About the Wine: Zinfandel is a rich, slightly sweet red wine that can be too much for even seasoned drinkers. Very good Zinfandels are extremely thick and rich in flavor. Lesser Zinfandels are heavy, dull, and unpleasant. Various efforts have been made to tame this especially temperamental grape. The best known is White Zinfandel, a blush version meant to capture the sweetness but not the thickness and complexity of regular Zinfandel. Zinfandel-based blends have also become increasingly possible. The insanely popular Menage a Trois Red Blend and the insanely awful Middle Sister Rebel Red have both resulted from this fad.
About THIS Wine: Apothic Red is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The nose is straight Zinfandel. Tobacco is prominent, not smoke, but the actual smell of tobacco, followed by hints of coffee. The coffee smell is particular to Zinfandel. The palate is rich, fruity, and very mildly sweet. It is reminiscent of a cola flavor without all the sugar most colas have. The finish is tannic and slightly peppery with the sweetness continuing throughout.
Drinking This Wine: It makes a decent sipping wine. It could be a good wine to have with pasta or pizza for someone who does not care for traditional Italian dry wines. More than anything else, this wine made me want a nice, juicy burger.
Overall Impression: It is a versatile wine that is approachable for new drinkers and interesting to oenophiles. I would say that it is good for the price.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Côtes du Ventoux Rouge Orca II Grenache 2008 (About $19)
About the Wine: Grenache is a red wine sometimes known by its Spanish equivalent "Garnacha." Grenache has very light skin and is low in tannins. Tannins are a component in grape skins that give red wines their color as well as part of their flavor. Tannin can cause heartburn so there is always a market for low tannin wine.
About THIS Wine: The bottle says "Orca" in larg,e black letters with everything else in this post's title obscured. When searching for it at a wine shop it is best to simply ask for "Orca Grenache." The nose is heavy with the smell of roses with hints of clove and black pepper. It is a very pleasing, romantic aroma. The front palate is light with red fruit that rises in intensity in the mid palate along with a mildly spicy flavor. The fruit and spice linger together in a smooth, pleasant finish. The overall taste is very long for such a light wine and is pleasantly complex.
Drinking This Wine: Lightly seasoned poultry dishes, lamb, or hearty stew would all make good pairings for this wine. It is not overly acidic or spicy, so it is also a good sipping wine.
Overall Impression: If I spend more than fifteen dollars on a bottle I expect it to be remarkable. This is an interesting wine to try to rate because the varietal in question is not supposed to be big and intense like a fruity Merlot or a bold Cabernet. Grenache is supposed to be light and subtle but also layered and complex. This wine fits the bill nicely. I would say that it is a good value but only for an experienced drinker with a well developed palate.
About THIS Wine: The bottle says "Orca" in larg,e black letters with everything else in this post's title obscured. When searching for it at a wine shop it is best to simply ask for "Orca Grenache." The nose is heavy with the smell of roses with hints of clove and black pepper. It is a very pleasing, romantic aroma. The front palate is light with red fruit that rises in intensity in the mid palate along with a mildly spicy flavor. The fruit and spice linger together in a smooth, pleasant finish. The overall taste is very long for such a light wine and is pleasantly complex.
Drinking This Wine: Lightly seasoned poultry dishes, lamb, or hearty stew would all make good pairings for this wine. It is not overly acidic or spicy, so it is also a good sipping wine.
Overall Impression: If I spend more than fifteen dollars on a bottle I expect it to be remarkable. This is an interesting wine to try to rate because the varietal in question is not supposed to be big and intense like a fruity Merlot or a bold Cabernet. Grenache is supposed to be light and subtle but also layered and complex. This wine fits the bill nicely. I would say that it is a good value but only for an experienced drinker with a well developed palate.
Oferente Monastrell 2009 (About $10)
About the Wine: Monastrell is grown primarily in Spain. Iberian wines are known for their light bodies and ease of drinking. Spanish Tempranillo was the first red wine I ever really liked. Milder and more accessible than the Merlots and Cabernets I would later come to love, Spanish wines were very accessible to my undeveloped palate. Now that I am a bit more sophisticated I am better able to appreciate the subtleties of these gentler varietals.
