Check out this very cool article by Lettie Teague from the Wall Street Journal with some insight and quotes from the Westchester Wine Guy (aka Marshall Tilden III)! While wine and wine storage are always the top priorities, during the holiday season the wine accessory business is huge, especially for the industry giant that is Wine Enthusiast. So if you are looking for some gift ideas for the holidays, or just a good read, click on the link below. Cheers!
Everything Wine
Duckhorn offers something for everyone’s taste and budget!
While the movie Sideways rejuvenated the wine world about 7 years ago, there was one mild casualty…Merlot. It suffered a damaging blow that it may never fully recover from in the US. Miles’s drunken and aggressive proclamation that he will not drink any f*&#in’ Merlot was heard around the country and taken to heart. However the sentiment has started to change over the last few years and Americans are beginning to embrace one of the more prolific grapes utilized in almost all the US wine producing regions. Of all the Merlot that is out there, no one does it consistently better vintage after vintage than Duckhorn Vineyards.
While Duckhorn is most recognizable for its Merlot, it’s their Cabernet Sauvignon that has been gaining some stature over the past several vintages, and for good reason. The 2005 Estate Napa Cab was one of my favorite wines from that entire vintage and the 2007 Napa Cab just received 95 points from Wine Enthusiast. Not that professional ratings mean everything… but that is a big freakin’ score! Even more impressive to me was the 2008 vintage I just had the pleasure of sampling. Truly a well rounded and wonderful wine to drink now, or to lay down in your cellar to age for a few years.
Granted, these Duckhorn Cabs and Merlots are not cheap. So if you are looking to enjoy some of their juice on a more affordable level, then the Decoy line of wines may be up your alley. These are a little bit more approachable (meaning they are ready to drink without aging and are typically fruit forward) and are available in Cabernet, Merlot, Zinfandel and the original Decoy Red Blend (my personal favorite). All of these Decoy wines will be around $20 or less and offer tremendous value as they are made in a similar style as Duckhorn’s higher end wines.
For the Pinot lovers, Duckhorn’s Goldeneye Vineyards are producing some of the best Pinots to come out of the Anderson Valley. Goldeneye Pinot comes from four different vineyards and offers premium wines with the quality, accolades and unfortunately the price tag to back it up. And for all the ZinHeads, don’t overlook the Paraduxx Red Blend. This big and spicy Zin based Napa blend has a healthy dose of Cab added and is a cult favorite in certain circles. For a moderately priced Napa red, this wine can hold up to some of the top tier Zins that cost twice the price…and makes for a great steakhouse wine!
Here’s the bottom line: when you have a hankering for some quality CA juice and are looking to spend $20, $100 or somewhere in between, Duckhorn has all the bases covered. Their style is consistent and recognizable throughout their various vineyards and vintages, which allows Duckhorn fans to purchase these wines with a high degree of confidence that they will be pleased with their selection. Lastly, Duckhorn has always been, and continues to be, a high class organization and a staple in the Napa Valley. So if you find yourself in that neck of the woods, be sure to head over there for a visit and tasting… just tell ’em the Westchester Wine Guy sent ya 😉
Thanksgiving Wine Selections!
It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but that is indeed the case. There’s a lot of hype out there on what wines you should serve with your Thanksgiving meal. Some wine retailers will use this as an excuse to move some wines that have been sitting around too long in their inventory or as an opportunity to make a “profound” statement on how some obscure varietal makes the best pairing with your turkey. WWG is here to give it to you straight about what wines to load up on for Thanksgiving.
First things first, if you’re going to serve white wine it really should be Riesling. I know all the Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc fans are rolling their eyes right now, but it’s the truth. Nothing lends itself to the flavors and texture of a bird the way Riesling does. Just because its Riesling doesn’t mean it has to be sweet. Look for any German Riesling from the Mosel area with the term trocken (meaning dry) on the label to avoid the sweet stuff. Riesling also works wonderfully for all the pre game appetizers before the feast begins. Below are my 2 choices, one as the value pick and the other for the big spenders.
Value (Under $15) – 2010 Pacific Rim Riesling Columbia Valley,WA– #1 Wine Enthusiast Best Buy of the Year… can find it under $10 at certain locations.
Top Choice – 2009 J.J. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese – With the grapes picked a little later in the season, this will be mildly sweet and extremely food friendly. Should run around $35-40.
