Wine List (Updated 1/22/2007)

Here is the first part of my wine list (more will come as I continue to transcribe my tasting notes). I started recording the wines I tasted and my thoughts on them when I began to appreciate the complexities of wine. By recording my thoughts I hope to better understand the elements at play in wine, and therefore be better able to appreciate the wine at a higher level. Wine is like art, it is not until we focus intently on it and train the full focus of our mind and senses to taking it in can we fully appreciate it. Wine is unique in that it engages three of our senses; smell, taste, and touch. Next time you enjoy a glass of wine, take it in slowly and concentrate on all the different sensation, you may be surprised at complexities you are able to discover!

Wines

Varietals: Blaufrankisch and Zweigelt

Vineyard/Producer: Paul Lehrner

Name: Claus

Vintage: 2003

Country: Austria

Region/Sub-region: None listed

Clarity: Fair

Color: Deep blood red. Dark, almost black, looks like liquid velvet.

Aroma: Spicy, smoky. Ripe fruit, black berries and black cherries.

Bouquet: Spice, smoke, leather, with a hint of herbaceous notes.

Flavor: Strong spices hit first, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, allspice. Sweet ripe fruits, black cherry and black berry hit next. Sweetness like honey.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Well balanced, long pleasant finish with lingering spice.

Body: Very full.

Astringency: Medium

Aging Potential: Good

Rating: 80

Varietals: Bordeaux

Vineyard/Producer: Chateau Haut Nadeau

Name: Bordeaux

Vintage: 2003

Country: France

Region/Sub-region: Bordeaux

Clarity: Good

Color: Deep brick red.

Aroma: Fruity, like strawberries and cherries. Slight floral notes, with a hint of acid.

Bouquet: Hint of dry leaves and oak.

Flavor: Notable berry flavors: cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. A slight grape note. Citrus notes of lemon and orange are also present.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Well balanced, slightly higher acid makes the wine refreshing and gives it a crisp note.

Body: Full, slightly less than expected in the typical Bordeaux.

Astringency: Medium

Aging Potential: Good

Rating: 80

Varietals: Chardonnay

Vineyard/Producer: Chateau Souverain

Name: Chateau Souverain Chardonnay

Vintage: 2004

Country: America

Region/Sub-region: California, Sonoma

Clarity: Good

Color: Golden straw in color

Aroma: Strong hints of apple, slight herbaceous notes with some citrus.

Bouquet: Herbaceous notes from the American oak. Vanilla from the French oak. Creamy, slightly toasted notes from secondary yeast fermentation and oak barrel aging.

Flavor: Strong mineral hints of flint and lime stone, almost more like a Riesling. Citrus comes in next with lemon, apple, and then melon. Creamy undertones.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Acid is high for an American Chardonnay. Sugar is also present, but not well balanced. Leaves a sharp acid taste. Long finish

Body: Full, round body. Definite weight in the mouth.

Astringency: Low, considering it spent considerable time in oak.

Aging Potential: Fair, more astringency would have helped give it shelf life. As fruit flavors mellow, acid may become too extreme.

Rating: 60

Varietals: Chardonnay

Vineyard/Producer: Chateau Haut Nadeau

Name: Chateau Haut Nadeau Chardonnay

Vintage: 2004

Country: France

Region/Sub-region: Not stated

Clarity: Excellent

Color: Brilliant pale gold, platinum.

Aroma: Fruity, melon with orange scents. Floral scents moving into a slight warm or toasty note.

Bouquet: Slight yeast note. Vanilla also present. Herbaceous of oak not present.

Flavor: Strong flavors for a mild aroma. Crisp citrus, honeydew melon, followed by a hint of honey. Secondary fermentation is integrated well and ads to the complexity of the flavors instead of acting as a separate component.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Well balanced. Acid is strong, but not unpleasant due to the sugar presence.

Body: Fuller body, but it still offers a crisp finish.

Astringency: Low

Aging Potential: A good wine, meant to be enjoyed while it is still young. Close to peaking at two years.

