Bright ruby color
Very big, fragrant nose of sweet, ripe fruit
Plum, cherry, and dark berries on the palate
Chocolate and a little zing on the long, smooth finish
Wow! Can a wine have more ripe fruit characteristics than this? Maybe it's too ripe. This is the discussion we had on Thanksgiving Day when PB (of this blog) and I tasted the wine. We popped the cork on several other bottles, including the Beaulieu Tapestry discussed below. Compared to that wine, this tasted like fruit cocktail. We kept remarking on how big and ripe the flavors are, and that it really doesn't drink well with food because of that. On its own, though, it was very enjoyable with a super smooth texture and a nice, long finish.
PB provided this bottle from his cellar and he had paid around $25 for it while in California. It's on the expensive end for Zinfandel, but if you're a fan of dark, ripe, and luscious Zin you know these are really bargain prices. Zinfandel doesn't get very expensive, even with the single vineyard bottles from producers like Rosenblum that get big scores on the various 100-point scales. As a result, it really is a bargain wine. Just make sure you're in the mood for ripe (even over-ripe) fruit and a high alcohol content. On Thanksgiving Day, I was. And oh-by-the-way, there's no grape more American than Zinfandel- perfect for an American holiday! Raise a glass!
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Wine Review: Beaulieu Tapestry 1994 (NW)
Reddish, brown color
Smokey on the nose like a single-malt Scotch
Some licorice and earthy qualities on the palate
Elegant, lengthy finish
Well, I finally opened the '94 Tapestry that had been sitting in my cooler. I wasn't sure what to expect and was actually a little disappointed. While it obviously showed some age, I didn't really enjoy the flavors. This bottle was earmarked for Thanksgiving Day. PB of this blog joined me for a tasting well before the big meal and we had slightly different impressions of the wine. His review is posted below.
Tapestry is an exciting blend that I've enjoyed. While The Wine Spectator gives extremely low scores to recent vintages due to a "musty" taste, early versions of Tapestry such as this 1994 were very well received by Spectator and other critics. To learn more about the difficult period at Beaulieu Vineyard, refer to PB's review.
My impressions of this wine didn't change after I tasted it with dinner, after dinner, and even the next day. It always seemed smokey, devoid of fruit, and a little unusual. Normally I like wines that are unusual, but this one never really impressed me. It could have been that I was in the mood for a really fruity, juicy wine. Fortunately, we had two other bottles open at the same time during our Thanksgiving meal, and I got my fixed of ripe fruit (review will follow). I paid $50 for this bottle of Tapestry a couple years ago, although it would have been much less than that on its release in 1997. Oh, well! Raise a glass!
Smokey on the nose like a single-malt Scotch
Some licorice and earthy qualities on the palate
Elegant, lengthy finish
Well, I finally opened the '94 Tapestry that had been sitting in my cooler. I wasn't sure what to expect and was actually a little disappointed. While it obviously showed some age, I didn't really enjoy the flavors. This bottle was earmarked for Thanksgiving Day. PB of this blog joined me for a tasting well before the big meal and we had slightly different impressions of the wine. His review is posted below.
Tapestry is an exciting blend that I've enjoyed. While The Wine Spectator gives extremely low scores to recent vintages due to a "musty" taste, early versions of Tapestry such as this 1994 were very well received by Spectator and other critics. To learn more about the difficult period at Beaulieu Vineyard, refer to PB's review.
My impressions of this wine didn't change after I tasted it with dinner, after dinner, and even the next day. It always seemed smokey, devoid of fruit, and a little unusual. Normally I like wines that are unusual, but this one never really impressed me. It could have been that I was in the mood for a really fruity, juicy wine. Fortunately, we had two other bottles open at the same time during our Thanksgiving meal, and I got my fixed of ripe fruit (review will follow). I paid $50 for this bottle of Tapestry a couple years ago, although it would have been much less than that on its release in 1997. Oh, well! Raise a glass!
Wine Review: Chateau de Chamboureau Savennieres 2001 (NW)
Amazing golden-orange color
Fruit, honey, and creme-brulee on the nose
Smooth and rich on the palate, yet some acidity and backbone
Long finish
I can't believe it's possible to do this with Chenin Blanc! This wine is 100% Chenin Blanc, but shows an amazing variety of characteristics. The color is almost like a Sauternes or other dessert wine, the flavors are smooth and creamy, but the fruit is crisp and there is some obvious backbone and acidity. What an incredible combination!
If you find this, and who knows what the availability is, you've got to grab it. For another review, look at the notes below from PB. He grabbed this bottle at a wine tasting and paid $22. Well worth it! Raise a glass!
Fruit, honey, and creme-brulee on the nose
Smooth and rich on the palate, yet some acidity and backbone
Long finish
I can't believe it's possible to do this with Chenin Blanc! This wine is 100% Chenin Blanc, but shows an amazing variety of characteristics. The color is almost like a Sauternes or other dessert wine, the flavors are smooth and creamy, but the fruit is crisp and there is some obvious backbone and acidity. What an incredible combination!
