BENZIGER NORTH COAST SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013 CALIFORNIA

 

By:   Ed “The Wine Guy”

Benziger Family Winery uses certified biodynamic, organic, and sustainable farming methods. While having similar aromas and flavors of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc - grapefruit, lime, and minerality - this Sauvignon Blanc is less intense, less fruit-forward, as are the Sauvignon Blancs from France and Chile. I have long-admired the Sauvignon Blanc wines from Chile. This wine is aged in stainless steel drums and left on its lees (deposits of dead yeast mainly, which helps to develop more complexity and mouthfeel, especially a creaminess). This is my preferred style of Sauvignon Blanc. Benziger Family Winery was recently purchased by The Wine Group, a corporate conglomerate, which promises to continue with the green-farming tradition.

WINE OF THE WEEK BONTERRA CHARDONNAY 2013 MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

In keeping with Organic Wine Month at Harney's, I have chosen Bonterra Chardonnay 2013 as our first organic wine selection. All of Bonterra's grapes are farmed organically, meaning that they are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides. This Chardonnay is dry, medium-bodied, refreshingly acidic, and exhibits aromas and flavors of tropical fruits, butterscotch, and green apple, with a hint of vanilla. It is a balanced wine, meaning that all the components (fruit, acidity, tannins, oak, alcohol) are working in harmony, and no one component sticks out or dominates. Although the taste difference between an organic wine and an inorganic wine may be negligible, you can be sure that an organic wine is contributing to one's personal health and to a healthy environment.

Rose' Review and Wine of the Week

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

I would like to give an overview of the Rose' season, and to feature Les Lauzeraies Tavel Rose' 2014 as the new Wine of the Week. Sales of Rose' wines during the season have surpassed all expectations. Last year, we offered about 15 Rose' wines; this year we more than doubled that number, and tried to present a more-varied selection from different parts of the wine world. Your response has been overwhelming, with the wines from Provence, France taking the top spot in sales. Whispering Angel, from Provence, has been the best of the best, and that for three straight seasons. Most of the Rose' wines are on the dry (not sweet) side, and are a far cry from the sickening-sweet, syrupy wines of the past. Les Lauzeraies Tavel Rose', from the Southern Rhone Valley, France, is a blend of eight (8) grapes, including both red and white wine grapes - remember that the juice of all wine grapes is white. This Tavel is made the same way as other Rose' wines, but, since the liquid is allowed to remain with the skins, seeds, and stems for a longer period of time, it develops a deeper color, heavier body, and higher alcohol content. The result is a beautiful ruby color, a deeper aroma and flavor of berries, minerality, and spice. I have enjoyed Tavel Rose' for many years. In the comparison of wines, more often than not, it is not a matter of good versus bad, but only of difference. You be the judge.

COLUMBIA WINERY MERLOT 2013 COLUMBIA VALLEY, WASHINGTON STATE

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

It doesn't come as a surprise to me that Wine Spectator has rated this wine so highly (89 points). Anyone who knows me, and reads my blog on a regular basis, is aware that I have maintained that the Merlot wines from Columbia Valley are among the best Merlots in the Wine World, equaled only by Merlots from Bordeaux, France, and from Tuscany, Italy. This Merlot (87% Merlot, 11% Syrah, 2% Malbec) has aromas and flavors of plum, dark berry fruit, oak, and vanilla, with hints of spice, and a long, lingering finish. If the weather is warm, the wine, as well as most red wines, can be refrigerated for 30-45 minutes so that the taste of alcohol will not be pronounced. The ideal temperature for red wine is 65-68 degrees.

Following is a list of wines that have been highly rated by Wine Spectator, and are available here at Harney's: Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (93 points); Meiomi Pinot Noir 2013 (92); Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2014 (89); Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2013 (88); Acrobat Pinot Noir 2013 (88); A to Z Pinot Noir 2013 (88); Yellow Tail Moscato NV [non-vintage] (87). 

HIGH HOOK PINOT BLANC 2013 WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Pinot Blanc is a white wine grape, grown extensively in Europe, especially in the Alsace region of France; it is not widely planted in the United States. The Pinot Blanc grape is a clone of the Pinot Gris (Grigio) grape, a white grape, which is a clone of the Pinot Noir grape, a red grape. Interesting. As an aside - perhaps I'm stating the obvious - the juice of all wine grapes is white; the juice takes on color when it is exposed to the skins, a short time for Rose' wines, a much longer time for red wines. High Hook is medium-bodied, dry (not sweet; fruity, not sweet), with aromas and flavors of flowers, apple, and citrus fruit, with a hint of minerality, and enough acidity to make it refreshing. Harney's also has Pinot Blanc wines from Alsace. It would be interesting to compare those from France with High Hook from Oregon. Has the difference of terroir (climate/soil) created a difference of taste?

ROSE' REVIEW

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Once again, for the third straight year, Whispering Angel has been Harney's best-selling Rose' wine. Elegant, light, dry (not sweet), with hints of strawberry and peach, balancing delicious fruit with refreshing acidity. The next three best-selling Rose' wines: Chateau Montaud, Aime Roquesante, and Minuty, are all, not accidentally, from Provence, France, and they exhibit the Provence style. Gone are the days when a Rose' wine meant syrupy-sweet. (I still encounter people who refuse to even taste a Rose'; they shudder, remembering the syrupy-sweet experience.) The Wine World has embraced Provence as its role model in making Rose', and I'm glad that it has.

JOEL GOTT UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2014 CALIFORNIA

JOEL GOTT UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2014 CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

The debate goes on and on and on: Does oaked or unoaked wine taste better? There should be no debate at all; there is a definite difference of taste between the two, but . . . De gustibus non disputandum est (one should not argue when it comes to taste); it's a matter of preference. Oak adds flavors and aromas to a wine: butter, cream, vanilla, toast, smoke. Oak also adds weight; unoaked wine is lighter-bodied. A side by side tasting of an unoaked and an oaked Chardonnay would immediately show the difference. Joel Gott Unoaked Chardonnay is 100% stainless steel fermented, and aged in stainless steel vats, which preserves the freshness, purity, and flavors of the fruit. No oak is allowed to even look at it during the fermentation and the aging processes. It exhibits aromas and flavors of pear, honeydew melon, and citrus, with a long, satisfying finish.

Wine of the Week

CLOS DU BOIS CHARDONNAY SONOMA RESERVE 2013

RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY, SONOMA COUNTY CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

Many of our patrons are already familiar with the entry level of the .750 and the 1.5L formats of Clos Du Bois Chardonnay. Over the years, it has been a consistent favorite. New to Harney's is this luscious, higher end Clos Du Bois Sonoma Reserve. It is a creamy Chardonnay, rich and concentrated, with balanced acidity and well-integrated oak, exhibiting aromas and flavors of ripe apple, pear, lemon, and minerals, with hints of toast and spice. For a few dollars more, you can have a lot more satisfaction.

SAN ANGELO PINOT GRIGIO 2013 CASTELLO BANFI, MONTALCINO, ITALY

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

At the end of a long, straight driveway stands the Banfi Castle, dominating the horizon. The sight is overwhelming, as so many scenes in Tuscany are. Say Italy, say Tuscany, say Montalcino, say Banfi, and you can be sure of quality, from the Brunello to the Chianti to the Pinot Grigio. The Italian style of Pinot Grigio (exhibited so well in this wine, as distinguished from the style of, most notably, Alsace, France, and the State of Oregon, where, although it is made from the same grape, it is fuller-bodied and creamy), is light, zesty, crisp, and dry - is that a hint of effervescence? - with flavors of peach, grapefruit, pear, and honey, and a satisfying, clean finish. One taste of San Angelo Pinot Grigio 2013, and it is sure to become a Summer favorite.

Wine of the Week, Summer Reds

WINE OF THE WEEK

SUMMER REDS

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

I hear it often said: I don't drink red wine in the summer, because I don't like the taste. The reason for this, as far as I can see, is the harsh taste of alcohol which becomes more pronounced in the warm summer months. If red wine is drunk at a temperature around 65 degrees, which is recommended for all red wines, the taste of alcohol will be balanced, and will not stand out. I recommend refrigeration for about 30 - 45 minutes. Any longer than that, and the flavors will be muted. On my last trip to Tuscany, I and three friends stopped at a restaurant on a hot afternoon. The waiter presented us with a chilled (not cold) bottle of red wine: Santa Cristina. It was refreshing and delicious. No flavor had been lost because of the chilling. In addition to Santa Christina, Harney's offers many other light red wines, such as Centine, Beaujolais, Tempranillo, and Grenache. There is no need to sacrifice the pleasures of red wine in the summer.

New to our Boutique section.....

By:  Ed  "The Wine Guy"

FULCRUM (among the finest wines that I have ever tasted)

• Fulcrum 2011 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley, California. Elegant and complex. Dusty and earthy aromas and flavors of cherry, violet, strawberry, and molasses. A long, savory finish.

• Fulcrum 2011 On Point Pinot Noir Chalone Appellation, California. Sweet, spicy nose with dark fruit and wilted rose. Aromas and flavors of raspberry, blueberry, and minerality. A long, lingering finish.

• Fulcrum 2012 On Point Gap's Crown Sonoma Coast, California. Ripe berries with sweet spice on the nose. Flavors of berries, cherries, red licorice, and spice. Plush mouth-feel, with a lingering finish.

• Cloisonne 2013 Pinot Noir St. Lucia Highlands, California. Flavors of cherry and plum. Bold, rich texture, dense, with a hint of vanilla. The play between sweet fruit and earthy notes.

• Cloisonne 2013 Chardonnay Russian River, California. Aromas and flavors of green apple, honeydew, apricot, with a hint of smoke. Crisp, balanced acidity, with flavors that linger.

Wine of the Week, Unparalled Sauvignon Blanc

WINE OF THE WEEK

UNPARALLELED SAUVIGNON BLANC

NEW ZEALAND 2014

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand on the wine map of the world about fifteen years ago. It introduced a style of taste (intensely fruit-forward) which was unlike the Sauvignon Blancs of France (Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume' from the Loire Valley, and from Bordeaux), where Sauvignon Blanc had been produced for many years, and it was unlike that of Chile and California which exhibits a softer, more food-friendly style. Many say that Cloudy Bay is the benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc, just as Santa Margherita is the benchmark for Pinot Grigio. There is no denying their track records, but, ultimately, it's a matter of taste. Chacon a son gout (each to his own taste). Sales at Harney's would bear it out that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Red Blends have been the most popular wine categories for the recent past. Oyster Bay, our most popular New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Kim Crawford, and Whitehaven, my personal favorite, continue in the tradition of Cloudy Bay. So, too, does Unparalleled, our Wine of the Week, which is new to Harney's. It is fruit-forward, with lime and grapefruit notes, and with hints of grass and minerals.

WINES OF THE WEEK

WINES OF THE WEEK

Rose’ Collection

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

Since the response to our Rose' collection has been so great, I decided to feature four (4) different Rose' wines than the last couple of weeks. For your information: most Rose' wines should be drunk within two (2) years of the date on the label. Since there is low acidity and low alcohol, due to the shortness of the fermentation process, the quality will not last, so they should be drunk young. Beyond the two years, I suggest - no kidding - using a Rose' in place of vinegar in a salad dressing; that and a good extra-virgin olive oil, will produce a very tasty fruity vinaigrette. CHATEAU D'AQUERIA TAVEL has long been my favorite Rose' wine. Made from Grenache and Syrah, it is dry, with notes of rose petal - which I detect more and more and appreciate in a Rose' - and raspberry. ESTANDON, also a French dry Rose', is cool, crisp, and elegant, with hints of fruit. MUGA from Spain has red apple and tropical notes. MULDERBOSCH from South Africa (a forgotten land, but with memorable wines), made from Cabernet Sauvignon, has hints of strawberry, cherry, and raspberry. All of these wines are excellent as an aperitif, a picnic or deck wine.”

Wines of the Week, Rose' Wines

WINE OF THE WEEK

ROSE' WINES

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Harney's is featuring Rose' wines just in time for the holiday weekend and for the beginning of the summer season. For a full presentation of how Rose' wine is produced, please click here. I have selected a sampling of four Rose' wines this week, including WHISPERING ANGEL, Cotes de Provence, our largest selling Rose' for the last two years, an elegant, dry (not sweet) Rose' from France, with hints of strawberry and peach; BIELER PERE ET FILS, also from France, similar in style to Whispering Angel; A TO Z, from Oregon, darker in color than most Rose' wines, with a note of sweetness; NATURA, from Chile, made with organically grown grapes, fresh, fruity, and balanced. Compare all four wines, as well as many other Rose' wines we carry, all of which are ideal as an aperitif and with lighter summer fare.

Wine of the Week, May 10, 2015

DOMAINE BOUSQUET MALBEC 2014
MENDOZZA, ARGENTINA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

About fifteen years ago, it could be said that a Malbec wine from Mendozza, Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, was predictably good. Then, for a period of about three to five years, the wines were flabby, blah, and uninteresting. What this was due to, I'm not entirely sure. Did the vintners have to import grapes from other regions to keep up with the demand? Did they rush the wine-making process, not allowing sufficient time for aging. Was there a period when the weather was not conducive to producing quality grapes? As I said, I'm not sure of the loss of quality. However, it may now be said once again that a Malbec wine from Mendozza, Argentina is predictably good. The Malbec grape is the most widely planted red grape variety in Argentina. Domaine Bousquet is made from organically grown grapes. Organic may not make a difference in taste, but it certainly does in health: no artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. This delicious Malbec has aromas and flavors of blackberry, currant, and plum, with the typical Malbec spice; its tannins are soft, and its finish is long. A great match for grilled meats.

About fifteen years ago, it could be said that a Malbec wine from Mendozza, Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, was predictably good. Then, for a period of about three to five years, the wines were flabby, blah, and uninteresting. What this was due to, I'm not entirely sure. Did the vintners have to import grapes from other regions to keep up with the demand? Did they rush the wine-making process, not allowing sufficient time for aging. Was there a period when the weather was not conducive to producing quality grapes? As I said, I'm not sure of the loss of quality. However, it may now be said once again that a Malbec wine from Mendozza, Argentina is predictably good. The Malbec grape is the most widely planted red grape variety in Argentina. Domaine Bousquet is made from organically grown grapes. Organic may not make a difference in taste, but it certainly does in health: no artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. This delicious Malbec has aromas and flavors of blackberry, currant, and plum, with the typical Malbec spice; its tannins are soft, and its finish is long. A great match for grilled meats.

WINE OF THE WEEK (5/3/2015)

GNARLEY HEAD AUTHENTIC BLACK 2013
LIMITED RELEASE
LODI, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"  

Inky in color, this inexpensive Petite-Sirah based medium-bodied blend exhibits aromas and flavors of blackberry, black cherry, plum, black pepper, black licorice, and spice. NB: Petite Sirah is not Syrah; they are totally different red wine grape varietals; if you tasted the wines made from these grapes side by side you would immediately recognize the difference: the Petite Sirah - produced from small, intensely colored berries - possesses a lively acidity, the Syrah, a heavy, earthy mouth-feel. As we enter the barbecue season, I suggest this Gnarley Head Authentic Black as a satisfying match to any and all meat creations from the grill.

ALTO-CINCO GARNACHA 2011 SPAIN

WINE OF THE WEEK

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Grenache (Garnacha in Spanish) is one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. Alto-Cinco (translated as high-five) doesn't refer to an Americanism but, rather, to the height of the vineyards and to the surrounding five wine regions; however, this wine certainly deserves a high-five in the American sense, because it is a winner, worthy of celebration. A blend of 94% Grenache and 6% Tempranillo, this wine has aromas and flavors of rose petal and violet, raspberry and cherry, mocha and vanilla; it is medium-bodied, with low acidity and soft tannins. If you are looking to add a new grape varietal to your wine palate, please try Grenache. You'll be glad that you did.

WOODWORK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012

WINE OF THE WEEK

WOODWORK CABERNET SAUVIGNON CENTRAL COAST, CALIFORNIA 2012

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

 

Featuring Woodwork Wines, a brand with three (3) varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This brand is a good, inexpensive, everyday wine, comparable to the popular wines of William Hill (North Coast) and Leese-Fitch. I tasted and enjoyed all three varietals several months ago. The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon - it was a wonderful year for vintners throughout California - is blended with a very small amount of Merlot which introduces a deeper fruity note to the wine. This Cabernet exhibits aromas and flavors of dark chocolate, black cherry, blackberry, and hazelnut, with hints of vanilla and spice. There is no need to pay an exorbitant price for a satisfying California Cabernet. Taste and see.

ROSE' WINE: PRETTY IN PINK

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

The sale of Rosé wines has almost tripled in the last three years. My earliest memory of Rosé wine is Mateus and Lancers, both from Portugal. Mateus, once the world's most popular wine, is a light, fresh, young, moderately sweet, and slightly-sparkling wine; in the late 70s, one million (1,000,000) cases of Lancers were sold in the United States alone. Now, there are numerous Roséwines available to us, but the vast majority of them are produced by the same method. Most wine grapes, independent of the color of their skin,  produce clear or colorless juice. For a Rosé wine, the juice is allowed to remain in contact with the red skins (1 - 3 days) until a certain color is attained; the longer the contact, the deeper the color. Another, less-used method of producing a Rose' wine is to add a small amount of red wine to color up an already-made white wine. For instance, a Riesling can be made into a Rosé by adding a quantity of Cabernet Sauvignon wine or any other red wine.
Using Cabernet Sauvignon as an example, Rosé wines have been called Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon Blush, White Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc; the different names refer to the same wine. White Zinfandel is, in essence, a Rosé wine. There was a time - not too many years ago - that if a liquor store didn't sell White Zinfandel and Budweiser, it couldn't pay the rent/mortgage. Times have changed. Historically, Rosé wines in the United States were sweet, but tastes have changed, and the majority of people now prefer a dry (not sweet) Rosé after the manner of wines from the Provence area of France. There is nothing more refreshing, nothing more satisfying, than a glass or two of a good Rosé, Whispering Angel, for example,while sitting on the deck on a hot summer day, and eating a fresh tossed salad.
NOTE: Remember the fermentation process/equation: yeast (naturally-occurring or cultured) + sweet juice (sugar) = alcohol, sulfites, and carbon dioxide (bubbles which are captured for sparkling wines, which are released for still [non-sparkling] wines). Clear as mud? But if the fermentation process is understood, you'll be able to think about and talk about wine intelligently, and buy exactly what you want.

WILD THING ZINFANDEL 2012 MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA

WINE OF THE WEEK

WILD THING ZINFANDEL 2012

MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

No one, but no one, in the world makes Zinfandel as well as California. I would also say the same thing about buttery, creamy Chardonnay and full-bodied, classic Cabernet Sauvignon. That is not to say that California doesn't produce other outstanding wines, but these three, I feel, are unique to California. This Zinfandel is called wild because it uses naturally occurring wild yeast in the fermentation process. The vines are over sixty (60) years old which gives it depth of character. It is 83% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 2% Petite Syrah. It exhibits aromas and flavors of raspberry, blackberry, black pepper, and caramel, and some tasters have suggested cinnamon, clove, and licorice. The tannins are smooth, as well as the long finish.

Wine of the Week

COLUMBIA WINERY

MERLOT 2013

WASHINGTON STATE

 

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Featuring the wines of Columbia Winery: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Blend, and Chardonnay, especially the Merlot. In my humble opinion, Merlot grapes grown in the Columbia Valley, Washington State, reach a level of complexity that is attained only by the Bordeaux region of France, and by Tuscany, Italy. Columbia Valley is in the same latitude as some of Europe's best wine-growing regions. The Valley is located on the Eastern side of the Cascade Range, where desert-like conditions prevail: hot, dry, sunny days, and cool, clear nights, with an abundance of runoff water from the Cascades. Ideal geography and conditions for growing complex, flavorful wine grapes. The Columbia Winery Merlot 2013 won the Best-in-Class Award at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. It exhibits enticing aromas and lush flavors of dark cherry, plum, toasty oak, and vanilla, with a hint of mocha. Very, very satisfying.

WINE OF THE WEEK FIRST CRUSH WINERY ZINFANDEL (visZINary) HARWICH, CAPE COD

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"  

Having reviewed Dr. Frank Puzio's Cabernet Sauvignon in the previous installment of Wine of the Week, I now turn to his Zinfandel, a blend of 75% Zinfandel and 25% Petit Syrah. DNA studies of the Zinfandel grape have traced it to the Primitivo grape of Puglia, Italy, and from there across the Adriatic Sea to two varietals in Croatia. I enjoyed this Zinfandel from the start; the Cabernet needed aging in the bottle to reach its potential. The wine is rich and jammy with concentrated flavors of blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, black pepper, and spice. The Petit Syrah adds a deeper color and a firm, but not harsh, structure. It is a balance of intense fruit, refreshing acidity, smooth tannins, and a hint of vanilla in the finish. Thank you once again, Dr. Puzio, for producing an exquisite wine.

Wine of the Week

FIRST CRUSH 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON FUSION 2012

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

I tasted this wine about a year ago, and it was - not surprisingly, given its youthful age - still tight, reluctant to reveal any noteworthy flavor. But now! How it has grown! The transformation has been remarkable! Just as a tight bud of a flower opens up to a full, mature flower. As far as I am concerned, with this wine, Dr. Frank Puzio, owner and vintner of First Crush Winery, is fulfilling his stated mission to produce exquisite wine, utilizing the finest fruit (trucked from an area bordering the Napa Region of California), and sparing no expense on equipment and technology. He cuts no corners. Many a vineyard, even some of those long-established, can learn from Dr. Puzio. This Cabernet Sauvignon is a Fusion of Bordeaux varietals, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with lesser amounts of Merlot and Malbec. It has aromas and flavors of black cherry, plum, currant, and spice, and it has a long finish, at which time there is a hint of vanilla. We can be proud that this wine is produced and bottled here on Cape Cod in Harwich.

Wine of the Week, February 01, 2015

CENTINE ROSSO TOSCANA 2013
CASTELLO BANFI ESTATE
MONTALCINO, ITALY

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

It's time to revisit Centine, a delightful, everyday red wine, which I have previously reviewed in this column. I would rather be revisiting Tuscany itself, and driving up the long driveway to the magnificent Banfi Castle. I know that the popular saying is: See Naples and die, but I prefer to say: See Tuscany and die. Centine, 60% Sangiovese (the Chianti grape), 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot, is an elegant but inexpensive wine. It is well-made and nicely balanced, no one element dominating. It is young and fresh, with aromas and flavors of berries, plum, and spicy black currant, and with a hint of smoke. A perfect accompaniment with pasta dishes with red sauce, and with eggplant parmesan. Ah, Tuscany!

Wine of the Week, January 18, 2015

CHILENSIS LAZULI RED BLEND 2011
MAULE VALLEY, CHILE

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Red Blends have become increasingly popular, but they are not a new phenomenon. The red Bordeaux wines of France have always been blended, mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, but also in lesser amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, each contributing a distinguishing characteristic. (England calls red Bordeaux wine Claret, a word used in a recent episode of Downton Abbey.)  To create a red blend, the grapes of the different varietals are fermented and aged together OR each varietal is fermented and aged independently, and then blended. If I were a vintner, I would use the latter method in order to get the maximum of flavor from each varietal. Lazuli 2011 uses that method. The wine is medium-bodied, and easy drinking, as most reds from Chile seem to be, exhibiting aromas and flavors of blackberry, chocolate, herbs, and hints of vanilla.

Wine of the Week, enTycement Red Blend 2012 Ty Caton Vineyard Sonoma, California

By "Ed the Wine Guy"

enTycement Red Blend 2012 Ty Caton Vineyard Sonoma, California. 37% Zinfandel, 15 Petit Syrah, 14 Syrah, 14 Merlot, 13 Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 Petit Verdot. With a dark purple color, enTycement opens with aromas of blackberry and boysenberry (a cross between raspberry and blackberry) followed by flavors of rich, dark fruit notes and a touch of chocolate; it has a lush mouth-feel. The smooth, lingering finish - one of the longest finishes that I have ever experienced; it just never quits - is accentuated with a touch of spice.

Wines for the Holidays

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Unlike Thanksgiving, when the mainstay is Turkey, the feasts of Christmas and of New Year's Eve/Day - when there is a greater variety of foods - call for a greater variety of wines. We, the staff of Harney's, wish all of you happy holidays, and suggest the following wines - in conjunction with the wines suggested in the November Newsletter for Thanksgiving - for your pleasure. When you are in the store, be sure to check out our new BOUTIQUE WINES section.

WHITE
CHARDONNAY: Woodwork (new to Harney's, tasted very favorably at our November open house, as well as its Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.); Bread and Butter, creamy and buttery.
PINOT GRIS/GRIGIO: St. Michael-Eppan.
SAUVIGNON BLANC: Whitehaven, from New Zealand.
RIESLING: Willm, from Alsace, France, my favorite white wine area in the world.

RED
CABERNET: Carnivore, inexpensive, yet highly rated; Woodwork.
ZINFANDEL: OZV, our best selling Zinfandel of the year; one of the best I have tasted in my six-year connection with Harney's; 7 DEADLY ZINS.
PINOT NOIR:  Woodwork; Sean Minor.
COTES DU RHONE: Guigal, classic French blend of Syrah and Grenache, a benchmark wine.
RED BLEND: enTycement, which has proven to be one of our most popular boutique wines, a thoroughly-satisfying, deep and dark red blend of five (5) grapes; OVEJA NEGRA, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Carmenere from Chile, inexpensive with a very rich taste.  
MARINA CVETIC: the red grape is Montepulciano d' Abruzzo, rated in the top 100 of the year by Wine Spectator, one of my favorite wines in the store.

CHAMPAGNE
KORBEL: Rose', Brut, Extra Dry (which actually has a hint of sweetness).
LAMARCA: our most popular Prosecco, 750 or 1.5 (for a larger gathering).
J CUVE'E 20

VEUVE CLIQUOT. mentioned in a 1890's short story by Chekhov, the great Russian writer.

Pairing Your Wine With Turkey

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

We, the staff at Harney's, recommend the following wines for your Thanksgiving enjoyment. They are "tried and true" wines; Thanksgiving is a feast of tradition, a time of familiar and comforting food and wine, it is not the time for experimentation.

WHITE

Trimbach Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France. Elegant, dry (not sweet), with delicate hints of apple, peach, and apricot. 

Kris Pinot Grigio, Italy. Our best selling Italian-style Pinot Grigio: light-bodied, crisp, with satisfying, refreshing acidity. 

King Estate Pinot Gris, Oregon. A softer, creamier style than the Grigio. Also from Oregon, similar in style to the King Estate: Erath, Acrobat, A to Z, Big Fire. 

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand. A perennial favorite. Also, First Crush: a less intense style of Sauvignon Blanc.

Chardonnay: 

Belcreme De Lys, California: oaky, creamy and buttery, a complement to roasted turkey.
Simi, California. A perfect balance of fruit and acidity with a minimum of oak.

Dr. L Riesling, Germany. Crisp, slightly sweet, with hints of fruit and mineral.

RED

Meiomi Pinot Noir, California. Our second largest selling California Pinot Noir, and, with good reason.

Centine, Banfi, Italy. An inexpensive, delicious red blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, and Merlot.

14 Hands Columbia Valley, Washington State. A delicious red blend. Also their Merlot and Cabernet
Gascon Malbec, from Mendoza, Argentina, of course. Intense fruity flavors and spice (and everything nice).

Columbia Crest Grand Estates, Washington State. An inexpensive, satisfying Cabernet Sauvignon and a lush Merlot.

ROSE

Moulin de Gassac, France. Dry (not sweet), with hints of fresh strawberry. Our largest selling Rose' for both 2013 and 2014.

Wine of the Week, November 02, 2014

CAMERON HUGHES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 LOT 279

NAPA, CALIFORNIA

By: Ed “The Wine Guy”

We are fortunate here at Harney's to have such a hard-to-find Cabernet Sauvignon. Arguably, no area in the wine world gets the most out of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape than California, and, no area in California than Napa Valley. Location, location, location! After a recent wine lecture, one of the audience said to me: "Thank you for the geography lesson." She had grasped the meaning of terroir: the environmental conditions, especially climate and soil, in which grapes are grown and that give a wine its unique aroma and flavor. This Cabernet Sauvignon is a robust, chewy, dense, rich wine, exhibiting aromas and flavors of plum, cassis/black currants (an earthy-tasting berry), dark cherries, licorice, and vanilla. And, there's even more: unmistakable hints of espresso and dark chocolate.

Wine of the Week, October 26, 2014

MICHAEL POZZAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010
KNIGHTS VALLEY, SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

This offering from Michael Pozzan satisfies fully the expectations one has of a Cabernet Sauvignon: deep color, good tannin* structure, moderate acidity, with aromas and flavors of plum, black cherry, black currant, dark spices, and cedar.

*Tannin: an acidic element naturally occurring in plants, seeds, bark, wood, leaves, and fruit skins; its taste is astringent: puckery, pungent. Grape tannin comes from the skins, seeds, and stems of a wine grape. Wine tannins are most commonly found in red wine, although white wines have tannins from being aged in wooden barrels. Red wines tend to have higher levels of tannins because of the extended contact of the solid matter of the grapes with the juice.

Wine of the Week, October 19, 2014

FEUDO MACCARI NERO D'AVOLA 2011
SICILY, ITALY

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Believe it or not, there are over 10,000 varieties of wine grapes in the world. 10,000! And the average wine consumer may be familiar with and have tasted, perhaps, at most 10: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio (Gris), Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah (Shiraz), Zinfandel, Malbec, and Sangiovese (Chianti). How many more varieties can you add to this list? From its inception, the purpose of this Wine of the Week column was to present not only familiar varieties of wines, but also to introduce new varieties, such as Carmemere, from Chile, similar to Merlot, but with a layer of satisfying spice; Albarino, Spain's most popular and distinctively aromatic white wine; Torrontes, a white wine from Argentina, with subtle spice notes and floral bouquet; and Nero D'Avola, Sicily's most important and widely planted red grape. Feudo Maccari is rich, zesty, velvety, with aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry, plum, black pepper, spice, smoke, and clove. It pairs well with puttanesca sauce (tomato sauce with anchovies, capers, and olives).

Wine of the Week, October 12, 2014

HIGH HOOK PINOT NOIR 2012
WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

This Pinot Noir comes from a single, sustainably-farmed vineyard, which uses techniques that protect the environment and public health; no pesticides are used. It is medium-bodied, balanced, dry (not sweet, but fruity), with aromas and flavors of chocolate-covered cherries, raspberry, pomegranate (which I'm beginning to detect and appreciate more and more, especially in a Pinot Noir), plum, vanilla-cola, with just a hint of oak, and a long, smooth finish. See how many aromas and flavors you can detect. This is one of those wines that makes you smile and say yes.

Wine of the Week, October 5, 2014

HACIENDA LOPEZ DE HARO RIOJA RESERVA 2005 SPAIN

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

From north-central Spain comes this very satisfying red blend: 90% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha (adds body and acidity), 5% Graciano (adds aromas). This wine is typical of the Rioja wine style which features oak as an essential component. The designation Riserva means that the wine has aged for at least three years, one of them in oak. The vintage is 2005, almost 10 years old, and I dare say that it will drink well for another 5 or more years. It is medium-bodied, concentrated, soft, exhibiting aromas and flavors of spicy dark fruit (black currants, plums), a touch of leather, and a hint of vanilla.

Wine of the Week, September 28, 2014

SEAN MINOR PINOT NOIR 2012
CENTRAL COAST, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

What a good vintage-year 2012 was in California, for both white and red wines! Even an average vintner made a better than average wine. This Sean Minor production is an affordable, everyday style wine, made from grapes selected from sites throughout the Central Coast region. The Pinot Noir grape is thin-skinned and hard to grow; it requires careful, attentive growers. Strange that it is thin-skinned and, yet, prefers to grow in cool regions: Burgundy, France; New Zealand; Oregon; certain areas of California. The grape may be grown in warmer climates, and the wine that is produced may even taste good, but it does not have the classic aromas and flavors of Pinot Noir. This wine is medium-bodied, exhibits aromas and flavors of cherry cola, raspberry, and strawberry, with a hint of spice, and with sweet oak that leads to a lingering finish.

Wine of the Week, September 21, 2014

ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS MALBEC 2013
MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Another very satisfying Malbec from - where else but - Mendoza, Argentina, where the Malbec grape has found its true home. Located in the eastern foothills of the Andes, the geography there is similar to Columbia Valley in Washington State: a semi-desert climate (very hot daytime, very cool nights), with abundant run-off water from a mountain range: the Cascades in Washington, the Andes in Argentina. I venture to say - although I suspect that I would be vehemently contradicted by the people of Mendozza - that the Malbec grape would do equally well in Columbia Valley. Both settings enable red grapes to grow to their fullest potential, resulting in lush wines. This Altos Las Hormigas Malbec is deeply purple in color, has a concentrated, fruit-forward character, exhibiting aromas and flavors of smoky cherries, raspberry, plum, a touch of spice, with hints of vanilla and chocolate, and with smooth tannins.

