Tasting Notes 2/10/12

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I wrote these tasting notes around seven famous pairs of lovers.

NCWC LOVERS TASTING 2/10/12

 CROSSINGS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2010

            Just as with Romeo’s first glimpse of Juliet, everyone who goes to New Zealand falls in love with the place at first sight.  For me Kiwi Savvy’s have always been a case of love at first sip.  This is “terrifically juicy, with Key lime, honeydew melon, passion fruit and pink grapefruit flavors that are ripe, round and very focused. Orange blossom notes give this extra grace” as the flavors keep singing like a troubadour beneath his lover’s window.  89 points Wine Spectator.  $7.97.

 CORTE ALLA FLORA VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2008

                Italian wines can be as sensual as they come, redolent of earthy nuances and complexity that excite both mind and body.  This one “is dark and ripe with notes of black cherry, tar and balsamic.  Good, lifting acidity keeps the rich fruit bright, and the balsamic, red fruit, and tar flavors linger nicely on the firm, fresh finish.”  If Isolde had returned to Tristan with this wine, instead of that whole white sail/black sail trick, maybe things would have turned out better!  90 points Wine Spectator.  $17.97.

 MATANZAS CREEK MERLOT 2006

                Made with the Petrus clone, this is as smooth as Cleopatra, yet as bold and forward as Marc Antony.  It’s “ripe and voluptuous, with very rich, long-lasting berry, cherry, mocha and spice flavors, liberally oaked and wrapped into fine, sturdy tannins. This is a beautiful Merlot that trades on the variety’s opulently fleshy sensuality,” with a finish that lingers like the feel of a soft kiss.  87 points Wine Spectator.  $21.97

 ZACA MESA SYRAH 2007

                This winery is located on Foxen Canyon Road near Los Olivos, which is a fine destination for a romantic getaway.  They make a number of fine wines and are known for their Syrahs.  This one “displays rich blackberry, cassis, espresso, mocha and their signature sage spice aromas and flavors. The silky finish lingers from the smoky oak and ripe tannins,” which hold everything together like a perfectly fitted corset.  Share this with one you love; you may reach the passionate heights of Rhett and Scarlett, but hopefully without all those Civil War battles raging around you.  87 points Wine Spectator.  $17.97.

 KATHERINE GOLDSCHMIDT CRAZY CREEK CABERNET 2009

                Nick Goldschmidt loves winemaking the way Queen Victoria loved Prince Albert – passionately and eternally.  He massages the fruit from the old, low-vigor vines of the Crazy Creek Vineyard to produce a Cab that is “very rich and forward in classic flavors of blackberries and cassis.  Oak barrels bring spicy, smoky vanilla accents to this soft, elegant wine.”  When Albert passed, Victoria never stopped mourning, wearing black for 40 years.  There’s no reason for grief here, though; we have plenty of this on hand.  90 points Wine Enthusiast.  $15.97.

 HILARY GOLDSCHMIDT CHARMING CREEK CABERNET 2007

                This wine is as gorgeous as Helen of Troy, but there’s no need to kidnap it, start an epic war over it, or hide it in an enormous wooden horse.  You can just pick some up right here.  It shows “beautiful depth of color, exhibiting aromas of black cherry fruit with a touch of sweet vanilla and a hint of mint.  The wine offers rich flavors of blueberry and blackberry on the palate and echoes the vanilla bean note brought forth by the French oak.”  With soft, supple tannins, this beauty is, well, charming.  90 points Tobin Bros.  $21.97.

 MINASSIAN-YOUNG BLACK ST. PETER 2008

                 This rich blend of Zinfandel and five other grapes is as sensuous as the secret meetings of Lancelot and Guinevere, with ultra-rich, ripe dark fruit cascading over the palate like Niagara Falls.  The sweet seductiveness of this wine is a great prelude to a romantic evening.  Put some on your own round table and let the night go where it may!  86 points Tobin Bros.  16.97.