510, 2011
Three Tedeschi Wines Score 92 – 93 Points
TEDESCHI Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2007 - Score: 93 Country: Italy Region: Veneto Issue: Oct 31, 2011 There's a sanguine edge to this firm red, with a streak of [...]
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Vivid red. Deeper and smokier than the Sleepy Hollow, showing scents of black raspberry, cherry skin, Indian spices and dried rose. Fleshy dark berry flavors are firmed by chewy tannins and deepened by notes of black pepper and candied plum. Gains freshness with air and finishes with very good thrust and lingering sweetness. This will benefit from more cellaring but could be drunk now after an hour or so in the decanter. - Ruby-red. Exotically perfumed nose features vibrant cherry and dark berry scents complicated by black olive, tobacco and smoky herbs. Tactile dark fruit preserve flavors display impressive depth and sweetness, with suave tannins adding grip. Spiciness builds on the long, juicy finish, which shuts down quickly.
- The grapes undergo a tremendous amount of triage (sorting) both in the vineyard and in the cellar. They were crushed using a Demoissey destemmer / crusher and were inoculated and punched down immediately to get relatively warm fermentations. We wanted to bring out as much of the natural earth and spice flavors that the berries contained. The total fermentation time was 12 days the resultant wine went directly to barrel and was aged 22 months before being bottled unrefined and unfiltered.
- Bright red. Lovely, floral-dominated scents suggest fresh red berries, kirsch and Asian spices, with sexy rose and magnolia adding complexity; seems to expand in the glass while maintaining focus. Silky and packed with sweet red fruit flavors, picking up floral pastille and bitter chocolate character with air. A very grown-up style of Syrah that finishes with superb clarity and persistence.
- Greenish-yellow color. Pungent pineapple, tangerine and peach aromas are complicated by smoky minerals and brown spices. Rich and weighty but energetic too, offering sweet citrus and tropical fruit flavors and a chewy texture. Nervier on the finish, which features a note of lemon peel and very good clarity and persistence.
- The Solomon Hills Vineyard in Santa Maria sits adjacent to hwy 101 just due east of Orcutt. It’s gently rising west facing slope is primarily comprised of very sandy ocean bottom soils. Planted in 1998 and 1999 to a multitude of clones. This wine is a California pinot noir made in a Burgundian style, the baires are fermented using a whole cluster fermentation technique which adds to the aromatic and texture of this wine.
- The grapes undergo a tremendous amount of triage (sorting) both in the vineyard and in the cellar. I consider this to be one of the most significant practices we employ. We can truly say only the best grapes go into our fermenters. Once they are received into the cellar we subject them to another sorting on the table and then into the fermenters. This whole cluster fermentation technique we believe contributes significantly to the aromatics and texture of our wines. It is the gentlest manipulation of Pinot Noir grapes possible. Once in the fermenters we cover the cap in dry ice to arrest any spontaneous fermentation that may occur. We prefer a pre fermentation maceration (cold-soaking) allowing the color and flavor to be extracted in the absence of fermentation for two or three days. During this time we pigeage (foot tread) twice a day increasing to five times a day at peak fermentation. The wine is usually pressed of at 1 or 2 brix into François Freres barrels from the Allier forest in the center of France. The wine will remain in barrel for 16 months without racking and will be bottled without fining or filtration. This wine received an additional six months of bottle ageing before release.
- The Maple Vineyard sits up on a bench above the east side of Dry Creek Valley, and is farmed utilizing old world techniques by Tom and Tina Maple. These old Zinfandel vines (85+ years) are dry farmed resulting in wines of great depth and concentration. The beautiful Zinfandel clusters are sorted a minimum of three times to ensure that only the highest quality fruit is being used for this unique single-vineyard wine. Half of the wine was fermented in an open-top tank to soften the tannin structure. Only free-run wine was gently transferred to French and American oak barrels to age for 16 months.
- This Estate Sauvignon Blanc is grown in the cool fog-influenced Russian River Valley. These cool nights and warm days give the wine rich tropical fruit flavors balanced by a minerality backbone of citrus fruits.
- A lovely blend of Merlot, Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake Country Syrah, Lodi Zinfandel, and Dry Creek Valley Carignane. Soft supple and red fruit forward with hints of oak.
- Artisan Chardonnay shows a color of Golden straw. It shows rich aromas of honey dew melon, apple and mango. On the palate it has a full rich body, lush fruit flavors of honeydew, crisp apple with notes of lychee and honey.
- Palette Reserve is produced using the best vineyards available to our winemakers. Like brush mixed colors, grapes are crafted to produce wine of distinct character. This Chardonnay is bright and tropical with fresh pineapple and grapefruit . Delightful as ana aperitif or paired with your favorite white meats and salads.
- Artisan Pinot Grigio is a soft California Pinot Grigio with light peach and stone fruit notes overlaying a light grassy character that is typical of this region. A wonderful sipping wine, or pair against light fare using caution not to overwhelm this delicate little guy.
- The Artisan Sauvignon Blanc is everything I'd hope for in a value Sauvignon Blanc. Soft, fresh lemon aromas give way to a satisfying and refreshing palate of lemon curd, lime, and just a hint of grapefruit. Unlike most New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs this wine will not overwhelm with grapefruit citrus. Instead it is rounded by a nice creaminess that does not sacrifice the freshness of the fruit nor the crispness of wine. A great Sauvignon Blanc for any season.
- In the glass Artisan Cabernet Sauvignon shows an intense ruby red. On the nose it offers up aromas of plum and black cherry & classic underlying cedar background. On the palate it shows extraordinarily smooth texture. The ample acidity is nicely integrated with just a trace of tannin and a wisp of oak, and carries the fruit through to a rich finish.
- Palette Reserve is produced using the best vineyards available to our winemakers. Like brush mixed colors, grapes are crafted to produce wine of distinct character. This mountain grown Cabernet Sauvignon is complex with vanilla and currant wrapped in dark cherry, chocolate and oak. The long finish perfectly compliments red meats.
- The name was coined in 1988 by a group of vintners who sought to establish standards of identification for a category of American blended wines made with traditional Bordeaux grape varieties. The name Meritage (a compound of the words merit and heritage) was chosen from over 6,000 entries in an international contest held by these vintners. The purpose of The Meritage Association is to help identify quality American wine blends that, because they're not made with at least 75 percent of a single variety, can't use the variety name on the label.
- In the glass Artisan Merlot shows deep dark ruby. On the nose it offers black cherry, Santa Rosa plum, with a hint of chocolate. On the palate it shows off concentrated cherry and plum flavors, rich mouth-feel and well-integrated tannins.
- In the glass this Merlot shows deep dark ruby. On the nose it offers black cherry, Santa Rosa plum, with a hint of chocolate. On the palate it shows off concentrated cherry and plum flavors, rich mouth-feel and well-integrated tannins.
- On the nose Artisan Pinot Noir shows off nice Oriental Spice with highlights of Maraschino and dark cherries followed by plum, strawberries, mocha, vanilla and sandalwood. On the palate the finish is firm and spicy with the underlying minerality, also has more acidity and less oak than past efforts.
- Palette Reserve is produced using the best vineyards available to our winemakers. Like brush mixed colors, grapes are crafted to produce wine of distinct character. This Pinot noir is a lovely cherry stain red, it is juicy refreshing with light tannins and light cranberry notes.