Monthly Archives: September 2008

Value Chardonnay

Posted on September 17, 2008 by RJ

Verget, Macon-Vergisson, “La Roche” 2006 Lots of fresh ripe red apples in the nose – you can taste them in your mouth with a nice tang of acidity in this light-bodied wine. From Jean-Marie Guffen, whose Chardonnays have been a … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Chardonnay, France, Macon, Macon-Vergisson | 2 Comments

Lagrein

Posted on September 16, 2008 by RJ

Cantina Terlano, Alto Adige, Gries, Lagrein, Riserva DOC 2004 This is still a baby with ample structure and notes of tar and earth. There’s a sense in which this reminds me of a young and reductive Northern Rhone Syrah. Let … Continue reading →

Posted in Alto Adige, Italy, Lagrein | 2 Comments

Barbolini Lambrusco Seco

Posted on September 16, 2008 by RJ

Barbolini, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Lancillotto, Frizzante, Secco nv There’s a delightful fresh grapy character in the nose. In the mouth there is lively black fruit and a sense of the skins, the tannin showing itself. Serve this along side … Continue reading →

Posted in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Lambrusco | Tagged | Leave a comment

Going east in Italy

Posted on September 16, 2008 by RJ

Bastianich, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Tocai Friulano DOC 2006 Herbaceous with a sense of canned vegetables, lowish in acidity with a creamy character – disappointingly low in concentration. Estate bottled in Cividale del Fruili 13% $18.00 at Traverso’s Bastianich, Venezia … Continue reading →

Posted in Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friulano, Italy, Refosco, Rosé, Venezia Giulia | Leave a comment

Piemonte specialty

Posted on September 16, 2008 by RJ

Banfi, Rosa Regali, Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG 2007 This ’07 is perfectly fresh with plenty of flowers and fresh strawberries. Serve this with fresh berries after dinner to match the sweetness. The ’05 tasted one year ago was sweet and with … Continue reading →

Posted in Brachetto, Brachetto d'Acqui, Italy, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet | Tagged | Leave a comment

Wet your appetite

Posted on September 16, 2008 by RJ

Cinzano, Vermouth Rosso nv This has proved to be a good value vermouth, not with the intensity of those of Carpano or Quady, but the price is right when you’re on a budget; it’s also more widely available. You could … Continue reading →

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Chenin shines

Posted on September 15, 2008 by RJ

Leo Steen Dry Creek Valley Saini Farms Chenin Blanc 2007 This wine was excellent in ’06 and even better this time around. There is the mineral nerve that we associate with Savennieres and the ripeness of fruit that we associate … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chenin Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Italy, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Tasty treats in the Russian River

Posted on September 12, 2008 by RJ

Dutton Estate Every Friday through the end of September and most of October, Cynthia Newcomb at the Dutton Estate is creating a special dish to pair with one of the wines on offer in the tasting room. When I visited … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

A honeymooner

Posted on September 11, 2008 by RJ

Stone Hill, Hermann, Estate Bottled, Norton 2005 The nose features the smells of black fruit, compost, tar, cinamon and floral notes like violets. There’s equally a vast medley of flavors on the palate with plenty of backbone. The tannin and … Continue reading →

Posted in Hermann, Missouri, Norton | Leave a comment

On your mark…

Posted on September 11, 2008 by RJ

Marques de Caceres, Rioja, Reserva DOC 2000 The house style is soft and oaky with an appropriate acidic frame. The 2000 at this stage, 8 years on smells delightful; there’s sweet vanilla, earth and some stewed, evolving fruit and veg. … Continue reading →

Posted in Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo | Leave a comment