Tuesday, May 29, 2007

2004 Regis Minet Pouilly Fume – Vielles Vignes (France – Loire Valley)

Straw yellow in color. You’d especially know the color if you’ve spent any time on a farm pitching hay. Not that I have that much experience. Very floral nose with a lot going on. Honey suckle and definitely some other floral note I can’t quite pinpoint. Light lemon citrus underneath. Soft texture with a light touch of acidity which works very well with this wine. Medium long finish with another hint of that lemon.

Purchased at Brooklyn Wine Exchange for $20.

Friday, May 18, 2007

1994 Bovio Borolo – Vinga Arabrina (Italy-Piedmont)

Ruby red color. Very spicy on the nose with notes of nutmeg and light hints of cedar with the last bits of primary fruit peeping through. Notably cherry mixed in with some spice. Medium bodied with a medium long finish and a tannic, chewy grip. It just does not last that long.

This is a B grade wine whose time has come to drink up. Originally purchased from Pascal’s Liquor Square in Syracuse for approximately $25 as a gift to one of my groomsmen at my wedding.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

2000 Chateau L’Enclos (Bordeaux–Pomerol)

Brick red in color. Rasberry aroma at first that fades into the background revealing a more woodsy/earthy characteristic with dark fruit and tabac. Dry with a tannic feel to it. Medium long finish but overall a little hallow on the palate.

B- wine that was part of a Wine.com club shipment.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

1993 Zilliken – Saarburger Rausch – Riesling Spatlese (Germany – Mosel-Saar-Ruwar)

This is another fine example of that can happen when you put some age on an affordable bottle of wine that can stand time in the cellar. Rieslings are known to be able to do that and if this is what I have to look forward to with some of the bottles I have in my cellar…

Straw colored with a primarily lime scented nose mixed in with a little apricot and some lingering floral notes. There’s also honeysuckle and just a whiff of petrol. It has a perfect touch of acidity with a citrus-lime taste along with a little bit of melon. Ends with a long lingering finish.

A standout A+ wine that I purchased for a mere $20 from Crush. A testament that there are affordable, phenomenal wines out there for a really good price. You just have to do your homework or at the least, make sure you are one some store e-mail lists!

Sunday, May 06, 2007

2005 Beckman – Le Bec Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)

Beckman Vineyards is in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County and this wine is a Rhone blend of Rousanne, Marsanne & Grenache Blanc.

It’s light golden colored with lovely aromatics of cloves and apricots along with lighter hints of citrus, nutmeg and caramel. The nutmeg, clove and caramel also come on in the taste with a dash of lemon peel. It’s a medium to full bodied wine with a long finish.

Overall a food solid B wine what’s a great example of some of the Rhone blends currently being made in Central California. This bottle was $20 from Chelsea Wine Vault and worth picking up a bottle.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

1998 Montiano – Falesco (Italy–Lazio)

Falesco's Montiano. One of the finest Merlot wines I've ever had. I love re-tasting good wines and there is a reason why this is one of my favorites!

Dark garnet in color with a wonderful earthy aroma. Lots of underbrush. Blueberry. Blackberry. Currant. Notes of tar. Tabac leaf. Red currant to add just a bit of brightness to it. Smooth and silky texture with fine tannins that lead to a nice long finish. (At this point Tahirih chimes in with “Forest floor… Gooseberry… Brambleberry…” Is she making fun of me?!)

This is an A+ wine at its peak. Too bad it’s my last bottle.