Tasting Notes 5/11/12

Celebrating Motherly Advice with these notes!

PRE-MOTHER’S DAY TASTING, 5/11/12

 WYCLIFF BRUT SPARKLING WINE

                Why not begin Mother’s Day weekend with a bit of Bubbly?  This one probably looks familiar, since most of our restaurants and hotels pour it for brunch every Sunday.  It’s fruity with a touch of strawberry and the perfect amount of sugar, finishing with a light, crisp quality that makes it ideal for Mimosas and Bellinis.  Mom might love this as much as she loves it when you “look both ways before crossing the street.”  $6.97.

SIERRA MADRE CHARDONNAY 2008

                You know you’re in trouble when you hear your first AND middle names, then the warning, “just wait ‘til your father gets home!”  Well, pouring Mom some of this lovely Chardonnay might buy you a reprieve.  Tropical fruit aromas decorated with hints of vanilla and fresh meringue precede mouth-watering flavors of crisp citrus, ripe apple, and pear.  Very tasty.  89 points Tobin Bros.  $19.97.

 PATASSY PINOT NOIR 2008

                All time best Mom advice?  Don’t run with scissors, wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident, and don’t drink lousy Pinots.  This one will make Mom proud, with yummy red fruit that is expressive but not over ripe.  It’s nicely balanced, with hints of cinnamon, spice, and a very long finish.  And the best part?  It’s very affordable.  88 points Tobin Bros.  $16.97.

 VINO VALPREDO SQUEEZEBOX RED 2009

                Mom warned us, “if you keep making that face it’ll get stuck that way.”  Which is okay, because the face you’re likely to make after tasting this is a smile.  “This wine opens up with aromas of fresh cherries, figs and dried cranberries, followed by hints of cocoa, aniseed and Indian spices. Led by bright youthful acidity this wine’s aromatics follow through onto the palate, also expressing flavors of a cranberry reduction, cherry pie and subtle oak. Soft and elegant tannins round out the feel.”  9.97.

 PEJU CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007

                “Come in out of the rain!  You’ll catch your death of cold!”  That’s just another of the endless ways that Mom worried about us.  There’s nothing to worry about with this delicious Cabernet.  On the nose it offers “a medley of summer berries, bright cherry, cocoa powder and hints of caramel and butterscotch. On the palate, a beautiful balance of richness and luminosity with flavors of boysenberry, Bing cherry, nutmeg and toffee that lead into a round, memorable finish.”   90 points Tobins.  $29.97.

 CLINE LIVE OAK ZINFANDEL 2009

                Another great example of Mom-isms is “Close that door!  Are you living in a barn?”  This wine is a classic example of the big Zinfandels, for which Cline Cellars has become known. It “displays notes of sweet berries, spice, coffee and licorice and has a firm, balanced structure of acid and fine-grained tannins.”  88 points Bill Tobin.  $18.97.

 CHOCOLATE SHOP

                If we said bad things Mom would threaten to wash our mouths out with soap.  But if we were good we got treats!  When we were kids it may have been pie, or cookies, or ice cream.  Now it can be this lush bottling.  “Inviting aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate entwine and continue on the palate surrounded by hints of cocoa powder. Nuances of red wine and residual sugar linger on the smooth finish.”  $8.97.