Tag: United States

Raen Royal St Robert Sonoma Coast 2016

Post author By Sean Mitchell
Post date May 22, 2020
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Sonoma Coast is a large, cool climate viticultural region north of San Francisco. Few of these wines make their way to Australia. In the glass, this wine is very obviously pinot noir and, for Australian readers, resembles the Yarra Valley fruity pinot noir style. It has aromas of cherry and spice. The body is full and interesting, with medium to high acidity and good length. This wine has a lovely balance and disappeared quickly. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Abv: 13.0. Price: $100+. Website: https://www.raenwinery.com. Reviewed: May 2020.

Tags California, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, United States

Wine Reviews

Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Oregon 2017

Post author By Sean Mitchell
Post date April 23, 2020
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This is an outstanding pinot noir from the Ribbon Ridge AVA that sits within the Willamette Valley in Oregon. It has definitive firm and restrained aromas of rhubarb, refined cedar and blackcurrant. It is very much in a Côte de Beaune style. The palate is full bodied and offers a very refined expression of pinot noir, with medium but fine tannins, fresh acidity and long length the finish. This outstanding wine can be approached now, or suite medium term cellaring. The reference point here is clearly Burgundy. Rating: Outstanding. Abv: 13. Price: $80. Website: https://www.patriciagreencellars.com. Reviewed: April 2020.

Tags Oregon, Pinot Noir, United States, Willamette Valley

Wine Reviews

Sterling Vintner’s Collection California Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Post author By Sean Mitchell
Post date January 19, 2019
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This is a well priced and typical expression of Californian cabernet sauvignon from Sterling Vineyards. It has a fruity aroma of ripe red berries. The palate has plump tannins, reminders of ripe blackcurrants and pleasant length on the finish. Rating: Good. Abv: 13.5%. Price: $18. Website: www.sterlingvineyards.com.

Tags Cabernet Sauvignon, California, United States

Wine Reviews

Duck Pond Pinot Noir Oregon 2016

Post author By Sean Mitchell
Post date January 16, 2019
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This is a good value Oregon pinot noir from Duck Pond. The aroma speaks only of pinot noir, and is Burgundian in character, with its notes of rhubarb, beetroot, cherry and cedar. The palate is slightly more full bodied, with good length and balance. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good to Very Good. Abv: 13.8%. Price: $30. Website: www.duckpondcellars.com

Tags Oregon, Pinot Noir, United States

Wine Reviews

Cristom Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée 2013

Post author By Sean Mitchell
Post date September 2, 2017
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I’ve had some very good Australian pinot noirs, but it does seem that there are a series of foreign regions that are gifted easier climatic building blocks that result in more Burgundian styling. To my palate, Oregon is one such region and this pinot noir from the Willamette Valley south of Portland in Oregon in the United States is very good. Baden is another. This wine resembles a Nuits-Saint-Georges with its aromatics of rhubarb and raspberry. The palate is medium bodied with a fresh, minerally streak on the finish. Great drinking for circa $60. (Alc: 13%, Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States, Rating: Good to Very Good, Drink: now to 2022, Tasted: August, 2017)

Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2014

Post author By Sean Mitchell
Post date April 9, 2017
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This is the second vintage I’ve tasted of Ravenswood’s zinfandel, and there’s an evenness to this wine. I found myself quite enjoying the 2014 vintage’s expression of blackberry, bramble fruit and full bodied style. (Region: Lodi, California, Rating: Good, Would I buy it based on this tasting? The wine has its place: I’d suggest it as a shiraz substitute at a BBQ, Drink: now, Tasted: Jan, 2017)

Read more:
www.ravenswoodwinery.com

Other vintages reviewed:

Vintage	Rating	Review
2011	Acceptable	http://www.grapeobserver.com/2014/02/ravenswood-old-vine-zinfandel-2011.html

Tags California, Lodi, United States, Zinfandel

Wine Reviews

Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-dessus Pinot Noir 2009

Post author By Sean Mitchell
Post date January 10, 2017
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You don’t see too much Californian pinot noir in Australia. Here’s an excuse to have a closer look. This wine is from the Santa Maria Valley north of Los Angeles, a region that is open to the prevailing sea fogs. In the glass, it is Burgundian in style overlayed with good fruit. On the nose, there are stem, stalk and cherry aromatics. The palate has good length and balance, with a chalky texture and fresh acidity. Lovely drinking. (Region: Santa Maria, California, Rating: Good to Very Good, Drink: now)