Twenty Bench Cabernet 2004

This was another red served at our book club meeting last month. The grapes are from various locations in Napa and the wine is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc.

From the winery's site: "The 2004 Twenty Bench is one of our more pronounced vintages to date. Aromas of black currants, plums and chocolate accompany the wines dense, inky color, while the palate shows great structure, richness and depth that comes with the first ever addition of Cabernet Franc to the blend. This wine drinks well now and will age gracefully over the next 7-8 years."

As with the Twenty Rows it's available at Western. Around $20.

Twenty Rows 2004 The Grappler

This was one of two reds served by our friend Laura at book club this month. I don't have any specific notes but recall it as excellent. It is an unusual blend of 58% zinfandel, 30% syrah, 12% cabernet. The winery site's description:

"The Grappler is crafted from carefully selected vineyards to yield an intense, deeply colored wine with concentrated aromas and flavors. We named this wine after our sons who dedicated a lot of time and effort to the sport of wrestling hence, The Grappler. Seamless integration of flavors from start to finish. The wine starts out powerful yet smooth with ripe, spicy, cherry and tobacco flavors on the mid-palate. The finish is accented with cedar and black pepper." - About $20, available at Western and Village Wine Shoppe.

Note: label shows the Cab but the Grappler label looks the same.

Syrah Turchi 2004 Santa Barbara

Another wine from the Bottega by the glass menu. It was very flavorful and I enjoyed all three glasses. Leigh could smell chocolate. Even though it was bold I had monkfish with it and it was very good. The label presented may not be the correct one.

Cavalchina Bianco di Custoza 2005

Leigh had this at Bottega the other night. It was sold by the glass and the waiter recommended it saying it went with most of their food very well. It was very good. Not too light (Sauvignon Blanc) and not too heavy (Chardonnay) but just right. A website had this to say: Mouth-gripping experience from this tank fermented and aged blend of Trebbiano, Garganega, and Fernada. Very lively - almost frizzante; green melon, ripe lemon spice, green pears. Bright and lasting finish. Since this was not purchased by the bottle I am not sure this is the correct picture.

Parallel 45 Cabernet 2004

This is the great Cab we had in Park City, UT on the 2006 ski trip. Scotty just sent me this showing their 95 point score:

Parallel Napa Valley has been fortunate to receive a wonderful review from a well respected writer and publisher of www.winereviewonline.com , Robert Whitley.

Parallel, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 ($48): It is difficult for me to imagine a more attractive young Cabernet. The question, of course, is whether or not a Cab that tastes this good in its youth has the capacity to improve with age. I believe it does, thus it creeps into the scoring range I reserve for cellar-worthy wines. The beauty of this wine lies in its many dimensions, the layers, the textures, the sweetness of the fruit, the spice notes, the sweet, supple tannins and the exquisite length in the mouth. For all of its ripe, opulent fruit this second vintage of Parallel is beautifully balanced and in some sense restrained if you believe, as I do, that it is early in its evolution and hasn't yet fully blossomed. Grapes for this exceptional Napa Cab were sourced from several vineyards located on the east side of the Napa Valley, above the Silverado Trail. Only 980 cases were produced. 95 Robert Whitley

He has also has written a nice article about our winemaker, Philippe Melka and our project together. Please click through www.winereviewonline.com to read. It is titled, “Star Napa Winemaker Relishes 'Humble' Project”.

We reflect back on a successful year and would like to thank the people responsible for our success – You, the fan of Parallel. Please accept our heartfelt wishes for a festive Holiday and wonderful New Year!

The Parallel Wine Team

www.parallelwines.com

Liberty School Syrah Central Coast 2004

I had great hopes for this one from Paso Robles, CA - locale of some great reds - but the alchohol is a bit strong. At 13.5% I think it overpowers the fruit. But if you look hard enough you will find dark berry flavors and a spicy finish. I may have to try it again. $10-12.

