skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Specs:
2003 López De Heredia Rioja Viña Cubillo Crianza
Rioja
Spain
12.5% Alcohol
65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacho, 5% Graciano, and 5% Mazuelo
$24.99
Notes:
When speaking about Spanish wine the first thing that pops into most peoples minds is the beloved Rioja. The producers of this wine; the Lopez de Heredia family, have been perfecting and crafting these fine wines for hundreds of years. The winery, located in the La Rioja Alta Region of Spain, has high elevations and shorter growing season and tends to produce their wine in the old world style. As far as Rioja goes, I think this is a beautiful presentation of Rioja from an amazing Spanish producer.
In the glass, the color is intense and rich with garnet crimson hues. The aromas are lush and ripe with fruit scents of ripe red cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. A nice blend of spices are also present with cinnamon, cloves, vanilla and cigar box. There is some nice oak presence on the nose which reflects the 3 years spent in oak barrels. On the palate, the wine is extremely soft and smooth and reflects the age of the wine. The flavors are bright and fresh with the fruit taking the forefront. As discovered on the nose; the cherry, strawberry and raspberry are still present however, hints of tart fruit like cranberry and currant take the stage. The finish is long and velvety in the mouth with a finish of stewed fruits and smokey oak.
Personally, this is one of the better Riojas I have come across, especially in this price range. I definitely suggest seeking this wine out. It is available throughout the Bay Area and can be purchased at K & L Wine Merchants as well as Nectar Wine Lounge in San Francisco. Buy 2 bottles as it is ready to drink now but can also be laid down for another 10 or so years.
Specs:
2007 Champalou "Cuvee des Fondraux" Vouvray
Vouvray (Loire Valley)
France
13% Alcohol
100% Chenin Blanc
$19.00
Notes:
The Vouvray region of France is dedicated almost exclusively to the Chenin Blanc grape and is known throughout the world for its production of naturally acidic and fruit forward white wines. The grapes used to produce this Cuvee des Fondraux are harvested from 50 year old vines in the region which adds to its complexity and rich flavor.
In the glass, the wine is medium in intensity with gold and straw hues. The aromas in this wine are intense and fruit forward with aromas of white flower, peach, pear, golden delicious apples and honey. On the palate these same aromas resonate on the tongue with some added minerality and hints of golden raisins and earth. There are some slight buttery flavors but nothing too major as I doubt this wine spent much time if any in oak. The flavors are fresh and ripe and are reminiscent of the spring and summer seasons. The crisp acid and sweet ripe fruits complement one another well and add to the complex flavors in this Chenin Blanc.
This wine is off-dry but still rather sweet for myself to enjoy with anything but itself, with an appetizer or with dessert. I would suggest pairing with a nutty cheese like Brie or creamy goat cheeses. For dessert I would match this with a fresh apple or peach tart and vanilla bean ice cream. This is definitely a great wine to pop open and celebrate the arrival of the Spring season.
Specs:
2007 Prinz Spätburgunder Trocken
Rheingau
Germany
13.5% Alcohol
100% Pinot Noir
$29.00
Notes:
In continuation of my world wide quest for Pinot Noir I came across this German producer while dining at Terzo Restaurant in San Francisco. When I think Germany and the Rheingau my first thought is Riesling...it definitely isn't Pinot Noir; however I was proven quite wrong with this developed food friendly wine. The Prinz Spätburgunder (German for Pinot Noir) pronounced SHPAYT-bur-GUHN-der had similar characteristics of the grape variety, however there were some interesting qualities that stood out from others I have tasted.
When first poured, the wine was pale and lacking the color I was expecting, yet with time the wine opened up and regained its garnet color I am accustomed to.The aromas are light in intensity with pronounced earthy scents and slight hints of fruit. On the nose are scents of mushroom, herbs, and forest floor with tart strawberry and red cherry . The taste on the palate mimics the nose however the fruit becomes more apparent on the tongue. Within 20 minutes of opening the bottle the flavors and complexity of this wine really began to show and the acidic qualities began to really mellow out. With this came a more round and silky mouthfeel with rich flavors of red fruit and earth.
The Prinz Spätburgunder paired really amazingly with food due to its light flavors and intensity. I would suggest matching this wine with dishes containing fresh mushrooms and tomato as well as pastas or salads with truffle oil and Parmesan. This may be a little hard to find in your local wine shop however it is available locally at Terzo Restaurant as well as Dee VineWines in San Francisco.
