Awesome Blend: Chez Ray, StarFire and Starry Night

Posted by Ben in 2006, General, Other, blend, cabernet sauvignonMay 24th, 2009 | No Comments
This is an awesome red blend:
Chez Ray Hopland Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006, Mendicino County, CA
StarFire Zinfandel, 2006, Lodi, CA (commercial)
Starry Night Wilderotter Vineyard Zinfandel, 2003, Amador County, CA (commercial)

Review notes: In the glass, medium/light red, hues of brick at the edge. Aromas are old, leathery and fall leaves. On the palate, explodes with sweet and savory fruit, lifted with just a hint of acids and solid fine tannins. Soft, lingering finish, like watching a sunset from a soft, old leather chair.

2005 2006 Blends

Posted by Ben in 2005, 2006, General, Other, meritageApr 7th, 2009 | No Comments Here are a couple of blends I created for 2005 and 2006. Separately, I'll describe the blend process.

Meritage B, 2006: Lodi Zinfandel w/stems, Sangiacomo Vineyards Carneros Sonoma Merlot, Hopland Vineyards Mendicino Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley Prosser WA Merlot.

Meritage A, 2005/6: 2006 Suscol Ranch Merlot Napa CA, 2006 Alexander Valley Syrah Sonoma CA, 2006 State Lane Yountville Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Old Hill Glen Ellen Sonoma CA Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Caldwell Napa CA Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Las Brisas Merlot Carneros Sonoma County CA,2005 State Lane Yountville Napa CA Cabernet Sauvignon

***+ Chez Ray Hopland Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006, Mendicino County, CA – Review and Rating – Work in Progress

Posted by Ben in 2006, General, Other, cabernet sauvignonMar 16th, 2009 | No Comments Original Review, July, 2008: The Chez Ray Hopland Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006, Mendicino County, CA, is one of the first 2006 vintage wines I will sample for review. Definitely still a work in progress. The entire vintage was fermented cool, using Assmanshausen yeast - two oddities in the world of cabernet and merlot. The grapes came from Brehm Vineyards.

Let's see what we've got here. Color is solid deep/medium burgundy throughout. Aroma is powerful and intriguing - perfumed violets plus husky oak dust, deep brawny fruit. Suggests strength.

On the palate, there is a gentle, easy persistence to the deep, round, sweet fruit - a hint of fresh-baked bread (not yeast). Light tannins, though the alcohol brings a long perfumed finish.

Using the Spirit of Wine scale, I would definitely come back to this again, earning three stars, with a plus for its pleasant peculiarity.

--------------------
Updated Review March, 2009: A half a year later.... a bit of brick in the color now. Aroma picks up a bright yeastiness. Fruit is still round and sweet, modestly deep. Still lightly perfumed lingering finish.

****+ Chez Ray Suscol Ranch Merlot, 2006, Napa Valley, CA

Posted by Ben in 2006, General, Other, merlotFeb 4th, 2009 | No Comments Review: The 2006 Suscol Ranch Merlot, from Napa Valley Brehm Vineyards frozen grapes . The vintage was fermented cool, with Assmanshausen yeast.

Like the rest of the cool-fermented 2006 vintage, the wine is light red in the glass. Doesn't LOOK like merlot! Aroma is husky, balanced, touches of pepper, maybe chocolate. On the palate, extraordinary balance, even in its youth. Sweet, layered middle is the first note. That brings even touches of chocolate along with a luscious, underlying fruit. The finish is a very, very slow fade. Then, when you think it should be gone, here it comes, back again, milk chocolate as a finish.

Outstanding example of this vintage, and indeed from the entire Chez Ray line. Four stars out of five, with a plus for its continued promise. Imagine more promise on a four star rating!!

***+ Chez Ray Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel (w/stems), 2006

Posted by Ben in 2006, General, Other, zinfandelJan 15th, 2009 | No Comments

Original Review, June, 2008: These are tasting notes from the Chez Ray Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel (w/stems), 2006, which was first mentioned in an earlier post. Consider this a work in progress, as this is a very early time to sample 2006 reds. This vintage, however, was made with a cool fermentation; this made for a light, early-drinking wine.

What characterized this particular batch of Chez Ray was that it was fermented fully on its stems, adding a brambly overtone to the early wine. So let's see what it has turned in to...

In the glass, medium magenta with light purple tones at the edges. On the nose, good, deep fruit with sturdy oak overlay. Just a bit smoky.

On the palate, the wine touches across the palate, with balanced fruit, touch of charcoal oak, light sweet acids. Finish is generally fast, and overall impression is simple but structured and pleasant. Three stars out of five on the Spirit of Wine scale, with a plus for pleasant friendliness.

-------------
After a full day's decanting: even better, rounder, nice smoky undertones.
-------------
Updated Review, January, 2009: Consistent color and aroma notes. Aroma is outstanding. Sweet touch on the palate, with same mild charcoal overlay. Consistent rating. Fine to continue aging another year or two.