2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend

 

In a tucked away corner of Napa Valley sits it's 16th AVA, Coombsville, and a very welcoming winery that is producing small lot, huge taste wines!  The Certified Organic property produces the 2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend, which they say reflects their legacy of creating wine in Napa Valley for nearly three decades.

This smartly-constructed wine is made up primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) but is also joined by some red favorites - Petit Verdot (5%), Malbec (10%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Merlot (10%).  The Petit Verdot fruit comes from Coombsville.  These grapes blend beautifully to create a medium-bodied, fruit-balanced and polished wine that would stand on its own accord or be enjoyed with some prime rib.

Dark red, juicy fruits in a medium garnet liquid are joined by book leather and dried spice on the nose.  The palate re-introduces the fruit but doesn't throw it in your face.  It's more of an introduction that presents plums, pomegranate and black cherry, joined with forest floor, signs of fresh mushrooms, vanilla and dried tea leaves.  The finish is silky smooth and memorable.  What a treat!

YouTube interview with Leo Tellez and Joe Hinde

ABV:  14.1%

Napa Valley

Winery:  Ackerman Family Vineyards

Production:  680 cases

Suggested retail price:  $50.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon

 

We had the pleasusre of visiting Pine Ridge Vineyards towards the end of the Covid pandemic, so times were much different than they are currently.  Being fans of PRV for many years, we can attest that the property, the people, the wines and the overall tasting experience at Pine Ridge is absolutely stunning and  very welcoming.  It is a "must visit" destination on your next Napa Valley wine adventure.

Before we get into this wine, we have a confession to make and it might not be an easy one to hear.  We typically are NOT "wine with dinner" people.  Cue the moans, the eye rolls and horrible feedback.  We get it.  Wine accentuates your meal.  When paired properly, both the food and the vino compliment each other and the experience is beyond memorable.  In fact, one of our good friends who is a vintner in Napa Valley will talk your ear off about how lovely wine is with food and the importance of having quality in both.

We aren't going to dig into why wine isn't always served with food in our home.  That's a discussion for another day.  But we will tell you that the 2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon has begun to change our thoughts on wine and food.  Why?  Because this wine is an excellent food wine.  It paired absolutely beautifully with chicken tettrazini, which honestly should not be an ideal pairing.  But the solid tannin and silky smooth feel from this wine made the marriage absolutely seemless.  What surprised us even more is that this is what we would call (for lack of better terminology), one of Pine Ridge's entry-level Cabernet.  But don't let that disuade you.

Indigo and raisin-colored in the glass, you're immediately greeted by blueberry, vanilla, lighty roasted coffee beans and really ripe strawberries.  Again, very silky smooth experience with loads of cherry and strawberry, sweet spice, brown sugar and vanilla bean blend effortlessly to provide you with an overall tasty and memorable wine.  While the finish is on the shorter side, this wine's versatility is the shining star here!

ABV:  15.5%

California (Solano, Sonoma, Napa Counties)

Winery:  Pine Ridge Vineyards

Suggested retail price:  $35.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

 

When Barb and Bart at a charity event a few decades ago, their love of wine was a bond that they shared that ultimlately led them to opening their owe winery in Napa.  A quarter of a century ago the duo purchased 33 acres of prime Napa real estate and eventually they began producing Bordeaux and Burdundian styles of wines that promote their sustainably farmed vineyard.  These "estate only" exclusive wines promote not only traditional styles, but also the passion that Barb and Bret share for each other after all of these years.

Today we are tasting the 2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  As one would expect, it is memorable from cork pop to the finish with it's beautiful bottle and striking darker mulberry color in the glass.  Ripe berries, granite, wet stone, cigar paper and spice swim in the nose, creating a mouth-watering introduction that delivers.  Dark fruit, plum, spice cabinet, pencil shavings, cedar smoke and a hint of milk chocolate dance on the tongue, creating a persistent finish against sophisticated tannins.  This wine has only begun to show it's potential and we regret not decanting this prior to tasting.  It is a wine that you need to add to your cellar, not only to lay down for fifteen or more years, but to prove to yourself what a fine Napa Valley Cabernet should taste like.  It's beautiful!

ABV:  15.2%

AVA:  Napa Valley

Winery:  O'Brien Estate

Suggested retail price:  $120.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

2021 Ackerman Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Estate

In the southeastern corner of Napa Valley sits a once unfamiliar area of Coombsville, which is now the 16th AVA of the Valley.  The Ackerman family purchased their prized property over thirty years ago, recognizing the amazing fruit that grew in the area, ultimately creating exceptional wines.  This particular offering comes from a beautiful vintage that was ideal in many ways regarding the weather.  But for most, including Ackerman, the yields were lower due to a rainfall shortage.

This is the 2021 Ackerman Fmaily Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coombsville Estate.  While we tasted this, it transitioned from a fruit forward young wine to (after decanting) a wine that can be aged for decades, showing potential to only increase in flavor and enjoyment.  Initially we recognized a basket of blueberries, cedar shavings and graphite.   Some decanting and swirling quickly transitioned this full bodied wine to fresh raspberry and strawberry fruits, forest floor, hints of allspice and vanilla.  The feathery tannins help create an unforgetful and steady finish.  

This wine is very impressive and offers a beautiful, dark eggplant color.  While we really enjoyed this now, we think that this is an ideal wine to cellar and re-visit in three to five years.  The additional complexity that this will surely develop would add a couple of points to the overall score (if scores are your thing).  

Stay tuned as we chat with someone from the Ackerman team when we create a video review of their 2018 Memoir Red Blend!

ABV:  14.1%

Coombsville AVA

Winery:  Ackerman Family Vineyards

Suggested retail price:  $98.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93+/100

 

2021 Pope Valley Winery Reserve Merlot

The history of Pope Valley Winery goes back 1897, when it was founded as Burgundy Winery and Olive Oil Factory by Ed Haus.  One hundred years later, a new lease on life was granted to the property when the Eakle family purchased it.  Brother and sister David Eakle and Diana Eakle Hawkins took the reigns in 2009 as the forward thinking, next generation owners to build on the legacy that had been created.  Today, Pope Valley Winery is creating some stunning wines under the esteemed Director of Winemaking, Jean Hoefliger.

We tend to sometimes provide spoiler alerts in our reviews and this one is no exception.  If this wine is any indication how 2025 is going to be, then we are in for a delicious and rewarding year!  First of all, if you're one of those people who turned their nose up to Merlot after watching Sideways over twenty years ago, please move on.  You're missing out on one of the most versatile and rewarding grape varietals in existence.  

Today we are tasting and talking about the 2021 Pope Valley Winery Reserve Merlot.  This wine is another fine example of the pain staking quality and attention to detail that is being obsevered by this producer.  Historically we have loved both their white and red releases and this one is leaning towards an all-time favorite.  Dark garnet inviting colors in the glass with chest-filling aromas of pipe tobacco, rosemary, green tea and those wonderful, juicy dark fruits that you would expect to find.  On the palate are welcoming and aggressive flavors of cooked plums, blackberry compote, crusty bread and allspice.  This is what we call a "make a fist and put it to your lips" type of wine.  

This wine has been in the bottle less than 18 months at this writing and we would anticipate that you can enjoy this one well into the next decade.  

ABV:  14.3%

Napa Valley AVA

Winery:  Pope Valley Winery

146 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $72.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

 

2021 Starmont Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

 

The first Starmont expression was produced over 35 years ago with a single varietal.  The label, which is part of the Merryvale family of wines, now produces four varietals under winemaker Jeff Crawford.  Crawford has been "all things Starmont" for ten years now and has been in the world of wine for twenty year.  2021 was an overall wonderful year for Cabernet due to the intense flavor of the berries despite generally smaller yields.  We have been tasting some really lovely Cabs from this year and this one is no exception.

The 2021 Starmont Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Teroldego (7%) and Cinsault (6%).  The fact that Crawford chose the latter two grape varietals for this blend is nothing short of impressive.  No doubt the Italian Teroldego grape added exquisite colors to this bottle and helped promote those fruit forward notes upon entry.  The Cinsault helps add a tick of extra ripe berry aromas and textured tannins. For the United States, Cinsault is planted mostly in the North Coast AVA but can also be found in Yakima Valley AVA in Washington and the Texas High Plains AVA.  Crawford really went outside of the box here and it shows in the presentation of the package.

