Pourtal: Miguel Torres, Damien Coquelet, Edmunds St. John

Miguel Torres: "Las Mulas"
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chile
2008

Wine Enthusiast gives this wine 89 points, saying that it's very good for the price.  There's some bold, black fruit flavors and a very peppery side to this wine.

Colin:  Very fruity for a Cabernet. The oaky finish saves it for me.

Rating:  6 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  I don't really like this wine because it has a very sour taste.  It becomes ash-y soon after.  Too many pepper notes for me, but strangely, it has a very smooth finish.

Rating:  6 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
K&L Wines has a pretty good deal 

Cost: $11.99


Damien Coquelet: Beaujolais-Villages
Gamay
France
2010

Beaujolais is known for their Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc grapes (the full name of the wine).  Gamay's tend to be a purple-colored variety.

Colin:  First time tasting this kind of wine, little underwhelmed.  I feel like I'm drinking a diet wine.  Good for someone that doesn't like wine. 

Rating:  4 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  This is a strange wine because while it is still bold in flavor, it has an aftertaste like water. It is a weird sensation, but it is still decent.  I think this is a good starter red for people who don't like reds, since it doesn't have a very strong finish.

Rating : 5 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
Best bet is to search the internet... It's easier to find the 2009 Vintage than this one.

Cost:  2009 Vintage ranges from $16 - $25.


Edmunds St. John. "Bone-Jolly"
Gamay Noir
El Dorado County, California
2009

Edmunds prides themselves on building the best wines with the best grapes.  The company only uses vines that they got from Beaujolais, France, so it gives it the original French flavors, but still is an American fine (and thus, much easier to find).

Colin:  The Gamay Noir is much more palatable than just the Gamay.  Though, I'm still not a fan of this kind of wine. 

Rating:  5 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  This wine has a solid flavor to it.  It is very warm, looks almost rose red, and is fruity but not too sweet.  I think this was one of my favorite tastings at Pourtal - and I had never had a Gamay Noir before that day!
Rating:  8 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?
Edmunds has a list of distributors on their website.

Cost:  Premier Cru has it on sale (four bottles left in stock) for $14.99

Pourtal: Fleur du Cap, Domaine de Larzac, Domaine Weinbach

Three reviews in one post - they are smaller reviews, since we tasted all of these wines at Pourtal in Santa Monica, California.  This is post one out of three.

Fleur du Cap:  "Bergkelder Selection" 

Pinotage 

South Africa

2009

A Pinotage is a cross between a Pinot Noir and a Cinsaut grape. It was bred in 1925 in South Africa and typically produces deep reds with smokey and earthy flavors. Their website describes this wine as: a full-bodied wine that shows ample berry fruit dominated by plum and sweetish mulberry aromas. This is supported by a good tannic finish.

Colin:  It's all about the finish.  It dissolves into a fruity warmth, that I think is perfect.

Rating:  8.5 out of 10

Rachel:  This is a very bold, smokey flavored wine, definitely not for a casual red wine drinker. It tapers into a smooth finish, but the initial taste is too strong for me.  I can see why Colin loves it, though. 

Rating:  5.5 out of 10.

Where can I find it?  Fleur du Cap's Website and their international wine finder

Cost:  It is for sale online at greatcorks.com for $11.99

Domaine de Larzac

Roussanne / Chardonnay

Languedoc, France

2008

A Roussanne grape is grown originally in the Rhône wine region in France, it is destined for white wines and roses.  It is a light yellow colored white wine.

Colin:  Interesting and not too bad for my taste.  I like the bouquet.  There's enough fruit without being too sweet or buttery.  I kind of like it, and I don't usually like this kind of wine.

Rating:  7 out of 10

Rachel:  I've never had a Roussanne wine before, and this one is very buttery like a regualar Chardonnay, but not overly so.  It is sweet with oaky flavor, but it also has a sharp side to it.  I think it is a decent as a Chardonnay, but I wouldn't go out of my way to have it again.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Where can I find it?  Their company website does not have a wine finder.  We found a seller in Europe here.  This seems like a hard wine to find - so if you are at Pourtal and do like this wine, you should get it there.

Cost: Pourtal's price: $35.00

Domaine Weinbach: "Cuvee Theo" 

Riesling

Alsace, France

2006

A neat fact about this vineyard, they name all of their soils, but also their cuvees - which are named after family members.  Theo rests in the middle of Clos du Capucin and Weinbach vines since he cherished those wines - so the Riesling and Gewurtztraminer that grow are named after him.

Colin:  I think that because it is dryer and has more of a bite, it's actually an interesting take on a Riesling - since they are usually so sweet.

Rating:  7 out of 10. 

Rachel:  This Riesling has clearly been aged for awhile.  While it remains sweet like most, it also has a bit of a mustiness to it.  It's a bit sour and isn't really up my alley.  Too many flavors at once.

Rating:  5.5 out of 10

Where can I find it?  Domaine Weinbach's Website, you can order it online through Vendome Wine & Spirits. Though, there are only 3 left in stock, so if you want it, order now. Or, you can get it at Pourtal in Santa Monica.

Cost: $45.99 at Vendome

Pourtal Wine Tasting

We took a trip down to Santa Monica, and right by the Pier, there is a place called Pourtal.  It's a pretty neat place, with the new, automatic pourers.  We've been looking forward to checking out a place like this for awhile now, just haven't had the time.

