Pocket Vintages - Wine Information and Reviews

The Ripening Sun - Book Review

For anyone aspiring to quit the rat-race, buy a vineyard and make your fortune in wine, please read this book first.  The Ripening Sun is an excellent account of one English woman's journey from financial consultant to wine maker extrordinaire, with a divorce and many a French swear word thrown in for good measure.  Patricia Atkinson, author of The Ripening Sun and the heroine of this wonderful tale makes it extremely clear that running your own vineyard takes a hell of a lot of hard work, not just at harvest time, but throughout the year.  It is actually off-putting, but omnia vince perseverando (perseverance conquers all) as my old school motto says, and Patricia does it in spades.

For a lady that knew nothing about wine to digging in and doing what it takes to turn a disaster into a successul business is a lesson in life that touches many.  Years later, Patricia's wines from her vineyard, Clos d'Yvigne, are well respected and stocked by some of the finest merchants in London.

This is a great true story and quite difficult to put down.  Amazon sells it here.

Kirkland Chateauneuf du Pape 2010

Ah, the famous Chateauneuf du Pape, a name than invokes class, mastery, elegance and above all, good living.  So what the devil has Costco done sticking a Kirkland own brand label on it?  I had to pick up a bottle (less than $20) and give it a try.

Opened it last night, gave it some fresh air for about ten minutes and slurped straight in.  I was shocked, and in a good way.  Fresh flowers, raspberry bushes and cherry pie - and I'm not talking about eating my dinner outside either.  This chateauneuf du pape smelled good and tasted divine.  It went rather well with the spaghetti bolognaise and even the wife had half a glass, which is a sure sign of a decent wine!  I would be happy to serve this at a dinner party, having decanted it first.

The 2010 is a good vintage and was successful across Southern Rhone, where chateauneuf du pape heralds from.  This blend appears to be a classic mix of the Southern Rhone grape varietals, namely Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and possibly some Cinsault.

Robert Parker said of the 2010 vintage, "The 2010s will have significant aging potential, which is obvious in the level of tannins, but the tannins are sweet with exceptional elegance and finesse."

This Kirkland wine will definitely sit well in the cellar for a couple of years but I would advise drinking it now.  Costco buys wine that usually needs drinking up, so take advantage and buy half a case while the going is good.

You can read more about the Rhone region and Rhone vintages here.

2011 Domaine Saint Aix Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Aix Rose, Provence

This Rose wine simply called 'AIX' is from Provence in France but widely available across Europe and the US.  The producers have done a fantastic job of producing a light, yet flavour packed summer wine, designed to be drunk cold on its own or with fish or seafood.

It's so light and fresh that you can be duped into thinking that a few glasses of this won't affect you but it packs a hefty 13% alcohol.

Aix is a blend of classic Provence region grape varietals,  Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsaut.  This region in southern France is well known for producing a lot of rose, much of it very average and some of it very good.

The producer describes this 2011 vintage as follows, 'An elegant rose with layers of complexity and a fresh personality.  Beautifully balanced with bright fruit flavors, delicate floral notes and a long finish reminiscent of a clear warm day in Provence.  This delicious rose is as captivating as a gentle refreshing summer breeze. It seduces you like a bright sunny day.  Sublime happiness in every sip.'

Well, I'm not too sure of the seduction bit, but the happiness in every sip I agree with!

According to Wine Searcher, this 2011 vintage has ranged in price from $11 to $16 across the US, but I am finding it in good supermarkets for about $13, which is an absolute steal.  

It gets three grapes, which means stock up while the summer is here.

Vortex Red from Townshend Cellars

This is a non vintage Bordeaux blend from Townshend Cellars in Columbia Valley.

It is 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.  At 13.6% alcohol it is 'lighter' than many other Washington reds and in keeping with its Bordeaux aspirations.

You can pick it up locally for around $14 a bottle or slightly more on the Townshend Cellars website.

I quite liked it - nothing amazing but quite reasonable nevertheless.  It's a non vintage bottle, nice label and perfectly suitable for a summer BBQ.

I give it two grapes.

Three Rivers Winery 2009 Merlot

This is a smooth and slightly smokey Merlot, with grapes from the fantastic Walla Walla and it packs a punch at 14.8%.

