Hipster Enology » Syrah

2010 Domaine Eugene Carrel Vin de Savoie Jongieux & Mas de Libian Vin de Petanque

Luke — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:03:30 +0000

Luke checked in with us ahead of the impending North American harvest for 2011 in Oregon. While in Portland, he met up with some of our campmates from Burning Man 2011 who offered up a home-cooked meal of Madras curry & vegetarian samosas from scratch. These are the wines he paired with that meal.

WHITE WINE
WHO: Domaine Eugène Carrel
WHAT: 100% Jacquère
WHEN: 2010
WHERE: Jongieux in the Savoie/Savoy AOC of France
HOW: Stainless Steel Fermentation, No Malolactic Fermentation
WHY: Slight yellow straw color for this Savoy white. While it didn’t really fit what I was looking for, it ended up being a nice acidic white that paired well with the yoghurt-based dough of the samosas. Grapefruit rind was the main note for the nose with a bit of honey hanging out in the back. The palate showed light lemon, slight crème brûlée and sweet pea. For $12, it was just fine, but the food pairing might’ve benefited from a wine with more oxidative characters like those of the Jura..

RED WINE
WHO: Mas de Libian
WHAT: 75% Grenache 25% Syrah
WHEN: 2010
WHERE: VDP Coteaux de l’Ardèche in the Rhône Valley Wine Region of France
HOW: Grenache & Syrah are fermented together & undergo malolactic fermentation.
WHY: Did some digging and found out that this is a 100% biodynamic wine named after the game of petanque played in provence. If you’ve followed Hipster Enology for any length of time you know how enamored we are with bocce ball, a close relative of petanque. The Vin de Petanque had cherry and earth in the nose; expressing a lot of what one would expect from a Grenache/Syrah blend. Candied dust, ripe plum and green bean are the notes for the palate. This wine should be served chilled and was excellent with both the Madras curry and the Samosas. Given that the holidays are right around the corner, this will be a go-to wine for my holiday fare since I quite liked it. The only problem: finding it.

2009 Vines on the Marycrest Summertime

The Hipster Enologists — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:00:04 +0000

WHO: Vines on the Marycrest
WHAT: 68% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah, 8% Zinfandel
WHEN: 2009
WHERE: Paso Robles, CA
HOW: This is rosé three ways. Victor used the Saignée method by limiting the amount of time the juice stayed in contact with the skins. He also performed carbonic maceration by destemming the grapes and letting them ferment whole in an oxygen-free, carbon dioxide environment. Finally, he used the juice from under-ripe grapes that were picked early and used solely for this rosé.

WHY:In 2009, we toasted rosé to a real summer. Languishing on our coast, swimming in the ocean and playing bocce ball on our beaches; we sipped Provençal rosé from Nalgene bottles. Cut to the 2010 summer in Los Angeles: darkness, foreboding, rain. This was not the 73 degrees and sun summer that we pay 9.75% sales tax for. Cue Victor and his tax-free ray of light industry sample.

The Vines on the Marycrest Summertime seems to glow in the glass. In a test tube, it would make a great substitute for glow sticks. The fluorescent watermelon color of the wine is deceitful, as it leads most to believe the juice will be sweet. We apologize, White Zinfandel fans, you’re about to be disappointed. The nose is dusty, most likely attributed to the Mourvedré, contributing a funk similar to a rosé from Bandol. This dust is finished with mineral and floral spring water accents.

The front palate has the tiniest hint of candied apple fading elegantly into lingering acidity. The residual sugar is immediate then fades into a rosé, contributing body. The grenache and mourvèdre make way for the syrah and zinfandel. (Both are perfect accompaniments for the two more predominant grapes in the blend.) Vegetal, tomato vine and nettle in the mid-palate give way to creek bed, shale and more dust – reminiscent of another great rosé producing region, Tavel. The acidity of this dry rose hangs on for a lengthy finish, much like an Indian Summer.