If you find this, and who knows what the availability is, you've got to grab it. For another review, look at the notes below from PB. He grabbed this bottle at a wine tasting and paid $22. Well worth it! Raise a glass!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Wine Review: Heitz Napa Valley Grignolino 2001 (NW)
Beaujolais in color
Nice sweet fruit and floral nose
Strawberries on the palate battle a a layer of tartness
Clean finish
If you want something totally unique, reach for a bottle of this Grignolino. It is both unusual and interesting, providing a new experience for me. Grignolino is a varietal I've never seen. Although I've heard of sparkling Italian wines using this grape, I've never seen a bottle marked for this varietal. A store near me had one row of this wine and it looked like it was collecting dust. The reason I bought it was for the uniqueness factor and because I assumed Heitz wouldn't put out a bad wine. And the fact is, they didn't. I paid $16 for the bottle and took it with me on a visit to PB's (of The Wine Cask Blog). We were both impressed and enjoyed learning a little bit about this unique varietal. Raise a glass!
Nice sweet fruit and floral nose
Strawberries on the palate battle a a layer of tartness
Clean finish
If you want something totally unique, reach for a bottle of this Grignolino. It is both unusual and interesting, providing a new experience for me. Grignolino is a varietal I've never seen. Although I've heard of sparkling Italian wines using this grape, I've never seen a bottle marked for this varietal. A store near me had one row of this wine and it looked like it was collecting dust. The reason I bought it was for the uniqueness factor and because I assumed Heitz wouldn't put out a bad wine. And the fact is, they didn't. I paid $16 for the bottle and took it with me on a visit to PB's (of The Wine Cask Blog). We were both impressed and enjoyed learning a little bit about this unique varietal. Raise a glass!
Concannon Petite Syrah 2001 wine review by (PB)
This is been a big wine, previously reviewed. I opened another bottle last night to go with a venison tenderloin, pan fried, rare with a baby bella mushroom balsamic glaze. This wine is deep garnet as you might expect. The air fills with yeasty aromas immediately with huge black berry and ripe plum fragrances.
In the mouth, this wine is sweet, perhaps even a little too sweet, but is so bold that its ripe fruit just overwhelms the palate with wild cherries and black berries. Tannins are lush. For $10, once again, this Central Coast creation is a good find. Raise a glass!
In the mouth, this wine is sweet, perhaps even a little too sweet, but is so bold that its ripe fruit just overwhelms the palate with wild cherries and black berries. Tannins are lush. For $10, once again, this Central Coast creation is a good find. Raise a glass!
Monday, November 28, 2005
Christmas ideas for the enophile in your life (PB)
I have been studying wine for over 25 years so it’s fairly safe to say I have all the gizmos, gadgets and gee-gaws any aspiring enophile could want. So remember, my council is based on the assumption that I am “every man” and that my particular gift likes and dislikes might be fairly representative. If you grant that assumption, I think you will find this helpful and may even spare you some embarrassment on the gift giving end.
In the wine paraphernalia category—
Glasses are always welcome; namely because there are so many different shapes geared to a particular style of wine and because they break. But not just any old wine glasses; nice glasses and that doesn’t have to mean expensive. I like Riedel (pronounced to rhyme with “needle”) and their “Vinum” series are lovely crystal and will run you around $20 for one glass. (See I’m not talking about a whole set here, just a special glass or glasses just for “him” or “her”) The Bordeaux glass with it’s large 21 oz. Bowl is great for tasting and evaluating red wine. But then they make a special shape and sized glass just for Chardonnay; Zinfandel; Burgundy, you get the idea. Spieglau is also another name which makes a nice quality, but inexpensive glass.
Williams-Sonoma carries Riedel and Crate and Barrel carries Spieglau. I think the Crate and Barrel may even carry their own brand which are actually pretty nice and about half the cost.
Vacuum seal stoppers—These actually work and again will cost you less than $20! They help keep opened wine a bit longer. Some work better than others but I paid $7 for mine at T.J. Maax and they are now a year old and still working well. That includes a pump and two stoppers.
Label Lifters—for removing wine labels from bottles; some work better than others and I have found the ones from labeloff.com to be the best. Around $8!
The very best wine gift I have received to date is an aroma kit which my lover, girlfriend, and wife made for me. A wooden box, some glass vials (obtainable on line from any medical supply house) and you put your scents in each vial for continued reference. You can buy them though from the Wine Enthusiast but they are a bit pricey ($60) I believe.
Cork screws like my glasses, just can’t really have too many of them; especially a unique one, or a particularly functional one—the best are called waiter’s cork screws and have a hinged lip on it. These are purely functional and are less than $10. But a very special cork screw, like one from Laguiole can run you in to the hundreds of dollars. If you have money to burn…
Wine cooler—these come in drastically variable price ranges. I have a Sunbeam generic 35 bottle cooler which cost me less than $200. The same size from one of the premier makes like Haier will cost you more than twice that but of course you get a better quality unit.
Wine totes are also very practical and handy. I'm not talking about the bag kind of tote but one that lookes more like a small piece of luggage. It can carry one or two bottles of wine, has an insullating material on the inside and keeps your wine temperature moderated while in intransit. These are also fairly inexpensive at $25 or less.
Books are a nice idea if you the person is a book kind of person. I like the huge wine volumes with the magnificent pictures from around the world. I received Wine by Andre Domine (Barnes and Noble) last year and it is magnificent for the very beginner to the very studied. A handy reference book is also a nice idea; Andrea Immer and Food and Wine Magazine each have such a book that costs around $10.
