Birmingham WinoBlog

New Belgium Somersault Ale

2011-06-13T14:54:00.000-05:00

Last week I picked up a 6 in Atlanta (alas I don't think it's available in Birmingham). Delicious! "Easy drinking summer ale tumbling with citrus notes."

1912 Ventoux - 2009

2011-06-06T06:39:00.000-05:00

This red blend from Provence is 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah is a great everyday red with a nice balance of fruit and spice. Cycling fans will note that Mont Ventoux is the rock-covered moonscape that is frequently a stage finishing point on the Tour de France. Its height is 1912 meters, thus the name. Very Good.

The website is good too with a flash presentation about the mountain.

Available in Birmingham at Whole Foods.

Chateau Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers 2009

2011-06-06T06:27:00.000-05:00

This is a blend of Sauv Blanc (50%), Semillon (40%) and Muscadelle (10%). An easy-drinking summer white. Thanks, Claire, for bringing this to our attention. Very Good.

U.S. Wine Market Appears More Robust

2011-06-03T11:05:00.003-05:00

June 1, 2011

Domestic wine sales grew 7 percent last year, according to the Wine Institute in San Francisco. And, the Los Angeles Times reports Americans are ordering more bottles when they dine out, rather than single glasses.

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/01/136845559/the-last-word-in-business

Hedonistic Fruit Bombs?

2011-05-14T08:24:00.000-05:00

Hedonistic Fruit Bombs - The debate over wine alcohol levels is getting out of control.
By Mike Steinberger, Slate.com

The author discusses the trend, particularly in California, toward higher alcohol contents.
http://www.slate.com/id/2293895/

Birmingham's Good People Brewing puts its beer in cans

2011-03-01T07:14:00.000-06:00

Good People is now available in stores from Birmingham to Huntsville. I saw it this weekend at Whole Foods. Read the story:
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/02/good_people_brewing_puts_its_b.html

Vogt Vineyard 2007 Cabernet

2011-01-30T14:57:00.000-06:00

This is the delicious Napa Cab we enjoyed with dinner at Gianmarco's in Homewood. Not sure if it's available in local stores. 4 stars.

Bliss Merlot 2008

2011-01-27T12:08:00.001-06:00

Not very good, don't buy it. 1 star

Gnarly Head Zinfandel 2008 Lodi

2011-01-16T15:42:00.001-06:00

Winery: "Robust berry flavors and exotic spice notes from the small grape clusters are balanced with French, American and Hungarian oak, which creates heady layers of vanilla and chocolate and a lingering finish.

This luscious wine pairs well with raucous fun at barbecue or pizza parties, a family dinner of hearty pasta or chili, and on its own to celebrate personal triumphs.

Gnarly Zin grapes are from Lodi, the zinfamous appellation due to its ideal climate – long, warm summer days and cooling nighttime breezes from the ocean – and its well-draining, sandy soil." And here's more on Lodi.

Liked it. 3 stars

Napa Cellars Merlot (Napa Valley) 2006

2010-12-10T20:43:00.001-06:00

This is the first NC Merlot posting but we've had a couple for their Zinfandel. From the winery: "aromas of fresh, ripe plums ... coffee and chocolate" later joined by "blackberries and spice ... and mild tannins". Good to VG, 3.5 stars.

Carneros Chardonnay 2008 unfiltered

2010-11-22T22:02:00.001-06:00

Someone brought this tasty wine to Mary's porch party. -- "a wine with subtle seasoning of oak and lees, good acidity, ripe pear and citrus fruit, and a long finish". Liked it, 3 stars

McManis Merlot 2008

2010-10-04T18:41:00.002-05:00

Deep Garnet in color, with fruit aromas of Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry and Cassis are joined by notes of Vanilla, Hazelnut, Milk Chocolate and Caramel - from months of oak aging. The wine is soft and round in the mouth, the abundance of fruit present in the nose is replicated and lingers in the clean finish.

3.5 stars

Silverado Chardonnay 2007

2010-04-22T09:13:00.001-05:00

Tasting Notes: Pale yellow color. Abundant fruit aromas of sweet yellow apple, honeydew melon and ripe citrus. Floral notes highlight the nose while aromas of vanilla and oak stay in the background. On the palate, light and refreshing, sprightly! Lingering flavors on the finish tempt you back for another sip.

Suggested retail $25. VG - 4 stars

Recycle your natural corks

2010-04-15T11:40:00.001-05:00

Whole Foods has established a program to recycle natural (not plastic) corks. Here's the link to their post: http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2010/04/cork-reharvest/ and an excerpt:

Thanks to World Wildlife Fund and Rainforest Alliance, here are some interesting facts and figures on the Mediterranean cork forests:

Approximately 6.6 million acres of Mediterranean cork forest extend across Portugal, Spain, Algeria, Morocco, Italy, Tunisia and France.
Oak forests support one of the world’s highest levels of forest biodiversity.
Natural cork extraction is one of the most environmentally friendly harvesting methods in the world. Not a single tree is cut down in the process. Instead, renewable bark is stripped by hand every 9-12 years and cork oaks can live up to 300 years.
Cork oak trees store carbon in order to regenerate their bark, and a harvested cork oak tree absorbs up to five times more [carbon dioxide] than one that isn’t harvested.
Additionally, no bark is wasted during the cork production process, and the residue is granulated to make other cork products and even cork dust is used for fuel.

essay Shiraz 2008

2010-04-11T08:26:00.001-05:00

A medium-bodied red that will complement a wide range of food. Ripe plum and cherry fruit with a touch of pepper spice. The viognier (2%) softens the tannins, adds plushness and floral aromas.

I haven't always been the biggest fan of S.A. wines but this is quite good and excellent value ($8 at Whole Foods). Imported by locals International Wines.

Juan Gil Tempranillo 2006

2010-03-08T19:59:00.003-06:00

The Shawn Wright 2009 Christmas wine. We'll definitely get more of this! From the producer site:

We selected the Monastrell grapes for this wine from 40-year old parcels in our estate vineyards. Here shallow, chalky soils on a bed of limestone and rock, combined with an arid climate, produce the low yields (1,8 ton per acre) required for wine of this complexity. After harvesting, the deep purple grapes are whole-cluster macerated “sur lie” for 25 days, and then pressed and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES: It has a very dark cherry colour with purple tones. In the nose it has powerful aromas of red berries, toasted and smoked notes from their aging in the oak barriques. It has good structure with ripe and sweet tannins. In the mouth it is very long, and with a perfect balance between fruit, alcohol and the oak tones, which make it very pleasant and easy to drink.

MATCHING FOOD: Rices with meat, stewed meat, stewed vegetable, mushroom, poultry, sauces fish, smoked seafood, blue and cured cheese, red meat, roast and baked meat (lamb, pig, ox).

The Wishing Tree 2005 Cab/Merlot

2010-02-16T06:20:00.001-06:00

Good value wine, what we call a weekday wine of 55% Cabernet / 45% Merlot. And it has a screw top for Shawn! Should be about $10-12. ($10 @ Whole Foods this week)

Joel Gott Zinfandel 2007

2010-02-06T21:27:00.007-06:00

This one was served at a dinner gathering last weekend. The hosts got it at Vintage Wine on 280.

According to the winery "Dry-farmed, old-head-trained vines in Lodi and Amador produce intense, structured fruit while the Napa Valley harvest adds power, depth and complexity. Fruit from the cooler climate of Sonoma County offers classic Zinfandel aromatics of pepper and anise. Together, these diverse regions produce a Zinfandel packed with flavors of licorice, plums, Bing cherries and blackberries with a deep, long finish."

