About the Wine: Rumor is that the wine makers of Chile are doing what the wine makers of Italy did in 1997, making a huge ump in quality that will be followed by an accompanying jump in price. This is no surprise given the fact that Chile and Argentina have long been go to regions for inexpensive quality wine that can be drunk young.
About THIS Wine: The nose is very bold with both the Cab and the Malbec throwing out loads of fruit. I think a dash of Merlot might have been in order to tame this beast. Fruit is prominent on the palate but it is much drier in both palate and finish than I would have expected from the way it smelled.
Drinking This Wine: This is a Tuesday night wine that would pair well with a hamburger or a French dip. It is a little too dry to have by itself and it is not big enough to be a steak wine.
Overall Impression: If this Bordeaux blend had come from Bordeaux it would cost at least twenty dollars. At this price it is a good value.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
La Ferme de Suzon Red Clay Cotes du Rhone 2012 (about $9)
About the Wine: "How's the nine dollar Cotes du Rhone?" may be the most optimistic question of my wine career. The salesman helpfully compared it to a ten dollar Cotes du Rhone in another display, which he said was fruitier. I was pretty sure that they both tasted like shame, so I went for the cheaper one.
About THIS Wine: The Syrah really jumps out on the nose. It provides a potent, jammy fruit smell. As the wine opens up, more Grenache and Cinsault come through in earthy, vegetal notes. It is those later elements that dominate the palate, which is dry, smooth, and good. There is basically no finish.
Drinking This Wine: I had it with turkey leg and it was good. But wine at this price range is best drunk while contemplating your various mistakes in life, such as buying wine at this price range.
Overall Impression: All kidding aside, the wine tasted good and did not give me a hangover. You could easily sell it for fifteen dollars a bottle and I have definitely had worse at that price range. This wine is a good value.
About THIS Wine: The Syrah really jumps out on the nose. It provides a potent, jammy fruit smell. As the wine opens up, more Grenache and Cinsault come through in earthy, vegetal notes. It is those later elements that dominate the palate, which is dry, smooth, and good. There is basically no finish.
Drinking This Wine: I had it with turkey leg and it was good. But wine at this price range is best drunk while contemplating your various mistakes in life, such as buying wine at this price range.
Overall Impression: All kidding aside, the wine tasted good and did not give me a hangover. You could easily sell it for fifteen dollars a bottle and I have definitely had worse at that price range. This wine is a good value.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Seven Falls Wahluke Slope Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (about $15)
About The Wine: Washington State has not overtaken California as the best producer of domestic wine but I believe it is only a matter of time. When done right, Washington State's Cabs have a smoothness and an easy drinking quality that most of Cali's over the top reds lack.
About THIS Wine: In the glass it is opaque purple right up to the rim. Jammy blackberry dominates the nose along with prominent vanilla notes. The palate is full and slightly tannic.
Drinking This Wine: The tannins are potent enough that a little bit of decanting is advisable. Leave the wine open for half an hour or an hour to let it smooth out. It is not really big enough for beef but it would be divine with pork steak.
Overall Impression: This is a smooth, easy drinking, and food friendly wine. It is everything you could want from a fifteen dollar bottle and as such it is good for the price.
About THIS Wine: In the glass it is opaque purple right up to the rim. Jammy blackberry dominates the nose along with prominent vanilla notes. The palate is full and slightly tannic.
Drinking This Wine: The tannins are potent enough that a little bit of decanting is advisable. Leave the wine open for half an hour or an hour to let it smooth out. It is not really big enough for beef but it would be divine with pork steak.
Overall Impression: This is a smooth, easy drinking, and food friendly wine. It is everything you could want from a fifteen dollar bottle and as such it is good for the price.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Kallune Red Blend 2010 (about $18)
About the Wine: Malbec is so closely associated with Argentina that many people forget that it is one of the Bordeaux varietals. Argentinian Malbecs are often a bit soft and flabby, so some producers have begun blending other varietals to produce a heartier wine. This wine is a blend of 48% Malbec, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot. This can technically be classified as a Bordeaux blend because Cab and merlot are both Bordeaux varietals, though few producers in Bordeaux favor Malbec so heavily..