The two types of red wine I would recommend serving on Thanksgiving are Pinot Noir and Zinfandel…NOT the pink stuff. Pinot always makes a fantastic accompaniment to any poultry dish, with turkey possibly being its most desirable mate. The cherry fruit and acidic backbone allow the food to take center stage while accentuating all the spices and nuances. If you are going all red for the day, you may want to serve the Pinot with the apps and move on to the bigger Zins for the main course. Check out my 2 picks below.
Value (Under $15) – 2009 Castle Rock Pinot Noir Mendocino County, CA – 2009 was an epic vintage in all of CA for Pinot…tough to beat this one for the price.
Top Choice – 2009 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir Reserve Russian River Valley, CA – Rodney Strong is one of my favorite Vineyards in all of CA, and this is one of the best efforts they have put out… EVER!! Available for around $35 and worth every penny.
Last but certainly not least is the classic Thanksgiving pairing… Zinfandel. All you ZinHeads out there already know this, but the berry fruit and spice of Zin allow all the wonderful flavors of your juicy bird, mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing and all the trimmings to gain complexity and intensity over the course of the meal. The great part about Zin is there are A LOT of quality options out there for around $15-20. Just make sure it is from Dry Creek, Napa, Amador or Lodi and it’s hard to go wrong. Top picks are:
Value (Under $15) – 2007 Terra D’Oro Zinfandel Amador, CA – Black fruit, chocolate and gripping yet smooth tannins make this my favorite value Zin of the Year!
Top Choice – The Prisoner by Orin Swift (Any Vintage) Napa Valley, CA– Year in and year out this Zinfandel blend never disappoints. With a good amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah and a couple of other varietals blended in, it combines power and finesse. Just be sure to let it breathe about an hour before serving. It’s widely available anywhere from $27-35.
My final comment is this: If you don’t like Riesling, Pinot Noir or Zinfandel then you should ignore this entire post. Thanksgiving is a holiday to be shared with loved ones, to give thanks for all that you have and to enjoy a hearty (possibly hedonistic) meal. So drink whatever makes you happy alongside that overstuffed bird and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Check out the Latest Product Videos for Wine Enthusiast featuring WWG!
For your viewing pleasure 😉
Top 20 for $20!
Have you ever been in that situation where you want to drink something a little better than your everyday wine, but don’t feel like breaking out that big gun, high priced vino? So how do you find those solid mid level wines? The trick is when reaching for that $15-20 bottle of wine to select one that tastes like a $50 bottle and not like a $10 bottle… which many of them can!
With that in mind I have compiled a short list of 10 reds and 10 whites that fall into this category and are readily available. Meaning that at most retail wine shops you should find these for around $15-20 and if you see them on a wine list for around $30-40 then you have found yourself a great deal!
REDS
Rodney Strong 2008 Cabernet, AlexanderValley(Possibly my favorite of all!)
Bertani Secco-Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso 2008
Gloria Ferrer 2007 Pinot Noir, Carneros
Columbia Crest 2008 Horse Haven Hills Merlot (Can find this under $15!)
Poggio al Tesoro Mediterra 2008
Beringer 2007 Cabernet, KnightsValley
Terra D’Oro 2007 Zinfandel, Amador
Saint Cosme 2010 Côtes du Rhône
Catena Zapata 2008 Malbec, Mendoza
Torbreck 2009 “Woodcutter’s”Shiraz,BarossaValley
WHITES/SPARKLING
Freemark Abbey 2009 Chardonnay, NapaValley
St. Supery 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, NapaValley
King Estate 2010 Pinot Gris, WilliametteValley
Chateau St. Michelle 2009 Eroica Riesling, ColumbiaValley
Taittinger Domaine Carneros 2007 Brut Sparkling, Carneros
Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuisse2009
Conundrum 2009 White Wine Blend, California
Millbrook 2010Tocai Friulano, Hudson Valley NY
Feudo di San Gregorio 2009 Falanghina, Southern Italy
Whitehaven 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough NZ
If I missed your favorite $15-20 bottle of wine feel free to leave a comment and let us all know what it is… Cheers!
When is a Wine Ready to Open?
This past weekend I was at a birthday party for my friend’s oldest daughter. Along with the games, bouncy houses, controlled mayhem, presents and cake was of course… some good wine! Someone bought over a perennial favorite of mine, The Prisoner. This is a BIG Napa Zinfandel blend from Orin Swift that has a large cult following as it is not super expensive but packs a big punch.
