Winebork.Com - Shopping Crib Sheet

Teldeschi  2005  Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, Page Vineyard	91	B / $40.00
Tasting recently through a number of Teldeschi reds dating back to 1999, I found virutally all to be highly extracted and idiosyncratic, but also painfully, over-the-top tannic. One of the major exceptions was this 2005 Cabernet from Alexander Valley, which, while certainly extremely tannic, was also extremely rich, multifaceted, and balanced for the long haul. Wonderful, ripe, chewy, mouth-filling texture (though you'd better drink this one with food at this point!). Complex aromas and flavors displaying black currant, dark berry, and lovely eucalyptus notes. This is one of the Teldeschi's that is drinkable now in an in-your-face manner, and that I think could be truly superb in about three or four more years. - HK : 2012-02-03
Novy Cellars  2009  Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands	88	B / $20.00
This excellent young Syrah came across in this tasting as still fairly unexpressive and closed. The raw materials are clearly there, though - deep inky color, rich texture, peppery dark berry fruit, complex savory components of lavender, eucalyptus, dried herbs. By itself it's currently fairly tannic and dry in the finish, but we'll revisit in a couple of years when it will unquestionably be more outgoing. - HK : 2012-02-02
Cuvee du Vatican  2001  Chateauneuf du Pape	83	B- / $12.99
I got a case of this wine 6 or 8 years ago and, at least in its youth, found it an attractive value with good depth and clean dark currant and berry fruit. Unfortunately, every time I've tasted this wine since, it has performed worse. In the lastest tastings it has not seemed over the hill, but its flavor profile - dusty, extremely earthy and with cherry/dark fig fruit along with a big dose of cedar - is simply not in my comfort zone. - HK : 2012-02-01
Ridge Vineyards  2003  Zinfandel Dusi Ranch, Late Picked	89	B / $30.00
I'm not a big fan of late-harvest Zinfandels, but I have to say that I've had a number of these late-picked Zins from Ridge (all due to the generosity of our good friend B. Perkins) which have been absolutely excellent. These are not so overloaded with sugar as to be heavy or clumsy, though at the same time they're slightly too sweet to serve with a regular meal. With chocolate, though, they are a delight. The 2003 Dusi Late-Picked is loaded with almost liqueur-like plum, dark cherry, and prune fruit, as well as spicy oak nuances. At age 9 it's silky and smooth, but fresh and not remotely over the hill. I still prefer the regular Ridge Zins, but this one is hard to resist. [Price estimated.] - HK : 2012-01-31
Matrix  2009  Chardonnay Stuhlmuller Vineyard	90	B / $36.00
Delightfully rich in an almost old-school Caifornia way, but braced with a refreshing level of acidity. Full-flavored, displaying lots of tropical fruit, vanilla, caramel, spice, and citrus notes. Nice viscosity in the mouth and finish. Not a profound wine but very satisfying. - HK : 2012-01-16
Novy Cellars  2008  Syrah Page-Nord Vineyard	90	A / $14.00
Rich, spicy, positively delicious Syrah. Dark cherry and wild dark berry fruit is complemented by attractive spicy, meaty, and very smokey nuances (almost like a smoldering oak log). The ripeness, length, and viscosity of this wine are making it drink exceptionally well even in its youth. [This wine was bought during a super sale at the winery.] - HK : 2012-01-15
Old World Winery  2010  Sauvignon Blanc Lake County, Elk Mountain Vineyard	87	B+ / $16.00
This Sauvignon Blanc opens with lovely Chenin Blanc-like honeyed stone fruit aromas with a touch of leesiness. In the mouth the wine is crisp and has more of the expected herbal/grassy Sauvignon notes. Clean, pure, tasty white at an attractive price. (Price estimated.) - HK : 2012-01-08
Papapietro Perry  2008  Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast	90	C / $46.00
Succulent, pure Pinot from a single "unnamed" Petaluma Gap vineyard. Lovely Pinot nose highlighted by resin-tinged black cherry fruit and subtle spiciness. Round, full, yet silky in the mouth. Long and elegant. Pricey, but a delight to drink, start to finish. - HK : 2012-01-07
Calera  2009  Pinot Noir Central Coast	89	B+ / $19.99
A beautiful, full, silky-smooth Pinot Noir, utilizing grapes from four different central coast counties. Straight-ahead Pinot flavors with excellent purity and length, especially for the price. Cherry-laced fruit with a nice dose of dried and a resiny, minty edge. It would be hard to find a Pinot this good at anywhere near this price. - HK : 2011-12-29
Martinelli  2007  Chardonnay Martinelli Road	92	B / $48.00
