The wine suggestion thread

[Vange]

I think I screwed up, its from Luberon not Ventoux.

Its this bottling. I had the 06 I am pretty sure.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=366280

Orange label.

The artemia, quintessence, and terrasses are all great as well. Terrasses is a bargain too while the other 2 are higher priced.

[Vange]

So...been dabbling in some zins lately as well as other stuff and figured I'd throw a few up that I had recently that come to mind....

Bucklin Bambino Old Vine zinfandel 2006 - retails about $24

FANTASTIC! Not easy to find, but so worth it. Special ordered a case of 12 to split with a friend. Elegance, vivacious red fruits, cedar, spice, vanilla, oak, its all in there. 92

Turley Pesenti Vineyard zinfandel - retails about $50

HUGE HUGE wine 16% abv. Did I say this wine was huge yet??? Strong, bold, lots of dark fruit flavors like raspberries, if you want a wine that needs decanting this is it, let it breathe! This is top notch zin, but needs robust food like steak. It will run over fish, chicken, and pasta. 92

Mollydooker Two left Feet 2007 - shiraz blend - retails anywhere from $25-$30

Loved the 2006 Two Left Feet and the 05s got me into Mollydooker wines in general. This 16% abv is just too much for this wine. I had it over 2 days and the alcohol was still too overpowering even on day 2 after decanting it for hours. It is still good, just not as good as the 06. As with all Mollydooker wines big fruit forward taste, inky dark color that you cant see your fingers through the glass. 87

[Vange]

Over the past few years I have been in charge with bringing the wine to my parent's Easter holiday. After seeing magnums of Sutter Home Cab at all the past events, I had to get involved to up the level of wines offered to guests. Here is this year's list. I wont be bringing ALL of them, just most of them.

THE REDS

Juan Gil

A Spanish red wine from the Jumilla region made from mourvedre grapes. Honestly, EASILY one my favorite wine for under $15. The one wine I keep by the case.

Price: $12

Bodega Caro Amancaya

An Argentinian wine that is a blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec made by the powerhouse duo Rothschild (Lafite) and Nicolas Catena.

Price: $15

Morgante Nero D’Avola

A nice affordable Italian red made from the nero d’avola grapes.

Price: $13

Ravenswood Petite Sirah

Forget that the grape has the word petite in it, these grapes make wine that pack a punch and have enormous taste and are full bodied. This particular one is a good bargain, entry level petite sirah. Better than Bogle and some other less than $10 bottles I have tried.

Price: $9

Nederberg Pinotage

A South African wine made from a grape varietal that is a blend of pinot noir and cinsault. Most balk at this grape and think it cannot produce good wine. Sometimes they are right, this one is an exception.

Price: $10

Atteca Old Vines

A Spanish red wine made from Grenache grapes from older vines. Great price, great taste, nuff said.

Price: $13

Ex Libris Cabernet Sauvignon

A cab from Washington St. Napa and Sonoma cabs are great, but good ones tend to cost $20 if not $30 nowadays. Great quality at sub $20 prices can be found in Wash St.

Price: $18

Tait Ball Buster

Either the best or worst name for a wine EVER. One thing is for sure, this wine is not for the feint of heart as its big, bold, inky and everything Australia gets a reputation of being. Mostly shiraz with some cab and merlot thrown in. I loved this wine when it was $15, now it’s closer to $20. I still love it.

Price: $20

Taja Jumilla Reserve

Another Spanish red that consists of mourvedre, cab, tempronillo, and merlot. One of the better bargains out there for a well made wine.

Price: $11

Chateau Boucasse

Made from the highly tannic (mouthpuckering) tannat grape in the Madiran region of France. A different wine that is very dark (almost black) and dry. Almost flat tasting, but in a good way.