Mags. If we’re talking about a real wine enthusiast the Wine Spectator ($49/year) and the Wine Enhtusiast ($29) are essential! If your wine lover enjoys cooking as well, I like Food and Wine magazine.
A wine journal or log book; If they haven’t been doing so they need to be writing about their wine. This doesn’t have to be some gimmicky official “wine log” but just a nice book with blank or lined pages. Leather is ALWAYS special…
What not to get—any kind of clothing with a wine motiffe, really, please! Unless perhaps its an apron--the one exception…
In the wine paraphernalia category—
Glasses are always welcome; namely because there are so many different shapes geared to a particular style of wine and because they break. But not just any old wine glasses; nice glasses and that doesn’t have to mean expensive. I like Riedel (pronounced to rhyme with “needle”) and their “Vinum” series are lovely crystal and will run you around $20 for one glass. (See I’m not talking about a whole set here, just a special glass or glasses just for “him” or “her”) The Bordeaux glass with it’s large 21 oz. Bowl is great for tasting and evaluating red wine. But then they make a special shape and sized glass just for Chardonnay; Zinfandel; Burgundy, you get the idea. Spieglau is also another name which makes a nice quality, but inexpensive glass.
Williams-Sonoma carries Riedel and Crate and Barrel carries Spieglau. I think the Crate and Barrel may even carry their own brand which are actually pretty nice and about half the cost.
Vacuum seal stoppers—These actually work and again will cost you less than $20! They help keep opened wine a bit longer. Some work better than others but I paid $7 for mine at T.J. Maax and they are now a year old and still working well. That includes a pump and two stoppers.
Label Lifters—for removing wine labels from bottles; some work better than others and I have found the ones from labeloff.com to be the best. Around $8!
The very best wine gift I have received to date is an aroma kit which my lover, girlfriend, and wife made for me. A wooden box, some glass vials (obtainable on line from any medical supply house) and you put your scents in each vial for continued reference. You can buy them though from the Wine Enthusiast but they are a bit pricey ($60) I believe.
Cork screws like my glasses, just can’t really have too many of them; especially a unique one, or a particularly functional one—the best are called waiter’s cork screws and have a hinged lip on it. These are purely functional and are less than $10. But a very special cork screw, like one from Laguiole can run you in to the hundreds of dollars. If you have money to burn…
Wine cooler—these come in drastically variable price ranges. I have a Sunbeam generic 35 bottle cooler which cost me less than $200. The same size from one of the premier makes like Haier will cost you more than twice that but of course you get a better quality unit.
Wine totes are also very practical and handy. I'm not talking about the bag kind of tote but one that lookes more like a small piece of luggage. It can carry one or two bottles of wine, has an insullating material on the inside and keeps your wine temperature moderated while in intransit. These are also fairly inexpensive at $25 or less.
Books are a nice idea if you the person is a book kind of person. I like the huge wine volumes with the magnificent pictures from around the world. I received Wine by Andre Domine (Barnes and Noble) last year and it is magnificent for the very beginner to the very studied. A handy reference book is also a nice idea; Andrea Immer and Food and Wine Magazine each have such a book that costs around $10.
Mags. If we’re talking about a real wine enthusiast the Wine Spectator ($49/year) and the Wine Enhtusiast ($29) are essential! If your wine lover enjoys cooking as well, I like Food and Wine magazine.
A wine journal or log book; If they haven’t been doing so they need to be writing about their wine. This doesn’t have to be some gimmicky official “wine log” but just a nice book with blank or lined pages. Leather is ALWAYS special…
What not to get—any kind of clothing with a wine motiffe, really, please! Unless perhaps its an apron--the one exception…
Friday, November 25, 2005
Rosenblum Annette’s Reserve, Rhodes Vineyard Zinfandel 2001–a review by (PB)
In the glass there is a bit of an opaqueness that is due to the intense concentration of chromophores making up the color of this Zin. Rosenblum is a consistent producer of very good to excellent Zins. (As they make 20 diffierent zinfandel creations, read the label carefully!) Rosenblum is known for their style which is up front, rich, ripe and powerful.
The problem is, they may just be too good! This wine has a bouquet that is full of ripe berries, with a perfumey spray of aromas and a soapey scented kind of charm.
The flavor of this wine is gargantuanly intense, concentrated sweetness, with ultra-ripe and peppery fruit. My first response was “Wow.” But, the problem, if I can put it that way, is that this Zin is so BIG that it tramples every other flavor coming your way. The fruit is so rich and fat that nothing can stand up to it not even the intense spices of a thanksgiving table.
(NW) and I agreed it did not pair well with dinner and wondered what might go with such a wine. “BBQ ribs!” (NW) suggested. Ah, indeed, I think that might just do the trick.
So here again is a really special, monster of a wine but too brash to keep company with most food. I paid $25 for this finding it when I was out in Los Angeles this past Summer. Grab one or two but just know, you may end up drinking apart from food. Or fire up the grill and get those ribs humming! At any rate, raise a glass!
The problem is, they may just be too good! This wine has a bouquet that is full of ripe berries, with a perfumey spray of aromas and a soapey scented kind of charm.
