2002 Pine Ridge - Crimson Creek Merlot

We received this "middle of the road" Napa Valley Merlot as a gift a while ago. Tonight, we served it with a steak salad (leftover flank steak).

Back in 1997, we visited Pine Ridge Winery and actually had dinner in their cellars as guests of HP at the Champions Tour Pro-Am golf tournament at Silverado Country Club. It was a very unique experience playing "inside the ropes".

Winemaker's notes:
This elegant, medium dark ruby Merlot wraps black cherry fruit flavors with underlying hints of blueberry and vanilla in light earthy notes of tobacco and sweet cocoa. A supple medium-to-long finish makes this an enjoyable wine now or you may choose to cellar five to eight years.

2004 Nepenthe Tryst Red

Back in 2007, we bought a few bottles of this Australian wine (screw cap, no cork) at Southern Hemisphere Wines in Huntington Beach. Tonight, we served it with grilled flank steak. Thai purple rice, and a salad.

Winemaker's notes:
The Tryst Red has been a unique (even eclectic) blend since first produced in 2001. In bringing together Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Tempranillo, Nepenthe is certainly not following any traditional blending rules.

The firm, densely colored and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon is softened and lifted by the Zinfandel; while Tempranillo provides a backbone of savory tannins and flesh that ensures that the Tryst is a great food wine. It's fragrant and approachable now, but will go the distance, gaining complexity with time. Drink now, but will age up to five years.

Wine Spectator notes: "This has pizzazz. Polished and round, with wild berry, cherry, currant and a tang of refreshing acidity as it all lingers on the finish. Tannins are well-formed and it comes together beautifully. Drink now through 2012."

We liked the dryness from the Cabernet and the fruity finish due to the Tempranillo. A very good, inexpensive red blend.

2006 S. A. Prüm Essence Riesling

About a year ago, we were walking through the wine department at our local Costco and this German fellow was standing there at a small table with a couple of bottles of wine. No one was around or talking to him, so we stepped up and entered into conversation.

It turned out that he was the owner and winemaker at S. A. Prüm Winery from the mid-Mosel River valley in Germany. He was there as part of a tour scheduled by his U.S. importer to promote his wines and sign bottles. The family winery has been producing wines commercially for over 200 years and has been connected with the vineyard land for 2,000 years (certainly not like the new winery owners in NoCal created by the internet-boom of the 1990s).

We had a great conversation about German wines and we bought two of his Rieslings. This one that we opened last night, Essence Riesling, is the least expensive of his wines.

Winemaker's Notes: Color: Pale gold. Bouquet: Aromatic, with scents of apricot and peach. Taste: Fresh fruit flavors perfectly balanced by a racy acidity and mineral character.

We make a chicken tikka masala with basmati rice for dinner with this wine.

2005 Walter Hansel Chardonnay - The North Slope Vineyard

What better to have for dinner on a cold (for California) winter night than homemade chicken soup. That's exactly what Caren made today. And we served this delicious wine alongside.

The North Slope vineyard of Walter Hansel's (in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County just northwest of the city of Santa Rosa) is planted with French clones 95 and 76 that are grown on the north edge of the property where it slopes down 28 feet. It seems to produce more of a creamy more fruit driven wine.

Robert Parker writes: "This is a source for very fine Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at some of the most realistic prices to be found in Northern California."

Wine Advocate tasting notes: Burgundian notes of hazelnut, brioche, white currants, and hints of peach and crushed rocks are impressive and intense. This is a full-bodied Chardonnay with crisp acidity that should age nicely for 5-6 years. 93 points.

At a price of about $35 (from the winery) this Chardonnay is comparable in quality to wines twice the price.

2004 Carmelo Patti Sparkling Wine

This sparkling wine was produced through the classic Method Champenoise (fermentation in the bottle) with 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay grapes from the "Zona Alta" of Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. Carmelo Patti is one of the icons of Argentine winemaking. This wine was part of a gift mixed case of Argentine wines we received about a year ago.

The wine has light, salmon colored tones with lively aromas of toasted bread and honey on the nose. There is ripe fruit and balanced acidity in the mouth. This is a delicious wine at a reasonable price (under $25).

We served this wine with an antipasto platter and a tray of baked ziti with three cheeses, meatballs, and broccoli.

2003 Turley Zinfandel - Ueberroth Vineyard

Dark plum/ruby-hued, the 2003 Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard (500 cases, 15.4% alcohol) emerges from a limestone vineyard in the Paso Robles area that was planted in 1874. This wine has a sour cherry, tart style with dark ruby color, decided minerality, relatively noticeable acidity, and a crisp, somewhat austere personality. It is the least hedonistic of the Turley Zinfandels.

We pitched in with Barry and Laurie and cooked a 'HUGE" Italian dinner with this as one of the wines.

2005 Fielding Hills Riverbend Red Wine

Fielding Hills Winery is family-owned, producing limited quantities of premium red wines from Riverbend Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope appellation of Washington State's Columbia Valley. Mike Wade is the owner-winemaker. I can definitely tell it is family-owned when I call the winery to confirm my allocation for each release - Karen Wade, Mike's wife answers the phone at their house/office.

This is an up and coming wine producing area and we love their red wines.

This wine is 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 11% Syrah, and 1% Cabernet Franc.

Critics' tasting notes: “Loads of cherry, boysenberry and black plum are backed by suave sweet tobacco notes. The texture is slightly chewy with a tannic grip. It all plays through nicely on the long, lingering finish."
“Yumm yumm- huge black cherry and toasted coffee bean nose with succulent hints of bittersweet chocolate, black cherry and plum. Flavors are simply delicious - sweet lush red and black fruit with just a hint of fresh tobacco, toasted coffee bean, and a hearty dollop of spicy white pepper. Finish is very long, with black cherry, white pepper and spice restating themselves. Tannins are smooth and beautifully integrated, with acidity adding just the right amount of freshness and juiciness.”

90 points, Wine Spectator.

We served this wine to drink with snacks while watching football games on New Year's Day.