AIME ROQUESANTE COTES DE PROVENCE ROSE' FRANCE

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy:

Gone are the days of sickenly-sweet, heavy Rose' wines. Now, the Rose' of choice is dry (not sweet), light, with hints of fruit (strawberry, peach, melon, citrus), and refreshingly crisp and clean (due to its acidity). Aime Roquesante is one of these wines which have become known as the Provence style of Rose'. Just a few years ago, Harney's had about a dozen Rose' wines to satisfy the palates of our clients; now we have at least three times that number, the majority of which are of the Provence style. Aime Roquesante is a blend of the varietals: Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah; it is salmon in color, with a creamy mouthfeel. I suggest serving it as an aperitif, as an accompaniment to salads, to chicken, fish, and seafood dishes, and to clambakes. Taste and see!

SAN ANGELO PINOT GRIGIO CASTELLO BANFI WINE ESTATE MONTALCINO, TUSCANY, ITALY

 By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Montalcino: the home of the Super Tuscans, Brunello di Montalcino, and San Angelo Pinot Grigio. We usually think of Italian Pinot Grigio as coming from the northeast of Italy (the wider Venice area). However, San Angelo, in my opinion, rivals - if not surpasses - the Pinot Grigios of northeast Italy, including Santa Margherita, which for a long time has been the standard of that varietal. Perhaps Santa Margherita has been the standard because it was the first Pinot Grigio to have such an impact, just as Cloudy Bay was the first New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to create such a stir. Both wines have achieved the status of cult wines, with the resultant higher prices. Don't get me wrong, both Santa Margherita and Cloudy Bay are very good wines, but others have come along that, in my opinion, have equaled, if not surpassed, them. For example, Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc and San Angelo Pinot Grigio. Many vineyards worldwide - too many, really - have jumped on the Pinot Grigio bandwagon; it is their new cash-cow; the proliferation offers nothing or very little that is unique/distinctive, similar to so many Merlots, which are interchangeable: if you have tasted one, you have tasted a hundred. San Angelo has a fuller body than most Pinot Grigios; no oak; it is crisp; fresh; refreshing; with flavors and aromas of peach and a hint of anise; with a good finish (how long it stays with you). Vernaccia, from the region of San Gimignano, and San Angelo are my two favorite Italian white wines. Taste and see!

 

DONA PAULA ESTATE MALBEC and RED BLEND BLACK EDITION

By: Ed "The Wine Guy"

DONA PAULA ESTATE MALBECMENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Originally, the Malbec grape was used in blends in Bordeaux, France. Argentina has taken the grape and produced wines that are exclusively Malbec, bringing out its true varietal characteristics - as Chile has done with Carmenere, Australia with Syrah (Shiraz), and, it can be said, New Zealand with Sauvignon Blanc. This Malbec is typical of the Mendoza region of Argentina, possessing, arguably, the best climate and soil to produce the best Malbec. It exhibits aromas and flavors of black fruits, violets, spices, with mineral notes. The Dona Paula Estate Vineyards are managed using sustainable agricultural practices.

DONNA PAULA ESTATE RED BLEND BLACK EDITION

Red Blends are easy to drink, which is one of the reasons why they have become so popular. A Red Blend typically consists of 40-50% of one type of grape and a smaller mix of 2 or more other grapes. It has a long tradition, as exemplified by the blends of Bordeaux, France - which were referred to in the Downton Abbey production as Claret. This wine is a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon (structure, tannin concentration), and Petit Verdot (tones of violet and leather), each grape adding specific characteristics. It exhibits aromas and flavors of dark berries, dark chocolate, and spice, with a velvety mouthfeel and a smooth finish.

SPANN VINEYARDS YIN-YANG CHARDONNAY-VIOGNIER SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

Yin-Yang is one of our boutique wines: a wine that comes from a small winery or single vineyard, offering a limited production of very distinctive, high-quality wines which are hand-crafted by a master vintner, 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. The Viognier grape in this blend adds flavors and aromas of apricots and peaches; the Chardonnay grape adds body and acidity which makes the wine very food-friendly.