It was the 2009 vintage, so it was still a little young but we decided to open it anyway. After we tasted it, my buddy who bought it over looked at me with an expression of confused disappointment and said “I don’t think this is that great?!”… and he was right. It had a good amount of fruit and a bit of spice, but that was about it. The Prisoner runs around $25-30, but at that point it tasted more like a $10-15 bottle of wine. It wasn’t bad, it was just sort of…there. The reason for this is quite simple; it needed more time.
So how are you supposed to know when a bottle is ready to drink? They say that only about 5% of wine in the world is actually meant to age. I find that number a little low, as it includes all the local international wines that never make it into the US. I would say of the wine the average US consumer purchases that number is closer to 10-15%. Still not a huge percentage, so most wines that you buy can be opened up right away and they will be ready to rock. But how do you determine what falls into the 10-15% that need aging, and how long do you age them?
The truth is there is no real rule of thumb as there are numerous factors that go into equation including region, varietal, time in oak, vintage, alcohol levels, etc. It also depends on your palate and how you enjoy your wines. If you like your wines with the fruit front and center, than you may not want to age your wines too long. Time tends to let the wine mellow out and allows the subtle complexities to emerge. But if you are an old world wine kind of guy or gal, then you will need to let most of your wines age a bit longer so the secondary characteristics from the oak and terroir (fancy name for soil, earth and everything involved with it) can evolve and bring balance to the fruit, alcohol and tannins.
So as a simple guideline, here is what I would recommend. First off, reds need more time to age than whites, with most whites not needing any. Secondly, expensive wines need at least a couple of years of aging, probably more. Not because they are necessarily better wines, but if they have a high price tag on them they will probably be pretty tight and wound up in their youth… this is especially true of California reds. High end, cult Napa Cabs could use minimally 3-5 years and can age much longer while Pinots, Zins, Syrahs, etc. could be opened a little younger.
Quality European wines need a relatively long time to age as well. This is because they are typically not as fruit driven as California wine, so it’s all the complexities that make those wines delicious. Unfortunately, they take time to develop which is why the top Italian and French wines can age 5-10 years before they are truly ready to be enjoyed. Again, if you are looking for the fruit, forget about aging and open ‘em up! The worst thing that can happen is the wine may be a little more simplistic than you anticipated.
My final thoughts… When aging your wines, be sure to have them in somewhat of a temperature controlled environment. Ideally you want them at 55 degrees and 55-75% humidity or as close to that as possible. Which means leaving your good bottles above your hot stove for 5 years is more like cooking your wine than letting it age. Lastly, be sure to give your wines time to breathe. If you open up a bottle and feel like it should be a hell of a lot better than it is, leave it alone for a while or better yet decant it. If it is a well made wine it will get significantly better with some aeration. Remember… patience is a virtue.
The Perils of The Summer Wine Purchase
Even though summer is starting to wind down, you wouldn’t know it with the never-ending heat and humidity spikes we have experienced here in the Northeast. The warm weather not only brings to mind ways to keep your wines stored properly in your home, but how they are being stored and shipped when making a purchase. After all, the wine has probably seen a bit of travel and storage before it even makes it to your front door.
The first thing you want to check out is the vintage on the wine you are purchasing. Many times retail wine shops will have blow out sales on older vintages that are on their last legs. It doesn’t necessarily mean the wine is shot, but it is something to inquire about before making the purchase.
See if your retailer recently purchased the wine, and if so was it sitting in a temperature controlled environment at a winery or distributor? Or was it just found out in a shed somewhere left for dead. You also want to see if that retailer will take the wine back if it has turned… after all why should you pay for wine if you get vinegar?!
You also want to check into the storage facility situation of your wine purveyor. A lot of retailers may purchase large amounts of wine so they can offer their customers a super discounted price. That is all well and good, however if they are in over their heads and have all the inventory sitting in their warm storage room over the summer you may be in for a disappointment when you open that bottle.
If you are a new world wine consumer and purchase most of your wine online, then a big aspect to be wary of is shipping methods. A few of the biggest transportation issues include using thin and flimsy cardboard (I know Styrofoam is terrible for the environment but it is fantastic for insulation), shipping ground when the delivery will be more than 2-3 days (always look into expedited shipping options), and not holding up shipments during the extreme heat spikes. Some companies will even put cold gel packs in the shipping cases… now that’s cool!
