Peter Lehmann Layers Barossa

Peter Lehmann Layers Barossa

Region: Australia

Vintage: 2008

Price: $15.49 USD

Starting with the appearance and clarity this wine showed a very deep brown, velvety profile.  The wine also had great legs upon being swirled in the glass.  The nose was apparent and noticeable immediately from the pour.  Trickled with hints of pepper, plum, vanilla, and slight tannin my senses and palate couldn’t wait for the first tastes.     

The initially dry tastes offered by the wine, lead to open notes of leather, wood, dark fruits, and slight pepper.  The body of the wine was certainly juicy and full with a finish offering a semi-sweet but short experience.

My Layers Barossa by Peter Lehmann was a very enjoyable wine.  I enjoyed how the tastes tended to complement one another while maintaining a luscious full body mouth feel.  I did not pair this wine with food however would suggest a hefty meal for the pairing, maybe looking for something to compliment the tastes instead of contrast.  My verdict, buy, buy, buy, you’ll enjoy it.    

Overall I give this wine 5 corks out of 5.

~ Kyle Andrew

Valckenberg Riesling 2009

Valckenberg Riesling

Region: Germany

Vintage: 2009

Price: $11.99 USD

I apologize for not posting lately as my family has welcomed a recent addition, which has taken up lots of my time.  Yes, I’ve continued to drink wine over the past 4 months however have not been able too, until recently, devote my total focus to adjudicating a wine’s qualities fairly.  So lets get things going again with a nice sweet German Riesling.

Appearance and clarity of the Valckenberg Riesling were outstanding with the wine bearing a very clear yellow and somewhat greenish tint in the glass.  Aroma and bouquet were also extremely nice showing notes of honey, melon, and green apples that were easily detected and well defined.

The tasting notes held my palate to a sweet light bodied texture.  Apple, melon, and fruit were all the predominant flavors found in this Riesling.  Aftertaste was relatively long, lingering on the back of the mouth and throat.

My Valckenberg Riesling was an enjoyable, good quality wine.  I did not pair this wine with food however would suggest something light such as soups, salads, and or sandwiches.  Or you could take the route I did and pair it with a nice sunny day reading a great book in your favorite reading nook….perfect pairing! 

Overall I give this wine 4 ½ corks out of 5.

~ Kyle Andrew

Château Boutillot Bordeaux

Château Boutillot Bordeaux

Growing Area: France

Vintage: 2009

Price: $9.99 USD

Upon visual inspection the wine showed a deep dark purple color.  This Bordeaux had a very nice texture in the glass with long legs running smoothly around the bowl of the glass.    The nose on the wine was of wildflowers, vanilla, cherry, and blackberries.

Initial tastes showed very heavy, meaty notes that were immediately dry.  After settling I also noted red currant, vanilla, and black cheery notes on the palate.  Finish was soft and somewhat smoky. 

I did not pair this Bordeaux with a meal however as I sipped I felt that it may pair well with a Mexican/Southwest dish.

Overall I give this wine 2 ½ corks out of 5.  Not bad but not something to write home about either.

Kyle Andrew’s 2011 Great Eight

Kyle Andrew’s 2011 Great Eight

As we reflect back on a year of both good and bad experiences I would like to take a moment to give you my 2011 “Great Eight” list.  This is my personal top 8 favorite wines/champagnes.  In no way do I think these wines are the best on the market, however as with most people, I am only subjected to certain wines for purchase in my region (don’t have access to all wine).  So these are wines I was able to buy and found myself drinking frequently throughout 2011.  By the way…they are in no particular order, just eight spectacular wines.

 2009 Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Robert Eymael Mönchhof Estate Riesling

2009 Castillo de Monsera Granacha

 

2007 Kermit Lynch Selections Côtes du Rhône Cuvée Sélectionée

2007 Tintero Moscato D’Asti Sorí Gramella

2006 les traverses de Fontanés

Verdi Spumante

2009 Bald Peak Cabernet Sauvignon

I encourage everyone to give these eight a try as you look for new beginnings and experiences in 2012.  I want to wish all the readers on my wine blog a safe and Happy New Year.  Have a blessed 2012 and may your glass never be empty.

Cheers!

Elk Creek Kentucky Blue Riesling

Elk Creek Kentucky Blue Riesling

Growing Area: Kentucky

Vintage: 2010

Price: $11.99 USD

Produced from a smaller vineyard the Elk Creek Kentucky Blue Riesling was very light, almost white in its hue.  Scents gave way to sweet herbal, floral, fruit notes. 

Tastes had a very sweet beginning with melon, pineapple, and pear flavors that lead to a mineral semi sweet finish, which dissipated on the palate quickly. 

I paired the Elk Creek Kentucky Blue Riesling with the following meal:

Honey Breaded Chicken

String Green Beans

Sesame Seed Bread

Overall I give this wine 2 ½ corks out of 5.

Stay tuned as next week I reveal my "Great 8" wines of 2011.  It's very difficult to bring the vast amount of wonderful wines down to just 8 however I will be trying.  Happy Holidays!

A to Z Pinot Noir

A to Z Pinot Noir

Growing Area: Oregon

Vintage: 2009

Price: $19.99 USD

Upon visual inspection the A to Z Pinot Noir had a light violet red color that appeared pure and clear.  Aroma inspection showed the wine to have light creamy notes accompanied by smoky, vanilla, and wood aspects.

Initial tastes were a combination of bittersweet plum fruits.  Tastes for me tended to be somewhat muttled and ill defined.  The finish was a touch sour on the palate and lacked great complexity.

I paired the A to Z Pinot Noir with the following meal:

Baked Chicken Cordon Blue

Steamed White Rice

Broccoli

Overall I give this wine 2 corks out of 5.

Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon

Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon 

Growing Area: California  

Vintage: 2009

Price: $11.50 USD

Being one of California’s Cult wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has really become quite an enjoyable wine for me.  Upon being poured in the glass the Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon had a nicely pronounced dark purple color to it.

Aromas were graceful scents of blackberry, chocolate, and stone fruit.  Tastes showed a dry pepper/spice, black current, raspberry, that combined well with balanced tannins.  The long finish was a toasty faint jam that tended to linger on the palate well after drinking.  Complex and enjoyable. 

Although I did not directly pair this wine with a meal I would suggest partnering it with a heavy red meat dish or pork. 

Overall I give this wine 4 ½ corks out of 5.  Buy and drink now!