Price: $14

Worthy Sophie’s Cuvee

A winery owned by a Greek gentleman named Gus Kalaris. His 1st tier wine is called ‘Axios’, the Greek word for worthy. His 2nd tier wine he just named ‘Worthy’ and is a red blend of most likely cab, merlot, and maybe cab franc. I figured I’d make my parents proud and support this Greek gentleman’s dream and bring one to Easter. His 1st tier wine retails for $125 and is highly rated.

Price: $26

Katogi Averoff Purple Earth

In the same vein of being national and Greek, I decided I may bring this wine made from the 2 most popular Greek indigenous red grapes: Agiorgitiko (St George) and Xinomavro (translated to bitter black). I know nothing about this wine except that it is an interesting blend and I’d like to try it. 

Price: $19

Firestone Vineyard Reserve Santa Ynez Valley merlot

Oh my, did he just pick a merlot?? Yes, I did! Although I have never had this I expect it to taste fine and be enjoyable. The damn Hollywood movie Sideways ruined people’s opinion of merlot and increased the general population’s viewpoint of pinot noir. I am sure this isn’t news to anyone, but it is rather silly. A side note, one of the better wines I have had in the last 6 months was a merlot from Napa (the name escapes me now). Interesting tidbit, Chateau Petrus 2005 from Bordeax, France retails for $4000 a bottle and is 100% merlot! While this doesn’t cost anything significant we should not shun merlot, well, not until we taste this wine at least and if it sucks, well, then we can shun it.

Price: $19

Douro (no specific bottle picked yet)

I wanted to bring a Portugese red from the Douro region of Portugal as an example of great red wine at awesome value. Portugal is world reknown for its sweet Port wines and only in recent years is starting to gain recognition in its dry red wines.

Price: $15ish

THE WHITES

Hawk Crest Chardonnay

A 2nd label to the fantastic Stag’s Leap winey, this is a great middle of the road chard.

Price: $10

Pinot Grigio (no specific one yet)

One of my least favorite varietals as it is too dry and gives me major headaches while drinking them. I am sure someone will ask for one so I might as well have it available. I am sure there are good ones out there, but at this point my focus is reds and Cali Chards for my next article.

Price: $10

[Jono]

Great post...I will definitely look for some....especially the Spanish and Italian Reds. I printed the list off for taking with me on a trip to the liqour store.

[Jono]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97DO5IG3&show_article=1

World wine consumption falls for 1st time in years

> Slight drop....down 0.8 percent.

I have not seen Brazilian wines...but it appears their acreage is increasing quite rapidly....not sure what elevations they are growing at...Chile and Argentina have Andean elevations.

http://www.stratsplace.com/maps/brazil.html

They appear to be coastal low elevation areas......it just does seem like

wine country.

http://www.chiff.com/wine/s-america/brazil.htm

"Brazil is not all rain forest, beaches and bossa nova - its sheer size extends down to more temperate climates far from the Equator, where the climate is cooler - and drier!

Here is where Italian immigrants began the modern-day wine growing industry in Brazil in the 1880's to grow the crop into a major industry.

Today, most vines continue to grow well below the tropical north and do best in what is now the largest growing region, the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil's southernmost state.

The main wineries are: Miolo, Casa Valduga and Cave do Amadeu, producing wine from European Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grapes. Learn more about Brazilian wines at top Web resources that tell the tale ..."

[Sijan]

I also really like the Juan Gil and the Morgante Nero d'Avola. Friend of mine buys a lot of the Juan Gil. WA recently gave the 2006 vintage 91 points.

[Vange]

I just finished my case of the 05, I will be buying a case of the 06.

As long as its on par with the 05 I will be happy.

[OscarV]

I had a very good wine last Saturday.

Le Roc des Anges 2002.

I grilled up some lamb rib-cutlets, made a Greek salad and some basmati rice.

It was a very warming wine and both the food and wine complemented each other.

I highly recommend it.

