Red Bicyclette 2004 Syrah Review (billy)

I don't remember how much I paid for this bottle but I hope it was under 10 dollars.
Eyes: lighter than a typical Syrah
Nose: nice nose. Not overly fruity but balanced with black pepper, plums and hints of maraschino cherries.
Palate: I just opened this bottle so it is quite tannic but this will dissipate with about half an hour or so of air. Still there are nice black cherries and blueberry flavors that comingle with a touch of heat.
Finish:soft and unassuming but also a bit on the weak side. Green grape stem flavor at the end of the finish. I'm interested in what this will do with a bit of air time. We'll see....

After about 2 hours of breathing the tannins have softened considerably leaving only a touch of acid noticeable. This is the syrah equivalent of a light beer. This makes the Red Bicyclette 2004 Syrah a not overly complex wine or even a very good representative of the varietal. Still what it loses in sophistication, it gains in drinkability and mass appeal. This is definitely a decent wine for entertaining or drinking when you just want something to drink rather than something to taste or consider.

While I reviewed the 2004 vintage here, PB, below reviewed the 2003 and found it hot and "minerally" and not the most pleasant. The 2004 does not have those characteristics so, if you're buying now for Thanksgiving and want a low price French Syrah for your casually inclined guests, this could definitely fit the bill.

If you can get it for under $10 a bottle, grab one or two and save them for the next time you have guests. Otherwise look for something a bit more typical of a Syrah. Either way, remember to Raise a Glass!

Colombelle 2003 review by (PB)

This very inexpensive white of the Vin De Pays Cotes De Gascogne is powerful on the nose of lemon and something else I can’t quite nail down. It is made from the Colombard (remember cheap white jug wines of days gone by?) and the Ugni grapes.

This shows you what skill can do with a routine grape! In the mouth it is tart but not distractingly so with a blast of lemon cream—nice. All things are fleeting in this wine but at this price ($7) it is a nice value in fact making the Wine Spectator “Best Buy” rating. Upon swallowing, there is another very fleeting but fun blast of just picked, non-fermented grape juice but blink, and it’s gone. At this price, raise a glass!

Pio Cesare Barolo 1998 Review by (PB)

Another quick jaunt down to visit (NW) and my daughter which always means the wine will be flowing. We started out with a Columbelle (previous review post) and moved to this wonderful wine of the Piedmont which is near Alba, Italy. (Note—Barolos are notoriously pricey; this one was in the $60 range) On the pour it is a little lighter in color than I would have thought but there was an immediate cloud of splendor filling the air of the kitchen. It was floral, with a candied bouquet of cherries that was just mouth watering.

It was a bit hot on opening but this kind of wine needs to be decanted which we did constraining ourselves from drinking it away. With some air—oh the torture of temptation—there are numerous layers; licorice, cocoa powder, and something underneath that I was never able to put my finger—or tongue—on. But it was awesome!

With yet some more time to breath, a hint of bananas and more licorice and chocolate just kept popping up as each layer came and went and returned again. Served with Osso Buco it was splendid! I want to raise a glass—but it’s gone.

Rosemount Grenache/Shiraz 2003 (NW)

Lightly fruity and peppery on the nose
Soft and velvet-like on the palate
Peppery finish

In order to get a jump start on the evening, we opened this wine with some friends prior to getting settled in for dinner. We were surprised by how peppery the wine was not knowing what to expect from it. The wine is a blend of two grapes commonly used in the Southern Rhone Region of France. I often see wines copying this style but using Mouvedre in addition to Grenache and Syrah (Shiraz). This three-grape blend is becoming more popular with wine makers all over the world and I often see GSM on labels. However, no Mouvedre in this wine and the Grenache and Shiraz used in this bottling are intended to produce a value wine with some character. Known for their Shiraz, Rosemount is making more and more blends. If they keep their prices down, I think they'll have some winners in the inexpensive category. This wine was just $7/bottle. Raise a glass!

Covey Run Riesling 2004 (NW)

Nice nose of apricot and peach
Lightly sweet and simple palate, but sturdy
Good, clean finish

This is a good value wine. PB and Billy of this blog discovered this wine for just $7 and bought a few bottles. They were sitting on the kitchen counter for a few days in plain view when we were all together, so we had to finally open and sample one. It seems to be a really well-made wine that is versatile and has the potential to pair well with food. However, by the time we poured a tasting for the whole group, the bottle was gone before the first appetizer. By the way, this wine gets a whopping 89 points from Wine Spectator. Truly a great value at $7, so raise a glass!

Carlo Giacosa Barbaresco Montefino 2000 (NW)

Plum and raspberry on the nose
Layers of exotic spices, smoke, and earth
Medium finish

We had a rustic cassoulet in the oven and needed an earthy, old-world style wine to match. This Barbaresco did the trick and proved to be a nice pairing with the dish. I always admire how old-world style wines, such as this Italian red, pair well with food. When I say old-world style, I mean well-structured and not overly ripe and fruity. This particular wine is a good representation of Barbaresco, although pricey. Our friends paid $40 for the bottle. It's good to have friends! Raise a glass!

David Bruce vs Bogle Petite Sirah 2003's Head to Head Wine Review (billy)

I reviewed these head to head this evening. Thanks go out to my local wine store assistant who graciously gave me 1/2 off my second bottle even though she should not have. I bought 2 different bottles of 2003 California Petite Sirah and reviewed them both here for you. Analysis of each, independently is provided and then a summary of the comparison is at the end.

$23 David Bruce 2003 Petite Sirah
Nose: hearty chocolate, jammy plumbs and cracked black pepper. Fruit is noticeable and there are hints of maraschino cherries
Palate: strong tannins at the front with a bit stronger acid at the back. Cherries are front in the mouth.
Finish: not much of an initial finish but quite an apparent “grape stem” flavor is left over (think of what chewing a grape stem tastes like after you eat a green grape

This is not the best value for the money. For much less than 22 you can get a decent Petite Sirah and for about the same you can get a much better one (see the EOS review below)

$11 (down to $5.50 on sale) Bogle 2003 Petite Sirah
Nose: earth and leather with deep dark black cherries. Nearly a Port kind of nose.
Palate: Not nearly as tannic as the DB above, but still a bit acidic near the back of the palate. Massive fruit though. Dark berries and big cherry flavor
Finish: the finish is of medium length and there is a touch of the green stem

Overall for the one time sale price of 5.50 this can't be beat on value. Unfortunately, this deal was brought entirely by the fact that the extremely kind and definitely knowledgeable sales person behind the counter was willing to give me a one time deal.

Head to Head
These wines are studies in how the same varietal from the same year from the same state in the USA (California) can be so different. The David Bruce 2003 Petite Sirah is muted in an attempt at sophistication. It comes off as the wine that tries to be “the expensive one”. It has a hearty complexity that smacks of pretentiousness without ever achieving the desired sophistication. For the money, go with the EOS. The Bogle 2003 Petite Sirah, on the other hand, is more drinkable. The fruit-forward styling makes it easily paired with meals and a decent dinner wine. It is not pretentious and does not try to be. This, I think is the primary differentiator between the two Petite Sirahs reviewed here.

In the final analysis, the David Bruce overreaches and the Bogle meets expectations. If you want to spend the money of a David Bruce, reach instead for the EOS or save a bit and get the Bogle if your wallet demands.

Either way, Raise a Glass!

EOS 2000 Reserve:Petite Sirah Review (billy)

I paid $22 for this bottle and what a great find!

deep plumb in the glass
big nose. Chocolate, jam, plumb, wet earth, pepper and mint
Palate: big berries, excellent balance with a nearly velvety softness.
Finish: lingering but not long, Vanilla and greens remain after the wine is gone to remind you to ask for another glass.

This is a fantastic wine that is peaking right now. At $22 it is a nice “treat” wine. Buy one to share with someone special. This is a fantastic wine to taste. If you are newer to wine tasting or seeking to educate your palate, this is the wine on which you should splurge. The fruit is forward and noticeable but the more complex flavors are still able to be noted (with some effort for a new palate). All in all the EOS 2000 Reserve Petite Sirah is a very nice “special occasion” wine, a fantastic “learn how to taste it” wine, and a wonderful treat.

For NW’s wine review see this post

For PB’s wine review see this post

Kempton Clark Petite Syrah 2001 (NW)

Raspberry and baked bread on the nose
Juicy palate with a fruity and peppery quality
Very strong tannins at first, then tapering

Finding inexpensive Petite Syrah is a real treat (especially when it tastes good). This wine surprised and pleased the group. It has nice juicy fruit and a little pepper which reminded me of Malbec. Overall, it seems to be a well-made wine and is priced well, too. We paid $8 for the bottle.

I recommend looking for Petite Syrah when you want something a little different. I'm not an expert on this varietal, but have had quite a few lately that have all been enjoyable. In wine stores, you might have to search for it a little bit and it's often in a category like "other reds". Of course, you could just ask and most shop attendants would be happy to point you in the right direction. If you find a bargain, grab a few and raise a glass!

Concha Y Toro Marques Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (NW)

Dark ink color
Chocolate and dark berries on the nose
Currant and a hint of licorice on the palate
Good finish with noticeable tannins

I've always found this to be a dark and dense wine with strong berry flavors. If you're looking for a good representative Chilean Cabernet, this is it. It has the inky color that can stain your fingers and enough backbone to stand up to food.

This was plucked from the cellar at PB's (of this wine blog) and enjoyed with a veal dish. He happened to have several bottles of 2001 left in his stash. In the store right now, you might find the 2002 or 2003 on the shelves. If so, don't hesitate as they're both even better than the 2001. I generally see this wine priced at $14-16. Raise a glass!

Red Bicyclette Syrah 2003 review (PB)

This French Vin De Pays has a nice--though a tad lighter--color than a typical Syrah though the bouquet on opening is bright cherries even if faint. In the mouth, it is weak, steely, or minerally and “hot.”

This wine needs to be breathed about 45 minutes. The bouquet opens up to a nice berry rich fruit-filled bouquet with hints of chocolate. In the mouth there is chocolate and dark berries with chewy tannins though a bit thin all the way around and still hot.

I remember thinking to myself I might pick up a bottle of this if I see it but I can’t remember why. At any rate, at $9, it is a change from the typical fruit forward-taste-alike-new world wines that get boring. There’s better out there for the price but all in all, this French offering isn’t bad. (Wine Spectator gives it a generous 85)

On a side note, France is going through a traumatic reevaluation of their whole wine industry and place in the world. They are now planning to convert much of their excess wine into alcohol for adding to gasoline. Why do they have so much excess wine? Simply–because of their politics.

