Kicking it in NY 19 Jun 2018 2:17 AM (6 years ago)
Here I am, still alive, and back from a long blog hiatus. If you’ve been here a long time, you know I started Wannabe Wino roughly 12 years ago. I’ve ebbed and flowed on posting since then, but recently have felt like I lost my blog mojo. With 2 small kids, I don’t taste as much wine as a I used to and my spare time is much more restricted than it once was (I’m certain you’re shocked!). But, I’m not hanging up my blogging hat yet.
Today I’m back with a really interesting sparkler (some things never change, bubbles still call my name!) from Lenz Winery on the North Fork of Long Island. I’m tasting the 2012 Lenz Cuvee, a sparkler done in the tradition method. It sports a traditional Champagne closure, retails for around $40, and rings in at 12% alcohol by volume.
It’s in the 90s in DC this week, and this bubbly just spoke to me when I perused the cellar today. On the nose I found brioche, a slight honey note, and tart apple. On the palate I got more apple, great acidity, and refreshing, clean finish. I enjoyed it paired with miserable, humid, DC heat and mosquitoes, and it helped me forget I live in a (former) swamp.
Speed Tasting #9 2014 Trah La La 11 Nov 2017 4:52 PM (7 years ago)
65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon
Sells to WIne Angels for around $11.
Languedoc.
Tannins, spice, dark fruit.
Speed Tasting #8 2015 Orgasmic Sangiovese 11 Nov 2017 4:48 PM (7 years ago)
Just bottled 2015.
All Sangiovese. From Columbia Valley, WA.
Spice, vanilla, more spice. Some dark red fruit.
Speed Tasting #7 2014 Peters Vineyard Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir. 11 Nov 2017 4:45 PM (7 years ago)
So spicy and herbal and lovely.
Strawberry, light cherry, great fruit and acidity on the palate.
Speed Tasting #7 2015 Mother Clone Pedroncelli Zin 11 Nov 2017 4:38 PM (7 years ago)
$19 retail.
Step into your spice cabinet and inhale and that is this wine. Drink it now. And forever. A great Zin bargain in a bottle.
Speed Tasting #6 2015 Upshot (Rodney Strong) 11 Nov 2017 4:34 PM (7 years ago)
Red blend from Rodney Strong.
Cofermented with Riesling.
44% Zin, 29% Merlot, 15% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Riesling.
Retails for $28.
Cocoa nib. Vanilla, fresh black fruit. Plush mouthfeel.
Speed Tasting #5 2013 Acumen Cabernet Sauvignon 11 Nov 2017 4:28 PM (7 years ago)
About 85% Cabernet Sauv.
Aged roughly 18 months. 85% new French oak. Retails for $60.
Lovely soft black fruit nose. Black cherry, plum. Nice tannins on the back end.
Speed Tasting #4 2014 St. Supery Estate Cab Sauvignon 11 Nov 2017 4:23 PM (7 years ago)
81% Cabernet, 7% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec, 2.% Cabernet France.
Retails for $42. 100% Estate grown wines.
Black cherry, fresh fruit, great acidity. Very fresh, young, tasty.
Speed Tasting #3 M*T Troon 2015 11 Nov 2017 4:18 PM (7 years ago)
CO ferment of over 50% Tannat with the rest mostly Malbec. Natural ferment, no new oak, foot crushed.
Moving to all natural wine and biodynamic
Minty, dark, extremely dark fruit with lovely acidity.
Speed Tasting #2 2006 Cain Five Cabernet Sauvignon 11 Nov 2017 4:14 PM (7 years ago)
60-70 acre vineyard.
Wow. This is a current release. Very funky earthy nose. Dark, gripping palate. Aging so well.