The Wrap: Vines on the Marycrest’s Summertime is able to make summer feel perpetual with a body that can carry it through any season. That being said we will be looking towards Summertime for our pairings well into fall for lighter Thanksgiving fare. The 2010 vintage will prove to be another success: drinkable, affordable & easily paired. While Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock portray a city view of summertime in the song that provided its namesake, 2011 finds at least a couple of us chasing lightning bugs during a country summer. In either setting, Summertime still shines.

Wine Website: http://www.vinesonthemarycrest.com

Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2010 Tasting Preview

The Hipster Enologists — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:31:49 +0000

It’s almost that time of year again, Los Angeles. Hold on to your gallon hats, because the Rhone Rangers are coming to town. They’re holding a tasting Sunday, August 8th 2010, at Pier 59 Studios West with representatives from many of their 40+ member wineries.

We hope you’ll stop by these wineries’ tasting tables:

Vines on the Marycrest

We’re just going to put this out there: Victor is the man. There aren’t many men about which you could say he started pursuing his dreams at a nunnery. The name Vines on the Marycrest comes from the hill in Culver City where he originally planted his vines, Marycrest Manor, in 2002. Yes, the nuns did call the police. Once he proved that he wasn’t growing the devil’s weed, his vines were able to stay in the ground until the higher-ups eventually requested that he move them. We’ll just assume that the Vatican didn’t want the competition. Fast forward to 2004 when Victor and his family including the vines have relocated to Paso Robles and started anew. Each wine is named after a song, sealed by screwcap and intended for your immediate enjoyment.

Michael~David

The inter-hipster communication pathway was abuzz with the news that Michael~David would be at the Rhone Rangers tasting this year. When we finally get up to Lodi, we can say with certainty that we’ll be visiting their tasting room. Between the Incognito, Earthquake, Windmill Estates & Sin series, the hits just keep coming. Find our review of the 2005 Petite Petit here.

Justin

If you said that going over to James Beach for a 6 oz pour of Justin Isosceles or stealth drinking a bottle of Justin Sauvignon Blanc from a Nalgene were some of our favorite things to do – Well, you’d be absolutely right.

Zaca Mesa

A long time favorite of the Hipster clan; these guys do Rhone right! From their whites: Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier, red blends: Z Cuvee and Z Three, to their great Syrahs; they are a fantastic example of California Rhone style wines. Additionally, their tasting room and winery are certainly something special, especially if you fancy a game of chess or ‘truck sampling.’ (Please see our photo album.) If you make the trek to Zaca Station Rd, don’t expect to come away empty-handed. We still have a flight of the ’03, ’04 and ’05 Syrah sitting in the cellar for one hell of a vertical tasting.

Clavo

We found Clavo at Rhone Rangers last year. If you’re lucky, Neil Roberts, the nail himself, will pouring this year as well. His fusion of new world grapes and old world style was enough to inspire a multiple hour detour to his tasting room on the way back from what was supposed to be a short jaunt to San Francisco and back. Go get nailed and find yourself a Reckless Moment. Pun intended.

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Our Top Wines of 2009

The Hipster Enologists — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:13:56 +0000

We hipsters usually shun bandwagons, but our desire to espouse our opinion was stronger. So, we grabbed our glasses, hopped on the good foot and summarized our favorite wine experiences of 2009. Not many wine blogs can lay claim to four palates, so we felt it best to let each tongue, er, voice speak. Here now, for your unedited enjoyment, is each member’s top 3 wines of 2009. Drum roll please…

Ben’s Top Wines of 2009

2006 Michael~David Lust Zinfandel
Lodi, 100% Zinfandel
The name says it all; after the first taste, all I wanted was more. Every time I passed by this caramel-infused, spit-smoked, blackberry beauty in my local wine shop I couldn’t help but reach for it. This wine should be chewed and not swallowed if possible.
2007 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa, Unk% Cabernet Sauvignon
This is possibly the most velvety-soft 2 year old wine I’ve ever drank. The tannins dissolve in your mouth like melted chocolate running off of a dried cherry. Perfectly smoked and masterfully crafted, this wine will be good from now until I can’t taste anymore.
2007 Papapietro Perry Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir
Anderson Valley, 100% Pinot Noir
If you thought you knew what Pinot tasted like check again. This bad boy from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino packs more flavor than most Zins I’ve tried. Peppered Pork and ripe strawberry with hints of melon make this wine absolutely mouthwatering. The rest of the crew can attest; it took me longer to finish this glass of wine than any other I’ve had in recorded history.

