Black Cats & Sassy Bitches

Black cats and sassy bitches sounds more like it has to do with ill behaved pets than it does with wine, but trust me this is still about wine.  The last two wines for the November tasting to be exact.

BLACK CAT

Zeller Schwarze Katz, or "black cat" wines originate in the village of Zell along the Mosel River Region Germany near the French border.  The wine labels of this Riesling blend often features the legendary arched black cat.   Legend has it a black cat fiercely guarded a barrel of Zeller wine that was cellared alongside many other varietal wine barrels. Locals and wine merchants concluded that the Zeller wine was special and hence naming it for its guardian.

Most people associate Germany with beer, perhaps that it is because it was the Romans not the Germans who are credited for the development of viniculture and wine making in ancient Germany. Regardless, the German wine industry is large and highly successful worldwide .  Zeller Schwarze Katz wines offer value and quality at a reasonable price. The wines are fairly popular in Germany and are also exported to many markets throughout the world.  It should be enjoyed as the Germans do, as an everyday wine with friends, family and food.

Varietal:  Zeller Schwartz Katz, Riesling-blend

Producer/Importer: Josef Friedrich

Region: Mosel Germany

Vintage:

Price: $

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Light golden

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): sweet white grapes

Taste (acidity, balance, body): light in taste, crisp and refreshing

Bottle presentation:

Label description: Arched black cat

Comparisons:

Overall rating (1-10): 8

Date consumed: November 9, 2011

Comments:

SASSY BITCH

Sassy  Bitch is a catchy name, but beyond that I was not impressed with this Chardonnay.  Sour grapes is the only way I can describe the feel and taste on my tongue.  Which is far from other reviews I have seen that describe it as an "attractive banana bouquet with traces of tropical fruits. It sits on the palate like a soft bushel of fruit and finishes with a subtle vanilla dollop." Or "nice tropical fruit flavors, a little creamy with baked pineapple flavors".  Like a bad first date maybe I should take the advice of the others and give the blond a second chance.

Sassy Bitch wines come in four varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Chardonnay.  All of their wines are from Chile and come with a modest price tag.  All four varietals are priced at $9.99.

Varietal:  Chardonnay

Producer/Importer: Sassy Bitch

Region: Central Valley Chile

Vintage: 2010

Price: $9.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): light yellow

 Smell (bouquet, aroma):

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Sour grapes

Bottle presentation: Fuchsia and black label screaming SASSY BITCH

Winemakers notes: “Attractive amber color, intensive and brilliant. Pleasant bouquet with some tropical fruits, peach, banana, pineapple an flower notes. The palate has a nice body with a medium acidity, young and fresh.”

Comparisons: Has no buttery oak flavors of a traditional Chardonnay

Overall rating (1-10): 2

Date consumed: November 9, 2011

Comments: Almost wonder if this is how the wine really tastes or if we got a bad bottle.

Old Vine Red Lot 56

Owner and winemaker Chris Bilbro initially founded Marietta Cellars in 1978 naming his winery after his aunt Marietta Pardin. Marietta Cellars is located just outside the little town of Geyserville in one of California's premier wine growing regions, Sonoma County. There they continue to hand make their wines.

Old Vine Red is a red wine field blend dominated by Zinfandel with a splash of lesser-known red grapes to give it some added character and depth.  The term field blend comes from the days when vineyards were planted with a variety of grapes of unknown varietal for the purpose of making either a red or white wine not a specific type of wine. Each Old Vine Red is blended from scratch, recipe-less and Non-vintage.  Non-vintage, meaning the blend includes grapes from harvests in different years. Since a field blend is about blending, vintage doesn’t really make much difference.  The advantage of blending varietals and vintages is the potential for more consistent and complex wine. The winemaker relies on his palate and what he think tastes best, showing off a little of his personality at the same time, “walking the fine line between seriousness and fun”. The blends do change with each "lot" and the percentages are something of a secret. Old Vine Red is aged in French and American oak, and should drink well over the next few years.

Marietta wine is allocated on release due to demand and routinely sells out prior to the next relase.  Lot 56 in October 2011.

Varietal:  Zinfandel blend

Producer/Importer:  Marietta Cellars          

Region: California, Primarily Sonoma and Mendocino Counties

Vintage: Lot#56

Price: $9.97

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Slightly opaque, ruby red-purple

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Jammy aroma of the zinfandel

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Moderately complex flavor including a little hint of sweet cherries, bold fruity jam, peppery spice and earthy herbal flavor. It is leggy, indicating high alcohol content. It is medium bodied and well balanced with a lengthy smooth finish.