Rating: 90

Varietals: Chianti

Vineyard/Producer: Fattoria San Michele a Torri

Name: San Michele a Torri

Vintage: 2004

Country: Italy

Region/Sub-region: Colli Fiorentini

Clarity: Good

Color: Medium brick red

Aroma: Fruity cherry, ripe blackberry. Herbaceous and lemon notes.

Bouquet: Off note, like olives.

Flavor: Rich blackberries, cherries, raspberry, and raisins. Black olives and spices, allspice. Citrus lemon and an herbaceous grape flavor.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Good balance. Sugar is slightly higher, but acid is present.

Body: Medium full.

Astringency: Medium

Aging Potential: Okay

Rating: 70

Varietals: Gewürztraminer

Vineyard/Producer: Zimmermann Graeff

Name: Zimmermann Graeff Gewürztraminer

Vintage: 2005

Country: Germany

Region/Sub-region: Zell, Mosel, Pfalz.

Clarity: Good

Color: Golden yellow

Aroma: Spicy apples, pears, and honey. A slight dried rose aroma.

Bouquet: None

Flavor: Rich, complex levels of spices. Sweet apple, pares, melons, and honey. Slight floral hints. Cherry notes.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Excellent balance. Sugar and acid are at ideal levels.

Body: Light

Astringency: Very low

Aging Potential: Poor

Rating: 95

Varietals: Gewürztraminer

Vineyard/Producer: Fetzer Vineyards

Name: Valley Oaks Gewürztraminer

Vintage: 2005

Country: America

Region/Sub-region: Mendocino County, California

Clarity: Good

Color: Light yellow

Aroma: Strong floral notes, with some spice. Citrus and pears coming in with a faint cherry.

Bouquet: Floral, like dried roses, also some oak and a slight soil scent.

Flavor: Good cherry and fruit flavors. Notable sweet citrus and bergamot notes.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Good balance. A little more acid would have helped make it more refreshing and lively on the pallet.

Body: Light

Astringency: Very low

Aging Potential: Poor

Rating: 75

Varietals: Gewürztraminer

Vineyard/Producer: Villa Wolf

Name: Villa Wolf Gewürztraminer

Vintage: 2005

Country: Germany

Region/Sub-region: Pfalz

Clarity: Good

Color: Straw gold

Aroma: Strong floral and dried leaves. Also grapes and clover present.

Bouquet: Dried leaves and oak.

Flavor: Complex flavor with notes of pear, honey, melon, grapes, and clover.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Very sweet to the taste, acid is there to back it up, but a little stronger note could have achieved better balance with the heavy sugar levels.

Body: Fairly heavy due to sugar levels

Astringency: Low

Aging Potential: Fair

Rating: 85

Varietals: Grenache

Vineyard/Producer: Vigna Borgiá

Name: Vigna Borgiá Grenache

Vintage: 2004

Country: Spain

Region/Sub-region: None provided

Clarity: Fair

Color: Dark brick red

Aroma: Ripe fruit, with berries. Slight herbaceous note with trace of minerals.

Bouquet: Vanilla and cream notes. Smoke and oak herbaceous present.

Flavor: Mild, and slightly acid. Ripe fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Citrus orange and lemon become pronounced. Some minerals and herbaceous notes.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Fair balance, a little acid heavy, but the acid helps it hold up to food. Enough sugar to take the edge off, defiantly not dry.

Body: Medium

Astringency: Lower

Aging Potential: Fair

Rating: 85

Varietals: Lugan

Vineyard/Producer: Ottella

Name: Ottella Lugan

Vintage: 2005

Country: Italy

Region/Sub-region: Lugan

Clarity: Very good

Color: Very light yellow

Aroma: Strong citrus notes of oranges, lemon, and tangerine. Nectarine also present. Also slight notes of orange blossom and lilac.

Bouquet: Slight sandal wood and sea salt.

Flavor: Acidic citrus, lemon and orange with sweeter notes of melon. Slight mineral note in background.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Good balance, but a very dry wine.

