Hailing from Napa Valley, this wine with the very cool label is all that one would expect it to be. With a fruity nose, and a bit woodsy, the first taste goes down smooth.
It’s very mellow and has a sweet berry flavor but finishes strong at the back of the tongue.
It’s a simple, yet elegant Merlot, which is not usually a wine I would select to drink with dinner, but I would pick this one again.
Rate: 4.1
Thankfully my Mamacork shipment made it all the way up here to Portland. This month shipment features wine from McDowell Valley Vineyards in Ukiah, CA, in the heart of Mendocino county.
Known for it’s Syrah, i’ve decided to sample the Grenache Noir this evening. On first sip, it’s got a very mellow but hearty taste that slowly makes it’s way to the back of your tongue. Bursting with berry flavors, the subtle hint of black pepper creapes into your senses as you follow the first sip with 2 and 3 more.
Excellent wine, deep red coloring.Ok now, after I’ve had 4 or 5 more sips of this delicious wine, it’s opened up a bit and it’s a very smooth wine. Gentle now on the palate and oozing with great taste.
Overall Rating: 4.0 (out of 5)
Um….first word….”wow”. Upon smelling a berry nose, I took a sip and it just slid across my tongue. This is a fantastic wine, extremely smooth. It has a smoky finish to it as well.
I would highly recommend this fantastic Syrah from McDowell. This would go great with just about anything, either fish or pork would pair well.
Overall Rating: 4.4
Just opened this bottle tonight to do my taste test. This is definitely a bold wine. It’s strong, and yet lean at the same time. It sits with you as you sip it and taste the jammy of the Zinfandel grapes. It’s a very smooth wine and an excellent blend of some of my favorite grapes. (see Snapmama’s comments below).
This would be great with a pork tenderloin on the grill.
Overall Rating: 4.0
Upon receiving this months shipment, I was informed that there is some special history behind the Coro Mendocino blend from McDowell Valley Vineyard… so special I just had to share!
This blend was created a few years back by the growers of Mendocino County who wanted to create a blend that preserved the unique heritage of the area, and thus the Coro was born. Coro is a word meaning “chorus” in Italian, a word that they decided represented the harmony between the winemakers of the region. This is FIRST TIME in US history that winemakers from a specific region have set rules to distinguish a blend from their area, much like the Europeans have done for decades. The wine must be made entirely from Mendocino county fruit, and must contain a blend of predominantly Zinfandel (between 40-70%) and a percentage of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Sangiovese, Grenache, Dolcetto, Charbono, Barbera, or Primitivo. Any ONE of these varietals not to exceed Zinfandel as majority component and max of 5% out of vintage. Each of these wines must receive a juried trademark of approval and carries a signature trademarked package, just like the Coro blend from McDowell.
I would love to tell you more, but I think I will leave it to the lovely Tom Elkjer. Fin out what he has to say about the ultra-premium Coro Mendocino blend in this great Appellation America article.
Can’t wait to hear feedback from the Mama’s on this very special blend from our friends at McDowell.
A while back, Lisa and I went to a great little “gay” owned wine bar up here in Portland called Everyday Wine. I am always open to trying new wine’s and the one that was recommended to me was Owen Roe Abbot’s Table 2006. This wine is fantastic. I’m a blend girl when it comes to my red’s and this one is a blend of 9 different grapes.
The predominate grape is Zinfandel, but includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot and Syrah. Then, if that wasn’t enough, winemaker David O’Reilly added Blaufrankish, Sangiovese, Petite Syrah and Malbec…all from vineyards in Washington and Oregon. I am a big fan of this wine and encourage all my fellow mama’s to try it!
Tara
Vino Con Brio Estate Pinotage, Lodi, 2005
If you enjoy a good pinot the way we do, then you’ll be delighted to make the acquaintance of this wild-child maverick, Pinotage. It’s a South African adventure for the palette, and what a treat! With it’s dark berry tones and hints of saffron, this could be a lovely compliment to a winter feast of duck or game. Throw caution to the wind and enjoy yourself!
The first sip of this wine tasted heavenly. It was warm and earthy with a slight fruity flavor and a dry finish. As I continued to sip this wine, I started to notice a distinct tartness on the tongue that can be attributed to the wine being young. If I had stopped after the first few sips, I would have been sold on this baby: hook, line and sinker! This wine has a lot of potential and don’t get me wrong, it is certainly enjoyable. It is a wine that shows promise and will likely show some improvement with age. If you must enjoy it right now, let it open up a bit. It turns out that the masses enjoy this one as De Loach is sold out and we have to wait until the 2006 vintage to order more.
Overall Mama Score = 3.0 (Remember to click the hyperlink for a refresher on what the scores mean to us).
Straight from Willamette, Oregon, we LOVE these Brooks Wines.
