Chilean Carménère

Augustus D. Juilliard, founder of the famous New York conservatory
Paul Revere, silversmith and patriot during the American Revolution
John James Audubon, painter and ornithologist
What do these three people have in common? All were born in the Americas of French parents who sailed across the Atlantic for better opportunities, and these children did great things with their lives in the Western Hemisphere.
Pinot Noir never needed to leave France; the successful stay home. Yes, it has accomplished much in California and New Zealand, but Burgundy still holds the World Welterweight Championship for this grape. Semillon has been planted all over the globe yet has never achieved the sublime glory of Sauternes from Bordeaux.
But for various reasons including Phylloxera France abandoned, neglected, or ignored a handful of native grapes that took root and flourished elsewhere, particularly in South America. Tannat in Uruguay. Malbec in Argentina. And in Chile, a grape that was misidentified for years as Merlot, nearly forgotten, and recently developed to incredible new heights: Carménère.
It's interesting to note that the current president of Chile is Michelle Bachelet, the great-great granddaughter of a French wine merchant who emigrated to Chile in 1860, a few years after the arrival of Carménère.
With a glass raised south toward the honored country for Memphis in May 2009, here are six great Chilean Carménères that I tried with friends and family over a long dinner.

Note: All wines were tasted alone before dinner, with food during the various courses, and one last time after dinner.
The first wine opened during the appetizer course (green grapes and Dubliner cheese) was the 2007 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carménère. 100% Carménère from the Rapel Valley, $10. Vegetal, green tomato leaf aroma, with cherry and licorice flavors. This, like the rest of the Carmeneres, was dark and deep purple.
For the first course, I roasted a rack of lamb (marinated in a Chinese tea--more on that in a future post) and seared in a skillet. I paired it with Raichlen's chimichurri sauce, a traditional South American accompaniment to roast meat. Avocado and kiwi are important Chilean exports, so I threw them on the plate as well. A little dry salami rounded things out.
With the first course I served two wines. The 2006 Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Carménère is 86% Carménère, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot from the Rapel Valley, $15. Smooth and rich with aromas of green bell pepper and flavors of black cherry. The 2006 San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Carménère is 100% Carménère from the Maule Valley, $17. Grassy, with Haut-Medoc characteristics after breathing. Flavors included plum and black pepper. Surprising complexity over the course of the evening.
Next up was a course of French onion soup served in coffee mugs with baguette rounds toasted with shredded Gruyère. (Particularly in a dinner party setting, I love serving soup in cups. Smaller portions, easier distribution.) Here I served the 2006 Caliterra Tribute Carménère, 86% Carménère, 10% Merlot, 4% Merlot from the Colchagua Valley, $17. Bright raspberry aromas, with smooth coffee and chocolate flavors after breathing.
For the third course we took an intermission: with a nod to the seafood traditions of Chile, an ensalada de camarones, or shrimp salad. Tossed with a white wine/Dijon/honey vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and grapes over mesclun greens. Served with sparkling water to clear the palate and ready the taste buds for the next plating...
The fourth course was a (not pictured) ribeye roast cooked to a perfect medium rare and served with a trio of Hollandaise, leftover chimichurri sauce, and a horseradish/sour cream sauce. The side dish (much loved by my sister-in-law) was sherry vinegar and molasses glazed carrots. With the beef I poured the last two wines, starting with the 2005 Estampa Gold Carménère Assemblage Red Blend, 53% Carménère, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, from the Colchagua Valley, $22. This was my favorite of the evening, combining a gorgeous eucalyptus and earth aroma with tart cherry flavors. A hint of anise completed the whole experience. Also well received around the table was the great 2006 De Martino "Alto de Piedra" Single Vineyard Carménère, 100% Carménère from the Maipo Valley, $30. Violets and spice aromas, blackberry flavors and a firm tannic finish.
To finish things off, honored guests the Squirrels were kind enough to make shortbread stuffed with a persimmon filling and topped with Bourbon-flavored whipped cream. Though belts were being loosened throughout the dining room, this dessert was a big hit and a definite new flavor for many at the table. Personally I want to see this dish replace pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.
Dessert was accompanied by a handful of Ports that were on hand, but this post is all about Chile and the wonderful wines produced on the West Coast of South America.
For more on Chilean wines (not just Carmenere), be sure to check out Wines of Chile for lots of great links and information.

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Last Minute Sparkling Wine Recommendations

For those of you doing your shopping on the way to a party tonight, here's some sparkling wine recommendations. Whenever you see "NV" in my reviews, it means "non-vintage", or there's no particular year ascribed to the wine--it might be a mix of multiple vintages, or it might just be an inexpensive table wine. It should not be inferred that they are produced in the state of Nevada. Also, I rarely if ever drink proper Champagne. It's more of a cost concern than anything else, but there are loads of tasty sparklers from all over the world, including the non-Champagne regions of France.
First, here are 23 previous posts that include information on sparkling wine. Most of them are great little wines, just stay away from the Soviet Champagne of Belarus. I can still taste that abomination months later.
Second, check out Fredric Koeppel's annual 12 Days of Christmas salute to sparkling wines. He's got some great bottles there and there's very little overlap in the bubbly we've reviewed.
Now for a few of my own that have been sitting in the review queue for a while...
One that can be found nearly everywhere is the NV Yellowtail Sparkling Rosé, which runs for around $7. Beautiful light salmon color, dry and crisp with raspberry aromas and flavors. The large bubbles give it a soda mouthfeel. Not as fruity as I'd imagined, and it had a slightly bitter finish I wasn't expecting (note that I love bitter flavors, and they show up from time time in all sorts of wine). I couldn't find any information on the grapes used here, but I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this. Sparkling rosés are a growing segment of the sparkler market, and this might be easier for you to find than some of the European bottles.
Prosecco is a longtime favorite here at BWR, and increased production in Italy and elsewhere means that there are new brands to try every year. On general principles I'd avoid the Austrian one packaged in cans and promoted by Paris Hilton. Instead, why not try something like the Italian NV Martini & Rossi Prosecco. $12, a light 10.5% abv. It's got a little orange peel aroma, light bubbles in the frizzante style, and crisp lemon and almond flavors. Great bargain bottle that's conveniently enclosed with a beer bottle cap, meaning that this should be perfect for taking to parties. (A few other Prosecco and sweet Moscato d'Asti wines are capped like this--great for BBQs or other informal gatherings.)
It's not pictured here, but I'd highly recommend anything from Domaine Ste. Michelle, particularly the Blanc de Noirs. The varieties range from dry to sweet, some blends, some single grape. These are affordable, delicious sparkling wines from Washington state, and I always keep one on hand in case I need something to kick off a dinner. The voluptuous Ste. Michelle bottles can often be found for as little as $12, which is a real steal. And of course the sparkling wines of Gruet in New Mexico will always have a special place in my heart.
What will I be drinking on New Year's Eve? The Spanish NV Segura Viudas Reserva Heredad. $25, 12% abv. Penedès region of Spain. I've had it before, but I've really been in a Cava mood lately. Plus, you've got to admire a bottle that eschews the label for a metal badge. Certainly the guys from Dethklok would approve.
I hope all of you have a happy and safe New Year, and be sure to eat your black eyed peas!
P.S. In the comments, be sure to note your bubbles of choice for ringing in the New Year. Or if you went in a different direction--say the family tradition is 6 Puttonyos Tokaji--list that as well. I think my first NYE adult beverage was a sip of peach schnapps in the late 80s.

