MCBEE'S WINE DIARY: Spring Far Niente Shipment Arrives

THE MCBEE WINE BLOG DIARY

My mother, Camille McBee, partnered with Bobby G. Smith, Winemaker, in North Texas for over 30 years. Together they worked to develop a National and International name for Texas Wines. In 2009 she passed away too young, but she left behind a Texas Wine Industry that was better because of her dedication and she left a family with a deep rooted love and appreciation for wine and entertaining. This blog serves as a diary of my adventures in wine and as a lasting toast to my mother. -Cheers!

This blog is NOT intended to be the authority on tasting notes, or a professional guide for wine experts; it's simply a place for me to share some of my opinions and findings about wine with my friends and other wine lovers.

I truly hope you will use this blog to help you the next time you are thinking about what to buy at the wine store or deciding what to order at a local restaurant or when you travel to the wine country. ENJOY!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Spring Far Niente Shipment Arrives - Life is Good!

The shipment included a 2003 Far Niente Estate Bottled Cave Collection Cabernet Sauvignon (Oh Yeah!), a 2008 Nickle & Nickle Suscol Ranch Merlot, a 2008 Nickel & Nickel Ponzo Vineyard Zinfandel and a 2009 EnRoute Pinot Noir. Four bottles all red, I am a happy camper.

Well I just couldn't wait, so I cracked open the Pinot Noir over dinner last night with Meredith and tonight i am enjoying it again as i write this post. The EnRoute Vineyard is a new edition to Far Niente up in the Russian River Valley. Most good California Pinot Noirs will come from the cooler climates like this valley or along the sonoma coastal areas. This Pinot is aged in oak for 11 months and has a very bold Pinot flavor; very few light notes here. If i didn't know what i was drinking on this one, I might even guess it was a Merlot. Maybe the heavy oak flavor gives is that bigger body, but it is definitely not a textbook Pinot. No earthy aftertaste at all.

Now I cant wait to try the Cab, but it will have to be a special occasion for sure.