Wines
of the Week:
Wente Vineyards - Livermore Valley, Ca
The
Wente Family has
been making wine for five generations, starting in 1883 when
C. H. Wente purchased 47 acres in the Livermore Valley, Ca.
They've come a long way in over 130 years, adding new brands
to their offerings over time. But they've never compromised
on quality or consistency, meaning odds are you'll enjoy any
of the wines from them.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Wente
2015 "Morning Fog" Chardonnay
Winery:
Wente Family
Grape(s): 98% Chardonnay & 2% Gewurztraminer
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Aromas of pears, honeydews, and apple skin meld with suggestions
of vanilla and toasty oak on the nose. A sip delivers
flavors of pear, apple, and honeydew that unfold into
expressions of vanilla and citrus zest on the palate.
A welcoming acidity and supple mouth-feel endear this
wine to a lobster bisque.
Rating: 90 |
|
Wente
2013 "Charles Wetmore" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Wente Family
Grape(s): 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10%
Petite Sirah,7% Merlot, & 6% Petit Verdot
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Black cherries, plums, and blackberries come together
with notes of vanilla, sweet spice, and earth on the nose.
Flavors of blackberry, currant, and cherry emerge on the
palate, along with whispers of dusty earth, mocha, and
clove. A Cab with cocoa tannins and ample dark fruit,
open a bottle next time you have roast beef.
Rating: 89 |
 |
Wente
2014 "Louis Mel" Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Wente Family
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Fragrances of citrus fruits, apples, orange blossoms,
and minerals greet the senses. With a sip, flavors of
grapefruit, green apple, and nectarine flow into hints
of white blossoms and wet stone. Fairly crisp with a fresh
acidity, it would be lovely to sip before dinner with
goat cheese and crackers.
Rating: 89 |
 |
Wente
2013 "Sandstone" Merlot
Winery:
Wente Family
Grape(s): 80% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon,
5% Petite Sirah,, & 5% Petit Verdot
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromatics of black cherries, boysenberries, and plums
mingle with traces of clove, chocolate, and oak on the
nose. The palate offers flavors of cherry, bramble fruit,
and plum that open up into undertones of clove, oak, and
baking spice. A Merlot with balanced tannins that frame
the fruit core nicely, meatloaf would be a lovely companion.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
Winery
of the Week: Wente Family Vineyards
| 96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
| 92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
| 85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
|