The flavor of this wine is gargantuanly intense, concentrated sweetness, with ultra-ripe and peppery fruit. My first response was “Wow.” But, the problem, if I can put it that way, is that this Zin is so BIG that it tramples every other flavor coming your way. The fruit is so rich and fat that nothing can stand up to it not even the intense spices of a thanksgiving table.
(NW) and I agreed it did not pair well with dinner and wondered what might go with such a wine. “BBQ ribs!” (NW) suggested. Ah, indeed, I think that might just do the trick.
So here again is a really special, monster of a wine but too brash to keep company with most food. I paid $25 for this finding it when I was out in Los Angeles this past Summer. Grab one or two but just know, you may end up drinking apart from food. Or fire up the grill and get those ribs humming! At any rate, raise a glass!
Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry Reserve 1994 review by (PB)
(NW) and his wife were up for Thanksgiving and that means plenty of wine adventures galore. BV’s Tapestry (a blend of several grapes which accounts for the name) is always one of my favorites even when panned by some experts as BV struggles back from a TCA outbreak in the fairly recent past. (TCA is a contaminant due to a mold that can be the death of wineries as it’s origins can be elusive. Giving the wine off flavors often described as wet cement, or wet cardboard, its presence in a wine–quantified by the parts per million scale--can be detected by individuals with apparently super-human palates and noses.)
The height of the problem for BV reached its zenith in the late 90's, and they underwent painstaking efforts to eradicate the problem. Even during those supposedly really bad years, I have had Tapestry from those “bad” years and find it charming, and full of excitement. This 94 was before the TCA problem.
It is lighter in color than I would have expected–a product of it’s age? There is a slight ambering around the rim, a sign of it’s maturity. The bouquet of this wine balloons into the room on opening making an impressive appearance and a preview of what is to come. The bouquet if full of cranberries with a slightly vegetal nose.
In the mouth it is full of fruit–simple and firm and lush–rather elegant on the whole. With air it is pure rich berry aromas which carry through to the palate. This wine, which was one we served with our Thanksgiving turkey, was too rich and powerful for the meal. A very nice wine but not a good pairing! Still, it was a special wine, ($55) for a special day, and one that I am thankful for having the joy of sharing in with my family. Raise a glass–we did!
The height of the problem for BV reached its zenith in the late 90's, and they underwent painstaking efforts to eradicate the problem. Even during those supposedly really bad years, I have had Tapestry from those “bad” years and find it charming, and full of excitement. This 94 was before the TCA problem.
It is lighter in color than I would have expected–a product of it’s age? There is a slight ambering around the rim, a sign of it’s maturity. The bouquet of this wine balloons into the room on opening making an impressive appearance and a preview of what is to come. The bouquet if full of cranberries with a slightly vegetal nose.
In the mouth it is full of fruit–simple and firm and lush–rather elegant on the whole. With air it is pure rich berry aromas which carry through to the palate. This wine, which was one we served with our Thanksgiving turkey, was too rich and powerful for the meal. A very nice wine but not a good pairing! Still, it was a special wine, ($55) for a special day, and one that I am thankful for having the joy of sharing in with my family. Raise a glass–we did!
Heitz Cellars Grignolino 2001 review by (PB)
Pronounced “grin-oh-leeno” (NW) picked this up because it was such an oddball offering from one of California’s premier vintner’s. Heitz Cellars produced the famous “Martha’s Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon way back in the 70's when I was cutting my teeth on my first adventures into the world of wine. As a student with family in tow, I could barely afford to read about the pricey wine and 30 years later I have yet to have had the means or the inkling to shell out the $100+ a bottle for this sought after creation. So (NW) sees this esoteric production and had to grab one not knowing what we were in for.
On the pour this wine reminds me of a Gamay with its very light color with a bouquet that is equally light. Strawberry aromas are strong. On a second swirl, there is a fantastic burst of fresh flowers but fades quickly. This wine is well made with a strong acid foundation which would make this wine go well with all kinds of foods. The flavors are unique and hard to describe with an odd touch of bitters.
On further swirling there is a candyish scent with a grapey touch in the sweet aroma. It finishes really small but this is such a different wine, I have to say I like it! It set (NW) back $16, a blind expenditure that proved to be both interesting and pleasant. What more could ask for? Raise a glass!
On the pour this wine reminds me of a Gamay with its very light color with a bouquet that is equally light. Strawberry aromas are strong. On a second swirl, there is a fantastic burst of fresh flowers but fades quickly. This wine is well made with a strong acid foundation which would make this wine go well with all kinds of foods. The flavors are unique and hard to describe with an odd touch of bitters.
On further swirling there is a candyish scent with a grapey touch in the sweet aroma. It finishes really small but this is such a different wine, I have to say I like it! It set (NW) back $16, a blind expenditure that proved to be both interesting and pleasant. What more could ask for? Raise a glass!
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thanksgiving Wine Review: Royal Bitch 2003 Reserve Merlot (billy)
Royal Bitch 2003 Reserve Merlot
From Chile. $11.99
Ok, I admit it, I am a sucker for the double entendre. I bought this wine with the theme of the next “Wine Blogging Wednesday” in mind (judge a wine by its label). The Label is black and gold with an image of a woman walking a dog. The imagery is nothing special but anything that is good for a laugh or conversation does well by me. I also like that on the back of the wine, they invite commentary back about the wine and provide a URL. So, not only is the wine clever with its name (good marketing “stickiness”), it also proves that it is hip to the new generation of wine enthusiasts and web crawlers in the small print. As a techie and a wine lover, I was sold. So how does it stack up?
