Belvedere
Robert Stemmler
Martinelli
|
 |
|
Kenwood Russian River 2001 Pinot Noir
This pinot has one of the best dollar:quality ratios I've seen in a long time.
There was a balance between the depth and ripeness of fruit and the ample acidity.
I loved the cherry hard-candy notes showing through on the
mid-palate and finish.
It was smooth, yet had an inviting cherry-rosehip-acid edge.
Retail price $15.
Tasted October 5, 2003.
Great quality showing developed flavors and structure earning three out of three
 .
Top
|
 |
|
Belvedere Russian River Valley 2000 Chardonnay
A well made "New World" style Russian River Chardonnay,
with gentle, tasteful use of French Oak.
The nose has hints of honey, yeast, and apples.
The palate is rich with apricots, orange rind, and key lime meringue, and roasted hazelnuts.
Impressive, lush, bursting with tropical flavors, the mouth feel is necture-like.
Exceptional quality at a great price.
Retail price $15. Tasted October 3, 2003.
Bright, rich, and exotic earning three out of three .
Top
|
 |
|
Martinelli 2001 Russian River "Martinelli Vineyard" Gewürztraminer
is a very small production wine.
The harvesting of the grapes for this wine is overseen by Lee Martinelli directly.
The wine maker is Helen Turley.
This gewürztraminer is a big bouquet of spring blossoms on the nose.
On the palate, it is elegant with notes of honeysuckle, dried apricots, tangerine zest,
and a touch of lime.
The finish is very long and very pleasing.
If you are a collector and/or lover of Alsatian Gewürztraminers, this bottle will impress you.
Only six-hundred eighty-five cases of this wine were made.
It will lay down for at least six to eight more years.
Retail price $30. Tasted September 16, 2003.
A wonderful sensation for your mouth earning two out of three  .
Top
|
 |
|
Robert Stemmler 2001 Russian River, Nugent Vineyard Pinot Noir
is exotic and slightly more Burgundian than the Carneros Appellation pinot.
The flavors are a bit more brooding and deep.
The palate has the plums, blueberries, and black cherries along with toasted vanilla and a
touch of dried herbs and earth.
The acidity and tannins are smooth and balance well with the fruit.
The finish is exotic, lingering on with as the fruit, vanilla, and dried herbs resonate their final note.
Retail price $ 40. Tasted September 10, 2003. This pinot is dazzling with two .
Top
|
|
|
Robert Stemmler 2000 Russian River Chardonnay
is a California style chardonnay with clean varietal charateristics.
The wine is aged in oak and present the lush toasted flavor oak brings.
The bright flavors of the chardonnay are present such as starfruit and apple,
as well as subtle touches of caramel and vanilla on the mid-palate and finish from the use of oak.
A great bottle of "New World" chardonnay that has enough acidity to stand up to lighter fare.
Retail price $25. Tasted September 9, 2003. Elegant and rich earning two .
Top
|
|
