2019 Prager Winery Aria White Port

 

In St. Helena, California sits an unassuming property that is sans the flashiness, bells, whistles and modern architecture of many of its larger and more popular neighbors.  But that doesn't mean that what is inside is any less special.  Prager Winery & Port Works has been in the Napa Valley for an astounding forty-five years, quietly making very special fortified wines of differing varietals.  This family owned and operated establishment is now run by the second generation of family and they are eager to greet you and show you their pride and joy - port wines!

The 2019 Aria White Port Wine is made of Napa Valley Chardonnay and it shows off honey gold colors in the glass.  Sweet on the nose with aromas of cooked pear, orange candy and baked apple crisp.  While most folks probably taste Port wines chilled, we opted to drink this at room temperature (about 67° F) from our favorite mini Beglian beer tasting glass.  The non-chilled tasting option allows for more flavors to introduce themselves like candied apple, marzipan, honey and wisps of citrus.  It's incredibly mouth-coating and would be an excellent pairing with shrimp cocktail and salty cheeses.

We don't get the opportunity to taste many White Port wines so this was a real gift for us.  Prager Winery & Port Works appears to have an idyllic setting, surrounded by the family members behind the label.  If you're looking to make a trip to Napa Valley and Port wine is your jam, we highly encourage you to check them out.  We are really looking forward to tasting their Vintage and Tawny Port wines soon.  If we could change one thing about this bottle, it would be to put a whiskey-style of stopper as the closure rather than a traditional wine cork.  That way it could be stored and enjoyed longer.  Overall, very well done!

FYI, the winery's website lists the 2020 Aria White Port available at the link above.

ABV:  20.0%

Napa Valley AVA

Winery:  Prager Winery & Port Works

Suggested retail price:  $65.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

 

2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée

 

The Red Mountain AVA of Benton County, Washington produces some of the finest grapes of the region, cultivating into wines that have unique expressions and Old World charm.  The 2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée is a fine example of terroir and the feel of a wine that could be cellared for 15+ years.  Winemaker Sara Goedhart has nearly 10 years as head winemaker at Hedges Family Estate and her twenty plus years in the business is evident in the bottle we have today.

Gorgeous, deep eggplant color that oozes to the edge of the glass.  This wine was not decanted but it was provided about twenty minutes of air time in the glass prior to tasting.  The first thing we noticed about this wine was how herbaceous it is and not the fruit bomb we may have been expecting.  Again, Old World style here all the way.  Fresh blackberries, dark chocolate shavings, pencil lead, mocha and leather blended effortlessly, each trying to take their turns to shine but not overpowering one another.  On the tongue is a satisfying, mouth-coating offering that offered more black fruits, baked Shiitake mushroom, garden herbs, fennel and damp earth.  

This is one of those wines that surprised us, but in the loveliest way possible.  It spent over 2 years in oak and the tannins are refined and minute.  Our recommendation?  Buy a half or whole case of this wine, open a bottle per year and see how it continues to develop.  We think there could likely be fifty more descriptors that could come out of this bottle.  It's a real treat.

ABV:  13.5%

Appellation:  Red Mountain AVA

Winery:  Hedges Family Estate

652 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $75.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100 

2019 The Shepherd Sauvignon Blanc

 

Hot days are made for cooler wines and Sauvignon Blanc almost always fits the bill.  But when you have a Sauvignon Blanc like this one that is so pure, straightforward and extremely easy to enjoy, you know you have hit the jackpot.  Don't mistake this as simple, because it isn't.  It is just very well made and exactly how we enjoy SB.  Shepherd Wines, aka Truchard Vineyards, presents a fine California example of this wildly popular grape.  Aromas of cooked pear, grapefruit and crisp linen resonate throughout the glass and intensify as the wine begins to warm.  Delicious and crisp citrus flavors lead to a zippy and memorable medium acidic finish.  Absolutely and easily a daily drinker!