We thought it was very good and a nice pairing with the jambalaya. Not sure what Vintage has it at but online it appears to be in the $13-15 range; if so it's a great value. 3 stars

New purchases

2010-02-06T14:00:00.004-06:00

Bogle Zinfandel - WF - 12.99
Rayun Syrah - WF - 9.99
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin 2007 - Pig -10.99

Rush Cab - Pig - 9.99
We cracked open the Rush on 2/6. It is smooth and not overly fruity but I'm still trying to put my finger on one of the flavors. More to come. See Shawn's post from 11/2005.

Tommyknocker Alpine Glacier Lager - "the whoosh factor"

2010-02-01T23:07:00.001-06:00

From Idaho Springs, CO.

2004 NABA Silver Medal, 2003 & 2005 CO State Fair Silver, 2007 CO State Fair Gold. "

4.5% ABV, available at Overton & Vine

Liberty School Cabernet Paso Robles 2007

2010-02-01T22:55:00.000-06:00

From: Astor Wines and Spirits
"Pure, straightforward Cabernet character: flavors of dark berries, cassis, and milk chocolate. This is well-balanced in the mouth and carries itself with considerable elegance. A firm structure makes it perfect with grilled meats."

From: Winethropology
"Liberty School is the entry level brand in the Hope Family Wines portfolio. The Hopes are long-time growers is Paso Robles and at one time supplied Caymus with grapes for their then second label, Liberty School. Some years ago Caymus sold the brand to the Hopes to focus on their core wines.

Since then, this Cabernet has become the best selling (and highest production) wine in the Hope portfolio yielding 250,000 cases for the 07 vintage. Grapes come from a network of over 50 family-owned vineyards in Paso Robles.

This Cab is a bit lean and green on opening, but better than the cheap-looking label would have you expect. Surprising since we expected the hot weather to yield overripe fruit and high alcohol. Not so. The alcohol in this wine is a mere 13.5%, baby stuff for California these days."

Note that Treana, Candor and Austin Hope are also part of Hope Family Wines.

About $15 - 3 stars.

Valley of the Moon Syrah

2010-02-01T22:41:00.000-06:00

I recently had a glass of this at Village Tavern; it was quite good. I'm trying to locate some locally.

The 2006 Sonoma County Syrah is described by the winemakers as having "complex aromas of blueberries and lavender accented by chanterelle mushrooms, blackberry and cedar.

Clayhouse Adobe Red 2006

2010-01-30T09:10:00.002-06:00

"This dark ruby red wine opens with a light raspberry like bouquet with notes of spice. On the palate, this medium bodied wine is a fruit bomb, nicely balanced, and quite smooth. It is loaded with lush blackberry flavors with some notes of black cherry and vanilla that linger. The finish is quite dry with noticeable tannins that stick around from quite some time. This wine is a perfect wine for your summer barbecue whether it is burgers, ribs, or steak tips on the grill. " - kenswineguide.com

Winemaker Notes: The Adobe Red is a proprietary blend with ripe flavors of cherry, plum and vanilla bean, with rich spicy blueberry and cherry notes. The tannins are supple, and the balanced oak character adds additional vanilla notes.

This delicious blend is available at Village Wines for about $14. The 2007 is out now as well. 3 stars

Spice Route Viognier 2008

2010-01-17T22:13:00.000-06:00

"Gentle oaking and extend lees contact add richness and complexity to the full, fragrant tropical fruit notes an subtle spices." http://www.spiceroutewines.co.za/

Very good / 3 stars / $18

Twenty Rows Merlot 2008

2010-01-17T10:00:00.004-06:00

My impressions: this turned out to be a big merlot (but not in a "fruit bomb" way) with a hint of spice. Smooth on the tongue. Delicious.

"The Twenty Rows Merlot is a big dense wine with layers of cherry, blackberry plum & mocha with a hint of tobacco. Well balanced with exceptional length on the finish."

4 stars!

Domain du Crampihl Madiran

2010-01-17T09:54:00.003-06:00

Spotted this on the list at Dyron's last weekend. Although not familiar with this grape it turned out very good. It was $38 on the menu so figure $18-20 retail.

Madiran is an appellation from southwest France near the Pyrenees. Excerpted from wine-searcher.com: "The grape varieties which are sanctioned for the creation of Madiran's wines are Cabernet Franc (also known as Bouchy here), Fer Servadou, Cabernet Sauvignon and the all-important Tannat. Tannat must make up between 40% and 60% of the final blend, which is what makes the resulting wine so characterful and distinctive. The Tannat grape, as its name suggests, is very high in tannins, and brings a certain astringency to Madiran wines. Historically the wines have been famous for needed many years' bottle ageing before becoming palatable. The thick skin of the variety, and its numerous pips are the source of these tannins. The stems of all grape varieties naturally contain high levels of tannin, so destemming (or egrappage in French) is required under the Madiran appellation law. This measure is intended to balance out the overall tannin levels in the finished wine."

Another source describes it as rough when young. After a few years in a cellar, it turns into a sensual and tannic wine. So definitely give it a try if you see it or at Dyron's.

Kendall-Jackson to drastically cut water usage

2010-01-06T22:04:00.001-06:00

This is a really great initiative, especially for a water-starved state. View story at CNET.com.

Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2007

2009-12-31T20:58:00.003-06:00

New Years eve 2009. Good bye to the zeros. I think I found my new favorite zin. About $17 at Whole Foods.

Posted via email from Shawn's posterous

Can Blau 2007

2009-12-31T20:51:00.002-06:00

Spanish red wine. Blend of mazuelo 40%, syrah 40% and garnacha 20%. Very tasty at about $16.

Posted via email from Shawn's posterous

Bubbly for the New Year

2009-12-31T08:55:00.001-06:00

Winston Churchill famously said of Pol Roger "In defeat I need it, in victory I deserve it".

But in this down economy, what can we reasonably afford? (Inspired by
NBR Morning Edition story "Revelers Choose Sparkling Wines Over Champagne". http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122093332)

Prosecco from Italy - brut (dry) options are available.
- try Zardetto Prosecco Brut, around $13

California sparklings
- try Gloria Ferrer Brut, from California, it is getting great reviews this year. 90 points and under $15

France - Crémant from Burgandy

- This appellation covers France's burgundy region and features dry sparkling wines. These wines are made via méthode champenoise from the principal grapes of aligoté, chardonnay, pinot blanc and pinot noir. Most of the wines produced are white, with a small amount of rosé. Crémant de Bourgogne wines must be aged for a minimum of 9 months. Their quality is much higher than the wines from the region's older appellation Bourgogne Mousseux AC, which is being phased out. Today's Burgundian sparkling wines are viewed very positively and are regarded as good, lower-priced alternatives to the wines of champagne.

Spain - Cava

- Spain makes some very fine sparkling wines called cava. It is made in the "méthode champenoise" or "Champagne method," which is the same method that is used to make Champagne in France

Thorne-Clarke Shotfire 2008 Barossa Shiraz

2009-12-26T23:51:00.001-06:00

To complement our Christmas dinner of standing rib roast our guest Pete brought this nice Shiraz. Despite the delivery comment below don't think this overpowering. The chocolate and plum fruit tones did well the the roast as well as the yams and green beans.

"The 2007 Shotfire Shiraz was aged for 12-18 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak, 40% new. A saturated purple/black in color, this glass-coating effort has a nose of wood smoke, bacon, mineral, and blueberry that leaps from the glass. Rich and intense on the palate, it has layers of flavor, excellent balance, and a pure finish. It way over-delivers for its humble price. Drink it over the next six years. 92 pts. Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate"

I think it's available and the Vintage Wine Shoppe in Inverness.

