3 May 2012 2005 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello Di Montalcino

2005 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello Di Montalcino

May 3, 2012 By

Bought a 2-pound porterhouse steak to share with my guy last week and wanted a special wine to pair with it.  The 2005 Fattoria La Lecciaia Brunello Di Montalcino fit the bill beautifully.

On the nose, this Italian wine is an explosion of ripe dark berries and Bing cherries with earthy notes.  On the palate, this full-bodied wine is big and beautiful.  Lots of ripe blackberry and stone fruit flavors laced with exotic spices, almost chewy in consistency with classic Brunello silkiness.  The finish is long with a little pepper to end a great sip.

Pairings:  Grilled red meat, slowly-simmered red sauce.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $30

 

Filed Under: Italy, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
27 April 2012 Spruce – A Divine Food Experience in San Francisco

Spruce – A Divine Food Experience in San Francisco

April 27, 2012 By

Spruce, located in the posh Presidio Heights neighborhood, is an elegant yet comfortable restaurant where locals and food and wine enthusiasts meet to unwind and savor spot-on meals accompanied with interesting wines.

At Spruce, Chef Mark Sullivan features seasonal menus showcasing the freshest organic produce, naturally-raised meats and line-caught fish.  His fabulous food is paired with wines selected by Andrew Green to complete the outstanding gastronomic experience.

Some of the enticing starters at Spruce are the Heritage Pork Consommé ($14) – Swiss chard, Hamada cherries and smoked lardo, the White Bean Caramelle ($17) – haricot vert, speck with a mustard emulsion and the Hudson Valley Foie Gras ($23) – Vadouvan waffle, pear jelly and pistachio.

Making an entrée selection is beyond difficult considering the tempting options.  Slow Roasted Beef Short Rib ($31) – red wine farotto, erbette chard, young carrots and horseradish velouté, the Grilled Kona Kanpachi ($35) – preserved garden vegetables, clams, rice and Satsuma vinaigrette and the Charred Berkshire Pork Tenderloin ($30) – crispy pork belly with shelling beans.  Although of the highest quality, the Kanpachi was closer to an appetizer portion.  The Berkshire pork with its decadent pork belly counterpart and the short rib with the faro “risotto” were both stellar.

The wine list reads like a novel and features a good balance of affordable, interesting wines and classic cult favorites.  There are over 30 wines by the glass options and an extensive half bottle selection perfect for pairing with several courses.  Our party opted for the Gonet Medeville Brut Tradition NV, 2009 Fillaboa Granja Albarino Rias Baixas, the 2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico and finally the 2005 Chateau La Tour Blanche Sauternes to end the meal.

Desserts like the warm apple pie with stout caramel ($10), the beignets with chocolate sauce and crème Anglaise and the Meyer lemon curd cake ($10) sound tantalizing, but with the exquisite dessert wine and port list, the artisanal cheese selection ($16) seems like an idyllic fit.

Spruce won’t disappoint food and wine enthusiasts with the highest of expectations.  I look forward to returning.

3640 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94118 (415-931-5100).

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:30AM – 2:30PM, 5PM – 10PM.  Friday: 11:30AM – 2:30PM, 5PM – 11PM. Saturday: 5PM – 11PM.  Sunday: 5PM – 10PM.

 

Filed Under: Red Wine, Restaurant Reviews, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
27 April 2012 2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico

2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico

April 27, 2012 By

This Italian wine is vibrant red in the glass.  The 2009 Coltibuono Chianti Classico offer spiced red berries on the nose and big berry flavors on the palate with a little chocolate and some earthiness.  Nice level of acidity and long, pleasant finish.

Pairings:  Pasta and red sauce. Grilled meats.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $15.

 

Filed Under: Italy, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
26 April 2012 Gonet Medeville Brut Tradition NV

Gonet Medeville Brut Tradition NV

April 26, 2012 By

For fans of fuller-bodied sparkling wines (me, me, me), this is a super option.

There’s apple and pear on the nose.  This French champagne offers an earthiness and mouth-watering apple and peach flavors with hints of vanilla.  Long, dry and completely enjoyable finish.

Nicer than most champagnes at this price point.

90 Points Wine Spectator.

Pairings:  Lobster, ripe berries, cheese souffle.

Style: Sparkling

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir

Region: Champagne, France

Around $40.