Body: Light

Astringency: Low

Aging Potential: Fair

Rating: 85

Varietals: Mourvedre

Vineyard/Producer: Rosenblum Cellars

Name: Rosenblum Cellars Mourvedre

Vintage: 2003

Country: America

Region/Sub-region: San Francisco Bay Area

Clarity: Okay

Color: Brick Red

Aroma: Mild, raspberry and cherry.

Bouquet: Very subtle, hint of vanilla and creamy yeast.

Flavor: Big ripe cherry flavor. Some apple entering. Simple.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Well balanced, but not very complex.

Body: Medium

Astringency: Medium

Aging Potential: Fair

Rating: 65

Varietals: Pinot Grigio

Vineyard/Producer: Cortenova

Name: Cortenova Pinot Grigio

Vintage: 2004

Country: Italy

Region/Sub-region: Tuscany

Clarity: Excellent

Color: Very pale, hint of gold

Aroma: Citrus, very lemon, slight lime, with a hint of salt or the sea. Slight note of pear and lily blossoms.

Bouquet: None noticeable.

Flavor: Strong citrus, lemon and orange giving away to a spring floral note. Some minerals detected.

Acid/Sugar Balance: High acid levels and dryness make this a crisp wine. Strong enough to stand up to most food. Enough sugar to keep is smooth.

Body: Very light.

Astringency: Almost none.

Aging Potential: Very little. The low astringency and body means enjoy this wine while it is young.

Rating: 75

Varietals: Pinot Grigio

Vineyard/Producer: Bella Sera

Name: Bella Sera Pinot Grigio

Vintage: 2005

Country: Italy

Region/Sub-region: Delle Venezie

Clarity: Excellent

Color: Pale yellow

Aroma: Very slight, hints of citrus and pear.

Bouquet: None.

Flavor: Very little. Slight citrus with acid flavors, metallic notes. Does pick up some flavor at warmer than traditional temperatures and with some air exposure.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Very high acid, no real sugar noticeable. Poor balance.

Body: Very light.

Astringency: None

Aging Potential: None

Rating: 45

Varietals: Pinot Noir

Vineyard/Producer: Vin de Pays de I’lle de Beauté

Name: Pinot Evil

Vintage: NA

Country: France

Region/Sub-region: NA

Clarity: Fair

Color: Dull brick red

Aroma: Cherry, with ripe fruit.

Bouquet: Slight metallic and acid notes.

Flavor: Cherry with some strawberry. Oak present in the background. Herbaceous notes. Highlighted acid taste.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Out of balance, acid distracts from other components.

Body: Light

Astringency: Medium

Aging Potential: Fair

Rating: 35

Varietals: Riesling Kabinett

Vineyard/Producer: Hoffman-Simon

Name: Hoffman-Simon Riesling Kabinett

Vintage: 2003

Country: Germany

Region/Sub-region: Blend, Rine Valley, Saar, Mosel, Ruwer

Clarity: Good

Color: Gold color

Aroma: Mineral with notes of soil, acid, and green apples.

Bouquet: None.

Flavor: Strong mineral flavors. Green apples, and citrus.

Acid/Sugar Balance: High acid levels, a little more sugar would have been nice to round it out. Finish is long and not really nice.

Body: Light

Astringency: Very little

Aging Potential: None

Rating: 65

Varietals: Riesling

Vineyard/Producer: Trimbach A Ribeauville

Name: Trimbach Riesling

Vintage: 2004

Country: France

Region/Sub-region: Alsace

Clarity: Very good

Color: Bright gold

Aroma: Apples and pears. Also a note of honey and minerals.

Bouquet: Slight floral note, also a tint of mineral.

Flavor: A crisp green apple flavor paired with a sweeter pare. Also notes of honey with a slight mineral note. Softer than many German Rieslings

Acid/Sugar Balance: High acid, very crisp. Enough sugar to keep it pleasant.

