"Steak House" Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

One of my biggest pet peeves is Cabernet that doesn't taste like Cabernet. Cabernet Sauvignon, along with it's plummy, black currant like fruit, is supposed to have an herbaceous characteristic. But when the grapes get too ripe and your end product is an everyday Cabernet that is now 14.5% alcohol or above, it ends up tasting more like Zinfandel....all jammy fruit and none of that herbal nuance that is endemic in good Cabernet. You've now ripened the complexity out of the wine. Well the Magnificent Wine Company's "Steak House" Cab from Washington's Columbia Valley was a pleasant surprise when we dove into one this week. It smelled like cab and tasted like cab and that me very happy as good Cabernet, even in the lower price points, is one of the greatest grapes. A project of K Vintners Charles Smith, the "Steak House" Cabernet has plenty of medium-bodied plum and black currant flavor as well as that tell-tale herbal quality. It's a very balanced 13% alcohol and it cost me a very affordable $12.99....and the package is certainly eye-catching and fun. Burgers, steaks and chops are all in play with this tasty wine. Cheers.

No Power, No Water Get Out the Corkscrew Pt. 2 - Ch. Helene Corbieres

Climate Change who? I'm getting tired of this people. Another freak storm, another 48 hrs. without juice. You can't tell me there isn't weird stuff going on, I live it. And the guys who work for our power company, they're wondering too. Time to spring for that badass generator putting out 10,000 watts or so. Anyway, enough whining, let's talk the good wine. Tonight's power restoration celebratory bottle was a 2009 Corbieres from Chateau Helene, courtesy of top notch importer David Bowler. Corbieres is one of those practically unknown AOC's from the Languedoc in southern France. But instead of being dominated by Grenache or Syrah, the wines of Corbieres are defined by Carignan, a grape with it's own unmistakable characteristics. The quality that stands out most to me with a typical Corbieres is a spicy element, both in the aromas and the flavors. Yes, the Chateau Helene Corbieres has attractive plummy fruit with a note of coffee, but the spicy element really adds complexity and interest. As we tried to figure out which spice it might be, my wife came up with bay leaf...and I think she's right. Add to that a soft, lush mouth feel with excellent fruit and a very smooth finish and you've got a great $10.99 value. Cheers.

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese '09

Here's a lovely Sangiovese, the grape of Chianti, from a very good producer in an area not usually associated with this varietal. Di Majo Norante is located in Molise and is every bit a modernist producer in terms of their packaging and their marketing. Yet they still take as traditionalist an approach as possible in the vineyards. Sangiovese from southern Italian climes such as this makes very different wines than it does in Tuscany. No it does not have the delicacy or complexity of a good Chianti, but this version is a perfectly good every day wine, a perfect fit for a Wednesday night pasta or a grilled chicken panini....and it cost me a mere $8.99. This version is darker and riper than the Tuscan versions, with more blackberry rather than cherry and leather notes rather than floral notes. It's very soft, round and up front fruity and is another winner from Winebow, an importer whose portfolio you should seek out. Cheers.

Off the Beaten Path; Spanish Albarino from Mardevinas

I like Albarinos, and it's not the name that rolls off your tongue when somebody asks you what your favorite white grapes are. Not many folks know about them, as evidenced by the fact that your local store no matter how big it is, will have 2 on hand, maybe 3 at the most. Albarino is a grape grown mostly in northwest Spain in the Rias Baixas (ree-ahs buy-shuss) DO. It is thought by some to be a clone of Riesling that was brought to Spain hundreds of years ago. It's name actually means "white from the Rhine". Anyway, this 2009 version from Mardevinas is typical Albarino. It's very aromatic with pineapple, pear and distinct floral elements on the nose. In the mouth, it's loaded with white fruit, a note of honey and excellent acidity and despite the sweet flavors, it finishes dry. These are great food wines that should not be overlooked. Fermented entirely in stainless steel at cool temperatures, this great little wine really lets it's varietal character shine. I've tried the 2010 vintage from Mardevinas and it is just as good as the '09. Imported by Grapes of Spain, this delicious white cost me $12.99. Cheers.

