Founders state Beringer, California, USA

Wine: Founder’s State

Producer: Beringer

Region: California

Country: USA

Colour: Red

Year: 2013

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon

Supplier: Finewines                                                                                 

Restaurant: A

Price (VND): B

A<500K B<1M  C<1.5M D>1.5M

Points: 78

Pairs well with: Pairs well with beef lasagne, prosciutto pizza and cold meats.

Notes:

This wine delivers a nose with lots of fresh red fruit, dark cherries and strawberries.

On the palate is pleasant, with lots of red fruits and medium length but nothing special.

Pairs well with beef lasagne, prosciutto pizza and cold meats.

Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon, USA

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

Producer: Beringer

Region: California

Country: USA

Colour: Red

Year: 2013

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon

Supplier: Finewines                                                                                 

Restaurant: A

Price (VND): A

A<500K B<1M  C<1.5M D>1.5M

Points: 74

Pairs well with: Pair with pasta and pizza.

Notes:

Lots of red fruits on the nose, with some cedar and  leather.

On the palate it is a bit thin, with red fruits but easy to drink.

Pair with pasta and pizza.

Coppola Director's Cut, USA

Wine: Director’s Cut

Producer: Coppola

Region: California

Country: USA

Colour: Red

Year: 2011

Grape: Zinfandel

Supplier: Wine warehouse                                                                   

Restaurant: A

Price (VND): A

Points: 89/100

Pairs well with: A

Notes:

This is an example that California, and the new world in general, can do amazing wines. I have never been too kind on Californian wine as I find it overpriced, but this is spot on.

Ruby colour, the nose alone is worth the price: ripe red fruits, leather, dark cherries, hint of tobacco.

On the palate is just gorgeous: lots of red fruits, with a hint of vanilla and liquorice, medium to long length, complex and delicious.

Great pair with mature cheeses  (I am enjoying it with a manchego), as well as with beef dishes and roast meats.

Coppola rosso & Bianco, USA

Wine: Rosso & Bianco

Producer: Coppola

Region: California

Country: USA

Colour: Red

Year: 2011

Grape: Blend

Supplier: Wine warehouse                                                                   

Restaurant: A

Price (VND): 570.000  VND

Points: 79/100

Pairs well with: Ideal with tomato based pasta dishes, olives, antipasti and cold meats.

Notes:

Very dark in colour, this wine delivers lots of red fruits, mostly strawberries on the nose, with some sweet liquorice.

On the palace is mellow and delicate, medium bodied, with lots of ripe red fruits and medium to long in length. A bit on the sweet side, very pleasant.

Ideal with tomato based pasta dishes, olives, antipasti and cold meats.

Rutherford Caberfnet Sauvignon, USA.

Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Producer: Rutherford Ranch

Region: Napa Valley

Country: USA

Colour: Red

Year: 2009

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon

Supplier: Golden Cloud                                                                          

Price (VND): 1.360.000 VND

Points: 80/100

Pairs well with: Good match for steaks and grilled meat.

Notes:

Dark and thick ruby colour, this wine is very aromatic: dark cherries, wood, black fruits.

On the palate is quite complex and well balanced bringing cherries, vanilla and black berries. A little bit tanic and some unnecessary alcohol at the end.

Good match for steaks and grilled meat.

Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve, California

Wine: Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve

Producer: Kendall Jackson

Region: California

Country: USA

Colour: White

Year: 2009

Grape: Chardonnay

Supplier: Red Apron                                                                                

Price (VND): 540.000 VND

Points: 80/100

Pairs well with: chicken casseroles, chicken dishes with strong sauces, and blue cheeses

Notes:

This wine has a powerful dark gold colour, likely a consequence of both age and oaking.

The nose is equally powerful, with honey, ripe peach and sultana scents suggesting sweetness.

However there is not a sweet wine at all, actually a bit on the acid side, the palate is intense, with some oranges, honey and ripe mangoes, well balanced and very long. An ideal match for chicken casseroles, chicken dishes with strong sauces, and blue cheeses.

Vinters reserve Kendall Jackson, USA

Wine: Vinters Reserve

Producer: Kendall Jackson

Region: California

Country: USA

Colour: White

Year: 2009

Grape: Chardonnay

Supplier: Red Apron                                                                                

Price (VND): 783.000 VND

Points: 81/100

Pairs well with: Seafood

Notes:

Dark gold colour, with an envolving nose bringing ripe mangoes, apricots and sweet grapes.

The palate is very well balanced, some citrus fruits and light touch of apricots, no acidic at all, a bit woody and very pleasant with a medium finish.

I am having this wine with steamed sentinel crab and frilled prawns and is a perfect match!

Loredona, Pinot Noir, USA

Wine: Loredona

Producer: Loredona Wine

Region: Monterey

Country: USA

Colour: Red

Year: 2009

Grape: Pinot Noir

Supplier: Red Apron                                                                                

Price (VND): 650.000

Points: 71/100

Pairs well with: Mushroom risotto, grilled prawns, roasted and honey ham.

Notes:

Red vibrant colour, quite translucent but homogeneous.

The nose brings lots of red cherries and beautiful aromas of peaches, unusual for a red wine, but very nice.

The palate is smooth and elegant, bringing lots of cherries, raspberries and strawberries and with similar notes to good Burgundy wines. A bit too alcoholic and not too long length were a bit disappointing, however a rather nice wine overall.

Gnarly Head, USA

Wine: Gnarly Head

Producer: Gnarly Head

Region: California

Country: USA

Colour: Red

Year: 2008

Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon

Supplier: Red Apron                                                                                

Price (VND): 650.000

Points: 67/100

Pairs well with: Pasta, lamb roast.

Notes:

Very dark deep red colour, almost opaque.

Beautiful nose of strawberries, raspberries and black cherries.

The palate is smooth and well balanced with lots of black cherries, black currant and a hint of black pepper.

Although rather pleasant to drink, it really fails in the length, as it fades away rather quickly and a bit too much tanning.

Camelot Sauvignon Blanc USA

Wine: Camelot

Producer: Camelot

Region: California

Country: USA

Colour: White

Year: 2008

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

Supplier: Red Apron                                                                                

Price (VND):

Points: 75/100

Pairs well with: Salads, soft cheeses, clams in white sauce.

Notes:

With a bright dark gold color, this Californian sauvignon blanc brings a crisp combination of raisins and ripe lemons to the nose.

The palate starts rather sweet with more ripe raisins, a touch of apricots and figs bringing a rather distinctive flavor; finishing drier, with a medium length.