Nose: beautiful mellow pepper and blackberries with an exquisitely sensual softness and subtlety. There are some really nice layers here. I am EXCITED.
Palate: A touch thin for a reserve merlot. It seems as if all the energy has gone into the nose. Maybe with some time it will open up. After some air time, slightly acidic cherries and coffee/chocolate flavors emerge. This speaks to the complexity that was evident in the initial bouquet. However, in the mouth, the wine remains thin and a bit watery. In this day and age of over the top “berry burst” merlots, this is a pleasant change and it will complement the meal nicely. I would buy this wine again and, for the price, this reserve can hold its own amidst other, similarly priced reserves.
Finish: smooth and beautifully lasting.
Overall, this is a fair wine. The bouquet is wonderful and enticing, the rest doesn't stand up to the expectations the nose sets though. If you find it on sale for under $10 definitely pick up a bottle. $11.99 is fairly priced. You’ll a few better, and many worse for that price. But do not be suckered into paying $15 or more here. You’ll be disappointed.
Raise a glass in thanks for the bounty we experience this day. Cheers to all.
From Chile. $11.99
Ok, I admit it, I am a sucker for the double entendre. I bought this wine with the theme of the next “Wine Blogging Wednesday” in mind (judge a wine by its label). The Label is black and gold with an image of a woman walking a dog. The imagery is nothing special but anything that is good for a laugh or conversation does well by me. I also like that on the back of the wine, they invite commentary back about the wine and provide a URL. So, not only is the wine clever with its name (good marketing “stickiness”), it also proves that it is hip to the new generation of wine enthusiasts and web crawlers in the small print. As a techie and a wine lover, I was sold. So how does it stack up?
Nose: beautiful mellow pepper and blackberries with an exquisitely sensual softness and subtlety. There are some really nice layers here. I am EXCITED.
Palate: A touch thin for a reserve merlot. It seems as if all the energy has gone into the nose. Maybe with some time it will open up. After some air time, slightly acidic cherries and coffee/chocolate flavors emerge. This speaks to the complexity that was evident in the initial bouquet. However, in the mouth, the wine remains thin and a bit watery. In this day and age of over the top “berry burst” merlots, this is a pleasant change and it will complement the meal nicely. I would buy this wine again and, for the price, this reserve can hold its own amidst other, similarly priced reserves.
Finish: smooth and beautifully lasting.
Overall, this is a fair wine. The bouquet is wonderful and enticing, the rest doesn't stand up to the expectations the nose sets though. If you find it on sale for under $10 definitely pick up a bottle. $11.99 is fairly priced. You’ll a few better, and many worse for that price. But do not be suckered into paying $15 or more here. You’ll be disappointed.
Raise a glass in thanks for the bounty we experience this day. Cheers to all.
Thanksgiving Day Wine: Discover Through Variety (NW)
Food and wine pairing has evolved dramatically over the years. Sure there are still certain wines that go well with certain foods. However, with the amazing availability of great food and fine wine today, many new pairings are being discovered in kitchens and dining rooms around the world. And Thanksgiving Day is a nice opportunity to discover new pairings. Let me explain.
The most fun I've had with wine on Thanksgiving has been opening several different types of wine at the same time and deciding as I go which to drink. This can be done without breaking the bank, too. If a special wine hasn't been chosen, take the opportunity to open several different, inexpensive wines. Trust me, this will contribute to the festive atmosphere. Even if someone is providing a highly-prized wine for the main meal, there is no reason other bottles can't be opened and enjoyed with snacks, appetizers, and desserts.
Last year, we opened two nice wines for the main meal: an Oregon Pinot Noir and a Washington State Riesling. It was interesting to see how the wines paired with traditional turkey and all the trimmings and side dishes. The Pinot Noir was good but too exotic to go with the food, so most votes went for the Riesling. We also had some bubbly and a nice bottle of Chateau D'Yquem Sauternes. The wines really helped to make the meal special.
I'm not a big fan of picking one wine for a big ocassion and drinking bottle after bottle of it. I think that variety can enhance the ocassion. If you've been to big dinner functions lately like charitable events, corporate black tie affairs, or even wedding receptions, you've probably noticed that multiple wines are poured. At the very least, you'll see one red and one white being offered with the stemware pre-set for both. Many guests will ask for both to be poured when the servers come around. Try this and you may be pleasantly surprised with how the wines interact with the various courses of the meal. Thanksgiving provides this opportunity, so if you're still undecided about what your wine selection should be, open two or more and be thankful for all of the wonderful wine choices we have in the world today! Raise a glass!
The most fun I've had with wine on Thanksgiving has been opening several different types of wine at the same time and deciding as I go which to drink. This can be done without breaking the bank, too. If a special wine hasn't been chosen, take the opportunity to open several different, inexpensive wines. Trust me, this will contribute to the festive atmosphere. Even if someone is providing a highly-prized wine for the main meal, there is no reason other bottles can't be opened and enjoyed with snacks, appetizers, and desserts.
