Rating: *** 2005 Chez Ray (Wine Kit) Woodbridge Ranch 11 Cabernet Sauvignon – Central Valley, CA

Posted by Ben in 2005, General, Other, cabernet sauvignon, kitDec 4th, 2009 | No Comments Original Review May, 2007: This is wine made from a bag of grape juice! It is called the Selection Estate Woodbridge Ranch 11 Cabernet Sauvignon. I made it more or less following Winexpert instructions.

I did not use the bentonite for clearing and I made it to about 5.5 gallons rather than 6 gallons. The major change I made was to add a bunch of skins from my own Lodi and Napa fermentation to potentially give this a bit more aromatic and tannin "punch". We'll see what came of all this...

Color is an even deep red. While swirling, grape juice aromas jump out of the glass. On closer examination, aroma is a mild liquor-like cherry, maybe like smelling the inside of a chocolate-covered cherry, but without the chocolate. The favor fills the mouth with a round, smooth touch, no complexity, no aromas, but big and round in the middle. Just a touch of cherry around the edges. And a finish that flits past you before you even notice.

In total, this is like some kind of mixture of wine, grape juice and new port. Not quite wine; but not quite a liquor either. Not something to write home about; but not a total abomination. For ratings, I'm stuck between two-plus and three-minus. I guess I'd open another bottle, so that's three-minus. (But, to give full disclosure, part of the reason I'd so readily open to another bottle is probably that I've got a couple dozen of them from the five-gallon batch!)

For comparison, here's what the manufacturer says about this bag 'o juice:"Our Cab has trademark black currant and cherry flavors, but its true triumph is the subtle weave of complex flavor compounds that contribute to the overall experience. Oak and tannins, pepper and spice, combining structure and rich fruit for a red wine that dazzle from first aroma to long elegant finish."

Well, that sounds a bit "je ne sais quoi" to me!
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Updated Review, October, 2008: Still a nice mid-palate, round and cherry. Not enough before or after, though.
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Updated again, December, 2009:

In the glass: Deep blood red and purple, opaque from within about a quarter inch of the glass edge.

On the nose: Poured without a decant and swirled vigorously, still has that cherry cordial element.

On the palate: Think now more like a cherry caramel, sweetness lifts up and to the top of your palate, with light acids descending.

And the finish: Seems a bit longer than I noted before, with light caramel drifting away.

In summary: Not so bad an experience overall. I'd go with three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale. It has actually held up pretty well to the four years in bottle.

Suisun Valley 2009 Grapes Arrive

Posted by Ben in 2009, General, Other, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite sirahOct 4th, 2009 | No Comments Grapes for the 2009 Chez Ray vintage arrived this weekend from Lanza Family Vineyards in the Suisun Valley, just southeast of Napa Valley, CA.

Although I had plans to subject the entire 2009 vintage to Enoferm RP15 (aka VQ15, VQ-15, or RP-15) yeast, the grapes arrived before my yeast. So my yeast and grape schedule was as follows:

Lalvin ICV-D254
Lanza Merlot (ML9A)

Lalvin ICV-D80
Lanza Merlot (ML9B)

Lalvin BM45
Lanza Merlot (ML9C)

Mixed: Lalvin D254, D80, BM45
Lanza Cabernet Sauvignon (Rock Vineyards) (CL9)
Lanza Cabernet Sauvignon (Koch Vineyards) (CK9)
Lanza Petite Syrah (PSL9)

I used Go-Ferm to reconstitute yeast, and built an approx half-gallon starter by adding crushed grapes during the course of a day. I'll get the ferment going at room temperature, then move to a cooler basement ferment after a couple of days. Basement fermentation proceeded at approximately 65 degrees F.

Review: ***+ Chez Ray Lanza Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003, North Coast, CA

Posted by Ben in 2003, General, Other, cabernet sauvignonSep 7th, 2009 | No Comments Review: This cabernet sauvignon is made of 100% frozen grapes acquired by Brehm Vineyards from Lanza Ranch in the North Coast, CA, area. It has now had over five years of aging.

In the glass, it is medium deep red, just starting to brick at the edge. Aroma is bold and sweet fruity with red currant. On the palate, a sweet, tannic, ripe plum first hits the back of your palate, bringing a sinking sweet robe of fruit as follow-on. Touch of ripe raspberry melds with the mild acids to turn the tannins into a long-finish. Three stars with a plus on the Spirit of Wine scale.

October 23-25, 2009 – Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaking Experience

Posted by Scott Young in First Crush Winemaking Experience, General, Mitchella Winery, Other, Paso Robles, Red Wine, Styles, Wine Tours, cabernet sauvignonJun 24th, 2009 | No Comments

Make your own wine from Berry to Bottle with First Crush winemaking experience in Paso Robles.

