Boys Night Out. I am lucky to have joined a second BNO to um, er, compliment my first group of BNO. The BNO I attended on Thursday was wonderful. Like the other too much food wine and fun.
Surprise of the night was the Desiderio Merlot 2001 by Avignonesi from Tuscany. I had this wine in Italy, years ago and was impressed by its weight, style, flavor and all around wicked goodness. I have had it 3 times back here in the states and have been dissappointed each time.
The other night, it was spectacular! I enjoyed it more than the Chateau le Pin 1990 and I prefer older wines to younger.
$49.99 for the Avignonesi. Only one bottle left. If it is not gone by next week, it will be gone down my gullet.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Paul does it again
Paul Cluver of South Africa makes great Gewurztraminer and dessert Riesling. This I know for years. A week or so ago, I tried his Pinot Noir and it is spectacular. I have 25 cases coming in next week.
I just found out about his 2008 Chardonnay. It is spectacular too. But by the time I found out about it, there were only 3 cases left. They are in the store, now. They are $19.99 a bottle. They are more French in style than oaky buttery California Chardonnay. I had it tonight with pan seared scallops and it was a great match. But then again, I love scallops. But then again, the wine is special.
Only 3 cases will be gone soon. Too bad.
I just found out about his 2008 Chardonnay. It is spectacular too. But by the time I found out about it, there were only 3 cases left. They are in the store, now. They are $19.99 a bottle. They are more French in style than oaky buttery California Chardonnay. I had it tonight with pan seared scallops and it was a great match. But then again, I love scallops. But then again, the wine is special.
Only 3 cases will be gone soon. Too bad.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Reverse
Til now the posts have been about new arrival wines. This is a reverse.
One of the biggest selling magnum bottles of wine in the store is Cavit Pinot Grigio. It has been a big selling staple in the store for years. We buy it 100 cases at a time to keep the price competitive. I was down to my last 20 cases and put my order in for the next batch of 100. UNTIL
A very good customer with a very good palate had a glass of the new vintage, 2009, and found it to be very different. Think of you order a Coke at a fast food joint and you get iced coffee, black no sugar. Still a nice beverage but not what you expected.
The 2009 Cavit Pinot Grigio is very different. If you like the 2008 and before, you will be surprised. I have a dozen or so cases of the 2008. I will not be buying the 2009. Salesmen are bringing in new samples daily. I will find another good magnum of affordable Pinot Grigio.
One of the biggest selling magnum bottles of wine in the store is Cavit Pinot Grigio. It has been a big selling staple in the store for years. We buy it 100 cases at a time to keep the price competitive. I was down to my last 20 cases and put my order in for the next batch of 100. UNTIL
A very good customer with a very good palate had a glass of the new vintage, 2009, and found it to be very different. Think of you order a Coke at a fast food joint and you get iced coffee, black no sugar. Still a nice beverage but not what you expected.
The 2009 Cavit Pinot Grigio is very different. If you like the 2008 and before, you will be surprised. I have a dozen or so cases of the 2008. I will not be buying the 2009. Salesmen are bringing in new samples daily. I will find another good magnum of affordable Pinot Grigio.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
South African Chardonnay
The biggest selling white wine in the store is Indaba Chenin Blanc 2009 vintage. When the winemaker, Bruwer Raats was visiting last month, he strongly urged trying the Chardonnay when it arrived. Salesman brought it to taste today. The drought of tasting tons of weak white wines is over. This Chardonnay is tremendous.
It is NOT oaky California style. It is rich South African style. Not lean smokey Chablis either. It is luscious and minerally at the same time. A wine oxymoron. Compared to the Chenin Blanc, it is the extra richness that you notice first, and then you can taste the flavor difference. Chardonnay tastes like Chardonnay and Chenin tastes like Chenin. Raats told me that this 2009 vintage is as great for red as the whites too. Can't wait to try the better ones....in a couple of years.
It is NOT oaky California style. It is rich South African style. Not lean smokey Chablis either. It is luscious and minerally at the same time. A wine oxymoron. Compared to the Chenin Blanc, it is the extra richness that you notice first, and then you can taste the flavor difference. Chardonnay tastes like Chardonnay and Chenin tastes like Chenin. Raats told me that this 2009 vintage is as great for red as the whites too. Can't wait to try the better ones....in a couple of years.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Merlot
Another of my favorite 8 x5 cards is.
To me it was true love, to her it was Meerlust.
Meerlust is one of the historic and top quality wineries of South Africa. They make a tremendous Bordeaux blend, called Rubicon, sorry California, this is better, but we are sold out of it now. They also make a wonderful Merlot, called, Merlot. Plums and minerals and hints of chocolate in a smooth red wine, that gets better with age. Age like 10 + years. Hard to believe in a Merlot. But this is the real deal. I love to serve this with a dish that has lots of herbs and spices in it. Beef, lamb, veal, all work terrificly. This is $24.99 a bottle, tastes 3 times the price.
Some people lust after it too.
To me it was true love, to her it was Meerlust.
Meerlust is one of the historic and top quality wineries of South Africa. They make a tremendous Bordeaux blend, called Rubicon, sorry California, this is better, but we are sold out of it now. They also make a wonderful Merlot, called, Merlot. Plums and minerals and hints of chocolate in a smooth red wine, that gets better with age. Age like 10 + years. Hard to believe in a Merlot. But this is the real deal. I love to serve this with a dish that has lots of herbs and spices in it. Beef, lamb, veal, all work terrificly. This is $24.99 a bottle, tastes 3 times the price.
Some people lust after it too.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Chinon Chinon Harvest Moon
Chinon is among the best red wine towns in the white wine region of the Loire Valley in France. The other night I tried 3 different ones from the great 2005 vintage. I was trying to organize my storage space in the store and found the 3 different cases in 3 different locations in the store room. I took it as an omen. And, quality rules.
Charles Jouget is considered by many to be the best producer in Chinon. The red grape grown in this town is Cabernet Franc. His wines are all delicious. His best wine comes from the Clos du Chene Vert vineyard. At $40 a bottle the wine is still very young and will keep and improve for at least 1o years, maybe longer. Fruit, and hints of brown spice, with some still youthful tannins, this wine is yummy now with fattier cuts of meat. I had it with beef short ribs and that has lots of fat, but the ribs were smoked and I was surprised that the wine did not work well with the smokey flavor. Oh, well, more homework is needed.
Charles Jouget is considered by many to be the best producer in Chinon. The red grape grown in this town is Cabernet Franc. His wines are all delicious. His best wine comes from the Clos du Chene Vert vineyard. At $40 a bottle the wine is still very young and will keep and improve for at least 1o years, maybe longer. Fruit, and hints of brown spice, with some still youthful tannins, this wine is yummy now with fattier cuts of meat. I had it with beef short ribs and that has lots of fat, but the ribs were smoked and I was surprised that the wine did not work well with the smokey flavor. Oh, well, more homework is needed.