American purchase of French wine since 9-11 is way down and although France is trying to beef up their reputation and status by labeling their wines differently (by putting the grape type on the label for example) I am not sure they understand the real issues responsible for their dismal sale of wine in the United States. Until they do, tweaking their labels is like putting lipstick on a gorilla; I’m still not going to kiss one... Raise a glass!

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 review by (PB)

This is a previously reviewed wine but by way of reminder–I review every wine I have no matter how many times I have it. This helps me to track aging considerations as well as what is called “bottle variation.” (Bottle variation is the difference between two bottles of the same wine and vintage. It happens; and I’m not talking about a "corked" or bad bottle. You can have two bottles of the same wine and they can both be in good shape but have some significant differences.)

At any rate, this wine is rich with deep, berry laden aromas with a hint of vegetal scents. The nose is ripe, and jammy and sits well in the mouth. Chocolate is big initially but fades with air and big juicy, ripe black berries remain. It finishes a little green and the tannins are bit stern but probably just needs more air.

This was a Wine Spectator rated wine at 89 points! It’s another beaut. from the folks at this Washington State winery who just have trouble, it seems, producing a bad wine! Their lower level “Two Vines” series are routine “Best Value” selections and the $7 Two Vines Shiraz scored a 90 from the Wine Spectator. And their Grand Estates Merlot 2001 is a Wine Spectator 90 point bargain. That’s just nuts! But it’s an example of the habitual quality and value of this winery.

Their Gewurztraminer–though not up to par (yet) with the quality of their reds, is a Summer favorite of mine. Great things are coming out of Washington State and Columbia Crest is leading the way. Raise a glass!

Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2004 review (PB)

This Sonoma offering is straw colored in the glass with generous fragrances of pineapple, mandarin oranges and the classic Fume Blanc ( also known as Sauvignon Blanc) “grassy” aroma.

In the mouth this wine is supple with nice mouth feel and big pineapple and quince flavors. It is really well made with a nice balance of everything in the wine. To top it off, right before the finish there is a Creamsicle finish that is just plain classy.

I paid $12.50 for this value wine at Sam’s Club though you will pay around $15 for it elsewhere. Either way it is worth it! Wine Spectator gives this wine a deserved 91 points. So quit procrastinating, quit reading, and go buy a half case of this at least! THEN, and only then, raise a glass...no, raise several glasses!

Sparkling Shiraz McLaren Vale Burgundy Vixen NV review (PB)

(In case you were wondering, NV means “NON-Vintage” meaning it was not necessarily made from grapes of a particular year’s harvest…)

At any rate, sitting around earlier in the Summer I was reading my Bon Appetite, Food and Wine and Gourmet mags and it seemed that this sparkling Shiraz—which I had never heard of—starting popping up all over in articles. I was curious and had to find one. I did, paying $20 for and having to drive an hour to find it. Ah, but what a surprise!

This sparkler is gorgeous in the glass with great bubbles and nice intense color. Better still, is that it actually tastes like Shiraz! It was fresh, with nice berry flavors and kept its life through out the finishing of the bottle. This was my first experience with such a wine and it won’t be my last! Wine Spectator gave this wine an 88! You really ought to raise a glass it’s nice and different!

EOS Reserve Petite Syrah 2000 (NW)

Great nose of soft fruit and milk chocolate
Prominent strawberry
Very silky on the palate
Long finish

This is a very nice wine from Paso Robles, CA. I've enjoyed a number of wines from this region and think this is one of the best Petite Syrah's I've ever had. It is oh-so-smooth, that the texture alone makes it enjoyable. If you haven't discovered this varietal, start looking for it. It probably won't be an every day wine because it's typically a smaller production wine that costs a little bit more. I bought this bottle with Billy of this blog while we were visiting PB and we paid $22. They had enjoyed the same wine just two nights earlier before I arrived in Maine, so it came highly recommended. Raise a glass!

Cline Ancient Vines Carignane 2003 (NW)

Nice nose, somewhat soft and fruity
Peppery and veggie on the palate
Dark chocolate and some smoke on the finish

This is a fun wine! Not only is it a unique varietal, it has some interesting layers. I was with Billy of this blog and we picked this up on whim. We were visiting PB of this blog and wanted a varietal wine that is a little different. Cline does a such a nice job with Zinfandel, we figured we'd try this.

I was impressed with all the interesting layers and would buy this again if I could find it. Although, it doesn't seem to be widely distributed. The grape has traditionally been used as a blending grape in Europe, but is now taking on a following as various vitners in the new world, including U.S. and South America, are working with it on a regular basis. Billy bought this wine with me at a small, out-of-the way liquor store in Maine and paid $15. Raise a glass and try a Carignane!

Kakhetian Wines Kindzmaraul 1996 (NW) [Real Time Review]

Alcohol on the nose, but with some air a sweet cherry bouquet emerges
Sweet cherry and plum on the palate
Silky smooth, but also sweet and heavy

This is an unusual wine! It is from the Republic of Georgia, which is one of the regions credited for developing the tradition of wine making around 3,000 B.C. The wine is made from the Saperavi grape varietal, according to the label, and has been aged in oak barrels for at least three years.

Although only 11% alcohol, I would say this wine has some characteristics of fortified wine and some characteristics of dessert wine. Overall, though, it is somewhere in between dry table wine and a dessert wine. It is thicker than dry table wine but not syrup-like or ultra heavy. I don't quite know how to describe it, but it's fun to try to figure it out.

The packaging is interesting, as the wine is bottled in a brown ceramic bottle with a heavy, clay feel to it and a matte finish. The label is also ceramic in feel and pressed into a notch on the front of the bottle.

Four of us are now tasting the wine and have decided to put it aside during dinner and see how it measures up to dessert. Our friends paid $14 for the bottle, and yes, it is a 750 mL. size. Raise a glass, and be adventurous!

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris 2004 (NW)

Very big nose, surprising for it's light color
Floral and honey nose
Layers of citrus kick in on the palate

Excellent wine! I was excited for this wine because I have heard so much about Oregon Pinot Gris but felt like I wasn't well versed in this category. This wine seems to be a good representation, with a light and crisp feel but full of flavor. I won't be seeking out a lot of crisp whites this winter in Massachusetts, but next spring I'll be looking for Oregon Pinot Gris. Our friends and house guests for the weekend brought this bottle from New York. They paid $15 for the bottle. A nice buy! Raise a glass!

Beaulieu Napa Valley Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (NW)

Black cherry and dark berries on the nose and palate
An earthy quality as well
Moderate tannins and good backbone

I like this wine. I bought just a half bottle to put it in a wine flight with my wife. This was not her favorite, but it was my favorite of the flight that included Buena Vista Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 and Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2001. I liked it because it has an earthy quality in addition to the fruit. This makes it seems more elegant and capable of food pairng than many of the big, fruit-forward, and jammy Cabs from California. In other words, it's almost more of an "old-world" style than and "new-world" style. I paid $10 for the half bottle. Raise a glass of Rutherforld!

Cline Ancient Vine Zinfandel 2003 re-review (PB)

This value wine is still available even though the 2004’s are also in circulation and the 2004’s are even a little better and the same price! This wine—which we had with a moose chili—living in Maine does offer some out of the ordinary culinary opportunities—is just flat out rich, pure blackberry fruit with that classic Zinfandel zing of spice.

This wine is at its peak right now so don’t shelve it too long. A great lesson in wine would be to open the 03 and the 04 and taste them side-by-side. This is a super way to learn about the nuances of wine in general. So raise a glass of this bargain red.

Raylen Category 5-- Review (PB)

This was a wine I picked up at the Charlotte, N.C. airport tasting bar on a layover coming home from Los Angeles several weeks back. Raylen sits in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina where numerous wineries have been producing varietals and blends for years. I blogged about this tasting bar which Gaiter and Brecher of the Wall street Journal also wrote up in the late Spring. It is worth a stop over if you're in the airport!

This was an $18 wine that showed much better for this review than it tasted at the airport.

It has a nice dark color with a big nose of dark fruit and a hint of green pepper in the bouquet which is actually pleasant. (Normally, I find green pepper aromas too overwhelming and rather annoying.) And finally a layer of cherry fragrance in this fruit forward offering. It is a blend of five grapes--Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petite Verdot.

In the mouth it is full bodied with a nice chocolate layer with decent structure and rich berry fruit. It is actually quite nice even on opening. With some air, it is full with raisins and ripe fruit. This is a well made wine which exceeded my expectations. Now I’m sorry I only bought one bottle. For this price, it is a solid value so raise a glass.

Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Review (PB)

I tried this wine earlier in the Summer when I found it in a half bottle for $11.00. I was not impressed with it even though Wine Spectator gave it an 87 I believe. I found it in a full bottle a couple weeks ago for $12 for twice the amount of wine as in the half bottle.

This wine is straw colored with a very nice S. Blanc bouquet of grass, grapefruit and citrus. Quince and Lychee are prominent on the nose... Okay, I lied about the quince and Lychee; I’ve never even seen a Lychee fruit whatever it is and I have had a quince recently it was just sort of a plain sour piece of pithy stuff.

Anyway, this is a nice fragrant wine that impresses on the palate as a classic Sauvignon Blanc with good acid and flavors that balance out well on the whole. It stands up well to greasy, fatty foods making it an easy pairing with lots of menus. I liked it so raise a glass!

Gallo of Sonoma Zinfandel (Barelli Creek) 1999 (PB)

I reviewed this wine a few weeks ago when I brought back a couple bottles from Los Angeles. (NW) and (Billy) and I were tired of wine with animals on the labels and various other bargain wines we picked up here and there and wanted a “real” wine. This wine is huge on blackberries in the nose, good Zin flavors with an all around quality we were longing for. (NW) guessed it to be a “Carneros” Zin and (Billy) guessed it verbatim but me thinks he cheated...

This wine was a 2 for one special so although it cost $20, it was actually $10 with the special a huge bargain! Very nice and we raised a glass with pleasure!

Three Blind Moose Merlot 2003 (PB)

This wine with animals on the label (I detest animals on wine labels) is made worse by the fact that the animals are wearing sunglasses for Pete’s sake. Despite the stupid label and name, the wine is an intense ruby with a light but pleasant green pepper nose with a touch of strawberries.

This wine is made in the fruit forward, typical new world-pop style that appeals to many of today’s wine drinkers. A lot of people will like this wine even though it is just your basic pop wine, unremarkable, not typical of the Merlot grape and a little tannic. But, in fairness, it is an enjoyable enough wine if you just want some “wine” and aren’t looking for anything special or memorable. Raise a glass if you want–seeing impaired animals not withstanding. Around $8 I believe.

