Tasting Notes Friday 5/17/13

NCWC HENDRY RANCH WINERY EVENT 5/17/13

HENDRY ALBARINO 2012
Softly floral and stone-fruit aromas. Creamy on the palate, with sour orange and lime on the finish. We love the bright fruit flavors and tingly acid as an aperitif, or with any fish or shellfish, including oysters on the half shell. 88 points Tobin Bros. $15.97 ($20 at the winery)

HENDRY CHARDONNAY 2010
Soft, floral aromas, creamy and tropical. Mouthfeel is soft, full and fruity, finishing with pronounced tangy green apple acidity. Beautifully integrated oak a nice counterpoint to the pretty fruit. One-third new French barrels contribute underlying spice characteristics. Balanced and smooth enough to be an exceptionally versatile food wine. A delicious partner to Manchego cheese, crab cakes, chicken and salmon. 89 points Tobin Bros. $23.97 ($30 at the winery)

HENDRY PINOT NOIR 2009
Soft red cherry with anise and tea notes on the nose. On the palate it displays nice balance and structure. The fruit is light and elegant; not a fruit bomb by any means. Still, it’s quite New World in style, showing clean, ripe fruit with minimal earth and mineral notes. The finish closes with grace and style. 88 points Jim Tobin. $26.97 ($33 at the winery)

HENDRY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008
Deep and dense in color. Complex aromas include deep berry and smoky notes of herbs and wood. With significant air, flavors of berry/currant and cocoa emerge on the expansive mid-palate. Firm tannins provide structure for 10-20 years of further age. Decanting recommended. Enjoy this wine near-term with a grilled rib-eye, scalloped potatoes and dark greens, or a fontina pizza with a drizzle of truffle oil. 91 points Wine Advocate. $43.97 ($55 at the winery)

HENDRY BLOCKS 7 & 22 ZINFANDEL 2010
Dense, dark color. Smoky, deep berry flavor, deep mid-palate. Bittersweet on the palate, with a dense, complex palate impression, held together by firm, fine-grained tannins. With slightly higher acid and lower tannins than Block 28, 7&22’s fruit lends itself to tomato-based Italian plates like goat cheese and eggplant lasagna, simple pastas, as well as just about anything on the barbecue. 90 points Jim Tobin. $19.97 ($35 at the winery)

HENDRY BLOCK 28 ZINFANDEL 2010
Complex, balanced palate. Deep berry , spice and pepper. Velvety mouthfeel develops with exposure to oxygen. Plenty of back-palate tannin, long finish. Block 28’s hallmark depth, complexity and firm tannic backbone make it a versatile pairing partner, especially nice with seared New Zealand lamb chops, osso bucco, braised short ribs—just about anything grilled, braised, or cooked in a wood-burning oven. 90 points Wine Enthusiast. $27.97 ($35 at the winery)

HENDRY MIKE & MOLLY ZINFANDEL 2010
Very ripe red and blue fruits on the nose, and the fruit forward approach continues on the palate. Full bodied, but with good balance and structure, this has firm tannins that frame the fruit and turn dry on the long, lingering finish. A very big Zin! 90 points Bill Tobin. $33.97 ($40 at the winery)