Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
Love that this wine shows grace and balance even at this affordable price point. The nose is light, even a bit faint but on the palate there’s nice ripe berry flavors, hints of dark chocolate and wet bark. The medium finish on the Bordeaux is slightly tannic. Top Saint-Emilion? No. Pretty nice, affordable Grand Cru? Yes.
70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Around $16.
Celebrated with this bubbly over the weekend and just loved everything about it. The Heidsieck & Co Monopole Blue Top Champagne Brut is the color of oats in the glass with a nose that’s both yeasty and pear-infused. On the palate, it’s what Champagne should be: creamy, mousse-like with tiny bubbles that coat the mouth and provide a dry, long finish.
At this price point, forgo the Yellow Label for this little gem.
Wine Spectator 91 points.
Around $40.
This French Chardonnay is bright golden yellow in the glass and just pretty to look at. The nose is floral with Meyer lemon notes. In the mouth, this Pouilly Fuissé is nutty with ripe pear / golden apple and a pleasant level of minerality. The finish lingers. Paired this Chardonnay with grilled diver scallops over risotto and it was super.
I’m not a fan of huge buttery Chardonnays, but this wine is light and refreshing enough to convince me to make it part of my repertoire.
Around $25.
Took a little while to stop staring at this deep purple-hued wine long enough to take a sniff, but was greeted by woodsy, spiced, ripe dark fruit aromas that gave a prelude to a tasty French beauty. On the palate, this wine is full-bodied, powerful and showing notes of dark chocolate, dark cherries. The finish is medium and just a bit tannic after decanting.
Paired this Bordeaux with roasted prime rib of beef and thought it was perfect. Really should decant this wine for it to fully open up.
Pretty great Cru Bourgeois at the right price point. Adding to my must-buy list.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc.
Around $20.
Bought this Pinot Noir as my 3rd bottle at a recent dinner party and was relatively pleased with it, especially at this price point.
It’s lighter than most California Pinots in the glass and offers a light nose of strawberries and under-ripe cherries. In the mouth, this wine is also light with some mouth-puckering, a little spice and a longish finish.
Overall, this is a decent wine that I don’t need a special occasion to enjoy and that has enough presence to be served beyond a Tuesday night.
Around $10.
Made of three varietals, Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo, this Rioja is dark cherry ruby with a pale ring in the glass that reminds me of some of my favorite California Pinot Noirs. On the nose are aromas of wet wood, stone fruits and vanilla. On the palate, this lighter-bodied Spanish wine offers cherries, some rosy notes and a creamy, velvety mouthfeel with a slightly spicy, smooth, long finish.
Had this wine with a platter of cured meats and it was super. Would be great with grilled meats such as pork or chicken and with heartier fish like swordfish.
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire as it’s truly enjoyable.
Pairings: Grilled meats, lasagna bolognese
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo
Region: Rioja, Spain
Price: $10
Based on the label and my knowledge of Zweigelt, I was expecting cherry upon sipping this wine, but I also found bright, fresh red berries with spicy undertones along with the ripe cherries. This inky wine is medium-bodied and at that affordable price point, could easily become one of my mid-week or BBQ, go-to wines. Bonus – screwcap.
Wine Enthusiast: 87 points.
About $15.
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire.
This Portuguese wine with a huge mouthful – do open it 30 minutes before you’re ready to drink it.
'07 Carm Quinta do Coa Vinho Tinto
A friend brought this Douro region gem to the BYOB we dined at for my birthday dinner – boy does she know my tastes well. It is deep ruby in the glass, has an intense luscious fruit nose and is concentrated cherry/raspberry on the palate with a lovely medium finish. As a fan of beefy American Zinfandels, I really enjoyed the powerful, 14.5% alcohol wine.
91 Points “Smart Buy” – Wine Spectator.
Around $15.
2005 San Roman Toro
Had been saving this wine for a special occasion and boy what a treat it was. This Spanish wine is 100% Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) and inky black in the glass screaming at you to grow a backbone and dare have a sniff and a sip. The nose is intoxicating with loads of black, ripe fruit, smokiness and strong coffee. In the mouth, it’s velvety, concentrated and offers juicy fruit and dark chocolate. The 2005 San Roman Toro features supple tannins with a long, slightly-spicy finish.
Best Spanish wine I’ve had and in my top 50 list.
95 Points – Wine Enthusiast
Around $60.
This is an enjoyable medium-bodied pinot noir that’s light on the nose with cherry and raspberry flavors then offers spicy notes in the mouth. Little tannins on the finish. Served this Alto Adige red with an antipasto platter for New Year’s eve and my guests enjoyed it.
This wine was provided to me for sampling and I’m adding to my repertoire.
Around $23.
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