Bottle presentation:

Winemakers Notes: “Old Vine Red is a proprietary red wine that is round, smooth, "Zinfandel-like," and noted for its balance, approachability, and consistency. It is primarily comprised of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane as well as smaller amounts of Cabernet and Syrah. Various Italian varietals round out the blend.”

Comparisons: Fruitier than the Rex Goliath Zinfandel

Overall rating (1-10): 8.5

Date consumed: November 9, 2011

Comments: 13.5% alc vol.

Da Vinci Pinot Grigio

Italian winemakers harvest the Pinot Grigio grapes early as they tend to lose acidity as they hang. Pinot Grigio grapes are a mutation of the Pinot Noir.  The grapes are lightly pressed to release as little tannins as possible to produce the light flavored dry white wine.  Pinot Grigios should be consumed young. 

Da Vinci vineyards Pinot Grigio is grown primarily in the high altitude region of Delle Venezie, Italy. Da Vinci winemakers blend approximately 10% Chardonnay surmaturo grapes to intensify the tropical fruit flavors.  These grapes are left on the vine after the initial harvest to increase concentration and complexity.

I should preface this review with the disclaimer that I am not a big Pinot Grigio fan. Given that fact I reached out to my partners in wine ventures for a less bias opinion. Needless to say they had the same impressions I did about this particular Pinot Grigio, its less than average despite the less than average artist it is named after.  The concentrated tropical fruit flavors that the chardonnay grapes were to add were severely missing.  There was little to no complexity and I think the grapes lost all acidity. Maybe this wine would be good for cooking.....maybe.

Varietal:  Pinot Grigio

Producer/Importer:   Da Vinci         

Region:  Delle Venizie Italy

Vintage: 2009

Price:  $8.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): light yellow straw

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): musty, a little like grandma’s attic

Taste (acidity, balance, body): flat, no signs of fruit.  Slightly metallic.

Bottle presentation: clear bottle, corked, label is off white with the Da Vinci drawing head of Leda.

Winemakers note: “DaVinci Pinot Grigio has a brilliant light straw color and a full, ripe palate. It is an extremely well balanced wine with a bouquet of floral aromas coupled with ripe flavors of fresh apple, citrus and tropical fruit flavors. This crisp, clean Pinot Grigio finishes with notes of minerals and a vibrant acidity.”

Overall rating (1-10):  4

Date consumed: November 9, 2011

Rex Goliath Zinfandel the World's Largest Rooster

You cannot deny that wines are often bought because of their label. What grabs your attention more than a giant rooster? Why would a wine honor a giant rooster?  "At the turn of the twentieth century HRM (His Royal Majesty) Rex Goliath was the treasured attraction of a Texas Circus. People came from far and wide to behold the 47 lb. bird, billed as 'The World's Largest Rooster.' Our label replicates the one of a kind, vintage artwork from the circus banner that hung above Rex's roost and we proudly honor HRM with our premium varietal wines." I think the winemakers attitude expressed on the label translates to the wine itself.  At the least for the bold jammy aromas that make your mouth just water.  The flavor was a little less bold with little lingering, but still enjoyable especially at its price.

Varietal:  Zinfandel

Producer/Importer:  Rex Goliath      

Region: California

Vintage:

Price: $5.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Garnet clear

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): fruity, berry jam

Taste (acidity, balance, body): a little bit of spice, raspberry jam, light for a zinfandel, flavor doesn’t linger.

Bottle presentation: Dark bottle boasts a giant rooster.

Winemakers Notes: “This wine screams Zinfandel! Rex Goliath Winery sourced fruit from throughout the state of California to make this wine. This is important because each viticultural area brings something unique to the blend. The old-vine fruit from Lodi provides an abundance of ripe blackberry and cherry flavors. The Central Coast provides earthy, spice, coffee/mocha notes. The dry farmed fruit from the Sierra Foothills provides the depth and complexity which really rounds out the flavor profile.”

Comparisons: Lighter than most Zinfandels

Overall rating (1-10): 8

Date consumed: November 9, 2011

Sommerau Castle Riesling

Sommerau, meaning summer meadow, seems an appropriate name for this wine.  Sommerau Castle Riesling is sweet and light, something that would be perfect for a picnic in the park (or meadow). It is also quite enjoyable even in November as a desert wine or aperitif.  It is one of the favorites of the night regardless of whether you prefer sweet or not so sweet wines.

PS According to Wine Enthusiast Magazine, the 2010 German Riesling harvest was limited.  If you like this year wine you better stock up quickly before it is all gone. On a side note 2009 was a good year for German Rieslings.