Ooops
As promised I tried the Santa Cruz Garnacha from Artazuri at $40 a bottle. You are better off with 3 bottles of the regular. It was dissappointing. Maybe it will be better with a few more years of bottle age, so down in the cellar it goes and lets have time do its thing.
As the saying goes, wine happens.
As the saying goes, wine happens.
Friday, May 21, 2010
More Artadi
Artadi, my favorite Rioja producer, also owns a property in Navarra, Spain. There they use the Garnacha grape instead of Tempranillo. Garnacha is one of the most difficult red grapes to work with in the cellar. An expression I learned is "to make good Garnacha, you must sleep with your barrels." Apparently at the end of fermentation there is a narrow time window when the Garnacha must be taken off the lees, sediment. Miss this window and the wine is lacking, hit it, either by luck or skill and you get great tasting wine that is surprisingly pale in color for a red. The predisposition to paleness and the ability to draw the wine from the lees early, makes Garnacha easy to make into Rose.
Artadi's winery in Navarra is Artazu. The 2007 Garnacha is dellicious. At $13.99, it's a steal. Rose-lilac aromas in combination with some spice and earth make this a great wine for grilled meats. Or you can guzzle it. Or serve with a meaty paella. It was good with the cheeses too. Anyway, once you try a good Garnacha, you will probably look for them again and again. I keep looking.
PS. They also make a Reserva for about $40 a bottle, it is on my homework list as soon as it comes in.
Artadi's winery in Navarra is Artazu. The 2007 Garnacha is dellicious. At $13.99, it's a steal. Rose-lilac aromas in combination with some spice and earth make this a great wine for grilled meats. Or you can guzzle it. Or serve with a meaty paella. It was good with the cheeses too. Anyway, once you try a good Garnacha, you will probably look for them again and again. I keep looking.
PS. They also make a Reserva for about $40 a bottle, it is on my homework list as soon as it comes in.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Awesome Pinot Noir
I love a great French Red Burg. Nothing comes close in California, Oregon or anywhere else until tonight.
There is a high quality guidebook to the wines of South Africa named Platter's. It is the single most reliable wine rating publication that I have come across. In the 2009 guide, there is a new one every year, they rated the 2007 Pinot Noir from Paul Cluver as tasting like French Burg. Tonight I tasted the wine.
It was so good, I left a message on my suppliers voice mail, that I wanted to buy it all. You cannot get fabulous French red Burg for under $50 a bottle and then only rarely. This Paul Cluver Pinot Noir 2007 I tried tonight was fantastic. The fruit, the earth, the spice, the smoke were all in the wine and in balance for only $19.99 a bottle. My dining partner and I debated on what it reminded us of. We are confident that it tastes like a premier cru, Beaune. Premier Cru Beaune is around $80 a bottle, I would rather drink the Paul Cluver.
The wine was an amazing match with chicken. I can't wait to try it with other foods.
There is a high quality guidebook to the wines of South Africa named Platter's. It is the single most reliable wine rating publication that I have come across. In the 2009 guide, there is a new one every year, they rated the 2007 Pinot Noir from Paul Cluver as tasting like French Burg. Tonight I tasted the wine.
It was so good, I left a message on my suppliers voice mail, that I wanted to buy it all. You cannot get fabulous French red Burg for under $50 a bottle and then only rarely. This Paul Cluver Pinot Noir 2007 I tried tonight was fantastic. The fruit, the earth, the spice, the smoke were all in the wine and in balance for only $19.99 a bottle. My dining partner and I debated on what it reminded us of. We are confident that it tastes like a premier cru, Beaune. Premier Cru Beaune is around $80 a bottle, I would rather drink the Paul Cluver.
The wine was an amazing match with chicken. I can't wait to try it with other foods.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Jugs
Have you seen the new Foster-Grant ad on tv starring Racquel Welch? Brought to mind the movie Mother Jugs and Speed. And that brought my mind to jugs.
Santa Marvista is a delicious gulpable Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that sells for $9.99 a magnum. Magnum equals two regular size wine bottles. That's it. Delicious gulpable and cheap.
A jug that came down in price is the Round Hill Chardonnay. Back to $14.99 a magnum bottle, this is classic easy drinking California Chardonnay. No prose nor poetry is needed to enjoy a simple honest good value white wine. Just chill it and chug it. Well maybe chug is too strong a word for wine. But it does rhyme with jug.
Santa Marvista is a delicious gulpable Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile that sells for $9.99 a magnum. Magnum equals two regular size wine bottles. That's it. Delicious gulpable and cheap.
A jug that came down in price is the Round Hill Chardonnay. Back to $14.99 a magnum bottle, this is classic easy drinking California Chardonnay. No prose nor poetry is needed to enjoy a simple honest good value white wine. Just chill it and chug it. Well maybe chug is too strong a word for wine. But it does rhyme with jug.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
yo-yo wine
There is a region in the north-west of Spain called Bierzo. We carry a wine from there by Descendientes de Palacios. It sells for $39.99 a bottle, You will love it AND hate it, in the same evening.
I don't know why, but this wine changed in the glass all night long. First sip was too fruity, then it was bone dry and all the fruit was gone, later the wine had this wonderful fragrance, but it tasted weird. About an hour after opening it was delicious, complex and aromatic, but 10 minutes later, it closed again. Later still, the perfume came out and it was wonderful to taste.
I think next time, I will pour this wine into a decanter and wait 3-4 hours before I serve it with a fatty cut of meat, like prime rib.
Perfect wine for people that can't make up their mind.
I don't know why, but this wine changed in the glass all night long. First sip was too fruity, then it was bone dry and all the fruit was gone, later the wine had this wonderful fragrance, but it tasted weird. About an hour after opening it was delicious, complex and aromatic, but 10 minutes later, it closed again. Later still, the perfume came out and it was wonderful to taste.
I think next time, I will pour this wine into a decanter and wait 3-4 hours before I serve it with a fatty cut of meat, like prime rib.
Perfect wine for people that can't make up their mind.
where the white wine at?
I have been on a dissappointing streak of tasting not very good white wines the last few weeks. I don't know why, but wine tasting is streakier than a college student in 1974. NO< don't go there.
Battle of the Cabs.
I have two Cabernet Sauvignon in the store that are steals for $14.99 per bottle. Cannonball is a California Cabernet of dubious parentage. Well, not really, but the appelation, where the grapes are grown in California, is not mentioned. It is an easy drinking tasty Cab the pleases a bunch of people.
Another bunch of people love the Michael Pozzan Knight's Valley Cab. Knight's Valley is above Napa and is home to some pretty special and pretty expensive Cabernets. How he makes this one and only gets $14.99 a bottle is amazing. Another crowd pleaser, food is not need to make these wines shine, but any food, other than seafood will work fine.
Battle of the Cabs.
I have two Cabernet Sauvignon in the store that are steals for $14.99 per bottle. Cannonball is a California Cabernet of dubious parentage. Well, not really, but the appelation, where the grapes are grown in California, is not mentioned. It is an easy drinking tasty Cab the pleases a bunch of people.
