April 2012

North Shore Wine Tasting Group, Cuban Revolution

2010 Casas Del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Casablanca Valley (Chile) - Sauvignon Blanc grape
Oceanic and mildly green on the nose, with grassy notes and appealing citrusy scents. The palate is juicy, crisp and zesty, with flavors of fresh lettuce, lime and green herbs. Finishes light and pretty. Rated 89 Wine Enthusiast

2010 Castillo De Molina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Elqui Valley (Chile) - Sauvignon Blanc grape
Aroma: high aromatic personality, where fresh tropical and exotic fruits combine with freshly cut grass and subtle notes of citric fruits, lime, pear and maracuya. 

Palate: this wine stands out for its freshness and vivacity. It knots together vegetable and fruity flavours, with a good and at the same time balanced acidity. It is also mineral, with a good volume and persistent finish. Winery
   
2010 Conundrum California White Wine (California) - blend of Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat grapes
“There is no wine in all of California comparable to Conundrum. It’s made from a blend of grapes grown all over the state, and you can almost taste the flavors of each and every varietal: There’s lush Chardonnay and Sémillon, crisp Sauvignon Blanc, intense Viognier and spicy, aromatic Muscat.” Food & Wine 

“This delicious blend of five white wine grapes is one of the best of its type from California. It’s a complex wine, with an array of ripe, concentrated flavors—pear, honey, fig, vanilla, peach and nectarine, finishing with lots of character and a dash of spice. Delicious.” Wine Spectator 

“There is really no riddle here—Conundrum is just a damn fine bottle of wine. Concentrated, rich fruit and sweet oak give layers of flavor and complexity.” The Wine News 

“Rich and lush, full bodied yet silky on the palate. This unusual blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon,Viognier and Muscat grapes lives up to its name.” Wine Enthusiast 

2009 Noble Malbec Mendoza (Argentina) - Malbec grape
Calling this an entry level wine is rather misleading as it has so much depth of flavor and fruit intensity. It shows wonderfully soft, forward, plummy dark fruit, with a rounded texture. KLwines.com
 
2006 Bradford Mountain Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley (California) - Zinfandel grape
"This blends fruit comes from Goat Trek Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley and the Grist Vineyard on Bradford Mountain, a combination that creates a bright, sunny zin with red fruit and spice. The fresh flavors have a lively red apple and cherry character; the tannins have a red fruit-skin flavor, along with a blast of earthiness. It's delicious and ready to decant for any spicy sausages, whether turkey or morcilla." (02/10) And, according to Wine Spectator: "Sleek and supple, with a crisp acidity and appealing, smoky cherry aromas and delicate flavors of plum, underbrush and stony loam. Rated 93 Wine & Spirits
 
2009 Norton Malbec Privada Mendoza (Argentina) - Malbec grape
The 2009 Reserve Malbec spent 12 months in first and second use French oak. Expressive aromas of sandalwood, exotic spices, mocha, cherry cola, and assorted black fruits lead to an elegantly styled, nicely proportioned, plush Malbec that will perform optimally from 2013 to 2021. It, too, is an excellent value.  Rated 89 The Wine Advocate