The Hedonistic Taster
Wines from California
by L.M. Archer | FWS, Bourgogne + Champagne Master Level
Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster.
This month features wines of California from Napa, Sonoma, Anderson Valley, and Cienega Valley.
Explore legends like Cliff Lede Vineyard luxury Cabernet Sauvignon, and Charles Krug premium Pinot Noir.
In addition, a slew of artisan winemakers share their rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Grenache Blanc, too.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Far Niente EnRoute Pinot Noir – Russian River “Les Pommiers”
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 60
Robe: Dense, dark red robe.
Nose: Plush red and black fruit (cherry, raspberry, blackberry), sous bois, slight baking spice back note.
Palate: Lush cherry, bramble berry, dark mineral attack carries through to a fulsome, velvet finish.
More about EnRoute Winery here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Charles Krug Pinot Noir – Carneros, Napa Valley
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.7 %
Suggested Retail: $ 28
Robe: Clear ruby robe.
Nose: Betterave, red cherry, vanilla notes.
Palate: Old world-style Pinot Noir from one of new-world Napa’s most historic wineries. Red cherry and raspberry predominate on the palate. Light body, luscious acids, well-integrated tannins, lilting finish. Excellent quality-to-value.
More about Charles Krug here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: La Crema Saralee’s Vineyard Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.5%
Link to Producer Specs here. *
Suggested Retail: $ 55
Robe: Dark ruby robe.
Nose: Red fruit, floral, earthy aromas.
Palate: Red cherry attack, red plum mid-palate, savory finish. (One of three examples of single-vineyard expressions of Sonoma terroir detailed in producer specs.*)
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: La Crema Shell Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir – Sonoma Coast
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $ 60
Robe: Dark ruby robe.
Nose: Brooding dark fruit, subtle spice, rich forest floor aromas.
Palate: Light body, balanced acids/tannins, excellent structure. Dark berry attack carries through mid-palate, elegant finish. (Second of three examples of single-vineyard expressions of Sonoma terroir detailed in producer specs*.)
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: La Crema Fog Veil Vineyards – Russian River Valley
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14.8%
Link to Producer Specs here. *
Suggested Retail: $ 65
Robe: Deep garnet robe.
Nose: Blackberry, cherry cola, raspberry aromas.
Palate: Light/medium body, silky tannins. Cinnamon, blackberry attack carries through mid-palate, savory finish. (Third of three examples of single-vineyard expressions of Sonoma terroir detailed in producer specs*.)
More about La Crema here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Paul Hobbs Wines – Crossbarn Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.1 %
Suggested Retail: $ 27
Robe: Pale lemon robe.
Nose: White flower, yellow fruit, citrus aromas.
Palate: Aromas carry through on the palate. Light body, acid-plus attack, mineral core mid-palate, lemon finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Paul Hobbs Wines – Crossbarn Sonoma Coast Rosé
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 12.5 %
Suggested Retail: $ 26
Robe: Soft pink hue.
Nose: Wild strawberry, white nectarine, white tea aromas.
Palate: White peach, tangelo, orange blossom, dried white flower tisane notes. Bright attack; balanced, mineral core mid-palate; textured, lingering finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Paul Hobbs Wines – Crossbarn Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.1%
Suggested Retail: $ 37
Robe: Dark garnet robe.
Nose: Fragrant peony, pungent red fruit aromas.
Palate: Red fruit, raspberry notes. Light body, excellent acid/tannins balance, sublime finish.
More about Paul Hobbs Crossbarn here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Ehlers Estate Sylvanie Rosé – St. Helena, Napa Valley
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 13.4 %
Suggested Retail: $ 32
Robe: Vivid coral hue.
Nose: Ripe melon and red berry aromas.
Palate: Fermentation in stainless steel yields vibrant acids and mineral on the attack. Time in once-used barrels soften to a luscious, textured, medium-body mid-palate. The wines continues shapeshifting to a silky, watermelon and wild strawberry finish. Winemaker Laura Diaz Muñoz’s deft touch imprints every aspect of this luxurious sip.
More about Ehler’s Estate here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Ram’s Gate Chardonnay – Sonoma Coast
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.2 %
Suggested Retail: $ 46
Robe: Bright straw robe.
Nose: Tangy sheep’s cheese rind, golden apple, green gage plum aromas.
Palate: Light yet textured body, solid structure. Leesy lemon and Macintosh apple attack, Red Delicious and Macintosh notes mid-palate, sapid finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Ram’s Gate Pinot Noir – Sonoma Coast
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.4 %
Suggested Retail: $ 48
Robe: Dark ruby robe.
Nose: Floral (marsh rose), bramble berry nose.
Palate: Red berry (raspberry) attack; cherry and bramble berry mid-palate. Light body, soft tannins, solid structure, discrete finish.
More about Ram’s Gate here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Lede Family Wines FEL Pinot Gris – Anderson Valley
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 13.9 %
Suggested Retail: $ 25
Robe: Pale lemon robe.
Nose: Pear, golden apple, nutmeg aromas.
Palate: Light/medium body. Meyer lemon, pear, golden apple, bright acid attack. White stone fruit, poached pear mid-palate, softly fading finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Lede Family Wines FEL Pinot Noir – Anderson Valley
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.2 %
Suggested Retail: $ 38
Robe: Dark ruby robe.
Nose: Dark red fruit, sous bois aromas.
Palate: Red fruit and vivid acid attack, blue fruit mid-palate, lingering cherry and raspberry finish. Well-integrated tannins, superb structure.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Cliff Lede Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon – Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.9 %
Suggested Retail: $ 78
Robe: Deep purple robe.
Nose: Spice box, tobacco, cedar, blue fruit, dark red fruit aromas.
Palate: Medium body, soft acids, plush tannins. Cinnamon, nutmeg attack melds to aromatic, well-balanced plum-centric mid-palate. Muted, supple finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Cliff Lede Vineyards Dancing Heart Cabernet Sauvignon – Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 15.2 %
Suggested Retail: $ 110
Robe: Deep garnet robe.
Nose: Floral, blue fruit, black cassis, cocoa, cedar aromas.
Palate: Surprisingly light-bodied. Red fruit dominates the attack; aromas carry through mid-palate to velvet finish.
More about Lede Family Wines here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Eden Rift Vineyards Estate Chardonnay – Cienega Valley
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.3 %
Suggested Retail: $ 42
Robe: Clear gold robe.
Nose: White flowers, citrus and vanilla aromas.
Palate: Medium bodied, acid-plus. Enticing lemon zest, mineral, sea breeze notes. Intriguing wine.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Eden Rift Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir – Cienega Valley
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.8%
Suggested Retail: $ 48
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Spice, cherry, cranberry, forest floor aromas.
Palate: Light body, bright acids, tannins-plus. Dark cherry attack, raspberry mid-palate, sous bois finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Eden Rift Vineyards Valliant Pinot Noir – Central Coast
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.2 %
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 25
Robe: Dark ruby robe.
Nose: Dark raspberry aromas.
Palate: Light body, well-balanced acids/tannins. Blackberry, raspberry, dark plum notes. High quality-to value-wine.
More about Eden Rift here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Suggested Retail: $ 22
Robe: Pale straw robe.
Nose: Stone fruit, quince, white floral aromas.
Palate: Light body, lovely balanced acids, texture from 8 months on lees. Stone fruit, quince, pear on the palate. Exceptional expression of this Rhône varietal from Napa Valley.
More The Hedonistic Taster here.
Copyrighted LM Archer. All Rights Reserved.