Another bunch of people love the Michael Pozzan Knight's Valley Cab. Knight's Valley is above Napa and is home to some pretty special and pretty expensive Cabernets. How he makes this one and only gets $14.99 a bottle is amazing. Another crowd pleaser, food is not need to make these wines shine, but any food, other than seafood will work fine.
Artadi
One of my favorite producers of red wine in the world is Artadi from Rioja, Spain. They make wines in the hundreds of dollars per bottle and they are worth it. Their introductory wine under the Artadi name is Vinas de Gain. It sells for $29.99 a bottle. It was wicked awesome with sausage stuffed pork over Tuscan white beans. Yeah, it's a Tuscan dish, but I love pork with Rioja. I enjoy when a wine evolves over the course of an evening in the glass. This wine gave me much enjoyment. I can use all the wine buzz words, you know, great fruit, hints of smoke, spice and wood, but words don't work here. This is one you have to try for yourself. Oh, it's delicious with any meat cooked on a grill, but NO barbque sauce.
Fenocchio
Giacomo Fennochio, I think, and his sister visited the store. He speaks no English, I can order a beer in Italian, so his sister did the translating.
No translating was needed in tasting 5 of his wines. They were all spot on, classic examples of Piedmont red wine. I bought 3 to offer for sale in the store.
For something to put in your cellar was the 2004 Barolo Bussia. 100% Nebbiolo grape from the famous and prestigious Bussia vineyard in Barolo, it is just starting to shed its hard tannic outer shell and already displaying the famous fruit and complex flavors of world class Barolo from a wonderful year. Retail on this beauty is $59.99 a bottle.
The normal Barolo from him is only $39.99 a bottle for the 2004. While this wine is no where near as big and complex as the Bussia, it is a great way to taste a more ready to drink Barolo today. This will age for another 10 years, where I would wait at least 10 more for the Bussia to show its best. Both of these wines should be saved for great cuts of red meat, roasted or braised.
The 2008 Dolcetto is fantastic. Drank a bottle with my bridge buddies tonight and all of them were wowed. Great fruit flavors, middleweight in body with just a hint of spice and tannin, it was delicious with honey roasted peanuts and 3 no-trump. $19.99 a bottle and not only will you think you are in the North End of Boston, you will believe you are at the sidewalk cafe nibbling on cheese watching the world go by.
No translating was needed in tasting 5 of his wines. They were all spot on, classic examples of Piedmont red wine. I bought 3 to offer for sale in the store.
For something to put in your cellar was the 2004 Barolo Bussia. 100% Nebbiolo grape from the famous and prestigious Bussia vineyard in Barolo, it is just starting to shed its hard tannic outer shell and already displaying the famous fruit and complex flavors of world class Barolo from a wonderful year. Retail on this beauty is $59.99 a bottle.
The normal Barolo from him is only $39.99 a bottle for the 2004. While this wine is no where near as big and complex as the Bussia, it is a great way to taste a more ready to drink Barolo today. This will age for another 10 years, where I would wait at least 10 more for the Bussia to show its best. Both of these wines should be saved for great cuts of red meat, roasted or braised.
The 2008 Dolcetto is fantastic. Drank a bottle with my bridge buddies tonight and all of them were wowed. Great fruit flavors, middleweight in body with just a hint of spice and tannin, it was delicious with honey roasted peanuts and 3 no-trump. $19.99 a bottle and not only will you think you are in the North End of Boston, you will believe you are at the sidewalk cafe nibbling on cheese watching the world go by.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Pinot Bianco
Pinot Grigio is not a mother grape. It's not a father grape either. It is a cross breed. Pinot Nero is the father and Pinot Bianco is the mother. And until about 30 years ago, most Pinot Grigio was pale rose, grey-rose colour.
The mom, Pinot Bianco is native to northeast Italy where it grasps all the minerality out of the soil and the winemaker add a pleasant yeasty-flowery flavor. It is a nice wine to show off good food. The 2008 Tieffenbrunner Pinot Bianco is a classic. Nice yeasty-flowery nose switches to crisp minerality on the palate. At $14.99 its a good wine to make anyone's cooking taste better. I have always wondered way more restaurants don't use this grape for a not too expensive high class dinner wine. Oh well. The less they know about it, the more it helps keep the prices reasonable
The mom, Pinot Bianco is native to northeast Italy where it grasps all the minerality out of the soil and the winemaker add a pleasant yeasty-flowery flavor. It is a nice wine to show off good food. The 2008 Tieffenbrunner Pinot Bianco is a classic. Nice yeasty-flowery nose switches to crisp minerality on the palate. At $14.99 its a good wine to make anyone's cooking taste better. I have always wondered way more restaurants don't use this grape for a not too expensive high class dinner wine. Oh well. The less they know about it, the more it helps keep the prices reasonable
Old card new wine
I write on 5x8 cards in the store with some comments about the wines. Some cards are so good, I re-use them. One of my favorite cards is;
This wine is so good,
It was love at first sip!
Someone cleaned my out today of the last wine in the box. The replacement is the Cain Cuvee NV6. At $34.99 a bottle you get the classic California Meritage blend of the 5 grapes of Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Verdot. This batch is delicious. Open the bottle at least an hour before you serve it and you will be rewarded with all the classic aromas and flavors and richness of a Meritage 3 times the price. And I have quite a bit of it, no need to rush. Unless someone goes cuckoo on it. Always a chance
This wine is so good,
It was love at first sip!
Someone cleaned my out today of the last wine in the box. The replacement is the Cain Cuvee NV6. At $34.99 a bottle you get the classic California Meritage blend of the 5 grapes of Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petite Verdot. This batch is delicious. Open the bottle at least an hour before you serve it and you will be rewarded with all the classic aromas and flavors and richness of a Meritage 3 times the price. And I have quite a bit of it, no need to rush. Unless someone goes cuckoo on it. Always a chance
South African Wine Dinner
A fine group of gourmands asked me to host a wine dinner at the Oregon Club tonight, Wed. May 12th. The wine theme was South African reds. We ordered off the menu.
The 2008 DMZ Shiraz was the steal and deal. Retailing for $14.99 at the store, it has more French stylings than Aussie. It does has some fruit, but not the over the top ripe blackberry commonly found in Aussie wines at this price range. The DMZ has more complexity, like a Rhone, but none of the barnyard stink, that many people like. It is clean, with balance between fruit, alcohol and acidity. It worked very nicely with a delicious bowl of Bolognese. Later in the evening, when I snatched a last glass, it had developed more flavors and richness. Probably worth more than twice the price. I called in and ordered a ton more.
Something I ordered a ton of in March but it didn't come in til yesterday was the Graham Beck 2008 Pinotage, the hit of the Cape show. Alas and alack, the 2008 was lacking, really lacking, they shipped in the 2009. No more 2008! I was ticked!! So I tasted the 2009 with this group and it didn't taste bad. Many times Pinotage has an unpleasant aroma that never goes away. This one was clean, but, it was in shipping shock stage. To quote Elvis, it was all shook up. I will reserve judgement on this wine for about a month to see how it calms down. I am mildly optimistic.