Sandeman Founder's Reserve Porto NV

2009-12-26T23:41:00.003-06:00

Capping off our Christmas dinner was this modest bottle of port. It's smooth and clean and not too powerful. Great pairing with our chocolate fudge type cake. From the maker: "Selected from the finest "lots" of each vintage and aged for 5 years. Full of the power, fruit and fire that distinguishes classic Porto, Founders Reserve is the culmination of two hundred years of expertise.

Tasting Notes Intense ruby red colour, brilliant and clean. Rich red fruit aromas with a touch of age create an elegant reflection of powerful favours, the fruit and fire characteristic of young classic Porto balanced with the finesse of age.

Excellent on its own served in large glasses, Founders is a perfect match with cheeses or rich chocolate desserts.

Serving - No need to decant. Serve in large glasses to fully appreciate.

Storing - Should be stored standing, in a dry place with constant temperature (10º-20º), avoiding bright light.

Shelf-life - Recommended shelf life is 12 - 18 months.

Open Bottles - Once open Founders can remain fresh for up to 4 weeks."

Looking for hard cider

2009-12-10T00:04:00.002-06:00

Have you seen any in Birmingham? Rumor has it that Overton & Vine (aka Smitty's) has some. Let us know.

In New England, Hard Cider Stages A Comeback

2009-11-18T08:13:00.001-06:00

In New England, the tradition of making and drinking artisan cider goes back to the Founding Fathers. Now, a New Hampshire apple grower is hoping to revive the American cider tradition and provide a lifeline to struggling farmers. View / listen to story on NPR.org.

LEED-Certified Winery

2009-11-07T21:23:00.000-06:00

Hall St. Helena is California's first Gold LEED-certified winery. Organically farmed vines are only the beginning - the buildings rock nearly enough solar paneling to cover a football field, drought-resistant landscaping, and reclaimed cold water running under the floor to regulate barrel room temps (um, wow…). Here's the website: http://www.hallwines.com/hall-st-helena

The Red One 2008

2009-10-19T12:49:00.002-05:00

From first Drop Wines a very good inexpensive Austalian blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and barbera. $9.

Tags: red, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, barbera, australia

Posted via email from Shawn's posterous

Wishing Tree Shiraz

2009-10-12T20:52:00.002-05:00

I am sitting around and working on my blogs and having a glass of Wishing Tree Shiraz. Western Mtn. Brook suggested it and I have to say it is pretty good. And pretty cheap, $9.99. I would post a picture but this is also a test to see if this posts to BirminghamWinoBlog and shawngoesgreen.posterous.com.

Cheers,

Shawn

Posted via email from Shawn's posterous

Leese-Fitch Chardonnay 2007

2009-09-01T21:00:00.002-05:00

Leese-Fitch is a division of Sebastiani & Sons known as "The Other Guys". They did a great job creating the mouthfeel that has the right blend of oak and citrus.

"This Chardonnay blend for Leese Fitch was assembled from some of our best lots in our California portfolio. We wanted to blend a wine that had good Chard character and mouthfeel while still maintaining some acidity in order to pair this wine with food. Our blend mainly comprises itself of two lots.

The Livermore fruit was picked in early September and fermented slowly on French oak staves. This wine was then aged on the lees for 4 months before being racked and stabilized. The Monterey fruit was picked in late October because the fruit took a long time to ripen in the cool Monterey weather. This wine was crushed at one of our best coastal custom crush facilities where it was also fermented on French oak staves and aged sur lees for almost 8 months. In order to create a creamy mouthfeel, we stirred the lees twice a month for the 8 months to develop mouthfeel. The result is a wine with good crisp acids and a lot of tropical fruit balanced by integrated French oak.

This wine has some good lemon drop flavors with an edge of porcini mushroom to give the wine some depth and complexity." Available at Whole Foods - 2.5 stars (!)

Crane Lake Pinot Grigio 2008

2009-08-26T19:09:00.000-05:00

From California. Too sweet for a PG, therefore not recommended.

Brews and Bikes: The best bike-related summer beers

2009-08-25T21:08:00.002-05:00

Leave it to Bicycling Magazine for good lifestyle stories. Here's one you can taste: (offer void where prohibited) Slideshow

Imperial Beer

2009-08-19T06:36:00.003-05:00

Imperial lager hails from Costa Rica and has just appeared in Birmingham (according to my vast experience scanning the beer aisle). It's a really light, crisp summer brew - great for hot weather and quick quaffing. Lighter than Corona, I think. Reminds me a little of tasting my father's brews e.g. Falstaff, Old Milwaukee, Schlitz when I was a kid.

New Local Beer Site (mmm ... beeeer!)

2009-08-16T08:54:00.003-05:00

Want to know about the latest beers hitting the Magic City? Check out Beermingham.com.

More on the cycling nymph

2009-08-12T23:00:00.002-05:00

Everyone is having fun with the Alabama ABC Board's puritanical ruling on Cycles Gladiator wine. If they ran the Birmingham Museum of Art the next person offended by a renaissance booby would get the place shut down.

Doug's column at AL.COM provides some nice background. More about Doug on BUMP's site.

Teira Zinfandel

2009-08-12T22:46:00.003-05:00

I think Jeff Porter's description is right on and I excerpted it below. See more of his reviews at www.drinkeatlove.com.

Tasting Notes for Zinfandel: This wine is a home run. [... It] really changed my perspective of what ZIN can been when it is picked at the right time (not too late so it becomes like blueberry syrup) and is not so high in alcohol I feel like I'm doing shots at the frat house. I imagine this is what ZIN was like prior to the "monsterization" of wine in California. Teira Zin has aromas of crushed red raspberries, plump cherries, dried currants, sweet and savory spices. The nose is so appealing that I bury my face in my glass and just take deep breaths. The palate has all the same fruit profiles but where you might think it would be gushing with sweetness it is well balanced and has a structure that you might find out of a Primitivo from Puglia not a Sonoma County Zin under $20. We enjoyed the wine so much we polished it off and were sorry we did not have any more. ZIN's in general are good with BBQ and similar foods but Teira ZIN has more than just one trick in its pairing arsenal. While great with BBQ, Italian dishes make a great pairing as would Mexican cuisine that tends to earthier flavors versus super spicy (think chicken mole). We enjoyed the wine with a flank steak that was seared with wasabi, hoisin, and miso, it was good. The wasabi's heat is subdued by the sweetness of the hoisin and miso.

I brought to a friend's house when they made ribs and it was a hit.

Tyler says it is on sale at Whole Foods right now for $13 (down $3). GET IT!

Whole Foods Case Sale

2009-08-12T20:58:00.001-05:00

20% off a case
August 17 through 23

Crane Lake Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

2009-08-12T07:23:00.002-05:00

I picked this up off the display because 1) it was cheap 2) it was from California 3) I had never heard of it. Turns out that it is a blend of Napa and Sonoma wines, probably bought surplus and blended. Anyway, it turned out well. This is a nice medium bodied Cab with moderate fruit and toasty fruit nose. Goes down easy and I don't think it will offend anyone. Buy a case.

$6.99 at Whole Foods

Cycles Gladiator Wine Banned: Alabama Bans Nude Nymph Wine Label, Increases Its Sales

2009-08-04T07:08:00.003-05:00

The Huffington Post
PHILLIP RAWLS | 07/31/09 07:09 AM

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama's ban on a wine that features a nude nymph on the label became a business opportunity for a California vintner who is preparing a marketing campaign to capitalize on being "Banned in Bama."

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board recently told stores and restaurants to quit serving Cycles Gladiator wine because of the label. Board attorney Bob Martin said the stylized, art-nouveau rendition of a nude female with a flying bicycle violated Alabama rules against displaying "a person posed in an immoral or sensuous manner."

