The two wines I chose for this posting I think are both good introductions to each without having some of the more unusual or expensive styles. So say Bonjour or Bonjourno and find a tasting near you.
Patriarche Pere et Fils 2004 Burgogne Blanc – I had this wine again recently and thought, why didn’t I post about it before? I certainly meant to. This chardonnay immediately hits tart golden apples and a bit of dust or chalk in the nose. It is a medium bodied wine well proportioned and drinking well. Flavors of golden apple, vanilla, a bit of light brown toast or yeast and chalk in the finish I enjoyed in each taste. It reminds me of almost a champagne flavor without the fizz. The toast did fade a bit with the bottle open for a few hours and I admit I wish it wouldn’t have. It’s a nicely wet wine, not overly oaked, or really any butter that I noted. This to me is a good introduction to white Burgundy. Moderate acid and good flavor that keep it well balanced albeit moderate thin mouth feel. If you are looking to say Bonjour to your first white burgundy you might start here before you jump into that expensive bottle of Meursault. $ -16/bottle
1998 Marchesi Spinola Barolo – This Barolo was not like some others I had tried that hadn’t aged as long or were just over the top in leather and smoke. I was very impressed. The nose had tobacco but with dark currants and other black fruit. It had a nicely layered scent and depth and seem to absorb any possible light it was so dark. In the mouth there was a full long body that I expected but a smoothness and velvet I did not. Tobacco and earthen fruit are long lasting. While many Barolo I have had I swear must be with food, I could enjoy this on its own, and others at the tasting also agreed. It has depth and body but is not pushy. Still it would be wonderful with seared lamb or steak on the bone. The finish was pleasantly earthy but not overly tannic. It was the hit of the evening at the tasting above other Barolo or Barbaresco. A mature, inky dark wine, fit for drinking now and a good introduction to Barolo without the pain of cost or KO to the mouth with racing tannins. $$ - 28-30/bottle
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Burgundy/Pinot Noir part deux
A bit of a delay in posting since the Chinon. Spring time so was off bustling about. I was happy to see at the last tasting I was at a repeat of a couple of wines I listed before. I was curious what I would think about them in comparison to before and to see how my expressions on them may have changed. I haven't had either since my original tastings.
If anything I liked them even more than when I originally tasted them!
Pierre Guillemot Savigny Serpentier 2005 1er Cru - This red burgundy is very good. As from before its garnet and silk sheet red. The nose is mostly cherries and kirsch with a bit of earthy burgundy scent but its subdued. This athletic Pinot Noir has solid medium body with silky mouthfeel. However it is bold big cherry when first on the palate. Nicely this tasting I also noted some floral tones as it warmed in the glass that made me think of roses or jasmine. It was a pleasant subdued flavor that I had not noted before. Still my notes were similar to before. Cherries, chalk, and rocks. :) Its a brawny wine that patience will likely reward but you certainly could still drink it now. It will also hold up with great northwest style cuisine such as lamb, quail, or chinook fillet. I have to quote my wine dealer as I think his description amusing and also appropriate - "In the words of wine critic David Schildknecht, this is not a wine for those who want a cuddly Pinot with love handles."
Myself - I think this is one heck of an expression of a premier cru burgundy at a very solid price from what they can cost. $$ 40/bottle
J. Christopher Sandra Adele Pinot Noir 2005 - Now this is an Oregonian expression of Burgundy. :) The perfect garnet red color and so clear that you can read through it. Cherries and forest floor and old leaves in the nose. Interestingly this time I did not find the old tractor smell but that could be a factor of time in the bottle or open to air as last I tasted from fresh pulled cork. This is my type of Pinot Noir as I like to just sit and sip and not even have with food. This is a wonderful wine for you who like to do such. Not that it won't work with food but I just am that type of Pinot drinker when I find one I really like. There are ripe moist cherries in the mouth with a wonderful earthy loamy forest finish. If you are a fan of Pinot Noir from the past this may be a great wine for you. Its not as some that have gone to big tannins and chewy fruit that explode in the mouth. This is more self contained and perfumed. Its also very approachable right now and you can drink as is. With patience it will be interesting to see what else this wine develops. As I said before, buy now before its gone. $$ - 33-36/bottle
If anything I liked them even more than when I originally tasted them!
Pierre Guillemot Savigny Serpentier 2005 1er Cru - This red burgundy is very good. As from before its garnet and silk sheet red. The nose is mostly cherries and kirsch with a bit of earthy burgundy scent but its subdued. This athletic Pinot Noir has solid medium body with silky mouthfeel. However it is bold big cherry when first on the palate. Nicely this tasting I also noted some floral tones as it warmed in the glass that made me think of roses or jasmine. It was a pleasant subdued flavor that I had not noted before. Still my notes were similar to before. Cherries, chalk, and rocks. :) Its a brawny wine that patience will likely reward but you certainly could still drink it now. It will also hold up with great northwest style cuisine such as lamb, quail, or chinook fillet. I have to quote my wine dealer as I think his description amusing and also appropriate - "In the words of wine critic David Schildknecht, this is not a wine for those who want a cuddly Pinot with love handles."
