This week we have a really killer Pinot Noir which is sold for far less than it’s taste value, a rustic Australian Cabernet, a spicy Australian Shiraz and a fruity Austalian Shiraz, a local Zin, and a really nice complex blended red (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, & Cabernet Franc) from Italy.
Breggo - Pinot Noir (2005)
USA > California > Anderson Valley
www.breggo.com
SUMMARY: Light pine notes. Green apple skins, long aftertaste. Medium bodied but complex.
TASTING: The Anderson Valley suffered a very wet year in 2005, but after rigorous work in the vineyard and some TLC, the quality of the fruit turned out to be superb. The vivid color of this wine is immediately enticing. Aromas of grapefruit peel and black pepper express the Syrah component of this blend, while wild strawberries and pie cherries are the contributions from the Pinot Noir.
Great Pinots are made for savoring as they change in the glass over time. Drink and ruminate with a glass or two over a couple of hours and enjoy the transformation.
WITH FOOD: While it does not go well with spicy foods, a Pinot Noir blend is a great match for rich and complex foods such as duck. Pan Roasted Duck with a Pinot Glaze is just the thing to eat with this wine. Perfect for a late lunch on a sunny day.
Pin Pin - Cabernet Sauvignon (2003)
Australia > Margaret River
www.glenmorewine.com.au
SUMMARY: Tobacco, pine needles, tart cherries, black fruit, plums. Lots of tannins.
TASTING: From the Yallingup coastal hamlet of Margaret River, this Cabernet is soft and supple and a very approachable wine. This is a food wine but it is also superb on its own and particularly well matched with a bite of Cheddar cheese.
WITH FOOD: There isn’t a good Cabernet alive that doesn’t like a nice grilled piece of meat. The varietal’s characteristic ‘bigness’ is just right for the strong flavors of a Classic Steak au Poivre. They do make some great local cheddar cheese which gets the tonsils tingling and also goes really well with the wine.
Tiger’s Tale - Shiraz (2004)
Australia > Margaret River
www.edwardsvineyard.com.au
SUMMARY: Spicy white pepper, red berries and tobacco leaf characters.
TASTING: Take your time with this wine. Let it open up; decanting for about an hour should do it. Now take a good, long whiff and you’ll find notes of smoky cherries and cedar. I tasted black licorice, blackberry, black currant and tobacco leaf. Nice silky tannins and a long finish make for an elegant experience.
WITH FOOD: Shiraz pairs nicely with dishes that complement its fruit and spicy qualities. It is often a nice match for a spicy Mexican meal or even pizza! I think it goes well with my dish of Pan Seared Chicken Stuffed with Stilton Cheese which brings out the wine’s spicy qualities. This wine would also be heavenly with some French goat’s cheese and water biscuits.
Wirring Road - Shiraz (2003)
Australia > Margaret River
www.jarvisestate.com.au
SUMMARY: Full bodied. Black raspberries, red currants, blueberries, green peppers. Soft tannins.
TASTING: Shiraz has famously been called the ‘manliest of all wines.’ A little extreme, but it carries a truth: a good Shiraz is bold, strong and spicy (masculine virtues I suppose).
WITH FOOD: A rich meal like Venison suits this wine well. Salami or even garlic sausage would also be a fine match with this wine.
Pellegrini 8 Cousins - Zinfandel (2005)
USA > California > Sonoma County
www.lombardiwine.com
SUMMARY: Blueberry pie, boysenberry, cinnamon and baking spices.
TASTING: This wine wants to give you a sense of where it came from. Not surprising, since the Russian River Valley in Sonoma is a place of awesome beauty. From within the wine’s earthy characters, the wonderful blackberry and other dark fruit flavors slowly grow and emerge. The richness also has fantastic flavors of tarragon and spices which make this wine much more complex than a lot of Zinfandels: exceptional depth and concentration. You feel this wine all the way to your feet!
WITH FOOD: Zinfandel has never met a steak it didn’t like and this one is no exception. What do you do with some cold leftover steaks from the previous day? How about Beef Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese. Absolutely Fabulous!
Tenuta Argentiera Villa Donoratico - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc (2003)
Italy > Livorno
www.argentiera.eu
SUMMARY: Smoky and leathery nose with black cherry, black currant and mushrooms with violet and herbs.
TASTING: It has lots of blackcurrants which is so typical of Bordeaux and yet expresses the leathery and mushroom characteristics found in the wines from Tuscany. To show its best side, we recommend you chill this wine slightly in the fridge for about 20 minutes before you drink it. Room temperature these days tends to be a little too warm for complex wines.
WITH FOOD: This wine merits a fine steak.
Winter Triathlon Training and Racing,…
Remember that you will have to run through transition in either a pair of running shoes, bike shoes or ski…
These are some good wines. Thanks for the ideas, I am ordering wine right now and this helped me to decide what to get.
Which champagnes do you recommend? How much does Dom or Cristal cost in the wine country?
Here the best price is $89 for Dom and $199 for Cristal.
Thanks for the suggestions. I now know what $20 bottles of wine to buy for people.
I couldn’t find any of these wines at my local supermarket or liquor store. Are they only available online?