Daniel Chotard Sancerre 2004

Sancerre is a French appelation from the Loire Valley made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. I'm not sure where Mary got this but it's good - not much oak, dry, crisp, suggestive of green fruit. We had it with our smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. My price search says you should find it for $16-$21.

Ridge California Sonoma County "Three Valleys" 2004

"Three Valleys" is the Ridge proprietary name for its only wine blended from multiple vineyard sites. To make it, Ridge selected softer, more accessible lots from single vineyards, combining them to create the character that is most immediately appealing. Younger vines on the Lytton Springs Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley provided roughly half the fruit; a third came from Geyserville, Mazzoni, and Stone Ranch Vineyards in Alexander Valley; the balance is from Pagani Ranch in the cool Sonoma Valley.

Yeah, I didn't write that but it is some good info. Rob originally posted this below as part of the Man Trip wines. I brought this on the suggestion of the wine guy at Piggly Wiggly in Homewood. I have got to get this guys name one day. I told him we needed something good to go with our steak. He strongly recommended this wine. I was very impressed with this wine. It runs in the low $20s. Notice the picture says 2002. We had the 2004.

Colterenzio Lagrein Grieser 2005

It has been a while since I have posted. The whites of summer did nothing for me and I haven't been in the mood for reds. Until now. I went to my favorite wine shop, Village Wines in English Village and purchased a very expensive bottle of wine for a friend. While there I asked for a cheap bottle of red for myself. Something to drink and not think much about. I was told that this wine was very popular and I believe it only cost $12.99. I wish I had more of a wine imagination so I could describe the scent but all I can settle on is "very good!" Trust me, it is a great bottle and you should try it.

Man Trip 2006 Wines

Website to visit

Each day, USA TODAY's Jerry Shriver recommends a a wine that costs $15 or less in his Cheers! blog at http://cheers.usatoday.com.

Sounds like a good source for us Bham Winos.

A recent suggestion:

2004 Dry Creek Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel, Sonoma County, about $15. For more than 30 years this Sonoma County producer has turned out some of California's most reliable zinfandels (along with some of its very best Sauvignon Blancs), and this bottling upholds that tradition. It's packed with juicy blackberry flavors and spice notes, and the alcohol comes in at a very manageable 13.5%. This isn't a trophy wine, just a well-made, classic California Zin, and I wish more wineries would stick to this style. Try it with either a hunk of sourdough bread and some hard cheese or with barbecued ribs.

Chalone Vineyard 2003 Merlot

Officially it's the Monterey County Merlot.
I'm on a mission to save Merlot. It has gone out of favor because of the rantings of some bald guy in a weird movie. So who do you want to believe, him - or your taste buds? Seriously, Merlot is good stuff and don't forget it.

This one was very good. I have had good success with both reds and whites from the Monterey region and that was one thing that caught my eye on the label. It has rich cherry flavors and aromas and some hints of oak vanilla. Try it. $18 at Western.

Orleans Hill Viognier 2005

This white uses organically grown grapes. From the website: "Most California wineries make a Viognier like they style chardonnay-- big, oaky, clumsy, and non-distinctive.

Our Viognier is more along the styling of an Italian Pinot Grigio, crisp, dry and non-oaked with a kiss of CO2 left over from primary fermentation. This keeps the alluring melon and floral aromas in the forefront and makes a wine which is great summer quaffing or with light fare."

Online tasting notes: Clear light gold. Peach nectar and vanilla aromas, ripe and full. Luscious texture and a hint of sweetness on the first taste segues to a finish that's more dry and tart, with medium body and a hint of alcohol (it's listed at 13.5%).

Our opinion - pretty good. Served with salmon poached in a rich sauce of tahini and tomatillo salsa. About $11.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot 2004

We had this last night with steaks. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, and sweet oak. Not too fruity (it has a bit of Cabernet blended in) - we thought it was very good. Label also notes Alexander Valley / Wetzel Family Estate. About $15.

