Wine Test

Question 1

Sparkling 4+1

Answer 1

• Piper Sonoma
  
  • Sonomo County
  • 11
• Zardetto
  
  • Veneto
  • 11.5
• Gerard Bertrand (C.D.L.R.)
  
  • Languedoc
  • 12
• Michele Chiarlo
  
  • Piedmont
  • 12
• Tattinger “La Francaise”
  
  • Champagne
  • 25

Question 2

Sauvignon Blanc

Answer 2

• Martin Ray
  
  • Sonoma County
  • 8
• St Supery
  
  • ​Sonoma Valley
  • 9

Question 3

Chardonay

Answer 3

• Noble Vine “446”
  
  • Napa Valley
  • 9
• Hess Collection
  
  • Napa Valley
  • 12
• Cakebread
  
  • Napa Valley
  • 21
• Domaine Ferret
  
  • Pouilly-Fuisse
  • 15
• Kistler “Les Noisetiers”
  
  • Sonoma Coast
  • 25

Question 4

Rose

Answer 4

• Halter Ranch
  
  • Granache/Syrah
  • Paso Robles
  • 9

Question 5

Mixed

Answer 5

• Bollini
  
  • PG
  • Alto Adige
  • 8.5
• Hiedler “Loess”
  
  • Gruner Veltliner
  • Kamptal, Austria
  • 13
• Clean Slate
  
  • Riesling
  • Mosel, Germany
  • 9
• Pierre Sparr “One”
  
  • **Muscat/Riesling **
  • Alsace, France’
  • 9.5

Question 6

Pinot Noir (6)

Answer 6

• Angeline
  
  • California
  • 9.75
• Martin Ray
  
  • ​Sonoma County
  • 11
• Mossback
  
  • Russian River
  • 13
• Artesa
  
  • ​Sonoma Valley
  • 15
• WillaKenzie
  
  • ​Willamatte Valley
  • 18
• Foley
  
  • ​Sta Rita Hills
  • 20

Question 7

Cabernet Sauvignon (7)

Answer 7

• 337
  
  • Lodi
  • 11
• Black Stallion
  
  • Napa Valley
  • 14.5
• Sequoia Grove
  
  • Napa Valley
  • 18
• Emblem
  
  • Napa Valley
  • 22
• Levendi “Sweet Water”
  
  • Napa Valley
  • 22
• Hall
  
  • ​Alexander Valley
  • 24
• Silver Oak
  
  • ​Alexander Valley
  • 30

Question 8

Mix of Red

Answer 8

• Catena (Malbec)​
  
  • Mendoza
  • 15
• Massimo (Malbec)
  
  • Mendoza
  • 9
• St Francis (Merlot)
  
  • Sonoma County
  • 9
• Bianchi (Red Zin)
  
  • Sonoma County
  • 12
• The Boyz (Syrah)
  
  • Paso Robles
  • 11
• Biodi Santi “Sassoalloro” (sangiovese)
  
  • Tuscany, Italy
  • 18

Question 9

Gerard Bertrand (C.D.L.R.)

Answer 9

• Brut, Cremant de Limoux Rose
• Languedoc, France
• $12
• 70 Chard; 20 Chenin Blanc; 10 Pinot Noir
• Nose
  
  • floral, strawberry, raspberry, and pear
• Taste
  
  • Citrus, Red berryies, a little minerality, crisp clean finish
• Nicely priced, elegant and well structured.
• delicate fruit aromas
• balanced acidity from the Chenin blanc,
• and the pale salmon hue from the pinot noir.
• Subtle bouquet with floral notes, faint scents of strawberry, raspberry and pear
• citrus, red berry fruit, brioche, and nuances of minerality on the crisp, clean lingering finish.
• A delightful aperitif and delicious pairing with foie gras, oysters, shellfish, grilled or smoked fish, truffled cheeses and desserts

Question 10

Michele Chiarlo (Sweet)

Answer 10

• Moscato D’Asti, NV
• Piedmont Italy
• 12
• Nose
  
  • Spring day, fresh, sweet
• Flavor
  
  • floral, apricots
• Food
• Michele Chiarlo Nivole is a darling of a Moscato; fresh, sweet and delicate; lots of apricots and flowers here.
• Food Pairing
  
  • downright delicious with apple desserts, fresh berries, summer salads, meringue pies, peach cobbler, hazelnut desserts and lemon-poppy breads and cakes.
  • While dessert is Moscato’s forte, cheese courses, charcuterie or antipasto plates can be perfect pairings for Moscato d’Asti wines. Its versatility, with a definitive balance of sweet and acidity, and the lower alcohol also make Moscato an ideal aperitif candidate, though it has certainly earned its stripes as the wine world’s most fashionable brunch-time guest as well.

Question 11

St Supery Sauvignon Blanc

Answer 11

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Sonoma Valley
• 9
• Nose
  
  • Grapefruit aromas, green lime
• Flavor
  
  • grapefruit, guava, lemon zest
• This Sauvignon Blanc presents a brilliant shade of pale yellow speared by youthful streaks of green. The vintage of 2011 provided generous grapefruit aromas coupled with green lime, kiwi and a subtle zest of caper. Flavors are rich with grapefruit, guava and a lemon zest citrus combination. The wine is rich, vibrant and generous, yet elegant with a terrific crisp finish.The St Supery Sauvignon Blanc exhibits grassy, dried herbal flavors; medium bodied and firm on the palate.
• Food Pairing
  
  • In general, the high acidity of Sauvignon Blanc has the ability to make most foods shine, much as lemon complements many dishes.
  • Good with salty food
    
    • Acidity also balances out salty and cured foods.