ABV:  13.9%

Napa Valley, CA (Carneros Region)

Suggested retail price:  $18.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90/100

2019 Dawn's Dream Winery Frances Jane Chardonnay

There's no question that a quality Chardonnay really pleases the palate and is one of the world's most diverse and celebrated white wines.  We recently had the opportunity to taste this exciting wine and we know that you will love it.  This is the 2019 Dawn's Dream Winery Frances Jane Chardonnay and like most wines that we love, it has a back story.  The Frances Jane name comes from Dawn's granddaughter and the fun label comes from the love that Frances Jane has for the four-legged fur babies.  In fact, $5.00 of every bottle of this wine is donated to Peace of Mind Dog Rescue.  We love this!

This wine is on the drier side but welcomes the palate with toasted ciabatta, lemon cream and crisp pear.  It opens up the senses and warms the mouth with candied apples, hints of oak and bright acidity, leading to a lingering and satisfying finish.  While we tasted this wine without food (like we do all of our wines), we think this selection would be a lovely accompaniment to hard breads, smoked Gouda and a variety of seafood selections.  Delish!

ABV:  13.4%

Monterey, CA

Suggested retail price:  $55.00

Drink the Bottles score:  93/100

2019 Patland Estate Vineyards Napa Valley Syrah

 

Just released from Patland Estate Vineyards

Just released!   We are always excited to share wines from Patland Estate Vineyards, as we have become really big fans over the past couple of years.  Their Syrah has consistently provided consistent quality with anticipated deliciousness and the 2019 vintage is hanging right there with previous ones.  Gorgeous, deep garnet color with dominating aromas of dark ripe plum, crushed blueberries and Portobello mushroom.  With some additional time in the glass, cracked pepper, Asian spices and sweet smoke appear and combine together with damp earth for a memorable finish.  This wine is a real treat and with only 110 cases produced, it is priced right.  While it is very young now, it is starting to come into its own.  We recommend holding back a bottle or 2 and enjoy this for the next 15-20 years without any second thought.

Drink now or hold for even more enjoyment

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley, CA

110 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $85.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

2019 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine

 

We were really taken back by the 2018 vintage of this wine and the 2019 doesn't disappoint!  This is the 2019 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine.  The wine is a Bordeaux Blend that consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (20%), Malbec (12%) and Cabernet Franc (6%).  This is not an "in your face" type of wine but rather one with a graceful introduction to blackberry and cherry aromas framed with cedar plank.  In the mouth is a glass-like feel with very polished tannin against flavors of plum, blackberry, cherry cordial and baking spices.  The closing moments of the wine linger and this young wine will surely continue to provide more depth with some time in the bottle.  Simply lovely!  700 cases produced.

ABV:  14.5%

Walla Walla, WA

Suggested retail price:  $60.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90+/100

2019 Dawn's Dream Winery Eliza Jane Syrah

We have tasted many Pinot Noir from Dawn's Dream Winery over the years and this is an honor to taste the inaugural vintage of this Syrah.  The 2019 Dawn's Dream Winery Eliza Jane Syrah is named after Dawn's first granddaughter and the bottle label is also a tribute to her nickname, Ladybug.  The wine features a charming red color with aromas of raspberry, mild pepper, plum and spice.  Fresh wild blueberry flavors fill the mouth and dance with saddle leather, dried spices and lead to a very bright and lingering finish.  This wine is very well balanced and not over spiced or fuming of alcohol, which can be common with Syrah.  You would never guess that this is the first production of this wine by the restrained elegance that it presents.  Terrific!  

