Bacchus & Beery Wine Blog

The Unlikely Conversion of a Wine Evangelist (Pt. 4)

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Mar 212012
 

wine blogRead :The Unlikely Conversion of a Wine Evangelist (Pt. 1)

Read :The Unlikely Conversion of a Wine Evangelist (Pt. 2)

Read :The Unlikely Conversion of a Wine Evangelist (Pt. 3)

The years that followed my wine revelations at the hands of Charlie Wagner continued to advance both my zeal and enthusiasm for the gospel of the grape. Austin’s wine scene grew exponentially, due in no small part to the hi-tech boom fueled by the meteoric rise of Dell Computers and the literally thousands of “Dellionaires” (many from California) looking to spend their good fortune on wine, food and a party time. Winemaker dinners, wine bars, wine friends and a few more trips to wine country filled the rest of the 1980’s and well into the 1990’s, often to excess. That period saw the birth of the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, a wonderful series of winemaker dinners at the newly opened Four Seasons Hotel and a bevy of restaurants with great wine lists and bars in the newly re-envisioned Warehouse District, near downtown. Continue reading »

Patland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

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Mar 202012
 
2008 Patland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley, CA, $90 (S) – Rating 92

An elegant yet boisterous Cabernet, this beauty from Patland Estate and famed Stagecoach Vineyards offers up a fruit driven nose of dark cherry, plum and spice. The full-flavored wine coats the plate with dark cherry, blueberry, plum, cocoa and dark spice with subtle hints of saddle leather. Supple tannins and well-integrated oak add depth and finesse.

J Vineyards Pinot Noir 2009

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Mar 202012
 
2009 J Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA, $32 (S) – Rating 90

A well-balanced and medium-bodied Pinot Noir with ripe fruit flavors of dark cherry, raspberry and strawberry highlighted with notes of spice, black tea, cocoa and hints of oaky vanilla. Supple and unobtrusive tannins add complexity.

Crosby Roamann Eternal Return Sauvignon Blanc 2010

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Mar 202012
 
2010 Crosby Roamann Eternal Return Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena AVA, Napa Valley, CA, $24 (S) – Rating 90

This lightly oaked Sauvignon Blanc by Crosby Roamann opens with a nose of herbal citrus which gives way to a crisp yet soft mouth-feel with flavors of  pear, vanilla, flinty minerality, and Meyer lemon with a bit of zippy acidity. It paired well with broiled scallops. This wine needs to approach room temp before all the flavors come into play.

Nickel & Nickel Branding Iron Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

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Mar 192012
 
2008 Nickel & Nickel Branding Iron Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley, CA, $95 (S) – Rating 94

A beautiful example of a single varietal/single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. A deep wine that holds your attention. Well-integrated tannins add depth and structure.  About an hour in the decanter and this Cabernet opens to show off flavors of dark cherry, blackberry tobacco, dark berry, dark spice with hints of toasty oak vanilla.

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