Let's Talk Wine Quality!

Hi, my name is Cha and I am Judging Your Wine!

Ok so no one wants to be the “judegy” friend but with WINE you get a pass. Well that is if you know what you are talking about.

So lets start! There are specific characteristics and beliefs that determine quality level which has shifted over the past few decades but makes blind tasting so important to level the playing field among big brands and even underrated wine regions.

Today, I am tasting top quality wines from the US and if it wasn't for the Judgement of Paris, the wine tasting not the painting, who knows how long it would have taken for the world to respect American wines. The Judgement of Paris, in short, was a blind tasting conducted with all French tasters in Paris in 1976 comparing the chateaus of premier regions, Bordeaux and Burgundy against Californian wineries. It was basically setup for French wines to win. In contrary, the winning wines were Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon both from Napa Valley. During blind tastings no information is disclosed, in this case the French judges, had to determine scores simply based on Quality.

You want to consider the following when judging quality of a wine; first the intensity of aroma and flavor, second the complexity of aroma and flavor, and finally the length of its finish.

Since May is Oregon's wine month I am tasting Résonance a Pinot Noir from Wallamette Valley.

Founded in 2013, Résonance sits in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, in a hidden part of Willamette Valley

organically dry-farmed Résonance Vineyard, planted on un-grafted rootstock in 1981. The multigenerational family prides itself in making wine that is a reflection of Wallamette Valley Terrrior.

Tasting Notes: This is a sexy wine, aromas are lush cranberries and pomegranates, which a nice balance of sweet baking spices. Nice hint of white truffle and hibiscus on the palate. The mouthfeel is like satin, nice smooth tannins, balanced acidity with a little punch, and the alcohol is at 13.5% very well balanced.

California wine regions of Napa and Sonoma needs no introduction I have Sequoia Groove produced by winemaker Molly Hill with this awesome quote about balanced wine “Balance to me means nothing stands out—not alcohol, not tannin, not acid, nor fruit nor barrel.”

Located in the heart of Rutherford, Napa Valley, where the superb climate and gravelly-loam soils impart distinct flavor in the Bordeaux varieties. Sequoia Grove is a family-owned winery founded in 1979 

Bordeaux Blend 86% Cabernet Sauvignon 7% Cabernet Franc 5% Merlot 1% Malbec 1% Petit Verdot

Tasting Notes: I am so use to strong Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa but this garnet velvet. Aromas and palate is complimented with black cherries, boysenberries, plums and white mushrooms. The list of this wine on the finish is outstanding. Thank God I know the winemaker, I falling for this wine again its out of my daily consumption budget lol.

St. Francis is a Certified Sustainable, family-owned winery located in Sonoma Ageing 60% new French oak barrels for 20 months to achieve full integration. Zinfandel with blend with Dry Creek Petite Sirah.

Tasting Notes: Zinfandel gets a bad rap, (no thanks to White Zinfandel, don’t worry same grape different lane) this wine is jammy and plush. Blackberry, Blueberry with a hint of Raspberry, O My! May even convince some sweet wine lovers to drink on the dry side. This wine is a whooping 15.4% alcohol and you don’t even feel it, so well balanced. Nice medium plus tannins to balance out all the flavor.

All three wines regardless of their unique aromas and flavors have top quality vineyard management and wine-making practices which is expressed effortlessly in each wine. When I smell and taste the wines not only do I get multiple descriptors on the nose and palate but the strength and health of the grapes is evident on the long flavor lasting finish on my palate.

If you are looking to gift wines for Mother's Day or to an graduate think of these quality factors when selecting the wine which can enjoyed now or get even better with age.

These wines have definitely earned a spot on #TheChaList !