About THIS Wine: The nose is wonderfully smoky and earthy with undertones of velvety red fruit. I suspect that if I had spent more time smelling it, I would have picked up other things as well. The layers of smell were lovely. The palate is smooth but not bland. Cherry is prominent with very subtle hints of pepper. The finish is light and does not linger.
Drinking This Wine: This Monastrell is the perfect compliment to beef and rice dishes. It is also a good sipping wine and is good for occasions when seasoned drinkers mingle with neophytes. The seasoned drinker will appreciate the nose while the palate will not overwhelm the neophyte.
Overall Impression: If Oferente were Mondavi or any other well known vineyard then this would be a twenty dollar bottle. It is an absolute steal.
About THIS Wine: The nose is wonderfully smoky and earthy with undertones of velvety red fruit. I suspect that if I had spent more time smelling it, I would have picked up other things as well. The layers of smell were lovely. The palate is smooth but not bland. Cherry is prominent with very subtle hints of pepper. The finish is light and does not linger.
Drinking This Wine: This Monastrell is the perfect compliment to beef and rice dishes. It is also a good sipping wine and is good for occasions when seasoned drinkers mingle with neophytes. The seasoned drinker will appreciate the nose while the palate will not overwhelm the neophyte.
Overall Impression: If Oferente were Mondavi or any other well known vineyard then this would be a twenty dollar bottle. It is an absolute steal.
Sur Bonarda Reserva 2005 (about $15)
About the Wine: Bonarda is a very dark, very dry red wine. It is obscure partly due to the difficulty of growing the grape and partly because is very similar to Dolcetto, a slightly less obscure variety produced mainly in Italy. This is the first Bonarda I have ever had so this review is based on the wine itself rather than any particular expectation of what the varietal is supposed to look, smell, or taste like.
About THIS Wine: This Bonarda is so dark that it is almost opaque. The color in the center is a deep red or light purple with a garnet rim around the edge of the glass. The nose is complex, with hints of smoke, minerals, red fruit, and grape (yes, some wines do smell like grapes. It's baffling.) The palate is one of the driest that I have ever had. Despite the dryness, it is very rich in flavor with hints of currant, black licorice, and something that is almost but not quite the taste of red meat. The finish is dry, savory, and lingering.
Drinking This Wine: This is definitely a food wine for most people. The heavy palate and tannins make it a difficult wine to curl up with in the way that one might with a light Pinot Noir or a fruity Merlot. I would have this wine with heavy red meats such a thick, rare steak or meat in rich sauce.
Overall Impression: A decent wine for a very particular drinker and meal and worth a try for a wine drinker looking to explore. At fifteen dollars I would have to say that it is reasonable, but not exceptional.
About THIS Wine: This Bonarda is so dark that it is almost opaque. The color in the center is a deep red or light purple with a garnet rim around the edge of the glass. The nose is complex, with hints of smoke, minerals, red fruit, and grape (yes, some wines do smell like grapes. It's baffling.) The palate is one of the driest that I have ever had. Despite the dryness, it is very rich in flavor with hints of currant, black licorice, and something that is almost but not quite the taste of red meat. The finish is dry, savory, and lingering.
Drinking This Wine: This is definitely a food wine for most people. The heavy palate and tannins make it a difficult wine to curl up with in the way that one might with a light Pinot Noir or a fruity Merlot. I would have this wine with heavy red meats such a thick, rare steak or meat in rich sauce.
Overall Impression: A decent wine for a very particular drinker and meal and worth a try for a wine drinker looking to explore. At fifteen dollars I would have to say that it is reasonable, but not exceptional.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Barone Fini Valdadige Pinot Grigio 2012 (about $12)
About the Wine: Pinot Grigio is a white wine noted for its dryness, mild flavor, and acidity. It is one of the six Noble varieties, meaning it can be grown in any wine growing region, but Italian Pinot Grigios are especially popular. It is usually drunk with food due to its mouth watering acidity. The nose is distinctive. The smell of Pinot Grigio has been described as "acid", "astringent", and "cat piss."