Varietal:  Riesling
Producer/Importer:  Sommerau Castle       
Region: Mosel Germany
Vintage: 2010
Price:  $9.99
Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): very light golden yellow

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Carmel

Taste (acidity, balance, body): sweet Riesling, Carmel apples. Hint of citrus.
Bottle presentation: blue bottle with silver/white label
Label description: Sommerau meaning summer meadow. Has light fruity flowery aroma
Comparisons: Sweet Riesling
Overall rating (1-10): 9
Date consumed: November 9, 2011
Comments:

Bricco Riella Moscato D’Asti and Bartenura Molvasia: perfect for a toast

Wine night 2011 was kicked off in a very special way.  We started the afternoon with about 46 dozen roses, a few bundles of day lilies and calla lilies, and ended the evening on the sweet notes of Moscato (and other varietals as well).  What do roses have to do with wine night in the country? Nothing other than making flower arrangements for one of the EZ Street Saloon owner’s son’s wedding. The wedding was gorgeous by the way. 

We toast the new couple with glasses of Bricco Riella Moscato D’Asti and Bartenura Molvasia.  Both are delightful for celebrating. 

Varietal:  Malvasia

Producer/Importer:  Bartenura        

Region: Southeast Italy, Salento region

Vintage: 2010

Price: $12.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Rose'

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): sugary and fruity

Taste (acidity, balance, body): Sweet, fizzy, ripe raspberries and cherries

Bottle presentation: simple colorless bottle

Label description: “Bartenura Malvasia is produced with carefully selected grapes grown in the Salento region in southeast Italy. Rich flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and hints of ripe cherry are prominent in this slightly effervescent wine. Bartenura Malvasia is wonderful as an aperitif, with cheeses, and light entrees. Best Served Chilled.”

Comparisons: Similar to a Moscato but with a raspberry twist

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: November 9, 2011

Varietal: Moscato D’Asti     

Producer/Importer:  Bricco Riella

Region: Piedmont Italy

Vintage: 2010

Price: $8.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): very light straw

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): sugary

Taste (acidity, balance, body):Very sweet and fizzy, pretty typical Moscato

Bottle presentation: Green bottle

Label description:” Moscato d' Asti d.o.c.g. is moderately sweet and bears the musky scent that is typical of its grape of origin. It is delicate and intense at the same time. It has a straw-yellow colour, a fragrant bouquet and a delicately sweet-scented taste. The alcoholic content is low.”

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: November 9, 2011

Warming Blackstone Reserve Merlot

Fall was definitely in the air this morning, a cool 45 degrees and that damp earthly scent in the air. Even my dog knows fall is in the air when we went for a walk at 6am.  A new spring in his step as he knows hunting season is just around the corner and the dog days of August are behind him.  While 6 am was a little early to be thinking of wine, the crisp noon hour isn't.  The entire day makes me think of the upcoming fall leaf colors and warming red wines.

With these thoughts in mind I chose to relive the Blackstone Sonoma Reserve 2007 Merlot.  This wine is not 100% Merlot of old, but a pleasant blend consisting of 85% Merlot,7% Cabernet Sauvignon,6% Ruby Cabernet, 2% Petit Verdot. The nearly half of the grapes comes from the hot climate Alexander Valley (45%) while Dry Creek Valley (22%), Sonoma Coast (15%),  Carneros (10%),  Sonoma Valley (2%),  San Joaquin County (6%) make up the rest.  After harvesting the grapes at the peak of ripeness they are cold soaked for 3-5 days to bring out the flavors of the fruit.  The primary fermenting takes place in the steel tanks. The wine is then aged in for 20 months in a combination of new and old oak barrels. Despite the complex blend of grapes and vineyards and the wine making process, the wine itself isn't overly complex.  The ripe fruits dominate the tastebuds with just a hint of oaky spices.

Varietal: Merlot 

Producer/Importer:  Blackstone
Region: Sonoma County
Vintage: 2007
Price: $19.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity):  clear light ruby edges with an opaque 

                   black red body

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): musty wood and ripe fruit

Taste (acidity, balance, body): hint of spice, cranberry and black cherry.

                   Slightly dry with a nice balance of acid and tannins. long finish.

Bottle Presentation: black bottle with an elegant classic black label

Label description: "Our Sonoma Reserve Merlot is an elegant, well-balanced wine with attractive aromas of cocoa, black currant, clove and toasted oak. The wine is full-bodied with layers of juicy black cherries, coffee, and clove, finishing with a velvety mouthfeel and a well-integrated structure. After pairing with beef or pork tenderloin, cassoulet, sausage, or beef ravioli, don’t try to subdue the subtle “Bravo” that might cross your lips." -Winery

Comparisons:
Overall rating (1-10): 7.5
Date consumed: November 10, 2010
Comments: acidity: 5.9 g/l, pH: 3.57, alc: 14.5%