The moral of the story is this; don’t be afraid to ask before you buy. Wine is a delicate, living and breathing thing in which movement, vibration and large temperature fluctuations can wreak havoc. So the same way you would grill a car dealer before pulling the trigger on a new car purchase, you may want to do the same the next time you buy some vino. This can help ensure you achieve maximum enjoyment from your next glass of wine. Cheers!
Westchester Wine Guy’s Guide to Wine Country
I recently returned from my third trip to the Napa/Sonoma region of California, and each time I go it gets harder and harder to come back. As a New Yorker, it is such a treat to experience the warmth, hospitality, landscape and fantastic wines that are inherent in the culture of Wine Country. This last trip was extra special as my wife and I brought our son for the first time. While he decided not to partake in the tastings, he really seemed to enjoy running through the vineyards and charming the ladies in the tasting rooms.
Upon returning from this excursion, I have gotten a pretty good handle on the places I really enjoy and what spots I make a priority to get to each time. So if you are planning a trip out West anytime soon (which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND), below are some wineries, restaurants and lodging accommodations not to be missed.
NAPA
WINERIES AND VINEYARDS:
PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS: Not only does Pride offer one of the best views of Mount St. Helena, but they are producing some of the best Cabs and Merlots around. Just be careful getting up the mountain, as it is steep and can get a little hairy.
RUBICON ESTATE: This Francis Ford Coppola owned winery is a treat for all the senses. Gorgeous landscaping both inside and out (including a mini museum of Coppola’s movie paraphernalia), a restaurant inside to grab a bite, and a stellar array of reds makes this one a must see.
ARTESA/DOMAINE CARNEROS: I am grouping these together as they are a few minutes away from one another in Carneros. Artesa’s grounds are loaded with fountains and picturesque views to go along with a beautifully decorated tasting room…. Oh, and some pretty kick ass wines as well. Domaine Carneros offers an awesome bubbly experience. You can relax outside, enjoy the vineyard views while sipping on some tasty bubbles, or take the Art of Sparkling Wine Tour which is one of the better tours around.
ROBERT MONDAVI VINEYARDS: You have to see it once just for the historical importance as none of Napa would be what it is without Mondavi’s vision and… well… balls! Plus the Reserve Room pours some pretty incredible back vintage Cabs.
RESTAURANTS
MUSTARDS GRILL: This place is legendary for offering the freshest local fare (the farm is right outside the restaurant) and having a wine list that may take the whole night to get through. Fun, kid friendly and pretty reasonable.
BRIX: Just down the road from Mustards in Yountville, Brix offers a bit of an upscale feel and has a beautiful outside dining area with a full vineyard view. Great wine prices as well!
LODGING
THE OLEANDER HOUSE: Located in the heart of Yountville (in fact walking distance to Mustards), this five room French Country Inn has it all. Cozy and comfortable rooms, a gracious host who cooks up a hell of a breakfast and a hot tub for that much needed post tasting relaxation.
WESTIN VERASA: This top notch hotel is right across from the Wine Train in Downtown Napa. It has a pool, a couple of really nice dining options and beautiful rooms. If you are traveling with your family, some of the rooms even have a full kitchen if you would rather not eat out every night.
SONOMA
WINERIES AND VINEYARDS
MOSHIN VINEYARDS: If you are in the Healdsburg area, you must take the quick drive to the Russian River Valley and visit Moshin. Named after owner, winemaker and overall genius Rick Moshin, here you will experience some of the BEST Pinot in all of California. And if you are lucky enough to catch him on the right day, Rick may even give you a private tour of his gravity flow winery… all impressive stuff!
ZICHICHI VINEYARDS: An ex-surgeon from New Orleans, Steve Zichichi up and moved his family after Hurricane Katrina to fulfill his dreams of making wine and owning a vineyard. Let’s just say he has overachieved… BIG TIME! His Zins and Petite Sirahs are out of this world and made in very limited quantities. So the only way to taste or buy them may be to make the trip to his Dry Creek Winery, a worthwhile trip indeed.