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Benito vs. the Cigar: Oliva Serie V

For the first cigar review of 2009, a product line that's been showing up on a lot of Top 10 lists for 2008 is represented here by the Oliva Serie V Special Figurado Nicaragua, 6"x60.
Thick, creamy smoke on this one, with flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and a little coffee. The perfecto shape is a little unusual but is a traditional style and can be a unique experience.
The book is The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon. It's an alternative history novel, in which WWII ended differently and European/Russian Jews settled in Sitka, Alaska instead of Israel. (This was a real proposal at the time.) So you end up with a whole Yiddish-speaking micronation right next to native tribal lands. And despite being a novel about Jews in Alaska, it never repeats themes or jokes from Northern Exposure, though I did guffaw at the nickname "The Frozen Chosen".
At the heart of it all is a murder mystery that has to be solved by our Jewish detective and his half-Tlingit sidekick Berko. It's an interesting read but it really helps to know in advance about the alternative history elements.
Going back in time a bit, an author that seemingly required a cigar in hand to be able to write, breathe, or function as a human was Mark Twain. Starting at the age of 8, he consumed upwards of twenty cigars a day for the rest of his life, only purchasing the cheapest, nastiest cigars possible. For his personal cigar philosphy, read his brief essay "Concerning Tobacco".
If you're interested in reading some modern cigar writing, start at Cigar Inspector and then follow the blogroll links. Denis, a Bordeaux enthusiast, wrote me recently about the overlap between cigar- and wine-blogging, and while there's a lot of participant crossover, it doesn't show up much in the writing. As always, I love to hear from readers, and let me know if you're a fan of both cigars and wine, two true pleasures on God's green earth.

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Wine Gift Set

It never hurts to have multiple corkscrews around the house or elsewhere. I keep at least one upstairs, one downstairs, and in my luggage. Some folks keep one in the car's glove compartment (in case of emergencies, of course).
My first corkscrew was on my Swiss Army Knife I got at the age of 11, and although it's a little tricky I've successfully used it over the years, even when I was way too young to drink wine. My second corkscrew served me well in the years after high school before finally self destructing on a problematic synthetic cork. All of the rest that are in use at Casa Benito were gifts from friends or business associates. And the corkscrew makes a great gift: everyone needs one, even if he or she is not a frequent wine drinker.
While the holidays are over, for those in business it's increasingly important to retain clients. Personalized gifts can be a great way to remind your customers how much you appreciate their business, as well as providing a reminder that will keep your name in circulation for years afterward. The Cutter & Buck American Classic Wine Set from FortePromo.com comes in an attractive leather case and includes three tools: a waiter-style corkscrew, a pouring spout, and a metal ring with a felt lining for catching the drips. (The felt ring is the one wine gadget I didn't have before--but it helps save the tablecloth as well as preserving the label for photos or if you like to peel and save your wine labels.)
The nice thing about this is that it doesn't take up a lot of space. It's about 6" x 2" x 4½" and looks classy when closed and sitting on a desk. My big rabbit corkscrew comes in something the size of a shoebox. The corkscrew performs well as do the other components. You can also check out some of their other wine accessories.
Disclaimer: I'm not receiving financial compensation for this review or for sales of this product. It's a genuinely good product that fits my wine needs, and I enjoy supporting companies that produce such wine/food accessories.

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2007 Albet i Noya Xarel-Lo

It's time for a lovely little Spanish white: this is the 2007 Albet i Noya Xarel-Lo. $14, 12% abv. Grapefruit and apricot aromas, with just a little earth and overripe bananas. This has big, strong acidity, with heavy grapefruit peel flavors. Oh please, give me some garlicky shellfish to go with this wine. Or just take me to a beach and give me a sharp rock, I'll find something salty and edible.
I love this wine but this name/grape combination might as well be Chinese for most folks. For the benefit of Google searches, I'm going to break it down in excruciating detail. Let's start with the grape part. Unlike Chardonnay and Chablis, you'll probably never encounter a stripper with the stage name Xarel-Lo.
How do you pronounce Xarel-Lo? This varies a bit depending on the specific town you're from in Northeast Spain, but either sha-REL-lo or cha-REL-lo works. Want something easier? Remember that your friend Cheryl Lowe recommended it to you. It's a light white grape that's used to make the sparkling wine Cava as well as still wines like this example. That high acid serves as a good clue: fine Champagnes are so high in acidity as to be virtually undrinkable before the second fermentation. This wine is nowhere near that acidic, but it's obvious the grape has the potential, and sometimes that tart flavor is perfect. After all, one night you want the vanilla ice cream, another night you want the lemon sorbet.
So what's up with the name Albet i Noya? First off, it's not "Albert i Noya", there's no r in there.
I know that sometimes royals place the regnal ordinal between two names. For instance, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf is the current King of Sweden*. Sometimes that number comes before the nickname, as in France with Pepin III the Short, Charles II the Bald, and Eudes I the Insane. However, the regnal ordinal is always a capital Roman numeral. So a few hours of tracing the family tree of Spanish monarchs went down the drain.
Albet i Noya is the family name connected with the winery, but what about that little i? The answer lies in one of the many delightful Romance languages that aren't well known outside of their regions. In this case, it's Northeast Spain's Català (Catalan). In Català the copulative conjunction and is i instead of y as in Castellano or standard Spanish. And then you just follow the rules of the particle y Spanish naming custom that became popular in the 16th century. Mystery solved!
I'm pretty impressed with Spanish wine websites. Many are trilingual, in English, Spanish, and the regional language. I even saw one in Galego (Galician) recently. You don't see this much with Italy and France; I'd love to see a website published in Saintongeais, Occitan, or Friulian.
*He gave her things that she was needin'.