 

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
25 April 2012 2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve

2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve

April 25, 2012 By

Nearly black in the glass, this Argentine wine is fragrant with dark berries on the nose.  On the palate, this medium to full-bodied wine offers aromas of ripe raspberries, dates and notes of pumpkin pie spices.  The finish is medium in length and showcases oaky and peppery notes.

I poured half the bottle through my Vinturi wine aerator and had the rest straight out of the bottle.  Aerating or decanting would be optimal for this young wine.

Pairings:  Grilled rack of lamb or Thai food.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Malbec

Region: San Juan, Argentina

Around $10.

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

 

Filed Under: Argentina, Malbec, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
23 April 2012 2009 Fillaboa Granja Albarino Rias Baixas

2009 Fillaboa Granja Albarino Rias Baixas

April 23, 2012 By

I enjoyed this wine at San Francisco’s Spruce restaurant, which I highly recommend, and absolutely loved it.

On the nose, this Spanish wine is perfumed with sweet green apple and light lemony notes.  In the mouth, this affordable Albarino is crisp and dry with lime zest and more green apple flavors.  The finish is long with a great level of acidity.

Pairings:  Pork belly, blackened chicken, grilled salmon.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Albarino

Region: Rias Baixas, Spain

Around $20.

 

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
14 April 2012 2010 Domaine Tortochot Morey St Denis

2010 Domaine Tortochot Morey St Denis

April 14, 2012 By

I had the privilege of sampling eight Domaine Tortochot wines at a recent event and was wowed by all of them.  This wine is the ‘entry level’ wine for this producer and it’s delicious.

In the glass is purple in color pushing me for that first sniff.  Beautiful fruity nose and aromas finishing with slightly spicy notes.  Really nice lighter-bodied Grand Vin de Bourgogne.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or duck. Seared tuna.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Burgundy, France

Around $40

 

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
13 April 2012 World Malbec Day – Celebrate from the Comforts of Home

World Malbec Day – Celebrate from the Comforts of Home

April 13, 2012 By

World Malbec Day, April 17th, offers an interesting platform for Malbec lovers to compare wines of this varietal, share their thoughts about them on Twitter and Facebook, see what other tasters have to say and add new wines to their favorites list.

If you’ve never participated in an online wine tasting, it’s great fun:

  1. Buy your favorite bottle of the featured grape varietal, in this case, Argentine Malbec.
  2. Invite some folks to share the experience, or snuggle in your JPs in front of the computer.
  3. Sip and share your wine comments with other tasters from around the world!

What I’ll be uncorking for the big day:

  • 2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec, an affordable ($12) little number from Argentina.

Remember to use the hashtag #MalbecDay to participate in the celebrations on Twitter (are we connected there? @foodwinechickie) or share your tasting notes on the Wines of Argentina Facebook page.

About Malbec:  Malbec is medium to full-bodied and offers ripe fruit flavors of plums and blackberry with notes of vanilla, spice and tobacco.

Typical Malbec Food Pairings:  Red meats are the perfect pairing for Malbec, but it can also stand up to spicy Mexican, Cajun, Indian or Italian foods.  BBQ is great matched with Malbec.

Salud!

Veronique

Filed Under: Other Neat Things, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
11 April 2012 2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

2009 Four Vines The Maverick Zinfandel

April 11, 2012 By

I love Zinfandels and try to serve foods that pair well with it as often as I can.  For Easter, I grilled rack of lamb and served the 2009 Four Vines Zinfandel Maverick with them for a great match.

This Zinfandel from Amador County is bold and beautiful.  In the glass, it’s dark and viscous.  On the nose, it’s powerful with ripe cherries and pumpkin pie spices.  In the mouth it’s jammy with tons of juicy blackberries followed by a long, sweet finish.  A meal in a glass, in the best possible way.

Wine Spectator – 90 points.

Pairings:  Grilled lamb, peppery porterhouse steak or aged cheese.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Zinfandel

Region: Paso Robles, California

Around $15.

 

Filed Under: Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , , ,
10 April 2012 2009 Domaine Delagrange Volnay Vielles Vignes

2009 Domaine Delagrange Volnay Vielles Vignes

April 10, 2012 By

I felt fortunate to sample this outstanding Pinot Noir at a local wine tasting last week.  Just everything I love about this varietal:  Beautiful purple in the glass, noseful of cherries and rich yet bright flavors of ripe cherries, raspberries and wild strawberries.

This fruit forward French Pinot Noir is silky, elegant and just super.

Pairings:  Roasted turkey, grilled chicken or duck and pork.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Burgundy, France

Around $45.

 

Filed Under: France, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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