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This past Labor Day weekend was one of the best in my life.  For my birthday last April my wife gave me a private tasting at Wolffer Vineyards in The Hamptons.She bought the tasting at an auction for Cancer Care.  She scheduled it for the Saturday before Labor Day. Oh my God.  What a surprise.  I was initially skeptical. Most wines I have tried from Long Island are sweet and just icky really.  But, this was The Hamptons and it was wine, I wasn’t about to turn that away.

First let me say Wolffer is one of the most beautiful vineyards I have ever been too. Nestled in The Hamptons, surrounded by, you know, luxury and famous people.  The vineyards and visitor area are in pristine condition.

The weekend was a little off, supposedly the East Coast was going to be hit by Hurricane Hermine. People were staying off the beach but inland areas were inundated.  Our quiet time at the vineyard turned into  an elbows and _ssholes scare.  But, the Wolffer staff is at a minimum very professional.  As soon as we checked in, Roman Roth the winemaker, showed up to take us on a private tour.

Immaculate, that is what I can say.  After a tour of the facilities we started the tasting. The first was the Summer in a Bottle white, a refreshing blend that is perfect for a summer afternoon “porch” wine, you know – that wine you drink by itself, just because.  we followed this with the Grapes of Roth dry Riesling.  A delightful, dry, crisp riesling that again is refreshing and light.   Finishing off the whites with a rose’.  I know -I know but keep up with me.  This is one of the best rose’ I ever had.  Crisp but fruity.  Elegant and light.  Refreshing.  A perfect summer wine.

Roman took us into the Library, he chose for us to try, a 2001 Merlot.  Can I say,magnificent!!!!!  One of the best wines I have ever been privileged to try.  Smooth, depth. structure.  Light tannins that only beg your mouth for more.  Beautiful nose just a magnificent wine.  After the library we sat at a private table in the barrel room.  A cheese and meat plate appeared as well as more wine.

When you thought things couldn’t get any better.  At the table, a bottle of Caya Cab Franc appeared.  I am a sucker for CAB  Franc, a Loire aficionado.  But the Caya will give  the best of Loire a run.  Just luscious.  We were ending the reds with Fatalis Fatum,  this red Bordeaux style blend is magnificent.  This wine will stand with any Bordeaux.  Just at this time Marc Wolffer, the owner, came in.  What a great time.  Being able to sit at a table with the owner and winemaker is a dream come true. What a great evening, listening to the vision of the wines and actually being able to taste that vision come to fruition.

The last wine of the evening was the Diosa  Late Harvest.  One of the best dessert wines i have ever tried, including some of the Sauternes I enjoyed in France.  Full, rich, creamy and elegant.  Not sugary sweet but naturally sweet.  A perfect end.

I also want to acknowledge the non-alcohol wine that Roman brought for my daughter to try. The Ver-Jus (Green Juice) he gave to my daughter was very nice.  A quality product.  One can tell that the same amount of attention is given to every product.

By the way,  we left with several bottles of wine along with a bottle of gin-a new venture- and one I am sure will be a success. wp-1473251896715.jpg

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Roman picking from the Library, a 2001 Merlot.

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With a name like Kupelwieser  one would expect a great German riesling.

And you would sorta be right.  This is a great Italian riesling from Alto Adige.  The Alto Adige is an area just on the Austrian border in the north of Italy.  Through history it has passed between Italian, German Austrian hands.  It is also known as Sudtirol (South Tyrol). The influence of the Italian and German cultures blends itself into the wines.

The Kupelwieser Riesling is an audacious wine.  Bold and fruity and yet elegant and soft.

The nose produces scents of summer flowers and peaches.  The aromas envelope you and immediately your thoughts turn to those hot summer days looking for that refreshing  summer wine, cool-dry -fruity-DELICIOUS.  Well look no further this is the one.

This wine is delightful.  Crisp, fruity, soft, bold.  Flavors of peach and lemon wrap around your tongue.  The mouth watering delite bounces around and a smile automatically comes to your lips.  Just damn good.