Deep red to maroon in the glass, this Cabernet opens with strawberry rhubarb pie, very ripe raspberries, Mediterranean spices, damp soil and tar.  It is immediately inviting and swirling allows those aromas to literally leap from the glass.  Raspberry, plum and pomegranate are introduced to the palate first, followed by floral pedals, tea leaf and a hint of minerality.  This has a very satisfying and tender finish.  We are really impressed by this bottle and it proves once again that you don't have to pay a ton of money to find a wine that is delicious and one that could be cellared for a number of years.  We think with a few years in the bottle, it may even be more remarkable.  Bravo!

ABV:  13.9%

North Coast AVA

Winery:  Starmont Vineyards

Suggested retail price:  $25.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91+/100

2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne

 

On the north end of Napa Valley in St. Helena, California sits a wine estate that until recently, has been unassuming for fifty years.  Sullivan Rutherford Estate was the dream turned into reality of James O'Neil Sullivan, a visionary who became passionate about wine in the 1950's when and his wife received a grape arbor as a wedding present.  Home winemaking eventually led to a move to Rutherford where Sullivan would plant roots - literally.

The 2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne wine consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (14%) and Petit Verdot (6%).  We initially did not decant this wine and allowed only "air time" in the glass.  A unanimous decision to decant for about thirty-five minutes made the difference with this one.  Homemade strawberry jam color solid to the rim.  This "heart of vine" Cabernet offers plum, graphite, wet gravel road, and toasted baguette on the nose.  The decanting brought the firm tannins alive and presented flavors of raspberry puree, violet, hints of oak,  and bits of cocoa.  Give this one some time to open up and it will reward you for the next 15 years or so.  In four or five years this could be teetering on perfection in a bottle!  If you're someone who enjoys a dry aged steak with your wine, this marriage would be impeccable.

Sullivan Rutherford Estate is now in the hands of managing partner, Juan Pablo Torres Padilla and we anticipate that this label will continue to produce incredible and cellar-worthy wines.

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley AVA

Winery:  Sullivan Rutherford Estate

Cases Produced:  2,600

Suggested retail price:  $80.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93+/100

2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

We are always delighted to taste and share Napa Valley wines from 2018 because that was overall an amazing and exceptional vintage across the board.  The 2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a prime example of the delicious juices that were born out of this vintage.  

To appreciate all that is Merryvale, you really need to understand the history and humble beginnings of what originally started out as Sunnyhill Winery in 1933.  The Mondavi family got their start here, running wines by rail cars to northern California and other industrious cities.  Sunnyhill later became a co-op and the name because Sunny St. Helena and the building then because a wine storage facility in the 1970's.  It wasn't until 1983 when a group of investors/partners created the first Merryvale label.  

In 1996, Switzerland navtive Jack Schlatter, who became a partner just 5 years prior, became the sole owner of Merryvale, along with his family and son René.  Eventually René would marry Laurence, whose family had been making wine in Switzerland for six generations.  This story would travel half way around the world and end up in St. Helena where the Schlatter family continues to produce distinctive wines at the historic property.

This expression is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Cabernet Franc (17%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Malbec (2%) and the combination is married in wonderful unison.  Medium ruby red color with subtle blueberry pie, tobacco leaf, dried herbs and earthy undertones.  The mouthfeel is very much in balance with the medium acidic brightness against the ripe plum, oak, blueberry and savory finish.  The micro tannins are very welcoming and this wine is a stand out of the vintage.  Drink now or cellar this for 5-10 years; either way it is classic Napa and it is very lovely!

ABV:  14.5%

Napa Valley AVA

Winery:  Merryvale

Suggested retail price:  $74.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

Bells Up Winery: Fine Oregon Wines and Amazing People

 

If you've visited our website before, you already know that we are big fans of Bells Up Winery of Newberg, Oregon.  Our "wino" crew recently sat down virtually with owner and winemaker Dave Specter to taste through six of his micro-boutique, unique and delicious wines.  The other half of the winery and Dave's boss (and wife) Sara Specter made the arrangements and we were off to a beautiful evening!

