Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles Keyes Canyon Ranch 2008

Appearance: Bright and clear with a deep, almost opaque, garnet color core with blueish highlights moving out to a narrow(+) dark pink rim.

Nose: The aroma is clean with pronounced black cherry with a hint of vanilla and green herbs (maybe mint). On the palate the wine is dry with a medium(-) body, medium acidy and a low(+) level of tannins. There is a low intensity of fruit flavor that seems somewhat evasive (might be red fruit or raw red-currant). There is no indication of an alcohol burn (13.5ABV).

Finish/Length: The finish is clean and short(+) with a flavor similar to above with a hint of vanilla.

Conclusion: I question the herbaceousness I dedected on the nose and wonder if it is due to the picking of unripe grapes or some other source.

Producer Tasting Note: Deep garnet with crimson hints. Aromas are ripe, dark black chery, chocolate and currant complement the spicy, peppery notes and hints of textured sweet oak. The flavors are jammy dark fruit accompanied by soft velvety tannins, followed with a long rich finish.

Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc) Sonoma County 2009

Appearance: Bright and clear (with no particles or sediment). The color is a pale wheat core consistent to a water white rim with greenish highlights.

Nose: The wine has a clean fresh aroma that displays pronounce citrus (un-ripe pineapple or grapefruit)

Palate: Dry, medium bodied with a slight sweet attack upon initial entry with mouth-watering acidity. There is no indication of an alcohol burn (13.9%ABV). The fruit characteristics (flavors) are similar to the nose.

Finish/Length: The finish is long showing primarily the tropical fruit and viscosity.

Conclusion: I am guessing that this wine has some oak contact during the winemaking process because I did not get the typical Sauvignon Blanc aromas I expected to find. Please comment if you have any idea why? Just read the producer notes and the wine does have some oak contact.

Producer Tasting Note: Citrus, mango, kiwi, and lime aromas are complemented by flavors of vanilla, guava and grapefruit in Ferrari-Carano’s 2009 Fumé Blanc. Cool, stainless steel tank fermentation gives this wine a crisp freshness while the subtle oak character from barrel aging adds great complexity and depth.