Last year, we opened two nice wines for the main meal: an Oregon Pinot Noir and a Washington State Riesling. It was interesting to see how the wines paired with traditional turkey and all the trimmings and side dishes. The Pinot Noir was good but too exotic to go with the food, so most votes went for the Riesling. We also had some bubbly and a nice bottle of Chateau D'Yquem Sauternes. The wines really helped to make the meal special.
I'm not a big fan of picking one wine for a big ocassion and drinking bottle after bottle of it. I think that variety can enhance the ocassion. If you've been to big dinner functions lately like charitable events, corporate black tie affairs, or even wedding receptions, you've probably noticed that multiple wines are poured. At the very least, you'll see one red and one white being offered with the stemware pre-set for both. Many guests will ask for both to be poured when the servers come around. Try this and you may be pleasantly surprised with how the wines interact with the various courses of the meal. Thanksgiving provides this opportunity, so if you're still undecided about what your wine selection should be, open two or more and be thankful for all of the wonderful wine choices we have in the world today! Raise a glass!
Chateau De Chamboureau Savennieres 2001 review by (PB)
I love domestic Chenin Blanc and I have watched the price of it go up about 30% in the past year. So when I was at a wine tasting this past week, I tasted this French creation which was touted as the best white wine in Maine for under $25. Until I have tasted every white wine in Maine under $25, I can’t really make that claim. I can say that in the glass this wine is utterly phenomenal just to look at. It is a deep and luscious looking golden that looks more like a fine Sauternes than a Chenin Blanc. The bouquet is truly unique but has a subtle banana and green apple aroma.
In the mouth this wine is again unique and hard to pin down. It has mouth filling acidity that supposedly will carry this wine another 10 years and while there are no other pronounced flavors, there is just an amalgamation of elegant subtleties with a hint of sweet ness but not really. (NW) will be reviewing this same wine but we both agreed that there is no way I would have ever guessed this as a Chenin Blanc. We paired it with a French onion tart which is like a pizza made with bacon, onion and cottage cheese with sour cream. It was quite nice all the way around. $22 for a wine of this quality is decent. Now we look a head to our Thanksgiving feast. Ah, so many blessings for which to raise a glass.
In the mouth this wine is again unique and hard to pin down. It has mouth filling acidity that supposedly will carry this wine another 10 years and while there are no other pronounced flavors, there is just an amalgamation of elegant subtleties with a hint of sweet ness but not really. (NW) will be reviewing this same wine but we both agreed that there is no way I would have ever guessed this as a Chenin Blanc. We paired it with a French onion tart which is like a pizza made with bacon, onion and cottage cheese with sour cream. It was quite nice all the way around. $22 for a wine of this quality is decent. Now we look a head to our Thanksgiving feast. Ah, so many blessings for which to raise a glass.
Castle Rock Carneros Pinot Noir 2004 wine review by (PB)
I picked this up as it was a Wine Spectator or a Wine Enthusiast “Best Buy.” It has nice cherry color in the glass with meaty berry aromas with a classic Pinot Noir nose. In the mouth it is a bit hot but fairly deep with nice flavors of berries bursting all over. At $12, this is a very nice example of the grape. See (NW's) review of the same wine. I was at work when they opened this bottle and I therefore tasted it after it had time to open considerably. Raise a glass!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Wine Review: Avignonesi Nobile di Montalpulciano 2001 (NW)
Tangy, earthy nose
Fruit, olives, and moss on the palate
A little zip to the finish
Aah, Tuscany! I think I taste the Tuscan sun in this bottle. For anyone who's been to the hamlet of Montalpulciano in southern Tuscany, you probably have vivid memories of your experience. This may or may not be a good wine, but it will always taste like a romantic and enchanting wine because I first had it there. Montalpulciano is one of the strikingly improbably hill towns in Italy, perched on the edge of the sky like a ship out at sea. When you wind up the road to the center of the walled village, you cannot walk ten feet without encountering some local wines available for tasting and for sale. They are very proud of their wine, which arguably captures the "terroir" that is so elusive in other places in the world. This Avignonesi, for example, is so full of earth and olives that it seems to have been scooped out of the ground from a nearby terraced hillside.
If you want a solid Tuscan wine, look at Nobile di Montalpulciano. You'll spend less than a Brunello and get a different kind of experience than a Chianti. On this particular occasion, I paid $24 for a half bottle through room service at the Four Seasons, however, this wine can be found in the store for about $20 for a standard 750 mL bottle. Raise a glass of Tuscan sun!
Fruit, olives, and moss on the palate
A little zip to the finish
Aah, Tuscany! I think I taste the Tuscan sun in this bottle. For anyone who's been to the hamlet of Montalpulciano in southern Tuscany, you probably have vivid memories of your experience. This may or may not be a good wine, but it will always taste like a romantic and enchanting wine because I first had it there. Montalpulciano is one of the strikingly improbably hill towns in Italy, perched on the edge of the sky like a ship out at sea. When you wind up the road to the center of the walled village, you cannot walk ten feet without encountering some local wines available for tasting and for sale. They are very proud of their wine, which arguably captures the "terroir" that is so elusive in other places in the world. This Avignonesi, for example, is so full of earth and olives that it seems to have been scooped out of the ground from a nearby terraced hillside.
If you want a solid Tuscan wine, look at Nobile di Montalpulciano. You'll spend less than a Brunello and get a different kind of experience than a Chianti. On this particular occasion, I paid $24 for a half bottle through room service at the Four Seasons, however, this wine can be found in the store for about $20 for a standard 750 mL bottle. Raise a glass of Tuscan sun!