Kempton Clark 2001 Petite Syrah (PB)

This California offering has rich garnet color with fresh cherry and raspberry bouquet. In the mouth it is again rich with a touch of vanilla, and anise with strong tannins. Within a few minutes of air, a little bit of dill emerges right before swallowing–nice! After a half hour or so, tannins are still pretty tightly wound but the dill gets stronger. This wine was a close out special for $8! If I didn’t live an hour away from where I purchased it, I’d run out and buy more. (NW) and (Billy) are both still in town and I trust they will also be putting thier review up as well. Raise a glass!

Blind review of two wines (PB) (NW) and (Billy)

Two of my three progeny are here under the same roof with 4 of our 5 1/3 grand-children. Billy and NW are here visiting with their fams– a treat indeed! This give us the unprecedented opportunity to taste wines together and discuss our findings. I believe if you take the time to read this, you will learn something about the subjective and objective elements of tasting wine.

We took a Yellow Tail Shiraz 2004 and the Yellow Tail Shiraz 2003 Reserve and tasted them blind then compared notes. I had an immediate conflict with what I was seeing and what I was finding through other sensory evaluations. The first glass had a better color with more intensity which caused me to lean toward identifying this as the reserve. Of course you wouldn’t make a judgement based only one characteristic but that was my snap judgment. The cognitive dissonance arose when I swirled and smelled for now the “better” wine as far as bouquet and nose was concerned was NOT the wine with the better color.

In the mouth the first wine was peppery with huge green pepper flavors or what some call vegetal. (I don’t care for vegetal wines...a point that will explain something later on.)

I said of the first wine, “a hot decent wine that finishes O.K. is fairly unremarkable; it’s just sort of wine to drink with reasonable tannins.” I wrote of the second wine “has a platform of chocolate right off, solid tannins and a finish that is O.K.. Both were a little bitter.

My assessment was the first wine was the ordinary Shiraz and the second was the Reserve based on the fact that although the first one had qualities more consistent with a better quality wine (the Reserve is $11 and the other is $7) I don’t like vegetal wines and view them as being somewhat flawed even. For that reason, the other wine was more enjoyable to me so I picked it as the Reserve. I was wrong and Billy and NW picked the right one.

Now here is the interesting part; NW had essentially the same review notes as me and Billy shared many of the same qualities yet they picked the other wine as the Reserve for the same reasons I picked the other! My assumption was the wine I enjoy more will be the “better” wine. Not true in this case; I selected the less expensive wine as the Reserve wine which cost $7 as compared to the Reserve which cost $11. In other words, I don’t like what they like and they like what I don’t.

Bottom line? There are objective elements to tasting wine but at the end of it all, it comes down to what YOU like. This was fun and I suggest you try the same sort of little “game.” So raise a glass and see what happens!

Cline Ancient Vine Carignane 2003 (PB)

This varietal pronounced (kar-reen-yahn) is a deep garnet with a fruity bouquet of black pepper. Black cherry, ripe plums and chocolate. This wine review reveals tannins that are adequate and borderline gentlemanly. Licorice and chocolate accentuate the mid-palate tasting and some spice. There is something underneath that is peculiar–an underlying bitterness that I find a bit unpleasant. It finishes short with pepper. I do not have much experience with this particular grape so it is hard to know what is to be expected. At any rate, it is a decent wine with some intrigue. Raise a glass!

Covey Run Riesling 2004 (PB)

This Washington State white wine is a very pretty pale golden on the pour with a solid nose of grapefruit and fleeting peach overtones. On the palate, the first blast is sweetness but then suddenly veers off to a nicely acidic offering that is somehow both mildly sweet yet dry at the same time.

It has a mildly buttery texture mid-palate and a pleasant finish of citrus. This wine was given an 87 rating the Wine Spectator and I heartily concur. Now sit down–this wine is $7.50! That makes this a great value and it is in good supply so finding it should not be a problem. Don’t pass up this opportunity. Raise a glass or two!!!

Le Rocche Di Piccini (PB)

This was a close out wine found in a local store. It was $4 marked down from $9. In the glass, when tilted, this wine is showing a slightly yellow to brown rim around the edge of the wine. This means the wine is old and on its way out. It is a very light red (in color) is a Chianti table wine, and non-vintage to boot. On opening there is a really nice bouquet that fills the air with fresh fruit and a nose of cherries.

The fragrance was exciting but...in the mouth this wine was woefully sour and very thin. It was really astringent with a little black pepper coming through. This wine has almost no finish. This “sale” wine was potable but that’s about all you can say. It seems pretty clear the reason it was on closeout is because it is going down hill quickly. This is another reason why you buy only 1 sale wine like this and taste it first. A sale is no sale if it is a bad wine. Go raise a glass... of something else!

Mark West Pinot Noir 2004 (PB)

This red has nice Pinot color and classic Pinot berry aromas. In the mouth there is a first blast of nice raspberries and a hint of oh, so subtle chocolate.

It is well balanced, full flavored if a bit understated at first. It is a classic example of Pinot Noir and at $17 it is a fine example of the grape, full of raisins and a nice finish. Nice! Raise a glass!

Eos Petite Syrah Reserve 2000 (PB)

My son–“Billy” the neo-enophile of this blog is visiting with my grandchildren and wife and we are having a grand time! Tonight we made a run to a local wine haunt and came home with some well known and reliable quaffs but also a couple of unknowns, namely this one we were planning to have with a Two Cheese Mousakka–a Croatian vegetarian dish full of cheese and mushrooms and tomatoes and spices. Problem is, this wine was so good we never made it to dinner! This is a Paso Robles red of deep garnet on the pour with good fruit of cherries with a touch of a little licorice and a smidge of cocoa with refined tannins.

With some air the bottle stink on opening has dissipated leaving nothing but black cherries and that touch of licorice. This wine is at peak; is luscious with refined tannic structure. All in all, at $22, which is more than I normally pay for an everyday wine but this is a NICE wine. Raise a glass even if you don’t make it to dinner!

Three Thieves 2002 “Bandit” Cabernet Sauvignon (PB)

First for some disclosures: I have NOT had this wine; Three Thieves advertise from time to time on this blog...

Okay that out of the way, this is such a bizarre finding–in my estimation–that I had to blog it in the for what it’s worth category. Three Thieves is a new venture that began in 2002. They find excess wine wherever they find it (in this case Napa and Sonoma) and ship it out in boxes. YES, I said BOXES–as in, cardboard finished so to speak...

So why am I blogging this? Because the Wine Enthusiast just gave this wine a score of 86! I find that both phenomenal and unbelievable but the folks at the Wine Enthusiast are not “no nothings” when it comes to wine. They say of this wine, “It is deliciously fruity and puts to shame many Cabs costing far more.”

So while I am not sure this wine available in my area, I promise I will review it if and when I find it. Now here’s the rest of the story. This wine sells for $7 for a liter! (Your standard wine bottle holds 750ml or .75 liters) (Viva Le metric system...) Raise a box??? That’s going to take some getting used to!

Concannon Petite Syrah 2003 (PB)

I have reviewed the same wine from the 2002 vintage and it made the recommended list. This iteration of the Petite Syrah grape is another super value! On the pour this wine is so intense in deep purple color leaves pigmentation on the glass after you swirl. It has a unique nose that is deep and inky with a hint of milk chocolate.

In the mouth this gorgeous wine is big but I served it too cold. Allowing it to warm up a bit opens it up well with humongous but finessed tannins. Deep dark berry fruit is central with a subtle layer of anise. At $10, this is a big value wine. It is so well made and well balanced that I want to shout–RAISE A GLASS!

Buena Vista Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 (NW)

Buena Vista Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon 2001:

Big, fruity nose
Jammy, with strawberry and raspberry notes
Oak layer
Moderate tannins
Shorter finish, but nice

I put this in a wine flight of domestic Cabernet Sauvignon. It had the most "jammy" characteristics in the flight and a pretty good overall appeal.

Buena Vista is a very nice winery to visit near Sonoma and it has a friendly tasting room. I was there several years ago, but haven't sampled any of their wines since then. I was glad to find the Cab for $14 and would look for it again as it's a good representation of California Cabernet Sauvignon. Raise a glass!

Chateau Bois Martin 2000 (NW)

Chateau Bois Martin 2000:

Dark berries on the nose
Currant and blueberry layers on the palate
Smooth texture
Elegant finish

Nice, but not exciting. This is a Bordeaux from Pessac-Leognan and has some of the classic Bordeaux elegance that I like. The problem is that it seems a little flat. It may be the bottle and fortunately I have another so I'll be able to compare. This is from the year 2000 which is the "vintage of a lifetime" in Bordeaux according to many critics. Because of that, there are so many exciting wines to choose from that I probably won't look for this again unless my second bottle really surprises me. I paid $25. Raise a glass of Bordeaux, but find an exciting one!

Pindar Winter White (NW)

Pindar Winter White (non-vintage):

Lightly fruity on the nose
Semi-dry
Light, sweet touches of citrus and honey
Clean finish

If you live in the New York metro area, you may actually stand a chance to find this wine. Pindar, a north-fork Long Island winery, produces an incredible variety of wines and many are just not available much beyond Long Island and the metro area. Our friends from New York brought us a bottle on a recent visit and we really enjoyed it. We found this wine to be incredibly versatile, pairing well with a variety of appetizers we prepared. It is lightly sweet, but still a dry table wine similar to a Chenin Blanc. The list price is $9/bottle. Raise a glass!

Domaine De Pouy 2004 (PB)

This French white from the Cotes de Gascogne has a sensual bouquet that smells like a cross between a Riesling and a Sauvignon Blanc. It is pale golden and is wildly tart on the first blast and almost puckery. Pineapple and citrus are the main flavors. As it sits on the palate the hyper-acidic tartness tones way down. A little vanilla comes to the surface. With food, this bracing wine can cut through any kind of fatty, rich food you might serve. A nice food wine!

It finishes rather gentle but with a nice subtle lingering sense of lemon and cream. This wine was $10 on sale for the night as it was a wine tasting featured wine. Raise a glass.

Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (NW)

Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2002:

Fragrant nose of berries, vanilla, and oak
Strawberry and raspberry on the palate
Nice layers taper with a polished finish

We have praised the 2001 and this wine is even better! I find it difficult to locate a high quality Cabernet Sauvignon from California for under $20, so this is really a great deal at $12. That was a sale price, so a more typical price might be $15. What a buy!

This wine has nice balance and it's not too tannic. It reveals itself in interesting layers of fruit and oak that are quite nice. If you like a Cab that pairs well with food but still delivers that fragrant and fruity quality typical of California, then this should be on your list. Raise a glass!

Vinho Nova 2001 “Tras-Os-Montes (PB)

This Portuguese blend of local varieties of grapes is a light red on the pour with a wonderfully, fruity fragrance. The nose on swirl is barely perceptible–odd! In the mouth this inexpensive wine–part of the Mix-n-match batch (NW) brought my way, is wildly peppery and big on tannins. It is thin and not much there initially.

