After my exceptional experience with Benziger Family Winery Merlot I knew I had found yet another reputable wine producer that I can afford to experiment with. I mean, if they can excel at something that, until recently, has been bland and boring in my book (note: I no longer feel this way about the right Merlots), then I knew I could trust them with my Sauvignon Blanc fate. And, again, Benziger, you’ve surpassed my expectations…
Along with Wente and Chateau Ste Michelle, Chateau St. Jean is another wine producer that has established itself as a regular in our cellar. I first fell in love with CSJ after tasting their standard Chardonnay — totally Cal-oaked to perfection — and I have to say I knew the love was real after tasting their Pinot Noir. Light and lively, there’s nothing serious about Chateau St. Jean’s Sonoma County Pinot Noir — it’s simply easy drinking for any night of the week.
I was on a mission the day I chose Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay. A mission to find a Chardonnay with a little bit of old-world funk to it. You know, that kind of “taste the farm from the fertilizer on up” kind of funk. It’s the same kind of craving you get for stinky cheese, truffle, or even rare meat. You know what I’m talking about. And if you don’t, well, grab a glass and pour a little Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay and experiment with me…
I had never heard of Sleeper Cellars before I received a generous shipment of wine samples from Last Bottle Wines, so I really didn’t know what to expect. Well, ok, I had some idea of what to expect — it’s a Russian River Pinot Noir, right? Right. But I have to say that Sleeper Cellars, whoever you are, you completely exceeded my expectations (which are quite high given the elegant Pinots that seem to burst from RRV).
After my mixed review of Apothic Inferno — a red blend aged 10 months in whiskey barrels, I became curious about this concept. I know it’s nothing new, per se, but it’s a something I don’t have a lot of tasting experience in. Knowing that there are a few, shall we say, well-established wine producers dabbling in this art, I thought I’d give it another go. And you can’t argue that Robert Mondavi is one of the most well-established California wineries to date.
So hold on to your horses, cowboys, Briscoe’s going Bourbon Barrel bobbing…
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