Myself - I think this is one heck of an expression of a premier cru burgundy at a very solid price from what they can cost. $$ 40/bottle
J. Christopher Sandra Adele Pinot Noir 2005 - Now this is an Oregonian expression of Burgundy. :) The perfect garnet red color and so clear that you can read through it. Cherries and forest floor and old leaves in the nose. Interestingly this time I did not find the old tractor smell but that could be a factor of time in the bottle or open to air as last I tasted from fresh pulled cork. This is my type of Pinot Noir as I like to just sit and sip and not even have with food. This is a wonderful wine for you who like to do such. Not that it won't work with food but I just am that type of Pinot drinker when I find one I really like. There are ripe moist cherries in the mouth with a wonderful earthy loamy forest finish. If you are a fan of Pinot Noir from the past this may be a great wine for you. Its not as some that have gone to big tannins and chewy fruit that explode in the mouth. This is more self contained and perfumed. Its also very approachable right now and you can drink as is. With patience it will be interesting to see what else this wine develops. As I said before, buy now before its gone. $$ - 33-36/bottle
Friday, April 4, 2008
Salad with your red sir? O Chinon my Chinon!
I was so excited when I heard that the tasting I was going to was having both a 12 & 20 year old Cabernet Franc from Chinon. If you read my prior impression of Cab Franc it wasn't that happy. Too pushy and mouth puckering tanic for me. However the wine steward I know told me to wait till he got the Chinon in and try again - that it was a different animal. I did ask him and the importer what Cab Franc was associated with in so far as taste they both replied - SALAD! and laughed. Apparently some Cab Franc does have a vegetal nose or taste. So I waited for the Chinon to get in and really kind of forgot about it until the newsletter. Once in I was soooo happy I had a chance to try.
1996 Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon Clos d’Isore - Hello salad! Okay not really but there was a good smell of earth and Leek in the nose as well as mild black pepper. Later in the glass there was some tobaco and and dark fruit. It was really a wonderful and layered aroma. Dark dense red color in the glass and not transparent at all. The first taste in my mouth I knew this was a developed wine and mature. Excellent full mouthfeel but moderate intensity and long extremely balanced body - very smooth, long, and oh so silky. In the taste immediately I hit red fruit like tart cherries and rasberries but it quickly moved deeper and more earthy with some sort of wonderful dusty mineral taste I couldn't quite get a grasp of. It certainly finished like a full french red with dusty tanic and mineral leave but without giving my tastebuds a K.O. I was really blown over by this full but subtle and complex Cabernet Franc. Its drinking so well right now its hard to think that you could wait another 5-7 years and likely it would be just as good if not better. The real wonder of this to me was the price. For the value this is a steal for anyone who loves Chinon, Cab Franc, or the southern french varietels. $$ - 36/bottle. Good luck finding it (but do try!) as I'm sure the importers are fighting over any number of bottles to come in. Simply put this so far has been my favorite red aside from my love of Pinots. O' Chinon my Chinon!
1996 Jean-Maurice Raffault Chinon Clos d’Isore - Hello salad! Okay not really but there was a good smell of earth and Leek in the nose as well as mild black pepper. Later in the glass there was some tobaco and and dark fruit. It was really a wonderful and layered aroma. Dark dense red color in the glass and not transparent at all. The first taste in my mouth I knew this was a developed wine and mature. Excellent full mouthfeel but moderate intensity and long extremely balanced body - very smooth, long, and oh so silky. In the taste immediately I hit red fruit like tart cherries and rasberries but it quickly moved deeper and more earthy with some sort of wonderful dusty mineral taste I couldn't quite get a grasp of. It certainly finished like a full french red with dusty tanic and mineral leave but without giving my tastebuds a K.O. I was really blown over by this full but subtle and complex Cabernet Franc. Its drinking so well right now its hard to think that you could wait another 5-7 years and likely it would be just as good if not better. The real wonder of this to me was the price. For the value this is a steal for anyone who loves Chinon, Cab Franc, or the southern french varietels. $$ - 36/bottle. Good luck finding it (but do try!) as I'm sure the importers are fighting over any number of bottles to come in. Simply put this so far has been my favorite red aside from my love of Pinots. O' Chinon my Chinon!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Irresisto I missed-oh!
Much of what I hear from friends is that they like dry wine and they don't like white or rose wine. Before you include yourself in that group I recommend you go out and try as many whites as you can and as many wines in varying sweetness as you can. Depending on your mood and what you are looking to serve it with you may be surprised. However this is not the post for surprising you on that...