Keltie Brook Pinot Noir 2004

Hey Shawn - a screw top Pinot from Carneros. We drank it and blogged it so it must not have been terrible. No notes available. 9/30/06

Wine dinner at John's City Diner

Tuesday night we did something we wanted to do for a while by attending one of the bi-monthly wine dinners at John's City Diner downtown. After a Bellini made with Rotari Sparking Chef Paul Clark gave an overview of the food to come. First course - 3 cheese ravioli with sauteed crabmeat and toasted sweet corn ragout. Second course - Pasta rustica with chicken, sausage, onion, herbs, lemon. Entree - Stuffed center cut pork chop with grilled polenta, wilted greens, and port wine jus. Dessert - 2 assorted sorbetos.

As for the wines:
Rotari Sparking
Libio Felluga, Tocai Friolano, Collio (white)
Masi Campofiorin Ripasso, Veneto (red)
Ceretto Barolo, Piemonte (red)

Jennifer Horner of MBC United Wines did a nice talk about what we drinking and had some geographic reference material on each table.

Rotari
Not an "asti" but a champagne-method sparking. Made from chardonnay and pinot noir grapes.

Libio Felluga
This white reminded me of a French Loire Valley white, very little or no oak.

Masi
This specialty of Masi, resulting from the refermentation of wine from fresh Veronese red grapes with a percentage of semi-dried grapes of the same varietals, splendidly encompasses the qualities of the Verona area: the excellence of the zone, the highly individual style of the indigenous Veronese grape varieties, and the originality of the techniques of "appassimento" (semi-drying) and double fermentation by Masi. It combines simplicity and grace with power and majesty. It is rich, full-bodied, round and velvety, and has an aging potential of 10 to 15 years.

Ceretto
The star of the evening (we don't get to enjoy Barolo very often). Great with the pork.

Wishing Tree 2005 Unoaked Chardonnay

This inexpensive Australian is quite drinkable although a bit sharp around the edges for my taste. The fruit overtones are on the tart and acidic side, like grapefruit or tart apple.

Of the whites posted here in recent months I would prefer the CMS or the Cusumono Insolia. However, both of those cost more than this one which runs about $9. Shawn will dig the screw cap. All in all, a good everyday white.

Sacred Stone Master's Red Blend

Another recent find from Western. From the winery (Pietra Santa - 25 miles east of Monterey):

"Ripe, juicy, and expressive, this unique blend features cherry and plum flavors with hints of earth and spice. Sacred Stone is soft and supple with attractive forward fruit and crisp acidity that makes it an ideal match for a wide-range of food. Merlot and Sangiovese from our estate vineyards provide the backbone of the wine, but the Syrah, Carignane, and Grenache add interesting spice and mineral notes. An excellent value with loads of complexity and flavor.

Blend: 26% Merlot, 24% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah and small amounts of Carignane and Grenache"

The label says it will cellar for 2-8 years. However, there is no vintage year on the bottle; it only says "cask 008". Curious. $10

2 French Red Values

We found some good values at Western recently. First is Chateau la Casenove Côtes du Roussillon 'La Garrigue' 2003. Description: Flavors of pure-tasting blackberry and chocolate. Excellent texture, and levels of fruit, with a long elegant feel.

$9.99


Second is the 2002 Chateau Pesquie Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee Terrasses.

From the winery:

Grape varieties: Blend of 70 % Grenache and 30 % Syrah.

Aging: 35 % of this vintage is aged in oak barrels, 19 % of which are new and 16 % of which have been used two or three times previously.

Tasting: Dark red color, with a nose blossoming into jammy berry aromas set off by a touch of spice. The well-structured, powerful mouthfeel with elegant tannins is enhanced by slightly woody licorice notes. Long finish.

$8.99

Alsace Gentil "Hugel" 2003

Here's another French white as an alternative to California whites. Mary says "fruity but not too" ... we both agree on the grapefruit note below. $12

Wine Spectator (85 points) - Fragrant, evoking floral and spice aromas and flavors, this is rich and soft, yet gets a boost from a grapefruit note on the finish. Drink now.