This Grenache blend was third up at our virtual tasting. It showed well but was not my favorite. Deep garnet, it was more opaque than I was expecting. Pomegranate, raspberry, pepper, anise, kirsch, bramble and strawberry jam notes on the nose were echoed on the palate. We also got a green olive aftertaste with cedar and charcoal on the mid palate. Very integrated tannins, low acidity, medium bodied and a long finish made this a 91 pointer. At $50 I was hoping it filled the 93 point hype the pros gave it, alas it was just decent. 3 stars from me. Drink till 2025. Salut…
Semi opaque and ruby colored, the nose has medium intensity aromas of ripe raspberries, red licorice, red currants, bacon, dried herbs, dusty earth and toast. The palate is dry with immediate tannic grip, but not overly astringent. Red fruit compote, plums, herbs, meaty bacon, earthiness and toast from the oak all swirl around my mouth. It’s quite complex and nicely structured. Medium to full-bodied, the alcohol (14.5% ABV) is well hidden but contributes to the lushness of the mouthfeel. The finish is quite decent in length and not too dry, with just a smidge of lingering tannins. It’s quite young but very approachable, I would estimate a drinking window till 2035. It’s Sunday Roast Beef for dinner, nearly a perfect match. 94 points and 5 stars for this $50 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre blend. Salut….
On a recent trip to Canada I purchased this Icewine. It is made from the Vidal grape which is a hybrid varietal made by crossing Ugni Blanc with Rayon D’Or. The berries are allowed to fully ripen and once the temperature gets really cold (-10C) the fruit is harvested and pressed immediately. The grapes tend to be sweet as a result of over-ripening and when they are pressed, the frozen water inside the grape remains whilst the sugar is run off resulting in a very sweet nectar that is fermented into a low alcohol (9% or so) wine. This winery is well known and their wine is delicious- dark gold and almost syrupy in the glass. Aromas and flavors of apricot, honeysuckle, apricot and banana. The wine tastes very sweet with low alcohol. It is full bodied, unctuous, waxy and paired well with desserts of carrot cake and Key Lime pie. I was a bit rushed in tasting but the next bottle will get the full treatment. I paid $50 for this 94 point bottle that gets 5 stars. If you like sweet wines, this is a must-try. It is unlike a Sauternes as it does not have the Botrytis nuances- instead it is more fruit focused and leans heavily on the sugar content to deliver a delicious treat! Salut….
I’ve had this one before, but a while ago so I thought with some cellaring it would be even better- no surprise.It’s staring to turn a touch garnet but is of pale intensity.The nose is quite pronounced with pomegranate, red cherry, cranberry, barnyard, dried sage and dried red plum.The palate is delicious.Smooth with low tannins, medium acidity , medium body and gobs of flavor.In addition to the red fruits and tertiary notes I also get some rooibos tea.The finish is medium length and chock full of fruit with some super fine tannins.92 points, drink till 2027. It runs $50 these days which makes it a 4 star wine in my books. Salut….
I’ve been sitting on a few bottles of Burgundy for years- tonight’s beef dish calls for a Pinot Noir so here goes. Pale garnet in color which is to be expected for an 11-year old wine. The nose is amazing, exactly what I was hoping for. Pronounced aromas of earth, garrigue, dried red cherry, walnut, prune, stewed strawberry, funky barnyard and white pepper. Tertiary aromas galore from prolonged cellaring. The palate shows some fresh fruit but the bulk of the pronounced flavors are of stewed or dried red fruit, nuts, earthy components and funk along with gentle acidity and lithe tannins. The wine is very balanced and light to mid weight. Low alcohol at 13% ABV makes for a crisp mouthfeel and no heat. I like the delicacy of this wine and am grateful that it matured in the manner it has. My patience has been rewarded by this $50 gem that gets 92 points from me. I believe it will last till 2026 and will go well with roasted poultry, beef Burgundy or even Venison. 5 stars. Salut….