Wine of the Week September 14, 2014

KING ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2012
OREGON

By: Ed "The Wine Guy"

A great Pinot Gris! I dare to say that it, along with the Pinot Gris of Alsace, France, is the standard, the benchmark, of this type of wine. Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio is made from the same white wine grape. Both wines are dry; the difference between the two is a difference of style: Pinot Gris has a creamy, oily texture, resulting in a fuller mouth-feel; Pinot Grigio is light-bodied, crisp, and refreshingly acidic. Please confer my Wine of the Week (9/8/2013) for a description of how these qualities are achieved. King Estate Winery is credited with bringing the Pinot Gris varietal into national consciousness in the United States. The 2012 vintage exhibits aromas and flavors of green apple, citrus, honeysuckle, peach, pear, and melon - the more sophisticated and sensitive your wine palate is, the more aromas and flavors it will detect - all ending in a long smooth finish.

Wine of the Week, September 07, 2014

MARTA'S VINEYARD 2011 RESERVE  MALBEC

                       MENDOZZA, ARGENTINA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

The Malbec grape originated in France, as most grape varietals did. For this, we owe France a huge debt of gratitude. In France it was, and still is, a blending grape in the region of Bordeaux. Over the years, other countries have taken the original varietals from France and produced quite a different taste than was possible or even desirable in France: Cabernet Sauvignon in California; Merlot in Columbia Valley, Washington State; Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand; Malbec in Argentina, to name just a few. The difference of taste is due to terroir: the environmental conditions, especially soil and climate, in which grapes are grown and that give a wine its unique flavor and aroma. Malbec found a home in the Mendoza region of Argentina (the USA cultivates 3, 400 acres of Malbec; Argentina 76, 700). It is in Argentina that it reaches its full potential. As all good Malbecs have, Marta's Vineyard Reserve 2011 has bold flavors and richness, exhibiting aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, with hints of chocolate, leather, spice, and smoke.

Wine of the Week, August 31, 2014

BREGGO CELLARS PINOT GRIS 2012
ANDERSON VALLEY, MENDOCINO
CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are wines that are made from the same grape. In most cases it's a matter of difference of styles. Wines called Pinot Gris, following the example of Alsace, France, tend to have a creamy mouth-feel and, because of that, seem to have a fuller body; Pinot Grigio wines, e.g., Kris from Italy, tend to be lighter and crisper. I enjoy both styles. That said, the Breggo Cellars Pinot Gris 2012 is an elegant wine, with a creamy mouth-feel, exhibiting aromas and flavors of peach, citrus, and apple, with hints of pineapple, melon, and minerality. Enjoy these final days of summer with a memorable wine.

Wine of the Week, August 24, 2014

enTycement RED BLEND 2012
SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

This is one of our boutique wines, a new and exciting venture for Harney's Liquors. A Boutique Wine is one that comes from a small winery, offering a limited production of very distinctive, high quality wines; it is handcrafted by a master of wine-making, who oversees all aspects of production from soil management to the bottling, with attention given to wine-making as an art rather than as a business. enTycement 2012 is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a dark, purple color, with aromas and flavors of blackberry, boysenberry (a sweet-tart fruit), and rich dark fruits, with a touch of chocolate, and a lush mouth-feel. The smooth, lingering finish is accentuated with a touch of spice.

Wine of the Week, August 17, 2014

TRIMBACH PINOT BLANC 2011
ALSACE, FRANCE

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

This wine represents the traditional and dry Alsace white wines. The house of Trimbach dates back to 1626, so its knowledge of wine-making is unrivaled. (As an aside, this region is my favorite for white wines. One sip, and you will know why.) This Trimbach Pinot Blanc is dry (not sweet), soft, fresh, well-balanced (harmonious whole: no one element dominating), with aromas and flavors of apple, citrus fruit, and mineral. Excellent as an aperitif, elegant enough for a formal dinner, a perfect accompaniment to light meals, and, yes, clam chowder. 

Wine of the Week, August 10, 2014

RODNEY STRONG CHARDONNAY 2012
SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

California is noted for, and rightly so, its Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay. The Chardonnay grape - unlike the Pinot Noir grape, which is thin-skinned, and, like thin-skinned people, difficult to deal with  - is relatively easy to grow just about anywhere. It adapts well to different soils and different climates. Its native home is in Burgundy, France. The year 2012 in California produced extraordinary grapes, both white and red. I suspect that before long the 2012 vintage will be hard to find. This Rodney Strong Chardonnay is medium-bodied, fruit-forward, exhibiting aromas and flavors of apple, lemon, pear, and pineapple, and a hint of oak. The mouth-feel is very satisfying from the start to the long finish.

Wine of the Week, August 03, 2014

FRANCISCAN EQUILIBRIUM WHITE BLEND, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

From one of the most prestigious vineyards in Napa comes this very delicious and refreshing white blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Muscat. It lives up to its name: Equilibrium is a harmonious balance of flavor and acidity. It is relatively dry, with a touch of sweetness, and exhibits aromas and flavors of pears and peaches and suggestions of other fruits, including apricots and melons. A wine may be chosen because its taste is similar to the taste of a food, making it complementary, for instance, a spicy Zinfandel served with a spicy barbecue, or it may be chosen to create an opposite or offsetting effect. Equilibrium is a perfect (offsetting) accompaniment to spicy foods.