But after breathing it for a half hour or so, the bouquet–it’s strong point–is just fabulous, full of fresh fruit that almost makes you salivate. There is licorice in the opened bouquet which is nice and my wife smells smoke. (My wife and daughter always seem to smell smoke and for some reason I seem to be unable to smell smoke when everyone else does.) Point–some people’s olfactory abilities are superior or at least different than others. I almost never smell smoke, while (NW) for example often smells or tastes “dirt,” well earthiness actually. (He likes it...) You have to work with what God gave you.

So, bottom line–this wine is thin but has a wonderful bouquet and for some reason, I think it would make a great lunch time wine, sitting in the shine dining alfresco, and eating a baguette with some cheese. So, what the heck, raise a glass and be thankful for the good things this life has.

House wine 2003 (PB)

This is a second review of the wine I reviewed back in June. This blend from Washington State is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (59%) Merlot (31%) Syrah (9%) and Cabernet Franc (1%) and is full of fresh baked bread on opening with loads of berry fruit. First taste on opening reveals a wine with big flavors of black berries and some spice but with tannins begging for a fight! This wine needs to be sent to the timeout chair for a while until it can learn to get along!

With an hour sitting out, there’s a layer of licorice and chocolate and the tannins are learning to get along but still a bit rowdy. This is a big wine and very aggressive–I like it.

With another hour or so to breathe, finally the tannins chill out but still have an attitude. This is a nice wine for the price of $10 I paid for it and it seems to be available widely. I’d find this wine and serve it up with plenty of air and a hearty meal!

I am impressed by the wines being produced by the "Magnificent Wine Company." Today I just picked up another rather pricey wine--$35--(for me) the "K Syrah, Milbrandt." I doubt I will be disappointed. Once you find a wine maker that just seems to get it right with anything they do, I find I am rarely lead astray. Stay tuned and we'll let you know! Raise a glass!

Clos de los Siete 2003 (NW)

Clos de los Siete 2003:

Big nose of dark fruit
Rick layers of berries and dark chocolate
Smooth texture, followed by strong tannins on the finish

I was looking for an interesting wine from Argentina and I didn't want another straight up Malbec varietal. This looked to be a little different. The label says it's a blend of Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, and is a project of Michel Rolland. I was interested enough to shell out the $15 to bring one home. On opening, it's obviously a very powerful, dark wine in color and on the nose. It is well balanced and has nice layers of dark berries and dark chocolate. The surprise was how silky and smooth it felt in the mouth at first but finished with a tannin bite. It's an interesting wine and I would be curious enough to see how it cellars for a few years. I wonder if the tannins will mellow and the other layers will develop even further. I guess I just made up my mind and will probably grab a couple more bottles and stash them away. Raise a glass!

Cline Ancient Vine Zinfandel 2004 (PB)

STOP reading right here and run out and find this wine!!! Not convinced? This wine was recently reviewed by the Wine Spectator and given an 89 score. I am not given to being swayed by other’s ratings but this one, if anything, is underscored! This wine is big in every way right on opening with a huge bouquet of dark fruit. It smells rich! In the mouth this wine is just as full with loads of body and flavor and mouth feel.

With a little air time, which isn’t necessary for this elegant creation, it is so full of flavor and if you ever wondered what “plush” tannins were like; this is it! This is just a nicely made, elegant wine. After a half hour, I was blown away by an unexpected blast of mint. Nice!!!

It finished velvety, and long–the finest tannins I have had yet! At the listed reference price of $18, this wine is a bargain BUT–Sam’s Club has it for under $13!

Stock up NOW and raise many glasses!

Brancott Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (PB)

This New Zealand white was my choice to go with my seafood ravioli made for my secretary’s birthday. This is the lowest tier of Brancott’s wines, ($10) and for the price is a decent value. This wine has solid New Zealand style grassy S. Blanc aromas with mega-guava bouquet.

It is dry and acidic enough to hold up to most foods with a citrus backbone. It isn’t as well put together as it’s higher tier wines but then it isn’t the higher price either. It is a solid wine, and a good value. Raise a glass!

Concannon Pinot Noir 2003 (PB)

I’m fixing dinner for my secretary’s birthday and I have homemade pasta (seafood ravioli) for the main course. I make Bruschetta (broiled pieces of bread with garlic wiped over the toasted pieces and fresh basil and tomatoes with olive oil on top for an appetizer. My secretary is partial to red wine so I want to serve wines that will give her a choice between red and white and yet have each one pair adequately with the dinner. So I choose this Pinot Noir knowing it will pair well with the appetizer and will probably work with the main course even if not being the optimal choice.

It works well on all counts.

This wine is pale red, has classic Pinot aromas with gorgeous fruit in the bouquet. It is well balanced and rather refined. A nice compliment to a gentle flavored main course. My secretary seemed to like it just fine! It was $10 on sale and a good choice; Raise a glass!

Fusee Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (NW)

Fusee Cabernet Sauvignon 2003:

Cinnamon on the nose
Berries and chocolate palate
Moderate tannins

A pleasant surprise! I bought a case of "bargain" mix-and-match wines to see if we could uncover any hidden jems. I sent half to PB and kept half to try myself. This wine happened to be opened when we were together and it was a crowd pleaser. It was very approachable, had some nice layers, and disappeared very quickly into everyone's glasses. After closer inspection of the label, which has some whimsical commentary on futuristic space travel, we discovered that this wine is a project of the Sebastiani family. That explains the quality in the bottle! The wine is a true bargain, and would be fun with a big group or in a party setting. Raise a glass!

P.S. It was only FOUR DOLLARS!

Rancho Zabaco Dancing Bull Zinfandel 2003 (PB)

I went to one of my wine haunts to hunt down some of the latest Wine Spectator and Wine
Enthusiast top, bargain, picks. At the top of my list was the elusive Buehler–YES! That’s Beuhler as in, “Beuhler? Beuhler? Beuhler? As in the classic “Ferris Beuller’s Day Off” or not...

Anyway, they didn’t have the 93 point Zinfandel by the name but the wine guy–Jim–suggested I try this wine which was nearly half the price of the one I was looking for.

I grabbed it, took it home and popped the cork as I await, my venison sausage and penne with provolone dinner.

It is a very pretty garnet on the pour with a nice bouquet of fruit filled with black cherries. With a few minutes of air, it opens even more fully to a wonderful fruity wine with solid tannins and a rich flavor of hay and watermelon and little spice which is very nice. This is a quality wine and at $8.50 and readily available, I HAVE to recommend it! Raise a glass and enjoy!

Lost Vineyards Malbec/Bonarda (PB)

This is an oddly marketed wine; the label reads: “Lost Vineyards searches the world for little known (lost) wineries that produce highly drinkable wines suitable for everyday enjoyment...”
This was yet another of (NW’s) gracious deposit in my nearly barren cellar. (I think I am down to less than 50 bottles!)

My tasting notes read: This wine made of 20% Malbec and 80% Bonarda has a light, nondescript bouquet, yet has a good balance of the all the “nondescript stuff” that’s there. I had this wine with some friends at their house so my tasting ritual was compromised. But after giving some air, it was still rather simple–make that, very simple, yet pleasant! Compared to the Woodbridge magnum our host insists on buying weekly, this was a far better wine and probably less expensive. I would guess it was around 7$ and it was worth it. Not stellar, but certainly drinkable as an everyday table wine. Raise a glass.

El Roy Proprietor's Red Wine 2000 (NW)

El Roy Proprietor's Red Wine 2000:

Plum and black currant on the nose
Jammy on the palate
Strong tannins and a vegetable bitter finish

After giving this wine some time to breathe, the bitterness burned off and revealed a strawberry layer in addition to what's noted above. This wine is nicely balanced and good with food. The label says there are Bordeaux and Rhone grape varieties blended together, but the blending information is proprietary.

I first had this wine two years ago in Atlanta at a restaurant. The following day I found it in an Atlanta wine shop that specializes in small production wines and bought a bottle for $22. I hadn't seen it for two years until I spotted a few bottles in a Boston wine shop, and at the attractive price of $19. I need to go back and grab the last couple of bottles. Raise a glass of hard-to-find wine!

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2001 (NW)

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2001:

Cherry, plum, and sweet spice on the nose
Vanilla and oak layers
Smooth and soft

Easy drinking and full of flavor! I am consistantly impressed with Columbia Crest. Here is a wine that is around $11 (I got it on sale for $9) that is absolutely delicious. I don't drink a lot of Merlot, but I'm going back for more of this. I like it because there are so many layers and it is so smooth. As a word of caution, though, you have to be in the mood for this soft and sweet character to really enjoy it.

I've written about Columbia Crest numerous times before. For the past two years, I've been really impressed with their affordable wines. Apparently I'm not the only one, as Wine Spectator recently named Columbia Crest as one of the great "value" wineries of the world. In fact, this particular Merlot earned a 90 point score from the taster. Raise a glass!

Want to develop your skill as a wine taster? (PB)

Want to do more than just take a pretend sniff, sip and then say, “I like it, it’s sweet;” or “It’s dry...”

The current issue (Oct. 31) of the Wine Spectator has a good section on how to taste wine. It will help you on your way to being able to evaluate what you have in your glass. The more wines you taste, the more you will appreciate what you’re drinking. But BEWARE–the more you appreciate what you’re drinking, the more you will spend in search of the next remarkable wine!

Don’t say I didn’t warn you! Now raise a glass and do it with some finesse! :)

Liebfraumilch 2004 (PB)

German wines were my first real study wines. Then the market for German wines just seemed to keep escalating and I lost interest. But learning how to read a German wine label is perhaps the most interesting and informative of any label on any wine. I won’t go into that now...

Liebfraumilch–literally “Mother’s Milk”is one of the most popular of wine due to its low coast, and “soda pop” flavor. It is not meant to be great wine; just a quaffing table wine. This one comes in a yellow glass bottle–typical of the Reinhessen–an area of Germany. (Wines from the Mosel–Saar-Ruwer always come in green glass bottles–just one of the many complexities of reading German wines...)

At any rate, this is one of the Mix ‘N Match wines (NW) dropped off on a recent visit. It is pale yellow in the glass with a really nice and pronounced bouquet of apples, apricots, and peaches with a little honey. This wine reminds me of a blend of Chenin, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer. What it is, is anyone’s guess as it is a blend of local German grapes from the region.

In the mouth it is predictably sweet–too sweet, with some decent flavors of peach and honey but it is cloying–sort of a lifeless, sickening kind of sweet that makes you click your tongue repeatedly with a scrunched nose. This is due to insufficient acid in a wine. As a learning experience it is a good wine to demonstrate lack of acidity and how unexciting and lifeless a wine with some other good qualities can be.