Bill Leigon, president of Hahn Family Wines in Soledad, Calif., said Thursday that visits to the company's Web site have increased tenfold since news of the ban broke late last week, and callers from across the country have been asking where they can buy the wine.

Because of the interest, he's developing store displays that say "Banned in Bama" and "Taste What They Can't Have in Alabama."

Hahn said he will never miss the 500 cases sold annually in Alabama. "There is going to be a significant increase in our sales," he predicted.

Rosanna Guardagno, a social psychologist at the University of Alabama, said a ban often increases people's interest in a product.

"The ABC Board, without realizing it, is going to boost their sales," she said.

The wine's label is copied from an 1895 French advertising poster for Cycles Gladiator bicycles. It shows a side view of a full-bodied nymph flying alongside a winged bicycle.
Story continues below

Martin said the ABC Board rejected the label last year, which meant the product wasn't supposed to be sold in Alabama. A citizen recently sent a bottle to the board to show it was still being sold in the state, prompting the letter to restaurants and stores to stop sales, he said.

Hahn's president said he was unaware of the ABC Board's rejection until the letter was sent to retailers. He said the poster is a classic piece of art, with originals selling for as much as $50,000.

Although nude art bothers the alcohol board, it's not a problem for some other branches of Alabama government.

The Alabama Tourism Department distributes a brochure with a cover featuring Hiram Powers' 19th century nude statue, The Greek Slave, which is on display at the Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art in Tuscaloosa. It is available in museums statewide, interstate highway welcome centers and visitors' bureaus statewide.

"We haven't had any concerns about it," Tourism Director Lee Sentell said.

And Alabama's Capitol has historic paintings on display, including two that show several topless female Indians.

Guardagno, who studies social influences, said people allow more freedom of expression in art than in advertising.

"With art, you have to be really explicit with how a person's body is displayed before people are offended," she said.
___

On the Net:

Hahn Family Wines: http://hahnfamilywines.com

New beers

2009-08-03T07:01:00.004-05:00

On Friday there was a tasting of about 8 beers at Western in Mt. Brook. They were featuring Durango Brewing Company, Great Divide Brewing and 2 Belgian ales (Piraat Triple IPA and ?). These 2 made the ride home with me.

Durango Amber Ale
American-style amber ale with medium body and mild hop bitterness.

Great Divide Titan IP
A big, aggressively hopped India Pale Ale brewed for hop disciples. It starts out with piney hop aromas and citrus hop flavors, and finishes with a nice rich, malty sweetness that is balanced with crisp hop bitterness. 7.1% ABV

Spice Route Viognier 2004

2009-07-28T22:58:00.003-05:00

The Spice Route Swartland Viognier 2004 is a Vineyard Brands (Birmingham) import and those are usually pretty good; the winery also makes Goats Do Roam. The golden straw color was unexpected as was the richer taste than I'm used to from French Viognier. Wine Spectator gave it an 86 but says it's past maturity (it didn't bother me!) Later vintages are rated even higher. Winery site. Recommended, available at Overton & Vine. Goes for about $17.

Ordinary Wine Co., Lot 21 Boneshaker Red, NV

2009-07-06T21:36:00.004-05:00

38% Zinfandel, 34% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah, 2% mix red varietals – 100% California fruit with 42% from Lodi. About 15% of this blend was barrel aged for approximately 6 months in a mix of new and old French and American oak barrels. The wine displays aromas of ripe red and dark berry fruits layered with notes of slight white and black pepper and crème de cassis. The aromas carry into the palate with red fruit flavor notes on the entry and full fruit in the middle. The finish is lush and fruit flavors linger through the aftertaste. Made by Harry Parducci at his custom-crush facility in Santa Rosa, CA. $9.99 at Whole Foods

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2008

2009-07-06T21:27:00.004-05:00

"Abundant citrus and tropical fruit aromas follow through on the lively palate of this elegant Chenin Blanc. It’s packed with intense, zippy flavors of pineapple, lychee, lemon, and lime as well as delicate floral and spice nuances resulting from the light oak treatment. A touch of late harvest Chenin Blanc adds considerable richness and complexity." -Importer

Serve with steamed mussels, crab cakes, grilled fish, roasted chicken.

Charles Krug Chardonnay Carneros 2005

2009-05-17T08:47:00.001-05:00

Fragrant peach, pineapple and banana aromas give way to apple and pear flavors with a long and refreshing finish.

Liberty School Cabernet Sauv. Paso Robles 2006

2009-03-29T13:50:00.002-05:00

Marietta Old Vine Red (Lot 48)

2009-03-21T17:17:00.002-05:00

I can't believe we never posted this because we have had it many times and it's consistently good.

Released in August 2008, Old Vine Red Lot 48 is predominantly Zinfandel. Lot 48 coats the palate with luscious blackberry fruit and is balanced by peppery spice both on the palate and aromatically. Aged in French and American oak, this wine should drink well over the next few years (best in 1-3). The dominant varieties in Lot 48 are Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Cabernet.

About $12-13.

Wal-Mart wine

2009-03-04T19:21:00.005-06:00

Wal-Mart announced that, sometime in 2009, it will begin offering customers a new discount item ... Wal-Mart's own brand of wine.

The world's largest retail chain is rumored to be teaming up with Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery of California to produce the spirits at an affordable price -- in the $2 to $5 range.

Wine connoisseurs may not be inclined to put a bottle of the Wal-Mart brand into their shopping carts, but "There is a market for inexpensive wine." said Kathy Micken, professor of marketing at University of Arkansas, Bentonville. "However, branding will be very important."

Customer surveys were conducted to determine the most attractive name for the Wal-Mart wine brand.

The top surveyed names in order of popularity were:

- Chateau Traileur Parc
- White Trashfindel
- Big Red Gulp
- World Championship Riesling
- NASCARbernet
- Chef Boyardeaux
- Peanut Noir
- I Can't Believe it's not Vinegar
- Grape Expectations
- Nasti Spumante

The beauty of Wal-Mart wine is that it can be served with either whitemeat (Possum) or red meat (Squirrel).

By the way: Wal-Mart is evil - www.walmartmoveie.com

Mouton Cadet 2005 Bordeaux

2009-02-22T09:45:00.004-06:00

In the mouth this wine is tannic with tight fruit and bread. Lots of potential in this 65% Merlot 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc; your basic Bordeaux blend.

The palate is smooth and full-bodied, with full tannins enhancing ripe berry flavors. Fruit is still stingy but it is there. This is actually a very nice wine at this price point and a typical old world wine in all the great ways. This is a far superior wine than what you normally get for this price from any country.

Garnacha de Fuego 2007

2008-12-21T14:38:00.003-06:00

I bought this recently at Overton and Vine to serve at book club. I thought it was very good both in taste and value.

The 2007 Garnacha de Fuego is 100% old-vine Garnacha sourced from 60-80 year old vineyards offering tiny yields. Dark ruby/purple-colored the nose exhibits spice box, earth notes, and wild cherry. On the palate it is slightly compact albeit with excellent flavors and good length. It is a steal at the asking price. Drink it over the next two years. -Robert Parker

Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc 2007

2008-12-21T14:30:00.003-06:00

This was my Thanksgiving wine for 2008 and it turned out to be a good pairing. From the winemaker: "Bold and bright aromas fill the nose followed by a rich mouthful of citrus and melon which linger on the palate. This is a very crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc that will pair well with a variety of foods."

From the Columbia Valley in Washington State. $10 at Western.

Liberty School Chardonnay Central Coast 2006

2008-10-06T21:16:00.002-05:00

Nuances of Bartlett pear, pineapple and green apples in the nose. The finish is long, balanced and never cloying, due to its healthy acidity.