ABV:  13.5%

Carmel Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $58.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

2019 Galante Vineyards Almond Flat Pinot Noir

We are excited to be partnering with Jack Galante and his team at Galante Vineyards again and it was a lot of fun to taste this wine.  This is the 2019 Galante Vineyards Almond Flat Pinot Noir which is from estate fruit and 100% Pinot.  Bright aromas of crushed strawberries and orange zest initially with mushroom and dried herb following closely.  Cranberry and strawberry dominate the palate, joined by pleasant but not overpowering earthy and slightly smoky flavors leading to a long finish with modest and welcome tannin.  This wine is very young and you will have many years of enjoyment.  We tend to crush on wines that are estate-fruit driven and these higher altitude grapes create a memorable tasting experience with this offering.  The price is right and this wine would pair very well with a herbal, roasted chicken dinner with carrots.  This is absolutely lovely!

ABV:  13.2%

Carmel Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $50.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

2019 Lasseter Family Winery Enjoué Rosé

 

Lasseter Family Winery of Glen Ellen, CA is a new venture for us. We are always excited to partner with a new (to us) winery and if this rosé is any indication of what we're in for, we have a little wine crush!  One definition of the name Enjoué is "playful" and this wine hits that description on the head.  While this would be an amazing summer sipper, we couldn't wait to share this one with you.  Today we are tasting and sharing the 2019 Lasseter Family Winery Enjoué Rosé wine.  This pale pink wine is a unique blend of Grenache (48%), Mourvèdre (27%), Syrah (18%) and Counoise (7%).  Initially we attempted to taste this wine more chilled than usual and the nose was muted.  After some time out of the cooler, it burst open with pear, strawberry and citrus fruits literally leaping from the glass.  There is a acidity that is zippy and refreshing and the strawberry flavors join with hints of spring flowers and orange peel.  This wine will leave you smiling and wanting more.  Trust us, the bottle will be empty before you know it.  This was a fantastic introduction to Lasseter Family Winery for us. 700 cases produced.

ABV:  13.5%

Glen Ellen, CA

Suggested retail price:  $28.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

 

2019 Pope Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

 

Here's another fine example of great wine made with exceptional fruit.  The 2019 Pope Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc sets itself apart from many others made with this grape.  If you're looking for a Sauvignon Blanc that is overly grassy with an strong acidic backbone, look somewhere else.  This wine effortlessly blends tangerine, yellow baked apple, honey, and interesting hints of river rock on the outer edge and finish.  This wine is surprisingly very silky smooth and a welcome change to "traditional" SB.  And talk about a food wine!  We feel that the versatility of this offering would pair with anything from artisan breads & jams to Eggs Benedict to sashimi and beyond!  We tasted this near room temperature but served chilled, this wine would be a porch drinker for certain.  Drink now. The 2020 vintage is currently available from Pope Valley Winery on their web site.

ABV:  14.46%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $32.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2018 Fifty Row Petite Sirah Silver Dollar Vineyard

 

This is 100% Petite Sirah and deliciousness in a bottle.  The 2018 Fifty Row Petite Sirah Silver Dollar Vineyard wine has a very unique crushed velvet color in the glass.  The blackberry cobbler, cocoa powder, menthol and spring flower bouquet aromas jump from the glass.  You get powerful, consistent black and juicy fruits in the mouth with mint towards the finish.  This is one of those fist-clenching wines that we talk about  While this young wine is approachable now, some time in the decanter will help soften the obvious tannin if that is your thing.  If you want to warm the gullet with a memorable Petite Sirah you would be remiss to find on better.  We think you can lay this wine down in your cellar for a decade before you'll truly appreciate all that this wine has to show you.  This is just a beautiful effort and one that we will add to our "favorite" column.

ABV:  14.9%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $65.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92+/100

2019 Cline Family Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel

 

Zinfandel is a favorite red varietal of ours, especially as we head into colder weather for fall and winter.  We find that it generally pairs very well with stews, chili and red meat.  The 2019 Cline Family Cellars Ancient Vines Zinfandel is a fine example a wine that can be enjoyed over a great conversation or a nice dinner.  We actually drank this solo and then again with meatloaf and it was a hit!  The vines that create the fruit for this wine are over 100 years old out of Contra Costa County, creating a wine that is both reliable and tasty.  Medium red in color, dominating aromas of cooked strawberries and dried spices fill the glass.  The same follows through with the flavors, adding in toasted flat bread with vanilla bean and plum.  We think this is drinking very well right now but may be even a little bit better in another 12 - 18 months.  