J. Christopher Christo Irresisto '07 is here! :) After last years release (see my prior posting) I was looking forward to the next release of the Irresisto. However Jay Sommers threw in a twist. No longer is this a Pinot Noir rose with Pinot style - this is no wine easy like Sunday morning, rather this is bracing! This rose blend of Grenache and Syrah has a great aroma of red berries darker that what should bely a rose I thought. Sharp and pungent with a masculine strong push. When I first took a sip the dry alarm went off in my mouth! Wow this is a dry wine and powerful for a rose. If you think you like dry here is a good test. :) Red tangy berries and zest hit my palate. It is young and not the longest bodied wine by any stretch but I thought it cried out for meat on charcoal to be served with it and others agreed. Beyond that this is a dry and powerful rose suitable for spring and summer grilling it also has one heck of an affordable price at 10/bottle. $ What a deal - you might even decide its worth just buying a bottle for tasting on your own since its so affordable. I think I'm going to skip a bunch of weekend lattes and buy up a half case. Cheers!
J. Christopher Christo Irresisto '07 is here! :) After last years release (see my prior posting) I was looking forward to the next release of the Irresisto. However Jay Sommers threw in a twist. No longer is this a Pinot Noir rose with Pinot style - this is no wine easy like Sunday morning, rather this is bracing! This rose blend of Grenache and Syrah has a great aroma of red berries darker that what should bely a rose I thought. Sharp and pungent with a masculine strong push. When I first took a sip the dry alarm went off in my mouth! Wow this is a dry wine and powerful for a rose. If you think you like dry here is a good test. :) Red tangy berries and zest hit my palate. It is young and not the longest bodied wine by any stretch but I thought it cried out for meat on charcoal to be served with it and others agreed. Beyond that this is a dry and powerful rose suitable for spring and summer grilling it also has one heck of an affordable price at 10/bottle. $ What a deal - you might even decide its worth just buying a bottle for tasting on your own since its so affordable. I think I'm going to skip a bunch of weekend lattes and buy up a half case. Cheers!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Two rare tastes
I was lucky enough recently to be at a tasting that had two wines that are unusual and that you wont find every place you look. If they interest you, digging will have to be done and on the 2nd likely you wont find someone willing to do a tasting at all...
Edi Simcic 2005 Tocata (Italy) - Say it slowly now - SimChich - and yes his first name is pronounced Edee. I was very interested to try this Tocata since it essentially the same as the tocai grape in the prior tasted '99 Radikon Olsavje. That's such a fascinating wine I had no idea what this might be like. Without going into the legal grape naming issues and wine politics its not called Tocai though. It was a light golden colored wine that when swirled seemed to take on a deep golden reflection of what could only be called doubloon gold. It was that deep and shinning. The nose was creamy and of almonds and perhaps a understated peach. In the mouth this is again a full bodied white. Big taste of almonds and fig fruit meat near the pit hit first, moving towards an amazing spiciness that faded to an earthy dusty leave. This is a very nice and dry wine that is a great palate cleanser. In fact the pairing to food was a conversation no one could really figure out - perhaps it is best as a between dishes wine. The wine taste certainly gave me the visual image of almond trees growing in light brown dusty earth. It was quite an experience that I look forward to again. $$ (35/bottle)
Sin Qua Non '05 Rose (California) - recently I've been hearing about these impossible to find wines of Sin Qua Non and the very high prices they command. I perhaps heard more of that even than how good they were supposed to be. After trying their Sryah, Grenache Rose I went online to see how bad it could be - ouch! These are premium wines. Given all the more attention since receiving some 100 point scores from the famous or infamous Robert Parker. Now I've come to like true Rose (see prior postings on Rose) but am not sure any Rose is worth well over 100 per bottle. However this simply was a stellar wine to my tastes. Great aroma of rasberry and light flowers and earthiness; it drank more like a red than a rose and almost had some mild tannin quality. It certainly had the most structure and body of any Rose I've had (though thats not saying a lot with my limited Rose experience). The flavors were of red berries and cassis but on the light side and not bold. Still excellent acidity and long leave of deeper red berries and leafy floor nicely finish this wine off. I look at this Sin Qua Non and any other this way after trying this one. Its a wonderful wine and even more excellent if you find someone opening a bottle for you. ;) $$$$
