Let's get back to Wine!

It's been awhile since I've talked wine here.  I went to the wine store to stock up today since we are having family visit this weekend and on the advice of a salesman I have gotten to know at the wine store I picked this one up.

Maipe Reserve - Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - Mendoza Argentina

Here's the review of this wine from Robert Parker.  I'm including it because I couldn't have said it better.  The only thing I would add is that I think I should have given this one a couple more years before cracking the cork.

Wine Advocate

Similar in style, but more structured and revealing slightly more oak is the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Full-bodied and dense with abundant notes of creme de cassis, chocolate, espresso roast, spice box, and tobacco leaf, it is a layered, succulent, hedonistic Cabernet to drink over the next 3-4 years.

Score: 90. —Robert Parker, August 2010.

Wine Pick

I have a thing for the Alexander Valley.  It's about an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  It's part of Sonoma County and hosts 40 wineries that are wonderful unique wines that are just good as the ones from Napa, I think, for a fraction of the price.  Can't go wrong there.



Souverain 2007 - Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

You are going to get notes of dark fruit, baking spices, vanilla and a bit of toast.  It's moderately tannic.  It is fruit forward with a tinge of vanilla on the finish.  It's pretty good for $12.

Wine Tip Tuesday

I saw this wine in a local wine shop and was intrigued.  I liked the name and while I rarely get drawn in by the bottle design, I liked this one.   Usually, the catchy bottle exterior doesn't reflect what is usually inside.  I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case.

B Side 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley 

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah

It presents with a deep garnet color in the glass.  Notes of strawberry, and boysenberry aromas along with toasted oak and some minerality that comes from the varied soil found in Napa.  On the palate, it is your typical Napa Cab with tastes of blackberry and currants with a bit of tannins on the finish.  I really enjoyed this wine.  Unfortunately, it runs anywhere from $22-$25 in the store, but that's Napa for you.

Thirsty Thursday on Friday

Today it's France again, Bordeaux to be exact.  It's a good wine for the wet and chilly weather we are having here.

Chateau Micalet 2005 Haut-Medoc  - Grand Vin de Bordeaux

45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc

On the nose there's smoke, tar, a bit of vanilla and some minerality, wet stone?  I like it already.  In the mouth there is the taste of tart cherries.  I can't remember the last time I had a red with low alcohol and this one has 12.5%.  Overall, I like it.

Wine Tip Tuesday

We are hitting France this week and more specifically, the Langeudoc region of Southern France.


Puydeval 2009 - Vin de Pays d' Oc

This is a unique wine and it's gained a fervent following due to it's uniqueness and price point.  It is primarily composed of Cabernet Franc, which I love.  It's 62% Cab Franc, 28% Syrah and 10% Merlot.  This is a big, rich and concentrated wine.  The color is intense.  You will get notes of blackberry and black cherry with a hint of spiciness.  Along with the fruit are notes of anise and some earth.  It is a compliment to most meals.  I got it for $11.99.

Thirsty Thursdays

Avalon - Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 2008

Make sure if you go to purchase this wine that it is the one from Napa Valley not the one from California.  The Napa Valley bottle is quite different.  I like this wine, it was what I was looking to drink when I opened the bottle.  It offers notes of dark fruit like blackberries and dark cherries, but I didn't find them overpowering which was nice since I am not a huge fan of the in your face big fruit forward wines.  There was also notes of earth, and some subtle notes of spice and vanilla which come from the 12 months the wine spends in French and American Oak.  Overall, it was a pleasant glass to drink and for $11.99, I would say it's a great go to any day wine.

 

Available at Total Wine or Beltway Liquors.

Wine Tip Tuesday

If you've lost those feelings of happiness, this wine offers happiness in a glass.   Nothing screams happiness as a sparkling wine, and I love prosecco.  This will be my hot weather drink.

Vignal - Prosecco la Delizia NV - Dry Sparkling Wine

Flavors of apricot and peach abound with a slight sweetness and creamy texture...delicious.  Just about a perfect wine for a warm summer, or just about any day that needs some happiness!

Thirsty Thursday's Wine Pick

I am a huge fan of Italian wines and especially Italian red wines.  The wine I'm passing along today is made from 100% Aglianico.  This wine comes from the Basilicata region of Italy which is in the Southern part about where the arch is on the boot!  Basilicata is a wild region in that it is mostly consumed by Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano.   This makes agriculture quite challenging in this area.

Tenuta Del Portale -  Starsa 2007 IGT Basilicata

These grapes are grown in volcanic soil which is going to give a certain minerality and uniqueness to the wine.  You are going to get a Ruby red color in the glass.  The wine shows bright red fruit along with spice, leather, tar and aromatic wood.

You can pick this wine up at Total Wine.

Wine Tip Tuesdays

I had this bottle the other day while out with friends.  I had never had this wine before and thought it was pretty good for the price in the store $11.99.

Lockwood - Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - Monterey - make sure it's the one from Monterey with the cream and purple label.

The wine is full-bodied with aromas of dark cherry and dark berries, but along with the fruit is spice, toast and oak which make the wine quite drinkable on it's own.  Reminds me of some of the wines that are coming out of Chile.  For the price, I'd say it's a good deal.

You can find this wine at any Total Wine Shop or at Beltway Liquor if you live in the Baltimore area.

Thirsty Thursday's Wine

Yes, it's St. Patrick's Day, but I like wine.

I treated myself to a nicer bottle that what I would normally drink on a plain old evening.  I thought it might pair well with the corned beef, and it wasn't so bad with it. The strong mustard I love on the corned beef really didn't help.  The wine on it's own is lovely with a great QPR.

Domaine D'Auphilac 2007 - Montpeyroux from the Languedoc region of France  $26

It is composed of 30% Mourvedre, 25% Syrah, 25% Carignan, 16% Grenache and 4% Cinsault.  This is a lovely old world wine.  Highly extracted fruit with a dark intense color.  It has the aromas of dark fruit and spice with soft tannins.   I think it would have been really wonderful with brisket, or braised short ribs.

Wine Tip Tuesday

So I mentioned a particular bottle of wine I was looking for a few posts back and am happy to say I found a store carrying it yesterday.  I had it last night, although it would have been a good bottle for tonight's cool and rainy weather.

Casiellro del Diablo Malbec 2009 - it was just given 90 points by Robert Parker at the Wine Advocate and at $8.99 it's your basic no brainer.


The wine is intense in color and loaded with black fruit followed by some peppery spices and vanilla.  It is ready to drink now, no need to wait!  Go get yourself a bottle.  Cheers!