Like every winery, there is a good story behind this one.  We guess "good" may not be the best way to describe how the winery came to fruition, but it does have a happy ending.  Dave and Sara began making wine in their basement in 2006.  Dave was a corporate tax attorney who was not enjoying (to put it lightly) his profession and wanted to pursue a passion of not only becoming a winemaker but eventually owning and operating his own winery with Sara.  While visiting the Willamette Valley in 2008 on vacation, they both fell in love with the area and there was, as they say, no looking back.

One really interesting connection we had during our virual tasting was the musical relationship between our tasting crew and Dave.  Dave was a French Horn player in high school and college and has been virtuoso of sorts for 20 years.  The name "Bells Up" refers to a maestro's instruction for French Horn players to lift their bells in order to project maximum sound.  And that's what Bells Up is for Dave and Sara.  Two members of our tasting crew, composer Richard Saucedo and Scott McCormick, former CEO of Bands of America, enjoyed going down memory lane and comparing notes/names of the music world almost as much as they did the wines.

Our lineup for the night consisted of:

• 2023 Rhapsody (100% Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley AVA)
• 2022 Prelude (Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA)
• 2021 Titan (Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley AVA)
• 2021 Jupiter (Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA)
• 2021 Maestro (Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA)
• 2021 Candide (Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains AVA)

Dave started off by telling us the background of the dream, how it became a reality and how things are going.  When asked about their employees, Dave told us about the grower, winemaker, barrel filler, tour guide, tractor driver, taster, marketing director, social media/public relations lead, cashier, banker and welcoming committee they have.  And it is ALL done with two people - Sara and Dave.  You have to understand that with 600 cases produced annually on 7 planted of their 10 acres, they are considered a micro-boutique winery and the fact that they do all of this and produce such a high quality of wines is really mind blowing.  Normally when you have such a small operation, something is going to suffer.  99% of the time it is the website that will suffer and be out-of-date, the tour/tasting will be unmemorable or (God forbid) the wine will be sub par.  Not here.  Not by a long shot!

Named for George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, this wine actually renews our hope in white wines.  We tend to view many (most?) white wines as esophageal demons that produce heartburn and a bad aftertaste.  In fact, most of the wines that our tasting crew gravitate to are medium to full bodied reds.  Everyone (E V E R Y O N E) of us were very pleased how this wine tasted from start to finish.  The lack of oak was suprising, but the 6 months of lees stirring helped create a full bodied white wine with citrus fruits, spring rain, wet rock minerality and spice.  It was surprisingly mouth coating and left a very crisp but not overbearing finish.

ABV:  12.7%

Willamette Valley AVA

47 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $38.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

The 2022 Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir was another pleasing stunner.  Luckily for us Rosé of Pinot Noir usually hits on all cylinders with us and this one was extremely inviting!  Baking spice, fruit basket and sweet cherries on the nose and palate.  This one is very fruit forward and a wine that loves the company of salty cheeses.  Presents a lighter finish with acidity that is in check.

ABV:  12.8%

Chehalem Mountains AVA

108 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $30.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

Dave started our first of four Pinot Noir selections with the 2021 Titan.  We feel like we jumped in with both feet first with this bold and smoky Pinot, presenting scorched earth and asphalt on the nose, dark fruits, cherry, and spice cabinet on the palate.  Our group actually noted about eleven different flavor profiles and agreed that this felt more pronounced than expected for a Pinot Noir.  You would almost swear there was a bit of Petite Syrah in here.

ABV:  13.8%

Willamette Valley AVA

111 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $46.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

The 2021 Jupter Estate Pinot Noir was yin and yang to the Titan.  This one had more fresh red fruits, strawberry preserves, floral notes and less smoke than our first Pinot Noir.  It starts off softer and then really becomes more powerful and full of black cherry and spice cake flavors that trail off to a very satisfying and lightly spicy finish.  This one is drinking beautifully!