Edi Simcic 2005 Tocata (Italy) - Say it slowly now - SimChich - and yes his first name is pronounced Edee. I was very interested to try this Tocata since it essentially the same as the tocai grape in the prior tasted '99 Radikon Olsavje. That's such a fascinating wine I had no idea what this might be like. Without going into the legal grape naming issues and wine politics its not called Tocai though. It was a light golden colored wine that when swirled seemed to take on a deep golden reflection of what could only be called doubloon gold. It was that deep and shinning. The nose was creamy and of almonds and perhaps a understated peach. In the mouth this is again a full bodied white. Big taste of almonds and fig fruit meat near the pit hit first, moving towards an amazing spiciness that faded to an earthy dusty leave. This is a very nice and dry wine that is a great palate cleanser. In fact the pairing to food was a conversation no one could really figure out - perhaps it is best as a between dishes wine. The wine taste certainly gave me the visual image of almond trees growing in light brown dusty earth. It was quite an experience that I look forward to again. $$ (35/bottle)
Sin Qua Non '05 Rose (California) - recently I've been hearing about these impossible to find wines of Sin Qua Non and the very high prices they command. I perhaps heard more of that even than how good they were supposed to be. After trying their Sryah, Grenache Rose I went online to see how bad it could be - ouch! These are premium wines. Given all the more attention since receiving some 100 point scores from the famous or infamous Robert Parker. Now I've come to like true Rose (see prior postings on Rose) but am not sure any Rose is worth well over 100 per bottle. However this simply was a stellar wine to my tastes. Great aroma of rasberry and light flowers and earthiness; it drank more like a red than a rose and almost had some mild tannin quality. It certainly had the most structure and body of any Rose I've had (though thats not saying a lot with my limited Rose experience). The flavors were of red berries and cassis but on the light side and not bold. Still excellent acidity and long leave of deeper red berries and leafy floor nicely finish this wine off. I look at this Sin Qua Non and any other this way after trying this one. Its a wonderful wine and even more excellent if you find someone opening a bottle for you. ;) $$$$
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Rippin Good Rocks
You may think of Riesling (reezling if you please) as the light floral wines of the northwest that are very dry and somewhat insubstantial. Or you may think of the sticky sweet syrupy desert in a glass style wine. To be true and to quote from a book I am reading Reisling may be the grape that produces more different styles of one wine than any other…
If you are not a fan of Riesling, or if you are, I think you owe it to yourself to try a high quality German Reisling. Its all in the Rocks the grapes grown in; check out images of the Mosel online - I was told, and have done so. Impossibly steep slopes of slate and scree that look as if grapes should not grow there! Well I guess Germans must also believe, as the French, to create good wine the grapes must suffer. Certainly different than some of the lush, verdant vineyards of the northwest.
This aint your Mom’s Blue Nunn or other light white wine (sorry mom). A high quality Reisling can be aged 20 even 30 years. A strong Riesling from the Mosel can make you wax poetic or at least it did me…
Jos. Christoffel Jr. Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese 1996 – Okay so I put this to my nose, smelled petrol and kerosene at first and thought what the heck?… with some encouragement I smelled deeper and found golden fruit and some citrus lying underneath that strong smell. Better was the taste. Grapefruity lemon plus golden ripe apples, spices, and then plenty of slate and chalk. This is a long tasting wine too. The taste tumbled around in my mouth for a while and that was a good thing. It’s a medium strength, long bodied, dry white that has a lot of flavors and nuances to pick out. It certainly made a fan out of me of old world Rieslings. I definitely recommend you try to find a tasting of an aged moderate to dry German Riesling and see what it can do for you. $$ (29/bottle)
Jos. Christoffel Jr. Urziger Wurtzgarten Auslese 1988 - Okay more petrol and chemicals in the nose here... I think I am starting to like some earth or funk in the aroma of my wines. :)
Great depth to this wine. Definite citrus underlies the chemical smell. Green lithe sweetness like sweet clover, citrus, with an earthy spiciness were the primary flavors I picked out. However this felt a more dense, auspicious, and dry wine than the previous Riesling to me. Though it shared a good long finish of stone. Yum! is the best word that comes to mind and I cant wait to open a bottle with some fresh seafood. Its true I guess it’s all in the rocks – like excellent flavored pop rocks. Keep on poppin’! $$$ (45/bottle)
If you are not a fan of Riesling, or if you are, I think you owe it to yourself to try a high quality German Reisling. Its all in the Rocks the grapes grown in; check out images of the Mosel online - I was told, and have done so. Impossibly steep slopes of slate and scree that look as if grapes should not grow there! Well I guess Germans must also believe, as the French, to create good wine the grapes must suffer. Certainly different than some of the lush, verdant vineyards of the northwest.