This complete winemaking experience includes accommodations, local transportation, welcome reception, breakfast and lunch in the vineyard, winemaker dinner at Mitchella Winery, two cases of your own custom-made, privately labeled Cabernet Sauvignon wine, and more. 

Visit http://www.firstcrushwinemaking.com/ for pricing and details.

Reservations required.

Registration deadline:  September 18, 2009. (805) 434-2772

Rating: ***+ 2004 Chez Ray Cabernet Sauvignon (CS4, C4, C’4), Lodi, CA

Posted by Ben in 2004, General, Other, cabernet sauvignonJun 14th, 2009 | No Comments Original review, September, 2007:
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.

Blending the 2005’s: Tough Work but SOMEONE’S got to do it!

Posted by Ben in 2005, General, Other, Pinot Noir, blend, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, zinfandelJun 7th, 2009 | No Comments Further explore wine blending.

Start with eight or ten single varietals from a vintage that is getting ready to be drinkable, line 'em up and figure out the blends that may work. A hundred sips later, you may have a few workable blends.

Indeed, for the 2005's, I did manage a couple worth noting.

PM5 (Carneros Sonoma Pinot Noir(P5)/Carneros Napa Merlot 2005 (M'5)): First, the Sonoma Pinot Noir (P5) is still taut - but mixing with 1/2 measure of another bright varietal, the Carneros Napa Merlot (M'5) gives it just a bit of fruit and brightness. So this combo, which I'll code as PM5, is probably a good serving option for the 2005 Pinot Noir for the longer term. Corlor is deep ruby red. Aromatics are subtle, with a touch of red currant fruit. Bright palate, but spreading clean fruit in the middle. Still some tannins for age. Clean finish. I like this better than either of the components, so that makes for a successful blend.

B5 (Bordeaux blend 2005: State Lane Yountville Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (CS5)/Carneros Sonoma Merlot (M5)/Russian River Sonoma Cabernet Franc (F5)): Each of these wines had a similar style - ready to drink, silky, lightly aromatic. Together, they comprise an excellent blend. In the glass, very deep red, hints of brick. Aromas are solid, sweet and yielding, just a little bit leafy. On the palate, a lightly sweet, bold and balanced attack in the front - wonderful tannins, aromatic deep red fruits, outstanding lingering finish. One of the best ever from Chez Ray! Each of the components is an outstanding offering in its own right, but I loved the balance in the blend.

A5 (Aromatic blend 2005: Russian River Sonoma Zinfandel (Z5)/Rutherford Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (CR5)): Both of these wines were stand-outs as aromatically-rich, quite youthful, bright wines. The combo makes a uniquely potent, aromatic blend. Color is very deep red, almost opaque. Nose is rich, sweet and inky - black sweet ink that you want to guzzle from the fountain pen like it's a lick'em'aid stick. On the palate, a sweet, viscous, peppery assault runs across your mouth. The powerful tannins stick to the roof and sides of your mouth, bringing the rich, black nectar slowly down. Takes a minute or more to dislodge from the crevices. Awesomely lingering finish. Not for the faint of heart. Sweet steroids. Can mellow out for years to come.

Rating: ****+ 2005 Chez Ray Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon (CR5), Napa CA

Posted by Ben in 2005, General, Other, cabernet sauvignonMay 29th, 2009 | No Comments
Original Review, April, 2007: This is from the Brehm frozen grape series, with early tasting notes here. The 2005 Chez Ray Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is made from frozen Brehm Vineyard grapes, fermented in a combination of D254 and D80 yeasts with two weeks of extended maceration (process here).

This is opaque black almost to the edges. The nose is emitting an incredible black inky violet aroma into the room. On the palate, this is pure aromatic ink, with slight yeast overtones. Drills into all your mental crevices with a lasting, sleek finish. Wow. Best so far from Chez Ray. Four stars with a plus for promise on the Spirit of Wine scale. Looking forward to watching this one over time.

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Updated October, 2008: A year and a half later. Still almost black in the glass, with purple glint at edge. Black ink is still the predominant aroma. The palate has a minerally cast, resolving to a slate-y, purple ink at the edges. The finish has that inkiness slowly trailing along a slow curve til it disappears at the horizon. Still four stars, but removing the plus, as it seems to be showing its true self now.

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Updated January, 2009: With lengthy decanting, the Chez Ray Rutherford Bench picks up serious chocolate and dark berry. Swirling depths. Very cool indeed.

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Updated, May, 2009: In the glass, the Rutherford cab is deep red, bordering on opaque in the middle. Aromas are muddled fruit and vegetables, quite sweet in style. The palate is round - it brings a bit of milk chocolate to the forefront, with balancing tannins and light acids touching the cheeks. Finish is actually quite lengthy. Awesome. Still four stars for sure, bringing the plus back for its happy balance.

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.

***+ 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.

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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.