Amycas 2005
Mamacork- “I taste the pinot gris. Pretty dry, which I like. Makes me think of barefoot prancing in a field of grapevines on a hot summer night.”
Mysterymama- “Nose: plum, wet leaves. Flavor: plum, tart, velvety texture, clean, slightly dry finish, melon. Warm summer evening, beach bonfire, stern grove.”
Mamacents- “Not as sweet as I expected given the blend of grapes. It has a great finish. Must drink at the beach in a sarong and flip flops.”
Ladycork- “The ultimate blend. Dry and also sweet. Nice smooth finish. Excellent for a summer eve of figs and brie.” Moxiemama- “Surprisingly good as it isn’t normally my varietal. A hint of apricot and melon and I like it.”
Mamacents- “Not as sweet as I anticipated given the blend. It has a kick to it and a great finish.”
Overall Mama Score = 3.5
Janus Pinot Noir 2004
Mamacork- “Delicious. Cedar & smoke. Blackberry and dark cherry. Kind of like a zin. Definitely a favorite.”
Mysterymama- “Berry, woody, smoky, then becomes pepper and spice. Stays on the tongue. Savor this one.”
Mamacents- “Too oaky for me. Initially very earthy and dry. As it opens it mellows a bit. I like more fruit.”
Ladycork- “My favorite- smoke and pepper. Kind of like I licked my favorite riding crop. It is delicious.”
Moxiemama- “Vibrant, enthusiastic, spicy and smoky. You can drink this dressed up or dressed down! Delicious.”
Overall Mama Score = 4.2 out of 5
Runaway Red Pinot Noir 2005
Mamacork- “A little too rough for me. It tastes like what it is, a blend of some kind.”
Mysterymama- “Drink it to drink it, not to eat dinner with.”
Mamacents- “I love blends the best. Still woody, but a lighter fruitier side. It warms my heart and is perfect for dinner with friends.”
Ladycork- “Earthy, berry. A bit too much going on here. Black cherry with a citrus finish? what? Surprising. Like your aunt popping out of your birthday cake.”
Moxiemama- “Ladies….I hate to inform you that this bottle is corked!?! …scores don’t count. Mamacents, what up with your palate?!?”
NOTE: As the astute Moxiemama noted, the bottle was in fact corked. Upon a repeat tasting, the mamas agreed that it is a delicious wine and we score it a 4.
Cheers!
Our thoughts on the very first wine club shipment from Dutcher Crossing Winery:
Mamacork- “Jammy deliciousness. Smooth and peppery, but bright black cherry. This is a hearty Zin. Think filet mignon instead of lean cuisine.”
Mysterymama- “Smells like cedar & berries (’berries and cream; berries and cream…’ - for those in the know this is the most fabulous starbust commercial ever). Really, a nicely balanced zin with medium tannins and some heavy cedar.”
Mamatease- “Velvety at first taste. I thought it was a cab until the pepper kicked in. Very nice.”
Mamacents- “Wow, this is big. Big and smooth. I usually go for the old world varietals and though I like it, not my choice wine for the dinner party.”
Ladycork- “Fire up the bar-b and get ready to grill. Wood, cherry & spice…so nice! Perfect complement to that duck or pepper-crusted port loin you’ve been dying to serve. Invite one and all and dress to impress. With this at your table you are surely a success.”
Moxiemama- “This is a smooth, complex, sultry wine that starts and finishes with class. This is a bottle you don’t want to end. Picture it: you’re wearing your favorite black dress at a smoky jazz club…when you get up to use the loo, everyone watches you cross the room.
Song: Nina Simone- Sugar in My Bowl.”
Overall Mama Score = 4.5 out of 5
Taylor Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Mamacork- “Deep plum and spice; a classic cab with a touch of Syrah. This girl is duly impressed and I rate this wine very high!”
Mysterymama- “Big, smoky, cherry. It’s a big wine and needs a bit more time in the decanter. Fruity and smokey! I like a puzzle of contrasting flavors!”
Mamatease- “The BEST. Cabs Rock! Seriously, this is top of the heap and why bother with anything else!?!”
Mamacents- “Earthy, currant, cherry, berry, and a touch of leather. An excellent young Cab!”
Ladycork- “Interesting nose - hints of earth and berry. Chicory, currant, and berry. Finishes well. Odd. Like the eccentric uncle who becomes the belle of the ball.”
Moxiemama- “Good, full flavor but didn’t reach the bold heights that we were hoping for. Not quite sure what was missing….perhaps a few years in the bottle?!? Picture it: you’re sitting with your fiance’s parents at a formal dinner and wearing wool pants that fit you quite well…but are slightly itchy.
Song: Burt Bacharach- A House is Not a Home. “
Overall Mama Score = 3.9 out of 5
Cheers!
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