The Top Wines Of 2019: An Exclusive Vino-Sphere List

Yes, it’s here – our annual listing of the best wines we’ve in the last 365 days. Pop open a bottle and savor our reviews and articles with all the details.
It’s been a wonderful year, with an untold amount of wines and winery visits. Highlights included trips to Washington State and Oregon. It was our first visit to the fascinating Columbia Gorge AVA. We also had a memorable trip to Australia and the wine regions of the Barossa Valley and Yarra Valley. Bottles represent some of the world’s great wine regions as well as a few surprises. Pour yourself a glass and enjoy. The asterisk indicates a wine of distinction.

Bellangelo 2018 Kashong Glen Riesling, Finger Lakes*
Bells Up 2018 Helios Estate Seyval Blanc, Willamette Valley
Blue Rock 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
Boundary Breaks 2017 Ovid Line North Riesling, Finger Lakes
Bowers Harbor 2017 Block II Riesling, Old Mission Peninsula*
Cameron Hughes Lot 638 Petit Verdot, Red Mountain
Cameron Hughes Lot 660 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
Château des Crès Ricards 2017 Stécia, Terrasses du Larzac

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Chateau Dauphine Rondillon Loupiac 2009 Cuvee d’Or
Chateau Royaumont 2016 Lalande de Pomerol, Bordeaux
Chateau Yaldara 2012 1847 Wines Pappy’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley*
Day 2018 Babycheeks Rosé, Rogue Valley
Domaine LeSeurre 2017 Riesling Terroir D’Excellence, Finger Lakes
Dry Creek Vineyard 2014 The Mariner, Dry Creek Valley
Faustino V 2013 Reserva Rioja
Force Majeure 2016 SJR Syrah, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater*
Finca Torremilanos 2016 Los Cantos, Ribera Del Duero*
Gunderloch Nackenheimer 2014 Rothenberg Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen*

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Hawk Haven 2016 Signature Series Syrah, Outer Coastal Plains*
Hightower 2015 Red Mountain Reserve, Red Mountain
Iris Vineyards 2015 Areté Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley*
Jones Von Drehle 2013 Stone and Steel Red Blend, Yadkin Valley
Junius Lindsay 2015 GPS Red Blend, Yadkin Valley
Ken Wright Cellars 2011 Abbott Claim Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton*
Kiona 2014 Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
Langmeil 2016 Orphan Bank Shiraz, Barossa Valley*
Le Cadeau 2016 “Merci” Reserve, Chehalem Mountains
Left Coast 2017 “The Orchard” Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley
Left Coast Cellars 2013 Blanc de Noir, Willamette Valley
Lenné Estate 2016 cinq éluse Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton*
Marshall Davis 2017 Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton*
Mt. Hood 2016 Gewürztraminer, Columbia Gorge
Môreson 2013 “The Widow Maker” Pinotage, Franschhoek*
Muscardini 2014 Cassata Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley
Old Westminster 2017 Home Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Maryland*
Papapietro Perry 2016 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley*
Phelps Creek 2015 Lynette Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge
Raffaldini 2014 Sangiovese Classico, Swan Creek
Rocheford 2016 Blanc de Blanc, Yarra Valley
Schöne Tal Cellars 2016 Pinot Noir, Meredith Mitchell Vineyard, McMinnville
Tablas Creek 2018 Patelin de Tablas Rosé, Paso Robles*
TC Collector 2018 Gamay Noir, Columbia Gorge
The Walls 2016 Concrete Mama Grenache, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
Wy’East 2016 Pinot Gris, Columbia Gorge
Youngberg Hill 2015 Jordan Pinot Noir, McMinnville*

Technorati Tags: Best of 2019,best wine,wine,wine tasting

Domaine LeSeurre: Finger Lakes Winery Visit

French sensibility with Finger Lakes terroir equals a winning combination for Domain LeSeurre.

Rising Star on Keuka Lake

Our recent visit to the Finger Lakes included some old favorites as well as a mix of new. One winery that garnered our attention was Domaine LeSeurre. Sébastien and Céline Leseurre hail from France. Sébastien has rich experience in Champagne that spurred a passion for wine that took him around the world. Céline is from the Toulouse region and worked at a winery in the Languedoc-Roussillon region before she too started a globe-trotting wine career.