Again, I don’t know what (NW) paid for this wine but I would guess it was around $8. Except as a lesson in the importance of acid, I’d pass this one up and raise a glass of something else!

Breast Cancer and Drinking Wine (PB)

The current issue of The Wine Spectator notes that a new report in the British Medical Journal reveals the latest research that with proper intake of folate–a B vitamin–will cancel out any potential risk. Folate can be found in leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and beans or you may just take a dietary supplement.

The article further notes that while a definitive link to drinking and breast cancer has yet to be shown, in a study of 17,447 women followed for a period of 10 years, those who had 2-3 drinks per day had a 15 % lower risk of breast of cancer than those who didn’t drink if those who drank had a sufficient intake of folate–(330mcg) and a 19% lower incidence if followed by 400 mcg of folate.

As is always the case, the Biblical axiom of “All things in moderation” is still wise counsel.

Cousino Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Antiguas Reservas 2000 (PB)

This is one of my favorite “value” reds from Chile. I have reviewed it at least two other times and this is my second to last bottle. It is lighter on the pour in color than I remember it but has a huge bouquet of cherries and blackberries. The bouquet just grows and grows filling the room. I could leave this wine sitting around as an air freshener...

A little menthol emerges with just a few minutes of breathing. In the mouth it is filling with flavors that are full, balanced and pleasing. This wine seems to be just about peaked but with as good a structure as it has, could hold for another couple years (I think).

It finishes rather thin. For $13, it’s a great way to raise a glass!

Bellini Rosso Piceno 2004 (PB)

Another of the “mix-n-match” wines (NW) brought up for review. Served again with left-over “Timbalo” (see preceding entries) this wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano grapes that gives off a pretty bouquet and fresh grapes and cherries.

In the mouth it is a little sweet with Sangiovese flavors with a little steel. With air, the flavors move up a notch with nice balance and overall structure. It is balanced and solid. Finishing with pepper this is a winner; straight forward and pleasant. I am uncertain of the price until I check with (NW) but I suspect it is $10 or less; worth a raising a glass. (Turns out it was $3.33!) Oh yeah!!!

K Syrah Cougar Hills 2003 (PB)

This wine is a very limited production wine from Washington State which my wine guy in Freeport was able to locate for me. It is a bit pricey–$45–and this was one of 8 bottles available in my state! It had to be a special occasion to open it and last night was that night! (Read preceding entry)

It is a deep, inky blue/black/red with a humongous and clear strawberry and meat bouquet. (NW) called it a strawberry hamburger...On the palate it is deep but a little closed with a little smoke on the finish. With a few minutes of breathing a little vanilla emerges. After a half hour or so there is a consistency of aromas and flavor and depth that is unusual in my experience. A hint of chocolate rises as well on top of more fruit.

This is a deep, rich wine with luxurious tannins and finally a wine that is expensive (for me) and that is impressive! This won’t be on the recommended list only because I don’t believe it is readily available. But I’d buy it again and that’s a pretty good compliment. If you can find this, raise a glass for a real treat.

Fusee 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (PB)

This is the third wine of the “Timbalo” evening (preceding entry) and didn’t expect very much out of it as it was an unknown wine, and had two hard acts to follow. But (NW) brought a half case of mix and match bargain wines for my cellar and kept a half case for himself. These are all unknown wines which we’ll both try and see what’s worth buying again.

This wine is produced by the Sebastiani’s–a name with a long reputation for stability and quality over the long haul. I don’t believe I have ever been disappointed with a Sebastiani wine in 25 years of wine study. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon and the name means “Rocket” in French. The label has some odd statements on it about space travel etc. but what’s inside is surprising. With its pricing and marketing, the Sebastiani's goal is to stem the encroaching tide of Australian wines from deluging this country.

The bouquet is cherries and chocolate and the flavor is the same with a layer of licorice and wonderful burst of cinnamon–wow! There isn’t a lot of depth and the finish is short but although I don’t know what this wine cost, my on line search seems to put it around $8 and at that price, this is a good find! Raise a glass!

Chateau Montpezat 2003 (PB)

Went to the wine tasting at Freeport Wine and Cheese and had this wine as one of the many nice wines served that evening. This one stood out to both my wife and me although I wasn’t “*excited” about it. We grabbed a couple to go.

Tonight, (NW) and our daughter, and our daughter’s childhood “bud” came up for the day and we made the Italian celebratory dish–that labor intensive but so worthwhile meal called, “Timbalo.” It is so special it is the focus of a feature length movie titled, “The Big Night.” I urge you to look up the recipe online and give it a crack!

Anyway, we started out with bruschetta–an appetizer that’s wonderful–I opened the Montpezat. It is wonderful and a great deal at $13.50 (tasting sale price). This lighter garnet colored wine is from the Coteaux Du Languedoc, the up an coming wine region–currently a bargain--of France.

The bouquet is full of cherries and then a layer of licorice takes over. In the mouth it is a little sweet with nice, even flavors. The bouquet of cherries and licorice is fabulous and maybe even a slight hint of chocolate and this wine is ready to drink right on opening.
*As I said at the beginning, I wasn’t excited about this wine at the tasting because the amount they give you to taste is generally insufficient to get a really nice mouthful which I require to really “taste” the wine. The small amount is understandable yet a little unfortunate. I wonder how many good wines I have missed being unimpressed by the inadequate aromas and sensations offered by a small tasting amount served at a tasting.

But this is a nice wine and worth seeking out! Raise a glass!

Kono Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (PB)

While in L. A. I stopped in a big wine store with all kinds of bargains. I grabbed this New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region and have I cannot for the life of me remember why!
With all the selections, there has to be some reason I selected this wine to wrap in my clothing, and with my pillow packing it into my suitcase for the dubious trip back to New England.

Tonight I opened it with Fillo dough wrapped, deboned pork chops with an apricot glaze. Wow! This wine is typical New Zealand with a bouquet of fresh cut apples and guava. How do I know guava? While in L.A. we visited my son’s-in-law (that IS the grammatically correct way to say that) father’s house. He has a huge guava tree in the yard and my son in law climbed up and picked me a very ripe guava. I smelled it and said WOW! I handed it o my wife and asked, “What does this smell like?” It smells just like a New Zealand S. Blanc; the aroma I have been calling grassy is GUAVA–big time!
This wine is highly acidic in a good way and is fresh with big pear and guava flavors with a a sense of creaminess on the palate yet it finishes it clean and dry.

The finish just keeps going on of pears, grass and lusciously tart. At $10, this is yet another fabulous New Zealand S. Blanc reminiscent of the recommended “Monkey Bay.”

Raise a glass–you’ll love it!

Airport Surprise in Charlotte! (PB)

So there we are walking to our next flight having just arrived from Los Angeles. We’re in the Charlotte N.C. airport and we have to go to the D Concourse. My wife and I are on the non-moving people mover and out of the corner of my eye I spy the Yadkin Valley Wine Bar.

Something is familiar about the name and I nearly shreak to my wife–“That’s the wine bar Gaiter and Brecher wrote about in June! We’ve got to go there!” So we walk to the end of the immovable people mover and walk back a mile and half to this wine bar. The sign says, “Taste 4 wines for $3."

Whew-hoo this is great! We meet Bruce Ridgeway of the Yadkin Valley Wine Association who is pouring and after having been with the wine challenged wine bar attendants in Temecula California two days earlier, Bruce is a delight. He knows his wines, he’s personable and unimpressed with his knowledge of wine. He just enjoys wine!

He begins to pour while he’s explaining the components of the wines, the geography, the meteorology and what ever else comes to our minds to ask. He reminds me of the actor/former Senator from Tennessee--Fred Thompson. But Bruce is the real deal and the wines are genuine. We tasted numerous blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Viognier, Riseling, and I don’t remember all what we tasted but the whole experience was wonderful!

When you’re traveling by air these days you need all the help you can get especially if you are traveling by U.S. Airways, the most consistently passenger UN-Friendly air carrier in existence.

Now here is the surprise–First having a tasting bar in an airport is stellar! How better to put a smile on a mass of disgruntled passengers faces than with the fruit of the vine? But second is that these wines were significantly superior to the wines we had tasted two days earlier in the burgeoning wine country of Southern California. Wineries with names like Reylen, Shelton, and West Bend, offer wines that have character, are bright, have some complexity and the wines we tasted were roughly half the price of the Temecula, California wines we had with the average wine costing around $10!

I don’t recommend traveling by air these days but if you must and you are passing through Charlotte, be sure to try the Yadkin Valley wines. Where else can you “raise a glass;” make that 4 glasses for 3 bucks?

Veuve Ambal Brut NV (PB)

This French made sparkler is light golden on the pour with a light but definite bouquet of citrus and lemon with a hint of vanilla. In the mouth it is dry with good acid and rather indistinct flavors of citrus primarily. It is slightly bitter and the flavor dies quickly. It would be okay with a rich main course. I picked it up in an LA wine shop basically for the price of $9. It’s not remarkable but it’s not offensive either.

And our trip to Los Angeles comes to an end in about 12 hours. The trip was fun, the wine was mediocre, but the memories are swell! The next time you hear from me, it will be from back home in Maine. There’s no place like home… So, on that note, raise a glass!

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (NW)

Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004:

Very bold, grassy nose
Citrus and apple layers on the palate
Crisp, acidic finish

Of the readily available Sauvignon Blanc's from New Zealand, this has become my favorite. At jsut $9, it's a great deal because it has real character. The bold, grassy flavors are outstanding and refreshing. This grassy character is typical of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but you really have to like it to enjoy this wine. Normally I am skeptical of wines with cute animal labels but this one gets a pass. Actually, if you look closely, the monkey is a little frightening and not at all cute. Of course, it's the contents of the bottle that counts. Raise a glass!

Vallebelbo Moscato D'Asti (NW)

Vallebelbo Moscato D'Asti (non-vintage):

Great color, light bubbles
Sweet grape on the nose and palate
Simple, creamy finish

My wife and I have enjoyed a lot of Moscato D'Asti lately. We think it's much more versatile than just as a dessert wine. Although it is excellent with light desserts like panna cotta and fresh berries, we've enjoyed Moscato D'Asti with sweet shellfish dinners and often as an aperatif. It is low in alcohol content, usually 5-7% and delivers a nice balance of light, sweet, and bubbly. This Vallebelbo was just right, and a mere $10 at the local wine shop. Raise a glass!

