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Specs:
2005 Royal Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos Red Label
TokajiHungary
10.5% Alcohol
Furmint, Harslevelu and Muscat de Lune
$37.00
Notes:
Since the moment I tasted this exotic dessert wine I haven't thought about much else really. It's a taste I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing until recently. Royal Tokaji is a relatively new producer as Old World wine houses go however the Tokaji region has been known as Europe's finest for centuries. The Aszú 5 has only been produced in five vintages, the 2005 being the most recent to date. The sweetness from the wine comes from the production of the grapes. The grapes sit on the vine past their peak until they dry and become concentrated thus producing this sweet dessert wine.
In the glass the color is unique, with rich burnt amber hues and a crystal clear clarity. On the nose, aroma after aroma presents itself. Notes of peach, nectarine, apricot, orange, candied fruit, honey as well as bright florals all work in harmony. The scent has somewhat of a burnt or fortified essence to it something extremely out of the ordinary for your average dessert wine.
On the palate the wine is smooth, rich, round and complex. The high intensity flavors are layered beautifully; sweetness and acid balance in harmony in the tongue. Flavors of burnt orange peel, dried apricots, marmalade, honey, peach, nectarine and roasted nuts all help with the out of this world flavor the wine offers. The finish on this wine is long and lingers nicely on the palate; flavors unfold taste after taste. The 2005 Royal Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos Red Label makes the perfect dessert wine or aperitif. Like most dessert wines this would pair well with salty cheeses and fruit tarts. This is a phenomenal wine that you will most definitely fall in love with.
Specs:
2009 Saracco Moscato d' Asti
PiedmontItaly
5 % Alcohol
100% Moscato
$14.00
Notes:
Moscato d' Asti is quite a sweet wine, however because of the location of the region these grapes are produced; there is an acidic quality to the wine as well. This wine is considered a sparkling wine and is classified as "frizzante" or lightly sparkling. The wine in the glass is a clear light gold with bubbles slowly fizzling in the glass.
On the nose it is highly aromatic with notes of white flower, orange blossoms, honey, pear and citrus. The smell is quite intense and really embodies what you should find in a quality Moscato. On the palate it is pure and clean with bright and fresh fruit flavors. It is spring and summer in a glass with ripe orange, pear, honey, green apple, lime, floral and peach flavors. The fruits are ripe and present and mixed with the acidic finish; the wine is soft and refreshing. Pure bliss.
Like most Moscato d' Astis this wine is very low in alcohol, a mere 5%. The low alcohol makes it the perfect hot weather or party companion and pairs really well with food or as an aperitif. I would suggest pairing this wine with salty cheeses, light pasta dishes or with fruity desserts. The Saracco Moscato d' Asti is a really nice alternative to the usual California sparkler and something a little off the beaten path to share with friends.
Specs:
2007 Williams Selyem Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir
Russian River ValleyCalifornia
13.8 % Alcohol
100% Pinot Noir
http://www.williamsselyem.com/
$103.00
Notes:
This is the kind of wine that can change what you had previously thought wine could taste like. This is obviously not your everyday wine, however if it were I think I may be a different person; not a care in the world.
Williams Selyem is arguably one of the best Pinot Noir producers in the Russian River Valley, some would say in California. Having not tried every Pinot produced in California (unfortunately) I can safely say they are surely in the running. This is by far one of the best Pinots I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. The grapes used to make this wine were pulled from some of the best producers in the valley on Russian River's famous Westide Road. The winemaker credits these luscious grapes for the outcome of this quality wine.
In the glass the wine is a beautiful garnet red; medium in intensity but bright and clear. On the nose is ripe red cherry, blackberry,clove and rich oak. On the palate this wine is stunning and rich with flavor. Silky and velvety in the mouth with red and black cherry, strawberry, blackberry, clove, cola and oak. The tannins are round and subtle and are balanced beautifully with the oak. The finish is relatively long with the lingering of fruit and and oak and the back of the palate. All I can say is this wine is so smooth that all you can taste is the wine, as you should. Nothing is in the way. You can tell the winemaker took such gentle care in producing this Pinot Noir and it definitely does show the amazing complexity of the wine that can come out of this region. My advice: splurge and get lost in this wine.
Specs:
2007 Cold Heaven Santa Rita Hills Viognier
Santa Rita HillsSanta Barbara County, California
14 % Alcohol
100% Viognier
http://www.coldheavencellars.com/
$19.99
Notes:
Cold Heaven Winery is known throughout the wine industry to produce some of the very best Viognier in California. Their winemaker, Morgan Clendenen, is extremely passionate about this grape as well as the high quality Viognier she produces. The care she puts into her wine is quite evident especially in this wine. The profile is clean, clear, and bright with a great balance of aroma and flavors.