Body: Light

Astringency: Very little

Aging Potential: Little

Rating: 75

Varietals: Riesling

Vineyard/Producer: Name: Columbia Crest

Vintage: 2005

Country: America

Region/Sub-region: Washington

Clarity: Very good

Color: Gold

Aroma: Apples and pears. Also a note of honey and melon.

Bouquet: Slight wood note.

Flavor: A crisp green apple flavor paired with a sweeter pear. Also notes of honey with a slight mineral note. Softer than many German Rieslings

Acid/Sugar Balance: Too high of sugar content, with the roundness hiding many of the finer points of the wine.

Body: Medium

Astringency: Little

Aging Potential: Little

Rating: 55

Varietals: Riesling

Vineyard/Producer: Domaine Schlumberger

Name: Domaine Schlumberger Riesling

Vintage: 2002

Country: France

Region/Sub-region: Alsace

Clarity: Very good

Color: Bright gold

Aroma: Green apple, lemon peel, and a slight herbaceous note.

Bouquet: None

Flavor: Very acid, with strong green apple and lemon notes. Metallic notes from the strength of the acid.

Acid/Sugar Balance: High acid, very crisp and dry. Acid is almost too strong.

Body: Light

Astringency: Very little

Aging Potential: Fair

Rating: 75

Varietals: Rioja

Vineyard/Producer: El Coto

Name: Rioja

Vintage: 2003

Country: Spain

Region/Sub-region: Rioja

Clarity: Fair

Color: Brick red

Aroma: Cherry, chocolate, strawberries.

Bouquet: Slight herbaceous green pepper, and petrol.

Flavor: Strong chocolate and cherry. Green pepper and spices present. Note of citric acid and green apples. Slight bitter after taste.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Not balanced, acid is sharp and sour; needs more sugar to balance acid and tannins.

Body: Light and thin

Astringency: High

Aging Potential: Very good

Rating: 45

Varietals: Sangiovese

Vineyard/Producer: Di Majo Norante

Name: Sangiovese

Vintage: 2005

Country: Italy

Region/Sub-region: Molise

Clarity: Good

Color: Deep purples and burgundy. Very plum in appearance.

Aroma: Very complex. Notes of plum, cherry, black berries, pear, roses, and honey. Also strong notes of spices including cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg; and a slight herbaceous note.

Bouquet: Spice, smoke, leather, with a hint of herbaceous notes.

Flavor: Very complex notes matching the aroma and bouquet. Ripe fruit including black cherry, black berries, strawberries, and pear. Slight citrus note like oranges coming through. Creamy vanilla notes paired with spice of pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Slight green pepper hint.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Well balanced, sweet but balanced by spice and acid.

Body: Full

Astringency: Medium high

Aging Potential: Good

Rating: 90

Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc

Vineyard/Producer: Armand Roux

Name: Verdillac

Vintage: 2005

Country: France

Region/Sub-region: Bordeaux

Clarity: Excellent

Color: Pale

Aroma: Citrus, with strong pear notes. Some apple and honey. Honeydew melon present.

Bouquet: None.

Flavor: Slightly sweet. Floral, honey note like nectar. Honeydew melon and pear coming in. Citrus, orange undertone.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Low sugar making it dry with enough acid to keep it crisp.

Body: Light

Astringency: Very low

Aging Potential: Poor

Rating: 75

Varietals: Shiraz

Vineyard/Producer: Windham Estate Bin 555

Name: Shiraz

Vintage: 2003

Country: Australia

Region/Sub-region: South East

Clarity: Good

Color: Red

Aroma: Cherry, green pepper, herbaceous scents, and spice.

Bouquet: Toasty oak, cream, chocolate, and vanilla.

Flavor: Tart cherry, slight hint of blackberry, green pepper, chocolate, and toasty cream.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Balanced

Body: Full

Astringency: High

Aging Potential: Very good

Rating: 75

Varietals: Spätlese

Vineyard/Producer: Schlink Haus

Name: Schlink Haus Spätlese Nahe

Vintage: 2005

Country: Germany

Region/Sub-region: NA

Clarity: Excellent

Color: Pale straw gold.