I am looking to pair Eye of Round roast which has been cooking in the sous vide for 20 hours. A Napa Cabernet is called for. This wine is opaque and a very pretty purple in the glass. The nose screams Napa sunshine- bright blackberry aromas with black plum, cloves, charred wood, black tea and vanilla. The palate is quite intense with black fruit, oak nuances juicy acidity and medium tannins that carry through to the very end. The blackberry flavors are very prominent in this one, they duke it out on the back end with the tannins to see who lasts the longest. Th oak usage is very deft and well played. I like the balance of this wine and it has a medium to full body. The 14.2% ABV is barely noticeable but I did get a whiff of it on the nose. Still young- this one will cellar nicely till 2030 but if you like a dry, slightly tannic wine then pop-n-pour right away. 92 points from me make this $50 wine a 5 star effort. Salut….
Deep lemon color with a nose of tangerine, lemons, popcorn and acacia. The palate is bright and very citrusy, yet the butter component is missing.I’m confused.Green apple, baked bread and pear are playing second fiddle to lemon and tangerine. It’s evident that Malolactic fermentation has been blocked, keeping the fruit vibrant and fresh. Oak influence is also evident, albeit deft. The wine has medium acidity and is quite full bodied.On the finish I get a nuttiness- like stone fruit seed.Yummy stuff that gets 92 points. This is an iconic wine that merits a try, even though it rolls in at $50. 5 stars from me. Pair with seafood, perhaps even some stuffed, baked mushrooms. Salut….
One of this week’s assignements for my wine course is to discuss and taste a Burgundy. Here goes:
I have selected a 1er Cru wine to taste from the Côte D’Or. Located in Savigny-Lès-Beaune, the Vergelesses vineyard is southeast facing with a gentle slope. The wine is a Pinot Noir that has been vinified with wild yeasts having been hand picked and cultivated without chemicals. It has been aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.
The Pinot Noir grape is notoriously difficult to grow and produce quality wine, it requires a lot of attention and is susceptible to disease and rot. It has a difficult time ripening and needs a cool to moderate climate. Situated in the central part of Burgundy, this vineyard gets the right weather and with the aspect being southeast, it gets the maximum sunshine ensuring full ripeness. The gently slope allows some extra degree of sunshine for the grapes as well as good drainage.
Hand picking the ripe berries makes for a more uniform selection of grapes and raises the overall quality whilst the use of French oak barrels adds complexity, which is compounded by the use of wild yeasts.
Jean Féry & Fils Savigny-Lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Vergelesses 2010, France 13% ABV
Appearance- Clear, pale garnet with watery legs.
Nose- Pronounced aromas of red cherry, redcurrant, stewed fruit, clove and smoke. Developing.
Palate- Dry, high acidity, medium (-) tannin, medium alcohol, medium (-) body, medium intensity flavors of red cherry, strawberry, redcurrant, smoke, prune. The finish is medium (+).
Conclusion- A very good wine that can be drunk now but has potential for aging.
Ps. This is the second 1er Cru I have opened this week that I think is too young, even at 10+ years. I really like the way this one is developing, the tertiary flavors are starting to come out. I have two more bottles to sit on and watch the evolution over the next 5 years or so.
So, I am going with 92 points and for $50, this is a great deal on semi-aged Burgundy that gets 5 stars from me. Salut….
Wow, this Napa wine is super opaque and dark purple-it looks like Welch’s grape juice. I can smell fruit flavors about a foot away from the glass, it’s wafting over and I think I’m going to like it. Yup, I do. Saturated with blackberry notes, I also get blueberry essence. On the palate it is delicious. Layers of blackberry, blueberry and cassis. Very primal, extracted and yummy. Lithe tannins appear on the mid palate but this wine is really juicy, the acidity really has a grip. Deft use of oak keeps this wine interesting without overplaying tertiary flavors. The finish turns quite dry with the tannins really starting to make themselves known. Overall a nicely balanced wine with good structure, great fruit and decent cellaring capacity. I would drink this blend of Syrah, Malbec, Zin, Merlot etc till 2028 with a big ole T-bone. 92 points from me make this $50 wine a 5 star effort. Salut….
Opaque and dark purple. The nose has a big dose of funk right off the bat- standing water comes to mind. Once past that shocker I get Napa sunshine with ripe blackberry, toasty oak and Ribena. The palate is blueberry and blackberry tart with coconut and creme. The oak influence is appreciated. Mid palate has very lithe tannins and mild acidity. Leather and tobacco appear on the finish with cassis. Really delicious as the wine progressed . 91 points and at $50 per bottle it gets 4 stars. Paired with Spinach rolled Flank Steak and Ceaser salad. Drink till 2023. Salut….
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