23 February 2012 2010 Arnaldo Caprai Grecante Grechetto Colli Martani

2010 Arnaldo Caprai Grecante Grechetto Colli Martani

February 23, 2012 By

I had the pleasure of sipping this wine last week, first, paired with oysters on the half shell, then, with seared halibut atop risotto.  This grape was new to me and I loved it both as an aperitif and as a food-friendly wine.  Think – unoaked Chardonnay meets Sauvignon Blanc.

In the glass, it is golden yellow and just very pretty.  On the nose, it offers bright floral, fruity notes.  On the palate, there are layers of ripe honeydew melon, peach and papaya matched with a nice level of acidity.  The finish is long and dry.

At this price point, it is a great white that everyone will enjoy.

Pairings:  Sauteed halibut or cod. Raw oysters, clams or mussels.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Grechetto

Region: Umbria, Italy

Around $20

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

 

Filed Under: Grechetto, Italy, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
13 February 2012 2008 Maison Faiveley Bourgogne Blanc

2008 Maison Faiveley Bourgogne Blanc

February 13, 2012 By

The pale yellow color of this French Burgundy is deceiving.  On the nose, it shows bright lemony and freshly cut grass aromas.  In the mouth, it’s bright and crisp with Meyer lemon and Asian pear flavors.

Pairings:  Salmon tartare, sauteed white-flesh fish, white pizza.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Chardonnay

Region: Burgundy, France

Around $19

 

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
11 February 2012 2009 Blufeld Riesling Medium Sweet

2009 Blufeld Riesling Medium Sweet

February 11, 2012 By

Did I have high expectations from a wine from an ornate bright blue bottle?  Not really.  Was I pleasantly surprised when I got a taste?  Yes.

This inexpensive German Riesling offers juicy ripe apple and floral notes on the nose that got me excited to take a first sip.  In the mouth, it’s moderately sweet with a mouthful of peach and a pleasant level of acidy to balance out the sweetness.

Pairings: Tuna sashimi, raw oysters, blackened shrimp or chicken.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Riesling

Region: Mosel, Germany

Around $10

 

 

Filed Under: Germany, Riesling, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
11 February 2012 2010 Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier

2010 Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier

February 11, 2012 By

Laurent Miquel produces Viognier exclusively and from sipping this affordable little number, I’d say he knows what he’s doing.

On the nose, it’s hugely fragrant with lots of intense floral notes jumping out of the glass.  In the mouth, it continues on the floral path with ripe pear and peach flavors.

Pairings:  Raw oysters or clams.  Bouillabaisse.  Pork chops.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Viognier

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Around $12

 

Filed Under: France, Viognier, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
8 February 2012 2008 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

2008 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

February 8, 2012 By

Beautifully-made Napa Cabernet.  Deep purple in the glass, this wine displays a deep berry, very fragrant nose in the glass.  In the mouth, it’s rich and well-balanced with plummy qualities and traces of coffee and cocoa.

Wish I could put a couple cases in my cellar to drink in 10 years.

Pairings:  Grilled beef. Cheese course.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Napa Valley, California

Around $60

 

 

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
7 February 2012 2005 Quinta da Gaivosa Lordelo Tinto Douro

2005 Quinta da Gaivosa Lordelo Tinto Douro

February 7, 2012 By

One super wine.  It’s big and bold yet refined.  Made from 100 year-old vines, this wine tastes of jammy sweet red fruit with deep earthy flavors and fine tannins.

If you ever have the chance to sample this Portuguese wine from the Douro region, jump at it.

Pairings:  Grilled beef or lamb.  Pasta with red sauce.  Macaroni and cheese.

Style: Red

Grape Type(s): Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela, Sousao

Region: Douro, Portugal

Around $80

 

 

Filed Under: Portugal, Red Wine, Sousao, Tinta Amarela, Touriga Nacional, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
3 February 2012 2009 Pascal Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnes

2009 Pascal Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnes

February 3, 2012 By

Domaine Pascal Cotat

The pale green color of this wine in the glass is a little deceiving to what this rich wine tastes like.  On the nose, it’s an explosion of tropical fruit.  In the mouth, it’s opulent with juicy grapefruit, lime and papaya. Nice mineral levels that complement the lushness of this Sancerre. This wine has a 14.5% alcohol level and can improve with some cellaring.

Style: White

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Loire Valley, France

Around $50

 

 

Filed Under: Dessert Wine, France, Sauvignon Blanc, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , ,
21 November 2011 2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

2010 Merry Edwards Russian River Sauvignon Blanc

November 21, 2011 By

Yes, I’m continuing my homage to Merry Edwards, but this time, it is not Pinot Noir I’m clamoring about, it is Merry’s delicious 2010 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc.

On the nose, this wine is floral with a ton of tropical fruit notes.  On the palate, there is pink grapefruit, Meyer lemons, a drizzle of honey and Asian pear.

The wine’s six month fermentation in seasoned French oak barrels created a Sauvignon Blanc with real backbone and depth.  This isn’t a pale, watery Sauvignon Blanc made to be sipped as an aperitif on a hot summer day.  It’s a rich, well-balanced, bright wine that is wonderful paired with fish or seafood but can also hold its own with spicy dishes.

Super wine for fans of Gewürztraminer and dry Riesling.  A bit of a splurge for some Sauvignon Blanc drinkers, but certainly worth every penny.

Style: White Wine

Grape Type(s): Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque

Region: Russian River Valley / Sonoma, CA

Around $30

Filed Under: Sauvignon Blanc, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,
17 November 2011 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir

2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir

November 17, 2011 By

I simply love this wine.  It’s not easy to come by in New Jersey, where I live, but when I’ve been able to secure a few bottles, I’ve enjoyed it tremendously.

The 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir is dark ruby in the glass and pretty full-bodied for a California pinot noir.  On the nose, there’s a ton of dark raspberries with notes of nutmeg and clove.  On the palate, it’s all about ripe cherries with lots of earthiness, cherry cola, allspice and notes of mocha.  The finish is long and silky/velvety.  Just a perfect wine paired with roast chicken, wild mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.

Tantara Winery is a smaller producer and only about 200 cases of this little gem were produced, so get your hands on a bottle and enjoy.  Read about my love of Tantara here.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Central Coast, CA

Around $50

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
16 November 2011 2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

November 16, 2011 By

I have had the opportunity to visit Merry Edwards’ beautiful vineyard and tasting room and can say she makes some of my favorite pinot noirs.  At a recent dinner party, I served the 2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir to the pleasure of my guests.

This wine is dark ruby in the glass.  On the nose, it’s pure Russian River pinot noir – ripe, dark berries with layers of earthiness and peppery notes.   On the palate, it’s rich, velvety with tons of juicy cherries.  The finish is long, elegant and silky.

If you don’t want to splurge on one of Merry’s single vineyard wines, this is an amazing wine at this price point.

Style: Red Wine

Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Russian River Valley / Sonoma, CA

Around $45

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, Red Wine, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,
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