Beringer Founders' Estate 2005 Old Vine Zinfandel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

1. You do need to let this breathe -- decant and let sit two hours (label says so).
2. Taste it immediately upon opening. Really interesting the difference the two hours makes. At first, it is very acidic and alcoholy. It mellows incredibly.
3. Where in the world do you all find the labels to post?
4. 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"

"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

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?

Hope Shiraz "The Ripper" 2004

This rather tall and heavy bottle is bursting with "grapeyness". Seriously, it's a fruit-forward wine. You could say it has "a rich mocha black currant intensity with a long balanced spicy finish". You might even taste some white and black pepper. I liked it.

$13.99 from store in Atlanta we visited with David-O. Haven't looked for it locally.

Bierzo Cuatro Pasos Mencia 2004

Cuatro Pasos "Four Steps" is a Spanish Pinot Noir. It is an austere red with tannins poking through. However, it comes with the cutest packaging. Dog prints march across the label, cork and wrapper. I bought it for approximately $12.00 at the Village Wine Market.

Finca La Linda by Luigi Bosca 2003

This is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine from Argentina. It has a garnet red color with blackish dyes, with aromas to blackberries, black pepper and Moor. It is intense and persistent on the mouth. It is matured for 3 months in French and American oak.

The different varietals harvested on the Luigi Bosca properties, were brought from Europe around 1890. The vines are the result of a very careful selection from the old stock which underwent a slow process of acclimatisation.

I bought this at the Village Market. Good, but still reminiscing about the Menage a Trois from last week

Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel 2004

One of my favorite labels. Any of the Ravenswood wines generally do not disappoint for this price point $10 or less. Bruno's had this on sale for $7.99 and I had to pick up a couple of bottles at this price! Compared to the Windmill Old Vine Zinfandel - Oh there is no comparision! Ravenswood is so much better! As the label says "No Wimpy Wines".
The Ravenswood website says this about the Vinter's Blend wines:
Since 1983, Ravenswood's Joel Peterson — renowned not only as one of California's best winemakers but also as one of its most talented tasters — has devoted part of each year to the role of negociant. Sifting through hundreds of samples that reach him through brokers, friends, and acquaintances (including soothsayers and secret agents), Joel searches out sound, reasonably priced wines to complement lots made at Ravenswood. Not every vineyard, after all, is worthy of being a labeled designate — but by the same token, not every meal or day of the week is worthy of an expensive wine. Looking again to the European model, Joel wants something modest but delicious to satisfy the palate during the week, in between luxury wines that are unveiled on special occasions.
Enough Said! Buy often and enjoy!

Windmill 2005 Old Vine Zinfindel

Micheal and David Phillips own this vineyard/winery. They also make Don's Lodi Red, blogged by Shawn in January 2006. The Lodi Vineyard website describes the Windmill labels as wines which express true varietal character with an emphasis on fruit at affordable prices.

Their description of Old Vine Zinfandel: Produced from the vineyards of four of our area's top growers, this zin is heady with the aromas of ripe, soft, brambly blackberries, Bing cherries and vanilla, leading to a full-mouth feel with rich chewy tannins and hints of dark chocolate.

It was affordable - purchased at The Pig's Tria Market. It was $10.99 but was not really impressed with this bottle. I don't recall any of the flavors descibed by the vinters. Tria was pouring this during their Friday night wine tasting - initial taste was okay (only Zin being poured other wines were Chilean) so I thought we would try it. After having one bottle there was nothing special about it. For the money there are better more memorable wines in the same price range. It was really a lackluster wine. Probably should have just used it for making some pasta sauce.

Cartlidge & Brown Syrah 2002

We have been pleased with other wines by C&B so we tried this one. The verdict: pleasant. "With its inky color and super rich, ripe fruit aromas of black cherry, plum jam, and fig, the 2002 Syrah is truly a blockbuster. With relatively low alcohol, no harsh tannins and deep fruit flavors, it is surprisingly approachable." - C&B website.

