Wente Chardonnay Tasting #TTL

Just last week I mentioned a Twitter Taste Live event with Wente Vineyards representative Karl Wente, and this is about another one. While the writeups are a week apart, the actual events were held more than a month apart. This time we got a chance to look at a quartet of Chardonnays. I opened the first two a day early to give my friends Grace and Mars and Paul a chance to try them.

These kind of online tastings are great, because you can either invite some friends over to join you in the tasting, or save the leftovers to share with friends later. Lots of people don't get a chance to try the same grape from the same producer, expressed in four different ways in one setting.

2009 Wente Riva Ranch
$20, 13.5% abv.
Arroyo Seco, Monterey
This is a classic oaky California Chardonnay. People argue over this style, but sometimes I'm in the mood for it and sometimes I'm not. This one has big aromas of buttered popcorn and caramel--it reminds me so much of Crunch 'n Munch. Beyond that there are elements vanilla and peach on the palate, with an interesting finish of chalk and minerals.

2009 Wente Morning Fog
$15, 13.5% abv.
Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
Initial impression is crisp with a splash of tart acidity. The flavor profile is dominated by overripe peach, but the overall structure is mild and refreshing. This one was fermented half in oak and half in stainless steel, providing a lighter and brighter contrast to the darker and deeper Riva Ranch. The Morning Fog disappeared pretty quickly, as it was a favorite around the table. Terrific bargain here.

2010 Wente Eric's Chardonnay
$21, 13.4% abv.
Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
There's a light nose of apricot and flowers. On the tongue it's a little dark, with a slightly rough aftertaste that mellows with time. Trying it at various times, I think this one is much better at room temperature after some breathing rather than cool and fresh from the bottle. This one gave me the strangest craving for trout and green beans with almonds on both.

2009 The Nth Degree Chardonnay
$45, 14.2% abv.
Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
350 cases produced
I'd love to try this one in two or three years. It's great now, but it feels like it could develop beautifully with some more time. There's an initial whiff of buttered popcorn, but you quickly discover that there's a lot more going on here. I found it rich, rustic, and earthy. Not barnyard, but definitely farm-related. There's a rich flavor that reminds me of succotash (sweet corn and lima beans), and there's a long, mellow finish. Really quite nice, and highly recommended.


Note: These wines were received as samples.

Wente Chardonnays

Another quick note: there's a new article up at Serious Eats on my favorite local Mexican torta.

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Time once again for another tasting with Karl Wente and lots of fellow winebloggers at TasteLive. We've participated in a lot of these, and at this point we have a pretty chummy tasting group.

The theme for this tasting was Chardonnay in its various forms. There's not just one way to enjoy this white grape, and Karl talked about the different production methods while the rest of us communicated in the chat log and on Twitter.

2010 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay
Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
$13, 13.5% abv.
Fresh apricot with a big mouthfeel and just a bit of acidity. Lots of fruit. Half oak, half stainless steel. It's a great entry-level Chardonnay that will work well with all sorts of chicken dishes.

2011 Wente Eric's Chardonnay
Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
$22, 13.1% abv.
All stainless steel fermentation, so this wine was light and refreshing with mild aromas. Overall profile of apples and pears with a light mouthfeel and a soft finish. Great summer wine.

2010 Wente Riva Ranch Chardonnay
Arroyo Seco, Monterey
$20, 13.5% abv.
Getting into some serious oak with this one. The nose starts out with floral elements before revealing the buttery vanilla undertones. Well rounded with a medium body and a long finish. A classic California Chardonnay.

2010 Wente Nth Degree Chardonnay
Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
$45, 13.6% abv.
Nth was always my favorite Scrabble word for grabbing a few points in a tight corner without vowels. This is a remarkable wine that combines tropical elements like pineapple and orange flower with a great balanced oak structure. It is decidedly New World but has incredible structure. Just enough acidity, just enough oak, and just enough fruit... While it's much better at cellar temperature I did enjoy sipping on this one for a while one rainy afternoon.


Note: These wines were received as samples.

Wente Blind Tasting

October 30, 2012: I attend an online wine event and say, "Who the hell drops a Souzao in a blind tasting? This is the best Halloween trick ever."

September 28, 2009: I serve a Mexican wine blind to my friend Fredric.