The BIG hit of the night was the 2002 Sadie Family Columella. A meticulous picking of Syrah and Mourvedre grapes from the Swartland region of South Africa yields one of the country's best wines. $100.00 a bottle and worth it. You can use all the great wine buzz words to describe this wine and you still need more. I had the world famous Oregon Club sirloin cooked in a pan that is over 100 years old. The wine food pairing was better than Fred and Ginger, or even Fred and Wilma.
The 2008 DMZ Shiraz was the steal and deal. Retailing for $14.99 at the store, it has more French stylings than Aussie. It does has some fruit, but not the over the top ripe blackberry commonly found in Aussie wines at this price range. The DMZ has more complexity, like a Rhone, but none of the barnyard stink, that many people like. It is clean, with balance between fruit, alcohol and acidity. It worked very nicely with a delicious bowl of Bolognese. Later in the evening, when I snatched a last glass, it had developed more flavors and richness. Probably worth more than twice the price. I called in and ordered a ton more.
Something I ordered a ton of in March but it didn't come in til yesterday was the Graham Beck 2008 Pinotage, the hit of the Cape show. Alas and alack, the 2008 was lacking, really lacking, they shipped in the 2009. No more 2008! I was ticked!! So I tasted the 2009 with this group and it didn't taste bad. Many times Pinotage has an unpleasant aroma that never goes away. This one was clean, but, it was in shipping shock stage. To quote Elvis, it was all shook up. I will reserve judgement on this wine for about a month to see how it calms down. I am mildly optimistic.
The BIG hit of the night was the 2002 Sadie Family Columella. A meticulous picking of Syrah and Mourvedre grapes from the Swartland region of South Africa yields one of the country's best wines. $100.00 a bottle and worth it. You can use all the great wine buzz words to describe this wine and you still need more. I had the world famous Oregon Club sirloin cooked in a pan that is over 100 years old. The wine food pairing was better than Fred and Ginger, or even Fred and Wilma.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Hits from BNO
24 hours later and I am recovered.
Too much food and wine, I was full with the 5th appetizer.
Moe, Larry, the cheese course was amazing as always. And as always the best wine with oodles of cheeses is Alsatian whites with a bit, not a lot, of sweetness. For this cheese course the Marcel Deiss Altenberg Gran Cru 2000 was served. A blend of I don't know how many different grapes, rich enough to be Vendange Tardive but Deiss doesn't label this as such. It was equally delicious with the Spanish goat cheese, through a traditional Brie, melded with my favorite cheese known to me as Super Max and handled both a dolce Gorgonzola and an insanely delicious Roquefort. And if that wasn't enough, a bottle of the same wine from the 1995 vintage was also enjoyed.
Now to rest until the next BNO sometime during the summer.
Too much food and wine, I was full with the 5th appetizer.
Moe, Larry, the cheese course was amazing as always. And as always the best wine with oodles of cheeses is Alsatian whites with a bit, not a lot, of sweetness. For this cheese course the Marcel Deiss Altenberg Gran Cru 2000 was served. A blend of I don't know how many different grapes, rich enough to be Vendange Tardive but Deiss doesn't label this as such. It was equally delicious with the Spanish goat cheese, through a traditional Brie, melded with my favorite cheese known to me as Super Max and handled both a dolce Gorgonzola and an insanely delicious Roquefort. And if that wasn't enough, a bottle of the same wine from the 1995 vintage was also enjoyed.
Now to rest until the next BNO sometime during the summer.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Boys Night Out
A few times a year a bunch of us bad boys in the wine and food trade get together, cook, eat and drink and swap "war" stories from the past few months. Some of the dishes tonight are foie gras stuffed ravioli, fluke with rhubarb butter, and seafood paella stuffed chicken legs. There will be more, lots more and the CHEESE course. My job will be to line up the wine people bring and pair them with the food. I am in charge of bringing wine for the toughest wine-food pairing. Tonight that will be the rhubarb buttered fluke. Fluke is a fish like a flounder, or sole, but with a stronger flavor. Rhubarb is right up there with cranberry with tartness. I have selected an Italian white wine called My Time. Valter Scarbolo is one of Italy's best winemakers. He has taken a page out of Marcel Deiss' playbook and grows different varieties of grapes in the same field and picks them the same day. Both Deiss and Scarbolo believe that the grapes talk to each other to ripen the same day versus one after another. It works for them.
My Time is a blend of 3 grapes that has good acidity and ripeness. It is very hard to describe, but it tastes and smells wicked awesome. The wine sells for $34.99 a bottle. I will edit this blog after I try it with the dish. I can't wait!
Oh, I make the boys guess the wine. They won't get this one, unless they read this in the next hour.
My Time is a blend of 3 grapes that has good acidity and ripeness. It is very hard to describe, but it tastes and smells wicked awesome. The wine sells for $34.99 a bottle. I will edit this blog after I try it with the dish. I can't wait!
Oh, I make the boys guess the wine. They won't get this one, unless they read this in the next hour.
Mother's Day Wine
My Mom loves big rich complex tasting red wines.
Sounds like Chateauneuf du Pape.
I love Chateauneuf du Pape with a steak on the grill. The 2007 CdP from Vieux Lazaret is delicious at $34.99 a bottle. It also comes in half bottles at $19.99. A blend of up to 13 different varieties of grapes from the Rhone Valley of France gives complexity to the wine. The most common varieties used are Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Grenache. Spice, smoke, earth and fruit make a nice combo in any wine. The 2007 vintage is fabulous throughout the Rhone. This is exceptional quality for the dough. In addition, the wine will age well for 5-10 years with proper storage. It's good to open this wine at least a half hour before serving. Pour it into a decanter if you like, it only will help.
My little birdies are telling me the 2009 will be spectacular, I can't wait.
Sounds like Chateauneuf du Pape.
I love Chateauneuf du Pape with a steak on the grill. The 2007 CdP from Vieux Lazaret is delicious at $34.99 a bottle. It also comes in half bottles at $19.99. A blend of up to 13 different varieties of grapes from the Rhone Valley of France gives complexity to the wine. The most common varieties used are Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Grenache. Spice, smoke, earth and fruit make a nice combo in any wine. The 2007 vintage is fabulous throughout the Rhone. This is exceptional quality for the dough. In addition, the wine will age well for 5-10 years with proper storage. It's good to open this wine at least a half hour before serving. Pour it into a decanter if you like, it only will help.
My little birdies are telling me the 2009 will be spectacular, I can't wait.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Hooray
Finally up to date and it took too long.
So one of my sarcastic customers who reads the blog but won't be a follower, you KNOW who you are, asks me who I think should play me in the Julie, Julia then Bob movie. I KNOW this will never happen, so I am going right to the top, George Clooney. Irreverent he can play. Plus he looks wicked good in a beard and grey hair. He will just have to learn to dress down.
Suppose George wanted to do some character research and wanted to have dinner with me and I had to pick out a wine. OMG. Choke city.