CLAMBAKE ROSE' SOLANO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

 By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

Now, what wine would go good with a traditional clambake? Considering the complexity of flavors in a clambake: potatoes, corn, sausage (kielbasa/linguica/chourizo), lobster, clams, mussels, etc. - I also include a couple of fennel bulbs for just a hint of licorice - I suggest a nice, chilled Rose' wine as the perfect drink pairing. Clambake Rose' from the Northcoast is made from 100% Syrah; it is light and dry, with hints of strawberry and peach, similar in style to the Rose' wines from the Provence region of France. But, you don't have to have a clambake in order to enjoy Clambake Rose'.

AMITY VINEYARDS WHITE PINOT NOIR 2015 WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy" 

What a delightful surprise! But, I shouldn't have been surprised by a WHITE Pinot Noir. Some of the finest champagnes are made from the Pinot Noir grape. First and foremost, it should be remembered that all grape juice, including the juice from red-skinned grapes, is white. Exposure to the skins creates the color of the juice. So, removing the juice in a timely manner can create a White Pinot Noir . . . a White Cabernet Sauvignon, a White Malbec, a White Anything. The juice of this wine, in the absence of the skins, was fermented in stainless steel; treat it as you would any other white wine: chill it to 55 to 65 degrees, then enjoy. It is dry, crisp, medium-bodied, and exhibits hints of citrus and melon. I suggest pairing it with a seafood-pasta salad made with mayo/yogurt/sour cream or a combination thereof - the internet has countless such recipes - or having it on its own. What a delightful surprise! It may be a bit pricey for an everyday wine, but the rewards are great.

LAVENDETTE ROSE' 2015 ALPES DE HAUTE-PROVENCE, FRANCE

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

If you enjoy Rosé wine . . . if you enjoy Rosé wine especially from Provence, France, then you'll just love Lavendette - my new favorite Rosé wine - from Alpes de Haute-Provence, a French Department in the south of France, formerly part of the province of Provence. The region is renowned for its production of the aromatic lavender herb, hence the name of this wine: Lavendette. The herb influences the character of the wine, as it does the character of the local honey: Lavender Honey - there are 250,000 beehives in the region! Lavendette is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache, and Syrah grapes; it is clean, fresh, and crisp, with aromas and flavors of berries, violets, and, of course, lavender. 

OZV RED BLEND 2013 OAK RIDGE WINERY, LODI, CALIFORNIA

 

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Many of you are already familiar with OZV Zinfandel, which has been our best selling Zinfandel for almost two years. Oak Ridge Winery, located in Lodi, California - "the Zinfandel Capital of the World" - has now released its OZV Red Blend (Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot). It is sure to become one of Harney's best selling Red Blends. It is medium- to full-bodied, with a lush mouthfeel, and exhibits aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, vanilla, and toasted oak. The tannins are soft which leads to a long, lingering finish. A perfect complement to summer barbecue favorites.

VIGILANCE CIMARRON (RED BLEND) 2013 LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

 

 

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

New to Harney's. Produced in Lake County in the north-central portion of California, adjacent on the east side to Mendocino, north of Napa, north-east of Sonoma. What a great location for a vineyard! 38% Zinfandel (spice and acidity), 25 Syrah (earthiness), 12 Petite Sirah (color and density), 20 Merlot (fruit), 5 Cabernet (tannins). Count them. Five red grapes, each contributing something distinctive to the seamless, harmonious blend. Cimmaron has aromas and flavors of blackberry, cherry, spices, with soft oak. Great with foods with barbecue sauce.