[augustgarage]

Today I'm having:

Koiné 2004 - an inexpensive ($7.99) dry red wine made in Puglia, Italy from Aglianico grapes. It is tart but this is balanced by an earthy quality that lingers on into the finish with a hint of something like wild mushrooms. Would pair well with a simple rustic meal.

[Vange]

The 06 Juan Gil is not as good as the 05 Juan Gil. Iit's still decent, just not as good.

Anyway, I did have a really nice wine recently. Numanthia Termes 2006 is a Spanish red made from tempranillo. I got it for $20, but it seems to go anywhere from 20-30.

[dean_martin]

For the past 2 years or so my wife and I have been on a wines of north Georgia kick. I know - it has surprised me too.

temps have been creeping into the 90s here so I was ready for a chilled white wine. Traminette from Crane Creek for me and my wife's favorite Persimmon Creek Riesling were very nice over the weekend.

other Georgia favorites we've found:

Reds

Touche from Frog Town

Propaganda from Frog Town

Instinct 2006 from Wolf Mountain

Whites

Inclination from Frog Town

Plenitude from Wolf Mountain

[Sijan]

Emily and I actually visited this winery on the slopes of Mont Ventoux in early June while on our honeymoon. We enjoyed all of the wines we tasted and brought back a bottle of the '06 Quintessence. I now have a half case of the '07 Les Terrasses on order from a local shop - can be had at very good prices right now and recently got a 90/91 pt rating from one of the major wine publications, I believe.

I think I screwed up, its from Luberon not Ventoux.

Its this bottling. I had the 06 I am pretty sure.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=366280

Orange label.

The artemia, quintessence, and terrasses are all great as well. Terrasses is a bargain too while the other 2 are higher priced.

[Sijan]

I went to school at Berry College near Rome (and was just down there a few weekends ago) - tasted anything from around there?

For the past 2 years or so my wife and I have been on a wines of north Georgia kick. I know - it has surprised me too.

temps have been creeping into the 90s here so I was ready for a chilled white wine. Traminette from Crane Creek for me and my wife's favorite Persimmon Creek Riesling were very nice over the weekend.

other Georgia favorites we've found:

Reds

Touche from Frog Town

Propaganda from Frog Town

Instinct 2006 from Wolf Mountain

Whites

Inclination from Frog Town

Plenitude from Wolf Mountain

[Sijan]

As I posted in another thread, I have really been enjoying the Snoqualimie Riesling Winemaker's Select 2007, a very pleasant off-dry to semi-sweet (but very drinkable with nice acidity) that I was able to find at Wal-Mart for $6/bottle. Wine Spectator gave it 88 pts. My wife and mother like it a lot too (and are in fact what spurred my purchase of a case).

According to today's Wine Spectator Advance, Wine Spectator will be awarding 87 pts to the 2008 bottling in the September 30, 2009 issue:

Snoqualmie Riesling Columbia Valley Winemaker’s Select 2008 • $8

Soft and light, this is sweet enough to make the melon and citrus flavors feel rich, but the tang on the finish keeps it in balance. Drink now.—H.S.

I suspect that there is little difference between the 2007 and 2008 bottlings of the Snoqualmie Winemaker's Select Riesling (although there is a fairly marked difference between the Winemaker's Select bottling and the slightly more expensive "Naked" organic bottling, which is notably drier.)

[Vange]

Not sure if anyone follows wine blogs/wine forums but a major critic is under fire recently for some bad ratings. I personally never liked this person's overrating of wine (always 5-6 pts higher than other critics), but the saga is interesting as its one thing after the other with this guy.

[Vange]

Not sure if anyone follows wine blogs/wine forums but a major critic is under fire recently for some bad ratings. I personally never liked this person's overrating of wine (always 5-6 pts higher than other critics), but the saga is interesting as its one thing after the other with this guy.

I wont call the critic out as I dont want to be a basher, but if you search the web its obvious and "all over".

[Sijan]

I don't, but am intrigued. Who...? What blogs/forums should I check out?

[Vange]

Ill just post this

Warning 20 pages of threads here plus more at other sites

http://www.wineberserkers.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7441

[Sijan]

Wow, that's VERY interesting. That specific wine - the 2005 Sierra Carche - is what made me lose faith in Jay Miller's reviews. See my CellarTracker review of this wine, which I think was the first review up on CT for the wine. Even my 87 was perhaps a bit high, on anticipation that the wine might have just been closed and could improve with aging (as well as some possible self-denial over having purchased a half case of plonk at $30/btl). I have not revisited the wine and have it tucked away in the furthest corner of my cellar for 5+ years of aging as it was so raw and "closed" that I assumed it must need a LOT of time to get anywhere near 90+ points.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=520947

6/23/2008 rated 87 points: </I>Puzzled by Jay Miller's 96 point rating for this wine in Wine Advocate. Wine was very dry and acidic, reminded me of a dry Italian red. Blend is apparently 50% Monastrell (Mourvedre), 25% Malbec, and 25% Petit Verdot, but I wouldn't have been able to guess any of that blind. Would have guessed something like a dry, oak-aged Sangiovese.

I got the oak, pencil lead, and perhaps the tar notes on this wine, but I did not get the berry or fruit notes described by Miller and other reviewers. Did not strike me as full-bodied, but rather light-to-medium bodied and fairly acidic. Went better with food - paired ok with pizza. I generally like Spanish reds, and I found this reasonably complex and quite drinkable but not strongly appealing - perhaps it just isn't my preferred style of wine.

Am wondering if heat could have been a factor, as this was recently shipped to me in the summer, albeit during a relatively cool week where temps should have only reached into the high 70s. Or perhaps it is just closed right now. I am hoping that either this will improve with age or that my palate was just off last night, as I picked up a half case of this stuff on the Parker score and relatively low ($30) price. (2162 views)

[Vange]

I bought 4 bottles of this junk because "someone" told me it was like Clio. HA! Not even close. I agree with your score of 87. Nowhere near worth $30.

This is only the latest in the JSM saga. Not sure if you heard abut all the paid trips to Australia, Spain, etc?

[Jono]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091021115013.htm

Scientific Basis The 'Golden Rule' Of Pairing Wines And Foods

"The scientists are reporting that the unpleasant, fishy aftertaste noticeable when consuming red wine with fish results from naturally occurring iron in red wine."

There are exceptions to the rule...low iron reds.

[Gillman]

After some 6000 plus posts from me, there is always a new twist: a red wine I like. Scott Cellars Pinot Noir, 2006 from Santa Maria Valley, CA. A rich yet dry wine, with a lovely soft flavour. It has the pencil lead the wine geeks speak of, that and some fine wood and vegetal notes in support. Classy stuff. I drink red wine perhaps 6 times per year.

Gary

[Gillman]

I should add, that I did not mean to suggest I do not like red wine, I do. I meant that I only occasionally drink it.

Gary

[Vange]

As oposed to Gary, I probably drink 2 bottles per week although I am sure he has me beat in the bourbon consumption.. I guess it helps that my wife really enjoys wine so we can crack a bottle and enjoy it together.

Side note: Its really amazing to me how the movie Sideways made Pinot Noir such the sought after grape as opposed to how it crushed the sales of merlot. Its silly to me though,as most Bordeaux (which is highly sought after as well) is either primarily merlot or cab sauv (Petrus Pmoeral is 100% merlot and the 05 retails for $3000ish) with the rest being cab franc, petite verdot, and/or malbec.

I have always liked Pinot Noir, but my palate typically craves big, tannic, thicker wines and pinot noir's softer nature cannot satisfy that. Petite Sirahs are on my preferred varietal right now.

One well priced Pinot Noir I keep on hand is from Oregon, Owen Roe Sharecropper's Pinot Noir.

As for merlot, I have 4-5 cases worth of 2005 Bordeaux aging gracefully with merlot blended into many of those wines.