I remember reading in one of those supermarket checkout tabloids that he either has a house in Italy or vacations there. Time to bring out one of my favorite wines. The 1979 Masi Amarone Aligheri. Forget price, this is not for sale. Out of my personal cellar this 31 year old wine has indescribable aromas and flavors. I bought too many cases back in the early 80's on the brilliant advice of a former salesman. Today, it is one of my top all time red dinner wines. I would serve it to George with simply grilled kidney lamb chops, fat buttered asparagus tossed with pecorino, and a mushroom red wine risotto. Hmm, I should mention that dish at our next Boys Night Out, and that night is coming soon.
So one of my sarcastic customers who reads the blog but won't be a follower, you KNOW who you are, asks me who I think should play me in the Julie, Julia then Bob movie. I KNOW this will never happen, so I am going right to the top, George Clooney. Irreverent he can play. Plus he looks wicked good in a beard and grey hair. He will just have to learn to dress down.
Suppose George wanted to do some character research and wanted to have dinner with me and I had to pick out a wine. OMG. Choke city.
I remember reading in one of those supermarket checkout tabloids that he either has a house in Italy or vacations there. Time to bring out one of my favorite wines. The 1979 Masi Amarone Aligheri. Forget price, this is not for sale. Out of my personal cellar this 31 year old wine has indescribable aromas and flavors. I bought too many cases back in the early 80's on the brilliant advice of a former salesman. Today, it is one of my top all time red dinner wines. I would serve it to George with simply grilled kidney lamb chops, fat buttered asparagus tossed with pecorino, and a mushroom red wine risotto. Hmm, I should mention that dish at our next Boys Night Out, and that night is coming soon.
May 7
On a previous day I blogged about a yummy Spanish Rose, Vina Rufina Rosada. My Mom took a bottle home and reports that as tasty as it was the first night, the rest of the bottle tasted better the next night. She stored the unused wine in the fridge too.
Here's another new grape for me, Airen.
I just bought an Airen from Spain. It is a light dry white wine that retails for $9.99. The rep tasted me on the wine twice before I bought it. The first time I was so unprepared for its flavor, it shocked me, and frightened me a little, yes wine tasting can be scarey, so I asked for a retry. The second time, a few weeks later, it was exactly the same. This is a good thing because the bottle variance with a wine that I have no track record scares me. I have to get over this phobia.
The wine is light and dry, and Pinot Grigioish, but it has the amazing flavor of pear and banana. Think about that combo pears and bananas. Weird, yet delicious. Not sweet at all. Its all about the perfume of the wine. Waiting for the next hot day to give it a go at home, while watching the boys do the lawn.
Here's another new grape for me, Airen.
I just bought an Airen from Spain. It is a light dry white wine that retails for $9.99. The rep tasted me on the wine twice before I bought it. The first time I was so unprepared for its flavor, it shocked me, and frightened me a little, yes wine tasting can be scarey, so I asked for a retry. The second time, a few weeks later, it was exactly the same. This is a good thing because the bottle variance with a wine that I have no track record scares me. I have to get over this phobia.
The wine is light and dry, and Pinot Grigioish, but it has the amazing flavor of pear and banana. Think about that combo pears and bananas. Weird, yet delicious. Not sweet at all. Its all about the perfume of the wine. Waiting for the next hot day to give it a go at home, while watching the boys do the lawn.
May 6
I should have been caught up by today, but between a glitch and a hail and a thunderstorm the conspiracy won.
Namedropping time, I had lunch with Emil den Dulk of De Toren Private Cellar of Stellenbosch in South Africa. Well lunch was in Millis, the winery is in South Africa. Everyone needs a winery on a hillside with an ocean view, yeah, I had the pleasure of visiting there back in 2008. Anyway, he was in Millis to show me the latest releases of his two top wines, Z and Fusion V.
Ahhh perfection! The Z is the lesser of the two, retails for $27.99, and emulates Right Bank Bordeaux with more Cabernet Franc in the blend. You can drink it now and you will be happy, but you should wait a few years and be very happy or a few more years and be wicked very happy. Seamless is a great word to describe the wine now. The wine is closed and you know it will get better with time or you could taste past vintages and be wowed, if you can find any. Although the wine is closed, it is so balanced that you have to work to find the tannins that are in perfect balance with fruit and alcohol. This is one of those wines that people look for that are not expensive now, but will taste very expensive in a few years of proper storage.
More perfect doesn't make sense, but the De Toren Fusion V, a Left Bank Bordeaux style blend with more Cabernet Sauvignon in the classic blend of the 5 Bordeaux grapes is more better. Love bad English. More money and more than worth it at $44.99 a bottle. Think famous named Chateaux that costs 4 times as much to deliver the same quality.
Now the problem. The winery has only been around for a dozen years. I cannot taste, nor can anyone else, older wine from them. Emil was kind enough to tell me that the first vintage has still not reached its peak. I sold a ton of the 2003 and told people to wait. Recently one of these wise customers opened a bottle of the 2003 and was thouroughly impressed, but offered his opinion that it also was still going to get better. Emil also has kindly put on accurate and informative back labels to the wine. The label tells you that the wine will age well for a decade, well I see your decade and raise it a score.
These are truly world class wines at insanely reasonable, more bad English, prices. Emil is no dummy, he will be raising prices with the next vintage.
Namedropping time, I had lunch with Emil den Dulk of De Toren Private Cellar of Stellenbosch in South Africa. Well lunch was in Millis, the winery is in South Africa. Everyone needs a winery on a hillside with an ocean view, yeah, I had the pleasure of visiting there back in 2008. Anyway, he was in Millis to show me the latest releases of his two top wines, Z and Fusion V.
Ahhh perfection! The Z is the lesser of the two, retails for $27.99, and emulates Right Bank Bordeaux with more Cabernet Franc in the blend. You can drink it now and you will be happy, but you should wait a few years and be very happy or a few more years and be wicked very happy. Seamless is a great word to describe the wine now. The wine is closed and you know it will get better with time or you could taste past vintages and be wowed, if you can find any. Although the wine is closed, it is so balanced that you have to work to find the tannins that are in perfect balance with fruit and alcohol. This is one of those wines that people look for that are not expensive now, but will taste very expensive in a few years of proper storage.
More perfect doesn't make sense, but the De Toren Fusion V, a Left Bank Bordeaux style blend with more Cabernet Sauvignon in the classic blend of the 5 Bordeaux grapes is more better. Love bad English. More money and more than worth it at $44.99 a bottle. Think famous named Chateaux that costs 4 times as much to deliver the same quality.
Now the problem. The winery has only been around for a dozen years. I cannot taste, nor can anyone else, older wine from them. Emil was kind enough to tell me that the first vintage has still not reached its peak. I sold a ton of the 2003 and told people to wait. Recently one of these wise customers opened a bottle of the 2003 and was thouroughly impressed, but offered his opinion that it also was still going to get better. Emil also has kindly put on accurate and informative back labels to the wine. The label tells you that the wine will age well for a decade, well I see your decade and raise it a score.