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A Small Bouquet of Rosé

How about some extra posts this week?
With much rejoicing, I celebrate the fact that dry rosés have enough market share to remain on the shelves well past the hot summer months. These wines have gone from curiosity to fad in the past couple of years, but I think they still occupy an odd spot in the old food+wine thinking. While these are the perfect beverages of summer, let's not forget their ability to pair with a wide range of food and to appeal to a wide range of palates and experience levels.
First up is the 2006 A to Z Oregon Rosé. $12, 13% abv, and a label set primarily in Zapfino. Made from 100% Sangiovese harvested in Southern Oregon. It's pretty rich and full bodied for a rosé, and is a little off-dry. Aromas and flavors of strawberry and watermelon, and it's got a bit of that Jolly Rancher approach to both. I paired it with leftover mushroom lasagne and a little salad... Comfort food on a rainy afternoon.
Now let's turn our attention to Spain with the 2007 Condesa de Leganza Rosado. $12, 12.5% abv. Pure Tempranillo from the La Mancha region. Nose of light raspberry and apples. Bright, refreshing flavor with a sangria tang to it. Dry but fruity, with a tannic edge on the finish. On the color front, is it just me or are many rosés getting darker?
For some reason I've been on a linguistics kick recently, so get ready for some more amateur analysis. While Alaskan native tribes don't really have dozens of words for snow, some languages are better at describing nuances than others. Greek is far better than English when it comes to love, which would make life far less complicated for our nation's teenagers. In a similar vein, the French have an impressive vocabulary to describe rosés. Here's a partial list, and I'll note that doing research in a language you don't fully speak is sort of like walking with concrete blocks tied to your feet, so my apologies for any errors in translation, and I welcome any native-speaking French rosé fans to correct this list, which is in alphabetical as opposed to chromatic order:

• blanc taché - stained white
• clairet - pale
• faible - weak
• gris - gray
• jaune orangé - yellow-orange
• oeil-de-perdrix - eye of the partridge (Très poétique, non?)
• orangé - orange
• pelure d'oignon - onion skin
• rosé franc - free or frank pink
• rosé jaune - yellow-pink
• rosé orangé - orange-pink
• rosé vif - sharp pink
• rosé violet - purple-pink
• roux - russet-red
• tuile - tile (like a Spanish tile roof)

Obviously other languages have their own descriptive terms for the various shades between red and white, but I leave that exercise to other writers. In closing, often cross-cultural understanding can produce something new and unique. The American songwriter Jim Steinman wrote "Total Eclipse of the Heart", which was popularized by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler and it became a huge hit in the mid-80s. Years later the Norwegian band Hurra Torpedo made it awesome with the help of some household appliances.

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2007 FERRARI-CARANO PINOT GRIGIO

I stopped at one of our bigger wine stores in town to stock up on several bottles as we were having friends over for a cookout on Memorial Day. I quickly found several chardonnays that were decently priced and then turned my attention to the Pinot Gris. Seeing that the Kings Estate was on sale with a savings of $6.00/bottle I reached for one. The lady who was helping me locate the Pinot Gris stopped me and pointed out today's reviewed wine, the 2007 Ferrari-Carano Pinot Grigio. Telling me it was new to the Arkansas market, was every bit as good as the Kings Estate, and was also priced at $14.99/bottle, I let her talk me into this one. I wish I hadn't! Not that this is a bad wine, by any stretch, it's just no Kings Estate and it is definitely over-priced at $14.99/bottle. Some melon and peach were noted on the nose with kiwi, honeydew melon and lemon picked up on the palate. Not the kind of finish I like, rather biting and harsh, made this wine mediocre in my book. I can't recommend this wine at any price point above $7-8/bottle. I gave it 2 Corkscrews and only arrived at that rating after my second day of tasting. I thought it might get up to the 3 Corkscrew rating the second day but, alas, it wasn't meant to be. I suggest laying off this one unless you get a great, closeout price on it. Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often, Drink Wine!

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2006 LA VIEILLE FERME COTES DU LUBERON

Today's reviewed wine is a lovely Cotes du Luberon Blanc White from Rhone Valley Vineyards. I found this one recently and was shocked to find, first, a French anything in Arkansas, and second, a really good French white! This one comes with a screw off cap, even the French are giving into that trend, but after pouring my first tasting I quickly forgot about the lack of cork. Lots of fruit, particularly green apple, with just a hint of dryness, peach and oak. A very nice floral bouquet and spice led to a beautiful, smooth finish. I paid around $11.99 for this one which means if you're just about anywhere else in the world you can probably find it for $8.99 or less. I easily gave this find 4 Corkscrews and highly recommend it. I know I'll be picking up several more bottles in the coming days. Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often, Drink Wine!

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2006 ERRATIC CHARDONNAY

Never has a wine been more appropriately named. The 2006 Erratic Chardonnay from Washington state definitely has an "erratic" taste. On the nose maybe a little hint of lemon but couldn't pick up anything else. When I first tasted this it was well-chilled and the flavors on the palate were pretty much non-existent. It got a little better after it warmed a few degrees but I still couldn't find anything to recommend about this wine. Finish was, how can I say this with a straight face, erratic! Not smooth but also not harsh. Just finished. I paid $8.99 for this bottle which was about $6.99 too much. Avoid this one. Not sinkable but darn close! Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often, Drink Wine other than Erratic Chardonnay!

