October 11thand 13th Wine & Cheese Tasting at The Wine Steward
Dr. Von Bassermann-Jordan Riesling Trocken 2005
Below is an overview from the 2005 German Vintage Report. It was one of the best years in decades.
“Since 1988 Germany has been blessed with several good to great vintages. It is humbling to consider legendary vintages such as ’59 and ’49 have peers in ’03 and ’05. For Riesling aficionados who remain skeptical about ’03, trust us when we say ‘03 is grossly underrated. While we will eagerly watch 2003’s development, we believe 2005 is more classic in form. Top ‘05 Rieslings offer a special combination of concentration with superb acidity all while maintaining a crystalline purity, and filigreed structure. These ’05s will take your breath away.”
Origin: Pfalz, Germany
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Tasting Notes: Assertive aromas of lime and grapefruit along with light peach and mineral nuances lead into a good balance and length of this focused 2005 Riesling. 88 points, Wine Spectator
“Candied apricot, violet and grapefruit flavors have an underlying mineral note that holds this all
together. Dry and firm.”
Food Pairing: Matches perfectly with salads, fish dishes and roasted pork. This is a great food friendly universal food wine. $18.99
Carpineto Rosato 2006
Origin: Chianti, Tuscany, Italy – what more needs to be said.
Varietal: It’s made from a blend of 20% Canaiolo and 80% Sangiovese (both grapes used in the production of Chianti). The grapes are carefully harvested so the skins are not damaged. At the winery, the whole clusters are pressed and then the must is cooled and left in contact with the skins for a few hours to extract just enough pigmentation. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures.
Tasting Notes : A great pale pink rosé that introduces fresh aromatic notes of peach and cherry. Plenty of peach and strawberry fruit flavors with a soft texture that is long and beautifully balanced with a clean finish. Drink now until 2009. Serve at 50-54 degrees F.
Food Pairing: Carpineto Rosato is the perfect compliment to grilled seafood, poultry, and veal dishes. It also makes an excellent aperitif. $14.99
Taft Street Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2005
Origin: Taft Street Winery makes its home in Sonoma County’s Green Valley wine region. Green Valley is a sub-AVA of Russian River Valley, which is known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir production.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes : Pure Pinot Noir flavors. Its flavors are reminiscent of sweet red berries, plums, tomatoes, cherries and at times a notable earthy or wood-like flavor, are at the forefront of this offering. Distinctive mushroom and sage are evident, and a lively acidity brings the wine into harmony. This sleek Pinot has a firmness which stays attractive in its lengthy finish.
BRONZE MEDAL - Houston International Wine Competition - 2007
BRONZE MEDAL - San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition - 2007
GOLD MEDAL -
Sonoma County Harvest Fail - 2006
Food Pairing: Pinot Noir is considered a universal food wine. This wine pairs well with poultry, ham, lamb and pork. It is also versatile enough to have with simple beef dishes and salmon as well. $17.89
Casa Marin Cartagena 2005
Origin: Valle del Rapel, Valle Central, Chile.
Viña
Casa Marín is a family winery located in the town of Lo Abarca, in the center of the San Antonio Valley,
the newest wine region in the country. Described
as “the most radical vineyard site in the country” in a recent issue of Wine
& Spirits magazine, it is surrounded by hills of the “Cordillera de la
Costa,” ( Central Coastal Mountains
of Chile)
4 kms. from
the Pacific Ocean. These steep hills, with a
unique climatic exposure and a wide variety of soils, give birth to a “terroir”
only recently discovered for the viticulture of fine wines.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Tasting Notes: This wine has an intense ruby red color with a delicate and complex nose of red fruits, black pepper, leather, tobacco and smoke. On the palate it is medium bodied with a soft mouthfeel and a long persistent finish.
Food Pairing: Serve with grilled red meats or pork. $14.59
Peter Paul Merlot 2001
Origin: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: 91% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Cab Franc.
Tasting Notes: This Merlot is endowed with very intense, jammy aromas and flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, blueberries and cassis together with hints of clove, pepper and sage. It has an extremely pleasant, good strong structure with an excellent finish that is long, toasty and slightly smoky.
BEST OF CLASS/GOLD - California State
Fair Wine Competition, 2006
GOLD MEDAL - Tasters Guild International Wine Competition, 2006
CRITICS PLATINUM AWARD - Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, May
2005
GOLD MEDAL-SWEEPSTAKES - 12th Monterey Wine Competition, March 2005
BEST OF CLASS/GOLD MEDAL -
Savor Wine Country Magazine's "North of
the Gate" Wine Competition, April 2005