About THIS Wine: The center is opaque purple with a violet rim. The nose is musky with heavy wood notes. On a first taste the wine was very dry with scattered fruit notes. It had a disjointed feel. With some time in the glass the elements began to integrate into something that was a passable interpretation of a Bordeaux, though not nearly as heavy or tannic.
Drinking This Wine: This definitely benefitted from decanting. I had it with oven roasted chicken and it was a great pairing.
Overall Impression: This is a red Bordeaux blend for someone who wants something lighter, cheaper, and generally easier than traditional Bordeaux. It is an interesting, food friendly wine that may provide a window into the future of serious Argentine wine making. It's also pretty tasty. This wine is a good value.
About THIS Wine: The center is opaque purple with a violet rim. The nose is musky with heavy wood notes. On a first taste the wine was very dry with scattered fruit notes. It had a disjointed feel. With some time in the glass the elements began to integrate into something that was a passable interpretation of a Bordeaux, though not nearly as heavy or tannic.
Drinking This Wine: This definitely benefitted from decanting. I had it with oven roasted chicken and it was a great pairing.
Overall Impression: This is a red Bordeaux blend for someone who wants something lighter, cheaper, and generally easier than traditional Bordeaux. It is an interesting, food friendly wine that may provide a window into the future of serious Argentine wine making. It's also pretty tasty. This wine is a good value.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Grayson Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (About $10)
About the Wine: I had a previous vintage of this at a wine seminar, one of my first wine seminars, a few years back and have been recommending it ever since. It occurred to me that I should taste the current vintage to see if I should be commending people for buying a great value wine or silently judging them for buying plonk. (Just kidding, wine professionals are always judging our customers. Always.)
About THIS Wine: The center is opaque and fades to a clear rim, which is surprising for such a young Cabernet. Fig and prune are prominent on the nose. Those flavors present nicely on the palate along with a tannin structure that is very well integrated Again surprising for such a young Cab. The finish tastes of plum and lingers nicely.
Drinking This Wine: The wine is not big enough for steak but it stands up nicely to a hearty sandwich.
Overall Impression: I have had bottles that were twice the price and no better. At $10 a bottle this one is a steal.
About THIS Wine: The center is opaque and fades to a clear rim, which is surprising for such a young Cabernet. Fig and prune are prominent on the nose. Those flavors present nicely on the palate along with a tannin structure that is very well integrated Again surprising for such a young Cab. The finish tastes of plum and lingers nicely.
Drinking This Wine: The wine is not big enough for steak but it stands up nicely to a hearty sandwich.
Overall Impression: I have had bottles that were twice the price and no better. At $10 a bottle this one is a steal.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Coquena Tannat 2011 about $19
About the Wine: Tannat is a grape that was once grown in France and has found a new home in South America. The name is related to the words "tannin" and "tannic" which refer to the bracing quality that makes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot good with red meat and also give those varietals some of their aging potential. If your idea of a good meal involves attacking livestock, Tannat is the grape for you.
About THIS Wine: It is opaque in the glass with a violet rim, just about what I would expect from a heavy, young South American red. The nose is earthy a musky and when it was first opened I thought it might be corked. With some time to breathe the wine settled into heady, brooding aromas that promised a big wine. That delivers on the palate with well integrated tannins and a persistent dry finish.
Drinking This Wine: I do not know if it is physically possible to get through a glass of this without eating some red meat. And really, why would you attempt it?
Overall Impression: There is no versatility here but if you want a great steak wine then this one is good for the price.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Castillo de Monjardin (about $12)
About the Wine: I went to a wine shop and asked for something weird. They gave me a Garnacha from Navarra. Though bordering on Rioja, Navarra is nowhere near as popular. This Garnacha is, I am told, done in the style of its French cousin Grenache, a major varietal in Rhone blends.
About THIS Wine: Fruit and earth compete on the nose. Earth wins on the palate, creating a wine that is firm but not overbearing. There is no finish worth noting.
Drinking This Wine: This would pair well with grilled meat.
Overall Impression: This wine is tasty and approachable. For $12 it is good for the price.
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