About $10 at Western.

Pillar Box Red 2005

Shawn introduced this one about a year ago and it has caught on big, selling briskly around Birmingham.

From Henry's Drive Winery in Padathaway, Australia, it's a blend of Cabernet/Shiraz/Merlot. Good. $10

Under $20 American Chardonnay not good?

I make a point of reading the Wall Street Journal wine column by John Brecher & Dorothy Gaiter that is reprinted in the "City Scene" section of the Bham News. They write very intelligently about wine - giving suggestions and noting trends. A few months ago they talked about some Zinfandel producers who are making strange wines (e.g. too much alcohol, strange flavors). This week's article deals with their tasting of nearly 70 chards under $20.

They note that vintners are now making it on the cheap and chard has become "a caricature of itself, with obvious tastes of oak, vanilla, alcohol and sugar replacing anything true". As a group they say has the single most notable smell and flavor is pineapple with syrupy sweetness ... nail polisher remover ... acid mixture". Wow. I hope the vintners are listening.

Read the article

Their top six:
Calera Wine Co. 2004 (Central Coast) / $15 / good-vg
Clos du Bois 'Reserve' 2004 (Russian River Valley, Sonoma County) / $14 / good-vg
St. Clement Vineyards 2004 (Carneros, Napa Valley) / $17 good-vg
Bonterra Vineyards 2005 (Mendocino County) / $11.50 / good
Merryvale Vineyards 'Starmont' 2005 (Napa Valley) / $18 / good
Wyatt Wine Cellars 2004 (California) / $8.50 / good

Shooting Star Aligoté 2005

Aligoté is a white grape that is widely cultivated in and around BURGUNDY. It's considered less important and distinguished than the CHARDONNAY grape, and, in most cases, wines developed from the Aligoté are not as rich or long-lived as those from Chardonnay.

From the Steele site: "Our Aligoté is barrel fermented, but we use older oak barrels rather than the 30% new oak that we typically use for Chardonnay. The wine is crisp and clean, a wine with a nice balance of fruit and acidity. Flinty, mineral elements mix with a light floral hint on the nose, followed with the suggestion of tart/sweet apple on the palette, making it a wonderful, versatile food wine."

Mary and I tried this with Shawn's grouper en papillote. It was a good pairing, and comes across as softer and sweeter than a chardonnay. I think it would make a good hot weather sipping white too. About $10 from Overton & Vine.

Borsao Campo de Borja 2005

This is another Spanish red (75% Garnacha, 25% Tempranillo) from the same D.O. as the Campo de Borja / Vina Borgia 2005 posted earlier this month. (It is 100% Garnacha). I couldn't find more of the latter at Western and since we had it in prior years I thought I'd give it a try instead. It's a very decent red for the price but we prefer the taste of the Vina Borgia.

$7.99 at World Market

Menage a Trois 2005

Menage a Trois is a Napa Valley red table wine. I bought it at the Village Wine for aproximately $12.00. It combines Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is silky & soft with berry tones. I like it.

Campo de Borja / Vina Borgia 2005

Five bucks! Smooth balance and nice fruit. Suggests berries with a mild peppery spice. The wine is from Spain and is %100 Grenache grapes (Garnacha in Spanish). You may have enjoyed this in previous years (Mary and I enjoyed lots of the 2003) but the label has changed for 2005. Available at Western.

Compare this to the 2005 Tikalo Alba Liza (65% Tempranillo and 35% Garnacha). It was served at a party I attended in December and I enjoyed it enough to seek it out for another taste. The Alba Liza has a more earthy taste and is better with food than standing alone. $8.29 at Classic Wine Company.

La Legua 2004

Love This Wine!!! I bought it on the recommendation from Village Wine with the gift certificate I got from Vic. It was my cheap wine, $9.99. They told me it wouldn't be around for long and I can see why. Very smooth from the first sip. I was shocked to find that this was the cheapest wine I bought on that trip. For a full writeup visit this link.