Tasting Notes 5/10/13

NCWC CAROL SHELTON WINERY EVENT 5/10/13

CAROL SHELTON COQUILLE BLANC 2010
The intriguing, layered aromatics include spicy pears, white peaches, almonds, and a touch of honeysuckle. In the mouth it is crisply dry yet creamy, round, and full-bodied, with those same pear and almond notes coming across crisp, yet juicy. This is 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne, 16% Marsanne, and 15% Viognier. 88 points Jim Tobin. $17.97 ($24 winery)

CAROL SHELTON RENDEZVOUS ROSE 2012
This delicious Mendocino Rose is 90% Carignane and 2.5% each Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Completely dry, it shows off a light cranberry color, with juicy aromas and flavors of strawberry, watermelon, clean minerality, and a hint of pink grapefruit. Refreshingly crisp, this will go great with almost any food, from sushi to salmon to BBQ! 88 points Tobin Bros. $12.97 ($15 winery)

CAROL SHELTON “KARMA” ZINFANDEL 2009
From the Bastoni Vineyard in Sonoma County, this amazing Zin carries 10% Alicante Bouschet and 4% Petite Sirah for added depth and complexity. That shows on the nose, with its layered spice and black fruits. Those same fruits appear on the palate, along with dark chocolate, creamy oak, vanilla, cola, nutmeg and cinnamon. Rich in the mouth, this is delicious now and has good structure for aging, assuming you can keep your hands off it! 92 points Wine Spectator. $21.97 ($33 winery)

CAROL SHELTON “MONGA” ZINFANDEL 2009
This one is 100% Zin from the Lopez Vineyard in Cucamonga Valley, so now you know where “Monga” comes from. Very bright aromas and flavors include pomegranate, cherry, brown sugar, caramel, cocoa, and Asian spices. This also is a mouthfilling wine that is drinking extremely well right now. 90 points Bill Tobin. $16.97 ($21 winery)

CAROL SHELTON “WILD THING” ZINFANDEL 2009
This old vine Zin from Cox Vineyard in Mendocino gets a boost from 12% Carignane, 7% Petite Sirah, and 3% Cabernet. Aromas of black cherry, plum and raspberry fruit combine with a beautiful hint of vanilla-oak loveliness, smoothly textured in the mouth, very creamy and round. The finish is long and has lush jammy fruit — this wine is dangerously good! Remember – you are what you drink …. 90 points Wine Spectator. $16.97 ($19 winery)

CAROL SHELTON “ROCKY RESERVE” ZINFANDEL 2009
From the Florence Vineyard in the Rockpile appellation of Dry Creek Valley, the “Rocky” offers spicy boysenberry and raspberry on the nose, accented by oak nuances. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it carries noticeable tannins that frame the red and blue fruit flavors, leaving the undeniable impression of structure and balance. 91 points Bill Tobin. $29.97 ($33 winery)