Reds-Bottle | $14 | Village Liquors of Clarksville (on Route 108) | I generally don’t like Malbecs, so consider this high praise. It passed the two-bottle test—my original enthusiasm was sustained over an interval. Full-bodied and rich. Nice finish. Very young, though—open early and swirl, swirl, swirl.
Archives for April 2014
Berberana Gran Tradicion Cava Brut
Bubbles-Case | $11 | The Perfect Pour | Fantastic value in a typical Spanish Cava. Pale, straw color with lively bubbles. Dry, but without making you pucker. 11.5% alcohol. I loved this Cava; almost perfect blend of fruit and spice, with a touch of citrus. Try it while you’re hanging out with friends in your kitchen on a warm spring or summer day, with a seafood dish or rich dessert. I think this may also work with some spicy Thai food. Factoring in the price, this wine is a must-have, especially as the weather is warming up.
Brunello di Montalcino, La Lecciaia 2007 Reserve
Reds-Glass | $39 | Pine Orchard | Be sure you try the Reserve version of this one! Drinking the Brunello di Montalcino, La Lecciaia 2007 Reserve and its non-reserve cousin on the same night was interesting and instructive. I started the non-reserve bottle 2 nights ago, and was a bit disappointed, but when I went back to the store looking for some Italian reds for tonight’s Lasgna dinner, I saw the reserve, and was instantly suspicious that the high rating quoted for the bottles receiving prominent display at the front of the store were actually meant for the Reserve. Well the reserve was definitely better than the non-reserve, but still not “95-97”. [more detailed review on the way]
Marchesi Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
Reds-Case | $24 | Pine Orchard | Really, really good Italian red – 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet. [more elaborate review on the way…].
Willm Pinot Gris Reserve Alsace France 2012
Whites-Case | $12 | Perfect Pour | Rarely does a white wine come across as affordable and crushable. This Pinot Gris will change your mind about the Italian version forever. Pear, honey and ginger… This wine is sweet but with a touch of effervescence and acid to balance. Buy a case at The Perfect Pour. $12 a bottle.
Domaine Fourrey Premier Cru Chablis 2010
Whites-Bottle | $30 | Perfect Pour |Spring is finally here! Oysters and Chablis [all whites from Chablis are 100% chardonnay for the non-Francophiles], is there nothing better? Lean, mineral driven, with notes of apple and pear. This one goes quick, and can’t be replaced with the lower quality village wines. Bought at The Perfect Pour for $30.
Meursault Les Vireuils Benjamin Leroux Chardonnay 2009
Whites-Bottle | $60 | Special Order ? TBD | When you can’t throw down the dough for Puligny-Montrachet, this Meursault will fit the bill nicely. Not a patio pounder, but this wine will appeal to delicate palates with layers of citrus, light butter and hazelnut. A special occasion wine for the Chardonnay aficionado. Buy a bottle.
Montebuena Rioja 2010
Reds-Bottle | $9 | Decanter | Great Rioja. Had been burned out on Riojas from drinking too much Marques de Caceres and had forgotten that Tempranillo from the Rioja region is meant to have wide appeal. This Montebuena Rioja is a flavorful, easy-drinking red and would make a great base for some Sangria (just add some Sherry, Cointreau, orange slices, lemon slices). If you need an affordable, easy-drinking red that goes with a wide variety of food, grab a bottle or two of this.
Sophie Te Blanche Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Whites-Bottle | $15 | Decanter | Lovely South African Sauvignon Blanc. Don’t know why everybody went crazy for Kim Crawford’s Marlborough Pineapple infused version of Sauvignon Blanc, but this South African version is lovely with just subtle hints of citrus and flowers. Great wine with garlic roasted chicken or grilled chicken with a mango salsa. Probably not worth twice the cost of Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc but you could buy a bottle of each and see if you can taste the difference between an $8 Sauvignon Blanc (Monkey Bay – which is a great house white or buy by the case for wedding / party wine) and this $15 Sauvignon Blanc. Get some prosciutto and ripe cantaloupe and drink up!
Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni Montepulciano Sangiovese Malvasia Nera Primitivo Negroamaro
Reds-Case | $42 | Special Order – Decanter | Sticker shock I realize but holy crap, you must drink this wine. You never see a blend like this from Italy and everything about this wine including the heft of the glass of the bottle screams quality. The taste is off the charts and the blend offers big full flavor of Southern Italy (Primitivo, Negroamaro) with an awesome balance of milder Italian reds to deliver a fantastic wine. Tannins, yes, but smooth, spicy vanilla and you can taste some plums and raisins (okay you can call them currants if you’re Fancy Nancy). Had this in Little Italy in Baltimore after helping celebrate a legal and long-overdue wedding. I know it’s a lot of money, but get this and a hunk of cheese instead of going out to dinner and you won’t be sorry. Wine nerd note: Cinque Autoctoni = 5 indigenous grapes used to make the wine. This is the premium wine you try. Eric Stein at Decanter can order it for you – 1 case = 6 bottles = $270 or so with tax.