Domaine Boisson Cotes du Rhone '09

Yes, I sometimes sound like a broken record (you remember vinyl don't you?) but I can't help it. Cotes du Rhones are hands down my favorite everyday reds. For me, no other wines give as much complexity and pleasure in the low end category. 2009 was a fantastic vintage in the Rhone Valley and the CDR from Domaine Boisson is an absolute steal at the $9.99 my local shop is charging for it. This beauty is a blend made up of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 5% each Cinsault and Mourvedre. It's got all the stuff I love; big aromatics of bing cherry, pepper and Provencal spice and a big bold mouthful of dark berry fruit. It has excellent structure and finishes lightly tannic with note of minerality. I could easily go through a case of this over the next month. We sampled this beauty last night with some southwest style venison burgers with chipotle mayo. Imported by the wonderful small importer Alain Junguenet and his company, Wines of France, this is a portfolio to seek out. Cheers!

Lenore Columbia Valley Syrah 2006

Here's a new world Syrah from Washington state that certainly gives forth the flavor you want at it's $12.99 price point. Now I'm a big fan of Rhone Valley Syrah, but you can't touch good ones for less than 25 smackers. This version doesn't yield the kind of barnyard, bacon and dark fruit aromatic complexity of it's French cousins, but it is sure to please those who favor purity of fruit and new world size. Made by the Corvidae Wine Company and repped by one of my favorites, Polaner Selections, this everyday quaffer puts forth plenty of blueberry, blackberry and petrol in the nose, along with some alcoholic heat. It's got all the size and stuffing you expect from new world Syrah and it finishes ripe and smooth with a note of pepper. It's not exactly my style, but fans of new world fruit bombs will find a lot to like here. Washington State wines can be quite attractive as they are frequently fruitier than European wines, but at the same time a bit more restrained and balanced than wines from the hotter areas of California. In addition, I know this is an '06 but it was really quite fresh and showed no signs of falling apart. Cheers.

Menguante '08 - Old Vines Grenache

Here's another wonderful Spanish bargain that delivers more quality than it's price point might indicate. This nice little wine made from organically grown old vines Grenache hails from the lesser known DO Carinena, whose vineyards lie in stony soils at 400 to 800 meters in northeastern Spain. In Spain of course, Grenache is known as Garnacha. The family run winery that produces this food friendly quaffer is called Vinedos y Bodegas Pablo and is imported by Frontier Wine Imports. Though not as complex as the Guimaro Ribeira Sacra I wrote up last week, this $9.99 bargain gives forth plenty of enjoyment. Forthcoming aromas of baked cherry, blackberry and a bit of that Grenache pepper greet you, along with a little bit of alcohol heat. In the mouth it's nicely balanced, with dark berry flavors, a generous mid-palate and a lightly tannic finish. Carinena is a centuries old viticultural area that is the origin of Carignan, a grape most common in southern France. There, it is found chiefly in Corbieres and as a blending grape in more well known wines such as Chateauneuf du Pape. In Carinena though, it is known as Mazuelo. Cheers!

I've sold out!!...but not too much.

Yes - I've become an Amazon affiliate but the news isn't all bad. Yes, I've put an Amazon widget on the blog but I can pick the products displayed, so the widget will always display something I think is worthwhile. In this case, it's Kevin Zraly's great wine book for neophytes, Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. It's a great book that explains the European wine system, where wines are named most often for the places they come from and what grapes are grown in those places. It's absolutely a must have for those of you embarking on your wine journey. It's also interesting to note that, having just passed the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, Windows on the World was the name of the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center's north tower and Mr. Zraly was the wine director for 25 years or so. He is still active in wine education and his book was my introduction also. Oh yeah. Amazon does pay me a commission on sales, as long as you get there via this humble blog - and even if you buy a different product. Might I suggest a 50" TV? Cheers!
 

