7 June 2011 2009 Wyndham Estate Bin 333 Pinot Noir

2009 Wyndham Estate Bin 333 Pinot Noir

June 7, 2011 By

Brought this South East Australia Pinot Noir to a BYOB restaurant as I needed a wine that could be paired with multiple dishes and was pleased at how well it held up.

The wine is bright red in the glass and offers more of a strawberry jam nose than the cherry one typical of Pinot Noirs.  The strawberry continues in the mouth, but with juicy cherry flavors with a hint of spice.  Soft tannins give this wine some backbone and the finish is surprisingly long.

This very affordable Pinot Noir is perfect for any summer get-togethers and would pair well with grilled chicken or salmon, and also some light-sauced pasta dished.

Around $10.

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

Filed Under: Red Wine Tagged With: , , , ,
27 May 2011 2009 Red Newt Circle Riesling

2009 Red Newt Circle Riesling

May 27, 2011 By

I met Red Newt Cellars co-founder, Debra Whiting at the New York Wine Expo this year and loved how passionate and proud she is of this well-crafted Riesling.

The 2009 Circle Riesling is ideal in any setting with its 3.2% residual sugar.  Great on a Tuesday night with Thai take out or paired with lobster in a spicy red sauce on the weekend.  The fact that this Finger Lakes Riesling is affordable is just another perk and makes it possible to order by the case for most wine lovers to have on hand for any occasion.

The wine is crisp, bright and juicy with the right amount of acidity.  On the nose, the aroma is peaches and nectarines.  In the mouth, it’s Meyer lemons with honey and Fiji apple undertones.  The finish is clean and slightly sweet and makes me look forward to the next sip.

Wine Spectator 86 points.

Around $13.

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19 May 2011 2006 Domaine Roger Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape

2006 Domaine Roger Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape

May 19, 2011 By

I chilled this wine a bit as it was a little warm.  This was a good call, but what wasn’t, was not decanting it.  This wine is big, sharp, tannic – just powerful, which I like, but would have benefited from decanter time to soften up or a few years in the cellar.

With that said, this Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the deepest ruby in the glass.  The color is definitely a hint to what the nose and palate will be.  Nose is all about dark, ripe berries with woodsy notes.  In the mouth it’s herbal, earthy, black licorice, anise and leather that are reflected. Full body with strong tannins is what you should expect.

Robert Parker: 89 Points.

Around $29.

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18 May 2011 2009 Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto D’Alba

2009 Bruno Giacosa Dolcetto D’Alba

May 18, 2011 By

Friends asked what they could bring to one of my dinner parties and I simply said “wine to go with beef”.  To my good fortune, they brought this little gem.

In the glass, the wine is a bright garnet hue.  In the mouth, it’s rich with ripe berries, musky with nutty notes.  Brought on some bouquet garni elements on the medium, dry finish.

Wine Advocate: 90 Points.

Around $21.

 

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2007 Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Campo San Vito – Villa Monteleone

May 9, 2011 By

Nearly black in color, this almost full-bodied Italian wine offers dark berries and herbal undertones on the nose and big, bright, spicy berry in the mouth.  Just layers upon layers of ripe fruit with a finish that lasts forever (or you wish it did).

Around $30.

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18 April 2011 2009 Segal’s Fusion Dry Red Wine

2009 Segal’s Fusion Dry Red Wine

April 18, 2011 By

This Kosher wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon that was a great pairing with rosemary and garlic-marinated lamb chops.

The inky-colored hue of this Galilee Heights wine hints to a heavy wine, but I was surprised by a medium-bodied, elegant one instead.

The nose on this Israeli wine is stone fruits, dark berries and slight spice.  In the mouth it’s bolder, plummy with traces of licorice.  The slight pucker caused by the tannins mixed with the fatty, rosemary-infused lamb was a winner.  The finish is of medium length, dry and pleasant.

About $16.

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9 April 2011 2007 Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d’Alba Ruvei

2007 Marchesi di Barolo Barbera d’Alba Ruvei

April 9, 2011 By

When this wine was poured into my glass I had to let out a “wow” to the beautiful dark ruby hue.  On the nose, this affordable Italian wine is both sweet and spicy with bushels of wild strawberries.  In the mouth – wow again.  This Barbera is big, bold, woodsy with caramel notes and lush berries.  Was great alone, but fabulous with Arancini starter and my tomato-based seafood soup.  Can’t believe this wine’s only $17 retail.

Around $17.

Wine Spectator: 89 Points.

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20 March 2011 2009 Semeli Mountain Sun Rose – Greek Wine with a Punch

2009 Semeli Mountain Sun Rose – Greek Wine with a Punch

March 20, 2011 By

Found this wine on a by-the-glass wine list and had to try it on the first warm day of Spring in New York.  In the glass, it’s much darker and brighter than you’d expect from a rose, more strawberry than the muted pink I typically see.  On the nose, the strawberry continues with sweet and intense aromas.  On the palate, it’s a bit of a different story.  Although this Greek wine from the region of Nemea offers a bit of sweetness, it’s the pop of acidity that gives the ripe, spicy cherry flavors its brightness and freshness.

Not only would this Greek rose made from the Agiorgitiko grape be perfect for sipping on a warm sunny day, its intensity would hold up well to grilled fish, roasted vegetables or even some BBQ chicken or ribs.

Around $14.

 

Filed Under: Rose, Blush Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

2007 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir

March 17, 2011 By

Established in 1970, Ponzi Vineyards is one of Oregon’s oldest winery.

Served this Pinot with salmon in puff pastry and it was a great pairing. This Willamette Valley wine is bright crimson in the glass with more strawberry than raspberry on the nose. It’s sharp enough to work with the buttery puff pastry but offers tons of cherry and red berry flavors that are so distinct of this varietal. The finish is long, intense but with a hint of sweetness.

Loved this wine.

Wine Spectator: 90 Points

Around $35.

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12 March 2011 2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

2009 Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc

March 12, 2011 By

This affordable New Zealand wine is bigger and bolder than I anticipated.  On the nose, it’s ripe, caramelized ruby grapefruit.  The palate offers fresh-cut grass, Meyer lemon, juicy peach and passion fruit with spicy notes on the finish.  Nice Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at a great price point.

90 Points Wine Spectator.

Around $11.

Filed Under: New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
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