MARK WEST PINOT NOIR BLACK 2014 MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

The thin-skinned Pinot Noir grape is a difficult grape both to grow and to be turned into a noteworthy wine, demanding great skill and sensitivity - just as thin-skinned people do. The majority of growers and vintners (wine makers) avoid it. Mark West Winery has accepted the challenge, and produces good Pinot Noirs. Many of you are already familiar with the entry-level Mark West Pinot Noir; it is our best-selling California Pinot Noir. A step up from that is the BLACK version, darker, richer, and more intense. It is medium- to full-bodied, with aromas and

flavors of dark cherries, plums, mocha, vanilla, and caramel; the tannins are soft, and it finishes long and lush. It pairs well with foods from the barbecue, and with dark chocolate for a decadent dessert.

WINE OF THE WEEK CHLOE PINOT GRIGIO 2014

By:   Ed “The Wine Guy”

Now that we're approaching the warmer weather, it is time to start thinking about chilled, crisp, refreshing white wines. Not too long ago, Chardonnay and Merlot were the favorite white and red wines in the country; now it is Pinot Grigio (Sauvignon Blanc a close second) and Pinot Noir. New to Harney's is Chloe Pinot Grigio from the northeast of Italy where many fine Pinot Grigios are produced, including Santa Margherita and Kris, two of our best-selling wines. This medium-bodied, non-oaked, fruity wine exhibits aromas and flavors of peach, apple, honeysuckle, and lemon, with a hint of herbs. It is a perfect complement to the lighter foods of the season: salads, chicken, fish, and seafood.

WINES OF THE WEEK, CANTINA ZAGGAGNINI MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO and PINOT GRIGIO

 By: Ed "The Wine Guy"

The following two wines have long been favorites here at Harney's. We are featuring them in case you may not have tried them yet or you are new to the store. Both wines have a tralcetto: a grape vine, around their neck:

CANTINA ZAGGAGNINI MONTEPULCIANO d'ABRUZZO

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a red grape variety grown extensively in the region of Abruzzo, Central Italy. The wine is medium- to full-bodied, earthy, exhibiting aromas and flavors of plum, blackberry, leather, black pepper, vanilla, with a herbal component.

CANTINA ZAGGAGNINI PINOT GRIGIO

Typical of an Italian Pinot Grigio, this wine is fresh, light, dry (not sweet), clean, crisp, well-balanced, with pleasant aromas and flavors of citrus, with a mineral component. It is an excellent complement to fish, seafood, chicken, cheese and cracker appetizers.

WINE OF THE WEEK CANNONBALL CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012 CALIFORNIA

 By:   Ed “The Wine Guy”

The 2012 vintage in California, both in red wine as well as white, has been universally praised. Even the least skillful vintner could not help but make a good wine. This Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon is an example of that vintage. What is remarkable, unlike most good California Cabernets, is that it's so affordable. The aromas and flavors satisfy my expectations of a California Cabernet: blackberry, currant, chocolate, hazelnut, some oak. It is firmly structured, yet the tannins are soft and well-integrated; it has a lingering finish; the 3% Petit Syrah   adds complexity. If your Easter dinner consists of red meat, this Cabernet will be a good complement to the meal.     

WINE OF THE WEEK CHLOE CHARDONNAY 2013 SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

A California Chardonnay, a California Chardonnay from Sonoma, a California Chardonnay with grapes primarily from the Russian River Valley. You can't get much better than that! The Chardonnay grape is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world, and, because of its versatility, lends itself to many styles of wine including Chablis, White Burgundy, and many sparkling wines, most notably Champagne. Being a rather neutral-tasting grape, it depends on the terroir (climate, soil) for its characteristics. In a cool climate, the wine tends to be lean, crisp, with high acidity; in a medium climate, such as Sonoma's, tropical fruit characteristics dominate. This Chloe Chardonnay is a medium-bodied, well-balanced wine, exhibiting aromas and flavors of orange, pineapple, and pear, with soft acidity, a buttery mouthfeel, and a long silky finish.