Guimaro '09 - Indigenous Grapes, Inimitable Terroir Spanish Style

On the whole, most Spanish wines deliver the goods for everyday drinking when it comes to unabashed fruitiness. But there aren't that many in the low cost category that deliver the kind of complexity that I search for. In 2009, Eric Asimov of the New York Times posted a feature on Rebeira Sacra, a little known area of Galacia in northwestern Spain. It's a fascinating article that documents the historical abandonment of vineyards on terraced land that goes back 2000 years and the recent rebirth of those same vineyards. These wines, made from grapes grown on incredibly steep, terraced hillsides, can really deliver flavors that showcase the slate and granite laden soils that they come from. Made primarily from Mencia and other indigenous grapes such as brancellao, mouratón and garnacha, the idea that wine can deliver a "sense of place" is evident in these wines. Which brings me to a great example of that idea for a mere $12.99. You're met right away with soil driven, mineral aromas that give way to blackberry and baked cherry. In the mouth, the Guimaro puts forth wonderful medium-bodied earthy, red fruit flavors and a long sweet finish. It's really balanced nicely and keeps you coming back for more. This is imported by one of my favorites, David Bowler. Don't miss it. Cheers.

Buccia Nera "Donna Patrizia" Toscana Bianco '09

I know what you're thinking..."what the heck is a Toscana Bianco?" Okay, it's from Tuscany, but wines like this have a very generic sound to them. We all like to know what grapes have gone into the wine we are drinking. Often the varietal(s) are listed in small print on the back label, but how many folks know that? When they don't see it on the front, they move on. But hey, since I've touted the portfolios of certain importers a lot, the readers of this blog should be checking out the back label anyway. Then, when you see that a wine like the Donna Patrizia is from a reputable importer like the Maximum Wine Co., you should not be afraid to check out a $9.99 value like this. And when you do, you will love this wine. This beauty is an indigenous 3 grape blend comprised of 40% Malvasia, 40% Trebbiano and 20% Grechetto. It features soaring, exotic aromas of pink grapefruit, white flowers and a nutty nuance. It's flavors and textures are bolder than you expect at this price point, and put forth citrus, pear and mineral flavors that keep on coming. It finishes long with bright, balancing acidity. It is produced with organically grown grapes and is fermented entirely in stainless steel. This should pair nicely with lighter fish dishes or a simple grilled chicken. The Donna Patrizia is the sister wine of Buccia Nera's wonderful Guarniente Chianti, which I wrote up in April. Cheers.

Colosi Nero d'Avola '09

Colosi is a producer whose wines I have been drinking for years. It's a name that is synonymous with quality year in and year out. Their '09 Nero d'Avola from Sicily is a case in point. This wine features beautiful cherry and violet aromas, bright, juicy red fruit flavors and a touch of minerality in the finish. It's fairly large in the mid-palate, quite smooth in texture and exhibits none of the baked fruit aromas and flavors that can sometimes accompany wines from hot climates. There's no over-ripeness here. And, at $11.99 it won't hurt your wallet. Nero d'Avola is the most important grape of Sicily and it comes in a range of styles. The style of this wine however is really easy to like. It's also a nice package. Imported by one of my favorites, Vias, their portfolio is one you should seek out. Cheers.

No power, No Water....Get Out the Corkscew.

    I know it's been awhile since my last post but I was set back a bit by Hurricane Irene, which dumped about 7 inches of rain in our area. We were without power for a couple of days, a small number compared to folks just over the hill from me who still haven't had the lights turned back on. Our hearts go out to those folks in upstate New York and Vermont, areas hit especially hard. Wilmington, VT, a town we know intimately due to many years of skiing was destroyed. It's just too sad.
   We did get to enjoy some great wines by candlelight. One was a delicious Pinot Noir that is a private label project of Polaner Selections called Wyatt. It sports typical pinot aromas of bright cherry and cinnamon. In the mouth it has a very lush feel with bold cherry fruit, excellent concentration and good balancing acidity. It sells for around $15.99 and though I know it's a little expensive to be an everyday wine in these pages, it's a good one for Saturday night.

   Another delicious wine we tried was a fantastic and very affordable Vouvray from Domaine d'Orfeuilles. Good Vouvray has gotten so expensive so finding this $11.99 beauty made me very happy. Vouvray comes from the Loire Valley of France and is made from the Chenin Blanc grape. These wines are fantastic with seafood of all kinds, especially lobster, but they have the body to stand up to heavily sauced chicken dishes as well. This beauty features aromas of pear, lemon zest and a distinct stony element. Pear and mineral flavors are balanced by typical Vouvray acidity that keeps it fresh and lively feeling. These wines can easily age 10 or more years and develop more nuance along the way. I'm a big fan.