About THIS Wine: The wine is a light yellow and slightly luminous in the glass. The nose has citrus and potent acidity. The palate is mild citrus with high acidity and the acidity lingers on the palate for a spicy finish that is unlike the spice associated with heavily oaked wines.
Drinking This Wine: This is definitely a food wine. Enjoy chilled with mild fish or vegetarian dishes. I would particularly recommend it with any dish that includes a heavy portion of rice.
Overall Impression: The appearance, nose, palate, and finish of this wine all match the classic description of Pinot Grigio. At $12 a bottle this is an excellent bottle for the price.
About THIS Wine: The wine is a light yellow and slightly luminous in the glass. The nose has citrus and potent acidity. The palate is mild citrus with high acidity and the acidity lingers on the palate for a spicy finish that is unlike the spice associated with heavily oaked wines.
Drinking This Wine: This is definitely a food wine. Enjoy chilled with mild fish or vegetarian dishes. I would particularly recommend it with any dish that includes a heavy portion of rice.
Overall Impression: The appearance, nose, palate, and finish of this wine all match the classic description of Pinot Grigio. At $12 a bottle this is an excellent bottle for the price.
Nederburg Special Late Harvest 2010 (about $11)
About the Wine: As grapes develop on the vine they build up more and more sugar. Some wine grapes are intentionally harvested later in the season for that reason to produce a sweeter wine. The most extreme examples of this are ice wines, which are not harvested until after the first frost. The designation "late harvest" is desirable in almost any sweet wine as it assures natural sweetness.
About THIS Wine: Nederburg offers a blend of Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer. The wine has a gold color and potent nose of honey and apricot with hints of raisins. It is one of the few wines I have ever had that tasted like it smelled. It has an unusually syrupy palate that is reminiscent of a sherry. The finish is lingering and sweet with hints of orange.
Drinking This Wine: The first time I tried to sample it, the wine was not cold. The smell was truly foul. The wine must be well chilled before drinking. It would go well with sweet puddings and other creamy desserts. I would also have it with spicy Thai chicken.
Overall Impression: At $11 a bottle, this wine is an absolute steal.
About THIS Wine: Nederburg offers a blend of Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, and Gewurztraminer. The wine has a gold color and potent nose of honey and apricot with hints of raisins. It is one of the few wines I have ever had that tasted like it smelled. It has an unusually syrupy palate that is reminiscent of a sherry. The finish is lingering and sweet with hints of orange.
Drinking This Wine: The first time I tried to sample it, the wine was not cold. The smell was truly foul. The wine must be well chilled before drinking. It would go well with sweet puddings and other creamy desserts. I would also have it with spicy Thai chicken.
Overall Impression: At $11 a bottle, this wine is an absolute steal.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2010 (About $11)
About the Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon is the classic heavy red. It is generally good with red meat because it one of the few wines with a taste strong enough to match a well seasoned steak.
About THIS Wine: The terroir of Chile is known to produce exceptionally rich and fruity red wines and MontGras delivers. It has a velvety nose with prominent notes of cherry and raspberry. Those flavors deliver on the palate with additional notes of pepper and plum. The fruit lingers on the palate to provide a remarkably smooth and easy finish.
Drinking This Wine: MontGras drinks like a rich and fruity Merlot and as such makes a very good sipping wine. It would also be a good compliment to lighter red meat dishes, such as grilled beef or stew.
Overall Impression: This is an excellent wine for everyday drinking. My final verdict is that it is remarkably good for the price.
About THIS Wine: The terroir of Chile is known to produce exceptionally rich and fruity red wines and MontGras delivers. It has a velvety nose with prominent notes of cherry and raspberry. Those flavors deliver on the palate with additional notes of pepper and plum. The fruit lingers on the palate to provide a remarkably smooth and easy finish.
Drinking This Wine: MontGras drinks like a rich and fruity Merlot and as such makes a very good sipping wine. It would also be a good compliment to lighter red meat dishes, such as grilled beef or stew.
Overall Impression: This is an excellent wine for everyday drinking. My final verdict is that it is remarkably good for the price.
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