In the glass the color is a clear, rich, bright gold. On the nose you can smell ripe fruit; citrus, nectarine and melon are on the forefront with hints of honey. On the palate this wine is smooth and sweet with a great acidity. The cool climate of the Santa Rita Hills adds this perfect balance of acidity, fruit, and minerality. The citrus flavors of lemon, lime, orange and orange blossom are so powerful yet so light on the palette. The honey notes along with some added tropical fruit flavors really round out the wines finish.
This wine is perfect served as a dessert wine or with a light fruity dessert like a pear tartlet. Because of its acidic quality, the wine would pair well with a salty cheese plate or spicy Asian/Indian dishes. This is a beautiful Viognier from a great producer and can be purchased online or in the greater Bay Area through K & L Wine Merchants.
Specs:
2006 Domaine Ecard Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru "Les Serpentieres"
BurgundyFrance
13% Alcohol
100% Pinot Noir
$39.99
Notes:
I'm am usually a faithful California Pinot lover however, a new friend argued that nothing compares to a French Burgundy. After arguing our top points we came to the "to each their own" conclusion. This little debate compelled me to go out and buy only my 3rd or 4th Burgundy as a way of further proving my point. Much to my dismay when tasting this wine I had to admit...Maybe he had something here.
In the glass the wine is medium in intensity with a rich deep garnet color. The aromas are some of the things you would expect from a Pinot Noir; notes of black cherry, strawberry, currant, hints of oak. What I wasn't expecting was the mineral smell; rust and metal were definitely present but not in a bad way. This out of the ordinary scent helped to cut the intense fruit and oak smell you would anticipate. It was a different quality that definitely let me know this was no New World Pinot.
On the palate the wine is smooth and fruity with mineral flavors on the finish. All the aromas previously found are in the taste of this wine, yet richer and more refined. Ripe black cherry, currant and rust are the main flavor components. The finish is medium in length and is quite enjoyable with hints of earth and minerality.
This well balanced wine can be paired well with many meals because of its mellow fruity flavors. Lean meats, light pasta dishes and desserts like strawberry short cakes would be my first instinct. This wine is hard to find online however I was able to pick up this beautiful french offering at my local BevMo.
Specs:
NV Gruet Rose Brut Sparkling Wine
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pinot Noir/Chardonnay
http://www.gruetwinery.com/
$15.00
Notes:
So I know what you are thinking...Sparkling wine from New Mexico? Yes. Exactly. Not only that, but it's made by a French winemaker in the true Methode Champenoise.
This winery follows strict guidelines in the production of their wines and sparking wine to achieve the flavors of a true French Champagne. Personally, I am a huge fan of Brut Roses. By saying I was excited to try this wine was an understatement especially in such a reasonable price point. You can only drink so much Chandon and Korbel in a lifetime.
This sparking wine is a beautiful pink color with some red hues in the glass. The aromas are crisp and fresh with smells of fresh ripe fruit; fruits include strawberry, peach, raspberry and cherry. On the palate the wine is soft and subtle however the fruit is definitely at the forefront. Tart peach, nectarine and strawberry are the main flavor components I pick up. I definitely wouldn't call this wine "sweet". It has a great balance of fruit and acid which takes down the flavor I would come to expect of most roses'. This sparkler has a nice dry flavor but at the same time refreshing finish. The Gruet Brut Rose is a great celebration wine and can be paired with almost anything. It is the perfect new find for someone looking for something a little off the beaten path. Guet Winery is a relatively small producer so I would buy this while it is still available.
Specs:
NV Bleasdale "The Red Brute" Sparkling Shiraz
FleurieuAustarlia (South)
14% Alcohol
100% Syrah
http://www.bleasdale.com.au/
$18.00
Notes:
As far as Sparkling Shiraz goes this was definitely my first go at it. Sparkling Shiraz is a holiday treat in Australia; something to pair with a hearty Christmas meal or as an aperitif. There are many producers of this wine in Australia and they come in a variety of price ranges and qualities. The label alone was enough to catch my attention, but it was mainly the striking color of this wine in the glass. The color is a deep, dark, almost opaque crimson with minimal bubbles floating to the surface. Due to the high alcohol in Shiraz the usual fizz you would find in your average champagne doesn't form.
On the nose you get a generous helping of ripe red fruit; black cherry, currant, blackberries, and a hint of blueberry and spice are at the forefront of the wines aroma. On the palate the wine is smooth, silky and rich with a slight hint of bubble on the tongue. The flavors mirror the scent with luscious fruit, spice, and hints of smoke on the finish. This is definitely an approachable wine with the elegance of sparking wine or champagne and the everyday appeal I look for. This is an amazing value for the rich flavors it presents.
This sparking Shiraz would pair well with hearty meats, barbecue, duck; almost anything with big flavor that can stand up to the dark flavors of this wine.