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D.C. TRIP, OLD EBBITT GRILL & INDEBLEU

Business called me back to D.C. and another stay at the Grand Hyatt. If you missed my last trip where I stayed there you can read about it here. This time I got the room I reserved and all was well. Fortunately #1 was able to come with me on this trip which made it much more enjoyable. We landed at Reagan National around 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday and promptly arrived at the Grand Hyatt by 2:00 p.m. A great thing about this hotel is that I've always been able to check-in early, even though the "official" check-in time is 3:00 p.m. I've even seen people checking in at 9:00 a.m.! After we got settled we headed off to the Old Ebbitt Grill , a Washington institution that brims with history and ambiance. We went on the light side when ordering, I had a single crab cake special, which was almost 100% crab meat, and #1 ordered a Caesar salad, a cheese sampler plate that we shared, and a dozen sumptuous oysters that we also shared. All Oysters and Shrimp Cocktails are half-priced after 3:00 p.m., f.y.i.

After this great lunch we headed back to our king-sized bed for a luxury that comes round once every 4 to 5 years or so. An afternoon nap! Nothing like turning on the air conditioner full blast, getting the room nice and dark, and snoozing for a few hours. Nirvana! After our siesta we did a quick search of available, area restaurants and made a reservation at Indebleu . We made our reservation through OpenTable.com which I highly recommend for major city reservations. It is fast, easy and costs nothing. They've also got a lot of good information about the different restaurants and reviews from users and others. Indebleu ended up being an excellent choice! #1 ordered the Seared Foie Gras while I had a special called Crispy Sea Bass. Both were delicious and the Foie Gras was so good that we ordered a second serving. We accompanied all of this Asian-fusion styled food with a delicious bottle of a red, French Pinot Noir, whose name, unfortunately, I didn't save. It was offered by the glass but we talked the waiter into letting us buy a whole bottle at a 4-glass price. We still came out ahead and it was really good wine. Day 2 in my next post. Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often, Drink Wine in D.C.!

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DAY TWO: D.C. COAST AND DYNAMITE VINEYARDS

Day Two in Washington, D.C. and the weather is great. You never know how it is going to be in mid-Summer as the heat and humidity can be stifling. A morning filled with a meeting led to a rendezvous with #1 back at our hotel and then a short walk to a french bistro for lunch. We chose Bistro D'Oc across from the infamous Ford's Theater and had an acceptable lunch but nothing to write home about, or post about on a blog. Selections were mediocre and their wine was uninspired and overpriced. Our dinner choice, however, was much different. We made reservations at D.C. Coast and were promptly seated when we arrived. A great vibe at this restaurant and good food/wine to match. We had the Caesar Salad w/anchovies, the Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, the Double Cut Pork Chop and finished it off with a delightful souffle'. All of our selections were delicious+. Of course we had to drink something with this and both ordered the 2006 Dynamite Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. A very light, buttery wine with nice acidity and apple and grass noted on the palate. Very refreshing finish and so tasty we each had a couple of glasses. Check out this restaurant when you're in D.C., and try the Dynamite Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, as I don't think you'll be disappointed in either. Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often, Drink Wine!

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HESS CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2006

A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvgnon, 8% Syrah, 4% Merlot. 45% Mendocino Country, 30% Lake County, 25% Napa County. 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with ripe berries and red cherries on the nose. Solid mouth-drying tannins, tart cherries and cranberries, black currant, vanilla, oak and spice on the palate. Black cherry with a hint of sweetness on the finish. Medium-bodied with a smooth mouthfeel.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A very good entry level Cabernet. Good fruit, structure and easy to pair with foods. Suggested retail is around $17 which means if you can find this wine on sale for around $15 I think it is a decent buy. It is a little simplistic lacking some complexity but both the alcohol and oak are in check. Definitely the kind of wine that will be an easy crowd-pleaser but at the same time it won't wow anyone.

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MEINHARD FORSTREITER GRUNER VELTLINER SCHIEFER - 2006

Dry white Gruner Veltliner from Austria with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale gold color with complex nose of lime, citrus, pear, orange and hints of petrol. On the palate there's honeydew melon, sour apples, pears, orange creamsicle and banana on the finish. Some frizzante in the glass. Oak and honey-caramel emerge on the second day.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

Packed with flavors and complexity. This is a superb Gruner. Retails for around $17 making this a tremendous offering. I love this wine and highly recommend it.

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CHATEAU REIGNAC BORDEAUX SUPERIEUR - 2000

Made from 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple color with a beautiful charcoal-smoked oak nose. Lots of barnyard on the nose as well on pop and pour. Medium-bodied with lush dark fruits, hints of chalk and chocolate, earth and flowers, tobacco and vanilla. Great plum finish. High acidity suggests this wine has many years to go ahead of it.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

Simply terrific and beautiful effort. Gorgeous fruit and balance. Wonderful character and smoke. Bought this wine for around $20 on release. It is worth twice that price if you can find it. Love this wine.

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MATCH VINEYARDS BUTTERDRAGON HILL CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2002

14.6% alcohol. This is the first year this wine was made.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark ruby color with chocolate, cocoa, and raspberry on the nose. Black cherry, berries, creamy vanilla, and charred oak upfront with currant, plum and blackberries on the mid-palate. The finish is rich with well-defined flavors of chocolate covered raisins. Smooth tannin and well-balanced.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

Wonderfully put together wine especially for a first vintage. Drinking very well right now although will definitely last a few years in the cellar. Nice integration of oak and alcohol. This wine is more subtle and polished for a California Cabernet. If you are looking for a big over-the-top Cab with power, this isn't the bottle for you. It is more graceful and understated effort. Retails for around $60 a bottle.