Wine Review: Tamellini Soave Superiore 2003 (NW)
Light, crisp nose of citrus
Very soft and light on the palate
Good finish
What a nice food wine! This is a crisp wine with a good backbone of acidity and will go well with a variety of food. I paid $8 for a glass of this at a good Italian restaurant in Boston. The list of white Italian wines by the glass was extensive and I wanted to try a Soave. I haven't yet made it a point to shop for Soave in the local wine stores, so I'll make that a project for next Spring. I think of it as an alternative to Pinot Grigio (great for me because I'm not a big fan of Pinot Grigio). Soave can be an interesting wine and I'm looking forward to discovering more about it. Raise a glass!
Very soft and light on the palate
Good finish
What a nice food wine! This is a crisp wine with a good backbone of acidity and will go well with a variety of food. I paid $8 for a glass of this at a good Italian restaurant in Boston. The list of white Italian wines by the glass was extensive and I wanted to try a Soave. I haven't yet made it a point to shop for Soave in the local wine stores, so I'll make that a project for next Spring. I think of it as an alternative to Pinot Grigio (great for me because I'm not a big fan of Pinot Grigio). Soave can be an interesting wine and I'm looking forward to discovering more about it. Raise a glass!
Wine Review: Castle Rock Carneros Pinot Noir 2004 (NW)
Nose doesn't reveal much
Nice burst of soft fruit and milk chocolate on the palate
Clean finish
Bargain Pinot Noir can be tough to find. As a rule of thumb, it's a slightly more difficult grape to work with and, therefore, often more expensive than comparable bottlings of other major varietals. However, this is changing somewhat as more producers work with Pinot Noir along with their other reds.
This wine was $12, which is a decent price. It doesn't have all the mystery and excitement of a great Pinot Noir, but it's at least representative of the varietal and easy on the wallet. The funny thing about this wine is that it doesn't reveal much on the nose. I swirled and sniffed as much as possible but it seemed kind of flat. Then, after taking a sip, I was surprised at all of the flavor on the palate. It is very smooth, with a nice fruity quality and a layer of milk chocolate. This is the exact opposite of a lot of wines that are produced in the modern style. I often find that modern-style wines have a great nose then disappear on the palate with very little finish.
I recommend this wine as an inexpensive Pinot Noir, but not if you're looking for something exotic or exciting. For that, you'll probably have to spend a lot more money. Raise a glass!
Nice burst of soft fruit and milk chocolate on the palate
Clean finish
Bargain Pinot Noir can be tough to find. As a rule of thumb, it's a slightly more difficult grape to work with and, therefore, often more expensive than comparable bottlings of other major varietals. However, this is changing somewhat as more producers work with Pinot Noir along with their other reds.
This wine was $12, which is a decent price. It doesn't have all the mystery and excitement of a great Pinot Noir, but it's at least representative of the varietal and easy on the wallet. The funny thing about this wine is that it doesn't reveal much on the nose. I swirled and sniffed as much as possible but it seemed kind of flat. Then, after taking a sip, I was surprised at all of the flavor on the palate. It is very smooth, with a nice fruity quality and a layer of milk chocolate. This is the exact opposite of a lot of wines that are produced in the modern style. I often find that modern-style wines have a great nose then disappear on the palate with very little finish.
I recommend this wine as an inexpensive Pinot Noir, but not if you're looking for something exotic or exciting. For that, you'll probably have to spend a lot more money. Raise a glass!
Thanksgiving & The Wine Cask Blog
As you do your last minute shopping for that perfect bottle of after-the-turkey-and-pie Muscat or a nice pre-dinner sparkler, remember to check the Recommendations page of TWCB (The Wine Cask Blog) HERE.
You can point your Blackberry or other hand held browser to this page for a quick glance while you're in the store!
Then, let us know what you had and how you liked it!
Happy Thanksgiving Holiday
You can point your Blackberry or other hand held browser to this page for a quick glance while you're in the store!
Then, let us know what you had and how you liked it!
Happy Thanksgiving Holiday
Monday, November 21, 2005
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2001 [Real time review] (PB)
Okay, honestly, slap me and tell me to shut up but I have to rave yet again about this wine VALUE, spell that–V-A-L-U-E wine and here’s why. Yes, we have reviewed this wine previously, but as previously noted, we do routinely re-review wines because, uh...because we can and we like to see if our re-reviews are consistent with our past reviews among other things. But here’s the deal–I have a whopping cold and the flu to boot! I said to myself, “Self! You are NOT going to review anything because you know how awful your olfactory abilities are and are compromised with a raging rhinorrhea.”
Yes, that’s the way I talk to myself because in my past life I was a heavily inundated medically educated individual and the penchant for all things physiological are still extant. Sorry–in laymen’s terms; my smeller sucks at the moment and my mouth is so messed up with viral crud I shouldn’t be able to taste anything at all. But that’s why I HAD to review this wine in my dismal state of health.