Big, youthful Chardonnay that's starting to show its quality but will continue to develop for several more years. Pure, balanced, precise feel to all its components. Complex, long aromas and flavors highlighted by peach, pear, and citrus fruits touched with vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, and mineral water. Very clean and refreshing in the mouth, not oily or heavy in any way. I'm going to try to save my last bottle of this great wine for about 2014, but don't know if I can hold out that long. - HK : 2011-12-24
Russian Hill  2008  Chardonnay Gail Ann's Vineyard	89	B / $32.00
This non-malolactic Chardonnay is made 50% in steel, 50% in oak, and I sometimes have found previous vintages almost too tart and austere. But the 2009 has all the expected crispness and an extra dose of both depth and fruit. Nose and flavors of lemon peel, vanilla, sweet straw. Great feeling of purity and ripeness in the mouth. Reminded me, strangely, of a really good Savenierres from the Loire Valley, despite the fact it's made from a completely different varietal. My favority Gail Ann's Chardonnay to date. - HK : 2011-12-10
Taft Street  2008  Pinot Noir Sonoma County	86	C+ / $12.00
Totally respectable Pinot at a bargain-basement price. Good Pinot varietal character. Earthy cherry, dried flowers, charcoal, cola aromas and flavors. Not especially deep and long, but an extremely good everyday wine. - HK : 2011-12-06
Longboard Vineyards  2005  Syrah Russian River	88	B / $28.00
Dark, inky purple color. Tight, youthful structure. When first opened, produced complex though reticent nose and flavors of dark berry, currants, dried cherries, coffee, bitter chocolate, violets. After a day, the wine had evolved and softened greatly, adding ripe blueberry fruit to the mix - a good sign that this wine has some years left. At this point, some slight bitterness in the tannins. In the mouth and finish, it has a Northern Rhone feel of austerity and style. Virile Syrah that needs a few more years to soften fully. - HK : 2011-12-03
Old World Winery  NV  Juggernaut	88	B+ / $20.00
Spiffy one-liter, refillable bottle at a great price. The wine is delightfully full-flavored and fruit-forward, with rich blueberry and blackberry fruit and a nice touch of spice. This is not "jug wine" in any sense, but a straightforward, simple-to-love blend of excellent barrel-aged wines that's balanced and full of charm. I assume each refill will be different, but if they're all as good as this one, it's something to look forward to. - HK : 2011-11-28
Freestone Vineyards  2008  Pinot Noir "Fogdog"	88	B / $28.00
The Freestone "Fogdog" Pinot's are less rich and complex than the outstanding "Freestone" or single-vineyard Pinot's, but are generally brighter, fruitier, less structured, and almost ready to drink on release. The 2008 Fogdog is a delightful, energetic Pinot highlighted by pomegranate, cranberry, and cherry fruit along with a darker, smokey core. Very clean and easy to drink; the fruit and acid in the wine stood up perfectly to a 2011 Thanksgiving dinner with a multitude of flavors and spices. Well priced for a Pinot of this quality. (Price indicated is the club price; retail would be 10% - 20% higher.) - HK : 2011-11-25
Robert Mondavi Winery  2007  Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley	87	B / $19.99
I think there are some great raw materials here - deep, saturated purple color, nice feeling of ripeness and balance. But at this point (late 2011) the wine is relatively closed and unexpressive and may simply be a year or two away from blossoming - not as impressive at this stage as the 2005 was. Nice cassis fruit flavors with attractive notes of tobacco and dried sage. Well balanced in the mouth, and well-structured for age with round, though still somewhat dry tannins. This wine will be revisted in a couple of years, but for now lots of promise but not a lot of charm. - HK : 2011-11-20
Stryker  2008  Zinfandel Patty's Patch	87	B- / $28.00
Attractive, earthy nose of ripe plum/prune, dark cherry, and dark currant fruit along with distint hints of barbecue smoke and spice. In the mouth, rich in feel but relatively soft and unstructured. A bit more focus would give this wine a higher points ranking, thought it's a most pleasant and drinkable Zin. - HK : 2011-11-14
Russian Hill  2005  Syrah Ellen's Block	90	B+ / $25.00
Russian Hill makes excellent, cool-climate Syrahs that age beautifully. The 2005 ELlen's block is just entering its prime. From a vineyard just adjacent to the winery, this deep purple wine exhibits great focus and youthful energy. Nose and flavors of earthy black raspberry, dark currants, black cherry, roast beef, and licorice. Ripe and full in the mouth, still quite primary. Lots of tannin and structure, but without bitterness. Years of positive development to come. - HK : 2011-11-12
Freestone Vineyards  2009  Chardonnay "Ovation"	89	C / $36.00
At this young age, much crisper and much less oily than the 2007 vintage. Clean, precise feel, slight leesy undercurrent to the tart apple, lime zest, lemon drop, and subtly spicy flavors. Good length. I suspect this wine will soften and broaden with another year or so in the bottle. - HK : 2011-11-10