19 September 2012 2009 Ravines Wine Cellars Pinot Noir

2009 Ravines Wine Cellars Pinot Noir

September 19, 2012 By

The 2009 Ravines Wine Cellars Pinot Noir is a beautiful ruby in the glass. The nose is of red berries and cherries. In the mouth, the ripe cherries continue with some earthy, smoky notes with underlying oak from the French oak barrels the wine sees.  Soft tannins and pleasant velvety texture. Very Burgundian in style.

Not sure there are American Pinot Noirs, outside of some Russian River wines, that are better than this little gem.

Pairings:  Salmon, pork, roast chicken or duck. Very food-friendly wine.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Price: $23

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, United States Tagged With: , ,
26 August 2012 1994 Chateau Troplong Mondot Saint Emilion Grand Cru

1994 Chateau Troplong Mondot Saint Emilion Grand Cru

August 26, 2012 By

A friend shared this special bottle at a recent dinner and it was just gorgeous.

In the glass, it is deep red with amazing legs. On the nose, this French Bordeaux is earthy with spiced notes. In the mouth, it is silky with rich plummy fruit. It is perfectly-balanced with fine tannins and stone fruit sweetness that is velvety and lasts forever.

Pairings:  Duck, beef, lamb.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Bordeaux Blend – Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Region: Bordeaux, France

Price: $69

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot Tagged With: , ,
23 August 2012 2009 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes

2009 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes

August 23, 2012 By

I had this wine in Quebec at an outdoor party where it was paired with Dad’s Quebec Smoked Meat Sandwiches.

In the glass, this nicely-balanced wine is a medium red. The ripe cherry nose is fruity and bright. In the mouth, there is a nice level of acidity and cherries mix with strawberries on this light-medium bodied French Pinot Noir.

Pairings:  Salmon, pork, roast chicken or duck. Pairs well with most food.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Burgundy, France

Price: $15

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir Tagged With: , , ,
22 August 2012 2011 Carrelot des Amants Côtes du Brulhois Rosé

2011 Carrelot des Amants Côtes du Brulhois Rosé

August 22, 2012 By

I had this wine in Quebec at an outdoor party and it was an ideal setting for it. Great as an aperitif on a warm summer day.

In the glass, it is a deep salmon color. The strawberry nose is light and mildly floral. In the mouth, the strawberry carries through with some raspberry and a nice level of acidity. Crisp and refreshing.

Pairings:  Salad, poached salmon, seafood pasta with a light sauce. Served as an aperitif.

Style: Rosé

Grape Type(s): Merlot 40%, Cabernet Franc 30%, Malbec 30%

Region: South-West Region, France

Price: $12

Filed Under: France, Rose, Blush Wine Tagged With: , , , ,
11 August 2012 2010 Hahn Winery Pinot Noir Monterey

2010 Hahn Winery Pinot Noir Monterey

August 11, 2012 By

I sampled this wine with rare duck breast a few weeks back and really enjoyed it.

The 2010 Hahn Winery Pinot Noir Monterey offers a big noseful of ripe raspberries and cherries that I enjoy, a lot. In the mouth, it is rich with raspberry preserves jammy with undertones of pumpkin pie spice. The finish is medium in length with oaky notes.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken. Pan-seared salmon or duck. Wild mushroom risotto.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Monterey, California, USA

Price: $14

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I am adding to my repertoire as it is truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States Tagged With: , , , ,
10 August 2012 2010 Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir

2010 Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir

August 10, 2012 By

This North Coast Pinot Noir is ruby in the glass with intense floral and strawberry aromas with earthy/mushroomy notes. Reminds me of grandma’s homemade wild strawberry jam on freshly toasted bread. On the palette, the 2010 Garnet Carneros Pinot Noir offers bright cherry flavors with slightly woodsy undertones. I love this wine’s silkiness, great balance and long flavorful finish.

Winemaker Alison Crowe does a super job with this wine, which is quite possibly the best Carneros Pinot Noir I have had in recent memory.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or pork chops. I cannot think of many foods that would not be a good match to this wine.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Carneros, California, USA

Price: $19.99

This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States Tagged With: , , , , , ,
7 August 2012 2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein

2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein

August 7, 2012 By

I served this delicious dessert wine at a recent party and thoroughly enjoyed it.  On the nose, this German Eiswein is lively with floral and tropical notes. In the mouth, it is not too heavy and offers honeyed peach and pear flavors. The finish on the 2008 Dr Loosen Riesling Eiswein sees a little acidity to balance the not-too-sweet flavors.

93 points by Wine Spectator.

Pairings:  Cheese course, lightly salted nuts. Fantastic sipped on its own.

Style: Dessert Wine

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Around $40

 

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, Germany, Riesling Tagged With: , , , , ,
20 July 2012 Pasqua Treviso Extra Dry Prosecco

Pasqua Treviso Extra Dry Prosecco

July 20, 2012 By

This is just one of those affordable sparkling wines that is great as an aperitif and also paired with food.

This Prosecco is golden in the glass with tons of tiny bubbles.  On the nose, it offers big fruity aromas and in the mouth it’s creamy, foamy with bubbles with a very dry, pleasant finish.

Pairings:  Bubbly pairs well with many things ranging from a cheese and cold cut platter to lobster to beef tenderloin to dessert.

Style: Sparkling

Grape Type(s): Prosecco

Region: Veneto, Italy

Around $10

 

Filed Under: Italy, Sparkling Wine Tagged With: , , ,
18 July 2012 2010 Villa Calcinaia Comitale Grechetto

2010 Villa Calcinaia Comitale Grechetto

July 18, 2012 By

Had this wine with both lobster pasta and grilled Branzino and it complimented the dishes perfectly.

In the glass, this Tuscan wine is pale yellow with a slight greenish tint.  On the nose, it’s very faint, almost non-existent.  In the mouth, it’s delicate with fruity aromas of green apple and pear with bright acidity for a crisp finish.   Really enjoyable.

Pairings:  Seafood, grilled fish or chicken.  Pasta with olive oil and garlic.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): 90% Grechetto and 10% Vernaccia

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $15

 

Filed Under: Grechetto, Italy, White Wine Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
17 July 2012 2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

July 17, 2012 By

I enjoy Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon and when I was invited to go camping (yes, in a luxury RV, but camping nonetheless) I opted to bring the 2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with the prime rib eye steaks I was contributing to the festivities.

In the glass, this Alexander Valley wine is deep crimson.  The nose is intensely of dark fruit, pumpkin pie spice, tobacco and black licorice.  In the mouth, it’s jammy, smooth and velvety with ripe berry, vanilla and toasted oak notes.  The finish is medium in length with some pleasing tannins.

A wine to treat yourself to when you buy the very best steaks for the grill.

Pairings:  Grilled prime beef.  Cheese course.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Alexander Valley, California, USA

Around $60

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, United States Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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