By: AJ McClellan
Last Friday we had Bob Foley in to taste us on his newly released wines. Bob has done it again! Each bottles showed excellent balance and finesse with just the right amount of fruit and a wonderful complexity that is difficult to find in this price range. I have always been a big fan of Bobs and I think that his personal label, the Robert Foley wines, always deliver exceptional value.
2009 Robert Foley Roussanne – A very small production wine that is almost impossible to find, this Roussanne is wonderful. Fresh and fruity with no malo and no oak this wine is pure and crisp, perfect for a hot summer day at the pool.
2008 Robert Foley Pinot Blanc – Soft stone fruit on the nose with a light and fruity palate. There is a tropical note of exotic fruits on the back end that freshened the mouth feel and makes you want to take another sip.
2008 Robert Foley Charbono – Big and jammy, with rich red and black fruits. The palate was grapey with smooth tannins and a mouthful of sweet fruits.
Bob Foley and the gang hanging out before the tasting.
2008 Robert Foley Merlot – I have always been very impressed with Foleys Merlot. Typically it is my favorite in the lineup and Fridays tasting was no exception. The nose was full of ripe dark fruit combined with soft tobacco and cooking spice. On the palate the wine was expansive hitting all the right notes to make a very complex finish.
2008 Robert Foley Claret – This is the flagship of Foleys lineup with a dark concentrated color that sticks to the side of the glass like molasses you know this wine is going to be a big boy. The nose is full and rich with massive notes of black berries, mocha, and dark chocolate. On the palate the wine has drying tannins and a weighty texture. This is a wine that needs some time in the bottle to mellow out, I recommend popping a case or two of the Merlot while waiting on this wine to relax a little…
2007 Robert Foley Petite Sirah – Just when you thought the wine could not get any bigger here comes the Petite Sirah. Pitch black, like a starless night in the glass, with a boisterous nose of rich black fruits and pipe tobacco. Before tasting the wine you must be prepared for a black tong and purple teeth. As tight and heavy as a brick on the palate, a brick covered in chocolate and that has been used to smash black fruits for the past hour or two…
2008 Robert Foley Griffin – This is a great red wine blend for those of you that like a big block buster. 42% Petite Sirah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Charbono, and 8% Merlot. This is a great everyday drinker to go with BBQ…