Specs:
2005 Domaine Gerard Seguin Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes
Gevrey-Chambertin (
Côte d'Nuits)
France
13% Alcohol
100% Pinot Noir
$39.00
Notes:
Pinot Noir from the Côte d'Nuits region of France's Burgundy have quickly become my go to wines. The wines coming from the Gevrey-Chambertin commune of this region have yet to let me down. Yes... They are on the pricey side, however, you pay for quality and this Pinot Noir is just that. Gevrey-Chambertin's Burgundies are known worldwide for their complexity as well as for their production of quality Grand Cru wines.
In the glass, the wine is a clear, deep, crimson color with primary aromas of leather and earth, and hints of ripe strawberry and cherry. There is also a woody component to the nose with baking spice, accents of clove and cinammon. In the mouth, it is smooth and silky yet still light. With the red fruit flavors on the forefront, the earthiness becomes more apparent on the palate and the leather and wood finish it off. There is a spicy characteristic to the wine that really balances out the lush fruit along with the mineralistic and acidic qualities adding some complexity. The finish is medium in length ending with a cigar box flavor on the tongue.
Because this Pinot Noir is so light and feminine you would want to pair it with dishes that match its body. Cured meats like salumi and pancetta , grilled low fat meats, and steak tartare would really compliment one another. As far as dessert goes I would suggest this wine as the dessert in itself.
Specs:
2008 Valle dell'Acate, Case Ibidini, Nero di'Avola
Sicily
13% Alcohol
100% Nero d'Avola
$13.00
Notes:
While exploring the wines of Italy and Sicily I stumbled upon this tasty Nero d'Avola from the southeastern region of Bidini in Sicily. This wine comes from a quality Sicilian producer however, this is one of their more buyer friendly wines which seems to have some of the same flavors and complexities of their more expensive counterparts. This region's hot Mediterranean climate produces rich ripe fruit flavors which is evident in the 2008 Valle dell'Acat Nero d'Avola. This wines flavor profile and dominant qualities are quite similar to France's Beaujolais style wines made from the Gamay grape.
In the glass the wine is bright and clear with intense ruby concentration with fuchsia around the rim. On the nose there are bold fruit aromas of ripe red cherry and raspberry with a hint of an herbal note like fresh mint. There is a very slight wood and spice characteristic, however hardly noticeable. The palate mirrors the nose of the wine with fruit and a short to medium finish. This wine is no way complex or life changing however it is great to drink with food or served slightly chilled on a warm day. I would suggest this as an everyday drinking or table wine if you are looking for something light and satisfying to the palate and your wallet.
I would pair this wine with tomato based dishes like pasta, hearty beef ragu with pappardelle, fresh pizza and light grilling meats like tri-tip. Like I had preciously mentioned, it is also refreshing on its own slightly chilled and the relatively low alcohol is great to serve at parties and events. The 2008 Valle dell'Acate, Case Ibidini, Nero d'Avola can be purchased through K & L Wine Merchants throughout the Bay Area. Cin Cin!
Specs:
2005 Rubicon Estate Cabernet Franc
Napa ValleyCalifornia
14.3% Alcohol
78% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon
$56.00
http://www.rubiconestate.com/flash.php
Notes:
Cabernet Franc isn't usually my go to varietal as it tends to lack alot of flavor and complexity. This grape is usually a blending agent in wines like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and is often added in small doses to add acidity and spice to these sometimes fruity varietals. When I opened this bottle I wasn't really sure what to expect as this wine is a little over 3/4 Cab Franc. Upon first smell and taste I knew I had been wrong about this bottle.
In the glass the wine is a deep garnet and almost opaque in the glass, with rich crimson around the edges. On the nose the aromas are intense and lush. Scents of red and black fruit like cherries, blackberries and raspberry stand out as the fruit while vanilla, cigar box and baking spices round out the bouquet. On the palate the wine is silky-smooth and round. The tannins and acid balance one another out extremely well which adds to the velvety mouthfeel. Flavors of ripe red cherry, oak, tobacco, and cloves mirror the aromas on the nose. The wine is powerful and full of flavor and complexity with a long finish and lingering aftertaste of oak and cherry. This is a beautiful wine from a quality producer who consistently puts out beautiful estate wines; the eye for detail is evident in this perfectly balanced Cabernet Franc blend. This wine will do well with aging up to 10 years however if perfect to drink now. It will only get better.
As far as food pairings, this can be enjoyed solely on its own or paired with heavy meats and game. Italian fare like short ribs with tagliatelle or hearty tomato dishes would compliment the bold favors.