Reneé’s Top Wines of 2009

2008 Wilson Creek White Cabernet Sauvignon
Temecula Valley, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This eye-catching blue jewel of a bottle contains surprisingly flavorful juice. Imagine the love child of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat and you have white Cab Sav. I thought it could never be discovered, but leave it to Luke to prove me wrong. The sweet tropical flavors of melon and kiwi blended with a soft oak finish make this an incredibly tasty and fascinating wine. As the bottle reads “a romantic island paradise,” I envision drinking this wine everyday of my honeymoon.
2006 Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel
Lodi, Unk% Zinfandel
Here’s a repeat offender for this year. Ben has purchased this bottle about a half a dozen times from my hometown liquor store, and it grows on me more and more each time. Its dark berry and plum-like mouth feel along with its peppery finish make it a wonderfully smooth wine. Most Zin haters would say, “it’s just jammy fruit with some spice.” However, after sipping a few glasses of this old vine Zin, I bet they could easily be converted because it’s way more complex than that.
2007 Arizona Stronghold Nachise
Sulfur Springs Valley, 67% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 13% Petite Sirah
This incredibly smooth desert (not dessert) wine is shockingly good from the get-go. I LOVE that it’s from Arizona. They make wine in Arizona? Right! It’s the kind of wine that makes you say, “whoa that’s effing good!” Unlike my fellow hipsters, I’m not that familiar with the lead singer of “Tool” or his music, but after drinking a bottle of his wine, I have to say I am most impressed. Unfortunately, I hardly have any tasting notes on it, but you really don’t need any. Just buy a bottle because it’s damn good. Wherever it’s sold, I definitely wouldn’t leave without a bottle in hand.

Luke’s Top Wines of 2009

1991 J Vintage Brut
Russian River Valley, Unk% Pinot Noir, Unk% Chardonnay
You read that correctly, the 19-freaking-91 bubbly. American sparkling wine doesn’t get much better than this. Not only was the year a palindrome, but when you let a wine sit on its side for 18 years it does some amazing things to the bubbles. To start, you have a nose of stilton with lemon rind, pineapple and citric acid. But it gets better: caramelized pineapple, lemon rind, a touch of expensive oak, malt and freshly shaved chocolate were all aspects of a layered taste. We have our friend Ami to thank for this!
2005 Bogle Petite Sirah Port
Clarksburg, Unk% Petite Sirah
This is a special wine for me because back in college the Bogle Petite Sirah was the first bottle I purchased that made me want to know more about the wine. This port is no different and is packing some wicked quality for the price. Not only did I enjoy the richest oily, incense nose and a dark chocolate, raspberry taste, I was also drinking it from the bottle in the company of “Zero” the first of many Rat Rods made by our Indiana friends, Steam Trunk Industries.
2005 Santa Barbara Winery Joughin Vineyard Lagrein
Santa Ynez Valley, Unk% Lagrein
This unique bottle can be credited for the start of Hipster Enology, so thanks SB Winery! We got a nose full of peppercorn fruits, dried strawberries and cranberry-tree-bark cobbler after opening. The palate is graced with notes of roasted red pepper, sun-dried tomato and apple butter.