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QUINTA DO PORTAL COLHEITA DOURO- 2002

Produced from Tinta Roriz (45%), Touriga Franca (25%), and Touriga National (15%) grape varieties and aged for 9 months in oak barrels. 12.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Ruby color with creamy oak and red fruits on the nose. Overly simplistic and very smooth with black currant and blackberry notes. Lighter bodied than expected.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

82 PTS

You almost can't go wrong with Douros from Portugal, but this one comes up short. Too simplistic and not all that enjoyable. For around $10 a bottle this is a very affordable wine but it is not one I'd recommend.

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LEGRAS BRUT CHAMPAGNE BLANC DE BLANC

Happy New Year! 2009 Begins with a pop, as in Champagne cork.

 

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow-tan color with aromas of sourdough bread, yeast, and green apple. Toasted oak flavor components are accented with lots of lemon zest and apple. Very dry, with great acidity. Menthol flavors emerge very late on the finish.

 

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS

A very round and polished Champagne. Bubbles on this one were still vibrant on day 3 and the the flavors were as sharp as when first opened. The alcohol was showing through on the nose at first, but settled down rather quickly as this sparkler opened up. Retails for around $40 making it a solid competitor in its price setting.

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Mount Pleasant Winery - 2003 Norton

This past week we opened another bottle from our Norton collection, a 2003 from Mount Pleasant Winery. We had purchased this wine after it had won the 2005 Missouri Governor's Cup - at a premium of course. Mount Pleasant Winery is one of Missouri's oldest wineries, first established in 1959. It later became a casualty of Prohibition, but was re-opened almost 50 years ago by the Dressel family. And today, the Norton grape is as great a part of the enterprise as it was a century ago.
Their 2003 Norton is a dry, full bodied wine and surprisingly spicy - more like a Syrah than a Norton. Initially there was also only a slight grapey flavor and the spicy finish was dominant. However, as the wine was left to breathe, the spiciness subsided in favor of the grape flavor. We discovered this after opening the bottle pairing with a bowl of chili. Initially the spiciness from each offering contradicted each other and we set the glasses to the side. After dinner, we tried the wine again and found that "decanting" mellowed the wine where it was much more complementary to spicy foods. The wine worked in both scenerios; if you would like a Syrah styled wine - drink this Norton immediately. If you are looking for a more traditional Norton - full bodied wine - let the wine decant.

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Virginia Wine Lover Magazine

The Virginia Wine Lover Magazine published our article on Virginia Meaderies in their November newsletter. We also received our copy of the Winter issue of the quarterly magazine. There are nice articles on the Shenandoah Valley and Corks - plus a dinner with Thomas Jefferson.

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Barrel Oak Winery

After many months of delay, we finally visited Barrel Oak Winery, another new winery in Fauquier County. Sharon and Brian Roeder officially launched the winery in May 2008 and we have been lax in visiting - even after several friends and fellow bloggers had favorable impressions after their visits. This weekend the winery was hosting a Pumpkin Decorating for the Kids! so we drove out Route 66 for a visit. Several other families had already beaten us to the winery, and this was apparently a slow day. There were also several four legged friends as BOW encourages visitors to bring their leashed pets. Not only are dogs allowed on the patio - they are also welcome inside the tasting room. Our dogs like that idea.
Barrel Oak is located on a hill overlooking Little Cobbler Mountain and the John Marshall Oak Hill estate. The two year old estate vines roll along one side of the property and soon BOW will have a local source of Traminette, Seyval Blanc, Merlot, Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, Petit Verdot and Petit Manseng. In the meanwhile, the winery sources grapes from several well established vineyards including Keswick Vineyards. The production facilities are built into a hill and the winery is heated and cooled by a geothermal system.
When we arrived, the children quickly found the pumpkin painting area and we were escorted to the tasting bar. The winery opened on a grand scale - producing over a dozen styles of wine. That's a large selection for any winery - not to mention one in its infancy. We started with the BowHaus White, a semi-dry blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Vidal Blanc. It has a citrus flavor and balanced acidity - and it was selected as our picnic choice for the day. The Seyval Blanc and Chardonnay Reserve were next with the later being a favorite. It is made in the traditional European style - sur lees - and fermented in stainles steel and aged in neutral French oak. The final white was their Viognier and this was the most interested version of this varietal we had tasted. It is made dry - but contains some sweetness. The citrus flavor makes way for a silky finish produced by aging in Hungarian oak. This is a nice wine. It's no surprise that the Late Harvest Viognier was also a good dessert styled wine.
Turning to reds, we started with the Bowhaus Red a table wine blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Malbec, and Touriga; Bordeaux and Portugal in a bottle. For a young wine, this is remarkably smooth with great flavor and little acidity. This was our second choice for the afternoon's picnic. The next wine was the Tour Ga Franc, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Touriga, and possibly the first time we had tasted this combination. It is also smooth with a little more spiciness than the Bowhaus Red. Plus, $2 from every bottle is donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. They followed with several Bordeaux styled wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The last was our favorite and perhaps our overall favorite; it is dry, full bodied with cherry and some chocolate flavors. This is a big wine. The other Bordeaux styled wines were not bad either - the Cabernet Sauvignon had a unique nutty finish whereas the Merlot and Cabernet Franc both had full cherry flavors with a slight spiciness to the Cab Franc.
Besides being only an hour outside of Washington, D.C., Barrel Oak Winery offers several incentives to visit. They host various events each month ranging from Friday night movies, Saturday night music, barrel tasting, book signing, plus more.... Even after the events, visitors must have an incentive to return which usually has a direct correlation to the quality of the wine. We really liked the wines, both the whites and reds - and the wine is competitively priced to other wineries in the area. So count us as future returnees.
More pictures are available at Compass Tours at Wine-Compass.com.

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2007 Cuvaison Chardonnay $16

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Fresh, lively aromas or peaches, lime, vanilla and minerals. The initial entry is smooth and clean with a soft creamy finish. Bright citrus and stone fruit flavors linger with a refreshing acidity. Lots of stone fruit flavors with hints of honeysuckle and honeydew melon.

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1998 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyards $28

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Aromas of French oak and tobacco. Flavors of cherry, leather and rich in oak. Wonderful tannin base to ripe berry flavors - a long toasty finish. A little less in body compared to the '99 vintage along with complexity.

