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.