17 July 2012 2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

July 17, 2012 By

I enjoy Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon and when I was invited to go camping (yes, in a luxury RV, but camping nonetheless) I opted to bring the 2005 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with the prime rib eye steaks I was contributing to the festivities.

In the glass, this Alexander Valley wine is deep crimson.  The nose is intensely of dark fruit, pumpkin pie spice, tobacco and black licorice.  In the mouth, it’s jammy, smooth and velvety with ripe berry, vanilla and toasted oak notes.  The finish is medium in length with some pleasing tannins.

A wine to treat yourself to when you buy the very best steaks for the grill.

Pairings:  Grilled prime beef.  Cheese course.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Alexander Valley, California, USA

Around $60

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, United States Tagged With: , , , , , ,
30 June 2012 2009 Tamaya Reserva Carmenere

2009 Tamaya Reserva Carmenere

June 30, 2012 By

Had this Chilean wine at a wine dinner at Morris Tap & Grill and really enjoyed its boldness and food-friendliness.

On the nose, the 2009 Tamaya Reserva Carmenere offers potent aromas of ripe raspberries with spicy and coffee notes.  On the palate, it’s a huge mouthful of rich, concentrated dark berries with a long spicy/peppery finish.

Pairings:  Grilled beef or lamb.  Sharp cheese dishes.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Carmenere

Region: Limari Valley, Chile

Around $10

 

Filed Under: Carmenere, Chile, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
27 June 2012 2002 Chateau Preuillac Cru Bourgeois Medoc

2002 Chateau Preuillac Cru Bourgeois Medoc

June 27, 2012 By

Paired this French Bordeaux with rare roasted duck and it was a nice pairing.  In the glass, it’s brick red in color.  The nose is an appealing blend of plum, coffee and leather.  In the mouth, the stone fruit comes through along with vanilla and mocha notes.  Medium finish with softened tannins.

Pairings:  Grilled or roasted beef or duck.  Cheesy dishes.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): 50% Merlot, 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc

Region: Bordeaux / Medoc, France

Around $25

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, France, Merlot, Red Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
26 June 2012 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro

2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro

June 26, 2012 By

Bright purplish ruby in the glass, this affordable Italian wine has a ripe dark fruit nose laced with spiced notes.  In the mouth, it’s round with a nice balance of rich dark fruit and chocolate with good acidity.

Had this 2007 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Fattoria Del Cerro paired with rare duck and it was a nice pairing.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or pork, cheese course, mushroom risotto.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo Nero

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $20

 

Filed Under: Italy, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
19 June 2012 2009 Castello Di Camigliano Rosso di Montalcino

2009 Castello Di Camigliano Rosso di Montalcino

June 19, 2012 By

Paired this Tuscan wine with my cheese course at a recent dinner party and it matched up well.  Lighter and fruitier than its counterpart, Brunello di Montalcino, this wine didn’t overwhelm the mild soft cheeses and stood up to the stinkier, riper ones.

In the glass, the 2009 Castello Di Camigliano Rosso di Montalcino is vibrant red and it offers bright fruit on the nose.  In the mouth, it’s well-balanced with a dark berry mixed with mushroomy/earthy flavors.  Meant to be drunk young, this affordable wine can be served on a Tuesday night with pizza or at a party with more complex dishes.

Pairings:  Grilled chicken or pork, cheese course, pasta with red sauce.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Sangiovese

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Around $22

 

Filed Under: Italy, Red Wine, Sangiovese, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
14 June 2012 2009 Sigalas Winery Assyrtiko

2009 Sigalas Winery Assyrtiko

June 14, 2012 By

I enjoyed this delicious Greek wine at Kellari Taverna in Manhattan with perfectly grilled octopus.

In the glass, this wine is a lovely golden color.  On the nose, this Assyrtiko offer clean, citrusy aromas.  In the mouth, it’s crisp with tropical fruit and Meyer lemon flavors.  Well balanced wine that’s perfect for summer grilling but can hold up to heartier dishes.

Pairings:  Seafood, grilled fish.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Assyrtiko

Region: Santorini, Greece

Around $20

 

Filed Under: Assyrtiko, Greece, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
2 June 2012 Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV

Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV

June 2, 2012 By

I got this bottle to pop open at my mom’s 65th birthday celebration.  What could be more festive than Champagne on a milestone birthday?

On the nose, this French Champagne offers apple, vanilla, yeasty aromas.  In the mouth, this wine is creamy with a big mouthful of tiny bubbles.  The finish is buttery and a little smoky.  Just delicious and way better than other Champagnes at this price point.

Pairings:  Lobster, fish, foie gras.

Style: Champagne

Grape Type(s): 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier and 40% Chardonnay

Region: Reims / Champagne, France

Around $40

 

Filed Under: France, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
1 June 2012 2008 Wyndham Estate BIN 555 Shiraz

2008 Wyndham Estate BIN 555 Shiraz

June 1, 2012 By

I’d had this bottle for a while and when I planned a casual grilled steak dinner for Memorial Day weekend, I opted to open it for my guests.

In the glass, the wine is bright ruby with some violet hues. Very pretty.  On the nose, there are aromas of stone fruit with a little coffee and chocolate and some spiced notes.  On the palate, this rich Australian Shiraz is big with dark cherry flavor and plummy chewiness laced with clove and nutmeg.

Pairings:  Grilled steaks, meat lasagna.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Syrah

Region: South Eastern Australia

Around $10

 

Filed Under: Australia, Red Wine, Syrah / Shiraz, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
5 May 2012 2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier

2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier

May 5, 2012 By

Summer’s coming and when you’re craving a crisp, light white wine that’s more floral and complex than Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, there’s Viognier.

The 2010 Domaine des Salices Viognier offers a classic Viognier nose – floral, lemony and fresh.  On the palate, it basically tastes like it smells but with lime and a little ground clove on the finish.  Bright, crisp and pretty tasty for a $12 wine.

Pairings:  Lightly sautéed sole / halibut / sea bass, grilled scallops.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Viognier

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Around $12

 

Filed Under: France, Viognier, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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: , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »