by admin on April 12, 2012
RADOG is the brain child of Dan Tudor. A family affair, Tudor Wines was founded in the late 90′s in Monterey County. Tudor quickly gained some serious buzz for their award winning Pinot Noir. RADOG, a second label of Tudor carries the same quality and integrity as the Tudor label.
The 2007 RADOG Syrah Arroyo Seco comes from the Cedar Lane Vineyard. This Syrah was made in a Northern Rhone style which delicately balances supple fruit and terroir. It smells of raspberry, spicey florals, fig, and earth. Seamlessly constructed with great fruit on first taste and following through on the finish. Fresh and lush — pepper & fresh fruit in abundance, young but mature enough to thoroughly enjoy. A heavy hitter at 14.9% though never stringent or hot.
This has quickly become one of my favorite go-to Cali Syrah’s. Retails around $29
by admin on April 11, 2012
The Jason Stephens 2007 Estate Merlot is one of the most interesting Merlot’s I’ve ever tasted. Based in the Santa Clara Valley, Jason Stephens produces rich luscious wines with grapes from Dorcich Vineyards. The partnership between winemaker Jason Goelz and vineyard manager Stephen Dorcich has paid off nicely.
Upon first opening the 2007 Estate Merlot I was shocked by the nose — an intense snifter of sweet whiskey– an initial taste told me the wine was good but needed to mellow. After decanting for some hours the nose mellowed and showed sweet luscious fruit and wood (presumably from a very toasted head). The palate was filled with velvety tannins dark chocolate, blueberry and candy cherry. The wine shows some earthy qualities which are slightly overpowered by dark dried fruit. Good structure, nice tannins, definitely a wine to pair with food.
A smart buy at $24.
Varietal Composition 97% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Syrah
Residual Sugar .54g/l
Alcohol 14.5%
Cases Produced 1,900
pH 3.61
Total Acidity 0.62
Aging 34 months – Extended American Oak
Bottling Date September 2010
