By Tim on Dec 3, 2007 in Recommendations, Roussanne, Tasting Notes | 0 Comments
I picked up this wine as a benchmark for my Roussanne project but it became my Thanksgiving wine. Beckmen Vineyards is a family owned winery in the Santa Ynez Valley, the same place the grapes for the wine my Crushpad group is making. They are a winery devoted exclusively to Rhone grapes and, if this wine serves as an example of what they can produce, I’ll be coming back for more.
Beckmen Vineyards, “Le Bec Blanc” 2005 ($20) - A blend of 57% Roussanne, 30% Marsanne and 13% Grenache Blanc. Golden straw in color with aromas of white peach, almonds and orange blossom. Rich and oily in the mouth with citrus and pineapple flavors finishing with some minerality, nuts and spice.
13.9% ABV
Natural cork closure
Score: 88
Rating: 
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By Tim on Dec 2, 2007 in Cabernet Sauvignon, Recommendations, Tasting Notes | 12 Comments
There are two trends that I hope will develop steam in 2008: the rise of the blend in American wine and restaurant wine at reasonable prices both in bottle and by the glass. This wine touches both of these trends with Cabernet Sauvignon making up 82% of the blend joined by 10% Merlot, 5% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah. It’s also targeted exclusively at restaurants in the U.S. with a suggested retail price of $30 a bottle and $10 per glass.
Winemaker Melissa Bates has created a rich and balanced wine ready for enjoyment now and, unlike many California red wines these days, not overpowering to food. Another interesting differentiator is the great design of the bottle graphics making this an impressive choice on the table. I hope to see more wines targeted at restaurants that are a cut above most choices in this price range.
Silver Palm, Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast 2005 ($30/sample) - Very dark purple in color with aromas of black currant, fennel and cedar. Spicy black cherry and currant flavors with fresh bell pepper, cracked black pepper and some vanilla on the finish. Seems more like a Chilean Merlot or Carmenère than a Cali Cab but still very nicely done.
13.9% ABV
Natural cork closure
Score: 87
Rating:
By Tim on Dec 1, 2007 in Mourvedre, Podcast, Recommendations | 0 Comments
I’m back with another pick that I thought I hadn’t yet blogged but I wrote about the 2003 vintage for WBW 35.
Bodegas Castano, “Hecula”, Monastrell, Yecla 2004 ($14) - Very dark purple-black with aromas of blackberry, bacon, licorice and vanilla. Ripe black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors with medium firm tannins, good acidity and a nice minerality on the finish.
14.5% ABV
Synthetic cork closure
Score: 89
Rating:
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