Cellar Notes

Price key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60
Quality key:  * = good decent wine  ** = very good wine   *** = superb wine

Le Nez Pinot Noir, Yamhill, Oregon, Lenné Vyd. 2012 **1/2  $$
(Silky smooth, with deep red fruit flavors, classy)

Lyric Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara 2011  *1/2  $
(A very good entry level California pinot noir)

Stoller Pinot Noir, Dundee HIlls, Oregon 2010  **  $$
(An upper end entry level Oregon pinot noir with great complexity)

CalStar Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2010  **1/2  $$
(Big, soft, silky pinot noir with wonderful flavor and texture)

Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Wine World.  See sponsor tab.

Now that WYPR's new website is up and running, we wanted to let Cellar Notes listeners know how to use it to their best advantage. 

For years people have mentioned that they cannot write down our recommendations while they are driving home.  We understand.  That is why we post them on the website.

Cost key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60

Mt. Gay Black Barrel Run
(Twice aged, big smoky and spicy) ** $$

Mt. Gay Extra Old Rum
(8-15 years, roasted flavors with sharp acidic edge) *** $$

Mt. Gay 1703 Rum
(Rum as Cognac, extra special) *** $$$

Many of these fine spirits can be purchased at Wine World.  See sponsor tab.
 

Cost key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60

Bel Glos Pinot Noir "Los Alturos", Central Coast 2012 *** $$-$$$

Bel Glos Pinot Noir "Dairy Man", Central Coast 2012 *** $$-$$$

Bel Glos Pinot Noir "Clark and Telegraph", Central Coast *** 2012 $$-$$$

Bel Glos Pinot Noir Meiomi, Central Coast 2012 *** $$
(First class examples of big California Pinot Noir)

Mer Soleil Chardonnay "Silver", Monterey 2012 *** $-$$
(Stupednous value in un-oaked Chardonnay)

Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Reserve, Montery 2011 **1/2 $$

Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Wine World.  See sponsor tab.

Cost key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60

Justin Vineyards & Wines "Obtuse" dessert wine, Paso Robles ** $$
(100% cab sauv port)

Boordy "Veritude" Ruby Port , Maryland 2008 (375 ml.) ***  $$
(Precise approximation of classic ruby port style.)

Kiona Late Harvest Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington 2007 *1/2 $
(Light, delicate, full of flavor.)

Orchid Cellars "The Archer" Mead, Maryland  ** $
(A honey based wine with spicy notes.)

Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Wine World.  See sponsor tab.

 Cost key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60

Blandy's Rainwater Madeira ** $  
(Soft, gentle, mildly sweet, totally mellow)

Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port ** $  
(A super bargain, spot on tawny style)

Dow's LBV Port 2006 *** $
(Outstanding bargain for vintage character port)

Pitaud Pineau des Charentes "Blanc" NV **1/2 $  
(Creme brulée in a bottle)

Cost key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60
   
Sipp-Mack Riesling Tradition, Alsace 2011 **1/2 $
(Great value in a textbook Alsatian riesling)

Sipp-Mack Gewurtztraminer Tradition, Alsace, 2011 **1/2 $$
(Classic Gewrutz, vinified off-dry)

Sipp-Mack Pinot Blanc, Alsace 2011 **1/2 $
(Fabulous value in well-structured tasty PB)

Sipp-Mack Rielsing Grand Cru, Rosacker, Alsace 2009 *** $$
(Perfect flavors and aroma for Alsatian Riesling)

Many of these fine wines can be purchased at Wine World.  See sponsor tab.

**All the wines are under $20.

The winners, in descending order:

1st:  Lawson Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (New Zealand)

2nd: (tie)  
Gruet Blanc de Blanc 2007 Sparkling Wine (New Mexico)
Domaine de Bué Sancerre 2011 (Loire Valley, France)

3rd: (tie)
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)
Alente Alentejo 2012 (Portugal)

4th:  Selbach-Oster Riesling Kabinett 2009 (Mosel. Germany)

5th:  Dry Creek Fumé Blanc 2012 (Sonoma County)

Cost key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60

Themes:

~2011 was a difficult year, but our best winemakers did surprisingly well with both whites and reds.
~A lot of people are now using Chambourcin as a blending grape, particularly with Bordeaux varietals.
~Several of the new young wineries are doing exceptionally well.   

Cost key:  $=less than $20  $$= $20-40   $$$=$40-60  $$$$=above $60  

Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena, Napa Valley 2012 *1/2  $
(Smooth, refined, understated)

Charles Krug Chardonnay, Carneros 2012  **  $
(Good quality Carneros Chard at a good price)

Charles Krug Merlot, Napa Valley 2011  ** $$
(Smooth, silky, supple "not chunky")