The Desert WIne Guy - 2014 Wilson Creek - Double Dog Red

2014 Wilson Creek Double Dog Red

  
   Folks today I have the privilege of writing a review of a wine that simply exceeded all my expectations and I think will exceed all your expectations. Who would have thought or believed that a wine from Temecula California would reach the score that it did on The Desert Wine Guy Rating Scale. Folks today I am writing about a wine here that simply is phenomenal and truly worthy of notice. In my opinion all wine reviewers need to take notice of this wine. What wine is that Desert Wine Guy? Folks the wine I am talking about is the 2014 Wilson creek (http://www.wilsoncreekwinery.com/)  Double Dog Red. So let's get right into this review because when you are done reading this review and learning about this fascinating wine I want you to go buy two bottles and put one away for your retirement or a Son or daughters Wedding, yeah it's that good.

Wilson Creek Winery

   I usually don't make mention of the labeling of a wine bottle but in this case I had to make an exception because the labeling of this wine really advertised the wine that the bottle held. Classy, Top Notch, Executive Board, Presidential. These are descriptions that I feel fit the labeling of this wine and scream a big, loud description of what you will find in the bottle. Lettering of a standout Bronze and a crisp stark White on a Black background implore you to open the bottle and see what awaits inside. To me it was like a Genie asking you for your wish and your wish is to drink a bottle of wine that is the end all be all of wine. Yes people this wine is simply that good. Let's move on and get into the heart of this article so you can read about this wine.
   Let's get started right away by stating from the get go that this wine while being a blend of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Syrah is mostly dominated by the Petite Syrah varietal. This is not a drawback as I feel that it tones down the Cabernet a good amount.  Here is a wine that is also slightly on the semi mellow side yet not what I would consider "mellow" or "tame" in ANY way whatsoever. With a good amount of spice on the the finish that also lingers on the back end of the Palette . A very nice and enjoyable level of Cassis here as well that when combined with the level of peppery spice will also help this wine Cellar for a while and still remain enjoyable for a few years to come. On the first taste of this wine there is a sort of Black Pepper / cranberry note that is shared incredible well between the two varietals. A Cherry note comes along for the ride but doesn't necessarily sit only as a passenger because it will at times take the drivers seat and you will welcome the change of direction that these notes have to offer. This isn't some cheap Cherry that you will find in some cheaply made wines that is used to cover for deficiencies in the wine making process, no this is a deep and semi dark Bing Cherry such as you will taste at the produce of your local Supermarket that actually just now as I write this review is ending it's season here in Las Vegas. A serious Chocolate note is displayed here as well that when combined with all the other deep notes really adds a smoothness and richness here that is awesome. Is this wine "fruit forward" ? Well...yes and no. There is some notes that will lead your Palette to that

lusion at first but it is not so predominate that it will scare away those who do not appreciate that particular note.  To add to this there is a sort of Pomegranate note as well which is fairly prominent in it's own right. To add to all this incredibleness is a note of caramel. O.K so right now I'm thinking simply.... WOW!. A semi-rich, semi-fruit forward wine exploding with  awesomeness just like I love. Now after reading all of this are you thinking that you know what the rating I am putting on this is? You might be right ........but than again you might be wrong, we will see, I guess it all depends on just how much you follow and know The Desert Wine Guy. Moving on here this wine is a sort of bowl of dark fruit you are drinking but with the sugar level toned down to just the right amount as to not offend you (it's a fine wine after all, not a candy bar) and at a ripeness level that you have only experienced at a farm where you can pick and choose the most perfect fruit. Well now your thinking "what more can this wine display?" Well I must tell you that I am not  done just yet as there is also a note of Molasses in this wine which is where the wine seems to also get a tad bit of its sweet side note from. What a wonderful note this Molasses is, it adds a sort of dark sugar to the wine that really sets this wine off and in my opinion puts this wine over the ninety (92) point mark.
   Here is the wrap-up Ladies & Gentleman. Serve this wine at a formal get together or event and watch how your guests eyes open up and the questions begin. I can guarantee you that if you provide the proper presentation and pour of this wine and simply allow you guests to taste it without telling them the price you paid for it they will leave thinking you opened a wine that has been aging at least ten (10) years and was rated at a 92 upon release with the guarantee of elevation if drank within 8-10 years. Now that is a strong statement coming from me. Why do I feel this way you ask? Well I can tell that this wine was put together with grapes from a season where the grapes were had presented with the best growing conditions. The entire process from beginning to end had to be Superior and ultimate care had to be taken in the entire process and it absolutely shows in every way. To me each sip was an exceptional treat. Between the label that screams Presidential Inauguration and the contents of what is in the bottle, this wine is a must have and for that reason I am placing it at 94 points on The Desert Wine Guy Rating Scale. By the way this is the second highest rated wine I have ever reviewed with the first being the 2011 Peju Cabernet Sauvignon (http://desertwineguy.blogspot.com/2014/05/2011-peju-cabernet-sauvignon.html) which I put at 96 points.