Parducci Petite Sirah 2005

2008-07-09T21:34:00.004-05:00

It's medium to full-bodied with nice peppery spice. From the grower: "This wine has aromas of black cherry, plum and black pepper, with hints of leather and oak spice. The lush flavors on the palate are of black fruits, smoke and chocolate, complemented by supple tannins. This is the perfect full-bodied wine for summer barbecues, blue cheeses, and blackened anything."

And if that's not good enough for you they are the first winery in the USA to be carbon neutral!

2 stars, 9.99 at Western

McManis Petite Sirah 2006

2008-07-02T20:29:00.003-05:00

We have enjoyed other McManis products in the past (although I was surprised I never blogged them). However, this one is an over the top fruit bomb. Fruit can be good but this is too much. I expect some body and spice in a Syrah.

So, this is not bad, it's just not what you want. One star.

Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel 2004

2008-05-07T19:40:00.004-05:00

Good Zin at a good price. If there was some left and I could think about it I might say something like "Ripe and a trifle on the jammy side with evident, slightly dry but focused varietal aromas of blackberries and a hint of spicy peppercorns, this one is full on the palate and slightly fleshy in feel at entry before its tannins kick in and rough up the latter going. Its tilt to gruffness suggests service with savory meats." Note this is the Sonoma Heritage Vines. $8 at Whole Foods.

2006 Costa de Oro Pinot Noir

2008-03-30T20:42:00.004-05:00

A Toast!

On the penultimate eve of the birth of my second son Ethan, I wish to toast those who came before him in 2008. To Sarah Grace Ervin, a toast. To Sam Eagan, a toast. To Jackson Oliver, a toast. And to all of their parents, a toast.

I toast you all with a bottle of Costa de Oro Pinot Noir that was recommended highly by Village Wines. It runs in the $20 range but is well worth it. I tend to like the bigger reds such as zinfandel but I want to drink more Pinot Noir this summer. I wish I could compare it to another but I can't you will have to take my word for it. It's Great! And besides I am in a much more reflective mood about family than to think if it smells like berries or licorice. My future will smell of much more exotic things.

A toast to the adventure we are all on!

2005 Steele Shooting Star Barbera

2008-03-27T21:08:00.003-05:00

Smooth. That was the first thing that went through my mind when I took my first sip. I have really enjoyed Steele wine before and if I am correct the Shooting Star label is their reasonably priced wine. This one cost about $12. This is a great wine to just drink or have with food. One blogger said this was a good version of the wine you would get at a pizza parlor. I believe it is much better than that but it would be mighty tasty with a pizza. I recommend you give this a try.

Château Saint Martin De La Garrigue Bronzinelle (2004)

2008-03-25T22:11:00.003-05:00

I am still looking for the Cave Des Papes Coted du Rhone Heritage and ask for it at the wine shops I visit. They did not have it at Village Wines but it was suggested I try this Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue Bronzinelle from the Languedoc region of France. The wine is a blend of 34% Syrah, 27% Mourvèdre, 22% Grenache, and 17% Carignan. The blend is somewhat similar to the Cave Des Papes.

This wine was very good and it only cost $12.99. This is a Kermit Lynch wine so my streak of really good KL wines continues.

Kermit Lynch

2008-03-21T18:09:00.004-05:00

I mentioned this in an earlier post but I was once told that if you see that the importer was Kermit Lynch then buy it. It has served me well over the years. I just bought a few bottles with my birthday gift certificate. We'll see if that holds up.

Editors Note: The white wine Graves Chateau Gravile-Lacoste 2006 doesn't live up to Kermit Lynch quality in my opinion. The vineyard has an aol.com email address. That should have tipped me off.

In Praise Of: Bogle Vineyards

2008-03-19T21:03:00.004-05:00

As I am posting about wines I had at Hot and Hot I am drinking a bottle of Bogle Old Vine Zinfindel. I have posted about this before and I really like this wine. It is in the $10 or so range and is one of those wines I grab when I want something cheap. And there is nothing cheap tasting about it. It has been over a year but I have had their whites and all have been very good.

I suggest that the next time you are looking for a bottle of white or red. Try something from Bogle Vineyards.

45th Birthday Wines: Vincent Delaporte’s 2004 Sancerre & 2005 Maysara Pinot Noir, Oregon and

2008-03-19T20:41:00.007-05:00

Luckily my birthday was not missed by family members seeing as how we have so many March birthdays and with the new baby just making it to April (we hope). Leigh took me to Hot and Hot fish club where I had the Fudge Farms Pork Trio: Seared Loin on Collard Greens, Crispy Belly on Homemade Sauerkraut and Grilled Leg with Mashed Sweet Potatoes. The crispy belly was like a crispy bacon meatball. Yumm!

Going in I didn't know if I was going to have the red or white so I got both. I started the evening with a glass of the ’04 Sancerre, Delaporte, France. A very nice glass of wine. Sancerre is new to me but I have thrown myself into it. The waiter quickly showed me the bottle so I am not sure this label is correct but I believe it is from Domain Vincent Delaporte. The Wine Advocate wrote that the Vincent Delaporte’s 2005 Sancerre is juicy and engaging on the palate, not especially gripping, but instead discrete and well-balanced, with succulent melon, apple and herbs carrying into a gentle finish (Score: 88). I would agree with that. The importer is Birminghams own Vineyard Brands.

After deciding on the pork I was directed to the ’05 Maysara Pinot Noir, Oregon. What a great wine. I have made it a point to drink more Pinot Noirs this summer and this was a good place to start. The waiter opened a new bottle and I could tell that the wine was opening up more with every sip. It was very good by itself and held its own with the strong crispy belly. I never saw the label but i am assuming it may be the less expensive of the two that Maysara vineyards bottles.

This was a nice way to start out my new year and with the Village Wine gift certificate given to me by Miles and Amy I now have the money to try more Sancerres and Pinots. But after Ethan comes I am going to have to share the bottle with Leigh.

What I Did On My Winter Vacation

2008-02-12T20:59:00.003-06:00

It's been awhile since I have posted to this blog. Not because I gave up drinking, far from it! It is because I have been drinking the same wines listed here. I have not gone out and tried something new and instead went for the familiar and the inexpensive. You see I have been living with a pregnant woman during my winter vacation and while she is a very pleasant and beautiful mommy to be, she's not much of a drinker. So logic tells me not to buy an expensive wine that I may not finish or a new wine that she will not enjoy with me. Just stay with the tried and true. Here are some of the wines that I have been enjoying.

My every day wine (just a figure of speech, not a drinking problem) is in that $10 and less sweet spot. It has to be an easy drink and cheap so if it goes back in the fridge and goes bad before I can get to it, so be it. I'll just open up another bottle of cheap wine. The wines in my bandoleer are:

Big House Red -- a long time favorite with a screw top for longevity in the fridge.
Ten Mile -- I think this has a screw top.
Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel
Castono Hecula Monastrelli -- I like to think of this as my Spanish Big House Red.
Casono Monastrelli -- same place, cheaper wine. David and Rachel gave this to us as hosts gift and I am drinking this as I type. A lovely bottle even if it makes me sound gay. Happy gay not, um, you know, oh never mind.

When I want to break out of my cheap bottle and go for something extravagant I have been opening two of my favorites.

Ridge Three Valleys -- a man trip favorite
Seghesio Zinfandel -- a consumer reports favorite

While each of these costs $20+ at the local wine shoppes (note fancy spelling) I can get them for about $16 at Costco. And while I am there I grab a few big house reds and ten miles. And maybe a large jar of Atomic Fire Balls, a 4 family size box of Cheerios and the latest Family Guy season out on DVD. Damn you Costco!

I can't go any further without giving a "shout out" to my new friend, the off-brand 8 bottle wine cooler. Leigh bought this for me at Lowes and I tried to mount it in a cabinet but it never would get cool. So that's why you can't cover up the vents. It now lives on the floor under Leighs sewing table and does a wonderful job of keeping my wine at lovely 58 degrees. There's that word again.

I keep the corks from the wine I drink. Not because I have any hording issues but I know one day I will be able to do something with them all like float down the Cahaba River. It IS a little disturbing that the bowl has been filling up and Leigh has not been drinking for at least 8 months. Oh well, I guess she just needs to catch up.

That's all for now. I'll probably keep up this routine for a few months more and at least until Pinot Grigio season gets here. I might even tone it down because newborns don't care if you drank a bottle two hours ago, they want to be changed, NOW!

So, what did you do on your winter vacation?

Shawn

Beringer Founders' Estate 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel

2007-12-17T20:22:00.000-06:00

I haven't had anything by Beringer in quite a while but they have a very good reputation in my mind. We found this to be an easy drinking Zin. Not really a peppery Zin.

Tasting Notes from the winery: Historically, a vineyard like this often has multiple varieties mixed-in among the Zinfandel vines, so it seemed fitting that the wine be made in that traditional and crowd-pleasing ‘American-Zin’ style. The resulting wines showcases clove, white pepper and jammy black fruit aromas that lead into a mouth full of black berries and sweet spice.

Found this at Bruno's on sale for about $9.

Cave Des Papes Côtes du Rhône Héritage

2007-12-03T09:19:00.000-06:00

Charlie Elmer brought this wine to our supper club. We were very surprised at how smooth and good this wine was. It made the Syrah we had been drinking just a tad bit harsh even though they where very good. This wine was was made from 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre. Charlie pointed out that wines with this mix of grapes are always good and smooth. This wine was in the $10-$13 range. Not sure of the vintage. I give it 3 stars. The description from the web site follows.

Ogier-Caves des Papes, *The Cellars of the Popes* was founded in 1859 and is the proprietor of the oldest and largest wine cellars in the ancient town of Chateauneuf du Pape (summer residence of Popes), in the heart of the Rhone Valley. For 140 years, the Caves des Papes name has symbolized the finest wines from the vast Rhone Valley.

Our red wines are concentrated, full-bodied and are based on the regions best grape varieties, Grenache and Syrah. Caves des Papes wines are recognized the world over and annually garner high acclaim for their exceptional quality.

To create “HERITAGE “ Côtes du Rhône, the Caves des Papes winemakers challenged the wine estates which were known to have produced the most consistent wines of high quality to surpass their previous best. The wines from 13 estates, the majority located in the area close to Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas, were selected as the finest expression of red wines from the Côtes du Rhône. Classic Rhone varietals, dominated by 65% Grenache, 35% Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre.

Aging 12 months in casks and tapered oak upright vats. Deep ruby color. Expressive, elegant nose with complex flavours of ripe fruit, spice, and a touch of oak. Attractive bouquet and soft tannins. Accompanies red meat, such as roast beef or steak but best with anything off the barbecue.

Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2005

2007-12-02T11:31:00.000-06:00

I found this yesterday while picking up a few bottles at Village Wine Market. The winery is not one I'm familiar with but will remember it now! This wine struck me as un-Zin-like during the first glass. It had more of a syrah character - smooth and refined fruit. In later glasses more of the expected spice came out. It's a really good wine, easy to drink on its own and delicious with food (steak in our case).

The winery website sums it up well: "Napa Cellars Zinfandel is the perfect middle ground between the spicy Zinfandels of the Sierra Foothills and the fruity jammy Zinfandels of Sonoma. Both characteristics can be found in moderation with this wine. You can expect a swirl of the glass to reveal intense, sweet ripe berries, cinnamon and black pepper spice with elements of sun-baked earth."

$14.99 (sale price)

Mas Donis barrica 2004 Montsant

2007-11-04T12:46:00.001-06:00

Hola amigos - bienvenudos to another good Spanish red blend. This tasty rojo is 85% grenache and 15% syrah. One post I read called it a poor man's Cote du Rhone. The Brewers give this one a solid 2 stars and will definitely pick up more for the cellar.

"The 2004 Mas Donis Barrica is 85% Garnacha from 80+-year-old vines and 15% Syrah aged for 8 months in French and American oak. Opaque purple, it has a wonderfully expressive nose of spice box, pencil lead, pepper, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. On the palate the wine is full-bodied with layers of ripe, spicy black fruits, nicely concealed tannins, and a long, pure finish. It is an outstanding value for drinking now and over the next 4-6 years."
-Wine Advocate

$10.99 at Western.

Very Old Vines Carignan Vin de Pays de L'Aude 2006

2007-10-16T21:08:00.000-05:00

That long description tells us a little - it's a predominantly carignan blend, a local wine (vin de pays) from the L'Aude. What's that? A department in south-central France named after the Aude River that is between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. It's the home of Carcassonne. Other wine you might have heard of is the AOC Corbières.

OK, so it's a decent inexpensive French red. Not too oaky or boozy (12.5%)

Wild Horse Merlot 2005

2007-10-16T11:02:00.000-05:00

We have been enjoying this Merlot for years; I think we received our first one as a gift in 2001. Based on our experience you will always be happy with this.

"this deeply pigmented wine offers flavors of plum, black cherry, cedar and toasted oak." (I didn't notice the oak).
$15 at Western (normally $19)

Twenty Rows - The Grappler 200x

2007-10-16T10:14:00.001-05:00

One of our many selections for Man Trip 2007. We previously reviewed this wine in December 2006 and grabbed it again on a recent trip to Western.

"The Grappler is an intriguing blend of 58% Zinfandel, 30% Syrah, and 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. The three grapes come from three different regions of California: Lake County, Paso Robles, and Calistoga respectively. But this melting pot wine is in no way undistinctive. It's got deep color, intense aromas, great integration of flavors, and everything you'd want in a masculine Zin blend. Black cherries with some spicy cinnamon and pepper, a hint of smoke on the finish, and a long finish make this an experience from start to finish."

$18 @ Western.

Qupe Syrah 2005

2007-10-01T20:52:00.000-05:00

Gosh, how many times have we quaffed this and it hasn't been blogged. Not officially anyway. The 2004 did make the trip to NC last year but didn't get described. Anyway, this is a delicious and very reliable CA Central Coast Syrah. It is extremely well balanced in fruit, spice (a hint of pepper), and finish.

From the winemakers: "This wine is 93% syrah, 4% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre and 1% Counoise. The grapes come from 16 different vineyards in the Central Coast – 55% from Santa Barbara County; 39% from Paso Robles and 6% from the Arroyo Grande Valley.

2005 was an amazing vintage for both quality and quantity and, in fact, it’s one of the best vintages I’ve seen in my 27 years on the Central Coast. The grapes had impeccable balance and flavor intensity and the perfect weather allowed us to really dial in the harvest sugars."

About $13 at Overton & Vine.

Castano Monastrell 2005

2007-09-30T08:48:00.000-05:00

The Winoblog team has been drinking but not posting. Sorry 'bout that. I think we have mainly been repeating selections previously written about. Anyway, here's a new one that caught my eye this week in the supermarket. The large bold "C" on the label seemed familar. Turns out it's another juicy tasty offering from Bodegas Castaño. (see July 1st post). This is 100% Monastrell (Mourvèdre) - loaded with fruit in the right concentration.

Winemaker notes: "Excellent example of the Monastrell grape in its early years. Intense aromas of black fruit (plums) and less ripe red fruit (cranberries, mulberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants). On the palate it is fruity and fresh, and alive with tannins which leaves a pleasant aftertaste."