The neat thing about Pourtal, and the bad thing, is that the tastings are inexpensive, while the bottles are expensive.  We had the most delicious Cabernet Sauvignon and a pretty good (in Rachel's opinion) Gamay, but the bottles were entirely too much to purchase.  But - the upside is, you get to try a pour of wine from a $85 bottle of wine for $5!  Definitely recommended by both of us.  The food paired nicely with all of the wines and was delicious.  This is in the upscale part of Santa Monica, so definitely bring your credit card when you go.

We also got to meet the owner of Pourtal and his father, and we were pretty impressed by the closeness of the family and people that work there.  It was a great atmosphere, and highly recommended if you ever are by the beach looking for a fun, but different, activity to do.

With that being said, we reviewed nine bottles of wine while we were there.  If you think any of them are interesting, visit the Pourtal website and see if they still have them in stock, as their selection continues to rotate/change.  We will post a mixture of three bottles over the course of the next three weeks, and as usual, we'll include as much information as we can find on each of them.

Raymond Vineyards

"Eloquence"
Late Harvest Chardonnay
Dessert Wine
California
2006

General information:  58% from Napa, 42% from Monterey County.  Dessert wines are always very sweet, and they change dramatically in taste when paired with a sweet dessert.  Raymond's Late Harvest Chardonnay doesn't come out often.  The conditions have to be perfect for the grapes to get what is called a "noble rot."  You can read more about this process here.  I know it doesn't sound that appetizing, but it's perfectly safe (not to mention delicious).

Colin:  I was not well versed in these kinds of wines before Napa.  However, after tasting a few, this is one of my favorites (I like Ports better).  Like a dried apricot, this is very sweet.  It's smooth and warming.  I think that Raymond triumphs with this dessert wine - I am not a big fan of other Raymond varieties, but this had me sold.
Rating:  10 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  Dessert wines can be brilliant - or they can be too sweet.  Raymond's is perfect.  IT has some hints of apple and a very light alcohol taste.  It pairs beautifully with any sweet treat.  Also, we had this bottle in the fridge for three months - opened, drinking a little at a time.  And Raymond's employees told us the truth - it really does hold up well, even after being opened.  Great purchase!
Rating: 10 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - No // Rachel - Don't you dare!

Where can I find it?
We got it directly at the vineyard, and haven't seen it in stores since -- luckily, they sell it online!  See Raymond's Eloquence page to purchase.

Cost:  $15.00

Espuela Del Gaucho

Malbec
Argentina
2009

It us a full-bodied, plum colored wine. We've had a bunch of Malbecs lately - and I think this is the first we both say "No" to.

Colin: The initial taste is deceptive, because you think this is going to be a strong wine. Once you fully taste it, you realize that this wine is very transparent and gives way to alcoholic emptiness. With food, this wine mildly redeems itself, but still isn't worthy of calling itself a Malbec.
Rating: 1 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: It's too sour, too harsh on the palette and all you can taste is alcohol. It smells as harsh as it tastes. If you like wine to kick you awake... It id really just not worth the money.
Rating: 2 out of 10 glasses

Aerate: Colin - No // Rachel - half aerated, half not made this a slightly better wine

Where can I find it?
Ralphs, or your local grocer

Cost: $5.66 on sale, originally $10.99

Gnarly Head

Merlot
California
2009

We had a delicious barbecue dinner with this merlot, which we both thought paired really well with this wine. It's rich in flavor, full of blackberry and blueberry with a touch of vanilla.  It has a decently smooth finish with a tone of the oak it was aged in.


Colin:  I like this, it is really dry. I think the typical, fruity merlot is kind of toned down for a richer, oakier finish. It could be fruitier and stronger. I think for what it is, it stays true to the rich gnarly head and what you expect of them.
Rating:  7 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  It has a little bit of a fruity bite to it. I like this merlot, but after drinking a glass of it, it loses some of it's finesse. On first taste, you get a lot of fruit with a nice oak finish. After drinking a glass, you get more currants and oak, less fruit. For that reason, I won't rate it higher. It's still a good wine for under $10.
Rating:  6 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - No // Rachel - No

Where can I find it?
We bought it from Ralph's, our grocery store.  You can also visit: http://www.gnarlyhead.com/


Cost:  $8.99, on sale.

Rabbit Ridge

Allure de Robles (Rhone Style red wine)
California
2009

This dark red wine is made in a "Cotes du Rhone style."  It is a medium-bodied wine that contains three different kinds of grapes:  Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre.  It has notes of raspberries, blackberries, black currant, and pepper that all work well together.  It says that it can withhold a variety of foods to be paired with - and with three different kinds of grapes, we believe it.

Colin:  I love this wine - it is really good.  It contains everything I like about red wine.  It's hardy like a meal - you could cut it with a knife.  I do think that the finish is a little sharp, but that doesn't really affect my rating of this wine.
Rating: 9 out of 10 glasses

Rachel:  Upon first sip, I didn't even want to taste this wine aerated because it was so delicious.  It's bold, has a bite, and still has a very fruity flavor.  This is a great stand alone wine, but it paired well with out pasta dinner.  I would rate it higher if it was a smoother finish, instead of the finishing "kick."  But I still highly recommend it as a good, inexpensive bottle.
Rating:  8 out of 10 glasses

Aerate:  Colin - No // Rachel - No

Where can I find it?
We got it at Trader Joe's.  You can also find it on their website:
http://www.rabbitridgewinery.com/

Cost:  Trader Joe's: $6.99  Their website:  $8.00