Yesterday I reviewed three white wines from the Wagner Family that I received in a 6-pack of tiny TastingRoom.com bottles. Today, I’m covering the three red wines from that package. They are the 2009 Meiomi Pinot Noir California, 2009 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Vineyards Santa Maria Valley and 2008 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.

2009 Meiomi Pinot Noir California

Meiomi Pinot Noir is crafted from three different cool climate zones within California. Winemaker Joe Wagner selects fruit from up and down the coast to provide a seamless and lush Pinot Noir. The wine obviously doesn’t express a particular site, but an open bottle won’t last long either. The nose is dark with black cherry fruit leather, black raspberry, teak and slight hints of bubble gum and orange zest. The palate is silky with well-integrated tannins and a mouthful of black cherry, mulling spice and plum. Drink it on its own or with seared duck breast with Christmas spice and beluga lentils. A very satisfying wine for the price. Highly Recommended.

Drink: Now through 2014
Release Date: November, 2010
Closure: Screwcap
Retail Price: $22.00
Winemaker: Joseph J. Wagner
Blend: Pinot Noir
Origin: 47% Sonoma County, 34% Santa Barbara County, 19% Monterey County
Aging: 9 months, French oak, 60% new

Alcohol: 13.9%

2009 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone Vineyards Santa Maria Valley

The 2009 Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir from Belle Glos is a solidly-built wine that is very good now and should become more expressive with another year or so of bottle age. The nose is restrained but offers appetizing aromas of caramel apple, red cherry and lavender. The palate shows good tension between its juicy acidity and smooth tannins. Its structure and flavors of caramel, cherry and orange zest will match well with a medium-rare filet mignon or braised and caramelized short ribs. Highly Recommended.

Drink: Now through 2017
Release Date: February, 2011
Closure: Cork [sample was screwtop]
Retail Price: $44.00
Winemaker: Joseph J. Wagner
Blend: Pinot Noir
Origin: Clark & Telephone Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County
Fermentation:
Aging: 9 months, French oak, 60% new

Alcohol: 14.4%

2008 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

I reviewed this wine shortly after it’s release. Tasting it again this week, I found that its texture and balance have developed nicely. Of course, the flavors and aromas remain quite youthful. The concentration of this 2008 Caymus can be seen readily in the glass where the wine is dark ruby and opaque. The nose is complex and inviting. Hallmark Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon aromas of black currant, currant leaf and eucalyptus while the French barrels contribute touches of oak, cocoa and coconut. This is a full-bodied wine with fine, powdery tannins and delicious flavors of black currant, cherry-filled chocolates, coconut and oak. Try it with braised lamb shank or tender, grilled flank steak. Highly Recommended.

Drink: Now through 2020
Release Date: June, 2010
Closure: Cork [sample was screwtop]
Retail Price: $68.00
Winemaker: Chuck Wagner
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin: 8 different AVAs within Napa Valley
Aging: 16 months, French oak
Alcohol: 15.2%

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