The Wine Advocate - "The 2005 Monastrell is an insane value produced from three vineyard sites ranging in age from 40-60 years. Opaque purple-colored, it gives up fragrant aromas of blue fruits, plums, and prunes. Ripe, layered, and full-flavored, this hedonistic effort can be enjoyed now but will surely evolve for 2-3 years. Match it with beef and lamb."

$6.99 at Western.

French wine map

2007-09-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

I just received this in an email from the French Tourist Office - it's an interactive map (in English) of French winegrowing regions. C'est utile pour l'education.

View map

The Wolftrap 2005

2007-08-19T20:35:00.000-05:00

This is a Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Viognier blend from the South African makers of The Chocolate Block. It's a really sensational blend in the style of a southern France wine such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Cote du Rhone, or Cotes de Provence. (Interesting that a little white is used.) We are posting this just after having our first couple of glasses with grilled pork chops and wilted spinach.

2+ stars. Great value at 8.99 at Village Wine Market. (Imported by Vineyard Brands of Birmingham)

86 Points - Wine Spectator
"Soft and forward, with mocha, cherry and plum flavors and an easygoing finish. Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre and Viognier. Drink now. 27,500 cases made."

Wines at Charlie Trotter's, Chicago

2007-08-19T07:49:00.000-05:00

On 07/07/07 the Brewers and the Simon-Tills celebrated the numerologically significant day. Our wines:

Mirabile Insolia 2004 (Sicily)
Naiades Bodegas Naia 2005 (Rueda, Spain) Verdejo
Barbaresco Moccagotta "Cole" 2003 (Piedmonte, Italy) Nebbiolo

Some comments we found ...

2006 Mirabile Insolia: ($16 retail) Insolia, a native Sicilian white grape variety, is known for its perfumey, herbal scent. Mirabile’s bottling is no exception; the oddly appealing aroma recalls ripe mango and pineapple along with fresh oregano.

2005 Naiades Bodegas Naia: ($29 retail) This wine is made from 90 year old vines and is 100% Verdejo. A mixture of pear, honey and crisp acidity along with white peach and honeysuckle aromas soar from the glass of this surprisingly Burgundian style white. Enjoy with seafood and in particular shellfish.

Barbaresco: Nebbiolo - 100%. Vinification and aging: Maceration on the skins in steel vats with temperature control, ageing in French oak barriques for 18 months. Wine Advocate (Robert Parker), 91; Wine Spectator, 91. Mary says "damn good". Generally it's said that you should serve your best bottle first while the palate is extra alert. But we had this one last and it was "wow". I will note that our sommelier was extremely helpful and easy to work with. ($53 retail)

French Winemakers Welcome Warmer Summers

2007-08-08T16:51:00.000-05:00

Heard on "Morning Edition", August 6, 2007 · In 2003, France got a glimpse of what the future may hold. A summer heat wave broke all temperature records, straining the country's medical and energy resources. But a future of warmer summers could bring unexpected pleasures — including wine.

Click for text, photos, audio

Ten Mile

2007-08-02T22:25:00.000-05:00

What a great wine. A suggestion from the wine dude at the Piggly Wiggly in Homewood. I wanted something easy to drink and cheap. A wine that would appeal to the "I don't care what it tastes like as long as it's Merlot" crowd and not hurt the wallet when the complained. In a nutshell I wanted something in the Big House Red or House Wine family. This was great and a big hit with everyone at the party. I suggest you pick up a bottle of this and because it is so cheap (around $10) maybe you should get two or three. And for those of you interested in the grape, it is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Barbera .

Vilosell 2005 Segre Red Wine

2007-07-15T21:08:00.001-05:00

Another excellent red spanish wine. This was suggested to me by the fine wine dudes at Western Mountain Brook. One wine, which I have forgotten the name, was only ok and more expensive than the original. I opened this bottle tonight and was quite impressed. Even for a bottle that cost $13.99.

Leigh just yelled down the stairs to ask what the name of this wine was. She said "this is good! Or as they say, smooooth." That pretty much says it all. This will be a regular in the Wright wine cellar (8 bottle cooler).

For you wine nerds, "This Catalan red from wine maker Tomás Cusiné is made in the relatively new wine region Costers del Segre in Northeeastern Spain not far from Priorat. It's a very dark reddish-purple color with a garnet edge. Plum and black cherries add a hint of barnyard and a whiff of oak in a complex aroma. Fruit-forward flavors blend cherry cordial and sharp acidity, with more subtle earthy minerality, restrained oaky vanilla and perceptible tannins in the background. Warm and long, it seems a little more alcoholic than the advertised 13%, and it leaves a bit of gritty sediment in the bottom of the glass and bottle. US Importer: European Cellars LLC, Charlotte, N.C.; an Eric Solomon Selection."

Bodegas Castano 2004 Hecula

2007-07-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to drink more spanish wine lately. The spanish wines I have had at parties and friends houses have been excellent. I finally went to Western in M.B. and asked for a recommendation. This little $10 jewel was handed to me. I'll be back. Lifted description is below.

100% Monastrell.
Bodegas Castano has long been an advocate of the Monastrell varietal in the zone and its use has increased in other bodegas as a result. Known as Mourvedre in France and other parts of the world, the varietal is perhaps best known for its influence on the wines of Chateauneuf-du-Pape where the terroir and climate is not dissimilar to that of Yecla with both benefiting from a very warm, Mediterranean climate with warm days and nights.

Rosés coming up rosy?

2007-06-18T17:32:00.000-05:00

The hot thing this year seems to be quality rosé wines because Mary and I are seeing them everywhere. They have always been there in the wine world but most of us had to erase them from our memory due to the horrors of white zinfandel and other "blush" wines.

We had a Spanish one at City Hall Diner in Vestavia about two weeks ago - the Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Rosado (rosy/pink/rosé rioja). It should be served medium chilled and will not be sweet (we didn't take notes).

What do you think? Post a comment about your rosé.

Ol' Red (a California blend)

2007-06-05T10:15:00.000-05:00

This one might be a 3 star especially considering it's on sale for $9.99 at Village Wine Market. Enjoyed with steaks Saturday night, this red has nice fruit but doesn't overdo it. I thought it was delicious.

Cosentino in Napa is the winery and they say: A multi-vintage Solera style blend from 1997 to 2005 from California (Napa, Sonoma, Lodi and Solano County areas).

A unique blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Carignane and Zinfandel with small lots of Merlot, Sangiovese, Mouvedre, Petite Sirah and a few other things.

Originally each lot was made separately and barrel aged for one to eight years prior to blending. After blending the master lot a good portion is put back into barrels for further aging until the next cuvee is put together.

Ruby colored with crimson edges. Extremely rich and round with a feel of liquid satin. Baked cherries and berries with sweet baking spices in the nose. A creamy melange of red and black fruits with earthy complexities. Structured and balanced with supple, ripe tannins and a long smooth finish- this is a unique experience.

Note: they say it's out of stock.

Another Wine Blog

2007-05-04T16:03:00.000-05:00

From NPR's story of the day podcast I came across the Wine Library. NPR states: "At a bland building in suburban New Jersey, Gary Vaynerchuk is demystifying the wine world. Through Wine Library TV -- an almost daily Web broadcast of wine tastings from his store -- Vaynerchuk hopes to put people at ease when they choose a bottle of vino." It is a great little blog and you should check it out.

http://tv.winelibrary.com/

Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2004

2007-04-11T22:56:00.000-05:00

Another white from our visit to Highland Lake. Normally I'm biased toward CA Sauvignon Blancs but Scott at Overton & Vine told me I really should try it. Hmm, Scott ... Allan Scott ... something fishy there. Anyway, we enjoyed it and it's a great value under $10. (I went back and bought more.) In the absense of actual memories and impressions I offer you the winemaker's notes:

The 2004 harvest was a ‘boomer’ for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in terms of quality and quantity. High sugar levels and a mixture of flavour profiles make the 2004 Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc a very interesting wine.

