Here I sit relaxing and enjoying a nice glass of La Cana 2011 Albarino ($13) from the Rias Baixas region in Spain. This is fermented 80% in stainless steel and 20% in French oak. Light and crisp the aroma is pineapple and herbaceous with a touch of smokiness. The flavor is a hint of minerality with a long finish of lemon tartness that grabs the back sides of my tongue. Light acidity. Very enjoyable.
Winemaker's Notes: Pineapple, lemon, seashell and salt scents carry through on the pure, silky palate. Finishes very long with brilliant acidity, rich citrus fruit flavors, fine minerals and just the slightest touch of almond. Absolutely delicious.
For those of you who enjoy sweet wines, here's another one to consider ... two days in a row. Saturday the distributor tasting with me had Salvatore Principe Mi Amore Sparkling Moscato ($11) from Italy. It is 100% Moscato. If you enjoy a sweet Moscato and bubbles then this wine is for you. A very fruity aroma and flavor. The winemaker's notes are are spot on. Perfect for the hot summer weather. This sold very well.
Winemaker's Notes: Salvatore Princicpe "Mi Amore" Sparkling Moscato is sweet and delicious with juicy flavors and aromas of fresh apricots, peaches, and honeysuckle. Pairs well with salads, fresh fruit, spicy Latin or Asian dishes or mixed with orange juice for a mimosa.
While I was doing my tasting Saturday another distributor was tasting out Salvatore Principe Rosso Dolce ($8) from Italy and 100% Lambrusco. Since this was a new in the store, and customers do ask about sweet red wines, I had to taste it. (Okay sure, just another excuse to taste wine.) The flavor was semi-sweet (not sweet like a Moscato) and cranberry or slightly tart cherry. This was frizzante. If you're interested in a sweet red wine then I suggest this. For $8 its worth a try. From what I could see it seemed to be selling well.
Winemaker's Notes: Salvatore Principe Dolce Rosso is a soft red wine that tickles the tongue with flavors of black cherry and plum, finishing with a touch of sweetness. Serve slightly chilled. Pairs well with on its own, mild cheeses, pasta dishes or cold cuts.
I was in the mood for Pinot Noir the other night and for some reason I had it in my head that it had to be from Oregon. So I purchased Firesteed Pinot Noir.
Firesteed 2009 Pinot Noir is from Oregon. This is fermented in stainless steel tanks and under goes malolactic fermentation with some oak aging. It had a delectable aroma of cedar and cocoa. On my palate the flavors were light berry with smoke and leather. Quite enjoyable while I was relaxing and cooking dinner.
Winemaker's Notes: Garnet in color with aromas of raspberries, cedar, leather and exotic spices, the wine's berry and cherry flavors are framed by soft tannins and continue throughout its on the lingering finish. Grapes for this wine, as in previous years, were sourced from throughout the Willamette, Umpqua, Rogue and Walla Walla Valleys, creating a truly Oregon blend.
If you're looking for an enjoyable, refreshing wine for sipping on the back deck, or pairing with a light meal, then you have to try Lagosta Vinho Verde ($8) from Portgual. Made from 20% Arinto, 30% Trajadura, 30% Loureiro, and 20% Azal (varietals traditionally used in Vinho Verde and indigenous to Portugal) this Vinho Verde has the most flavor of any Vinho Verde I've ever tasted. Light body and frizzante, the flavor is mild green apple and (what I though was) a hint of citrus on my palate. This is the perfect summer wine. Enjoy!
Winemaker's Notes: Lagosta Vinho Verde has the highest level of CO2 permitted for a Vinho Verde, maintains the natural flavors and aromas of green apples, pears and flowers, as well as preserving its natural acidity. Pairs well with pasta, salads, fish or on its own.
Last weekend I tasted out Predator 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel ($14) from Lodi, California. I enjoy old vine Zinfandels especially when they are from Lodi, Amador, or Paso Robles.
Predator 2011 Old Vine Zinfandel has an inviting berry aroma. On my palate it was smoke with a hint of chocolate. After it had a chance to breath the flavor developed where it changed to black pepper. The tannins also became slightly more noticeable. Nicely balanced. Customers enjoyed this wine and it sold very well. Perfect for grilling and a great steak.
Winemaker's Notes: (Not available)
I've been sidetracked, yet again, in reviewing wine. However, I have not been sidetracked from tasting wine. For a while I was pouring the same old, same old. Finally new wines are coming in to the store. One of the latest wines I've tasted out is Chateau Ste. Michelle's Eroica.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Eroica ($20) is 100% Riesling from Washington state. It is a collaborative effort between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen (Germany). Both wonderful Riesling producers in their own rights. Eroica combines new world (Chateau Ste. Michelle) and old world (Dr. Loosen) styles using Washington state grapes. I found the aroma floral and fruity. On my palate I tasted peach (more so than mandarin orange - see Winemaker's Notes below), minerality, and a hint of citrus. Enjoyable. Customers also enjoyed this wine. However, I will admit that for $20 I do not find Eroica any more enjoyable than Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling or Dr. Loosen Rielsing (I have been enjoying both for years) and these are half the price. If you want to splurge then try Eroica. If it's not in your budget, then try the Riesling from the individual winemakers. Which ever you purchase you will not be sorry.
Winemaker's Notes: The 2010 Eroica Riesling exudes mandarin orange and sweet lime aromas and flavors with subtle mineral notes. The mouth-watering acidity is beautifully balanced by flavorful Washington Riesling fruit. After a more than a decade we have truly found our “Eroica style,” striving for beautiful bright fruit with crisp acidity and enhanced mineralilty. Pairs well with Asian dishes, Indian curries, crab, and scallops.
Note: As an aside this collaborative effort was also used to produce Saint M using German grapes. I have not had a current vintage, but did taste this a few years ago. I must admit that when I tasted it I did not find it to be as enjoyable as Eroica or their other Rieslings.
