Cellar Notes

Al Spoler and Hugh Sisson host Cellar Notes

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4/10/13 - Cellar Notes - Calstar Cellars of Sonoma

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(Note:  Calstar Cellars is represented by RSVP Wines.  If you want to try some, ask your wine merchant to contact RSVP who will custom order it for you.)

Calstar Cellars  Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley 2011 **
(Big, plump fruity SB)

Calstar Cellars Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2009 **
(Classic California Chard)

Calstar Cellars Chardonnay Cuvee Ann, Sonoma 2010 ** 1/2
(Recalls Puligny-Montrachet with its acid and mineral fruit)

Calstar Cellars Chardonnay, Sangiacomo, Sonoma 2009 **1/2
(Big, refined chard with very moderate oak)

Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2009 **
(A warm, full-flavored Pinot with lots of flavor interest)

Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo, Sonoma 2010 * 1/2
(Light, graceful Pinot)

Calstar Cellars Pinot Noir, Londer Estate, Anderson Valley 2009 ***
(A very fine Pinot, with vibrant fruit, deep complexity)

Calstar Cellars Alta Zin, Cardanni Vineyards, El Dorado County 2008 ***
(A soaring zin built on medium-full lines, with a ton of flavor)

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4/3/13 - Cellar Notes - Deloach Vineyards, Russian River Valley

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Deloach Pinot Noir, RRV '11**1/2 
(Fabulous California Pinot Noir bargain)

Deloach Chardonnay, RRV '11 ** 
(Firm, well structured, tasty)

Deloach Cabernet Sauvignon "Heritage Reserve" California, '11
(Good basic cab that hits all the right notes)

Deloach Zinfandel "Heritage Reserve", California '11
(Good basic zin blend)

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3/27/13 - Cellar Notes - Zinfandels for Beginners

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Campus Oaks Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi 2009 * 1/2 
(Easy to understand zin)

Frey Zinfandel "Organic Wine", Mendocino 2011 *
(Light, simple zin with good flavor)

Klinker Brick Winery Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi 2010 ** 
(Refined, concentrated, more interesting)

Bogel "Phantom" Red Blend, California 2009  **
(A big, brawny well made blend)

Spann "Mo Zin", California 2009 **
(Crowd-pleasing, flavorful red with lots of life)

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3/20/13 - Cellar Notes - Acorn

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Acorn Cabernet Franc, Alegria Vineyard., Russian River Valley '08 ** 1/2
(Single vyd. field blend)

Acorn Axiom Syrah, Alegria Vineyard., Russian River Valley '08 ** 1/2
(Big, rich with a touch of viognier)

Acorn Sangiovese, Alegria Vineyard, Russian River Valley '09 **
(Good California take on Chianti)

Acorn Zinfandel, Alegria Vineyard, Russian River Valley, '10 ***
(The king of their field blends, great zin)

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3/13/13 - Cellar Notes - Wente Clones

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Entwine Merlot, California 2009 *1/2
(Everyday Merlot with a touch of class)

Entwine Pinot Grigio, California 2010 *
(Smooth, creamy and versatile)

Murietta's Well, The Spur Red Wine, Livermore 2010 * 
(Big, brawny, tannic, informal)

Murietta's Well, The Whip, White Blend2011 * 1/2
(Tasty and complex, good value)

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3/6/13 - Cellar Notes - Wente Revisited

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Wente Chardonnay "Morning Fog", Livermore 2010
(Great Chard value)

Wente "Sandstone" Merlot, Livermore 2009 *
(Easy drinking, everyday merlot)

Wente "Southern Hills" Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore 2010 *1/2 
(Straightforward, casual cab)

Wente "Riverside" Riesling, Arroyo Secco, Monterey 2011 **
(Based on a Rhinegau Spatlese style Riesling)

Wente "Louis Mel" Sauvignon Blanc, Livermore 2010 *
(Crisp, light, Meyer Lemons)

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2/27/13 - Cellar Notes - Oregon Revisited

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Soter Vineyards Pinot Noir, Soter Vineyards, Willamette Valley 2009 **
(a pretty, lighter pinot noir made by a master)

Ken Wright Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2010 **
(entry level pinot assembled by the great Ken Wright)

Artisinal Wine Cellars Viognier, Oregon 2010 **1/2
(A very pleasing viognier with depth and balance)

St. Innocent Chardonnay, Dijon Clone, Freedom Hill, Willamette Valley '10 **
(taut yet fleshy chardonnay with good minerality and acidity)

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2/20/13 - Cellar Notes - L'Amore di Vino Italian Wines

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(Note:  these may be a little hard to find, so do not hesitate to ask your wine merchant to contact L'Amore di Vino at 410-285-1040 and place an order for you.)

Clara C. Prosecco "Fiori di Prosecco"  Extra Dry, NV ***
(a hand-made Prosecco with class and detail)

Rigo Chardonnay, DOC Langhe, 2011 * (a nice tasting oddity)                                                                                                                                      

Terre Monte Schiavo, Verdicchio, Pallio de San Floriano, Marches '10 **1/2
(a dense, intense Verdicchio, buy a case Al loved it)

Terre Monte Schiavo "Sassaiolo" Rosso Piceno '09 **1/2
(tastes like Shiraz as interpreted by Northern Italian winemaker)

Cignozza Chianti '09 **
(classic everyday Chianti, delicious with cured meats)

Montiverdi Ventesimo Chinati Classico, Riserva '07 ***
(A Chianti patriarch, refined, complex, mature)

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2/13/13 - Cellar Notes - Odds and Ends

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Landmark Chardonnay, Overlook, Sonoma County 2010 ** 1/2
(One of the most reliable chards on the market)

Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Napa, 2009 **1/2
(A dense, powerful cab with surprising finesse)

Centenaire Cote Du Rhone Villages, Cuvee Centenaire 2009 **
(great example of one of the best value regions in the world)

Conundrum White Blend, California 2010 **
(Year in, year out, a great white, easy to enjoy, reliable)

Comb Vodka and Gin
(made from honey!)

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2/6/13 - Cellar Notes - Cameron Hughes, Negotiant Extrordinaire

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Cameron Hughes  Gran Riserva Tempranillo, Lot 263, Ribero Del Duero '02**1/2
(fine grained tannis and cassis notes recall Bordeaux)   

Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot 336, Rutherford '10 ** 1/2
(A very good price for textbook Napa cab)

Cameron Hughes Zinfandel, Lot 301, Lodi '10 **1/2
(Big lush and juicy, a good bargain)

Cameron Hughes Chardonnay, Lot 334, Napa '10 **
(Restrained, but deep, a nice chard)

Cameron Hughes Torrontes, Lot 305, La Rioja Argentina, '11 **
(Exotic, lean flavors for everyday drinking)

Cameron Hughes Moscato d'Asti, Lot 319, Sori Italy '11 **
(A gently bubbly treat)

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