Description
A very full bodied wine that contains an abundance of fruit flavours and a spanking acidity. Pineapple, passionfruit and melon like flavours are all present, in addition to a hint of Marlborough herbaceousness. A very lively and approachable wine.

No Whining / Jean Reverdy Sancerre 2004

2007-03-26T10:26:00.000-05:00

Here is one grape libation we enjoyed at Highland Lake, AL with our friends and their kids. I lost my tasting notes but can definitely recommend this as a pleasant white. See the March 15, 2006 post for another 2004 Sancerre from Reverdy.

Marco Real Tempranillo Navarra 2004

2007-03-22T07:48:00.000-05:00

This is our second bottle of this great Spanish that's 100% Tempranillo. First bottle came from a store we visited with the Olivers and I found one locally at V. Richard's. Rick commented that the best values in reds are coming from Spain right now and I have to agree.

"Exhibiting greater fruit, complexity, and elegance than the Garnacha without sacrificing any of its meat or succulence, is the fuller, more rustic, but savory, distinctive, medium to full-bodied 2003 Tempranillo. Floral, blue and black fruit, abundant texture, and a heady finish suggest it should be drunk over the next several years." Robert Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

We enjoyed this with smoked beef brisket. $9.99. 3 stars for under $10 is pretty unique.

Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel

2007-03-18T19:33:00.000-05:00

I was looking through the December 2006 Consumer Reports magazine for who knows what, I came across the wine buyers guide. They looked for affordable, under $20, red's and whites. Two reds came in as excellent and one we have reviewed. The Seghesio Zinfandel which comes in at $20. The other red was Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel and can be purchased anywhere for under $10. This received Consumer Reports Best Value title. Not that I would go to CR for wine suggestions but they are right on it for this review. This is a great bottle of Zin and for under $10 it will become one of my standard drinkin' wines.

David Bruce Pinot Noir 2003

2007-03-18T00:38:00.000-05:00

The second wine from our dinner at Hot & Hot on 3/10/07. Expect to pay about $27 in a wine store.

We chose that because they did not have the MacRostie Pinot Noir and they suggested it as a replacement. Also, Rob and Mary have had it before and have a bottle in their cellar. Note: David Bruce makes several PNs from various regions and the Hot&Hot wine list does not clarify which one they offer.

Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2004

2007-03-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

From our meal at Hot & Hot, 3/10/07 - view wine list. Exceptionally well balanced. Very pale straw color. Leigh had the best flavor ID ... hits of grapefruit. Based on internet prices and the restaurant price I would expect to find it for $15 to $18 in stores. Buy it.

Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2003 Michele Chiarlo

2007-02-27T22:29:00.000-06:00

Here's another red that the group enjoyed in Crested Butte, CO ... the venue was Marchitelli's Gourmet Noodle, the mood festive.

I don't have any specific tasting notes but we wanted something light to medium-bodied that would go with a variety of entrees. We hit the mark.

Price: expected retail is $12-15.

Dona Paula Los Cardos Malbec 2005

2007-02-27T21:38:00.000-06:00

Tasted on 2 recent occasions, this proves to be delicious and a great VALUE. The most recent tasting was shared with the Olivers and the Berrys at Slogar in Crested Butte, CO. Its medium body with some spice and dark berry flavors (no pun). It paired surprisingly well with the fried chicken that Slogar is well-known for.

Variety: 100% Malbec
Winemaker’s comments: This wine of great varietal character stands out for its elegance and complex aromatic expression, reflecting the typical characteristics of an Argentine Malbec wine. On the nose it opens with notes of red berries and plum, intermixed with agreeable notes of spice, black pepper, mint and graphite. On the palate the wine is soft and fresh, full-bodied and very delightful, which reflects the slow maturity of the grapes and a careful management of the winemaking process.
Aging potential: 1 to 2 years, this wine is recommended to drink young in order to fully enjoy the freshness of its aromas.

$6.99 at World Market, probably available widely. Bonus Spanish Lesson: Los Cardos = the thistles

Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

2007-02-27T21:21:00.000-06:00

Recently served by our friend Claire at book club, this Cab was a great match with the flank steak grilled (!) by her oft kitchen-phobic husband Frank. According to the bottle it is one of Chile's oldest estates and is controlled by Domaines Baron de Rothschild (Lafite). Yep, the big baron of France. Cabernet Sauvignon is the classic production of Los Vascos, and is the grape that made the estate famous. The vintages all share a mature and fruity quality, fresh aromas, and a supple and fleshy structure. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

It is an attractive ruby in color with a very red fruit nose and some very chocolate and bay leaf touches. This wine is pleasant, excellent body, juicy and ripe. Highly concentrated with strawberry & cherries fruit notes and marked spices. Persistent and outstandingly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon.

"Wines like this helped Conchagua earn its Wine Region of the Year Award... for not much cash you get a ripe, smoky Cabernet with black plum and cassis aromas..."
-Wine Enthusiast

Price: $10 or less; Where: tbd; Rating: 3.5 / 5

Abbadia Ardenga Brunello di Montalcino 2001

2007-02-19T16:25:00.000-06:00

We bought this when Rob and Mary were in Atlanta a few weeks ago. Splurged on it as a deal for a special occasion. I think it was $32 or $35 marked down significantly (do you remember the original price, Rob or Mary?) I copied the description below from another blog, because it really did capture what the wine was like and I am crappy at describing wines. See further down. I did note the acidity and plum and cherry flavors before being biased by the more professional view below. We decided to drink when visiting my folks. We cooked a dish called Peposo (pepperey Italian beef stew) to go with it. Yummy. It was perfect for this wine. This is a big, food wine, not for sipping around coctail hour. Four things:

You do need to let this breathe -- decant and let sit two hours (label says so).
Taste it immediately upon opening. Really interesting the difference the two hours makes. At first, it is very acidic and alcoholy. It mellows incredibly.
Where in the world do you all find the labels to post?
If you're interested, I've started a dining blog called ATL Adventure Eats.

"Black almandine ruby with black reflections and slightly brownish rim. The bouquet is unusual, with flowers -- a mixture of dried and violets -- mingled with nutmeg spice and a fair amount of sea salt, with underlying dried plums, all supported by moderate balsamic acidity. On the palate it's full, and bright, with lively cherry fruit that gains direction from brisk cherry acidity, and is supported by ample smooth tannins that lead into a fairly long bright cherry finish that again is supported by acidity and gains depth from some brambly bitterness. Pleasant; and will drink quite well with succulent red meats or stews; it also has the capacity to age well for a number of years. I wasn't familiar with the winery, but am happy to have discovered them."

Edna Valley Vineyard 2005 Chardonnay "Paragon"

2007-02-11T22:05:00.000-06:00

"Smoky aromas of vanillin oak and sweet spice balance white peach, pineapple and citrus aromas. The white peach and citrus notes and the subtle minerality of the finish are enhanced by fullness on the palate and length of finish. Enjoy this Chardonnay with roasted chicken, cream-based pasta and vegetarian dishes." In short, good stuff. Should be found for around $14.

OTBN, February 24th

2007-02-11T21:44:00.000-06:00

It stands for Open That Bottle Night - an occasion invented by wine writers John Brecher and Dorothy Gaiter for all of us to to open a very special wine we always mean to open, but never do. In their Feb. 2 column they give some tips for prepping, opening, and serving that old bottle.

Now, which one should we try?