I have mixed feelings on blind tastings. I used to do them pretty regularly, and actually got good at one point. In order to be decent at the activity you need to taste frequently and do your homework. It can be fun amongst friends, and sometimes instructive amongst newcomers. Sometimes my nose is just way off and it's damned near embarrassing. This Wente Vineyards event was interesting. Participating winebloggers received four bottles tied in black bags, along with a Carnival black eye mask and the admonition not to peek at the labels.

Wine #1: I think it's Syrah. Black cherry and pepper with a little tannic bite and some tart raspberry aftertaste.

2010 Wente Sandstone Merlot
Merlot with Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot
Livermore Valley/San Francisco Bay
$15, 13.5% abv.

These blends were throwing me off, but you've got to warm up a bit. I've taken a punch, I'm ready to deliver an uppercut. On its own, I enjoyed the leftover Merlot with a ham sandwich on rye with lots of stone-ground mustard. Delightful.

Wine #2: I'm guessing Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot. Bigger tannins, cassis, olives, black tea.

2010 Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon with Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot
Livermore Valley/San Francisco Bay
$15, 13.5% abv.

Nothing but net. Great bargain here, and it will class up a thick steak topped with mushrooms.

Wine #3: I was calling this one Merlot heavy, Médoc style. Dark, plum, savory flavors.

2010 Wente Small Lot Cabernet Franc
Livermore Valley
$40, 14.2% abv.

A really smooth and classy Cabernet Franc, which is where I was getting the Médoc notes. Definitely check this out if you ever get the chance, and break out the lamb shoulder for a hearty winter treat.

Wine #4: I suggested Portuguese grapes because of the unique barnyard and black cherry aromas, along with something that reminded me of Douro.

2009 Murietta's Well Los Tesoros de Joaquin Souzao
90% Souzao, 10% Petite Sirah
Livermore Valley
56 cases made
$24, 13.4% abv.

One wineblogger actually nailed it with Souzao, but I'm happy with my guess. This is a great wine that's even better on the next day, where it is light and delicate. Highly recommended if you can encounter one of the 672 bottles produced. Serve this with the best pork you can afford (heritage chops, aged and cured ham, etc.).


Note: These wines were received as samples.

Wente Tasting #TTL

It was time again for a Twitter Taste Live event, this time with Wente Vineyards representative Karl Wente, who was celebrating his 34th birthday during the webcast. Karl is a fifth generation winemaker, and the Livermore Valley vineyards have been farmed by his family since 1883, surviving the 1906 earthquake and Prohibition.

I've previously reviewed two of these wines from the entry level Tamás line, and was excited to try the rosé. And then two big, serious wines to finish things off.

2009 Tamás Pinot Grigio
93% Pinot Gris, 4% Viognier, 2% Chardonnay, 1% Orange Muscat
Central Coast
$12, 13% abv.
This is a pretty standard domestic Pinot Grigio: light and lemony with just enough acidity to get your attention, but overall a very mild profile. Easy drinking, good with pasta salad.

2008 Tamás Double Decker Red
Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Barbera, and others
Central Coast
$12, 13.5% abv.
Spicy and tannic, it ends up having sort of a simple Chianti-type character. And because of this, I found it a wonderful pairing with a casual dinner of spaghetti and marinara sauce.

2010 Sangiovese Rosato
Prima Classe Riserva
100% Sangiovese
Livermore Valley
$19, 12.9% abv.
300 cases made
This bottle isn't currently listed on the website (only available at the tasting room). Bright pomegranate flavor, crisp acidity, touch of tannins on the finish. Fruity and just a touch of sweetness. It's one of the first rosés I've had this summer, and it's a refreshing joy.

While the Tamás wines represent a new and lighthearted approach, Murrieta's Well is a 150 year old vineyard that was resurrected through a partnership with the Wente family in the 1990s. The source of good water was discovered by Joaquin Murrieta, who was the real life inspiration for Zorro.

2008 Murrieta’s Well The Spur
Livermore Valley
54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Petit Verdot, 10% Petite Sirah, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec
$25, 14.5% abv.
Blackberry and a touch of jam, smooth tannins, big dark fruit flavor. Long finish. The Petite Sirah is a nice addition to the Bordeaux blend, and helps with the overall dark structure of the wine.

