quote:

Originally posted by Matt G.:
Tonight's choice: a 2001 Maryhill Fort Rock Red from Washington's Columbia valley. This is a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Altogether a very harmonious wine, one with a wonderful balance of complexity, fruitiness and spiciness.

In the glass, this wine presents a deep red color and medium body. The first aroma is one of licorice with red cherries not far behind. The flavor combines fresh black cherry with an interesting herbal undertone, and the finish is long and spicy. Great depth and complexity with medium tannins and acidity.

This wine would well accompany just about anything with which one could pair a red; it really seems like it would be incredibly versatile. To make matters even more interesting, this wine sells for about $13 per bottle. A fantastic bargain, and well worth seeking!

W T F.... ??

Gee Matt... I'm havin' my third margarita now.
And from scratch, too; no mixes here.

Just you wait, Eldon!

Tonight I opened a little bargain wine that was being sold at cost at my local shop. It's a French Rhône, a 2001 Château Silex Eloge which is from the Costières de Nîmes appellation. True to its Rhône roots, this wine is blend of Syrah and Grenache, and similar to many other wines of this region, this is a light-bodied, fruity wine. The emphasis here is entirely on the fruit; this is not a complex wine. But, aromas and flavors ranging from strawberries and raspberries through black currants and cherries are plentiful. The flavors, though, are a bit short-lived, as this wine has very little aftertaste. This wine is remarkably free of the harsh tannins frequently found in many Rhônes and the somewhat subdued acidity made it a good match for the roasted chicken breast at dinner. A nice, easy-drinking wine for a light summer meal, this one set me back only $9.

Like a good number of other light-bodied Rhônes, this one is probably best served ever-so-slightly chilled. You can easily accomplish this by refrigerating the bottle until cold, then remove from the refrigerator, open and let breathe and warm for about an hour before serving. If you're in more of a hurry, open the bottle, then chill it in the refrigerator for no more than a half hour.

Matt G, Joe, Jack, and where is Bernard?

Your wine conversation is mouth watering. Lately I have been drinking a lot of NZ SB, some Australian too, haven't tried the So African yet, am sure it's good. Some expressions seem really apt, like so fresh it's like cracking open a head of lettuce. I used to like Sancerre, not anymore.

Believe it or not, I have been hankering for the taste of a good (not great, fabulous or spectacular) port that I might actually drink semi chilled or ice cold, even a white port.

Fonseca Siroco, about $13, has a taste to it that I do not like, reminds me of Greek retsina. However, I did find one called Rainha Santa for around $9 that had the right balance of white grape flavors and yet pretty dry. Great over ice.

Another completely different thing is a nice tawny port from down under, Galway Pipe, real nice, too expensive but I was in a hurry, very pruney with some nice herbal notes, whole thing very smooth. Tried a taste of something else from the same maker that was too flat tasting.

I've liked things like Warre's Warrior Porto, with strong pepper and black currant notes and just the right body. Yeah, I'd actually prefer a ruby to a tawny port. I know, it's contrarian of me, but...

As for reds, trying to get off the Cabernet Bordeaux claret main drag onto some other roads. Like Côtes de Castillion and ranging farther inland in France, off the beaten track in Italy too, picked up an interesting Primitivo for $9.

As for the US, am still investigating Northwest pinot to see if it can match or exceed pinot from France.

Also I'm truly interested in what the Northeast US has to offer.

Keep writing, I'm reading and taking notes.

Thanks.

PS: and someone find Bernard and have him chime in.

quote:

As for reds, trying to get off the Cabernet Bordeaux claret main drag onto some other roads. Like Côtes de Castillion and ranging farther inland in France, off the beaten track in Italy too, picked up an interesting Primitivo for $9.

Hi, David. I've been doing Primitivo research to suit my primitive wine budget. Enjoying them a lot. A Mano is good and full, Terrilogio lighter and crisper, and there are more out there...