ABV:  14.5%

Contra Costa County, CA

Suggested retail price:  $25.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90+/100

2019 Cline Family Cellars Petite Sirah Contra Costa County

We're a little giddy over this new release from Cline Family Cellars.  To be honest, Petite Sirah doesn't cross our paths nearly as often as a more dominant Cabernet or Merlot.  But when it does, we are always very eager to taste it and share it with you.  The 2019 Cline Family Cellars Petite Sirah (Contra Costa County) is an inky purple wine in the glass that is immediately inviting and tempting.  Since this wine is very young, we decanted it for about 45 minutes prior to tasting.  The decant opened up this wine considerably and brought forth appetizing aromas of blueberry, mocha, dark chocolate and flecks of mild pepper.  While we often think of Petite Sirah as a straight-forward wine used primary for blending other red varietals, this one steps outside of that comfort zone.  Full and distinct blue and black berry compote flavors explode in the mouth, joined with mild spices, a whisper of vanilla and a finish of star anise against solid tannin that allows this wine to linger on the palate for several delicious moments.  This wine proves that  A) you don't have to spend a lot of money on wine to really enjoy it and  B) Petite Sirah, when made this well, can be enjoyed independently of any food.  Well done!

ABV:  14.5%

Contra Costa County, CA

Suggested retail price:  $22.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

 

2019 Mollydooker Two Left Feet

 

We were recently in Chicago visiting family and, of course, we had to check out the local wine store.  It's always fun shopping for wines and bourbons in a "new" city.  You never know what you may find.  Since it can be tough to find Mollydooker close to us (it is hit-and-miss) we decided to grab this bottle.  We have long been Mollydooker fans but had yet to write about any of the 2019 vintages.

The 2019 Mollydooker Two Left Feet is a fun way to step outside of MD's famous 100% Shiraz offerings.  This is a blend of Shiraz (69%), Merlot (16% and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%).  Dark magenta in the glass with wonderful, long legs, the wine permeates the air beautifully with fresh raspberry, cherry and spices.  At 16% ABV this wine isn't for the faint of heart.  But it isn't fumy or bear any unpleasant hints of menthol that you can get from other high octane wines.  In the mouth is a effortless and polished feel of a wine that boasts hearty red fruits, aged peppered steak, vanilla and grilling spices.  If you like blended wines that are very flavorful and cost-friendly, you can't go wrong with Two Left Feet!

ABV:  16.0%

McLaren Vale, South Australia

Suggested retail price:  $30.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

Rodney Strong Wine Estates REJUVENATION Virtual Wine Tasting

 

It was a great day for a wine tasting.  But then again, isn't any day perfect to gather for some vino?  

Our group of six gathered at our home (aka DrinkTheBottles HQ) for a virtual wine tasting provided by our friends at Rodney Strong Wine Estates.  This tasting was promoted as a media tasting and we invited our friends to enjoy some new wines.  Whenever we have a virtual tasting we always try to include others.  It would be a shame to "waste" six bottles of wine on two people.

The folks at Rodney Strong Wine Estates have been going through a makeover, or a REJUVENATION as they call it, for the last 3 years.  They have touched every part of the business from the estate, the vineyards, the tasting room, the personnel and, as you may notice, the logo/label!

The lineup consisted of six unique and flavorful wines.  The winery proves that you don't have to be expensive to enjoy quality wines.   We tasted these wines in order:

• 2020 Rodney Strong Rose of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley:  $25.00
• 2019 Rodney Strong California Chardonnay:  $17.00
• 2017 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Merlot:  $20.00
• 2018 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon:  $22.00
• 2018 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon:  $28.00
• 2018 Rodney Strong Old Vine Zinfandel:  $25.00

Everyone had the chance to taste all six wines and choose their favorites.  Jeff took notes.

