Wines From Last Night….May 23, 2010

This is our weekly review of wines we had the opportunity to taste over the last week or so. Unless otherwise noted all the wines were paid for with our hard earned bucks. But if anyone out there would like to donate a wine to end up in this blog…we’re game! This week… Mount Veeder Cabernet, Frank Family Chardonnay, Cline Zinfandel, Cono Sur Chardonnay.

May 23, 2010

Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 – Napa Valley  $35

Earlier in the week we were surprised to find one of our favorite wine bars Cru – Park Meadows was serving this beautiful Mount Veeder 2006 Cab  by the glass. By the time we arrived the bottle had been open a while so it had effectively decanted. The flavors had opened nicely into a mouth filling blend of dark berries, currants and a hint of tobacco. The tannins had properly softened but still had enough structure to age another few years. Wine Enthusiast gave this wine a well deserved score of 90.

Frank Family Chardonnay 2007 – Napa Valley $28

I was introduced to this oaky-buttery chardonnay at Cindy Pawlcyn’s Go Fish restaurant in St. Helena. I could spend a page on the restaurant. But suffice to say it may be the best seafood restaurant I’ve been to in a year and I eat seafood about 4 times a week. Now back to the wine. I’d ask for a big oaky, buttery, butterscotchy chardonnay that I had not tried and Frank Family was suggested. I loved it. While some call this style “overblown” with oak and malolactic fermentation, it sat like an buttery kiss on my palate. It was interesting to learn that this winery was once in partnership with Koerner Rombauer. There is a definite similarity in style between Frank Family and Rombauer chardonnays.

Cline Bridgehead Zinfandel 2004 Conta Costa County, CA  $25

We found this pup hiding in the back of our cellar and it is probably at its peak. This old vine zin by Cline Cellars had good jammy, black berry and spice flavors with now softened tannins. We also picked up on hints of vanilla, chocolate and a bit of earthiness. All in all a very good Zin, but if you find some of this 2004 vintage, drink it now.

Cono Sur Chardonnay 2009 – Chile $10

As chardonnays go, this flavor profile is not normally my favorite but I was surprised. It didn’t have any of the big flavors that so intrigue me in chardonnays. Even so, as a patio sipper it was quite enjoyable. The wine has light citrus and mineral flavors that are well balanced with acid to fill the palate. Fortunately, lacking was the strong green apple flavor I dislike in many unoaked chardonnays