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Their paths initially crossed in New Zealand and their travels continued together in Australia before they landed stateside. They visited many different wine regions, but fell in love with the Keuka Lake and the Finger Lakes wine region. The first vintage for Domaine LeSeurre was in 2012 and their tasting room opened on the east side of Keuka Lake in 2013.

Artistic Approach To Wine

New World wines typically focus on bold flavors with plenty of winemaker intervention. In France and other Old World wine bastions the wines focus on reflecting the terroir of the vineyard area.

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While the Finger Lakes region is a laid back and beautiful area, it can be a challenge to carve out an existence in the wine business. Domaine LeSeurre approaches the Finger Lakes region in an Old World style, devoting time and attention to each wine.

This artistic approach has earned them accolades and the label of a winery to watch in the region. To enjoy the artistry, we sampled a horizontal tasting of LeSeurre Riesling and a selection of reds.

Rocking The Riesling

The various soils of the Finger Lakes allow Sébastien and Céline to paint like artists. Shale soil brings the depth of mineral flavors while the clay soil highlights the fruit flavors.

The 2016 Dry Riesling is sourced from three different vineyards and is aged in stainless steel for nine months. Battonage (stirring of the lees) adds complexity to the balanced mineral-driven wine.

For the 2016 Barrel Select Riesling, neutral French oak barrels are used for 11 months of aging. It’s a touch that adds elegance to this bottle, which retails for $26.99. The Barrel Select also undergoes battonage. There are citrus notes and a mellow acidity.

The pinnacle of LeSeurre Riesling is the 2017 Riesling Terroir D’Excellence. All the grapes for this wine come from a vineyard planted in 1971. The shale soil provides a nice mineral base for the lime and smoke flavor notes. It’s a complex swallow that will bring a smile to your face. SRP is $34.99.

Red Renaissance

Riesling has been the calling card of the Finger Lakes for decades. Steep, sloping vineyards and the moderating the temperature and reflecting sunshine work wonders for the white grape.

We’re fans of Finger Lakes reds too, particularly Cabernet Franc. In recent years Blaufränkisch (also known as Lemberger) has had great success.

Domaine LeSeurre has a full line of reds including Lemberger, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and a red blend. As climate change continues to cause upheaval in the wine world, the Finger Lakes may gain equal acclaim for its reds.

The husband and wife winemaking team aim to change the conversation about Finger Lakes reds with Domaine LeSeurre. An example is Pinot Noir, a finicky grape and famously difficult to grow. The wine is only produced in the best vintage years. So far only two years, 2012 and 2016, have made the grade. The 2016 Pinot Noir is light in body with traces of raspberry and a delightful earthiness.

Part of the rationale for setting up shop in the Finger Lakes is not only the terroir, but the rising tide of climate change. One of the reasons the Finger Lakes is known for whites rather than reds is the cold winters. As the climate warms, the Finger Lakes will become more hospitable for reds.

Two more Domaine LeSeurre reds of note are the 2015 Cabernet Franc Barrel No. 1 and the 2015 Réserve Spéciale Red Blend. The Barrel No. 1 Cab Franc comes from limestone soil and is aged for 22 months in new French oak with tight grain. The resulting wine offers delicious fruit with toasted highlights. Production is very limited – only 48 cases. The Réserve Spéciale is a blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Lemberger. It’s all that’s good about Finger Lakes reds rolled into one bottle.

Domaine LeSeurre is ideal for fans of hand-crafted artisan wines. Special touches like the battonage and neutral oak aging of their whites and extra barrel time for the reds make these wines distinctive. Say “oui” and pay them a visit on your next Finger Lakes wine excursion.

Technorati Tags: Finger Lakes,wine,Cabernet Franc,Riesling

Surprising Travel Trends For 2020

This is the time of year when we gaze into the crystal ball and make predictions for the future. With the help of a recent Allstar Coaches poll, we present some interesting predictions and travel trends for 2020.

