In today’s blog I would like to share two exciting topics with you. First, today’s blog is my 200th Tiedemann On Wines blog posting. My first article was posted on January 30, 2013. We began posting one article per month and shortly thereafter went to one every two weeks and have for some time been posting an article once per week on Thursdays.
Tiedemann On Wines Wine Blog
I believe we have come a long way since our first blog article in 2013. We now have over 500 subscribers with a higher than average opening rate in an era of declining wine blog readership. Tiedemann On wines has partnered with McCarthy’s on the Riverwalk, Uptown Kitchen and The Mark Dine and Tap restaurants to form the Tiedemann On Wines Wine Club. As a member of the wine club you can receive 10 to 20% discounts on wine purchases at these restaurants. If you would like to join our wine club you can sign up on our website or at any of our partnering restaurants.
As all of you know, I have a passion for all things about wine. This is one of the main reasons I started the blog. My number one purpose for getting up in the wee hours of the morning (it is now 4:36 a.m.) to write the blog is to educate, inform, report and comment on all things about wine or activities connected to wine. In addition to wine articles we even have some human interest articles every now and then, such as updates on my 7-year-old grandson Adler Bear Carris’ battle with cancer, updates on the new family hangout (condo) in Chicago and on our monthly cigar and wine dinners held at our Lexington Event Centre.
Ashley Stair
I hope we are producing a blog that is interesting, informative and most of all educational. Our continued growth in subscribers and readership indicates we are. We’ll keep doing what we have been doing and hope article number 400 is just around the corner.
I would like to extend a special thank you to my blog team: Ashley Stair who transcribes my handwritten drafts and puts up with my awful handwriting and spelling (“I’ve seen worse Carl” − Ashley).
Melissa Hiner
And a special thank you to my editor who makes the blog possible: Melissa Hiner. She’s an all-around special person. Believe me when I say that Tiedemann On Wines happens because to the efforts of these two great folks. Thanks gals for all your hard work!
2010 Tiedemann Signature Series Red Wine
The second thing I want to talk about today is the release of our 2010 Tiedemann Signature Series Red Wine, a Bordeaux style blend.
I produced this wine with Winemaker Sean Larkin. This is the fourth (2008 to 2011; we have only sold the 2011 in California) Signature Series Red Wine I have produced with Sean, an acclaimed winemaker producing his own award-winning Larkin Wines.
The 2010 Tiedemann Signature Series Red being bottled.
Our 2010 is a blend of four different wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo, that come from four different Napa Valley vineyards.
The dominant wine in the blend is Tempranillo (about 85%), while the other wines make up the remaining 15%.
What follows is a short description of each of the wines in the blend:
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is a black grape widely grown to produce full-bodied red wines. The grape originated in Spain and is now grown throughout the world.
The wine isn’t very aromatic and tends to have a relatively neutral profile. Because of this it is often blended with other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and others. It is also typically aged in oak barrels for long periods of time so that it will take on the flavor of the oak barrel to help improve the flavor profile.
In Portugal, where the grape is known as Tinta Roriz, it is often blended with other wines to produce Port wine. Tempranillo usually produces flavors of plum and strawberries.
Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is a red wine grape principally used as a blending grape in classic Bordeaux blends especially in France. It adds small amounts of tannin, color and flavor to a blend. Some winemakers blend it with Cabernet Sauvignon blends. They say it stiffens the mid-palate of the blends.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is also known for its blending qualities in Bordeaux-style wines. It is also a great stand-alone wine as Winemaker Sean Larkin has proven with his award winning Larkin Cabernet Franc wine. Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, making a bright, pale red wine. It typically provides, depending on where it’s grown, aromas of tobacco, raspberry, bell pepper and cassis.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world’s most widely known red wine grapes. It is grown in every wine region worldwide. The profile of the Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be full-bodied with lots of tannins and acidity that contribute to the wine’s aging potential. The Cabernet Sauvignon typically produces, depending on where it’s grown, aromas and tastes of blackberries, mint and cedar.
Winemaker Sean Larkin’s tasting notes:
“The 2010 is the third vintage of the Tiedemann Signature Series Red Wine. This is a sumptuous, Bordeaux inspired red varietal composite crafted to showcase the power and finesse of Napa Valley. Expect rich, beautiful aromatics followed by a full, velvety mouth feel complimented by warm and toasty oak and refined tannins. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo, the wine telegraphs the power of the varietal and will easily age well for the next 10 to 12 years, but is in complete balance for decanting and drinking today.”
I am excited about the release of our 2010 Signature Series Bordeaux-style red wine. The smooth mouth feel of this wine offers a soft, velvety texture which I find pleasing to the palate and leads to a long harmonious finish. This wine will improve in the bottle and should drink well for many years to come.
Napa Valley Trip
Next week I will not be posting an article as I will be in Napa making wine. I will also be tasting our new Adler’s Blend red wine ahead of its bottling on April 26, 2017.
As always I appreciate your support of our wine blog and encourage you to share it with family and friends. If you are reading this blog for the first time please consider subscribing while you are on the website. This way you’ll get our reviews and articles in your email. If you care to share your comments on this blog posting or other topics please do so in the comments section below.
Until next week,
Cheers
Calendar of upcoming events:
April – Michigan Wine Month
April 17 – World Malbec Day
April 24 – International Sauvignon Blanc Day
May 9 – Moscato Day
May 21 – National Chardonnay Day
Congrats Carl on your 200th blog and the upcoming release of the next vintage of your Signature Series. I have enjoyed both drinking and selling all of the previous vintages and have high expectations for the new release.
We look forward to patterning with you for many years to come.
Jonathan: Thanks for your support of the blog and the wines we produce. I look forward to partnering on future events and activities.
All the best,
Cheers
Congratulations Carl! It’s an excellent, informative blog and a value to the wine-loving community of the area.
Hello Tom. Thanks for your continued support of my wine blog and the wines we produce.
Cheers