Mikhailoh,

We have a place like that in NYC, too (perhaps it's part of a chain). It's called Best Cellars, and the wines are organized the same way. Light, fruity reds. Big, full-bodied reds. Smooth, graceful reds. Etc.

I think it was some entrepreneur's brainstorm that wines were too intimidating for the average joe, and so this consumer-friendly concept came about.

It's not a bad idea, overall, and will probably get more people into wine. Once you've tried a few bottles from places like this, you know where your tastes run, and you can be more comfortable looking over the labels in a regular wine shop.

By the way, the Samanth Starr Pinot I rejected was their Santa Lucia Highlands bottling. Apparently they have others, at least one from Monterey.

OK, fine. I bought and opened a bottle of 2004 Mark West Pinot Noir. I let it breathe for two hours before even sniffing it, much less tasting it. It's a complex bouquet of flavors and smells. But, even so, on first smelling, then tasting this wine, SO and I both remarked that it reminded us of a vintage Champagne. Considering that many Champagnes have a fairly high amount of Pinot Noir in them, it wasn't much of a stretch.

The one thing that I did not enjoy about this particular wine was that it was, at least to my taste, too sweet, with too much residual sugar. In the mouth, though, this wine fairly evaporates due to its light body and very light tannin. It is definitely imbued with fruit, but the fruits tended more towards the kiwi/melon family (with a touch of strawberry) than the berries and stone fruits I prefer. It was light and refreshing, but I thought it better as an accompaniment to hors d'oeuvre than with a meal. Perhaps it would do well with a poached salmon entree (and certainly a white fish) or crustacean (but I don't like them), but I wouldn't even try to pair this with chicken, as I think savory flavors would immediately overpower its delicacy.

Well, it must be wine-panning week. I tried a 200x (4?) Ravenswood Aussie Shiraz - totally atypical of Ravenswood wines. A few nice flavors of game meat and smoke up front, NO finish. just died on the back end.

Buggers.

Matt, how odd. I can't match your words to the dozen bottles of this wine I have had.

I do not have your sophisticated palate or way with wine words, so I really have no way to know wheteher you got a bum bottle or we are on different taste planets.

I don't like sweet but I never would have said this was.

It remains a very full mouthful for me...not delicate at all.

jf

Not to change the subject, but are there any good drink-'em-now Bordeaux out there for $15 or preferably less? Maybe the good ones are all pricey, because I'm rarely taken with the $8-10 bottles available locally -- though that could be the fault of what the shop's buying, or the vintage, etc. (leaving out for now the fact that I'm a cheapskate).

And what about Burgundies? That's a class of wine I know little about. I already know I like Cotes-du-Rhones.

I am getting a little tired of the density of so many Calif. reds, The Spanish and Portuguese wines I'm used to often run in that direction too (heavy, intense fruit), and they're fine. But I guess I'm saying I am ready for a little more dryness and depth, if I can afford it.

Thanks!

I'll pick up a bottle of Château de la Coste Margaux every now and then. It usually goes for about $17/18. The 2000 was very good, and I'm waiting for the 2001, which is supposed to be even better.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt G.:
The 2000 was very good, and I'm waiting for the 2001, which is supposed to be even better.

They're sitting on the 2001? Lots of other 2001's are out there. Do they expect it to "appreciate?" I mean, it ain't no Steinway pi-anna.

They may well be sitting on the 2001's until the 2000's are sold.

I had a fab Spanish wine tonight that I am finishing as I write this.. $15, and all the depth and power of Chateuneufs. Good stuff. The name is long and escapes me now.. bbl.

The 7 Deadly Zins.

To excited to judge it. It started out nice but is getting a little too over the top with the tanins right now.

Will let it breathe a little while longer...

Merry Christmas Eve!

3 blind moose, merlot, 2003, California. It's very pleasant wine, just $12.50.

I also had Red Bicyclette Merlot and also the same Chardonnay last week and liked them too. All very affordable at about $11.

$4.99 per bottle.

It is surprisingly nice!

I love the bottle label!

quote:

from: http://www.jindaleewines.com.au/products/_products_results_details.asp?ID=1

Jindalee - Merlot


Hunting the small Desert Lizards helped Aboriginal children to practise their skills in animal tracking. This was an activity greatly encouraged by their parents, as it prepared the children for an important role in the subsistence of the family.



Tasting Notes :
Merlot typically shows sweet fruit flavors and ours is no exception. Flavours of plums, blackberries and raspberries all combine on a soft well balanced palate. Again we mature this wine using American oak that rounds out the mouth feel and adds some complexity.
Colour
Crimson/red
Nose
Spice, ripe berries
Palate
Clean lively palate with spice and plum flavours rich ripe berries and well balanced vanillan oak.

Techincal Notes :
Alcohol - 14%
Growing Region - Murray Darling
Acidity - 5.8 gm/L
Ph - 3.51

So, what's everyone planning to pop open tonight?

For us, it will be a 1996 Delbeck Brut Champagne. (Rated a 92 by Wine Spectator.) If that isn't enough, I have a Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label on standby.

Doing nothing special for New Year's. Christmas was exhausting enough.

We're drinking a simple Mirassou Pinot Noir; that's it.

Crown Royal
Smithwick Ale with dinner.. great beer
Artezin 2003 Zinfandel - fab nose
Some kind of inexpensive bubbly - Spanish cava I think - made special with fresh raspberries for midnight