Joe

Oh I think I'm gettin' it now.

David B,

Hmm.. white ports I have not tried.. but if you would send a rcommendation.

I have tried quite a few of the Aussie tawny ports, and found not a bad one in the bunch. I think they're all pretty good.

I've tried a lot of NW pinots, and no, I don't think they will ever match the sheer lusciousness of the Burgundies I love. Some of teh Drouhin Oregons have been pretty close, though. That said, I think on the whole the west coast pinots are more reliable for everyday drinking than the French. Had a Parent 2002 Bourgogne last night that was as dull as its Pommard roots would suggest. I only bought it because they had put it in the same bin as my beloved Jean Guiton Savigny Le Beaune ($17 in Illinois, Matt.. brought in by Chicago Wine Merchants and a heck of a value.. I get it in Lansing).

Mark West 2003 Pinot is very nice if you open it the night before, or the morning before you plan to serve it. Cellar 8 Zins are very nice and NOT overripe.. $10 at Strack and Van Zil grocery in Lansing Il.

Some of the Cristalino Spanish Cavas are very nice, particularly at $7-9. Clean and dry, good fine bubbles.

These are all Sauvignon Blancs rated 90 or better for under 20$:

I'm a happy guy.. I went wine shopping in kentucky after my haircut this morning. Some of the three-case take was:

2001 D'Arenberg Stump Jump Cab
2003 Zumaya Ribera Del Duero
2004 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc
Several Spanish, South African and French sparklers
Several red Burgundies.. Savigny Le Beane, Cote De Nuits Villages and a Santenay
2001 Ferrari Carano Tresor red blend
Orogeny Pinot Noir
Tori Mor Pinot Noir
Klinker Brick Zinfandel
Rosenblum Richard Sauret Vineyard Zinfandel

Grilled chicken anyone? The weather here in Cincinnati is simply spectacular today.. sunny and 74, no humidity.. perfect.. family grill out, maybe have some neighbors in to eat and drink..
A case of varied Chardonnays for Janet

I have a bottle of the Nobilo SB chilling right now. Surprised it isn't on your list JM--I think it is better than some that are.

jf

quote:

Originally posted by Jack Frost:
I have a bottle of the Nobilo SB chilling right now. Surprised it isn't on your list JM--I think it is better than some that are.

jf

Jack, I agree. I've got two bottles of SB here. One is Nobilo and the other is Villa Maria.
Jack, my favorite SB's are the tart ones with alot of acidity. There is no place better on earth for producing such wines than New Zealand.
I haven't decided yet whether I like the Kim Crawford or the Nobilo more.

Oh, and Katie, I love you too!!

quote:

Originally posted by johnmoonlight~*:

quote:

Originally posted by Jack Frost:
I have a bottle of the Nobilo SB chilling right now. Surprised it isn't on your list JM--I think it is better than some that are.

jf

Jack, I agree. I've got two bottles of SB here. One is Nobilo and the other is Villa Maria.
Jack, my favorite SB's are the tart ones with alot of acidity. There is no place better on earth for producing such wines than New Zealand.
I haven't decided yet whether I like the Kim Crawford or the Nobilo more.

I think that Nobilo is better than Villa Maria, but the Kim Crawford (with an extra 8 bucks) is better in my mind and the best I have had is Isabel (at $20).

But Nobilo is well worth the $11 it costs in these parts.

jf

I just heard that my fiancee's alcoholic father found and drank our 1979 Chateau Margaux... lovely...

At least we still have a 1964 hidden away in an undisclosed location!

Elena
http://www.pianofourhands.com

I highly recommend the following wines.










I never gave a hoot about scores. Scores reflect an amalgamation of past trends or the bias of a single pallet.

My offerings are about a philosophy of historic growing practices from family owned wineries who ignore current market trends.

In short, when Pinots go the way of Merlos among public perception these will still be enjoyed by those who believe a good wine is a profound experience.