CHATEAU ST. JEAN: There are few experiences in all of Wine Country better than tasting on the outdoor patio area of Chateau St. Jean. Looking upon the mountainous surrounding terrain and sampling some of the best Chards and Cabs produced in Sonoma quite simply… doesn’t suck.
SBRAGIA FAMILY VINEYARDS: Ed Sbragia is an icon and legend in Napa, having been head winemaker for Beringer for the last 30+ years. He has now taken his talents to Sonoma and is producing some delectable Cabs, Zins, Merlots, Chards and Sauvignon Blancs under his latest project. His son Adam is involved with the wine making, and they have one of the best views in Sonoma overlooking the Russian River and Dry Creek Valleys. You may even get to do some tasting with the man himself if he is around, and he couldn’t be more humble or gracious about himself or his wines.
RESTAURANTS
THE GIRL AND THE FIG: You can find this quaint little bistro situated right in the town of Sonoma . A fun and energetic atmosphere is only topped by the freshest of fruits, vegetables and herbs making for quite the dining experience.
ZIN: Healdsburg Square is a lively area filled with tasting rooms, restaurants and fun shopping venues. For all the ZinHeads out there, Zin is the restaurant for you! With a diverse, yet succinct, menu including a handful of different meat and poultry options, there is something for everyone. Plus the Zin selection and prices on the wine list are phenomenal…sometimes cheaper than buying them at the winery!
LODGING
THE HAYDON STREET INN: John and Keren will make you feel right at home with their lovely décor, charm, unbelievably delicious breakfasts and hospitality. Plus at 6:00 every night they offer a Wine Happy Hour in the garden sometimes featuring John’s homemade brick oven pizza and occasionally hosted by a local winery. No reason to stay anywhere else if you are in Healdsburg as it is a 5 minute walk to the square!
If you have any “can’t miss” destinations to hit in Wine Country that I have not mentioned, feel free to add a comment and let everyone know about it! And if you have yet to visit the Napa/Sonoma area, put it at the top of your list… you won’t regret it. Cheers!
WWG Latest Tasting Video for Cornerstone Cab!
Check out the link below to catch my latest tasting video for The Winery Club with Erika Strum (@strumerika on Twitter) featuring the 2005 Cornerstone Napa Cab. There’s also a pretty aggressive deal on a vertical of their delicious Cabs (2005-2007) that probably won’t be around for long. Enjoy!
Top 10 Father’s Day Wines!
So what makes a wine a “Father’s Day” wine? It’s pretty simple really. If it is a big, bruising, testosterone driven wine… it’s a Father’s Day wine. If it can be enjoyed with a huge cut of bloody red meat or massive amounts of BBQ and smoked beef… it’s a Father’s Day wine. If it can be sucked down on a hot summer’s day after mowing the lawn, out on the lake or during a round of golf… it’s a Father’s Day wine. But most importantly, if it makes you realize how much you appreciate the Old Man and brings you back to a memorable occasion that was shared over a bottle of vino…then that is the BEST Father’s Day wine of all.
Check out my Top 10 Below:
10. Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viogner, CA$10-$14
Yeah I started out with a white! Perfect opener for any outdoor
drinking occasion…
9. The Crusher Petite Sirah, Clarksburg $9-14
Because Father’s Day is a day for Fathers to “Crush it!”
8. Villa Antinori Toscana $16-23
This wine has been around for many family holiday occasions…
very versatile wine
7. E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rose $12-17
Because real men Drink Pink! Pretty masculine for a Rose.
6. Fiegl Collio Pinot Grigio $16-22
Forget Santa Margherita! This is the BEST Summer Pinot Grigio
5. The Prisoner, Napa $27-35
This Syrah/Zin/Petite Sirah Blend is made for grilled or smoked
meat…killer juice!
4. Robert Mondavi Napa Cab or Fume Blanc $15-25
As a tribute to the Father of the Napa Valley
3. Jordan Alexander Valley Cabernet $35-45
One of my first Epiphany wine experiences involved a 1996 Jordan
Cab with my Dad…memorable.
2. Silver Oak Napa Cab $80-100
Every Father is entitled to live it up a bit, and this is THE Man’s
Napa Cab!
1. Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma $18-25
How can the Director of The Godfather not have the
#1 Father’s Day wine?!?! It’s an offer you can’t refuse…
Wishing all the fathers out there a very Happy Father’s Day, especially you Pops!
Marshall Tilden III, DWS, CSW 