Wine Reviews...
The site proudly welcomes LeAnna Darr assumes the role as the new wine reviewer for Vegas Wine News. For more insight into LeAnna’s wine background, go to the featured person page, where she is the featured person of this edition.
LeAnna describes the parameters of her tasting format as follows:
Style & Quality
When considering a bottle for purchase or to add to your collection, the taste profile and character of a wine are the most important factors. Each wine will be evaluated by the “Four S’s: Sight, Smell, Sip and Savor.
Price Point
This category basically will compare the quality of the wine to the retail price.
Availability
There is nothing worse than reading about an outstanding wine, and then realizing that it is nowhere to be found. My goal is to provide the readers with my recommendations of amazing wine that can be easily be found either in a wine shop, winery, and/or through a wine club. “4 glasses” means you can easily find it at your local shop.
Use the following rating scale for easy reference:
= Poor: Disappointing
Availability
Style & Quality
Price
(2) 2009 Papapietro Perry, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir, $46.00
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Style & Quality
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Style & Quality
I enjoyed this wine on a beautiful summer evening BBQ with a group of friends. The sky was painted with beautiful colors and the air was warm with a slight breeze, perfect evening to entertain! As we were nibbling on mild cheese and Italian meats, a friend of mine shared her Russian River Valley Pinot. In my experience with Russian River Valley Pinot’s they tend to be more tannic for my taste due to the cool weather.
Papapietro Perry’s 2009 Pinot was very impressive; it was true to its Terroir yet very well balanced! The color was medium ruby with rich aromas of red cherry, blueberry, black pepper with slight earth notes. The flavor consists of rich, ripe red cherry, cola, and hints of smoke. Also, this Pinot has a silky texture, great structure with a wonderful long finish. It was PERFECT with the BBQ chicken that was served! Every wine lover should have this wine in their collection. It was a treat and a true crowd pleaser! It’s relatively pricey but worth every penny. The sad news is that this wine is found only at the tasting room and the wine club.
Availability
(3) 2009 Casa Sant’Orsola, Gavi Di Gavi DOCG, Italy $15.99-17.99
This light Italian white wine was a birthday gift from a dear friend. I recently enjoyed it with a group of friends by the pool. It was perfect for a hot summer day; crisp, clean, light and very refreshing! The wine has a very light straw like color with hints of pineapple and slight green apple aroma. The flavor was very pleasant, floral, acidic and fresh, finishing very dry.
This wine has become a staple in my wine collection. It is nice to offer a fun, light and refreshing option to my guests (especially in the spring/summer months) I serve this Gavi with melon and prosciutto, spinach and raspberry salad and/or oysters.
Wine Reviews...
LeAnnna’s November/December 2011 WINES
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(1)2009 Bennesse Pinot Grigio, Napa Valley, $22.00
I was very impressed with this Pinot Grigio right away. I normally feel that Pinot’s are lacking in flavor and taste. I was pleasantly surprised with how this wine was made. Opening the bottle, I immediately smelled hints of floral, citrus and hints of mineral nuances. As I was swirling to observe the light straw like color, other aromas were developing; ripe apricot, green apples, with a hint of Vanilla...I tasted the wine; it was true to the Carneros region. The region consists of cool days that can produce tart and spicy flavors along with long foggy mornings to develop the clusters to its full potential. Most Pinot Grigio’s are fermented in Steel Barrels to create an acidic, clean and one dimensional wine. The Benessere’s winemaker used French Oak Barrels developing a rich vanilla aroma on the finish to soften the effects of the weather. This Pinot Grigio has much more to offer while still remaining light in body. It is not overwhelming and it is easy to drink. I could pair Benessere Pinot Grigio to many foods, not having to worry if it would be over powered by most foods. One of my favorite Pinot Grigio wines I have tasted. Chardonnay.......Watch out!
I recommend mild cheese to develop the mineral nuances, roasted or pesto chicken to accentuate the Vanilla aroma and seafood such as crab cakes to heighten the hints of citrus. Found in various restaurants in the Napa Valley area. They have a helpful website where those interested may purchase the wine.
= Fair: Meets average expectations
= Excellent: Far exceeds reasonable expectations
= Good: Better than average
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(4) 2008 Carr Three Vineyards Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, Central Coast, $38.00
This past summer, I went to the Santa Barbara Vintners’ Association Wine Tasting located in Santa Maria, California. There were so many amazing wineries, but Carr Vineyards stood out. I found all their varietals fantastic; full of rope and well-developed fruit, all true to the terroir. This particular Pinot Noir won my choice as the favorite of all their excellent wines. It was well balanced, delicate with a lovely garnet color. Its aromatics included spicy vanilla, lush black cherries and cola, followed by a flavor profile that included rich, earthy flavors and a soft, silky feel in the mouth. My favorite wine of the entire tasting! I also recommend Carr’s classic style Chardonnay. Unfortunately, the Chardonnay may only be purchased through the winery. The Pinot Noir is not distributed at present in Nevada, but may be ordered through the winery. To contact them, go to their website at www.carrwinery.com, or give them at call at (805)965-7985.
Style & Quality
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