Chateau Larose Trintaudon 1999 (NW)

Chateau Larose Trintaudon 1999:

Subtle fruit aromas on the nose
Soft, dull character built around blueberries
An off layer tasting like rubber
Simple, short finish

This wine was a disappointment. It was a little dull and had an unusual rubbery taste. This may be the result of brettanomyces yeast, which often causes a medical or rubbery odor. I ordered it at a business dinner and didn't really pick up on the off flavor right away. The entire bottle was poured very quickly and we were engrossed in conversation, so I didn't bother to make a scene. We had just one bottle and overpaid at $43. Not the most pleasant wine experience. Raise a glass, but not a glass of this!

Trip to wine? country (PB)

Santa Barbara! No, Temecula! Temecu-what? Temecula! 90 miles south of Los Angeles, is a new (“new” is relative)developing wine region in southern California situated in what is essentially a desert. Santa Barbara would certainly have been more scenic but the Santa Barbara wine region—made famous by the movie “Sideways”--is a very spread out area with a fairly low concentration of wineries in any particular locale. So, in light of our limited time, we went to Temecula where the wineries are pretty well situated on one thoroughfare.

We stopped at Hart winery—the first one you come to on the approach to this wine region. It is pretty much a barn with a tasting counter about eight feet in length and a room that is simply a space off the actual production area of the winery. It was much too small to accommodate the number of people that were trying to get to the tasting counter.

Since we tasted about 25 wines in all this day, I will hghlight only a couple standouts, and simply give an overall assessment at the end. Where the Hart winery shone above the rest we visited, was that with their $10 tasting (they have a $5 tasting as well) you get their reserve wines and a souvenir 19 oz. Spieglau Bordeaux tasting glass. Nice!

Our next stop was Churon winery which is built in an elegant French Chateau style architecture and beautifully appointed. The tasting room is spacious and beautiful. The wines were unremarkable and way overpriced.

We stopped for lunch at Maurice Car’rie winery which was a very nice and very popular place to stop. They have the only free tasting of all the wineries and it was well attended yet, the tasting area and shop was spacious and comfortable. As you enter the winery, you could order a sourdough loaf with baked brie which would be ready for you in 15 minutes. We availed ourselves of this and it was ready and warm and wonderful to eat on the picnic grounds outside. For $14, it was a cheap lunch for five people.

The attendant serving our tasting was pretty well clueless about the wines but very friendly. This was the first winery we had visited that tasted like they had actually been making wine for a while. Heather’s Mist—a blend of Muscat Cannelli, Chardonnay Riesling and something the pourer didn’t remember, was very pleasant and would be great chilled on a hot summer day. ($9) Of all the wineries, this was the most fun.

We would make our way to two more wineries which were off the beaten path and although not far, it was awkward getting to them due to some major construction on roads in the area and what seemed to be development of this burgeoning wine area.

We found Filsinger Winery with some work and walked in to the small tasting room/shop and was overpowered by the unmistakable aroma of urinal inserts—the blue or bubblegum pink tablets you find in toilets to mask the smell of--uh, other things... A meaningful tasting was out of the question with the stench and we left immediately.

Last on our agenda for this quick trip was the Keyways Winery, again out of the way, dirt parking lot, but a good atmosphere, some of the best wines of the day we had including a Late Harvest Zinfandel which was remarkable. It is a great dessert wine with chocolate aromas and flavors. They served it with a few chocolate pieces and the pairing was astounding. Serve this wine with chocolate cheesecake for a taste of heaven.

In Summary—we only visited five out of the 13 wineries in this up and coming region. Overall, the wines were disappointingly marginal. With the exception of the Heather’s Mist (Maurice Car’rie) and the Late Harvest Zinfandel (Keyways) the wines were almost all very blah, with light bouquet’s only hinting at the grape type. The reds tended toward overwhelming alcohol aromas and light on fruit. The prices of some of these wines were in the $25-$30 range. One Old Vine Zinfandel we had smelled like toluene (airplane glue) and even the better reds were just "okay," all with a lackluster finish.

My impression was, either the winemakers need to go back to school, or the quality of grapes being produced in Temecula just isn’t cutting it. It was a nice day—a great day—but the wines and some of the tasting rooms need a lot of work.

J.W. Morris Chenin Blanc 2003 (PB)

This is the other wine I bought along with the Gewurztraminer—rated a couple days ago—for $2.99. There’s actually some fairly strong Chenin aromas and lemons on the nose. In the mouth it is much too sweet and the sweetness kills the light varietal flavors that are there. Clearly the bouquet is the best part of this wine but once again, at this price, to be even drinkable, this wine is a value. For the uneducated palate, it would be a good party wine to serve though too sweet to be a good food wine. Never-the-less, at this price I say, raise a glass!

Gallo of Sonoma Zinfandel Barelli Creek Vineyard 1999 (PB)

On opening the nose on this older Zin has berries up front and an interesting little “bottle stink” reminiscent of Pinot Noir not Zinfandel. The tannins are fairly mellow yet tight. Without temperature control, the wine is way too warm so I’ll refrigerate it for a while before serving it with dinner.

This wine is clearly mature—at it’s peak I would think—and fairly nicely balanced with some good fruit showing. With a little air time it should open some and be even nicer. We’ll let it go for a half hour or so while I’m making my daughter and son-in-law an Italian dinner of sausage marinara and pasta. It is sweltering hot here in Alta Dena when it was in the 60’s last week before our arrival. Slaving over a hot stove is brutal but for the fam, it’s pure joy.

With an half an hour of air time that peculiar bottle stink is still present—odd. A little more Zinfandel character comes around with the breathing but it is still not a great example of the grape. The wine is tasty, the tannins loosen their grip but overall it’s just not all that typical. There is some characteristic spiciness one would expect of a Zin but it is subtle. The finish is okay and prominent in currants.

The price of this wine was $20 but it was on sale and for a nickel you get another bottle of the wine. So, for $10 it’s a fair value, at $20, it’s still a fair wine but there’s better out there. Note—this wine needs to be decanted as it has thrown a sediment. Raise a glass! The pasta by “the pastah” is almost done…

Rancho Arroyo Grande Syrah 2002 Private Reserve (PB)

Friends came over for dinner at my daughter and son’s-in-law house and brought a bottle of this wine. The bottle was given to him by an acquaintance who happens to be the owner of Rancho Arroyo Vineyards and is the winemaker as well.

On opening, this Syrah sits pretty in the glass and has a nice Syrah nose that is rich in blackberries with an under-layer of currants though quite subdued at the moment. It has good structure though a little hot. It holds promise for opening up with a little breathing. When it opens it ought to be full bodied even if somewhat understated for this grape.

Indeed a good half hour of air helps open this wine though it is still a bit hot. Currants abound with a hint of cherries and a nice layer of vanilla to boot. The finish has olives and a typical inky Syrah ending--a nice well structured wine. At around $25, it is a good example of the grape.

It is a treat to have a wine such as this knowing some of the background of the producer and personal connection to the one who crafted it. This is just another facet of what makes oenology the special endeavor that it is. Thanks Dave! Raise a glass!!!

J.W. Morris Gewurztraminer 2003 (PB)

This conglomeration of scrounged California grapes has a nice light golden color with a typical Gewruz bouquet of peaches, apricots and pineapples and a hint of vanilla. In the mouth it is sweet, a little too much, but there’s enough acid to pull it off without it being cloying. Now here’s the gig—if you put a good solid chill on this wine, it is drinkable and nearly enjoyable even to schooled palate such as mine. It is not a great wine, and there’s maybe an off flavor or two but they are subtle, probably undetectable to the normal palate and for the $2.99 anything that is palatable has you ahead of the game.

This would be a good wine to pour for your guests who complain about those “nasty, dry, red wines” they just can’t handle and prefer the soda pop wines or the white Zins they are used to. What the heck—introduce them to a real wine grape! At this price, you can’t go wrong! Raise a glass!

Numanthia 2002 (billy)

This is a wine that I was intending to save but, after a 20 hour day at the office yesterday and being able to leave at 5 today, I could think of no better celebratory reason to open this bottle than the prospect of a dinner with my family.

We reviewed this 2002 vintage back in January (here) and the 2000 vintage, also reviewed in January (here). We told you then that the wine would not stay a $20 (or so) wine for long and we were right. I paid $51 for this bottle. To be sure, this is a bit above national average but it is not the most expensive pricing out there.

While the increasing price point may be a drag, it is also clear evidence that this is a very special wine. Many wines, especially to the new oenophiles such as myself, fall into one of three experience categories: Tent Wine(party wine, cough syrup, take it on a camping trip just to have some wine-wine), wine wine ("it tastes like wine"), and something special. This is definitely something special. It outclasses most other reds you would normally buy for an average dinner - as should anything over 40 bucks a pop.

This is a pleasingly complex wine. There are strong dark fruit on the nose and deep black cherries as the wine opens up. Hints of chocolate, black licorice, leather and smoke round out the nose. In the mouth the Numanthia 2002 is velvety and full and the finish, pleasingly tannic. Not grassy or green like a cab but mellow and lingering.

This wine went as well with crème brulee as it did with a garlic infused seitan main course.

Perhaps the nicest aspect of this wine is that it demands to be savored. Its complexity lends itself well to a thoughtful encounter where you take your time to explore its flavor facets. This might be contrasted with a wine that you buy on reputation or to impress clients. Those have their place, but after the label is acknowledged the actual wine may be quaffed or not. The 2002 Numanthia, on the other hand, is not imposing from a fad perspective. It is imposing from a flavor perspective and is one that requires that you reflect as you drink.

All in all, a philosophical wine, to be enjoyed when there is cause and as funds allow, but not one to be taken for granted.

raise a glass

A Visit to the Historic San Antonio Winery (PB)

Established in 1917, this winery resides in the heart of an urban Los Angeles; an area that reminds one of something out of a Schwarzenegger movie set in a waste land of some war ravaged urban, industrial area. A cement business is one of its neighbors and I felt like I should put a hazmat suit on before getting out of my car. Sitting in the midst of a forest of industrial chain link fences, the winery itself is charming and a bit of an oasis in an otherwise heinous part of the city.

The Maddelena Restaurant—named for the matriarch of the Riboli family-- is on site and we enjoyed a modest repast of appetizer plates of anti-pasta with a couple glasses of this winery’s wine.

I had the Syrah 2002 which sells for about $20 a bottle in the on site store and was actually quite flavorful bursting with currants, good fruit, a decent balance and a ton of vanilla, both on the nose and the mouth. If you enjoy vanilla in your wine—and I do—you’d love this. My wife had their Merlot which wasn’t nearly as powerful and was rather dull. Both wines were served way too warm—a shame for a winery—but they gave you a generous pour at least.

I have never seen this family’s wines anywhere I have ever been but looking at their web site they do distribute coast to coast though somewhat limited.

Still, spending the time with my daughter and my wife on a beautiful Southern California day, I can’t complain! Raise a glass—I know we are!

So close and yet so far...(PB)

It's Sept.28, the sun is shining and I am blogging as I wait for my wife and daughter--my daughter who, as we learned on arrival here in L.A. is expecting our 6th grandchild! Where's the champagne when you need that pop and splash of a celebrative quaff? The joys of life...

I've been here for over 36 hours and haven't even been to a real wine store yet. What California treasures await; treasures found nowhere else outside the mecca of American wine.

Even the Trader Joe's I breezed through yesterday had some unheard of wines (unheard of in my neck of the woods) some for as little as $2.99 a bottle (J.W. Morris Gewurtztraminer and chenin Blanc) and of course there was the ubiquitous "Two Buck Chuck" the MD 20-20 of Napadom.

I helped an elder gentleman locate a few bottles of "Chateau something-or-other" his wife assigned him to find probably to get him out of her hair for a few minutes. He lamented his failing faculties and wondered aloud with me--in good humor--how long they would let him "out" on his own. We both laughed as I reminded him that we all were moving forward and ther wasn't much we could do about it. Seizing the opportunity, I took my shot at significance and said, "Ya just have to make sure you're ready for what awaits on the other side." He mumbeled an expletive and left in haste. "Too bad," I thought, to be that close to the end of the road and to be utterly oblivious to the reality of the hereafter...

But this is a wine blog, not a religion blog and I'm less than four hours away from the wineries of Santa Barbara where the movie "Sideways" popularized "Pinot Noir" and disparaged the great grape of the Medoc--Merlot.

But in a few minutes we'll be visiting the San Antonio Winery right here in L.A., the home of the Riboli family wines.

I remind myself we're here to see family, not vineyards, but of course along the way of life the beverage of the fruit of the vine has been the escort on the arm of every momentous occassion in human history. Even before Jesus lifted the cup in thanksgiving at the last supper, Lot, and Abraham, Solomon and Boaz had poured the fermented juice--sometimes in excess--into thier goblets and raised a glass. Now go do the same!

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (NW)

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2004:

Black currant, plum, and milk chocolate on the nose and palate
A brief note of plastic?
Plum takes over on the smooth finish
Mild tannins

This wine was fantastic in 2002 and not so good in 2003. Because of that, I was anticipating a recovery for 2004. After patiently waiting for the release in my area, I scooped up the first bottle in great anticipation. Two years ago I bought the wine for $7 and last week I paid $10. Sadly, it just isn't what I was hoping for. Along with the nice soft fruit flavor, there is also a brief plastic note. Maybe my mind is playing tricks on me, but there is something there that doesn't fit. I have concluded, though, that it's not worth spending any more time analyzing. Since I can't decide if I really like this wine or not, I'm done trying. There's too much wine out there for me to waste any more type on this. Raise a glass (of something you know you like).

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (PB)

Making a stop over at NW's place before taking off for the west coast, we shared a bottle of the newly released 2004 vintage. This South African vareietal was one of my inexpensive favorites ($8) two years ago. It had a nice cab bouquet and definite chocolate flavors with good fruit, balance and a nice finish. But then the 03's were released and there was a rather strong reminder of bandaids in the mouth. If you're gagging about now, you should be. "Bandaids" is the descriptor used of a wine that has been tainted by brettanomyces, a mold that is controversial in that some view it's impact on a wine as one of the many positive traits of a wine that makes it distinctive. Distinctive, yes; positive, no!

The 2003 was strong in this off flavor so much that I label it "flawed." Yet the Wine Spectator gave it a favorable rating and a decent review. I had several bottles so I know it wasn't just a bad bottle.

The 2004 is better on the bandaid end of things than its predecessor but it is still there; a hint on the swirl and a fleeting (thankfully)taste before swallowing and then a sweet, currant and plum chracter takes over. Dissappointing...

I try to tell myself this is "terroir" but my taste buds tell me it's sloppy wine making. NW didn't agree. We'll see what he writes.

So, it's off to the west coast where I'll visit one of the local wineries right in Los Angeles and you can read about it when I return. Until then, raise a glass and thanks for stopping by!

Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry Reserve 2000 (PB)

This is the wine that the Wine Spectator just seems to love to hate. Ever since Beaulieu’s TCA problem in the late 90's (TCA is a contaminant that imparts off flavors to a wine likened to wet paper, wet cement, or musty) their wine gets a poor rating that defies normal sensibilities. This wine rated a 77 by Wine Spectator’s ratings in two blind tastings. Never-the-less, I am a fan of BV’s Tapestry. How much of a fan? I took a bottle of BV tapestry to Italy 2 years ago when touring Tuscany. There in the historic birth place of Vignamaggio–the birth place of Mona Lisa–my wife and I and (NW) and our daughter sat outside eating bread, cheese, boar sausage, and in the heart of Chianti, had the audacity to open a bottle of this Napa blend.

I am such a fan of this wine that an oil painting of a bottle of Tapestry and some cheese graces the wall of my living room painted by my daughter who sells her still lifes for thousands of dollars.

Can such a fan be objective–not entirely but I know a “77" point wine from a good wine.

This wine is still young on opening and needs plenty of air. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot from selected vineyards of Napa is tight in all ways yet with a pretty bouquet of fresh fruit even if light. In the mouth the tannins are really tight and flavors are subdued.

With decanting, it opens nicely thought more understated than previous vintages I have had. Never-the-less, flavors of cherries with a hint of chocolate and licorice are prevalent at this time. The tannins border on gentle if not plush and the finish a bit herbal. With more time., a big plummy bouquet emerges with currants closely behind. I like earlier vintages better which is why I have a 98 and a 99 in my cellar. As for The Wine Spectator’s 77 rating, either they have supernatural taste sensors or I wildly blinded by the label. I don’t think the latter is true. But whatever, I enjoyed raising a glass o this favorite again!

Twin Fin 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon (PB)

The bouquet on this purple, young California wine is light with and equally light nose on opening of blackberries and plums. In the mouth it is sweet, tannic and rather simple but finishes with a very fleeting hint of chocolate. With 15 minutes of air the nose goes green though the flavors are rich though the tannins are puckery.

With more time, green peppers and oak are prominent, tannins actually relent to a nice balanced wine. If you like a sweeter type cab this is quite flavorful, fruit forward, new world and a nice finish! Raise a glass for $10 a bottle. Wine Spectator rates this wine a generous 87.

Dry Creek Chenin Blanc 2004 (PB)

I previously reviewed this wine from the 2003 vintage and put it on the recommende list. This (2004) is another "must buy." It is different than the 2003 even more food friendly than its predecessor.

This pale straw white wine has a strong nose of pineapple, apples and tropical fruit that is fabulous. In the mouth, this quaff is solidly acidic making it a great pairing wine with many foods and it is neither sweet nor dry. It is a tad creamy and just plain impressive at $9. The finish is not tremendous as far as ongevity but solid and satisfying. I will be buying more of this super value creation. Raise a glass as I put this one on our recommended list as well!

A Study in Chateauneuf du Pape (NW)

Baronnie d'Estouard Chateauneuf du Pape 1998:

A hint of age, light in color with some brown on the edge
Elegant and soft
Notes of pepper, black cherry, and earth
Graceful, smooth finish

Domaine Font de Michelle Cuvee Etienne Gonnet Chateauneuf du Pape 2001:

Brilliant, light color
Very smooth
Layers of vanilla and cinnamon over cherry and berries
Long finish, but a little tight

These two wines were tasted side-by-side with a cheese course followed by coq a vin. It was "French night" from start to finish with good friends from New York.

Both wines were excellent, but different. The Baronnie d'Estouard was purchased in Provence in 2000 and is a small production wine that is not readily available outside of southern France. The Domaine Font de Michelle is a wine more visible on this side of the pond. It was purchased at a fine wine store in New York.

There was obviouse age on the first wine, although it's only 8 years old. It may be due to the fact that the wine experienced a variety of storage conditions over the years that accelerated the aging. Still, it was smooth and graceful and it momentarily transported us to a small village in Provence. The wine was purchased in France 5 years ago for approximately $30.

The second wine was younger and more crisp, which contributed to a tighter finish. The layers were endless and the overall quality excellent. It scores 95 points with Wine Spectator and was purchased this month in New York for $50.

This little study in Chateauneuf was a lot of fun. It's the type of thing we had to plan for and prepare food for. But the payoff was the chance to enjoy two great wines with great friends. Raise a glass!

Chateau Lynch Bages 1990 (NW)

Chateau Lynch Bages 1990:

Subtle, aromatic nose
Dark berries, spice, leather
Lengthy and smooth, with endless layers

Great wine! It was a special treat to see this wine emerge from the cellar. We had been invited to dinner by new friends who had just spent 18 months renovating an old New Hampshire farmhouse. They put together an excellent dinner with lamb chops and a number of other delicious courses and the wine paired extremely well. Our hosts have a real appreciation for Bordeaux and had cellared a few cases of this wine since it's release in 1993. With 15 years of age, this wine is considered to be maturing nicely by the critics. The store price for this wine today would be $150-$200 per bottle. Very generous and very enjoyable. Raise a glass!

Howell Mountain Vinyards Black Sears Zinfandel 2001 (NW)

Howell Mountain Vinyards Black Sears Zinfandel 2001:

Rich, sweet nose
Layers of cherry, spice, mushroom, and bread
Very smooth finish

I go through phases when I love California Zinfandel. Typical characteristics include a little spicyness, higher alcohol content, and very ripe flavors. This wine was a special treat at a restaurant three years ago and I found a couple of bottles after some searching for $37 each. This was the last bottle and it tasted great. We decanted it, which was probably not necessary but a fun ceremonial act. Robust Zinfandel from California can be a real treat, but make sure you're in the mood for it. Raise a glass!

Camelot Pinot Noir 2003 (PB)

From the folks that had such a high value Pinot Noir a couple years ago comes the 2003 varietal that has the typical light, almost sickly pale red pour of Pinot Noir. The bouquet is light of cherries and berries with a nose of the same. There is some steel and a little greeness as well with a hint of the trademark funkiness of the Pinot Noir grape.

(I rated this wine back in March [look it up to see o=how a wine matures]but had forgotten that I did so. I just stumbled onto my previous review from march.) This wine has really improved in the 6 months!)

In the mouth it is tart but works as a major milk chocolate flavor is prominent and lingers. With an hour of breathing the tartness has mellowed, the flavors are big and everything about this wine gets better. And get ready for the price of what is a really nice wine and SUPER value; it cost me $6.50!

This puppy is going on the recommended wine list! It pairs well with so many foods; we had mahogany clams in a wine sauce for an appetizer and then I browned some veal rib chops on the stove finishing them in the oven. The bottle is DRY! A complement indeed. Raise a bottle of this bargain today!