This aint your Mom’s Blue Nunn or other light white wine (sorry mom). A high quality Reisling can be aged 20 even 30 years. A strong Riesling from the Mosel can make you wax poetic or at least it did me…
Jos. Christoffel Jr. Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese 1996 – Okay so I put this to my nose, smelled petrol and kerosene at first and thought what the heck?… with some encouragement I smelled deeper and found golden fruit and some citrus lying underneath that strong smell. Better was the taste. Grapefruity lemon plus golden ripe apples, spices, and then plenty of slate and chalk. This is a long tasting wine too. The taste tumbled around in my mouth for a while and that was a good thing. It’s a medium strength, long bodied, dry white that has a lot of flavors and nuances to pick out. It certainly made a fan out of me of old world Rieslings. I definitely recommend you try to find a tasting of an aged moderate to dry German Riesling and see what it can do for you. $$ (29/bottle)
Jos. Christoffel Jr. Urziger Wurtzgarten Auslese 1988 - Okay more petrol and chemicals in the nose here... I think I am starting to like some earth or funk in the aroma of my wines. :)
Great depth to this wine. Definite citrus underlies the chemical smell. Green lithe sweetness like sweet clover, citrus, with an earthy spiciness were the primary flavors I picked out. However this felt a more dense, auspicious, and dry wine than the previous Riesling to me. Though it shared a good long finish of stone. Yum! is the best word that comes to mind and I cant wait to open a bottle with some fresh seafood. Its true I guess it’s all in the rocks – like excellent flavored pop rocks. Keep on poppin’! $$$ (45/bottle)
Sunday, March 9, 2008
The only way to learn is by exposing yourself
Okay get yer mind out of the gutter. By exposing yourself I mean to information. :) Before I get onto a couple wines I wanted to recommend a book that was loaned to me by the local shop owner I do tasting with. Bacchus & Me - Adventures in the wine Cellar by Jay McInerney. This is an irreverent look at wine in 49 short essays. Its not a treatise on how taste, what to taste or such... Its simply a fun read that gave me a bit further understanding of some of the wines I've tasted as well as a curiosity for some I have not. Its a comical, candid reflection of the author's experiences as well as some good information for the less experienced in what perhaps to expect from some varietals.
Now that the literature is past on to the imbibe.
I thoroughly enjoy when the owner of the shop I frequent goes all mad scientist. I frequently learn the most from such. An example of this is when he had a tasting of 5 wines out and then with a somewhat enthused quizical look opened another different 5 bottles! This wasnt in the newsletter he sent out! :) Two wines that I took serious note of from that I list here.
L'ecole 41 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard 1997 (Washington) - I couldn't believe he so casually opened this nice 11 yr old Walla Walla Bordeaux style blend. If you read my earlier posts I mentioned some of these styles can be to tannic for me. Perhaps its the Cabernet Franc, perhaps the soil, not sure yet. At any rate this blend was so very good! If you already like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc. Find this. It was inky dark, smokey, fruity, and had a nice tobacco and herbal tone. And it was extremely smooth. I was very surprised how much I enjoyed it. I was told this still has a domestic style to it and is apparent in that. To my less educated palate it was just good. Go NW wines! If Bordeauxs can be like this I could enjoy them very much too. It solidifies my new found understanding that there is a vintage and vintner of every grape for every person. I'm not going to give up my love of Pinot Noir in change for these bigger bodied reds but I certainly got to expose my tastes to something quite good. Good luck finding the 1997 Pepper Bridge Apogee I think you may still be able to order from the vineyards library but not many places else. You can find out more about their Bordeaux style blends from different vintages at http://www.lecole.com/ $$
Radikon Oslavje Riserva 1999 (Italy) - Ok stop if you haven't read my post on Radikon prior scroll down and do. Okay, back? I just about cheered when I saw Michael pull out the 1999 Radikon Oslavje and begin to uncork it. The '01 was amazing and I heard the '99 was even more interesting. As before its a wine in contrast to wine. A Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Tocai blend... Still the fiery orange color but this time clear not cloudy. Scents of citrus, hot climate fruit, and apricot in the aroma. It was an intense wine. Full of dried apricot and rich flavored fruit, but also with crushed leaves and significantly dry with creamy feel and with a long sherry style alcohol body and finish. Almost tannic like a red one taster observed. If the last Radikon the scientist was a bit mad here his feverent dream has come to life. More miracle than monster. Think Bladerunner over Frankenstein. Oh yeah and this wine will cost ya. $$$$ (99/bottle) Again I encourage you to find and taste Radikon and expose and expand your horizons.
Now that the literature is past on to the imbibe.
I thoroughly enjoy when the owner of the shop I frequent goes all mad scientist. I frequently learn the most from such. An example of this is when he had a tasting of 5 wines out and then with a somewhat enthused quizical look opened another different 5 bottles! This wasnt in the newsletter he sent out! :) Two wines that I took serious note of from that I list here.
