MARTINELLI CHARDONNAY MARINELLI ROAD - 2007

Russian River Chardonnay with 14.4% alcohol.


TASTING NOTES:


Golden color with mineral, pear, apple and oak upfront.  Lots of vanilla, spiced honey, and smokiness on the finish. 


SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:


90+ PTS
This highly regarded Chardonnay through me for a loop.  It seemed to have all the characteristics one would look for in a high-end Chardonnay, but it just didn't come together for me. Too much minerality? Too much alcohol bleeding into the fruit? I can't be sure, but I know it lacked a wow factor for me and at $60 a bottle that's just not good enough. Pass.

DENNER SYRAH - 2009

From Paso Robles, CA. 15.3% alcohol.


TASTING NOTES:


Bold brier red and black fruits on the nose.  Concentrated with blackberry, black cherry, raspberry, mocha, licorice, baking spices, blueberry. Very complex with saturated flavors and color.


SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:


92 PTS
Chewy tannins with alluring aromas and flavors make this wine a semi-blockbuster. The alcohol is not fully integrated. It is perhaps too soon to tell, but I'm not sure if time in the bottle will cure this wine of its one flaw. Retails for around $40.

DENNER THE DITCH DIGGER - 2009

40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 5% Counoise, 5% Cinsault.  From Paso Robles with a whopping 15.3% alcohol.


TASTING NOTES:


Explosive blend of dark berries - strawberry, blackberry, black currant, plum and blueberry.  Oak, smoke, black pepper, asphalt, licorice, chocolate and spice.


SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:


93 PTS
A blockbuster wine that showcases Grenache.  A massive wine with purple-teeth staining color and endless jam.  Probably needs some time in the bottle but this is a sexy wine actually seems to show some restraint.  Retails for around $50.

DEHLINGER PINOT NOIR - 2008

California Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley with 14.9% alcohol.


TASTING NOTES:


Black cherry and raspberry upfront with blackberry, oak, mocha, plum and concentrated jam and spice on the mid-palate.  Silky smooth, very balanced, good acidity.


SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:


93 PTS
A very well-made wine that was named #5 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 List.  The most impressive aspects of this wine are its balance (at nearly 15%, the alcohol is barely present) and oak (wonderfully integrated).  Stylistically, I can't say this wine rises to the top for me, as I tend to prefer a Pinot with more vibrant acidity.

SPINIFEX ESPRIT - 2006

Mataro 34%, Grenache 31%, Shiraz 30%, Cinsault 5%.  From the Barossa Valley, Australia.  14.5% alcohol.


TASTING NOTES:


Rich red color with aromas and flavors of black cherry, boysenberry, raspberry, blackberry, mocha, smokey oak and plum.  In the background there's hints of more prune-raisin-fig lurking beneath.  Chewy tannins, but smooth and direct on the palate.


SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:


91+ PTS
Perhaps a little more time in the bottle might help this wine. It still has some alcohol showing through that holds this wine back from being completely balanced.  Overall, this is a great Aussie wine that is not overpowering.  Retails for around $18.