Bacchus & Beery Wine Blog

MacPhail Rosé of Pinot Noir 2013

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Apr 072014
 
MacPhail RoséMacPhail Rosé of Pinot Noir 2013, Sonoma Coast, CA, $22 (S) – Rating 91

Beautifully dry and balanced. A blend of all the MacPhail Pinot Noir Vineyards. The rosé juice is saignéd (bled off) after 24 to 48 hours of cold soak, fermented and then finished with malolactic fermentation, adding a touch of creaminess to balance the juicy food-pairing acidity. Gentle aromas of strawberry, raspberry, floral notes and spice. A round and rewarding mouth-feel with bold flavors of strawberry, bright cherry, raspberry and minerality. Subtle notes of cayenne and spice on the finish adds to the complexity. A manly rosé! Buy This Wine

Giordano Barbera d’Asti 2010

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Apr 032014
 
Giordano WineGiordano Barbera d’Asti d.o.c.g. 2010, Piemonte Collection, Piedmont, Italy, $14 (S) – Rating 90

Update from our March 2013 Review.

This wine has matured nicely with another year in the bottle. It still needs a bit of time to open but only about 20 minutes for full effect. Aged in Slovenian oak barrels, the wine offers a rich nose of floral notes, dark cherry and a hint of spice and smoke. Medium-bodied with good food pairing acidity and balanced tannins. Well integrated flavors of dark cherry, plum and spice with a touch of chocolate. Earthy notes of forest floor make for an intriguing finish. Buy This Wine.

Giordano Fiano 2012

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Apr 022014
 
Giordano WineGiordano Fiano i.g.t. 2012, Apuliae Collection, Puglia, Italy, $11 (S) – Rating 90

A superb crisp patio sipper. Reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc in texture and mouth-feel. Floral aromas combine with notes of Meyer lemon creme and ripe pineapple are enticing. Light-bodied with juicy acidity. Flavors of Meyer lemon, tangerine and green apple. Think sunny Saturday afternoon with friends. Will pair well with lighter fare, salads and creamy cheeses. The 2011 vintage was a Gold Medal winner.  Buy This Wine

Experience Bucher Vineyard – Exceptional Wines and Vines from Extraordinary People

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Apr 022014
 

Last October we attended a wonderful event, Pinot on the River, on the town square in Healdsburg. It is a Pinot Noir lover’s dream, featuring over 100 of Sonoma’s best Pinot producers. As you’d expect, we tasted some amazing wine and met some outstanding winemakers.

Bucher Vineyard

John and Diane Bucher

As the afternoon crowd dwindles towards the end of the event, the buzz begins from those in the know. Some of the loudest buzz was around Bucher Vineyard, a 38 acre vineyard in the Russian River Valley, not far from Healdsburg. Single vineyard designated Bucher Vineyard Pinot Noirs have been created by some of the most renown Sonoma vintners, including Williams Selyem, Siduri Wines, Papapietro Perry, Arista, Holdredge, C. Donatiello Winery, and Thralls Family Cellars.

While I was familiar with the vineyard name and the wines made by other producers, the buzz was actually about the wines under the new Bucher Vineyard label. So we had to check them out. I must say they were indeed buzz-worthy. Just a day later we spent a few relaxing hours with John and Diane Bucher at their home on their 360 acre ranch which includes the vineyard and a 700 head organic dairy farm. Continue reading »

The Untimely and Unnecessary Death of a Great Wine Bar

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Mar 262014
 

“…Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.” William Shakespeare, Henry VIII – 1613

“All good things must come to an end.” Geoffrey Chaucer – 1374

My emotions are today ranging from melancholy to near sadness. The Buddhist in me is reminded that attachment only causes pain. But for all my human failings, I find myself attached to what was and feeling some modicum of pain.

Tonight we will be attending a celebration of sorts, or maybe more like a wake. For tonight marks the closing of the place we thought of as our second living room, our other home and extended family, CRU Wine Bar in Park Meadows. Our Cheers Bar, if you will. Before you roll your eyes and judge, I encourage you to read on about this wonderful little wine bar that lost its lease because the mall property owner preferred to move in a high volume chain steak house. What once was interesting is now becoming another cookie-cutter experience. CRU is not the first victim as leases have come up for renewal. No doubt the little wine bar could never generate the rental revenue of the newer high volume tenants…but not all food and wine options need to cater to manic disengaged crowds when there is space for the large and intimate alike. Continue reading »

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