Concerns Over a Potential “Travel Recession” Persist

Travel and tourism marketing agency MMGY’s Global Traveler Sentiment Index has seen declines for eight-straight quarters, which suggests American’s leisure travel plans are softening. Price sensitivity is also growing. Thirty-four percent of travelers now cite travel costs as the number-one concern — versus only 18% in 2016.

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These softening travel numbers could reflect concerns about the broader economy. Many experts believe we’re due for a near-term economic recession, though the exact timing is unknown.

Bloomberg places the chance of a recession in the next 12 months at 26%. However, members of the National Association of Business Economics place the odds of an early 2021 recession at 69%.

Despite These Concerns, Travel Spending will Remain the Same

These long-term economic concerns don’t appear to have impacted travel spending habits just yet. In their 2019-2020 Portrait of American Travelers study, MMGY found that America’s travel spending will increase slightly in the near-term.

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Travelers reported spending $5,025 in 2019, which is even with 2018. Travelers also anticipate spending 17% more on travel than they did in 2018.

Road Trips are a Growing Trend

Millennials are literally driving one new travel trend, however, as the great American road trip comes back in vogue.

• Since 2015, the MMGY Portrait of American Travelers study has tracked a 64% increase in road trip travel.
• 51% of all travelers took at least one road trip in 2018, up five points from the previous year, and 60% of travelers said they were likely to take a road trip this year.
• 62% of millennials intend to make one or more road trips in the next 12 months.

The Concept of Hybrid Vacations are Growing Among Younger Travelers.

Millennial families are now adding road trips to their air travel vacations because they enjoy the flexibility of using a car. Fifty-seven percent of millennial families are taking road trips that begin from another city, compared to 41% of singles and 28% of couples.

These so-called “wings and wheels” vacations evoke a sense of nostalgia for millennial families who want to create cherished vacation memories.

Everything Old is New Again

Not only are millennials busy creating new travel trends, but they’re also returning to a few vacation staples that have gone out of style with older travelers. For example, while the use of travel agents is still down in total, millennials are more likely to use travel advisors than any other group.

• MMGY’s travel study shows that 16% of respondents had used a traditional travel agent in the last 12 months. This was up from 14% in 2018 and down from a peak of 19% in 2016.
• 24% of millennials, however, reported that they plan to use an agent for at least one vacation during the next two years.
• That compares to 16% of Baby Boomers and 15% of Gen Xers, who reported plans to use a travel agent.

MMGY believes that the millennial generation’s focus on experiential travel drives this new trend because they think agents can deliver the best travel experience possible.

Millennials are also more likely to buy travel insurance than other generations.

• In a recent study, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection found that 23% of travelers said they are going to purchase travel insurance more often in 2020 than they did in 2019. This finding represents a substantial increase over last year’s reports, which only showed a 14% year-over-year increase.
• Those numbers increase dramatically when looking at younger travelers. The survey found that 71% of millennials said they plan to buy more travel insurance in 2020.

Social Media Drives Travel Behaviors

Travelers also report that social media will influence where they travel and what they do during their vacations.

In its 2020 travel predictions report, global travel company Amadeus found that Instagram heavily influences behavior among younger travelers. They report that 40% of Instagram users under 33 said that Instagrammability was one of their top factors when selecting a vacation destination.

Many travelers also plan on engaging in risky behavior during their vacation to gain social media credibility. According to the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection report, 69% of respondents said they plan on doing something dangerous so they can post it to social media.

Technorati Tags: travel,trends,2020

Château des Crès Ricards 2017 Stécia, Terrasses du Larzac

Languedoc, located in the south of France, produces flavorful wines at a great price point. We pop open the cork to find a pleasant surprise.

Champion of Sud de France

Jean-Claude Mas can certainly be considered the champion of France’s southern wine regions. The founder of Domaines Paul Mas, he is carrying on a family tradition that dates back to 1892 when his grandfather bought the first family vineyard.

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Today Domaines Paul Mas encompasses a number of different labels. Mas has developed what started as a 61-acre gift from his father into an enterprise than spans more than 1,800 acres in the heart of Languedoc wine country.

The region is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the south and mountains in the north. Temperate conditions contribute to thriving agriculture. More than 45 different grape varieties are available for Domaine Paul Mas wines.

In the past Languedoc has been regarded as a fountain of unremarkable wines. Winemakers in the region today are turning heads with their bottles. Mas has been a leading advocate for the region and its wines.

Silky Stécia

Upon uncorking, Stécia came on strong. At 14.5% ABV, this is a big wine. This  surprised me since many Languedoc wines are simple and a bit meek.

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Stécia is a blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and 15% Carignan. The Syrah, grown in pebbly soil on steep, terraced vineyards, leads with power. After opening up, the finer points of this wine are on display with a delicate interplay between the three grapes.

The wine has a unique aging regimen, with 45% of the wine getting eight months of oak aging in French and American barrels. The barrels range from new to two-year old. Carbonic maceration is used for the Syrah and Carignan.

We found the wine to be complex and rewarding, especially at a $19.99 SRP. The flavors are deep with blackberry notes and herbal undertones. This is an outstanding French wine available for a song. Pair it with a nice steak, grilled lamb or a casual evening with friends.

Full disclosure: This wine was received as a marketing sample.

Flickr Tags: French wine,Syrah,wine tasting,Languedoc,wine

Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon Trio Tackles Washington State Terroir

Looking for a premium Cabernet experience on a budget? Check out these blockbusters from Washington State.

A Game Night

So our holiday weekend was winding down. We still had house guests and wanted to continue with our escapades. We decided to have a game night and make the night truly “game” by doing a side-by-side tasting with three bottles of Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon by Cameron Hughes.

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If you like wine and are not familiar with Cameron Hughes, you should be. Cameron Hughes is a négociant – without vineyards or winery – that purchases surplus wines and negotiates the best price for you. The wine is given a lot number and sold under the Cameron Hughes label. At a time where a 90-point Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is more than $150 a bottle, you can get the same wine at about a third of the price through Cameron Hughes.

The vintage for our tasty trio is 2016 and the prices are all $25 or less.  We were to discover that each pleasantly exceeded our expectations.

Hail Columbia

Our wines for the evening were: Lot 637 2016 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot 660 2016 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Lot 628 2016 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Being familiar with the big Cabs of Red Mountain, I poured Lot 660 into a decanter to mellow.

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We started with Heads Up, a version of charades where you put your cell phone or tablet on your forehead while your friends give you clues to help you guess the word. After a period of chaos that caused my mother-in-law to go scrambling to her Hallmark movie, we moved on to the word game Quiddler.

The first sip was Lot 637 from Columbia Valley. This wine, retailing for a mere $14, is from a boutique producer using grapes from Wahluke Slope and Yakima Valley.

This is a plush wine with blackberry and cherry notes. There’s just the right amount of earthiness. It’s aged in French oak for 16 months yet remains soft and juicy. Lot 660 was the top pick of our daughter and her boyfriend.

So Nice They Named It Twice

One of our favorite cities is Walla Walla, Washington. It has a great small town feel and its dotted with outstanding restaurants. Tasting rooms featuring bounty from its famed namesake wine region line the main streets.

The Lot 628 Walla Walla Valley Cab is from “one of the oldest wineries in the Walla Walla Valley with perhaps more Cabernet growing experience than anyone else in the entire state.” We have a pretty good idea of the winery – and that’s great news. At only $19, it drinks like a $40 or $50 Cabernet.

While we sipped this great wine, our players started getting creative with their words, coming up with some gems like “zirt” and “sterger.” The wine turned out to be much better than their word choices. It offers plums and blackberry with accents of pepper.

Red Mountain Summit

Two visits to Red Mountain have captivated my palate. The wine from this small (1,500 acres) AVA are big, bold and beautiful.

Decanting is highly recommended for Lot 660, which retails for $25. This is an intense wine, but the decanter works wonders. On first sip this is vibrant raspberry and cola exploding in the mouth. Following the elegant fruit notes, more savory notes of leather and cocoa are evident.

It’s a reserve quality bottle that I’d expect to pay $75 or more to enjoy. After a couple of glasses my attitude changed: “It’s obvious that you are creating a fake Quiddler word, but go ahead, I’m just going to continue sipping my Red Mountain Cabernet and enjoy. Happy sterger!”

