This article from Wineloverspage.com has a list of top 2005 wines for $12 or less and $12 to $25. http://www.wineloverspage.com/qpr/index.phtml
From the cheapie list we have had the Laurel Glen "Reds" (see 12/23/05) and Cartlidge & Browne 2003 California Pinot Noir.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay 2004
Here's one that's a definite cut above the average weeknight wine without jumping to the league of the Cakebread previously posted. It's described as having a "nose filled with green apple, citrus and ripe pear framed by creamy oak". What we liked about it was that the fruit and oak were present without overwhelming at all. Very nice balance of flavors here. About $15.
Shawn probably won't like (see 2/24/06) it because of the oak presence but would do well to try it to see what restrained oak is like in a chardonnay.
A Pair of Frenchies
We recently enjoyed a nice dinner out with another couple to celebrate my birthday. Mary brought a couple of bottles she picked up at Overton & Vine: a Sancerre and a Chateauneuf du Pape.
Sancerre 2004 Hippolyte Reverdy
Sancerre is a fine French white made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. (I had to look this up but did guess the grape correctly.) It comes from the upper Loire Valley region. The style of this wine is crisp and acidic with various fruit flavors such as pear. It is said to complement seafood very nicely. I would definitely agree with this but should note it did well with all of our appetizers.
Vieux Mas des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape 2003
This is a lighter bodied CdP made by the same producer of Vieux Télégraphe. The vines here are 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault and other grapes. Vieux Mas des Papes is a 2nd wine made from the youngest vines (about 20 years) and the part of the harvest which is not found good enough for Vieux Télégraphe. This means that the amount of production varies from year to year. The vinification is done in the same way for these two wines. Maturing at first takes place in concrete tanks for around 8-9 months and then in foudres (oak barrels) for 8-12 months. For the second wine in foudres for a shorter time.
We found it smooth and agreeable for all our entrees (pasta, scallops, shrimp, and pork). This is definitely more suitable to drinking young.
Sancerre 2004 Hippolyte Reverdy
Sancerre is a fine French white made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. (I had to look this up but did guess the grape correctly.) It comes from the upper Loire Valley region. The style of this wine is crisp and acidic with various fruit flavors such as pear. It is said to complement seafood very nicely. I would definitely agree with this but should note it did well with all of our appetizers.
Vieux Mas des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape 2003
This is a lighter bodied CdP made by the same producer of Vieux Télégraphe. The vines here are 65% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and 10% Cinsault and other grapes. Vieux Mas des Papes is a 2nd wine made from the youngest vines (about 20 years) and the part of the harvest which is not found good enough for Vieux Télégraphe. This means that the amount of production varies from year to year. The vinification is done in the same way for these two wines. Maturing at first takes place in concrete tanks for around 8-9 months and then in foudres (oak barrels) for 8-12 months. For the second wine in foudres for a shorter time.
We found it smooth and agreeable for all our entrees (pasta, scallops, shrimp, and pork). This is definitely more suitable to drinking young.
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