L'ecole 41 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard 1997 (Washington) - I couldn't believe he so casually opened this nice 11 yr old Walla Walla Bordeaux style blend. If you read my earlier posts I mentioned some of these styles can be to tannic for me. Perhaps its the Cabernet Franc, perhaps the soil, not sure yet. At any rate this blend was so very good! If you already like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc. Find this. It was inky dark, smokey, fruity, and had a nice tobacco and herbal tone. And it was extremely smooth. I was very surprised how much I enjoyed it. I was told this still has a domestic style to it and is apparent in that. To my less educated palate it was just good. Go NW wines! If Bordeauxs can be like this I could enjoy them very much too. It solidifies my new found understanding that there is a vintage and vintner of every grape for every person. I'm not going to give up my love of Pinot Noir in change for these bigger bodied reds but I certainly got to expose my tastes to something quite good. Good luck finding the 1997 Pepper Bridge Apogee I think you may still be able to order from the vineyards library but not many places else. You can find out more about their Bordeaux style blends from different vintages at http://www.lecole.com/ $$
Radikon Oslavje Riserva 1999 (Italy) - Ok stop if you haven't read my post on Radikon prior scroll down and do. Okay, back? I just about cheered when I saw Michael pull out the 1999 Radikon Oslavje and begin to uncork it. The '01 was amazing and I heard the '99 was even more interesting. As before its a wine in contrast to wine. A Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Tocai blend... Still the fiery orange color but this time clear not cloudy. Scents of citrus, hot climate fruit, and apricot in the aroma. It was an intense wine. Full of dried apricot and rich flavored fruit, but also with crushed leaves and significantly dry with creamy feel and with a long sherry style alcohol body and finish. Almost tannic like a red one taster observed. If the last Radikon the scientist was a bit mad here his feverent dream has come to life. More miracle than monster. Think Bladerunner over Frankenstein. Oh yeah and this wine will cost ya. $$$$ (99/bottle) Again I encourage you to find and taste Radikon and expose and expand your horizons.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Keeping it simple
I read back through my postings and I have to admonish myself. Some of the descriptions are too much spectacle and not enough substance. While wine is fun to taste and write about that is not the idea of this blog. I am not selling the stuff, just reporting on what I taste. I think I have been influenced by the vine rags and internet I have been reading. So with that in mind I will make a conscious effort to keep postings more straight forward.
Speaking of straight forward here is a straight up very good pinot noir.
Cameron 2001 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - There were big bunches of ripe cherries in the nose of this wine. No subtlety here. Also corn chips? when freshly opened. (Another Cameron I have had of different vintage had similar aspect) The corn chips faded as it opened to a more warm alcohol and floral tone. Cherries, cherries, cherries mmmm, with a warm silky feeling in the mouth and solid body and alcohol balance. Then rose petals aroma in the empty glass and the end... To be certain what I post here is not at all what the Cameron website lists for the flavors. Regardless though I had this at a party recently and it was so enjoyable. I didn't even eat while I had my glass. Just imbibed and smelled. Good luck finding this wine to taste though I checked online the next day and have yet to find it. (Cost unknown)
2005 Bodegas Naia Naiades (Spain) - This is a complex multi-layered almost contrary wine! It had a lot for me to try to pick out and understand. It was recommended for me to try vs. the white burgundies I have come to approve of. This is a solid body well rounded white wine. Its aromas were of peaches, golden apples, pears, and golden grapes. Actually the color is a nice pale gold as well though more pale than I might have thought. It was a very loose wine in the mouth - to my meaning, it sort of seemed to roll around a lot with its own purpose in mind. Not thin but certainly not a thick feel either. The tastes were of pears, lemon citrus, and some grass for the body. However the finish was in stark contrast. Try licking a piece of limestone, basalt, and alum. Pure mineral! The finish was really strong too. It completely caught me off guard and I really enjoyed that. If you already like white burgundies of that mineral nature I definitely recommend you try to taste this more affordable version from Spain. I could imagine the limestone/basalt hill where the grapes grow and lemon trees dot the landscape. $$ (28/bottle)
Speaking of straight forward here is a straight up very good pinot noir.
Cameron 2001 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - There were big bunches of ripe cherries in the nose of this wine. No subtlety here. Also corn chips? when freshly opened. (Another Cameron I have had of different vintage had similar aspect) The corn chips faded as it opened to a more warm alcohol and floral tone. Cherries, cherries, cherries mmmm, with a warm silky feeling in the mouth and solid body and alcohol balance. Then rose petals aroma in the empty glass and the end... To be certain what I post here is not at all what the Cameron website lists for the flavors. Regardless though I had this at a party recently and it was so enjoyable. I didn't even eat while I had my glass. Just imbibed and smelled. Good luck finding this wine to taste though I checked online the next day and have yet to find it. (Cost unknown)
2005 Bodegas Naia Naiades (Spain) - This is a complex multi-layered almost contrary wine! It had a lot for me to try to pick out and understand. It was recommended for me to try vs. the white burgundies I have come to approve of. This is a solid body well rounded white wine. Its aromas were of peaches, golden apples, pears, and golden grapes. Actually the color is a nice pale gold as well though more pale than I might have thought. It was a very loose wine in the mouth - to my meaning, it sort of seemed to roll around a lot with its own purpose in mind. Not thin but certainly not a thick feel either. The tastes were of pears, lemon citrus, and some grass for the body. However the finish was in stark contrast. Try licking a piece of limestone, basalt, and alum. Pure mineral! The finish was really strong too. It completely caught me off guard and I really enjoyed that. If you already like white burgundies of that mineral nature I definitely recommend you try to taste this more affordable version from Spain. I could imagine the limestone/basalt hill where the grapes grow and lemon trees dot the landscape. $$ (28/bottle)
Monday, March 3, 2008
We Three Kings
I'm taking off the gloves and pulling no punches with these 3 kings. They are not inexpensive at around $50 or more each but these are 3 of the best wines I have ever tasted.
