NV Bleasdale "The Red Brute" Sparkling Shiraz

Specs:

NV Bleasdale "The Red Brute" Sparkling Shiraz

Fleurieu

Austarlia (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.

2007 Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre

Specs:

2007 Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre

Carneros

Sonoma, California

15 % Alcohol

100% Mourvedre

http://www.clinecellars.com/

$16.00

Notes:

This is a great wine for the price. Rich, bold, hearty and Fruity flavors. The nose on this wine is quite strong and even a bit overpowering. From first smell you would never guess this was such a young wine. The smell of Tar is definitely at the forefront of the nose. Even the most inept person would be able to sense this. Some people are thinking tar? Yes. Tar. This smell is synonymous with Mourvedre and after sitting out to breathe this smell disappears to a hint.

This wine is thick, bold, rich and silky. Chocolate, coffee and ripe berries such as raspberry and blueberry dominate this sophisticated wine. I feel this is an excellent wine for pre and post meal. Personally I think this wine is a bit too intense to pair with a meal. Combining it with some creamy vanilla gelato or ripe fruit would pair perfectly with this wine. Drinking it alone is just as satisfying. It's a treat in itself. Great Wine. Great Price.

2008 Don Miguel Gascón Malbec

Specs:

2008 Don Miguel Gascón Malbec

Mendoza, Argentina

13.9 % Alcohol

100% Malbec

http://gasconwine.com/

$14.00

Notes:


For tasters looking to branch out of the usual New World wines into something more global; a varietal like Malbec is a good introduction. This winery is one of the oldest Malbec producers in their region and prides themselves on hand-picked, hand-made wines.

I would suggest decanting this wine as it needs time to breathe before first taste. After about 20-30 minutes it had fully opened up. The color of this wine, like most Malbecs, is a deep purple plum which mirrors its taste. The aroma and taste of the wine is of cherry, plums, "fruit roll-ups", dry fruits, pepper and a hint of anise and clove. For a young wine the smells and flavors are quite bold especially after spending only 7 months in barrels. The texture is rich, velvety, thick and round. You will first notice the fruit on your palette with a spicy peppery long finish.

This wine may be a bit bold and overpowering for most foods however I think it would perfectly a thick slice of beef or a rich chocolate dessert. I enjoyed it solely on its own and was very pleased. For the price it is hard to pass up. This wine can be purchased at local Trader Joe stores or online through the winery.

2007 Eola Hills Pinot Noir

Specs:

2007 Eola Hills Pinot Noir

Willamette Valley

Rickreall, Oregon

13.6 % Alcohol

100% Pinot Noir

http://www.eolahillswinery.com

$13.95

Notes:

Friends of this blog have been requesting a bold Pinot Noir without the sticker shock that usually comes with it. This Willamette Valley Pinot delivers in all sense of this bargain bottle price. The bouquet is bright and fresh and the color was a rich ruby red. I first tasted this Pinot Noir with no information whatsoever. Upon first taste I was instantly impressed. We all sat shaking our heads in unison which is usually tough for this group. This is definitely a young wine and tastes of one. I absolutely love the freshness of young wines and I especially enjoyed the taste of crisp fresh picked strawberries and rich dark cherry that came with it. Vanilla also lingers on the palette as well as some very earthy flavors even a hint of mushroom. This wine is silky smooth and extremely light. The bottle disappeared before our very eyes...

Since this wine is so mild I can see it easily paired with a wide range of food. Serving it with something hearty like a pasta dish or prime rib would seem the most natural fit for this Pinot. For the price of this bottle you can not go wrong. I would highly recommend it to those looking to impress family and friends without spending a fortune.