love on this wine. Its not that its that bad, it just doesn't live up to other similarly priced Malbecs from Argentina.

It has the lovely appearance as promised by the winemaker of a deep red violet but that's where the label fulfillment stops. I get a lot more alcohol than fruit on the nose, though I did get some hints of berries, earth and pepper, but only after swirly my glass ferociously and frequently.

On the palette the alcohol subdues a bit to allow more earth, dark plums and cherry fruit and pepper to come through. But that classic depth of a good Argentine Malbec just wasn't coming through. Pairing the wine with a piece of aged beef prepared rare on the grill brought much more flavor alive with some sweet spices of cinnamon and nutmeg being added to deeper earth covered dark fruit. So for that I gave it an extra 1/2 glass.

I really think the problem here is just too much alcohol for the fruit. The longer the wine sits in the glass, and some of that alcohol evaporates, the more fruit and flavor starts to come through.

If some one else has had a better experience (not a retailer trying to sell this to me please) I would like to hear about it. Other wines from the producer are a better bet.

As posted on Snooth

Ken Forrester Vineyards Petit Chenin Blanc 2008

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:10:05 -0400

Name: Ken Forrester Vineyards Petit Chenin Blanc
Vintage: 2008
Varietal: Chenin Blanc
Winery: Ken Forrester
Region: South Africa > Stellenbosch
Price: $9.99
SnoothRank: 3/5

WineJourney's Rating: 3/5
WineJourney's Review: A great bargain ($8-$9 in the D.C./Baltimore area) and very drinkable Chenin Blanc from South Africa's Stellenbosch region.

The wine displays a pale white color and light body with citrus, limes and minerals on the nose. In the mouth the chalky minerality balances with moderate acidity for a soft feel, yet still up to fish on the grill, summer pasta dishes and just lovely with a chilled cucumber gazpacho. On the palette it offers up green apple and lime flavors with a strong presence of the classic Stellenbosch chalky minerals. A light and lively personality with just enough oomph to pair with lighter summer fair or to just enjoy on a warm summer evening on the deck.

As posted on Snooth

Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo 2004

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:40:51 -0400

Name: Feudi di San Gregorio Greco di Tufo
Vintage: 2004
Varietal: Greco Bianco
Winery: Feudi di San Gregorio
Region: Italy > Campagnia > Avellino > Greco Di Tufo > Tufo
Price: $35.99
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

WineJourney's Rating: 4/5
WineJourney's Review: 2003, 2004 & 2005 Feudi di San Gregorio
Greco di Tufo

I LOVE! this wine from the Southern Italy region of Irpinia, Campania. The Italians make some great white wines and this is one of them. The grapes are of the Greco varietal and from the Tufo sub-region near Pompeii which imparts some its unique terroir to the wine. In Italy the varietal is often referred to as Lacrima Christi or, “Tears of Christ”

Straw yellow color with medium to full body with citrus, honey and minerals on the nose. It bursts with mouth watering crisp acidity and tightly integrated zesty citrus and fruit flavors of grapefruit, pineapple, lemon zest, dried apricots and classic di Tufo volcanic minerality.

I love this wine in the summer with grilled Philippine marinated pork, Thai grilled chicken or seared rosemary scallops. It is a top notch wine that has a lively personality that is summer food friendly and moderately priced. I paid around $23 at Sam's Wine.

As posted on Snooth

Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling Finger Lakes 2007

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:23:35 -0400

Name: Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling Finger Lakes
Vintage: 2007
Varietal: Riesling
Winery: Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars
Region: USA > New York > Finger Lakes
Price: $14.99
SnoothRank: 3.5/5

WineJourney's Rating: 3.5/5
WineJourney's Review: 2007 Dr. Konstantin Frank Semi Dry Riesling

This Riesling has caused me to rethink wines from NY. I bought this on a recommendation from a couple I met at a local Wine Bar tasting of California wines (average overall for the price - but that’s another story). We had been talking about German Riesling, particularly those of Stüdert Prüm and they commented that I just had to try this, as it was one of their favorites.

A rich straw yellow color and on the nose there are subtle layers of honeysuckle, pear and wet stone. On the palette the sweetness of the honeysuckle persists but not in an overbearing way as fruit flavors of Bartlett pear, apricots, hints of lemon and pronounced minerality blend in harmony. More Bartlett pear, apricots and minerality on the finish.

While I wouldn't say this necessarily matches the same level of Stüdert Prüm Rieslings I have had, it definitely is quite delightful in its own right. It did remind me a bit of a 2003 Josef Leitz "Dragonstone" Riesling.

If you like good Rieslings I highly recommend you give this one a try! It is a well made wine with a balanced yet interesting personality.
Around $13-$15

As posted on Snooth