Was lucky enough to get this for an amazing deal. Stay tuned for a review…
Is that BACON in my wine?
Well…not exactly. But in certain wines from the Rhône region of France, this Southern girl goes into la la land of Sunday mornings with bacon frying and biscuits in the oven. Actually…any and every memory involving those strips of decadence…
2007 Domaine Bouletin Vacqueyras: Smoked bacon (or pancetta), dry rub, violets, chunky earth, and pepper dominate. Good tannic structure. This is no light hearted wine. Packed with aromas and flavors, and a nice medium mouthfeel, this is an inexpensive way to experience the depth Rhône wines can achieve. (As an obsessed disciple of the Northern Rhône wines Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, I love the heartiness of this Vacqueyras.)
And at $15.99, it is an insanely delicious deal. I think of the grocery-store range of unsatisfying domestic offerings at this price point, and I shudder. Soapbox moment: This is a wonderful example of why smaller, more artisanal-minded wine shops should be your marketplace. (You can find this yummy pleasure at Holiday Wines in Escondido, CA.)
So get out there folks. Be brave. Try wines that you can’t pronounce. Do it because I said so.
CHEERS!
Dinner with the Pope…
Well, not exactly… But thanks to Pope Clement of yore, I can now happily enjoy an delicious wine called Châteauneuf-du-Pape. An everchanging mingling of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and other qualified grapes, it can be one of the most refined, yet approachable wines on the planet.
Being ever immersed in the Craft beer culture, it isn’t often I get to attend to my first love, but when I heard of this tasting at Alternative Wines in Carmel Valley, my wine siren called to me like the seductive maidens in the Odyssey…
The lineup:
Pere Caboche CDP Blanc, 2009: Leaner than I expected, (which I loved) but rounded out as it warmed. Nice minerality, with predominant tree fruit notes, particularly pear skin and flesh aromas and flavors. Lovely and drinkable, this would be a perfect beginning to any tasting or warm evening.
Domaine de la Janasse Cotes du Rhone Villages “Terre d’Argile”, 2009: Decanted twice, this was definitely a bigger, denser CDR, as if often the case with Villages, as opposed to the lighter, standard CDR. White pepper, spice, and black cherry dominate, with a bit of cough syrup intensity thrown in. This one will unfold over the next few years.
Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2008: Mmmm. Telltale CDP nose of white pepper, herbs, and cherry. This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Mourvedre is appealing and accessible, and makes for a perfect intro wine for those testing the waters.
Perrin & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape “Les Sinard”, 2007: Gorgeous and refined, with a defined sense of terroir. This baby is all about Grenache aromas and flavors! 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre.
Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape, 2009: Whoa. 90% Grenache, 10% Syrah, this is a huge, MASSIVE CDP. It pours out purple. Closed off, yet exhibiting big dark cherry, kirsch, syrup, white pepper, and scrub herbs. This one needs some time.
CHEERS!
A Sunday with My Cellar…
Hanging out with my good friend Taylor always calls for pulling special treats from the cellar. This particular Sunday was a wine from a stellar year in Tuscany:
1999 Silvio Nardi Brunello de Montalcino: A refined interplay of masculine tobacco and cigar box with feminine notes of dried flower. Tannins are completely resolved, fruit still present, but woven into that trademark Tuscan earthiness. Drinking wonderfully smooth. Wouldn’t wait any longer to open it if you have one.
We paired it with these fabulous Italian meats and cheeses. A glorious Sunday indeed! Cheers!
For the love of August in February….
I would consider giving up my first born for John Besh's gnocchi. It's that good.
Well, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Restaurant August is one of my FAVORITE restaurants in New Orleans. It’s just ridiculously good every single time I go. And Friday was no different.
For my final farewell luncheon in New Orleans, I went to the gorgeously decorated and meticulously run restaurant on Tchoupitoulas Street with my wine group friends, Mike, Warren, Ted, and Todd. When I arrived bottles of wines already dominated the center of the table, and I plopped down one more for a truly daunting array for anyone approaching the table. How can 5 people drink 7 bottles of wine? Do the math. None of us are leaving without a buzz….
2003 Chateau des Fines Roches Chateauneuf du Pape: A bright, vibrant beginning to our luscious lunch. Lovely aromas of cherry, herb, and pepper with a steady meatiness and earth aspect emerging as it breathed. On the palate, the richness of the fruit emerged, with notes of kirsch on the finish. There was some discussion if this was a predominately Grenache or Syrah based CDP, as it can so often vary. The table was split. The answer? 70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 8% Mourvedre, with a dash of Counoise and Muscardin thrown in. Smooth, gentle, soft, but with vibrancy, it was a good starter wine to the lush decadence that lay ahead in both wine and food….
1994 Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon: Absolutely delicious. Almost French in style, with tons of earth, rock, and mushroom wonderfully balanced with dark, rich fruits of currant, black cherry, and plums. I love how some California producers make wines that age like French Bordeaux. Screaming their terroir, rather than the thumbprint of the winemaker. So well done, would have loved to drink this one solo.
2004 Poliziano Asinone Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: One of my favorites, in its perfect balance of fruit and terroir. Nice, red cherry and spice mingled with scrub herbs of rosemary and thyme. Decanted beautifully.
2003 Takler Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Franc: The oddball in the group. Truly. This guy is from Hungary. Yep. Hungary. Cherries, chocolate, and tobacco are the dominate notes. Not terribly complex otherwise and a bit off-balance, but definitely interesting.
2002 Charles Krug Generations: A straightforward California Cabernet, with sweet black currant, vanilla, and oak on the nose. A berry-rich palate.
2005 Sociando Mallet: A huge, massive ’05 Bordeaux. Tons of ripe black currant, blackberry with good structure and balance. Full and lush, with the potential for a long life.
AND FOR THE FINALE???
2002 Quarts de Chaume: One of my favorite wines of all time, this aged Chenin Blanc was the color of ripe apricots. And smelled like them too, mixed with honeysuckle, and a touch of spice. Great minerality on the finish, which cleans the sweetness and makes you yearn for another sweet sip. Paired perfectly with our array of desserts.
Thank you guys and August for an AMAZING final New Orleans meal!!!!
CHEERS!
A light in the darkness….
Ahhh Haut Brion. One of my FAVORITE chateaus!!!
Amongst an ocean of dark beers in my 100 beers 30 days challenge, I was given this amazing bottle of 1998 Chateau Haut Brion. And it was GLORIOUS…..
Viva Vino!!!
Well you KNOW I couldn’t have a beer blog and NOT have a blog chronicling where all of my beverage passions sprung forth!! So welcome to Grand Cru, for all of you wine lovers out there…especially those who have been reading my beer blog, waiting patiently for an entry on that other heavenly liquid, WINE…..Hallmarking my journey throughout the wine world, while exploring incredible culinary adventures, and connecting back to my other big love, beer. Enjoy, and….
CHEERS!!!
