Category Archive: United States Wines

La Petite Tour 2009 Classic White

La Petite Tour 2009 Classic White

This white is of unknown grape composition.  Its green-apple jolly rancher and Anjou pear nose foreshadows sweet flavors of strawberry, lemon, honeysuckle and subtle caramel, which are paired with a slight spiciness.  It is surprisingly complex, although in its balance it may lean a little too much toward the sweet end of the spectrum.  But …

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2009 Black Fox Cabernet Sauvignon

Black Fox cab

This cab has an almost Coca-Cola-like color, but tinted with ruby and pink.  That color, however, is thin, pale and transparent.  Notes of cherry and mature berries, but also darker tones like pepper and earth are carried in the nose.  The flavor continues the theme of red fruit, with a strong imprint of strawberries.  The …

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2006 Bokisch Graciano

2006 Bokisch Graciano

We fell in love with the 2004 Bokisch Graciano during a Valentine’s Day dinner a few years ago, and since then we’ve returned to that Lodi, CA vineyard for their 2005 and 2006 vintages.  In color the ’06 is beginning to show an agéd tawniness, and the earthy scent draws you in with cedar, ripe …

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Burke Family Reserve 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Burke Family Reserve

In this smooth, easy drinking and cranberry-colored cab, the aroma and flavor closely mimic each other.  The nose is faint, but a bit of moist, upturned earth can be detected, along with a touch of pepper.  In addition to those flavors, fruit becomes more apparent on the palate, with black currant and dark cherry.  Licorice …

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Chateau Ste. Michelle 2009 Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley

From the oldest winery in Washington, Chateau Ste. Michelle, comes this light and crisp Pinot Gris.  The color is quite pale yellow, almost bordering on a hue of green.  Green apples, grass, apricot, lavender and honeysuckle are all detected on the nose.  The texture has a bit of a bite, and the taste is very …

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Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Irish (Influenced) Wine

Murphy-Goode Cab

It’s hard to believe it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day.  To some, this day might mean donning green from head to toe and enjoying a favorite Irish beer or whiskey (or ten).  But have you considered tasting an Irish wine or two instead?  Ireland itself is not a country rich in wine production.  Just dig a little …

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Ken Wright 2009 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Last night at Pearl Dive we had a very enjoyable Pinot from Ken Wright Cellars of Oregon.  The rich aroma drew us in right away with its remarkable caramel scent.  It was warming, comforting and smooth in the mouth with cherry, oak and delicate tannins.  It was a great complement to our oysters, redfish and …

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