FIRST CRUSH WINERY, SANGIOVESE CAPE COD

                                            

BY:  ED “THE WINE GUY”

What a delightful surprise! The Sangiovese grape is an ancient grape, tied to the Tuscan region of central Italy. I am familiar with the use of the Sangiovese grape in the making of Chianti, in the making of the Super Tuscans and the Brunellos (which are both subject to aggressive oak treatment), and in the making of the dessert wine Vin Santo, all of them very satisfying wines, only proving that the Sangiovese grape lends itself to be made into a variety of styles of wine. However, the grape is thin-skinned and finicky - similar to the Pinot Noir grape - taking its time to ripen and mature, so, only a skillful vintner will be successful. Dr. Puzio has proven himself to be a skillful vintner. My expectations of this wine - made from grapes grown in the New World as opposed to Italy - I have to admit, were not very high; I expected a somewhat tart wine, an indifferent, quaffing wine, at best, but - what a delightful surprise! - this medium-bodied Sangiovese has a soft, round mouthfeel; it bursts with aromas and flavors of cherry, blueberry, blackberry, and plum. At a recent tasting of this wine at Harney's, I waited to see a smile appear on the face of the taster with the first sip; I was not disappointed; the reactions were universally very favorable. This wine is immediately drinkable; it should be drunk young, up to three years - but its longevity remains to be seen; it is very food-friendly, a perfect complement to pizza and pasta with tomato sauce; it would make an excellent summer red, a wine that can benefit with a slight chilling to hold the taste of alcohol in check.

We await the release of Dr. Puzio's new Zinfandel. I have already sampled it, and, I suspect, that it, among all of Dr. Puzio's creations, will become my personal favorite.

WINE OF THE WEEK, CATALPA MALBEC 2013 MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

BY:  ED “THE WINE GUY”

From - where else but - Mendoza, Argentina. Originally a grape used in Bordeaux (France) red blends, Argentina took the Malbec grape and made it into its own unique and satisfying wine; the climate and soil of Mendoza are particularly suited to bringing out the best of this grape, just as the Columbia Valley, in Washington State, brings out, in my humble opinion, the best of the Merlot grape. This Catalpa Malbec, made from 70-80 year old vines which produce intensely-flavored fruit, exhibits a deep black color with flashes of purple, and aromas and flavors of blackberries, blueberries, with hints of coffee, spice, and minerals. This is a balanced wine with well-integrated soft tannins, delicate acidity, and a long, smooth finish. WINE ADVOCATE: 90 points; WINE SPECTATOR: 90 points.

WINES OF THE WEEK- RED BLENDS

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

More and more red-blend wines are appearing in the marketplace; even the more prestigious and upscale vineyards are now jumping on the red-blend bandwagon. (Of course, Bordeaux wines, for the most part, have always been blends.) The main reason for this trend is that red blends are meant, in most cases, to be immediately drinkable: open and drink. The vast majority of wine buyers purchase wines on their way home from work to be consumed that evening with dinner, or they buy wine for weekend consumption. There is little thought of cellaring (storing a wine, in some cases for years, until it matures). Many people, not having the time or the patience, find the need for aeration (exposure to air for a certain length of time to achieve maximum flavor*) to be a nuisance. The vintner (wine maker), in making the red blend, acts like a chemist, adding a particular varietal of grape/wine to achieve a desired effect. Perhaps a particular blend-in-the-making needs more fruit (add more Merlot), perhaps it needs a hint of wood (Cabernet Sauvignon), perhaps it needs some spice (Zinfandel and/or Malbec), and so forth, until the desired taste and texture have been achieved. We are featuring the following red blends: Columbia Winery Composition; Bogle Phantom; Josh Legacy; Vitiano; Conundrum; and Vigilance, but there are many more to choose from.
*White wines have no need of aeration; in red wines, air initially helps to expand flavor, but, after a while - depending on the wine - air will turn the wine into vinegar.

EDMEADES ZINFANDEL MENDOCINO 2012 CALIFORNIA.

WINE OF THE WEEK

EDMEADES ZINFANDEL MENDOCINO 2012
CALIFORNIA.