Aroma: Strong apple notes with hints of honey, clover, and citrus.

Bouquet: Very slight mineral/limestone tint in background.

Flavor: Very sweet. Strong notes of apples and honeydew. Notes of pear and honey also present. Acid with lemon notes along with a very slight mineral note becomes apparent after holding it in the mouth.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Very sweet, high sugar wine. Sweet enough to almost be considered a dessert wine.

Body: Surprisingly full and round for a white wine.

Astringency: Very low

Aging Potential: Limited

Rating: 80

Varietals: Valpolicella

Vineyard/Producer: Santi

Name: Solane

Vintage: 2003

Country: Italy

Region/Sub-region: Verona, Po River Plain.

Clarity: Fair

Color: Medium brick red

Aroma: Spicy, with ripe fruits, most notably cherry and blackberry. Also some floral, rose notes.

Bouquet: Slight toasty oak and dried rose notes.

Flavor: Subtle, but complex flavors that slowly develop. The cherry and raspberry are the noticed first. There is also a slight raisin sweetness countered by tartness. A toasty flavor of oak and yeast is present in the background. This is from the Venetian technique known as "ripasso". Young Valpolicella wine is fermented in oak barrels on the lees of the previous autumn’s wine.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Everything is balanced, but all components are on the light side. This makes it hard for it to stand out on the pallet with foods.

Body: Medium

Astringency: Low

Aging Potential: Fair

Rating: 75

Varietals: Vinho Tinto

Vineyard/Producer: Quinta dos Grilos

Name: Vinho Tinto

Vintage: 2004

Country: Portugal

Region/Sub-region: Dão

Clarity: Fair

Color: Medium brick red

Aroma: Berries, raspberries and black berries. Chocolate and cherries. Slight herbaceous hint.

Bouquet: Slight toasty oak in the back ground.

Flavor: Strong impression of dark chocolate and cherry. Dried fruit notes.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Well balanced

Body: Full

Astringency: High

Aging Potential: Good

Rating: 55

Varietals: White Burgundy

Vineyard/Producer: Pouilly-Fuissé

Name: La Roche

Vintage: 2004

Country: France

Region/Sub-region: Pouilly-Fuissé

Clarity: Excellent

Color: Golden

Aroma: Citrus, lemon and orange. Apple and pear also present. A grape scent also. A warm, toasty scent in the background.

Bouquet: Slight herbaceous note, slight toast.

Flavor: Slightly sweet, similar to chardonnay. A smooth blending of apples, table grapes, and pears with a hint of citrus. Vanilla and cream enter in on finish.

Acid/Sugar Balance: High sugar, but enough acid to keep it crisp and refreshing. Good balance.

Body: Medium

Astringency: Lower

Aging Potential: Fair

Rating: 80

Varietals: Zinfandel

Vineyard/Producer: Dry Creek Valley

Name: Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

Vintage: 2001

Country: America

Region/Sub-region: Sonoma

Clarity: Good

Color: Medium brick red

Aroma: Fruity cherry, hint of pear. Smokey notes.

Bouquet: Tobacco and leather.

Flavor: Good ripe fruit flavors, cherry, raspberry, and grapefruit. Bouquet brings in yeasty oak notes. Spicy flavors linger in mouth.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Well balanced, long pleasant finish.

Body: Medium full.

Astringency: Medium

Aging Potential: Good

Rating: 85

Varietals: Zinfandel

Vineyard/Producer: Cline

Name: Ancient Vines Zinfandel

Vintage: 2005

Country: America

Region/Sub-region: Sonoma Valley, California

Clarity: Good

Color: Medium brick red

Aroma: Strawberries and cherries.

Bouquet: Tobacco, leather, and spice.

Flavor: Big black cherry flavor with notes of raspberry and black pepper and nutmeg.

Acid/Sugar Balance: Well balanced, with high levels of sugar.

Body: Full

Astringency: Fairly high

Aging Potential: Good

Rating: 80