These are truly world class wines at insanely reasonable, more bad English, prices. Emil is no dummy, he will be raising prices with the next vintage.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 5
Cinco de Mayo.
I have heard of wines from Mexico, but have never tried any. I just don't know.
I could suggest some wines for Mexican food, but I hate cilantro.
I like sipping Tequila, but this is a wine blog.
Got it! The more spicey heat in the food, the more sensation of sweet you want in the wine. Sweet counterbalances heat, is an easy way to remember this type of wine and food pairing. Most California and Australian reds and whites have more fruit than their European counterparts. An Aussie Shiraz like McGuigan Black Label at $9.99 a bottle should be a nice match with some habenero heated up dish. Or try one of the California field blends like Red Truck, also at $9.99. The good rich fruit flavors in these wines have enough stuffing to stand up to full flavored Mexican cuisine, even the Mole's
Now the first thing people think of with sweeter white wine is Riesling, NO NO NO. Although the sweetness works, the high acid content will burn burn burn when contacted with heat from spices. Oaky-buttery California Chardonnay should blend in nicely with good Mexican food. One of the few California Chardonnays that I like is Chateau St. Jean at $12.99 a bottle. Textbook example of California Chardonnay and good bang for the buck.
The Jean in Chateau St. Jean is pronounce Gene not Zhawn. Original owner named winery after his wife.
I have heard of wines from Mexico, but have never tried any. I just don't know.
I could suggest some wines for Mexican food, but I hate cilantro.
I like sipping Tequila, but this is a wine blog.
Got it! The more spicey heat in the food, the more sensation of sweet you want in the wine. Sweet counterbalances heat, is an easy way to remember this type of wine and food pairing. Most California and Australian reds and whites have more fruit than their European counterparts. An Aussie Shiraz like McGuigan Black Label at $9.99 a bottle should be a nice match with some habenero heated up dish. Or try one of the California field blends like Red Truck, also at $9.99. The good rich fruit flavors in these wines have enough stuffing to stand up to full flavored Mexican cuisine, even the Mole's
Now the first thing people think of with sweeter white wine is Riesling, NO NO NO. Although the sweetness works, the high acid content will burn burn burn when contacted with heat from spices. Oaky-buttery California Chardonnay should blend in nicely with good Mexican food. One of the few California Chardonnays that I like is Chateau St. Jean at $12.99 a bottle. Textbook example of California Chardonnay and good bang for the buck.
The Jean in Chateau St. Jean is pronounce Gene not Zhawn. Original owner named winery after his wife.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May 4
....and another thing, Moms love bubbly!
Prosecco is the name of a grape from Italy that is made into inexpensive bubbly wine that is not bone dry like French Champagne and not sweet like Asti Spumante. We carry 5 different Proseccos at 5 different price points, from $10.99 to $24.99 a bottle. The quality is in proportion to the price. Prosecco is the bubbly used to make Bellinis, the white peach nectar is poured into a flute first and the bubbly is poured in last. Now at Harry's Bar in Venice where they were invented, the Bellini is only made with fresh juice in season. Don't let that stop you from getting bottled nectar or you can have fun and use any other fruit juice you like. I tend to stay away from citrus though, the acid just doesn't work. Apple juice, pear is especially good and all the berry juices work great. Just remember to chill all the ingredients and the flutes.
And don't forget to toast your mother with some poetry YOU WROTE!
Prosecco is the name of a grape from Italy that is made into inexpensive bubbly wine that is not bone dry like French Champagne and not sweet like Asti Spumante. We carry 5 different Proseccos at 5 different price points, from $10.99 to $24.99 a bottle. The quality is in proportion to the price. Prosecco is the bubbly used to make Bellinis, the white peach nectar is poured into a flute first and the bubbly is poured in last. Now at Harry's Bar in Venice where they were invented, the Bellini is only made with fresh juice in season. Don't let that stop you from getting bottled nectar or you can have fun and use any other fruit juice you like. I tend to stay away from citrus though, the acid just doesn't work. Apple juice, pear is especially good and all the berry juices work great. Just remember to chill all the ingredients and the flutes.
And don't forget to toast your mother with some poetry YOU WROTE!
May 3
I have been saving this one for month.
What better wine to serve on Mother's Day than MOMA. No not the Museum of Modern Art but a tasty red wine, easy to drink and yummy with food from Italy.
We have carried this wine for numerous vintages, dating back to 2001. The 2007 arrived about a month ago and it could be the best ever. I tasted it at one of the Cape Cod shows I went to back in March and went cuckoo over it. It was smooth with nice flavors. I think it will handle a red sauce ok, but it will be great if you are honoring Mom with a barbque at your house because she needs a break. The wine's price is $15.99 and don't forget to do the dishes! Don't forget the card, get her a mushy one this year instead of the silly one you always get her. On second thought, buy the silly one too, just in case. Moms love surprises, even when they say they don't. And get a haircut, and take a shower, and put on a clean shirt, and shine your shoes, and pour the wine in a clean glass.
You get the picture.
What better wine to serve on Mother's Day than MOMA. No not the Museum of Modern Art but a tasty red wine, easy to drink and yummy with food from Italy.
We have carried this wine for numerous vintages, dating back to 2001. The 2007 arrived about a month ago and it could be the best ever. I tasted it at one of the Cape Cod shows I went to back in March and went cuckoo over it. It was smooth with nice flavors. I think it will handle a red sauce ok, but it will be great if you are honoring Mom with a barbque at your house because she needs a break. The wine's price is $15.99 and don't forget to do the dishes! Don't forget the card, get her a mushy one this year instead of the silly one you always get her. On second thought, buy the silly one too, just in case. Moms love surprises, even when they say they don't. And get a haircut, and take a shower, and put on a clean shirt, and shine your shoes, and pour the wine in a clean glass.
You get the picture.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 2
Now that we have had our Euro holiday, let's go back to the states and have another barbque. So slam a pork chop on the grill with only a bit of salt and pepper, a rub of garlic and serve a Spanish red.
Peanut butter goes with jelly, bacon with eggs, and grilled pork with Spanish red. No barbque sauce! Can't explain why, but this is truly one of those 1 + 1 = 3 moments. (There is a wine from Spain labelled 1 + 1 = 3, don't use it for pork.) The pork makes the wine tastes better and the wine makes the pork taste better. This is the cop-out blog. Any Northern Spanish red works, the regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Costieres de Segre and more all taste great with the pork chop. Spend a little, spend a lot, it won't matter, it will be yummy. So find one on your own, I got plenty at the store from $6.99 and up. This is a no-brainer.
Peanut butter goes with jelly, bacon with eggs, and grilled pork with Spanish red. No barbque sauce! Can't explain why, but this is truly one of those 1 + 1 = 3 moments. (There is a wine from Spain labelled 1 + 1 = 3, don't use it for pork.) The pork makes the wine tastes better and the wine makes the pork taste better. This is the cop-out blog. Any Northern Spanish red works, the regions of Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Costieres de Segre and more all taste great with the pork chop. Spend a little, spend a lot, it won't matter, it will be yummy. So find one on your own, I got plenty at the store from $6.99 and up. This is a no-brainer.
