Rhone Dinner at Frank Murray's with Jim & Gloria Mack

This was a great event that I was fortunate enough to be part of. Jim & Gloria supplied all of the wines in a great comparison dinner of cool climate Bennett Valley and Northern Rhone varietals. Wonderful company, great food and wine.

Pairing: Pan Seared Monkfish with Citrus Vegetable Salsa; Scallop Sashimi with Hot Soy Yuzu Drizzle; Fried Shrimp Cake

• 2007 Jemrose Viognier Egret Pond

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Honeysuckle, tart apples. Nice citric acidity, great floral aromatics.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Jemrose Viognier Egret Pond

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Nose of white flowers. Richer mouthfeel than the 2007, oily. Tart lemon, granny smith apples, delicious food wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 André Perret Condrieu Chery

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  White peaches, stony minerality, meyer lemons, mandarin oranges. Very smooth, long finish. My WOTF.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2007 Rene Rostaing Condrieu La Bonnette

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  Very floral, asian pear, oily. Overly smooth, residual sugar, vanilla. Oak is prominent now, should integrate with more bottle time.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Pairing: Roasted Chicken and Orzo Saffron Risotto with Wilted Baby Arugula and Organic Baby Brussel Sprouts

• 2007 Jemrose Grenache Foggy Knoll

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Rich, extremely peppery finish. 10% syrah. Dark red fruits dominate, thick mouthfeel.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Jemrose Grenache Foggy Knoll

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Barrel sample #1 (5% syrah): great aromatics, strawberries, raspberries, baking spices. Wonderful varietal character on display, crisp, spicy, elegant. Very nice.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Jemrose Grenache Foggy Knoll

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Barrel sample #2 (10% syrah): Rich, deep color. Richer mouthfeel than the first barrel sample, more fruit dominant, spiciness muted. I preferred barrel sample #1.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2004 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Great funk on the nose. Red fruits, cinnamon, cloves. Healthy dose of dirt on the finish. Delicious.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2005 Château Rayas Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve

  France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

  Seemed tight, closed up. Not as expressive as the 2004.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Pairing: Ribeye Steak with Stilton Cheese Butter and Wild Mushrooms

• 2006 Baldassari Syrah Cardiac Hill

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Dark fruits, blackberries, coffee/espresso, roasted meats. Smooth and rich.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Shane Syrah Jemrose Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Meaty, roasted plum, tar, very peppery finish. More weight than the Carlisle, not as elegant.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Carlisle Syrah Cardiac Hill

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Grilled meat, great salinity, blood & iron, midweight mouthfeel, peppery finish. Wonderful. WOTN for me.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2006 Jemrose Syrah Cardiac Hill Bennett Valley Flawed

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Flawed. Bummer!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Pairing: Shiso Panko Crusted Lamb Chop with Sweet Potato Cake

• 2007 Jemrose Syrah Cardiac Hill Bennett Valley

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Maple syrup, blueberries, sausage and pancakes. Yes, it did smell like breakfast in the glass. Nice balance, good finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2008 Jemrose Syrah Cardiac Hill Bennett Valley

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Barrel sample. Osso bucco, roasted tomatoes, dark fruit. Short in the midpalate and finish at first, lengthened with air. I like where this wine is going.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2003 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Green nose, roasted sweetness, raisin bran. Showed all of the nasty characteristics of this vintage.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2005 Domaine Auguste Clape Cornas

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas

  Smoky, earthy, dark fruits, blood sausage. Love the mouthfeel of this wine, great grip.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Pairing: Dr. Jill's Homemade Organic Lemon Bars with a Tart Twist

• 2008 Jemrose Late Harvest Viognier Egret Pond

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Apricots, honey, tons of citric acidity. After 30 minutes in glass, showed fresh comice pears, hint of sweetness that was nicely offset by the acidity. Not your typical overly sweet dessert wine, very nice.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2004 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Condrieu Ayguets

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu

  Caramel color, strange at such a young age. Toffee nose, tangerines, sweet stone fruits. A bit cloying.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue