23 October 2013 Famiglia Pasqua Wine Tasting

Famiglia Pasqua Wine Tasting

October 23, 2013 By

WinesI recently attended a wine pairing dinner at Millie’s Old World Meatballs & Pizza and had an opportunity to sample Famiglia Pasqua wines provided by recently opened Cambridge Wines of Morristown.

Here are my tasting notes:

  • Famiglia Pasqua Prosecco DOC ($10) – extra dry sparkler with lively fruity flavors.
  • 2012 Famiglia Pasqua Pinot Grigio ($10) – light, dry white with hints of floral and citrus notes.
  • 2012 Famiglia Pasqua Sangiovese ($8) – full-bodied with bright fruit from its young age.
  • 2010 Famiglia Pasqua Passimento ($13) – baby Amarone with fruit-forward, spiced nose and round, silky texture from 40% Merlot.

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: By Country, Italy, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Sparkling Wine, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
20 September 2013 2003 Rudd Oakville Estate

2003 Rudd Oakville Estate

September 20, 2013 By

2003 Rudd EstateTasted this wine after it’d been decanted for a couple hours – wow. In the glass, it’s deep garnet and one sniff had me hooked. Aromas of mocha, tobacco, dark fruit and stone fruit. In the mouth it’s lush and round and offers great fruit flavors with caramel, leather and blackberry notes. Finish lasts forever.

Simply an elegant, well-structured wine. I feel fortunate this wine was shared with me.

Pairings: Beef, duck, cheese course

Style: Red wine

Grape Type(s): 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 3% Malbec

Region: Napa Valley, CA, USA

Around $90

Filed Under: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
20 August 2013 2009 Chateau Perenne Bernard Magrez Cru Bourgeois

2009 Chateau Perenne Bernard Magrez Cru Bourgeois

August 20, 2013 By

2009 Chateau Perenne Bernard Magrez Cru BourgeoisBought this inexpensive Bordeaux in Quebec in anticipation of a couple dinner parties I was attending and thought it was a nice wine for the price point.

This inky-hued wine offers beautiful fruit and nutmeg undertones. Round from the Merlot with solid body and tannins from the Cabernet Sauvignon.

This is the same producer who makes Château Pape Clement Pessac Leognan Grand Cru priced at over $350.

Pairings: Poultry, pork chops, grilled beef.

Style: Red wine

Grape Type(s): 75% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

Region: Bordeaux, France

Around $13

Filed Under: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Malbec, Merlot, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
23 July 2013 Sick of White Wine Yet?

Sick of White Wine Yet?

July 23, 2013 By

Wine SteakIt’s hot and muggy outside and for many, including me, the weather calls for light, refreshing white wines. While I’ve poured my share of Assyrtiko, Sauvignon Blanc and Albarino this summer, I’m now craving reds that pair well with burgers, ribs and steaks.

15 Red Wines to Uncork at Summer Barbecues:

Wines for Burgers:

  • 2007 Campo Viejo Reserva Rioja (Rioja, Spain) – $9.99
  • 2010 Alba Vineyards Old Mill Red (Musconetcong Valley, New Jersey, USA) – $11.99
  • 2011 Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir (Monterey County, California, USA) – $14.99
  • 2009 Albert Bichot Pinot Noir Vielles Vignes (Burgundy, France) – $14.99
  • 2011 Hahn Pinot Noir (Monterey County, California, USA) – $15.99

Wines for Ribs:

  • 2010 Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve (San Juan, Argentina) – $10.99
  • 2009 Villa Puccini Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) – $10.99
  • 2010 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel (Central Valley, California, USA) – $11.99
  • 2010 Renwood Winery Premier Old Vine Zinfandel (Amador County, California, USA) – $19.99
  • 2011 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel (Sonoma County, California, USA) – $23.99

Wines for Steaks:

  • 2008 Wyndham Estate BIN 555 Shiraz  (South Eastern, Australia) – $9.99
  • 2010 Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere (Colchagua Valley, Chile) – $10.99
  • 2010 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $14.99
  • 2008 Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre (Valpolicella, Italy) – $16.99
  • 2009 Esporao Reserva Red (Alentejo, Portugal) – $18.99

What are some of your affordable reds?

Cheers,

Veronique

Filed Under: Argentina, Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Italy, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Portugal, Red Wine, Rioja, Spain, Syrah / Shiraz, Tempranillo, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
12 May 2013 2009 Villa Puccini Toscana

2009 Villa Puccini Toscana

May 12, 2013 By

2009 Villa Puccini Toscana$10 Sangiovese that’s actually good – yes, it’s possible. Medium-bodied Italian wine with a great plum nose. Fruit-forward, rich flavors. Super table wine.

Pairings: Pasta with red sauce, macaroni and cheese, roasts

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Price: $10

Filed Under: Italy, Merlot, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
8 May 2013 2008 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin

2008 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin

May 8, 2013 By

2008 Osoyoos Larose Le Grand VinMom brought this Canadian wine down with her when she came to visit. She served it with an Easter dinner of lamb and it was a nice pairing.

This Bordeaux-style blend is an intense, deep purple/red in the glass and offers aromas of ripe berries, mocha and chocolate. I expected big, bold flavors to come through based on the sheer color and aromas of this British Columbia wine but got a medium-bodied, roundish Merlot palate with a nice level of acidity and good fruit. Well-balanced with a pleasant, slightly spiced finish. One of the better Canadian reds I’ve had.

Pairings: Grilled meats, cheese course

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot

Region: Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

Price: $40

Filed Under: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canada, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
25 March 2013 2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Meritage

2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat Meritage

March 25, 2013 By

2008 Franciscan Estate Magnificat MeritageI uncorked this Napa Valley Cabernet blend to pair with grilled steaks, garlic and Vermont cheddar mashed potatoes and peppercorn sauce and it was simply delicious.

I decanted half of the wine and actually enjoyed it both ways, although, predictably, it softened a bit after 30 minutes in the decanter.

In the glass, it’s inky red. I just knew I’d enjoy it by just looking at it in the glass and getting a sniff of the chocolaty, oaky, dark berry aromas. A good swirl showed legs wrapped around my glass. As far as taste goes, this California wine has delectable blackberry, stone fruit and mocha flavors. The finish is long and dry and I just loved it.

Aged in French oak barrel for over 20 months, this is a big, bold, almost jammy boy that’s right up my alley.

Pairings: Grilled beef, mac and cheese

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec

Region: Napa Valley, California, USA

Price: $50

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
5 February 2013 2010 DEADBOLT Winemakers Blend

2010 DEADBOLT Winemakers Blend

February 5, 2013 By

DeadBoltI had the pleasure to sip this really interesting wine alongside a grilled rib eye steak and absolutely loved it. The combination of lightly oaky, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the big bold flavors of Zin and the dark, ripe fruity, round flavors of Syrah and Petite Syrah produce a wine that satisfied my love for a big, beefy wine while showing finesse and elegance.

Chief Winemaker, Philip Laffer, says in a statement that “With DEADBOLT, we have created a richly flavored and approachable red wine which is quintessentially Californian. We are delighted with the final outcome”. Indeed he should be.

The wine is available is a limited number of states (California, Nevada, Illinois, Massachusetts and Colorado).

Pairings: Grilled beef or lamb, white cheddar macaroni and cheese.

Style: Red Wine.

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah and Syrah blend.

Region: California, USA.

Price: $15.99.

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

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Red Wine, Syrah / Shiraz, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , ,
22 January 2013 2007 Tolaini Al Passo Toscana

2007 Tolaini Al Passo Toscana

January 22, 2013 By

2007 Tolaini Al Passo ToscanaBrick red in the glass, this Italian red wine offers intense aromas of cherries, fresh dirt, leather and mocha. This full-bodied Super Tuscan tastes of ripe dark berries, anise and chocolate and offers a silky mouth feel. Long, spiced finish with light tannins.

Pairings: Grilled beef or lamb, sautéed mushrooms.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Super Tuscan Blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Price: $25

Filed Under: Italy, Merlot, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
1 January 2013 1984 Chateau Gruaud Larose

1984 Chateau Gruaud Larose

January 1, 2013 By

1984 Chateau Gruaud LaroseMy dad poured this wine at Christmas to pair with rare prime rib au jus and it was superb.

In the glass, this Bordeaux blend is brick red. On the nose, it has barnyard and earthy aromas that I sniffed for quite a while before moving on to a sip. In the mouth, the 1984 Chateau Gruaud Larose has stone fruit, leathery, mushroomy and mossy flavors. The tannins are still present, but after a bit of time in the glass, the wine became rounder, softer but still pretty great albeit perhaps a bit past its prime.

Pairings: Beef, French onion soup.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Bordeaux blend – Cabernet Sauvignon: 57% / Merlot: 31% / Cabernet Franc: 8% / Petit Verdot: 2% / Malbec: 2%.

Region: Bordeaux, France

Price: $120

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
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