Cameron Hughes is ideal for wine lovers and bargain hunters. The wines are only available via their website. The wines are highly recommended. Please note that the wines on offer change frequently, so if you see something you like, don’t delay.

Full Disclosure: These wines were received as marketing samples.

Technorati Tags: Washington State wine,Cabernet Sauvignon,wine,wine tasting

White and Sparkling Wines To Highlight Your Holiday Feast

The month of December into January is a time for soirées and entertaining. Here are some stellar picks for your holiday party table.

Bring On The Bubbles!

Sparkling wine brings a luster to your holiday bash. Consider Left Coast Cellars 2013 Blanc de Noir, a traditional method sparkler. This wine is from Oregon’s newest wine region, the Van Duzer Corridor in Willamette Valley.

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Blanc de Noir indicates white wine made with red grapes. Willamette Valley is known for its Pinot Noir and those acclaimed grapes are used in this Blanc de Noir. We just loved the full flavors of apple and raspberry paired with outstanding perlage (bubbles!).

A mere 135 cases were produced. The SRP is $55. Left Coast Cellars also makes an array of Pinot Noirs that are ideal for entertaining.

Get Your Grenache Blanc Going

We have increasingly been popping the cork on Grenache and Garnacha, two different names for one great grape. It is one of the oldest and most widely planted grapes in the world.

In France’s Rhône Valley, Grenache is a primary grape, typically paired with Syrah. It is also part of the GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) blends popular worldwide. Garnacha is grown in almost every area of Spain and graces the well-regarded wines of Priorat and Cariñena.

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While most Grenache is of the red variety, white Grenache/Garnacha is making a name for itself with high-quality wines. We popped open the Domaine Rombeau 2015 Andréa from France's Cotes du Roussillon region. It was a perfect match with our holiday turkey.

This is a unique white Grenache blend with 31% White Grenache, 29% Grey Grenache, 14% Marsanne, 13% Malvoisie, and 13% Vermentino. This had a full body and complex structure with grapefruit and peppery notes. It has a golden hue and is a limited production wine. Only 3,000 bottles were produced.

Riesling Rendezvous

With the varied meals that accompany your holiday festivities, remember one word: Riesling! We love Riesling for its food-friendly nature and the broad range of styles. You can opt for a bone-dry bottle or a range of choices up to a sweet late harvest wine.

Germany built its wine reputation on this grape and its a good choice when making your wine selection. For a recent vegan feast prepared by our daughter we opted for the 2018 Blue Fish Riesling from Pfalz.

Our meal included General Tso’s Cauliflower with rice and green onions along with a Napa cabbage salad and chile garlic edamame.

Riesling is a classic pairing with spicy foods. Blue Fish is a dry Riesling with a nice balance. It has flavors of lemons and peaches with a thread of minerality. At under $10, this is an outstanding buy!

Technorati Tags: sparkling wine,Grenache,Riesling,German wine,wine,wine tasting

NC Chinese Lantern Festival Brightens The Night

Photos By Dave Nershi, CSW -- Vino-Sphere Publisher

A highlight of the holiday season is the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival held in Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheater. The event runs through January 12 and features more than 20 displays.

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The lanterns are created by hand on silk fabric stretched over steel frames and then lit with hundreds of LED lights. This year the display highlighted ecology and the beauty of Mother Nature. Creations included Rockhopper Penguins, the Mammoth, a Polar Bear and plenty of butterflies. Butterflies are the symbol of love and good fortune in China.

Some displays are interactive, such as the Color Changing Elephant. You hop on and light up this display by riding a bicycle. Romantics can visit the Giant Diamond Rings, while visitors to the Magic Lamp can rub the gigantic lamp to conjure up a genie.

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The lanterns are mainly made in only one Chinese city: Zigong, Sichuan, which has been the capitol of Chinese lantern-making for thousands of years. The skills of the artisans are passed from one generation to the next. Cultural performances take place throughout the evening, with balancing acts, acrobats and juggling.

Technorati Tags: Chinese lanterns,travel,North Carolina