2008 Murietta's Well Los Tesoros de Joaquín Anniversary Blend
Livermore Valley
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Tempranillo
$50, 14.1% abv.
Subtle nose of black cherry, black pepper, tobacco, and a touch of chocolate. It is smooth, delicious, refined, and well-aged. Save this one for a really great grass-fed steak.


Note: These wines were received as samples.

2011 Murrietta's Well Los Tesoros Zarzuela

Last night I participated in an online tasting with winemaker Phil Wente and Chef Matt Greco of Wente Vineyards in the Livermore Valley of California due east of San Francisco. We tried The Whip and The Spur, two interesting blends that show new combinations each year depending on what mix is working well. I've written about many Wente wines in the past, but on this particular occasion got a chance to try one that shows the unique imagination of the winemakers.

Along with the wines the internet tasters received a small jar of the chef's homemade chorizo spice rub. It's not ground up dried pork sausage, but rather a dry rub based on the flavor combinations of that delicious Spanish treat. I have not used it yet, but once it cools down a bit I will be rubbing it on a bone-in pork loin and slow smoking it. Mmmmm...

2011 Wente Vineyards Los Tesoros Zarzuela
Livermore Valley
32% Souzão, 22% Petite Sirah, 21% Tempranillo, 13% Barbera, 11% Graciano, 1% Touriga Francesa
$45, 13.2% abv.

Lovely dark fruit flavors, deep with plum and a touch of leather and chocolate, with mild tannins and a long, lingering finish. Nicely tart bite to it as it warms up a bit, then earthy, then herbal, then fruity... there is a little bit of everything in this wine. Even bay leaves. Definitely a thinker, and one that I would pair with mildly seasoned lamb or game, allowing the earthiness of the dish and wine to shine through.

Note: This wine was provided as a sample.

Double Decker Wines from Wente

The Double Decker Wines represent the rebranded Tamas line from Wente Vineyards in California. I joined several other winebloggers recently for an online tasting with winemaker Karl Wente.

These are three affordable, approachable table wines. All three are enclosed with screwcaps, which means they're easy to take to a party or a picnic where the lack of a corkscrew might be problematic. These wines are not quite available yet but the full launch happens in May.

2010 Double Decker Pinot Grigio
$10, 13% abv.
This has a little splash of 3% Viognier and 4% Reisling in it, adding some depth and character what can often be a thin grape. Bright and fruity with pleasant citrus notes and a crisp finish. Lovely floral elements from the Viognier and Riesling. This is an easy drinking white good for roast chicken or light pasta dishes.

2010 Double Decker Zinfandel
$10, 14.5% abv.
A plummy and jammy Zin with a decent tannic structure. This one would be a fun BBQ wine, served just a little on the colder side.

2010 Double Decker Red Blend
$10, 13% abv.
This proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Barbera is a lot of fun. I'm not sure of the percentages but no one grape dominates, and yet it is balanced better than some other "kitchen sink" wines that I've had in the past. Definitely great with pizza after work, what I've called in the past a Tuesday night wine: not a special occasion, no something that needs to breathe and be deeply evaluated, just a relaxing and enjoyable bottle.


Note: These wines were received as samples.

Entwine

Ent wine? Why would you make wine out of trees that can walk and talk?

Oh, it's called Entwine.

The wine is made by Wente, and shares branding with Food Network. It's a natural marketing partnership that includes four basic, inexpensive wines: the two below plus Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon. For some people, this will be the first bottle of wine they buy, because they trust the Food Network name. If it's attached to Rachel Ray and various cake makers, then it can't be too scary.

And more importantly, Wente makes serious wines at all price levels. They've got a great opportunity to make customers for life who will work their way up the chain of products over the years as they become more and more interested in wine.

2010 Entwine Chardonnay
California
$13, 13% abv.
Fruity with a lot of cantaloupe and peach. Initially low acidity, but it pops up on the finish with a crisp bite. I've been making a lot of smoked chicken this summer, so apologies if the pairing is getting old, but this worked out very well with some smoked chicken and a nice fruit salad.