Domaine Phillipe Faury 2005 Coindreu - already the king of Viogniers this Coindreau is like having perfume that you can imbibe. It is birds on the wing in the nose with warm air, honeysuckle, green fragrant leaves, and a myriad of citrus and other fruit tree blossoms. The taste well I was licking my teeth to get every drop. It has nice green honeysuckle flavor as well as what I can only describe as cherry blossom smell flavor. Not cherry but the pollen inside. No wonder bees get so happy. This is still a solidly dry wine as well and not sticky sweet as it may sound. If you have not had a Viogner I would recommend not buying a california next best thing and just scrimping the money to get a true Coindreu Viognier. Simply astounding is the only thing to say and if you had to have with food some mild seafood in my opinion could be stellar. Find it, try it, and then faint with a smile across your face. $$$
Radikon Oslavje 2001 - This is Prometheus unbound! If the Viognier is a delicate warm wind this is a mad scientist making his presence known to the world. Prepare to tremble! This is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, & Sauvignon Blanc. However, I don't think you will compare it to any of those or even wine period! The pour is a cloudy orange fire with golden highlights. No the bottle has not gone bad either. The wine is not casked in cork nor steel. What then? Clay pots! The nose starts out with intense orange blossom and orange zest aroma that as it opens changes to a mouthwatering mango. The wine is still moderately dry too, not sweet as you may feel from the nose. Somehow it feels dry with all the fruit forward flavors. Great hits of orange citrus and dried apricot linger long through the mouth. It has a great solid structure for a white too. Not willing to fade but trudge through your mouth as Prometheus may have through caves of old. This wine felt to me as though it could be a replicate of times of Greece or Rome's imperious past. And there we in the court of Caesar found the drink most compelling. Try it at your own risk and expand your perceptions. Hail Radikon. $$$
Eyrie Reserve 2002 Pinot Noir - The majestrate of Pinot Noir has made her entrance. She is delicate, young, but with a grace and poise of old that suffers no fools. Okay I lied, no King here but a Queen to be. This wine could not be described as masculine. Simply put it is the best Pinot Noir I have Ever tasted. Still it needs time to develop too. This vintage could be one talked about by those who still have bottles in 20-30 years. This is a old world Burgundy done in Oregon. Its pale red, almost a pink color. Velvety cherries easily arise in the nose but with a dense moss forest floor smell that is hidden and should expand throughout the years. The kirsch flavor is silky smooth and I didn't want to swallow its that good; late cranberries lifted off the tongue in an ethereal dance as the alcohol/acid evaporated from my mouth. I stood around smelling my glass in a stupor and awe after the tastes were gone. Its the sexiest woman in the room and in her red silk dress she is on your arm complimenting you with her grace. I could go on and on about this wine but perhaps the best description I can end with, like the ethereal finish of this wine, is that night I literally dreamt of it. Ah to the woman er wine of my dreams... $$$
Domaine Phillipe Faury 2005 Coindreu - already the king of Viogniers this Coindreau is like having perfume that you can imbibe. It is birds on the wing in the nose with warm air, honeysuckle, green fragrant leaves, and a myriad of citrus and other fruit tree blossoms. The taste well I was licking my teeth to get every drop. It has nice green honeysuckle flavor as well as what I can only describe as cherry blossom smell flavor. Not cherry but the pollen inside. No wonder bees get so happy. This is still a solidly dry wine as well and not sticky sweet as it may sound. If you have not had a Viogner I would recommend not buying a california next best thing and just scrimping the money to get a true Coindreu Viognier. Simply astounding is the only thing to say and if you had to have with food some mild seafood in my opinion could be stellar. Find it, try it, and then faint with a smile across your face. $$$
Radikon Oslavje 2001 - This is Prometheus unbound! If the Viognier is a delicate warm wind this is a mad scientist making his presence known to the world. Prepare to tremble! This is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, & Sauvignon Blanc. However, I don't think you will compare it to any of those or even wine period! The pour is a cloudy orange fire with golden highlights. No the bottle has not gone bad either. The wine is not casked in cork nor steel. What then? Clay pots! The nose starts out with intense orange blossom and orange zest aroma that as it opens changes to a mouthwatering mango. The wine is still moderately dry too, not sweet as you may feel from the nose. Somehow it feels dry with all the fruit forward flavors. Great hits of orange citrus and dried apricot linger long through the mouth. It has a great solid structure for a white too. Not willing to fade but trudge through your mouth as Prometheus may have through caves of old. This wine felt to me as though it could be a replicate of times of Greece or Rome's imperious past. And there we in the court of Caesar found the drink most compelling. Try it at your own risk and expand your perceptions. Hail Radikon. $$$