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1999 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon $16

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Acclaim: Smart Buy

This is a great value for the quality that's in the bottle. This cab has an incredible luscious nose full of oak and dark cherry aromas - those classic cabernet qualities! It has good structure - there's big oak influence but enough cherry and berries to provide an elegant balance. The tannins are soft but could go on for a few more years. The leathery qualities truly shine in the finish along with the right balance of fruit. This is a great buy, not necessarily a heavy cab, but it certainly stands on it's own. This vintage year cab is drinking incredibly well now but should dazzle you in a couple more years.

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1999 Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon $85

Rating: 5 Stars

Acclaim: Special Selection

Coeur de Vigne meaning "Heart of the Vineyard" is a perfect description for this wine. This is a private reserve, 100% Estate grown, blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot. Deep red color, this wine offers aromas that tantalize the nose. Wonderfully hints of dark cherry, creamy vanilla, and rich oak makes you wish one could swim in such a mixture. Flavors of cherry, raspberry and a finish of chocolate and oak spice. Perfect harmony and balance.

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2006 Seghesio Zinfandel San Lorenzo $60

Rating: 5 Stars

Acclaim: Special Selection

This Zinfandel is flawless and doesn't disappoint. From the aromas, to the initial hit on the palate, through the lingering finish... perfect. Bright bing cherries, jammy blackberries and a spicebox of herbs and pepper liven your senses. Fresh, REALLY fresh wild berries hit the front palate and linger through the finish which boasts bittersweet chocolate and gushing, chewy tannins. Perfectly balanced from start to finish.

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2005 Baldassari Family Wines Syrah $31

Rating: 5 Stars

Acclaim: Highly Recommended

Simply stunning. Enticing aromas of wild black berries and spices wrap nuances of rich earth tones, vanilla and hearty oak. Letting it open up reveals aromas of smokey, aged beef and herbs. Beautifully deep hues set up the blanket of fruit that bursts of the palette. Perfectly balanced. Loads of full-bodied tannins that truly linger but never overpowers the complexity this wine offers.

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McWilliam's Hanwood Estate 2006 Riesling wine review by Billy

Nose: creamy sweet lemon custard aroma
Palate: very dry, sprightly citrus with robust acid for strength and structure.
Finish: lively finish of green grass that is over too quickly.
Overall: I am blown away by the quality of this Australian Riesling. I paid 6 dollars for this on sale but it usually doesn't go for more than 12. This is an excellent value white. Absolutely brilliant in its simplicity which adds elegance. Perfect for parties and entertaining.

--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

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Rosenblum "Abba Vineyard" Syrah 2005 wine review by (PB)

This is another amazing wine from Rosenblum. This single vineyard Syrah from Lodi is just plain wonderful!
Deep black cherry hue with a bouquet of pure black cherry, cola, mint, and baker's chocolate with sweet banana chip notes--I kid you not. Wow.
Palate--Elegant tannins with a rich velvety texture bursting with berries, berries and more berries all integrated splendidly. This was GREAT with my venison roast and even at $25, it was a real treat and a value! Raise a glass!

--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

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Ajello Furat 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

wild berries, black licorice, and chocolate on the nose

full-bodied

smooth finish of dark berries, cocoa, vanilla, and oak

A number of wines from Sicily are decidedly modern, including this one. This is a full-bodied red blend of Nero D'Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot with plenty of oak treatment.

If you're looking for a rustic Nero D'Avola, don't open this wine. However, if you're looking for big fruit and plush texture, this wine is well made and decently priced at $17 or so. Raise a glass!

--A Review from The Wine Cask Blog. Creative Commons: Attribution - ShareAlike 2.5 applies

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Purple Moon Shiraz 2004

I picked up a nice bottle of good cheap wine: Purple Moon Shiraz from Trader Joe’s. This wine, made in Manteca California, was a pretty typical Shiraz with an atypical price tag. For only $3.99, this turned out to be one of many fantastic selections I made at Trader Joe’s.

I enjoyed this Shiraz with some Trader Joe’s Mild Fresh Salsa… boy! What a match!

It was dark plum in color and lots of fruit, the “dry Shiraz” fans that sampled this wine with me loved it. I enjoyed it at a perfect 54 degrees F, so that may have enhanced my enjoyment of this cheap wine.
Now, when I usually write a post I research it on the internet. Aside from some web-spam, this cheap wine didn’t show up at all. Well, I feel this wine deserves some more publicity, so here it is!

Would buy again, without doubt. Stay tuned for my full tribute to Trader Joe’s (and Charles Shaw AKA Two-Buck Chuck)!

Has anyone else tried this? Has anyone been able to get it from places other than Trader Joe’s?

Rating: 8/10
Price: $3.99
Place of purchase: Trader Joe’s

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The Fox Barn’s Harvest White

Since moving to Pensacola Beach from Michigan, I have been longing for a great, cheap, rich Michigan wine. Well, Harvest White from the Fox Barn Winery fits the bill!

This semi-dry white has all the characteristics of the wine I loved so much from Michigan. Spicy, fruity and “snappy”, this wine was a perfect companion on this hot, humid Florida night while we enjoyed some Bands on the Beach.

Since moving to Florida, I’ve really become aware to how good I had it in Michigan. You couldn’t drive an hour in any direction before hitting a winery, and I do miss being able to do just that. Many of the gas stations down here in Pensacola sell all the generic cheap wines: Yellow Tail, Beringer, etc, but you’re not likely to find anything from a local vineyard.

My friend (the one that graciously brought me this wine down all the way from Shelby, MI) mentioned that the tasting room at The Fox Barn Winery was just recently opened, and was a lot of fun to visit. According to their website, it looks as though they have nice little produce market as well.

I am definitely going to check this place out the next time I’m in Michigan, and I would recommend anyone traveling near Shelby to stop in as well.

You can also check out Fox Barn’s website, or their blog.

Rating: 9/10 - Great!
Price: Not sure, since it was a gift, but I think my friend mentioned it was less than 10 dollars.
Winery Info:
The Fox Barn Winery
Paw Paw, Michigan
Phone: 231-861-8050

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Two Wines from Two Vines

With today being Christmas Eve, newer readers to this site might enjoy my April visit to the house where the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story was filmed.
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Columbia Crest produces many easy drinking, affordable wines made in Washington state. If you're new to wine it wouldn't hurt to work your way through their product line--their bottles are available everywhere and it's a great way to get started. I particularly like the Grand Estates wines and will try out the Horse Heaven Hills when I get the chance. On the bargain end of the product line are the Two Vines wines, so named after a method of trellising the plants in the vineyard.
2006 Two Vines Vineyard 10 White Wine. $8, 13% abv. It's made of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. Aromas of peach and apple, with flowers as it warms up. It smells mostly like Chardonnay but the other grapes show up on the palate: the Sauvignon Blanc contributes a bright crispness and the Semillon adds a musky honey undertone. A good match for a tuna salad sandwich at lunch time. And while it's not quite the same, this is a good substitute for Columbia Crest's Semillon-Chardonnay of the mid-90s.
2007 Two Vines Vineyard 10 Rosé. $8, 12.5% abv. Mostly Syrah with a splash of Viognier. A little dark for a rosé. Whiff of orange peel on the nose. Tart and crisp, flavors of ripe strawberry and raspberry. This is an assertive rosé while still being dry. I paired it with a pulled pork BBQ sandwich, where the firm acidity helped cut through the grease.
With the economy being what it is, it's more important than ever to get good value from your wine dollars. This doesn't necessarily mean going for the cheapest bottle, but rather doing a bit of research or talking to the staff at your wine shop to find the hidden gems. Check out my archives or blogs like Good Wine Under $20 for further suggestions. There are also mumblings that prices on higher end wines might be coming down in order to move stock--keep an eye out for these bargains. The wine you've been lusting after at $60 could come down to an affordable $40.

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Festivus Cubano

I'm a big fan of Festivus, a fake winter holiday created as part of a Seinfeld episode. I skip the aluminum pole and the airing of grievances, and I don't even celebrate it on December 23. For me, Festivus is a great nickname for any dinner party during November or December that's not tied to Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's. If you invite an acquaintance to a Christmas party, there's an expectation of presents and maybe dressing up and conflicts with other family obligations and whatnot. But a Festivus dinner can include damned near anything, dress can be as casual as desired, and no relatives are going to disown you because you decided to hang out with friends on December 15 or November 30.
This year, dear friends Sally and Terry offered to buy the groceries if I'd do the cooking, and I decided that it was high time to do some Cuban cooking. Memphis has had a couple of Cuban restaurants over the years, but currently there are none. Yes, a few places offer pale imitations of the Cuban sandwich, but if I want lechon asado or vaca frita I've got to do it myself.
Clad in a Hawaiian shirt while listening to mp3s of the Canadian radio host Stuart McLean, I spent a few hours prepping a proper Festivus Cubano. Big thanks to the Taste of Cuba website, source of most of the recipes.
We started things out with an apple/pumpkin soup called sopa de calabaza y manzana, spiced up with the addition of a few tangy cubanelle peppers. At this point the guests were finishing off cocktails, including the Silver Fizz and Manhattan. With the soup served in coffee mugs, it was just enough to whet the appetite and provide a little base for the feast to come.
For the second course, I adapted this recipe and used tilapia. Some amazing canned San Marzano tomatoes really brought an intense flavor to this dish. Since I'll jump at any opportunity to use a sparkling wine with food, I elected to open a bottle of NV Codorníu Original Cava. $15, 11.5% abv, La Mancha region of Spain. For Sally I added a splash of pastis, and for Paul I added a splash of Cointreau; Cava adapts readily to Champagne cocktail recipes. I had mine plain, where it presented a lemon and toast nose with a crisp, clean flavor, balanced acidity, and a short finish. This is a good all-purpose sparkler from a family that's been in the wine business for 500 years.
After a palate-cleansing course of chayote salad (most of the diners had never had a chayote before), it was time for the main course: rabo encendido or oxtail stew. Regular readers will note that I've been on an offal kick for the past few months, and oxtails are a relatively non-scary way to get used to these immensely flavorful parts of the cow/pig/etc. They're also pretty cheap, but rising popularity will surely drive up the price. Accompanying the dish were rice and slow cooked black beans with country ham. All told this was a decadent, rich, savory course that belied the total absence of expensive ingredients.
In keeping with the theme of wines from Spanish-speaking countries, I poured the 2006 Crios Malbec from female winemaker Susana Balbo. $15, 14% abv, Mendoza region of Argentina. Tobacco and coffee nose with blackberry and cinnamon flavors. Bright and smooth with a neat finish.
All in all a successful dinner, and I satisfied my craving for Cuban food. The guests were stuffed, laughter filled the house, and a good time was had by all. Truly a Festivus miracle.

