A nice tasting at the Vineyard Friday night
R oger featured some nice wines from California, France and Argentina. I stopped by Friday just as they were starting. Three of the six wines featured were Hess Select wines, the first being the Hess Select Sauvignon Blanc. I could taste honeysuckle and grapefruit but not sour/bitter grapefruit but a sweet grapefruit flavor.
The Hess Select Monterey County Chardonnay was nice and mellow. Not too acidic. I really don’t enjoy acidic whites. This would be nice to sip any time of the year.
The last Hess Select was their Malbec from Argentina. They own some vineyards in Argentina so they aren’t just a California company. This was delightful with the cheeses on the nibbles table.
Nice Rosé from Orin Swift. Their Fragile Rosé is a special project they did in France. Not too dry. I agree with Emile that this has a bit of “barnyard” to it, a nice earthy note.
The big boy of the tasting was the Chalk Hill Estate Pinot Noir ($39.99). Has some bold fruit going on for a Pinot but still has that lighter mouthfeel of a Pinot.
Last but not least was Big Bad Zin, an old vine zin that has been featured at several tastings over the years. You can smell oak and taste chocolate. A super dark wine yet has an amazing light mouthfeel for a zin.
I’m at a loss to pick which was my favorite. I liked them all.
Once again John did a great job with the nibbles. Average price on these wines was $18.32.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463
When: Friday, July 7, 2017, 5-7 PM and Saturday, July 8, 2017, 5-7 PM.
Cost: $10 for the flight & food pairings
Here are the wines to be presented (click to see more):
- Hess Select Sauvignon Blanc 2016
- Hess Select Monterey County Chardonnay 2015
- Orin Swift Fragile Rosé 2015
- Chalk Hill Estate Pinot Noir 2012
- Hess Select Malbec 2015
- Big Bad Zin 2012
Here are the detailed wine notes:
Hess Select Sauvignon Blanc 2016 | North Coast, California
A wonderful growing season set the stage for ripe fruit with decidedly pronounced flavors and aromas. Grassy tones on the nose, with plenty of citrus and tropical fruit flavors alongside a crisp, bright freshness are accented by wonderful acidity and a full, rich mouth-feel. New World in style with a nod to New Zealand and fermented in stainless steel, we love to drink this wine year round. The bright acidity of this wine pairs well with salty and sweet combinations such as prosciutto-wrapped grilled peaches, fresh basil and tomatoes, chopped raw vegetable salads and fresh goat cheese. Website
Cost: $10.99
Hess Select Monterey County Chardonnay 2015 | Monterey County, California
“We’re on to something with our Hess Select Chardonnay. It’s a new take on the most popular wine around, tasting good on its own, paired with appetizers, a variety of meals prepared at home or out for date night. Crisp and clean with bright wonderfully balanced acidity, the signature lemon-lime and a touch of apple flavors of Monterey shine through. ” – Dave Guffy, Director of Winemaking-
This wine’s natural acidity compliments tangy, spicy foods and shows well with the richness of creamier dishes. Our Chardonnay pairs well with Asian chicken salad or grilled albacore tuna with melted anchovy butter and lemon. Website
Cost: $10.99
Orin Swift Fragile Rosé 2015 | France
Pale salmon in color with a cherry blossom fringe, the wine brims with perfumed floral notes, blood orange zest, and a hint of wild aniseed. Casually acidic with soft saline notes upon entry, the wine is vibrant and bright with dense red currant flavors, crystalized strawberries, and a pink grapefruit core. An incisive finish with red berry skin extract is balanced with clean and lifting acidity. Predominantly a blend of Grenache with small percentages of Syrah, and Carignan. Vin de Pay des Cotes Catalanes. Produced and bottled by Dept. 66, Maury, France. Imported by Orin Swift Cellars. Website
Cost: $19.99
Chalk Hill Estate Pinot Noir 2012 | Russian River, California
2015 was another prime vintage with moderate temperatures throughout the spring and summer. Concentrated wild strawberry and Bing cherry meld together with redwood forest aromas on the nose. Smooth with soft tannins, the wine’s silky texture brings forth a palate full of juicy red berry fruits with hibiscus flower wrapped around decadent dark chocolate. Its elegant finish and balanced acidity make it a versatile food-pairing wine. Enjoy with roasted pork tenderloin, or a grilled salmon with berry sauce. 100% Pinot Noir. Website
Cost: $39.99
Hess Select Malbec 2015 | Argentina
This fruit-forward Malbec is garnet red with a violet hue and has pleasant aromas of raspberry, cherry and pomegranate. Supple and smooth, the dominant flavors of cherries, Red Delicious apples and crabapple are accented with cassis, nutmeg and allspice. A long lingering finish highlights a light touch of oak. Malbec is a very versatile grape that pairs wonderfully with dishes such as lentil soup, brisket, cassoulet as well as lamb, duck, and pastas with rich red sauces. Mild to moderate sharp cheeses, such as a Stilton Cheddar, are quite memorable with this wine. Website
Cost: $15.99
Big Bad Zin 2012 | Lodi California
These grapes were produced by Old Zin Vines, which are warriors in their own right, they have thrived and flourished in the rugged soils of Lodi, CA for the past 50-100 years. This Zinfandel is jammy with a fruit flavor that is as ripe as it is robust, showing off punches of raspberry, mocha and milk chocolate, Big Bad Zin will deliver…..and leave you coming back for more. Website
Cost: $11.99
