http://www.creovino.com Wine Making, Recipes and General discussions about wine. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:34:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/10/chez-ray-zinfandel-2004-lodi-ca-wine.html http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/10/chez-ray-zinfandel-2004-lodi-ca-wine.html#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:15:00 +0000 Ben tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17085756.post-7824956176399090393 By way of background: The Chez Ray Zinfandel, 2004, was made from Lodi grapes, fermented warm, with a combination of French and American oak.

In the glass: Medium to deep red.

On the nose: Fruity, lightly smoky, wet red cherry.

On the palate: Smooth, red fruit in the middle of your mouth. Like a gob of blackberry that has all the tartness removed. Kinda nice in that respect. Balance of the flavors include a general even sweetness, tiny bits of acids crawl up into your cheeks.

And the finish: Sweet acids slowly fade away, and with them any hints of fruit.

In summary: Pleasant, though not intense nor distinctive. Less intensity andfriendliness than I'd expect from a zinfandel. Still, three stars on the Spirit of Wine scale, as I would return to this another time. Could be a nice blender with something offering a bit more structure.

]]> By way of background: The Chez Ray Zinfandel, 2004, was made from Lodi grapes, fermented warm, with a combination of French and American oak.

In the glass: Medium to deep red.

On the nose: Fruity, lightly smoky, wet red cherry.

On the palate: Smooth, red fruit in the middle of your mouth. Like a gob of blackberry that has all the tartness removed. Kinda nice in that respect. Balance of the flavors include a general even sweetness, tiny bits of acids crawl up into your cheeks.

And the finish: Sweet acids slowly fade away, and with them any hints of fruit.

In summary: Pleasant, though not intense nor distinctive. Less intensity andfriendliness than I'd expect from a zinfandel. Still, three stars on the Spirit of Wine scale, as I would return to this another time. Could be a nice blender with something offering a bit more structure.

]]> http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/10/chez-ray-zinfandel-2004-lodi-ca-wine.html/feed 0 http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/10/chez-ray-pinot-noir-p4-2004-lodi-ca.html http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/10/chez-ray-pinot-noir-p4-2004-lodi-ca.html#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:46:00 +0000 Ben tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17085756.post-980522205142535924 By way of background: The Chez Ray Pinot Noir, 2004, was made from Lodi grapes, fermented warm, with a combination of French and American oak.

In the glass: Deep pink-red with a brickish cast.

On the nose: Overcooked, almost baked, red berry fruits. A bit of motor oil with the overcooked stew. Nothing to write home about (except maybe to say, "Get me outa here!").

On the palate: Far more presentable on the palate. Sweet red fruits on the mid-palate, not cloying, but fresh. Just a touch of vegetable in there too. Firm, lightly acid, sweet and still rich, a touch of tannin move in after the acids subside.

And the finish: Rests with the acids, then moves to a bit of grip with the tannins.

In summary: I may have overstayed the storage with this one, feels overripe. Two stars, because I can't see hurrying back. Kind of jangled overall. Pinot's a tough wine to get right - my 2004 vintage seems not to have done the trick.

]]> By way of background: The Chez Ray Pinot Noir, 2004, was made from Lodi grapes, fermented warm, with a combination of French and American oak.

In the glass: Deep pink-red with a brickish cast.

On the nose: Overcooked, almost baked, red berry fruits. A bit of motor oil with the overcooked stew. Nothing to write home about (except maybe to say, "Get me outa here!").

On the palate: Far more presentable on the palate. Sweet red fruits on the mid-palate, not cloying, but fresh. Just a touch of vegetable in there too. Firm, lightly acid, sweet and still rich, a touch of tannin move in after the acids subside.

And the finish: Rests with the acids, then moves to a bit of grip with the tannins.

In summary: I may have overstayed the storage with this one, feels overripe. Two stars, because I can't see hurrying back. Kind of jangled overall. Pinot's a tough wine to get right - my 2004 vintage seems not to have done the trick.

]]> http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/10/chez-ray-pinot-noir-p4-2004-lodi-ca.html/feed 0 http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2007/09/rating-2004-chez-ray-cabernet-sauvignon.html http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2007/09/rating-2004-chez-ray-cabernet-sauvignon.html#comments Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:43:00 +0000 Ben tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17085756.post-345828881726974156 In this glass, this is ruby red, the color of a medium feminine pinot noir, not a burly cabernet sauvignon. Aroma is powerful, though, of bright aged ripe fruit and oak. On the palate, bright sweet cherry cola flavors encircle the taste buds with a hint of acid, following with a mild, lasting sweet cherry finish. Not classic cabernet, but a friendly, just off-dry wine giving great pleasure.
Three plus stars out of five.

Updated review, June, 2009: Similar color, now beginning to brick. Aroma is a bit more spongy and sweet now. Sip brings more muted flavors now, round, still with elements of cola, evenly touching palate with only hints of acid. Clean, cherry finish, lightly sweet.

]]> In this glass, this is ruby red, the color of a medium feminine pinot noir, not a burly cabernet sauvignon. Aroma is powerful, though, of bright aged ripe fruit and oak. On the palate, bright sweet cherry cola flavors encircle the taste buds with a hint of acid, following with a mild, lasting sweet cherry finish. Not classic cabernet, but a friendly, just off-dry wine giving great pleasure.
Three plus stars out of five.

Updated review, June, 2009: Similar color, now beginning to brick. Aroma is a bit more spongy and sweet now. Sip brings more muted flavors now, round, still with elements of cola, evenly touching palate with only hints of acid. Clean, cherry finish, lightly sweet.

]]> http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2007/09/rating-2004-chez-ray-cabernet-sauvignon.html/feed 0 http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/03/chez-ray-petite-sirah-2004-lodi-ca.html http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/03/chez-ray-petite-sirah-2004-lodi-ca.html#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:17:00 +0000 Ben tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17085756.post-678153988267010972
Aroma is oddly piquant, bringing your nose into what seems like a massive explosion at a perfume factory housed in a barnyard. Weird stuff indeed. The perfume is flowery and violet, but like you're actually inside the flower, not smelling its aroma.

On the palate, this is a rounder, richer, gentler version of the aromas, rolling and gliding along your tongue. Few acids; fewer tannins. But the pure concentration causes this to linger.

I want to try it again, so that is three stars on the Spirit of Wine scale. A plus is added for its exquisite oddity.

]]>
Aroma is oddly piquant, bringing your nose into what seems like a massive explosion at a perfume factory housed in a barnyard. Weird stuff indeed. The perfume is flowery and violet, but like you're actually inside the flower, not smelling its aroma.

On the palate, this is a rounder, richer, gentler version of the aromas, rolling and gliding along your tongue. Few acids; fewer tannins. But the pure concentration causes this to linger.

I want to try it again, so that is three stars on the Spirit of Wine scale. A plus is added for its exquisite oddity.

]]> http://chezraywinery.blogspot.com/2009/03/chez-ray-petite-sirah-2004-lodi-ca.html/feed 0