Enjoy

$

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My Rating 88 Points. Price $20. Light golden in color with a yellow tint. Beautiful nose of flowers, mangoes, kiwi, lemons, white pepper, tropical fruits, peaches and citrus. Full bodied with medium plus acidity and an interesting fizz. Sweet on the palate with citrus, lemons, honey, apples, melons, tropical fruits and peaches. Long sweet […]

via Azienda Agricola Ca Montebello Luigi Scarani Moscato Dolce 2015 IGT, Provincia di Pavia Italy — Odedi’s Wine Review Blog

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Refreshing, I need one now

The hot dry summers make a body long for something cool and refreshing.  I say try a rose.  Not a sweet domestic zinfandel Yuck..I just threw up in my mouth thinking about it..try a sophisticated dry rose.  Most are elegant, light, crisp with hints of red fruit..cherry and strawberry.  Rose’s have blossomed into the fastest growing segment of the wine market and every major house has one.  Italian, French, German, Austrian, Spainish, domestic you name it you can get a rose from anywhere now.

Let’s talk about one of my favorites from Austria.  Winzer Krems Rose Blauer Zweigelt.

Winzer Krems is the largest wine producer in Austria, but by no means the only.  It is actually a cooperative in an area about 50 miles from Vienna.  Everything here is done by hand, keeping quality at its peak.   The rose we speak of is light in color.  It has a nice fresh aroma of garden flowers accented with fruit blossoms and pepper.  It has a crisp acidity that pleases the pallet with the hint of strawberry lingering on the tongue, a quick note of pepper finishes.  A slight effervesence gives that extra umph to it and makes it that much more pleasing.

Delightful and pleasing. A worthy summer ( anytime) wine.  I enjoyed this by itself after a hot day on the golf course a perfect refresher.

Enjoy

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Mercurey is within the Cote Chalonnaise and one of the “premier” areas of Burgundy.

There are 32 premier Cru vineyards in Mercurey, however, no Grand Cru.

This beautiful full Pinot Noir is velvety smooth with lots of fruit.  Great nose featuring big bold aromas of fruit, pepper and cedar.  This is a great wine to serve by itself or with lamb or other lighter red meats.

@20$

Enjoy

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For those who have not heard  of Ch. Montelena ….I will leave you to do your own research.   Just think “judgement of Paris”. For those who have, well let me just say this wine is worth the hoopla.  Known mainly for the Chardonnay,  they also do Zin, Cab., and a riesling. 
Today I focus on the Napa Cab 2012.
A gorgeous ruby color that sparkles in the glass. Dorothy could only wish for such.
The nose is complex.  The sweet aroma of roses and violets, coupled with the sensuous  aromas of tobacco.
The beverage soothes into the mouth.  Full, rich , refined and elegant.  Very fruity. The complexity will drive you insane, trying to decipher all of the flavors.Very, very soft tannins that just keep you hooked and lures you into more. 
The Barrett family continues to drive quality and excellence, and in my “judgment” they win again.
Enjoy
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I have always been a sucker for a good zinfandel. And now I am attached to the Oak Ridge tit.  This amazing wine from Lodi is well….amazing.  Lodi is of course wellth known for producing some of the finest zins. 
The floral bouquet magically erupts from the bottle.  Red, ripe berries and violets permeate my nostrils. 
Barrel aged for 18 months brings out those dark berry notes that coat your mouth. A subtle sweetness lingers finally giving way to cinnamon and spice.  Everything nice. 
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Enjoy

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Well I had the great opportunity to try Owl Ridge Cabernet, Alexander Valley 2012.  This is a must try wine.  A winner of Best of Class awards.  Winemaker is Joe Otos, who also consults for several other wineries.

All the fruit comes from Alexander Valley.  The aroma punches through. Ripe, red fruit -raspberry and cherry are forefront. A little not of oak to finish off. (French Oak that is)

The flavor is big and bold.  Again, that big bold red fruit intensity.  The fruit covers the inside of your mouth with so much fruit.  Cherry, raspberry and that little touch of oak.  Hints of cinnamon and pepper and the vanilla note that softens.  Oh how lovely. The tannins are there but oh so soft.

$$$

Enjoy

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I have to say Spanish wines are becoming my favorites.  In a short period of time they have progressed so far.  While other wine regions are stagnant or progressing slowly, Spain is moving forward rapidly.

Speaking of progress and change, the Montsant region is one.  A recently established DO, 2001, with only about 57 wineries.  And my I add producing some robust wines.

Tonight I am talking about Can Blau.  Oh damn so good.  The nose is very floral, lavendar, violet all of those dark floral notes.

The juice is luscious.  A complex blend of Mazuelo, Syrah and Garnacha.  WOW, what an effect.  A beautifully gorgeous full bodied wine.   Notes of dark berries, black pepper and spices.  This is a spectacular example of Spain.  Robust, full bodied and rich.  I am not sure if Penelope Cruz is from Spain, but oh my God this would be her wine.

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Enjoy

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Can you see the beauty.  Pretty label and all.