Jesse’s Top Wines of 2009

Non-Vintage Frank Family Rouge
Napa, Unk% Pinot Noir, Unk% Chardonnay
For a moment, as we poured this sparkling wine into our champagne flutes from its dark green glass bottle, we gasped as if we’d been victim to a color-changing Willy Wonka treat. Up until just a few moments ago, this wine was the most deeply-colored sparkling wine we’d had. In its own surprising way, it wasn’t unlike our major tasting note: a blood orange.
2007 Akemi Pinot Noir
We can’t tell you. Neener, neener.
The first rule of Akemi is, you do not talk about Akemi. (Gary Vaynerchuk, eat your heart out.)
2007 San Liege Côtes-du-Coast White Rhone Blend
Paso Robles, 46% Viognier, 28% Roussanne, 26% Marsanne
I may not have kept notes on this bottle, but I kept the bottle. I’ve already put one email and a call to the winemaker to join his 150 person limit wine club, but by the spring, I’m sure he’ll have handed me a half case and restraining order.

2008 Jerome Quiot Côtes de Provence Rosé les Arnevels

The Hipster Enologists — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:24:32 +0000

WHO: Famille Quiot
WHAT: 35% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 20% Cinsault, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Mourvèdre , and 5% other grape varieties from les Arnevels vineyard.
WHEN: 2008
WHERE: Côtes de Provence, France
HOW: The grapes are partly pressed and macerated with a short fermentation period of 12-24 hours for color. According to the bottle: “Special efforts are made to preserve freshness and fruit with the use of CO² gas to exclude oxygen during the harvest.” To this, we tilt our heads like curious kittens.

WHY: Les Arnevels is French for Paliurus spina-christi, the thorny, Mediterranean shrub aptly named, “Christ’s Thorn,” as woven into legend as the source of Jeebus’ crown. Well, if this wine would have hurt him, we’re sure he would have forgiven it. After all, this is the brother who turned water into wine.

Despite this French rosé unexpectedly being a screw cap, it is a pleasure to drink from the moment it is opened. This blood of th’lamb has a pungent nose of flowers and wild strawberries that gently slaps you in the face. It has an amazingly silky smooth mouth feel that illuminates the warm citrus, strawberry, and watermelon flavors. As the wine warms, the nose gets sweeter with cotton candy perfuming the bouquet. The winemaker has left the last 5% of the grapes a mystery, but even at such a small percentage, they add a complexity that pulls the blend together.

The Wrap: Let’s be honest. For under $10, it’ll be hard to find a better Côtes de Provence Rosé. Jesse & Luke paired this wine with dessert at a dinner that they catered to great success. At this price point, this harmonious wisp of flower and fruit is a must try with both your pious and unpious friends. For a great wine at a great price, find salvation in this summertime sacrament.

Wine Website: http://www.robertquiot.com/

Rideau Vineyard Iris Château Duplantier Cuvée 2006

The Hipster Enologists — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:28:53 +0000

WHO: Rideau Vineyard
WHAT: Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache [Percentages Unknown]
WHEN: 2006
WHERE: Solvang, CA
HOW: All grapes estate grown, assumed to be aged in French Oak based on previous vintage information.

WHY: Ben was the first to discover the Rideau Winery & Vineyard shortly after his 2006 arrival to California. One by one, in good time, each of us fell to their grapes’ charms, even before we could access wine club membership. Over the years we’ve enjoyed the vintages, and thought it only fitting to review one of our favorite wines now that we have a wine blog.

The Château Duplantier Cuvée is an homage to Iris Rideau’s maiden name, Duplantier. We hear the 2006 vintage is a blend of syrah, mourvèdre, and grenache. However, we’re almost positive that the winemaker put tears of miniature ponies into this wine. Those tears of innocents prevent it from developing the soul-sucking tannins that can corrupt other big wines. Nothing dampens the fruit-forward nature of this complex California Rhône-style wine that follows through to the finish from soft cherry to black raspberry flavors. Even the hot spice on the nose of the wine can best be described as dried peppercorn fruits. The velvety mouth-feel of the wine even seems to contribute a vanilla bean character.

