No tasting notes today in reverance to the passing of Robert Mondavi yesterday.
If you are unfamiliar with this American born vintner of Italian immigrant parents, type Robert Mondavi into any web browser.
Here is Wikipedia's link:
Robert Mondavi
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A Volnay by any other name...
Last week I received an email from the purveyor, whose tastings I attend, that stated, "I am pouring one of the prettiest Volnay ever this Friday." That was all the email needed to say. I've been clamoring to try a Volnay Burgundy since I read of them. They are known for being the most perfumed and elegant Burgundy and that suits my tastes just fine. A good growling athletic Pinot may catch my notice or strike my fancy for example but I often find myself drawn back to the sublime depths of the perfect perfumed Burgundy. What made this tasting all the more enjoyable was the releases of John Paul Cameron (the mad Oregon Vinter) as well being poured that evening.
Cameron Guliani White Table Wine 2007 - I hope the moniker "white table wine" will not put people off of this very nice easy drinking white. It is a blend of grapes from the mad vintner that is bright and expressive even if not the depth of other of his wines. A straw yellow color in the glass it simply oozed scents of melon and pear on the first smell, there were also citrus and other green and yellow fruits found in the aroma. This isnt a white to make you think of white Burgundy or to melt you to weak in the knees. Its bright green and yellow apples, citrus, and then chewy clover leaf in the mouth. I can't quite get myself to use the word "quaffer" (though it some will say such) to describe this wine that makes me think of light summers yellow glow. Best served in my mind with a very light coolness to it the flavors and bright nature are perfect for summers on the porch or with that shared dish of crawfish and butter. $
Cameron Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2006 - John Paul may be a character, but wines he knows. I have become a member of the cult of Cameron - at least in my mind. The 2006 Dundee hills is certainly no disapointment. Its a fun engaging young Pinot Noir that had a lot of Cameron distinctiveness driven by his apparent love of wine and desire to make wines naturally without artificial irrigation. Dark in the glass it was more deep rose bud colored than I expected. It had characteristic Cameron subtle funk and loam (sounds like a good band name). The surprise in the front of the nose was the buttered popcorn smell or even buttered popcorn jelly belly that layered to a rose floral depth before moving to dark cherry fruit and the loamy soil. As for the taste, does more really need to be said than cherries and dirt? Okay so maybe black cherries and wet earth meets clay. Its one of the best values period I think you'll find in an Oregon Pinot Noir. You wont have the cost of more exclusive bottles and yet will have great flavors plus get to jam a session or two with "funk & loam". Taste pairing with Led Zeppelin - All of my Love, and Rock on John Paul rock on. $$ 20/bottle
Comte Armand Volnay 2005 - Ah a Volnay by any other name... Do yourself a favor and find a tasting of this impressive Burgundy. This is a finely perfumed wine of great character and depth. Scents of deep brambles at onset parted their tight woven roots to reveal dark red wet fruit and dark rose petals in the aroma. The nose alone was enticing. Darker in color than expected, in ruby red, this was an auspicous and layered Burgundy. It was all and more than I expected and certainly impressed many at the tasting - the word superb comes to mind. Moderate mouth-feel and silky silky smooth texture the wine balanced layered flavors of huckleberry, loganberry, and perhaps black raspberry on the palate. As they envelope the tongue and then dissipate thin they reveal an earthen and mineral finish that lasts longer than perhaps the rocks it grew in. It has an excellent structure and a round middle that made me wish to leave it in my mouth long before swallowing. However, I drank it far faster than I meant to or realized. I liken it a bit to finding the Golden ticket in Willy Wonka bars. Its a special feeling of excitement, anticipation, and mouthwatering flavor. Find your ticket, cash in, and say yum and yippee today. $$$
Cameron Guliani White Table Wine 2007 - I hope the moniker "white table wine" will not put people off of this very nice easy drinking white. It is a blend of grapes from the mad vintner that is bright and expressive even if not the depth of other of his wines. A straw yellow color in the glass it simply oozed scents of melon and pear on the first smell, there were also citrus and other green and yellow fruits found in the aroma. This isnt a white to make you think of white Burgundy or to melt you to weak in the knees. Its bright green and yellow apples, citrus, and then chewy clover leaf in the mouth. I can't quite get myself to use the word "quaffer" (though it some will say such) to describe this wine that makes me think of light summers yellow glow. Best served in my mind with a very light coolness to it the flavors and bright nature are perfect for summers on the porch or with that shared dish of crawfish and butter. $
Cameron Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2006 - John Paul may be a character, but wines he knows. I have become a member of the cult of Cameron - at least in my mind. The 2006 Dundee hills is certainly no disapointment. Its a fun engaging young Pinot Noir that had a lot of Cameron distinctiveness driven by his apparent love of wine and desire to make wines naturally without artificial irrigation. Dark in the glass it was more deep rose bud colored than I expected. It had characteristic Cameron subtle funk and loam (sounds like a good band name). The surprise in the front of the nose was the buttered popcorn smell or even buttered popcorn jelly belly that layered to a rose floral depth before moving to dark cherry fruit and the loamy soil. As for the taste, does more really need to be said than cherries and dirt? Okay so maybe black cherries and wet earth meets clay. Its one of the best values period I think you'll find in an Oregon Pinot Noir. You wont have the cost of more exclusive bottles and yet will have great flavors plus get to jam a session or two with "funk & loam". Taste pairing with Led Zeppelin - All of my Love, and Rock on John Paul rock on. $$ 20/bottle
Comte Armand Volnay 2005 - Ah a Volnay by any other name... Do yourself a favor and find a tasting of this impressive Burgundy. This is a finely perfumed wine of great character and depth. Scents of deep brambles at onset parted their tight woven roots to reveal dark red wet fruit and dark rose petals in the aroma. The nose alone was enticing. Darker in color than expected, in ruby red, this was an auspicous and layered Burgundy. It was all and more than I expected and certainly impressed many at the tasting - the word superb comes to mind. Moderate mouth-feel and silky silky smooth texture the wine balanced layered flavors of huckleberry, loganberry, and perhaps black raspberry on the palate. As they envelope the tongue and then dissipate thin they reveal an earthen and mineral finish that lasts longer than perhaps the rocks it grew in. It has an excellent structure and a round middle that made me wish to leave it in my mouth long before swallowing. However, I drank it far faster than I meant to or realized. I liken it a bit to finding the Golden ticket in Willy Wonka bars. Its a special feeling of excitement, anticipation, and mouthwatering flavor. Find your ticket, cash in, and say yum and yippee today. $$$
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