Question 12

Noble Vine “446” Chardonnay

Answer 12

• Chardonnay
• Napa Valley
• $9
• Nose
  
  • Apples and peach pies
• Flavor
  
  • Silky, yet dry medium body, ripe pineapple and angel food cake
• Aromas of apple and peach pies with a silky fruity-yet dry medium body and a juicy ripe pineapple and angel food cake finish. Very tasty and charming choice for a get-together wine.

Question 13

Hess Collection Chardonnay 2011

Answer 13

• Chardonnay
• Napa Valley
• $12
• Critics:”Offers a spicy, persistent, Muscat-like edge, with green pear and subtle melon notes.
• “Aromas of pear and citrus, highlighting lemon and lime, are followed on the palate with pineapple and tropical fruit flavors. Medium-bodied and refreshing, a subtle oak toast balances acidity, resulting in a wine crafted in a modern, fruit-forward style, wonderful to enjoy on its own as an apéritif, or with a wide array of dishes across many cuisines.” —winemaker

Question 14

Cakebread Chardonnay 2012

Answer 14

• Chardonnay
• Napa Valley
• 21
• Our 2011 Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with fresh, creamy aromas of ripe pear, apple and citrus, with light butter, yeast and spicy oak tones adding complexity. The wine’s rich, focused, green apple, melon and guava flavors are nicely balanced by fresh acidity and a piquant mineral tone. Both mouthfilling and elegant, this quintessential Napa Valley Chardonnay is delectable now, but it will develop even greater complexity with another 5-8 years’ bottle age

Question 15

Domaine Ferret Chardonnay 2012

Answer 15

• Pouilly-Fuisse, France
• $15
• Nose
  
  • toasted muffin, floral and mineral
• Flavor
  
  • herbs, flowers, and mineral w/ apple fruit balance
• From a vineyard that lies on a hillside part facing east, part south. Plenty of oak character here, plenty of butter and light toasted muffin notes, but that beautiful delicacy of light floral and mineral notes too. The palate has superb line and length, the lime of the acidity and the taut structure of the mineral and apple fruit is linear and deliciously flecked with flowers and herbs. 92/100

Question 16

Halter Ranch Grenache/Syrah

Answer 16

• Paso Robles
• 9
• Notes
  
  • wild strawberry and guava
• Flavor
  
  • fruit flavors and finishes with crisp minerality
• Reminiscent of Rosés from the Southern Rhône, this Grenache-based blend has aromas of wild strawberry and guava. Refreshing on the palate, this wine features tropical fruit flavors and finishes with a crisp minerality. Enjoy alone as an apéritif, or pair with charcuterie, salmon or light pastas.

Question 17

Artesa Pinot Noir

Answer 17

• Sonoma Valley
• 15
• Nose
  
  • red fruit, floral aromas
• Flavor
  
  • raspberry and cherry, acidity levels everything out
• On the nose, this wine offers beautiful bright red fruit and a hint of floral aromas. On the palate, there are undertones of bright raspberry and cherry. The natural acidity gives vibrancy and it is an excellent partner to so many foods; it is medium bodied and has a long finish. A classic Pinot Noir that is true to its appellation.

Question 18

Foley Pinot Noir 2012

Answer 18

• Sta. Rita Hills
• 20
• Nose
  
  • Ripe boysenberry, cherries, and vanilla
• Taste
  
  • On the nose all ripe frutis; creamy mouthful
• Santa Rita Hills, California- An attractive nose moves seamlessly to the palate of ripe boysenberry, dusty cherry and vanilla. This nicely made wine is well ripened and concentrated without being overdone, and has a creamy mouthfeel.

Question 19

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Answer 19

• Alexander Valley
• 24
• Nose
  
  • cinnamon and blackberry
• Taste
  
  • coconut rum; and cola, with lively fruit
• 100% opaque - mostly purple with ruby red in the background. Bright, high toned and fresh with lively fruit. Grippy mouth feel with cinammon and blackberries on the nose. On the palate I get coconut rum and cola. Needs time to settle down but I like what I see.

Question 20

Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Answer 20

• Alexander Valley
• 30
• Nose
  
  • rich currant, dry blackberry
• Taste
  
  • ripe blackberry, ripe cherry, hot on the finish, disapears nicely
• The nose has rich currant and dried balckberry flovors. A rich mouthfeel of ripe blackberry and very ripe cherry. a bit hot on the finish but that quickly disapears and finishes long with saddle and leather notes.

Question 21

Catena Malbec 2011

Answer 21

• Mendoza, Argentina
• 15
• Nose
  
  • Plum and wild berry compote
• Taste
  
  • smokey, toasted spice, espresso; with rich finish
• Wine Spectator - Mendoza, Argentina- “Dark and jammy, with enough acidity to propel the roasted plum and wild berry compote notes. Layers of smoke, toasted spice and espresso emerge on the rich finish.”

Question 22

Martin Ray Pinot Noir 2012

Answer 22

• Sonoma County
• 11
• Nose
  
  • Lovely nose plum, blackberry
• Taste
  
  • On the nose
• A very “pretty” wine. A good value. Lovely nose, and the plum and blackberry flavors were very dominant. Paired very nicely with (of all things) turkey meatloaf.

Question 23

What is our sparkling rose by the glass? how much?

Answer 23

Gerard Bertrand