Chateau De Sales 2001 (PB)

This Bordeaux from the Pomerol region is a nice deep red, green on opening in the bouquet with olives, daffodils and asparagus in the swirl.

In the mouth this wine is downright elegant. This is a superbly balanced wine even on opening. With some air, it is unusually consistent with no real benefit from breathing. My assessment is this wine is at it’s absolute peak. Tannins are lush, flavors are deep and yet disappointingly simple. With air a little bit of cherry does come out and maybe even some menthol, but however you slice it, this Bordeaux from the 2001 vintage which was almost excellent is a very well made wine. I paid $22 for it about 1 ½ years ago and wanted to lay it down for just such a time as this. I’m glad I waited. Raise a glass!

Note on Spam comments

Due to an increased number of automated spam comments to our blog I have added a "word verification" step in order for you to leave a comment. You will be asked to reproduce a word you will see,in a window and then you will be permitted to leave your comment. This little step requires a real a human being to read the word thereby eliminating automated spam. We apologize for this slight inconvenience but deemed less a hassle than having you go to read a comment only to be pitched for a product unrelated to wine and the world of wine.

Thanks for understanding. PB

Punter’s Corner Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (PB)

This Aussie red was bought on close out for $13 priced $25 regularly. The 1999 vintage was a low yielding year in Coonawarra and the wines tend to be pretty fair. This one has a nice bouquet of lush fruit and a pleasant pruney nose.

In the mouth it is at first, unexciting, closed and unyielding of what I think is there. It needs air. With a half hour or so there are good cab aromas with a foundation of daffodils that I am not crazy about; some might call it vegetal. The tannins are mature and will hold out for another couple years I would guess. It opens to a full bodied, full bouquet’d wine with cab flavors, plush tannins ans strong flavor. It is pretty nice but rather simple. It was worth the $13, but not the $25 it was priced at. Raise a glass and enjoy!

Gaiter and Brecher are back!

Gaiter and Brecher are back in the Friday edition of the Wall Street Journal!

After a summer hiatus for a little R and R, I presume, they are back to their routine, down to earth, common sense approach to all things wine. Apparently their summer recreation took them back to wine country and today’s column (9-9-05) is a smorgasbord of their visits with various wineries and their assessments of tasting rooms, kid-friendly environments and the best deal going in Sonoma–a 7 course food and wine pairing for $20!

So if you’re not familiar with their column, pay the buck and get the WSJ each Friday. Their column is worth the $1 alone! Sit down, read along and raise a glass to Summer while it lasts!

Salmon Creek 2002 Chardonnay (PB)

This previously reviewed wine is one of the best wine values going. I opened my second to last bottle of what was 2 cases this afternoon. It is pale yellow with a light bouquet of Chardonnay aromas with peach highlights and the trademark vanilla which I love in this wine. In the mouth it is flavorful even if a little alcoholic primarily due to being served too warm. The pineapple hints are a bonus to the warm vanilla notes that stay to the finish. Now–sit down–at $4 per bottle, that’s not a misprint, it is the best wine value going in my opinion. So have at it, and raise a glass!

Redwood Creek Merlot 2003 (PB)

This northern California wine, and I use the term very loosely, is a fine example of why many people have no appreciation nor taste for red wine. This production under the Frei Bros. name is owned by Gallo, the largest producer of wine in the world and would be a better example of cleaning solvent than wine. It has a bouquet–if I can even use that term to apply to the smell of isopropyl alcohol with a subtle hint of grape underneath. There is a tinge of green aroma that carries through to the palate where alcohol is again the primary flavor. A mere hint of grape ever comes through and this is not a “corked” wine. This is a super mass produced wine with little concern for the consumer. At $7.00 it is overpriced by about $6. Now you may be thinking, “Well, you get what you pay for.” That is often true when it comes to wine but for $7, you can find many drinkable wines that actually remind you of wine and the specific type of grape used in the wine. This is a wine that should be left on the shelf. Raise a glass of some real wine and put this one behind you–forever.

Vallado Duoro Vinho Tinto 2002 (NW)

Vallado Duoro Vinho Tinto 2002:

Exotic spicyness
Cherry, tabacco, and vegetable flavors
Tangy finish

I walked into one of the good wine stores I like to visit and asked the resident guru for a really unique red. He immediately began talking about Portugal and trotted across the store toward this wine. As it turns out, a lot of wine lovers are talking about Portugal. Long known for world-class Port wines, Portugal is emerging as a producer of interesting dry red table wines as well. I've seen a lot of articles on this lately and am beginning to sample them when I find them. This particular wine was a lot of fun to try and I paid just $12 for the bottle. Raise a glass to Portugal!

Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenere 2002 (NW)

Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenere 2002:

Rich, dense nose with a big bouquet
Very smooth on the palate
Layers of berries, cherry, and tabacco
Tannins are evident on the finish

This Carmenere is a very nice wine! Carmenere was traditionally a blending grape, but has recently become a featured varietal from Chile. Concha Y Toro is producing a lot of nice wine, and is doing a great job with the reds. I tend to see a lot of their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon on the shelves, but have to dig a little more to find this wine. It is several rungs up the Concha Y Toro ladder in price, normally around $26/bottle. However, it's worth keeping a look out for this wine when you want an alternative red. Raise a glass!

Cuvaison Chardonnay 2003 (NW)

In the interest of full disclosure, Paterno Wines was very generous to provide us with several complimentary bottles of Cuvaison wine. My assumption is that they are in the process of trying to strengthen the awareness of this label. The wine was sent to us at The Wine Cask and arrived just in time to be enjoyed with my fellow blogger PB.

Cuvaison Chardonnay 2003:

Tropical fruit, some honey, and sweet spice on the nose and palate
Good backbone and just enough acidity
A touch of butter on the creamy finish

This Chardonnay was enjoyed on its own and later with a plate of bruschetta. It seems like a very versatile wine with the ability to pair well with food. The grapes are grown in the Carneros region, which produces high quality Chardonnay known for well-balanced fruit and a buttery finish. The suggested retail price is $24, which is fairly typical of a good Carneros Chardonnay. However, if it's meant to be an every day white wine, a price point below $20 would be more reasonable. Overall, the wine is very well-balanced and versatile. Raise a glass!

Cuvaison Pinot Noir 2003 (NW)

In the interest of full disclosure, Paterno Wines was very generous to provide us with several complimentary bottles of Cuvaison wine. My assumption is that they are in the process of trying to strengthen the awareness of this label. I have had good experiences with Paterno in the past, including an excellent wine tasting hosted by a Paterno rep in Florida. The tasting was about six months ago and featured a dozen or so wines, including Cuvaison Chardonnay, Petaluma Shiraz, and Pio Cesare Barolo.

Cuvaison Pinot Noir 2003:

Rich, elegant nose
Cherry, plum, and some sweet spice
A touch of cranberry, but not tart
Silky smooth finish

The wine that Paterno sent to us at The Wine Cask arrived just in time to share with my fellow blogger PB. We had the chance to enjoy a glass before our meal and a glass paired with sauteed chicken breasts and tortellini. The wine was very enjoyable and had a nice elegance to it. We recorded our tasting notes independenty and only briefly discussed our entries prior to posting on this site.

This wine from Cuvaison is priced at $25, which is neither expensive nor a real bargain. In my experience, it's difficult to find a high quality Pinot Noir under $20 anyway. Overall, I think it's a nice wine and very representative of the varietal. Raise a glass!

Cuvaison Chardonnay “Carneros” 2003 (PB)

Please note--In the interest of full disclosure The Wine Cask wants you to know that this wine was received from the folks at Cuvaison for gratis. Have no concerns re: a conflict of interest though; if the wines they (or anyone else for that matter) ever send are inferior in any way, we’d let you know. (NW) happened to be in town when the wine arrived and you will be reading his review of the same wine. I urge you to compare his and mine noting similarities and differences (I haven’t seen his review myself) remembering wine tasting is a subjective discipline on an objective playing field.

This Chard from the prestigious Carneros region sits pretty in the glass with a somewhat intense yellow color. The bouquet is light with a hint of peach but the nose has a really nice sense of pineapple life-savers with a touch of honey on the end. In the mouth this has a nice feel with very solid structure that will make it a versatile accompaniment with a variety of foods. (We had it with Bruschetta which is garlic toast topped with fresh basil, tomatoes, and olive oil and it did fine.) Uniquely though, I enjoyed this wine by itself as well. It has a mildly buttery texture—not as intense as some Chard’s—with a nice mouth feel. My favorite aspect though was the finish which was creamy fruit that lingered. Carneros Chards tend to be a bit pricey in general. Cuvaison lists the price of this wine at $24 which is reasonable. I would hope to see it around $16-$18. At any rate, raise a glass as (NW) and I do to “Billy” who is many miles away!

Cuvaison Pinot Noir “Carneros” 2003 (PB)

Please note--In the interest of full disclosure The Wine Cask wants you to know that this wine was received from the folks at Cuvaison for gratis. Have no concerns re: a conflict of interest though; if the wines they (or anyone else for that matter) ever send are inferior in any way, we’d let you know. (NW) happened to be in town when the wine arrived and you will be reading his review of the same wine. I urge you to compare his and mine noting similarities and differences (I haven’t seen his review myself) remembering wine tasting is a subjective discipline on an objective playing field.

The bouquet of this classically colored Pinot is shallow yet with a fine nose of cherries. In the mouth the flavor is big! This wine relinquished none of its energy to the bouquet—that’s for sure. It is a bit hot with somewhat of fruit compote of flavors of plum, raisins and currants. The finish is decent with a hint of smoke. With some air it is still a bit hot with more layers of chocolate, cherries, raisins and plums. Cuvaison’s suggested retail price is $25. At $15 this would be a value wine; at $25 it’s a little ambitious. We paired with our dinner of sautéed chicken breasts, and tortellini.

Again we raise a glass to “Billy” the third in our triumvirate blog and again watch for (NW’s) review of this same wine as we were together when we reviewed it yet independent of each other. Thanks to the folks at Cuvaison for the opportunity.

Aresti Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Rio Claro 2000 (PB)

This Chilean varietal has an impressive bouquet of ripe fruit aromas with a sublte apple breeze way underneath and green pepper in the nose.
In the mouth this wine is a bit harsh but a nice touch of spice, a hint of chocolate, a little smoke helps you overlook the “heat” of imbalanced alcohol. Tannins are bit rough.

With some air the tannins don’t really loosen up and it’s still a bit harsh. Cherries just ooze from the bouquet though with ripe plums to boot. For $11, Chile continues to push bold, expressive full bodied wines that tend towards value than not. It easily handled my grilled sirloin with Zatarains very strongly spiced rice. Raise a glass once again to Chile!