2009 Entwine Merlot
California
$13, 13.5% abv.
This has a slightly buttery nose with dominant aromas of red cherry. It's fruit forward with firm tannins and a medium finish. It's not the fruit bomb you might think about with a $13 California Merlot, but it does give you a good concept of the grape as it's made in the state. This one is a great pizza or burger wine, though maybe you're using some goat cheese on that pizza or sliced pickled onions on the burger.


Note: These wines were received as samples.

When a problem comes along, you must...

A while back I participated in an online tasting from Wente that included some of the Murrieta's Well line, again named after the inspiration for Zorro. One bottle was missing from many bloggers' tasting kits, and I didn't think too much about it. But last week, I received the missing bottle with a kind letter, and was excited to give it a try.

2010 Murrieta's Well "The Whip"
Livermore Valley
$20, 13% abv.
31% Sauvignon Blanc, 27% Viognier, 15% Semillon, 11% Pinot Blanc, 8% Orange Muscat, 8% Muscat Canelli

Nose of nectarines and lemon zest with a slightly musky undertone from the Muscat. Bright lemony acidity, with a nice tart mouthfeel and just a bit of sweetness. It's a very approachable and casual white wine, and the obvious comparison is with Conundrum, which I happened to taste just yesterday.

Comparing the two, I prefer The Whip to Conundrum. Part of it is the sweetness factor, but while both wines are perfectly serviceable, The Whip fits my palate better. I'm enjoying it with some cheese and marinated olives on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

And just as a random note, when I saw Devo's video for Whip It back in 1981, it was not that strange. Oh sure, it didn't make any sense, but there was no standard format back in those days. You might have puppets, or animation, or moody black and white, or long stories, or all sorts of crazy stuff. Mark Mothersbaugh wearing an energy dome and whipping the clothes off a woman in a western setting? After 1980's Fish Heads we were ready for anything.


Note: This wine was received as a sample.

Tamás Estates Wines

Here's a lineup of some relatively new wines from the California producer Tamás Estates. Jeff Lefevere of Good Grape: A Wine Blog has called this style of wine marketing a velocity label, a separate brand with unique marketing targeted toward a specific demographic. In this case, the parent company is the venerable Wente. As he points out, wineries offering bargain versions of their wines is nothing new, but it's usually under the same branding umbrella, with distinctions made using Reserve, Estate, Private Selection, or some other designation for the higher-priced bottles.

The marketing seems to be aimed at the "backpack through Europe" crowd, with talk of touring the world via their wine, passports, and the "Hop on the Bus" slogan. Had a few youth hostel flashbacks while going through it all. The press kit included a trendy messenger bag (see below), as well as a first for me in wine collateral material: a rub-on tattoo, which lasted for about a week on my left bicep.

2008 Tamás Estates Zinfandel
Central Coast
$15, 14.5% abv.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich: nutty, toasty, and jammy all at the same time. Very mild tannins, and in fact they are almost nonexistent. A quirky but fun Zin that matches up easily with a burger or pizza.

2009 Tamás Estates Pinot Grigio
Central Coast
$12, 13% abv.

This is a pretty standard domestic Pinot Grigio: light and lemony with just enough acidity to get your attention, but overall a very mild profile. Easy drinking, good with pasta salad.

2008 Tamás Estates Double Decker Red
Central Coast
Proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Barbera
$13, 13.5% abv.

Spicy and tannic, it ends up having sort of a simple Chianti-type character. And because of this, I found it a wonderful pairing with a casual dinner of spaghetti and marinara sauce.

In the interest of disclosure with the FTC regarding gifts, the shipment also included a branded promotional messenger bag from Timbuk2. It took me a little while to figure out how it all worked, since it's got more straps and buckles than Victorian lingerie. But I started using it as a laptop bag, and I'm pretty impressed with it. There's a waterproof lining on the inside, as well as various interior zipper compartments, and it's comfortable to wear either slung over one shoulder or across the back.

I'm not really reviewing luggage here, but I thought messenger bags were just for bicyclists and hipsters, and never realized just how handy they could be. Also, despite regular exposure to four different dogs whose fur ranges from white to yellow to red to brown, I didn't have to brush the bag off before I took the photo. Yes, there's some fur caught in the velcro under the main flap, but otherwise it looks respectable when I chuck it in the car or haul it around in public.


Note: These wines were received as samples.