I generally steer clear of Merlot's but this was a decent price (under $15) and from an established winery so I threw caution to the wind and WENT FOR IT.  Glad I did, because it went very well with my grilled chicken.

I refrigerated what was left of the bottle on the first night and it was delicious on day 2 when slightly chilled.

It gets two grapes, which means it's worth a look at.

Amitage 2008 Columbia Crest

Very tasy red blend from the Columbia Valley and under $10 a bottle. Bargain!

Blackcurrenty, plummy, gummmy and yummy.

Worked well with a pork chop and was equally tasty on its own.

3 grapes awarded (that means buy it)

Hedgeline Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

I really am flumoxed by this one because it is REALLY good and I can't remember where I bought it or how much it cost.

I even checked Wine Searcher and they couldn't help.  Thing is, if it cost $15 then I'd be buying case loads of it.  If it was $50 then I'd be..meh.

But it is good. Smooth, blackcurrenty, just enough tannins to give you a run for your money but not enough to have you swilling politely with San Pellegrino.  

Anyone had this? Does anyone know how much it is?  It's a keeper, that's for sure.

What they say:

"This esteemed Cabernet Sauvignon brings aromas of blackberry and plum to the nose, woven together by bright flavors of black fruit and currents."

Yummy.

3 grapes awarded (that means buy it)

Maryhill 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Maryhill is one of the more established wineries in Washington State and won the Washington Winery of the Year award in 2009.

They are based in the Columbia River Gorge in South Central Washington State (not quite as edgy as South Central LA).

This bottle will set you back about $18 and isn't bad at all.  It's smooth, mellow, well rounded and kind of solid. Dependable.

But it doesn't set the world, or for that matter, a vineyard, alight.  I'd drink another bottle or three, but it probably won't make my top 10 Washington Wines list (when that gets written).

2 grapes awarded (that means drink someone else's but don't buy it)

McCarthy & Schiering Cabernet Sauvignon

This is the own label of my local wine merchant in Queen Anne, Seattle. The guys are very knowledgeable about wine, which is good really, since they are wine merchants.

This is what they say about themselves:

"We carry an extensive selection of wines from around the world, specializing in wines from Washington and Oregon. We are passionate about the small individual estates of France, Italy, Germany and Austria. New world wines from California, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Argentina are well represented on our shelves.

As fine wine merchants, we select our choices through daily tasting and evaluation. We were recognized in 1998 by Food and Wine magazine as “retailer of the year.”

The McCarthy & Schiering Cab Sauv is a robust red but smooth on the palate and really quite quaffable.  It's just under $23, which is cheaper than most of the local decent cabs but still a little steep for an own label.  I'd be happier if it were priced at about $15 but I guess everyone's got to make a living guvnaaaa.

It's drinkable on its own but better with a bowl of spag bog. It kept well for a couple of days but didn't taste good on day 3.

Check out McCarthy & Schiering's website for some good deals on wines, both local Washington State and from as far away as Lebanon.

2 grapes awarded (that means drink someone else's but don't buy it)

Kestral Lady in Red - Ninth Edition

Not quite sure what to make of this one. Generally I shy away from labels featuring slinky ladies, but this redhead does nothing for me so against my manly senses, I plucked it from the shelf and here we are, the Lady in Red and I.

She is smooth, velvety, deep and actually quite tasty, but the type that you pick up, take home and enjoy but not want to see beyond the next morning.  She's not a keeper.  Just fine for a one night stand. At 13.7% the Lady in Red demands your attention, but you soon get distracted.

The fact that this wine doesn't have a vintage on the label tells you more.  It's the ninth edition but does that mean 2009?  I don't know and frankly don't care.

What they say:

"Lady in Red will remind you of colours radiating from a precious ruby, with extravagence found in the most lavish patterns of a formal evening.  Appreciate the pleasing tones in the bouquet, as you would the gentle scent of the rose.  Immerse yourself in its splendour and appreciate the soft, voluptuous shape of the wine over your palate."

Blimey, there's a description and a half.

The winemaker's website is www.kestralwines.com, based in Prosser, Washington if you're interested.

2 grapes awarded (that means drink someone else's but don't buy it)