ABV:  13.5%

Chehalem Mountains AVA

154 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $50.00

 

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

When we asked Dave about picking his favorite Bells Up wine, he wouldn't do it.  We compared that akin to picking your favorite child.  But for our team collectively, the 2021 Maestro Estate Reserve Pinot Noir was the northern light for us during this tasting.  Beautiful, haunting, deep dark red color with soul-reaching aromas of black cherry, hibiscus, dried flower pedals, and country gravel road in the spring.  The flavors of elegant red fruits, nutmeg, cherry tobacco and cocoa powder challenged each other for dominance, all while dancing on the tongue.  This wine did not jump out at you, but rather pulled you in slowly and methodically, similar to the Jurassic Park theme song by John Williams.  This wine is named in honor of Williams and to us, it is an exquisite fit.  This is one of those wines that instinctively makes you throw your hands to the side of your face and simply exclaim, "Wow!".  Drink this now or cellar it for 5+ years.

ABV:  13.3%

77 cases produced

Chehalem Mountains AVA

Suggested retail price:  $56.00

Drink The Bottles score:  97/100

Our final wine of the evening (insert crying emoji here) was the 2021 Candide Estate Reserve Pinot Noir.  It was the highest alcohol content of the selections we enjoyed, but still well within a respectable check of only 13.6%.  This wine had more of that mouth-watering smokiness that you generally expect from Oregon Pinot, alson with dried rose petals, plum and damp earth.  It was also the "spicy" wine of the evening presenting a full complement of backing spices, book leather and baked berry pie.  The finish was similar to the 2021 Maestro, lingering for moments after the last sip and drawing you back for more.  It's quite amazing!

ABV:  13.6%

Chehalem Mountains AVA

64 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $56.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

We could have spent all night listening to Dave talk about his passion, his story and what lies ahead for Bells Up Winery.  It's abundantly clear that Dave and Sara strive to make a connection with every customer.  With over 1,000 wineries in Oregon, Team Specter knows that creating memorable wines and intimate experiences will result in lifelong fans and ultimately friends.  One of the biggest compliments Bells Up Winery can receive, according to Dave, is when someone simply says, "Wow, that's nice" or "Yummy".  As an UN-domaine winery, you receive a very personal experience from Dave and Sara, making you feel as if you are the only people on the planet.  And, at that moment, you are to them.

Bells Up Winery checks off all of the boxes for us:  delectable and memorable wines, incredibly friendly and down-to-earth people, affordable, low production, and a place we will visit in person one day.  

2021 Flora Springs Trilogy

 

This is our third vintage of Flora Springs Trilogy to taste and review over the years, and it has always been a consistently delicious and top performer.  For the 2021 vintage (their 38th bottling), there is a new label design which is (in our opinion) more elegant and welcoming that previous offerings.  As most of you know, we do take in consideration label design, or what we call shelf appeal, when scoring our wines and spirits.

The 2021 Trilogy is comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) but also includes Petit Verdot (10%) and Malbec (5%).  This flagship wine is incredibly silky-smooth throughout the entire tasting experience, offering up tannins that are glossy and fine.  A swarm of aromas that include ripe dark berries, graphite and cedar are introduced initially, but this isn't a fruit-bomb, in-your-face type of wine, which is extremely refreshing.  After some time in the glass, the cedar yields to more earthy style of aromas.  The black fruits carry over on the palate with whisps of chocolate shavings, mint, minerality and suggestions of pine.  This wine is very structured and refined.  

We tasted this wine unaccompanied first and then paired it with some hard cheeses, cured meats and jams.  While the jams were not the best pairing, this wine absolutely soared with the aforementioned meats and cheeses.  If someone were building a wine cellar and asked us to give them 20 different wines to stock/cellar, this one would definitely be in that group.  It is perpetually delicious and each vintage is just breath taking.  Well done!

ABV:  14.2%

Winery:  Flora Springs: Napa, CA

2.300 Cases Produced

Suggested retail price:  $100.00

Drink The Bottles score:  95/100

NV Harvester Cabernet Sauvignon

 

This wine is another testament from the pulpit where we continually exclaim that not all wine has to be expensive to be good.  This is a non-vintage Harvester Cabernet Sauvignon from Austin Hope Winery.  Non-vintage generally eludes that this wine is a blend of several vineyards and vintages and the production is on the higher side.  That not only means that this wine is readily available, but it is also affordable.  We originally tasted this bottle at a local wine shop and while it didn't mirror the $100 Ghost Block that we tasted, it certainly held its own.