We started off with a bang!   Collectively and unanimously our group thought that this Rose of Pinot Noir got two thumbs up!  Strong strawberry finish with a medium acidic finish.  At only $25.00 suggested retail, this is an incredible deal.

Melissa and Jeff tried their hands at their first charcuterie board.  You simply cannot have a proper wine tasting without charcuterie.  This is only a small sampling of all of the food that we had!

Great golden color and bright Chardonnay.  Some people tend to look down their noses at Chardonnay, like Merlot.  But this one full of flavor and you won't believe it is only $17.00 when you taste it!

The nearly hour-long virtual wine tasting presented by Director of Communications Christopher O'Gorman and Director of Winemaking Justin Seidenfeld started out with a history lesson and background about the winery and vineyards.   Rodney Strong (or "Rod" as they referred to him) started off as a dancer and became a wine pioneer not just in Sonoma County, but throughout California.  The winery has been active for over 60 years and Justin is only the 4th director of winemaking in those 6 decades.  

RSV is a Certified Sustainable Winery that believes heavily in conservation, water management and solar energy.  The focus is now more on micro farming while they also plan extensive vineyard replanting over the next 7 years.  

The original tasting room at the winery was opened in 1970 under Rod's watchful eye and just went through a complete remodel.   The focus now is flighted wines by appointment, which will give wine lovers a better tasting experience.  

I really have to applaud the entire Rodney Strong Vineyards (Rodney Strong Wine Estates) team for their vision.   While it may have been a bit overdue to some, they clearly have the right people making decisions both aesthetically and with their winemaking.  Change can be difficult.  But change is inevitable and often necessary to survive in business and to attract a new or emerging audience.  

If you haven't tasted any wines from the Rodney Strong portfolio recently, we would encourage you to do so.  You might find a new favorite.  While they do offer more expensive and exclusive wines like Alexander's Crown or Rockaway Cabernet, the bulk of their offerings are in the $20 - $30 range and affordable for most people.  FYI, our favorites of the day were the Rose of Pinot Noir and Old Vine Zinfandel.  Thank you for Alicia, Christopher and Justin for spending some time with us last week and sharing your labor of love.  Cheers!

2019 Upshot White Wine Blend - Rodney Strong Vineyards

 

Once in awhile we are introduced to a wine that really opens your eyes, especially at this price point.  The 2019 Upshot White Wine Blend by Rodney Strong Vineyards is just such a find.  If you're looking for a daily drinker for summer or a fun treat for your guests at your next outdoor dinner party, we think this one is a great choice!  Stone fruits on the nose joined with new spring flowers and a fresh summer rain.  In the mouth are ripe peaches, fig jam and just the perfect touch of salinity that opens up for an incredibly crisp finish.  You'll likely want this one chilled (but not over chilled) and we think this wine would be a great accompaniment to some hard cheeses and cured meats.  Enjoy!

ABV:  13.0%

Healdsburg, CA

Suggested retail price:  $19.00

Drink The Bottles score:  85/100

2019 Pope Valley Winery Sauvignon Blanc

 

We've been tasting and writing about some lovely white wines lately and that has put us in the mood for warmer weather.  The 2019 Pope Valley Winery Sauvignon Blanc is without a doubt a wine that you should stock up on for summer sipping!  Not only is it very affordable, but it is extremely well put together and very tasty.  Pale to medium yellow in the glass, aromas of lemon zest, wild grasses and stone fruits work well together and get the mouth watering.  In the mouth is a lively, welcoming combination of lemon candy, lime and the wonderful crispness that we expect from a well-made Sauvignon Blanc.  We tasted this at room temperature of 67° like we do most wines to really capture the aromas.  There's a zippy finish that presents hints of river rock and we think this wine is a keeper!

ABV:  14.37%

Napa Valley, CA

1,050 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $20.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100