Eyrie Reserve 2002 Pinot Noir - The majestrate of Pinot Noir has made her entrance. She is delicate, young, but with a grace and poise of old that suffers no fools. Okay I lied, no King here but a Queen to be. This wine could not be described as masculine. Simply put it is the best Pinot Noir I have Ever tasted. Still it needs time to develop too. This vintage could be one talked about by those who still have bottles in 20-30 years. This is a old world Burgundy done in Oregon. Its pale red, almost a pink color. Velvety cherries easily arise in the nose but with a dense moss forest floor smell that is hidden and should expand throughout the years. The kirsch flavor is silky smooth and I didn't want to swallow its that good; late cranberries lifted off the tongue in an ethereal dance as the alcohol/acid evaporated from my mouth. I stood around smelling my glass in a stupor and awe after the tastes were gone. Its the sexiest woman in the room and in her red silk dress she is on your arm complimenting you with her grace. I could go on and on about this wine but perhaps the best description I can end with, like the ethereal finish of this wine, is that night I literally dreamt of it. Ah to the woman er wine of my dreams... $$$
Saturday, March 1, 2008
10 bucks can make you cherry happy
Well I wasn't planning on posting today... I like to give some time between each so hopefully its not too much. However after an interesting bit of education today I thought even for my own sake I needed to post on the blog.
The wine shop I frequent was having a Saturday tasting of Italian wines. In the past Italian wines, as well as even some Bordeaux or some Cahors are to dry for me. I equate them to funky dirt, rubber, and wood alcohol flavors, and they literally make my tongue feel dry or chalky. That's what we call tannins or tanic I was told today. :) I told the shop's owner I am finding I am not as big a fan of such wines but have really fallen for and prefer the silky feeling, fruit influnced but not sweet Chardonnay grapes and Pinot Noir grapes of Burgundy. He laughed and told me I was destined to a life of heartache. :)
To my surprise I did find one wine today that was both confusing as well as something I quite liked.
Ognissole Primitivo Di Mandura 2005 (Italia) - Deep garnet or even sanguine colored in the glass, I found this wine had thick legs and it is 14% Alc. The aroma is of cherries & currants, and is nicely fruit forward with an alcohol waft at end. Its a bold wine up front and big on the palate. It reminds me of biting into a full bodied plump cherry all the way through down to sucking on the pit to get all the flesh. Chewy cherries on the start, to a black tea feeling and flavor in the middle, with a cherry pit/pith flavor left in the mouth at end.
Its wine that confused me a bit becasue I am used to smelling cherries in Pinot Noir and not much else. I love that in a Pinot Noir too. But the feel and size of this wine is definitely not Pinot Noir. Its a 10 dollar quaffer of dry unsweetened fruit. If you like big wines that are moderately dry but not to the intesity of some big reds you should try to find and taste this.
All this and for only $10 its a worthwhile wine for with food. Cant wait to try it with some rosemary pork, ossombuco, or braised lamb chops. $ another good value
The wine shop I frequent was having a Saturday tasting of Italian wines. In the past Italian wines, as well as even some Bordeaux or some Cahors are to dry for me. I equate them to funky dirt, rubber, and wood alcohol flavors, and they literally make my tongue feel dry or chalky. That's what we call tannins or tanic I was told today. :) I told the shop's owner I am finding I am not as big a fan of such wines but have really fallen for and prefer the silky feeling, fruit influnced but not sweet Chardonnay grapes and Pinot Noir grapes of Burgundy. He laughed and told me I was destined to a life of heartache. :)
To my surprise I did find one wine today that was both confusing as well as something I quite liked.
Ognissole Primitivo Di Mandura 2005 (Italia) - Deep garnet or even sanguine colored in the glass, I found this wine had thick legs and it is 14% Alc. The aroma is of cherries & currants, and is nicely fruit forward with an alcohol waft at end. Its a bold wine up front and big on the palate. It reminds me of biting into a full bodied plump cherry all the way through down to sucking on the pit to get all the flesh. Chewy cherries on the start, to a black tea feeling and flavor in the middle, with a cherry pit/pith flavor left in the mouth at end.
Its wine that confused me a bit becasue I am used to smelling cherries in Pinot Noir and not much else. I love that in a Pinot Noir too. But the feel and size of this wine is definitely not Pinot Noir. Its a 10 dollar quaffer of dry unsweetened fruit. If you like big wines that are moderately dry but not to the intesity of some big reds you should try to find and taste this.
All this and for only $10 its a worthwhile wine for with food. Cant wait to try it with some rosemary pork, ossombuco, or braised lamb chops. $ another good value
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