This wine is from Paso Robles and has a pleasant, medium-dark purple color.  The aromas are on the brighter side of red fruits and baked pastry, followed by notes of allspice and vanilla.  On the palate is a plesant and sleek flavor profile of cherry, plum, spices and vanilla.  The wine doesn't linger but the finish is satisfying and this is certainly a wine that would pair well with barbeque or stuffed peppers.  

When you're having one of those nights that you want a solid Cabernet Sauvignon, but you don't want to pluck a $200 bottle out of your cellar, reach for this one!  This would be a solid wine to serve at an informal get together as well.  Enjoy!

ABV:  13.5%

Winery:  Austin Hope Winery

Suggested retail price:  $19.99

Drink The Bottles score:  88/100

2018 Youngberg Hill Natasha Pinot Noir

 

Don't worry wine snobs.  Not all great wines have corks.  The 2018 Youngberg Hill Natasha Pinot Noir is a screwtop but there is nothing screwy about this wine!  Blueberry compote, leather bound book, wet stone and barn dust are prevalent on the nose.  You really get lost in the aromas of this juice and we found our noses in the glass repeatedly!  Berry cobbler, mocha and ripe plum dance on the palate with a firm but not overbearing acidity.  Medium and memorable finish puts this wine in a "must buy" Oregon Pinot category.  It's quite lovely!

ABV:  14.0%

McMinnville, OR

Production:  600 cases

Suggested retail price:  $65.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2020 Bells Up Winery Jupiter Pinot Noir

 

Rounding out our tastings of samples from Bells Up Winery is their 2020 Jupiter Pinot Noir.  This comes from an estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains.  Three words.... It is fantastic.  Too often we have been slightly underwhelmed by Pinot, often getting the "same old" dusty, overly sweet rose petal vibe.  But not with this.  This Pinot Noir is built differently and if this is testament to the Chehalem Mountains AVA, then we can't wait to visit some day.  Cherry pie, tobacco leaf, graphite and forest floor on the nose.  Solid medium purple color makes an introduction to rhubarb, cherry pomegranate and a subtle hint of pepper, leading to a finish that leaves you yearning for more.  This wine should be in your cellar and with such a low production, you'd better act fast.  This is drinking wonderfully now and should for another 5-7 years.

ABV:  13.5%

Chehalem Mountains, OR

Production:  94 cases

Suggested retail price:  $48.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

2021 Bells Up Winery Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir

 

Kicking off our series of Oregon wines, we started with this inviting Rosé that is as gorgeous in the glass as it is on the tongue.  The 2021 Bells Up Winery Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir first captures the eye with the stunning reddish hue, darker than many other Pinot Noir rosé on the market.  It was intriguing and immediately mouth-watering.  We tasted this wine both on its own merit and with food (which is unusual for us, but we had to prove a point to ourselves).  With ample time in the glass, we began swirling and collecting pleasant, but not overpowering, aromas of strawberry and pomegranate.  The fruit is more noticeable on the palate and the acid is in check and doesn't even begin to overpower this easy-drinking wine.  The finish is subtle and enjoyable.  While we don't always taste wines with food, there was something here that was urging us to do so. We tasted this with a variety of salty cheeses and the pairing was absolutely incredible.  This is definitely a "food" wine and one of the best Rosé of Pinot Noir that we have tasted in recent memory.  

ABV:  12.9%

Chehalem Mountains, OR

Production:  101 Cases

Suggested retail price:  $28.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2020 Penny's Hill Malpas Road McLaren Vale Merlot

 

Situated in McLaren Vale which happens to be one of Australia's most exciting wine regions, here are things you would want to know about the Penny’s Hill Winery.

History

Established in 1988, this promising winery is named after the hill at the base of which it is located.

Considering this winery has all the elements of a great vineyard in place, the vines were planted in 1991 at the property in a unique narrow-row configuration to amplify vineyard productivity along with grape and wine quality.