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                   The Desert Wine Guy

www.desertwineguy.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/DesertWineGuy?fref=nf

https://twitter.com/DesertWineGuyLV

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgCUb3w1n2S_UGU2yYRkFYQ/videos  

The Desert Wne Guy - 2012 Wyndham Estates Cabernet Merlot

2012 Wyndham Estate Cabernet Merlot

                                                          
    Today I have the pleasure of reviewing the2012 Wyndham Estates Cabernet Merlot by Wyndham Estates (http://www.wyndhamestate.com/) which is located in Australia. This wine has a kind of strange name since usually the Vineyard will pick one varietal or another to classify their wine under but I guess it doesn't matter in the end as long as the wine is well done.
   The Vineyard & Winery is named after George Wyndham who planted the first commercial Shiraz Vineyard in Australia back in 1830. Today the Vineyard has Steve Meyer as it's chief Winemaker and I want to share a little snippet of what I thought was nice from the short "about me" on the website "...Playing dad to his young daughter Stella after work might be eating into his golfing time, but he is still finding just enough hours in his busy weeks to jam with his three-piece acoustic band unusually named “Colonel Mustard” (a key player in Cluedo)". Having to spread time between my children, work and the Vineyards (Angel Vineyard & Mirror Image Vineyard) I can relate here. This particular wine goes under the "BIN" (no explanation given) label of Wyndham Estates wine and is from "multi-regional blends" of which they claim they use only "Australia's premium viticultural regions". This label is designed to be "Generous & intense yet soft, approachable and easy to drink". How does any of this really matter? Read on and you will see. The wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot and  comes from South Eastern Australia. The wine is kept in French Oak for approximately 12 months prior to blending leaving an Alcohol level of 14.2 percent according to the Vineyard.

Steve Meyer - Chief Winemaker

                                           

   Lets open up this review by discussing just how this wine pours as well as just how it is on your Palette. In the glass we have a wine that is on the pour a dark Red Berry / Blackberry color in color which fits in nicely with how it approaches the pallet which is a Blackberry at first tasting followed closely behind by Current spice and Oak and then finishing in Dark Cherry followed by the wonderful Tannin's.. All of this equates to a smooth finish with those Tannin's being very smooth indeed. The feel they give to the wine has them well situated in this red wine blend. Moving further into our tasting now. The wine is very tasteful with the Blackberry and Dark Cherry mixing nicely with the Current and has the perception of consistency in the way it reveals it's flavor. There are no fluctuations at any time of how the wine hits your palette as well as your other senses. One thing in particular that I like is that the Oak never disappears as it does in some reds when they open up and is there for you to enjoy throughout the bottle and seems to add a sense of power to your glass as you sit back in your easy chair and relax from the busy week. Don't get me wrong here. The Oak is never overpowering or offensive in the first  place so there are no worries there. This wine can make even the cheapest of wine glassware seem as if you are drinking from the best Riedel glassware. Once this wine is opened and you take the first taste there will be no more memories of work or stress on your mind. Your thought will travel to exploring this wine. The balance in this wine between characteristics is done very nicely and it is something you will continue to experience throughout the bottle. The tannin's help this wine finish strong and as I have previously said are not what I would consider overpowering but they are definitely not weak either, you will notice they are there and you will appreciate them.
   let's sum this all up here because I think I have another bottle in the wine Cellar calling my name. This wine still has plenty of years left on it if you wanted to purchase a few bottles (as I did) to put away in the cellar or wine refrigerator which I highly suggest you do. In closing this is a very nicely crafted wine and a pleasure to recommend.
   On The Desert Wine Guy rating scale I would not hesitate to give this a 92 point rating.

Wyndham Estate Wine Barrel

www.desertwineguy.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/DesertWineGuy?fref=nf

https://twitter.com/DesertWineGuyLV

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgCUb3w1n2S_UGU2yYRkFYQ/videos  



                                                                                                                  The Desert Wine Guy