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

California is most renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignons, its buttery and creamy (owing to oak) Chardonnays, and for its Zinfandels. The Zinfandel grape, by the way, has been traced, by DNA analysis, to the Primitivo grape which is so widely grown in the heel of Italy, and further studies have traced it to the Croatian grape called Crljenak, just across the Adriatic Sea to the east of Italy. In general, the 2012 vintage throughout California, both for red wines as well as while, has been universally praised. Only the least-skillful vintners didn't make a satisfying wine. This Edmeades Zinfandel has aromas and flavors of blueberries, plum, leather, vanilla, and smoke, with a smooth and silky texture, which is verging on - I know this is unheard of in a Zinfandel - a creaminess. Taste and see.

WINES OF THE WEEK

 OVEJA NEGRA 

(BLACK SHEEP) 

 RED BLENDS CHILE

By: Ed “The Wine Guy”

Over the past few years, the category of red blend wines has grown tremendously. Menage a Trois and 14 Hands are two of the favorite red blends at Harney's. Another vineyard, Oveja Negra, Chile, is quickly becoming another favorite. Usually, the term "Black Sheep" is negative, as in someone being the black sheep of a family, but, in this case, it is positive, signifying that these wines stand out from the flock. Oveja Negra red blends are not your everyday wines. The winery is known for its innovation, experimentation, and daring. Who, but a creative and bold vintner, would blend a Malbec wine and a Petit Verdot wine, both of them already robust wines on their own? The result is a full-bodied, very complex wine, deep in color, aroma, and flavor - and very affordable. Although I enjoy all these blends: Cabernet Franc and Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, Malbec and Petit Verdot, my personal favorite is the Cabernet Franc and Carmenere. A satisfying wine need not be expensive!

Holiday Wines

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

We, the staff at Harney's, wish all of you happy and healthy holidays. We recommend the following wines for your enjoyment:
WHITE
GAVI DI GAVI LA CAPLANA, from the Piedmont, Italy: white wine with aromas and flavors of crisp apple, pear, and lemon zest.
DUBOEUF POUILLY FUISSE, France: 100% Chardonnay; full-bodied, perfect balance of fruit and acidity; floral aromas, and flavors of honey, pears, and nuts.
BIG FIRE PINOT GRIS OREGON: the creamier version of Pinot Grigio, in the style of Alsace, France.
RED
JADOT BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES, France: higher end than the Beaujolais, fuller-bodied, and more complex; fruity, but dry.
BOGLE PHANTOM, California: always a reliable vineyard; a red blend, featuring ripe berry and spice, full of flavor (plum and blackberry), concentration, and intensity.
TENUTA DI ARCENO CHIANTI, Italy: medium- to full-bodied, very dry; rustic; red fruit flavors with a herbal hint, food-friendly.
MARINA CVETIC MERLOT, Italy: many of you are already familiar with Marina's elegant Montepulciano d'Abruzzo; this Merlot is more complex than your typical Merlot.
BERINGER KNIGHTS VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Napa: 2012 was a great year for grapes in California; this medium- to full-bodied wine has the classic Cabernet aromas and flavors.

BOUTIQUE WINES OF THE WEEK

BOUTIQUE WINES OF THE WEEK

By:  Ed “The Wine Guy”

SAVED: from the director of wine-making at Wild Horse Winery, California. A blend of seven (7) red grapes: 39% Zinfandel; 27% Syrah; 12% Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah; 6% Merlot; 4% Petit Verdot; 4% Barbera; full-bodied, with aromas and flavors of red currant, black cherry, and black olive, with oaky hints of vanilla, caramel, and coffee. I tasted this wine a year ago, and it was very tight, reluctant to yield flavor. But, what a difference a year makes!

enTycement: a red blend from Sonoma, California. Dark purple in color, with aromas and flavors of dark berries, with a touch of chocolate. To date, our largest-selling boutique wine, and deservedly so.

MERRIAM CABERNET FRANC: from Russian River Valley, California. Originally a blending grape in a Bordeaux-style wine, Cabernet Franc is delicious on its own, exhibiting aromas and flavors of blueberry, raspberry, mocha, and ground coffee, with herbal notes. Very unique and very satisfying.

MERRIAM SAUVIGNON BLANC: similar in aroma and flavor to a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, but not as intense and fruit-forward; comparable to a Sauvignon Blanc from France or Chile. Clean and crisp, medium-bodied, food-friendly, with aromas and flavors of citrus, apricot, tangerine, and honeydew melon.

Thanksgiving Wines

By:  Ed 'The Wine Guy"

We, the staff at Harney's, recommend the following wines for your Thanksgiving enjoyment. Some of the wines may be new to you, but they all have been chosen to complement the traditional foods of Thanksgiving.

WHITE

Ardeche  Chardonnay, France. Elegant, dry (not sweet), with very little oak, and, most affordable.

Sepp, Gruner Veltliner, Austria. Dry, crisp, with hints of citrus, and a slight fizz.

Trimbach  Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France. My favorite white wine region. Elegant, dry, with delicate hints of apple, peach, and apricot. Also Trimbach Riesling: dry, crisp, slightly sweet; and Gewerztraminer: dry, crisp, with a layer of spice.

Belcreme De Lys Chardonnay, California. Oaky, creamy and buttery, a perfect complement to roasted turkey.

Dr. L Riesling, Germany. Crisp, slightly sweet, with hints of fruit and mineral. Our largest selling German Riesling.

Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc, California. One of our boutique wines. From the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Softer, less intense, less fruit-forward than the style of New Zealand.

RED

Benvolio, Tuscany, Italy. A young, fruity red blend (mostly Sangiovese with some Merlot). Similar to a Beaujolais.

14 Hands Red Blend, Columbia Valley, Washington State. A delicious red blend, with Merlot as its base. My favorite Merlot region in the United Sates, outdone (or equaled) only by Bordeaux, France, and Tuscany, Italy.

Woodwork Cabernet Sauvignon, California.  An inexpensive Cabernet with all the classic tastes: black raspberry, currant, and cedar.

ROSé

Whispering Angel Rosé, Provence, France. Need I say more? Our largest-selling Rosé for the last three years. Dry, with hints of strawberry and peach.

Chateau Montaud Rosé, Provence, France. A Whispering Angel wannabe, and it succeeds, for about half the price.

WINERY OF THE WEEK

SEPP WINERY, AUSTRIA
GRUNER VELTLINER 2013 (white)
ZWEIGELT 2013 (red)

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

There was a time not too long ago that Harney's did not stock Gruner Veltliner; we now, by popular demand, have four (4). Gruner Veltliner is Austria's most widely planted white wine grape. This Sepp Winery offering, produced by bio-dynamic farming, is typically light, dry, crisp, with citrus (predominantly lemon peel) aromas and flavors. with a hint of pepper, and a slight spritz - some of the effervescence that naturally results from the fermentation process has been trapped. I have found that a Gruner Veltliner wine is a perfect match with raw oysters, but pairs equally well with many fish and seafood dishes, and with cream-based fish and chicken recipes. Zweigelt, a red wine, is medium-bodied and fruit-driven. The closest flavor I can detect is that of cranberry sauce. As with all young, fruity red wines, it can be served slightly chilled, without the loss of quality.

WINERY OF THE WEEK

EMILIANA ORGANICO WINERY
BRAND NAME: NATURA

By:  Ed "The Wine Guy"

Emiliana is the largest organic grape grower in Chile. Its Natura brand produces delicious and inexpensive wines. Featured here are the Chardonnay (2013), Pinot Noir (2013), and Malbec (2012). The Chardonnay is light- to medium-bodied, unoaked, clean, and fresh, with, mainly, pineapple and apple cider flavors. The Pinot Noir is different (but good) than what you're used to; it has a note of spice which is peculiar to Chilean Pinot Noir. The Malbec exhibits aromas and flavors of plum and blackberry, with a note of pepper; while it doesn't rival the Malbecs of Mendozza, Argentina, it compares favorably.

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.