In the year 1993, the newly-planted Malpas Road property was purchased, followed by an adjacent highly prized hay-producing paddock in 1996 that was planted to vines and named Goss Corner.

After wo years, the original Goss family homestead, ‘Ingleburne’ was added to the Malpas and Goss properties to reconnect to make it an entire holding.

Ownership & The Team

Founder Tony Parkinson passed on the ownership and management of the business to his good friend and fellow South Australian winemaker Warren Randall.

The team at Penny’s Hill is committed to growing outstanding fruit across their vineyard sites to deliver the finest wines possible. They reflect upon the site where the vines are planted. They are passionate enough to make sure that optimum flavour, balance and ripeness are present in the fruit during harvest time.

Winemaker at Penny’s Hill

A passionate and experienced winemaker, Alexia is a group winemaker for Penny’s Hill, The Black Chook & Thomas Goss brands, and a champion for the McLaren Vale wine region; in particular its Shiraz and Grenache varietals.

She has been in the winemaking in McLaren Vale since 2004 and has undertaken vintages in both France and Italy. Accountable for the production of many acclaimed wines, and no stranger to medals, trophies, awards and accolades both domestic and international, she has the ‘World’s Best Cabernet’ in 2016 for Penny’s Hill 2014 Edwards Road Cabernet accredited to her name.

She works closely with the viticulturist to maximise fruit quality and vine health. Her style includes crafting elegant, fruit-driven, single-vineyard estate-grown wines to best express the varying terroir of the three key sites: Penny’s Hill, Goss Corner and Malpas Road, with more company-owned vineyards now being used to source more fruit.

Winemaking at Penny’s Hill

The winemaking process at Penny’s Hill includes each fruit parcel harvested separately in small batches and individually nurtured throughout. The proximity of the vineyards to the winery ensures the selection and hand-picking of particular fruit parcels for a “small batch” approach to winemaking, enabling more options at final blending.

At each step of the winemaking process, the wines are gently guided to bring out the ultimate balance of texture, complexity and interest.

The Malpas Road and Goss Corner vineyards have black Bay of Biscay clay that helps produce wines that are rich and luscious with a soft, round finish. However, the Penny’s Hill vineyard with sandy loam over clay soil produces wines with a perfumed bouquet and a high level of fruit intensity and fine tannin structure.

The red wines at Penny’s Hill are natured in the finest French oak barrels before blending. The presence of optimum quality vineyards in the nearby Adelaide Hills allows the creation of fresh, vibrant, balanced white wines of aromatic intensity and regional expression.

Sustainable Winegrowing

A proud member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, the Penny’s Hill winery contributes to the sustainability program which minimizes environmental impacts and encourages best viticulture practices.

Remember, it all begins in the vineyard.

Now that you know how this winery is going above and beyond to make the experience count for you, here’s a recommended wine from them. Give it a shot.

About the Wine

This vibrant Merlot unfurls aromas of plum, dark cherry, black olive and tar, with nuances of chocolate.  A medium-bodied wine with zingy minerality, light acidity and silk tannins leads to a smooth finish.  This splendid red wine tastes great with food such as light meats, chicken or slightly spiced dark meats.

ABV:  14.5%

McLaren Vale, Australia

Article contributed by guest writer, Hugo Brown

2018 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus

We were recently introduced to Hamel Family Wines and their 2018 Isthmus red blend.  This wine is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (64%), Merlot (18%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Petit Verdot (4%).  This wine is very rich up front with dominant blackberry, plum and pomegranate fruits.  Clove, grilling spices, river rock and ripe dark fruits blend to create a stunning and memorable wine that is approachable now and will also drink very well for the next 15+ years.  Wonderful texture with the medium to heavier mouthfeel.  We decanted this wine for about 90 minutes prior to tasting and that helped bring this selection to a compelling and delightful finish.  Ruby red in the glass to the rim.  While we don't often taste wines with food, we do think that this would be a delicious accompaniment to a bone-in ribeye steak.

ABV:  14.5%

Sonoma Valley, CA

2,698 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $90.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93+/100