2008 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
2011 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Domaine Chandon Brut Classic
2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch
2010 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc St. Helena
2008 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – $28.00
I’ve been on the Rhys mailing list for a few years. A lot of people knock the wines because they don’t taste great upon release. Rhys wines require a few years in the cellar to smooth out and open up. That said, their Alesia wines, which are made from purchased grapes, though also needing some time in the cellar, seem to be ready to drink a couple years earlier. I grabbed several bottles of this wine when it was offered on their e-mail release. This is my last bottle and every bottle has been better than the previous bottle…always a good sign.
The wine is a nice ruby red color. The sexy nose has strawberries, raspberries, cola, baking spices, underbrush, minerals, cherries, dried flowers and a slight herbal note. The wine has medium body with soft tannins and very good acidity. The very complex palate has layers of fruit, spice, and earthy elements that slowly reveal themselves with each sip, with the nice cleansing acidity evident at all times. The finish is fairly long and the mouthwatering acidity is ever present. This is very food friendly and civilized. There is no excess weight or overly extracted notes evident on the wine. This is in a very good drinking window and should hold for another year or two. This has 13.9% alcohol and is sealed with a natural cork. (92 pts)
2008 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
2011 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley – $25.00
This vintage is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. The grapes are sourced from a short list of vineyards the winery considers to be among the best in the state including Ciel du Cheval, Red Heaven, Red Mountain, Weinbau and Shaw vineyards.
The wine is a deep ruby red color. The very appealing nose has cassis, dried herbs, minerals, cedar, baking spices, cherries and a hint of dark bittersweet chocolate. This has a medium body with moderate tannins and very good acidity. On the palate rich fruit and spice lead off with minerals and dried herbs coming in on the back end. The finish has good length with cherries, spice and a touch of dark chocolate lingering nicely. This is drinking very nicely today and should continue doing so for at least a few more years. This was a steal for $25. This has 14.4% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork. (91 pts)
2011 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Domaine Chandon Brut Classic – $15.49
This is a blend of traditional Champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier from multiple cool-climate vineyards.
The wine is a light golden yellow color with a steady stream of pinpoint sized bubbles. The slightly shy nose has tart green apples, lemon zest, yeasty bread and a slight saline note. This has light body with decent acidity and a touch of sweetness. On the palate apples, lemon zest and a slight nutty element come through quickly. The finish has decent length with lemon zest acidity and a slight lingering sweetness. This is drinkable but not the most memorable or complex bottle of sparkling wine you will find. This has 12.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a standard Champagne stopper. (87 pts)
Domaine Chandon Brut Classic
2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch – $22.00
This wine is from the Rincon Valley in Sonoma County. The wine is fermented using native yeasts entirely in barrels, with 5% being new Acacia wood.
The wine is a bright straw yellow color. The open and expressive nose has apples, gooseberry, spice, lemon zest, orange blossoms, minerals, light leafy herbal notes and a hint of roasted nuts. This has medium body with crisp acidity. On the palate tart apples, spice, slate minerals and gooseberry jump out on the front end with orange blossoms and a slight herbal note coming in on the back end. The finish has good length with orange blossoms and tart lemon zest leaving your mouth watering for another sip. This is drinking wonderfully today and it should hold for another year or two. This has 14.1% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork. (92 pts)
2012 Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch
2010 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc St. Helena – $39.99
This is 100% Cabernet Franc from 100% CCOF certified organic, 100% Demeter Certified Biodynamic estate vineyards. The wine was aged in 100% French oak, 50% new. There were 597 cases of wine produced.
The wine is a deep maroon color. The stunning nose has blackberries, cassis, dusty minerals, dried herbs, tobacco, violets, cedar, underbrush and baking spices. This has medium to full body, moderate to solid tannins and very good acidity. On the palate fruit, minerals and spices jump out first with a floral note and subtle earthiness coming in later. The finish has very good length with a touch of cedar and dried leafy herbs joining the nice lingering fruit. This is on the young side but already showing very well. I look forward to following the wine’s evolution over the next decade. This wine has 14.5% alcohol by volume and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork. (94 pts)
2010 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Franc St. Helena
I am a big fan of the “Flash Wine Sale” site Last Bottle. You probably noticed some of the wines in this post were purchased from the site. All of these wines were purchased at a big discount. I highly recommend getting on their e-mail list. Like most of the flash sale sites, they offer one wine per day until it sells out. They also have a couple two-day marathons during the year. Last Bottle is a great site to buy special wines at prices low enough to open any day of the week.
If you sign up using this link you will get a $10 credit that can be used on your first purchase. I will also get a credit if you make a purchase.
Other than getting a credit as explained above, I have no financial interest in the site. After you are on the list, you can also get the same credit by introducing friends to Last Bottle.
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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines. I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar. I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com. Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear. There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.
Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase. I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but always check out the sale and close out items when in a store. Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges. None of the prices include the sales tax.
All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.
Cheers!