May Day
May 1st in Europe is equal to the USA Labor Day holiday. Any day that is a holiday is a good day to drink wine.
With so many countries and wines to suggest for this Euro Holiday it is a hard choice. I don't think Euros barbque, and they don't stay inside and watch TV. They love to discuss. What wine causes discussion? Ahh, one of my earliest memories of wine school in Germany is the story of meeting the policeman. Teacher told me, "German wines are so low in alcohol, you can drink a bottle, meet the policeman on the road and you are the winner of the discussion!" Now I never ever would encourage drinking and driving, and since this is a holiday, you wouldn't drive, but you would stay at home and discuss. J.J. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2002 at $19.99 is perfect. About 7% alcohol, the same strength as many German beers, it is light, almost dry and positively delicious and refreshing. Perfect for conversation. Even politics. Ack. Prums wines disprove the notion that white wines must be drunk young. The high natural acidity of this wine holds it together perfectly and allows amazing aromas and flavors to develop, that only time can create.
This is special stuff at a great price.
With so many countries and wines to suggest for this Euro Holiday it is a hard choice. I don't think Euros barbque, and they don't stay inside and watch TV. They love to discuss. What wine causes discussion? Ahh, one of my earliest memories of wine school in Germany is the story of meeting the policeman. Teacher told me, "German wines are so low in alcohol, you can drink a bottle, meet the policeman on the road and you are the winner of the discussion!" Now I never ever would encourage drinking and driving, and since this is a holiday, you wouldn't drive, but you would stay at home and discuss. J.J. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2002 at $19.99 is perfect. About 7% alcohol, the same strength as many German beers, it is light, almost dry and positively delicious and refreshing. Perfect for conversation. Even politics. Ack. Prums wines disprove the notion that white wines must be drunk young. The high natural acidity of this wine holds it together perfectly and allows amazing aromas and flavors to develop, that only time can create.
This is special stuff at a great price.
April 30
See that comment on the side of the blog, I taste all the bad wines so you don't have to.? Today was a bad day. I tasted more cruddy wines today, really bad stuff, that my tongue wanted to slap me silly. But I perservered.
Mozafresca, sounds like a soda pop, is a tasty inexpensive dry white blend from Spain. The 2008 at $9.99 a bottle is a blend of two local varieties of grapes, Dona Blanca and Godello. I don't know much about the Dona Blanca yet, but the Godello is an up and coming grape. The wine is dry light and crisp in the Pinot Grigio style, but it has more flavor that is kind of hard to put your tongue on, so let's just say a hint of earth, spice and fruit. Just a hint though. I could see this wine served with assorted tapas, apps or grilled seafood. Even a tuna sandwich would work. Nice wine to have in the fridge for impromptu anything this summer.
Mozafresca, sounds like a soda pop, is a tasty inexpensive dry white blend from Spain. The 2008 at $9.99 a bottle is a blend of two local varieties of grapes, Dona Blanca and Godello. I don't know much about the Dona Blanca yet, but the Godello is an up and coming grape. The wine is dry light and crisp in the Pinot Grigio style, but it has more flavor that is kind of hard to put your tongue on, so let's just say a hint of earth, spice and fruit. Just a hint though. I could see this wine served with assorted tapas, apps or grilled seafood. Even a tuna sandwich would work. Nice wine to have in the fridge for impromptu anything this summer.
Monday, May 3, 2010
April 29
First there was KFC.
Then there was KCC.
KCC is mine and one of my favorites.
For those of you that have not been in the store, I like to write on 5x8 cards and offer comments about the wines I sell. I try to be funny. One of my all-time favorite comments about wine is if it is good with KCC. Ketchup Covered Cuisine. Wicked funny and almost an aliteration.
Although not a big fan of California Red Zinfandel, I have found another one that I like. Brazin, nice name too, is a tasty complex Zin that works with ketchup and barbque sauce on red and white meats. Price in the mid teens, I forget exactly, maybe one of these days I will get a computer for the store, it has both good fruit and good spice flavors, but not extreme in either way. Balanced would be a good wine term for that. It is rich and a tad high in alcohol, so a chill would not be out of the question, and a designated driver would be a great idea.
And yes, I would serve it with KFC Original Recipe.
Then there was KCC.
KCC is mine and one of my favorites.
For those of you that have not been in the store, I like to write on 5x8 cards and offer comments about the wines I sell. I try to be funny. One of my all-time favorite comments about wine is if it is good with KCC. Ketchup Covered Cuisine. Wicked funny and almost an aliteration.
Although not a big fan of California Red Zinfandel, I have found another one that I like. Brazin, nice name too, is a tasty complex Zin that works with ketchup and barbque sauce on red and white meats. Price in the mid teens, I forget exactly, maybe one of these days I will get a computer for the store, it has both good fruit and good spice flavors, but not extreme in either way. Balanced would be a good wine term for that. It is rich and a tad high in alcohol, so a chill would not be out of the question, and a designated driver would be a great idea.
And yes, I would serve it with KFC Original Recipe.
April 28
Unless I find another rose that knocks me out, this will be the last Rose blog of the year here.
Domaine de Houchart, as in Who Shot Liberty Valance, 2009 rose from Provence at $9.99 is waiting to be thrown into the nearest ice bucket. Light dry fresh with a gorgeous pink colour, color for when the color is good, colour when it is wonderful, this screams to be served pool-side, beach-side anywhere but inside on a hot day. I love it with a tuna sandwich. Or sushi, or grilled tuna steaks rare as can be. It also works nicely with scampi and of course Niciose salad.
Now all I need is some wrinkly white linen pants and a 50' yacht and I will look cool. NOT
Domaine de Houchart, as in Who Shot Liberty Valance, 2009 rose from Provence at $9.99 is waiting to be thrown into the nearest ice bucket. Light dry fresh with a gorgeous pink colour, color for when the color is good, colour when it is wonderful, this screams to be served pool-side, beach-side anywhere but inside on a hot day. I love it with a tuna sandwich. Or sushi, or grilled tuna steaks rare as can be. It also works nicely with scampi and of course Niciose salad.
Now all I need is some wrinkly white linen pants and a 50' yacht and I will look cool. NOT
April 27
Need a red wine for changeable Spring weather and menu items? Renato Ratti, strange isn't it, Raats and Ratti the same day, 2008 Dolcetto for $15.99 is a winner. This overlooked Piedmont red is perfect for Spring and Fall, not too heavy, not too light, it's a dry red wine with some red fruit flavors, some earthy barnyard flavors and goes with food. You can serve it slightly chilled or room temperature. I don't like it with red sauce. This is a northern Italian red. It is delicious with a salami and cheese plate for snacking, but has enough weight for red meats.