With zero distribution, ordering from the vineyard directly is the only way to get this gem, but we highly recommend visiting the Alamo Pintado Adobe in person. There, you can see the estate grown Rhône varietals, and visit the reserve tasting rooms tastefully decorated in Victorian era furniture with Creole sensibilities. With expansive lawns & tall trees, the grounds themselves lend a magical quality to this vineyard. While you’re there, you might hear Ol’ Blue Eyes himself serenading you with the grapes from concealed speakers. Don’t bother packing a picnic though, because they provide a delicious gourmet cuisine to complement the wine.

The Wrap: Although this wine is at a higher price point than wines we have reviewed thus far, this bottle is a rare gem that all of our palates agree on. If… When you go to the Rideau Vineyard to find out for yourself, stay a while. Immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings, and enjoy a bottle or two. Keep an eye out on the farm across the street. As far as we know, every time a bottle of Duplantier is drank, a miniature pony gets its wings.

Wine Website: http://www.rideauvineyard.com/

Frontier Red Lot No. 82

The Hipster Enologists — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:50:50 +0000

WHO: Fess Parker Winery
WHAT: 76% Syrah, 14% Grenache, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon,2% Petite Sirah & 2% Mourvèdre
WHEN: No Vintage Marked; 2008 Harvest
WHERE: 100% California grapes sourced from these vineyards: Approximately 50% Camp Four Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, 20% French Camp Vineyards in Paso Robles, 20% Scheid Vineyard in Monterey & 10% Rodney’s Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley
HOW:Rumor has it Lot No. 61 was stored in French & American oak, but we haven’t found details on this lot yet.

WHY:Fess Parker was an actor who played Davy Crockett in Disney’s 1950’s series. Fess (Can we call him, “Fess?”) opened his first resort in Santa Barbara in 1986. In 1987, he purchased 714 acres in the Santa Ynez valley for plotting and planting Fess Parker’s Winery & Vineyard. So, if Fess played Davy apparently we weren’t too far off when we said, “while it smells like the armpits of a Frontier man, it doth7s not taste so.” (Here at Hipster Enology, we use silent numbers.) So what were we getting at here? (This was the first of one of our “4 bottle nights.” There are only 4 of us. Do the math and give us a break.) This wine has a very earthy, musky smell when first opened. This is a hobo-chic, one-with-the-earth sort of stink… If a wine could have BO, Frontier Red has it. However, as it pits out, or rather, opens up, you will find some fruit. Jesse even found a rare tang of unripe blueberries in the nose. But, enough about its body odor, don’t judge this wine until you taste it.
First, Frontier Red Lot No. 82 is HOT. At 15.WTF% ABV this wine needs to breathe before imbibing. (Not that the nose wouldn’t tempt you to put baby in the corner in the first place.) This is now the third time we’ve mentioned this, because it was that hot. Not like Paris hot, but actually hot. Alcohol for miles. Once it cooled off a bit, Ben described the taste as, “It’s like spice and fruit had a fight, but then had sex at the end. Spice and fruit had make up sex.” This became quite an ironic note, because the discussion attempt to define the lingering heat of the wine and taste of pepper caused a small argument. (Ah yes, Serrano vs. Jalapeño: The Couple’s Argument.) Ultimately, we all settled on Jalapeño because the fruity nature of the beast just couldn’t be ignored. Following this spicy, front fruit forward taste was a simple finish: not flat, not overly sweet, yet not dry with no tannin.
The Wrap:Buy this wine. This is the 5th release of this wine that Fess has tackled, Lot No. 41 being the first. It’s ready to drink and will be sure to please at any barbecue. That brings us back to that heat. All that spice, fruit, earth and alcohol compliments those rich sweet sauces very well. Since the wine isn’t overly complex or rough with tannins, you aren’t going to flatten the taste of your BBQ meats and potato salads. And, as a screw cap, Frontier Red Lot No. 82 would be great to take camping. It’d be just like taking a little Davy Crockett with you.