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Robert Oatley Wines

I got the opportunity recently to sample two bottles from Robert Oatley Vineyards in the delightfully named Mudgee region of New South Wales. Bob Oatley built Rosemount to international prominence and helped give birth to the highly successful export of Australian wines around the world. These ventures secured him a spot as one of the wealthiest people in Australia and New Zealand. This new winery represents a personal approach to the wines from the area where he started in the business.
Both wines are capped with a Stelvin Lux screwcap enclosure. I don't know if it happens at your 100th or 1000th wine, but at some point removing a cork loses some of its novelty. It's now exciting to open a good wine with a mere twist of the wrist.
The 2007 Chardonnay ($18, 13% abv) presented peach and grapefruit aromas, with a smooth flavor and medium finish. It's only partially oaked, so you get a good balance between the buttery excess of oak and the pristine crispness of "naked" Chardonnay. I served this to some friends alongside a grilled fish course, where it worked well with the delicate seafood flavors. The rich fruit aromas brought a nice touch of summer to a rainy winter up here in the Northern Hemisphere.
My favorite of the two was the 2007 Shiraz ($20, 13.5% abv). This will make you fall in love with Oz Shiraz all over again. Complex nose of stewed fruit, prunes, and dates. Black cherry and plum flavors followed, with an incredible smoothness for such a young wine. Very mild tannins and just a touch of black pepper aftertaste to let you know that it's there. I ended up serving this after dinner, and even after palates had been attacked by another red and glasses of Madeira, this wine stood up and commanded great respect from the assembled guests.
You saw the images of the wine bottles above, but here's a closer look. I worked in graphic design for 8 years, spent 2 years operating a printing press... This was a hard label to print. There's gold foil and gold ink, and the red and burgundy stripes are printed with a high gloss that makes them look like wet brush strokes.
This is the kind of label that was dreamed up by a designer, probably rejected by at least one printer, and then finally accomplished by craftsmen who really knew what they were doing. Have you ever walked into an old church with a stonemason? Gone to a tractor museum with an engineer? Eaten a marvelous dinner in the company of a chef? In each case they'll stop and stare at seemingly insignificant details. They're not looking at the finished product, they're reconstructing the entire process leading up to the finished product. With a fine specimen of the subject matter, they're happily frustrated by the method used to produce that item. How in the devil did he tighten that bolt? There's no good angle to reach it...
I'm not telling you to buy a wine based on a label. I've been burned in the past and some great wineries just have terrible designers. But in an effort to promote quality over quantity, excellence over mediocrity, it's important to recognize good design properly executed. Even better when there's a great personality underneath that pretty face.
These wines are not currently available in the Memphis area but national distribution is expected this year

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The El Presidente Cocktail

In the wake of the big Festivus Cubano and its voluminous leftovers, I decided to make a round of the Cuban cocktail that goes by the name El Presidente. Hemingway was a fan of many Caribbean cocktails and perhaps one of these passed his lips at some point.
Follow the above link for a recipe, but in the handful of times I've made it, El Presidente has been pretty forgiving of the ratios. Feel free to use a splash here, a splash there, add something nuevo, it's all bueno. The important part is to focus on the citrus flavors. In the pictured variation I used lime juice instead of lemon juice and fresh pomegranate juice as opposed to grenadine: I feel this is fresher and better tasting than the straight recipe. And that's a wedge of clementine floating in the glass, not just a strip of peel. A dash of grapefruit bitters finished things off nicely.
I'll say it again: the importance of citrus cannot be ignored when it comes to proper cocktails. And I'm referring both to the use of fresh squeezed juices (never canned or bottled!) as well as the right liqueurs for the right occasion. My home bar includes Gran Gala (a delicious and affordable substitute for Gran Marinier), Orange Curaçao (made from the peels of the laraha citrus), and of course the elegant Cointreau, which is currently being promoted by the lovely Dita Von Teese.

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DAY TWO: D.C. COAST AND DYNAMITE VINEYARDS

Day Two in Washington, D.C. and the weather is great. You never know how it is going to be in mid-Summer as the heat and humidity can be stifling. A morning filled with a meeting led to a rendezvous with #1 back at our hotel and then a short walk to a french bistro for lunch. We chose Bistro D'Oc across from the infamous Ford's Theater and had an acceptable lunch but nothing to write home about, or post about on a blog. Selections were mediocre and their wine was uninspired and overpriced. Our dinner choice, however, was much different. We made reservations at D.C. Coast and were promptly seated when we arrived. A great vibe at this restaurant and good food/wine to match. We had the Caesar Salad w/anchovies, the Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras, the Double Cut Pork Chop and finished it off with a delightful souffle'. All of our selections were delicious+. Of course we had to drink something with this and both ordered the 2006 Dynamite Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. A very light, buttery wine with nice acidity and apple and grass noted on the palate. Very refreshing finish and so tasty we each had a couple of glasses. Check out this restaurant when you're in D.C., and try the Dynamite Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, as I don't think you'll be disappointed in either. Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often, Drink Wine!

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STEPHEN VINCENT 2005 CRIMSON

Back on the road again but not quite as fancy as my trip to D.C. This time I'm in Northern Virginia for two weeks but instead of the Grand Hyatt I'm at the not-so-grand Comfort Inn. Not terrible just not the Grand Hyatt. I was able to venture out and visit the local wine purveyors and came across a nice bottle of a red blend table wine. I visited a little shop in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Virginia Wine Experience. Lots of wine to choose from with the Domestics on the main floor and all of the imports on the top floor. After much browsing I settled on the 2005 Stephen Vincent Crimson which the check out lady said was a good one. Dark ruby red in the glass, I mean plastic hotel cup, with lots of blackberry on the nose. On the palate I picked up lots of plum and dark cherry with a nice balance of tanin. A nice smooth finish added up to an excellent bottle of wine. Not quite 5 Corkscrew level but easily a 4 Corkscrew rating especially based on the $13.00/bottle price I paid. If in the Fredericksburg, Virginia area definitely make a point to check out the Virginia Wine Experience and give the Stephen Vincent Crimson a try if you come across it. Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often, Drink Wine.

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HERMAN STORY ROUSANNE - 2006

From Santa Ynez Valley with 15.9% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Beautiful golden yellow color with a pretty nose of honey and gooseberry. On the palate there's lots of butter, gooseberry, pineapple, pear, apricot and banana/circus peanuts. Viscous, oily and almost thick-syrupy. Charred oak, apple and a spectacular butterscotch hard candy on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS

This is awesome stuff with a ton of complexity. It is expensive at $21 a bottle but it completely delivers. I love this wine. What is even more impressive is how wonderfully integrated and in check the fruit keeps the whopping 15.9% alcohol. This one is a winner!

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AMISFIELD PINOT NOIR CENTRAL OTAGO - 2005

From New Zealand which is quickly making a name for itself as not only the home of great Sauvignon Blanc, but a true Pinot player.

 

 

 

 

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with sweet delicate strawberries on the nose. Velvet, soft, light as air on the palate with red berries, black cherry, and spices. A hint of sourness and damp minerality with oak on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92+PTS

The nose and delicate red fruit in this wine are so graceful. The flavors and aromas seem to roll over the tongue and nose. A near perfect mouthfeel, but the wine is a bit young and has a hint of alcohol still in play. I purchased for around $25 making this an absolute home run of a buy. You simply do not find this kind of quality at this price point from any other terrior in the entire world.

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