I have a weakness for sausage, onion and pepper subs with Fontina. If you can get the real Fontina from Val d'Aosta, you will be very happy with the sub and the Dolcetto. Very Happy.
I have a weakness for sausage, onion and pepper subs with Fontina. If you can get the real Fontina from Val d'Aosta, you will be very happy with the sub and the Dolcetto. Very Happy.
April 26
After the Raats dinner, we adjourned to the courtyard and tasted some other Cabernet Francs, cuz I wanted to get the expert's opinion.
We started with the 2006 Insoglio de Cinghiale, a super-Tuscan from Maremma that is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. At first, he said nothing, but I could tell it was not his cup of tea. A half hour later, he turned to me and said that he couldn't believe how much better it got in the glass over time. When I told him the wholesaler had dropped the price from $35 a bottle down to $25 a bottle, he told me, he would drink it at that price. Another rib-eye to be consumed soon.
Tony Soter is one of California's best winemakers. I have tasted his Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon and been impressed. I have never tasted his Cabernet Franc til the Raats dinner. At $70 a bottle this is flashy red wine. Lots of sweet new oak flavors are not my cup of tea. Raats thought the wine was correct but needed more time for the oak to calm down, but if you like those big showy California Cabs. this wine will work for you now.
And from out of the cellar I found the 1996 Beringer III Century Cabernet Franc! Spectacular! Also sold out. I dont think Beringer makes this anymore. The grapes were from Howell Mountain. Raats apprenticed at Cakebread Cellars for a while and told me that he learned that he would only grow Cabernet Franc on Howell Mountain or Chalk Hill because of the soil. This wine proved him correct.
We started with the 2006 Insoglio de Cinghiale, a super-Tuscan from Maremma that is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. At first, he said nothing, but I could tell it was not his cup of tea. A half hour later, he turned to me and said that he couldn't believe how much better it got in the glass over time. When I told him the wholesaler had dropped the price from $35 a bottle down to $25 a bottle, he told me, he would drink it at that price. Another rib-eye to be consumed soon.
Tony Soter is one of California's best winemakers. I have tasted his Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon and been impressed. I have never tasted his Cabernet Franc til the Raats dinner. At $70 a bottle this is flashy red wine. Lots of sweet new oak flavors are not my cup of tea. Raats thought the wine was correct but needed more time for the oak to calm down, but if you like those big showy California Cabs. this wine will work for you now.
And from out of the cellar I found the 1996 Beringer III Century Cabernet Franc! Spectacular! Also sold out. I dont think Beringer makes this anymore. The grapes were from Howell Mountain. Raats apprenticed at Cakebread Cellars for a while and told me that he learned that he would only grow Cabernet Franc on Howell Mountain or Chalk Hill because of the soil. This wine proved him correct.
Passion
Think of all the hits I will get with that title.
Had dinner with one of the most passionate, good guy winemakers in the world the other night, Bruwer Raats of Raats Family Vineyards of South Africa. He makes what he likes and he makes them world class and keeps the price to quality ration extremely consumer friendly.
He loves Chenin Blanc for white wine. He loves Cabernet Franc for red wine. He makes two Chenin Blancs. An un-oaked version that retails for $14.99 has perfect balance between fruit and minerality. What does minerality taste like? Try his Chenin Blanc! This is the ideal wine for summer sipping on hot days with a variety of salads and finger foods. Take time to smell the glass when empty, the aroma of golden delicious apple in harmony with peach is amazing.
His slightly wood aged Chenin Blanc retails for $24.99. This has some additional aromas and flavors of earth and mushroom with the apple-peach minerality. It was served with a 4 different appetizer plate. Any wine that can handle rhubarb, chicken livers, Andouille sausage and spicey calamari can handle just about any dish. It fits nicely in between over the top Chardonnay and refreshingly light Sauvignon Blanc. It lets the chef get credit for his food, but the wine stands up on its own.
Raats Family Cabernet Franc is $34.99. You can drink this or, for $349.99, you can drink Cheval Blanc. At a recent "brown-bag" even, I couldn't tell them apart. So either I stink as a wine taster, or the Raats is wicked good. At the dinner, it was served with a pan seared Rib-eye steak. Awesome! The 2007 in the market now is a bit rougher around the edges. With food it was perfect. I have put a few bottles in my cellar waiting for time to smooth out the wine. The 2006 is already smooth.
Now if you do want to spend a lot of money, Raats makes a wine in partnership with his friend Mvemve, the first black winemaker college graduate. The have a wine called MR de Compostella. Rough translation, compostion of the stars. They take the 5 great grapes of Bordeaux, vinify them separately, and then create a blend based not on quantity that they bought, but on the QUALITY of each individual barrel. The final blend is never the same. Each vintage is unique. There are only 400 cases of this wine. It ages amazing. At the event we drank the 2004. It has won a bunch of awards around the world. If you can find any of them, buy them. I am sold out. I begged him for some more. Time will tell if grovelling works.
Had dinner with one of the most passionate, good guy winemakers in the world the other night, Bruwer Raats of Raats Family Vineyards of South Africa. He makes what he likes and he makes them world class and keeps the price to quality ration extremely consumer friendly.
He loves Chenin Blanc for white wine. He loves Cabernet Franc for red wine. He makes two Chenin Blancs. An un-oaked version that retails for $14.99 has perfect balance between fruit and minerality. What does minerality taste like? Try his Chenin Blanc! This is the ideal wine for summer sipping on hot days with a variety of salads and finger foods. Take time to smell the glass when empty, the aroma of golden delicious apple in harmony with peach is amazing.
His slightly wood aged Chenin Blanc retails for $24.99. This has some additional aromas and flavors of earth and mushroom with the apple-peach minerality. It was served with a 4 different appetizer plate. Any wine that can handle rhubarb, chicken livers, Andouille sausage and spicey calamari can handle just about any dish. It fits nicely in between over the top Chardonnay and refreshingly light Sauvignon Blanc. It lets the chef get credit for his food, but the wine stands up on its own.
Raats Family Cabernet Franc is $34.99. You can drink this or, for $349.99, you can drink Cheval Blanc. At a recent "brown-bag" even, I couldn't tell them apart. So either I stink as a wine taster, or the Raats is wicked good. At the dinner, it was served with a pan seared Rib-eye steak. Awesome! The 2007 in the market now is a bit rougher around the edges. With food it was perfect. I have put a few bottles in my cellar waiting for time to smooth out the wine. The 2006 is already smooth.
Now if you do want to spend a lot of money, Raats makes a wine in partnership with his friend Mvemve, the first black winemaker college graduate. The have a wine called MR de Compostella. Rough translation, compostion of the stars. They take the 5 great grapes of Bordeaux, vinify them separately, and then create a blend based not on quantity that they bought, but on the QUALITY of each individual barrel. The final blend is never the same. Each vintage is unique. There are only 400 cases of this wine. It ages amazing. At the event we drank the 2004. It has won a bunch of awards around the world. If you can find any of them, buy them. I am sold out. I begged him for some more. Time will tell if grovelling works.
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