Specs:
2007 Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbés Pinot Gris
AlsaceFrance
13% Alcohol
100% Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
http://www.domaines-schlumberger.com/
$19.00
Notes:
Pinot Gris is definitely not my go to white wine to be honest. When I hear Pinot Grigio I think of the watery overproduced white wines found on the shelves of your local supermarket. However, Pinot Gris is quite a different style than your everyday Pinot Grigio. The aromas and the taste are much more concentrated and much less acidic. To add to that, Pinot Gris produced in the Alsace region of France are also much different than the style produced anywhere else. The cool Northern climate there produces wines with a great balance of acid as well as powerful fruit flavors. This Pinot Gris definitely follows that style.
The color is a clear straw with some hints of light gold and is pretty light in intensity. Aromas of honey, white florals, citrus, and golden delicious apples are on the nose. The taste is medium in intensity with medium acid and a great balance of alcohol. Nothing is overpowering or unbalanced. Flavors of spice, honey, apple and citrus are present. There is also a pretty viscous quality to this wine and lends to its medium to heavy mouthfeel. This wine is definitely young but not in a bad way. It is quite refreshing while at the same time pretty fruit forward.
This wine would pair quite well with salty cheeses such as blue cheese or as a dessert wine in itself.
Specs:
2006 Olivier Leflaive St-Aubin 1er Cru "En Remilly"
BurgundyPuligny-Montrachet, France
14% Alcohol
100% Chardonnay
http://www.olivier-leflaive.com/
$30.00
Notes:
The Burgundy region of France is known worldwide for their perfection of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape. However these varietals seem such a far cry from the Pinot and Chards we drink here in the U.S. You won't find any oak bombs here. The flavors are more refined as they focus more on the grape and less about fussing with it. This medium bodied wine is just that.
The color in the glass is a translucent straw color with hints of light gold in the glass. The nose shows honey, butterscotch, melon, pear, golden delicious apples, vanilla and the slightest hint of oak. Upon first taste you can really pick up the butterscotch, pear and vanilla on the forefront as well as a refreshing hint of cantaloupe. This wine is very well balanced with moderate alcohol and medium acidity. The finish is long and smooth and is the perfect example of a beautiful white burgundy.
When pairing with food I would suggest drinking with white fish, chicken or mushroom dishes as well as sharp cheddars and parmesans. Because of the medium intensity of this wine the sky is the limit on pairing options. This wine can be purchased through K & L Wine Merchants with shops throughout the Bay Area.
Specs:
2006 Inniskilin "Vidal" Icewine
Niagara PeninsulaNiagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
9% Alcohol
100% Vidal Blanc
http://www.inniskillin.com/
$48.00
Notes:
Icewine is definitely off the beaten path for the everyday drinker but is such an amazing treat to enjoy for any occasion. Call it sort of a conversation piece in itself. Icewine is a dessert wine that is only produced in regions with winters of extreme cold. Instead of harvesting berries when they are ripe, icewine producers wait for winter to arrive. The let the berries freeze on the vine and harvest them at night in clusters. This wine is usually in the higher price range as the process is tedious and the frozen grapes don't offer much juice taking down production of each vintage. In the glass the color is a clear, rich gold. The nose offers vibrant smells such as sweet honey, melon, vanilla and marmalade. The scents of this wine jump out of the glass and you know by that alone that the flavor will not disappoint.
On the tongue this wine is full bodied with a high intensity of flavor. This wine is sweet yet well balanced. Flavors of raisin, apricot, honey, guava and vanilla all working in harmony. Slight hints of lavender and florals also become more present throughout the finish. This is definitely an indulgent wine that I would suggest drinking on its own as dessert or with a sharp Parmesan or a pear and goat cheese tart. If you don't like sweet or dessert wines this is probably not the best selection. Branch out and enjoy.
Specs:
2006 WillaKenzie Estate Pierre Leon Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
Yahill, Oregon
14.2 % Alcohol
100% Pinot Noir
http://www.willakenzie.com/
$38.00
Notes:
Like the Russian River and Carneros Valleys in California; Oregon's Willamette Valley is the perfect climate for Pinot Noir. This Estate exclusively grows Pinot Noir and does it beautifully. Their current releases to the public include 13 Pinot Noirs and 3 Pinot Gris. Their Pierre Leon offering definitely stood out at our table. The color of this wine is deep and rich with black cherry and garnet hues. We sat and admired just how beautiful this wine truly is.
The scent of this wine is very rich and typical of Pinot Noir: Cherry, Vanilla, and Oak. The taste of course is also that, however the flavors go much deeper than that. Black Fruits such as current and black cherry are on the forefront of flavor with some subtle spiciness of nutmeg and a rich oak aftertaste. Hints of vanilla are present but in no way as pronounced as you would find with a California Pinot. The sips are soft, silky and smooth and the prefect medium bodied wine to enjoy with your meal.
I would suggest pairing this wine with hearty meats like steaks and briskets or wild game such as quail or duck. Seasonal favorites like butternut squash ravioli with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg would also pair extremely well.