Even with all this going on, this wine is absolutely stellar! I can’t believe it. I am slapping myself right now to make sure I am truly conscious because this wine which I am sipping at the moment is just, Oh man, GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!! Even with an impaired taster this wine is bursting with fresh berries and chocolate. And here’s the other thing; my mouth is painfully infected with sores--I knew you'd want to know that--and yet this wine is so stinking well made and balanced while it should be causing me to scream–-alcohol tends to do that to mouth sores–-this wine is soothing! I’m serious! Sheeeeeeeesh, this is such a good wine why are you NOT running out to buy it while you can? This wine is all of $11, $10 some places so what are you waiting for? Run, Forest Run! And then pop that cork and raise a glass to the avian flu while you’re perched on a branch somewhere gnawing a cuttle bone. I am sure this wine is even a great accompaniment to bird seed, now Go, Go RAISE a GLASS will you?
Yes, that’s the way I talk to myself because in my past life I was a heavily inundated medically educated individual and the penchant for all things physiological are still extant. Sorry–in laymen’s terms; my smeller sucks at the moment and my mouth is so messed up with viral crud I shouldn’t be able to taste anything at all. But that’s why I HAD to review this wine in my dismal state of health.
Even with all this going on, this wine is absolutely stellar! I can’t believe it. I am slapping myself right now to make sure I am truly conscious because this wine which I am sipping at the moment is just, Oh man, GOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!! Even with an impaired taster this wine is bursting with fresh berries and chocolate. And here’s the other thing; my mouth is painfully infected with sores--I knew you'd want to know that--and yet this wine is so stinking well made and balanced while it should be causing me to scream–-alcohol tends to do that to mouth sores–-this wine is soothing! I’m serious! Sheeeeeeeesh, this is such a good wine why are you NOT running out to buy it while you can? This wine is all of $11, $10 some places so what are you waiting for? Run, Forest Run! And then pop that cork and raise a glass to the avian flu while you’re perched on a branch somewhere gnawing a cuttle bone. I am sure this wine is even a great accompaniment to bird seed, now Go, Go RAISE a GLASS will you?
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Wine Review: Amon-Ra Barossa Valley Unfiltered Shiraz 2004 (NW)
Intense and beautiful deep, dark color
Nice bouquet of berries, cherry, and currant
Layers of silk on the palate
Finish goes on and on with more fruit, almond butter, and vanilla
I was in the mood for a ripe, fruity wine and this one delivered! It's so beautiful in the glass, though, you'll just want to look at it for a while. This is the kind of wine that can stain your finger tips instantly. When you do get around to tasting it, the silky layers go on forever. Our house guest brought this wine for dinner and we had a terrific pairing with pork tenderloin.
I decanted this wine because the label read "unfiltered" and I was unsure of how much sediment was present. Actually there was none, so the decanting may have helped open the wine up a little but was mostly just ceremonial.
This wine is a fairly small production from Barossa Valley grapes and is crafted by Ben Glaetzer, who is a passionate wine maker responsible for other outstanding Australian wines. After composing my notes, I looked up some reviews and this wine scores big points with the critics, especially Robert Parker, Jr. If you are looking for a top-notch Shiraz, this is a nice choice. It is expensive for Shiraz, at approximatley $65, but will be much more expensive in a few years as it joins the big leagues of highly-prized, small-production Barossa Valley Shiraz. Raise a glass!
Nice bouquet of berries, cherry, and currant
Layers of silk on the palate
Finish goes on and on with more fruit, almond butter, and vanilla
I was in the mood for a ripe, fruity wine and this one delivered! It's so beautiful in the glass, though, you'll just want to look at it for a while. This is the kind of wine that can stain your finger tips instantly. When you do get around to tasting it, the silky layers go on forever. Our house guest brought this wine for dinner and we had a terrific pairing with pork tenderloin.
I decanted this wine because the label read "unfiltered" and I was unsure of how much sediment was present. Actually there was none, so the decanting may have helped open the wine up a little but was mostly just ceremonial.
This wine is a fairly small production from Barossa Valley grapes and is crafted by Ben Glaetzer, who is a passionate wine maker responsible for other outstanding Australian wines. After composing my notes, I looked up some reviews and this wine scores big points with the critics, especially Robert Parker, Jr. If you are looking for a top-notch Shiraz, this is a nice choice. It is expensive for Shiraz, at approximatley $65, but will be much more expensive in a few years as it joins the big leagues of highly-prized, small-production Barossa Valley Shiraz. Raise a glass!
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Wine Review: Magnificent Wine Company House Wine 2003 (NW)
Fragrant nose
Strawberry and raspberry on the palate
A dark, woody layer
Nice finish with moderate tannis
There is a lot of great wine from the Columbia Valley in Washington and this is no exception. It's an interesting blend of grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. This is close to a Bordeaux-style blend, but not quite due to the Syrah. It has good texture and nice overall flavors. Don't let the label fool you- it looks like a home-made label with "House Wine" in huge black-on-white lettering. I paid $10 for the wine on sale, reduced from $12. Raise a glass!
Strawberry and raspberry on the palate
A dark, woody layer
Nice finish with moderate tannis
There is a lot of great wine from the Columbia Valley in Washington and this is no exception. It's an interesting blend of grapes with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. This is close to a Bordeaux-style blend, but not quite due to the Syrah. It has good texture and nice overall flavors. Don't let the label fool you- it looks like a home-made label with "House Wine" in huge black-on-white lettering. I paid $10 for the wine on sale, reduced from $12. Raise a glass!
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