Tag wine

Bodegas Arrayan Premium Red Blend 2005

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16052010      This proprietary red blend provides a complexity that can’t be matched by comparable mono-varietals because it has a powerful blend of 55% Syrah, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot coupled with 14 months of aging in new French oak behind it.  After starting with an aroma of sweet fruit, it is no surprise that the palate is one of lush black fruit which remains very persistent on your tongue and is then matched by the even longer finish.  This cuvee would be an excellent addition to a steak dinner or a nice complement to an evening spent entertaining around your homes outdoor space while you maximize the culinary potential of your grill.  Wine Advocate gave this wine a 93 point rating and it can be found in select P.L.C.B. stores at a discounted price of $24.99 with the product code 032370.  P.L.C.B. lists the quoted price at $45.00 but I managed to find it listed on Amazon wine for $39.99 making the $24.99 price a very good deal for a wine of this caliper.  The Arrayán family of wines are produced by La Casa de Las Cuatro Rayas in the Méntrida region of Spain.

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Goulart Winery

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     The Goulart Winery is a partnership between Mauricio Parodi and Erika Goulart.  Mauricio Parodi is one of the most knowledgeable and accomplished agronomist in Mendoza and Erika Goulart, whose grandfather lead the overthrow of the Brazilian government in the 1932 Constitutional Revolution.  Erika is a successful entrepreneur who with the help of Mauricio resurrected her grandfathers Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in Mendoza that were originally planted in 1915.  It took six years to rehabilitate the vineyards back to the point of perfect balance that is necessary to produce high quality wine and after the enlightened hiring of Luis Barrund all the pieces were in place for a world-class winery.  Goulart wines have been hard to find, especially in Pennsylvania, below I have posted the New Vintage releases for the United States so you can focus your search for the wines of this exceptional producer.  You can visit www.fincalugildegoulart.com.ar or click the link to the left to visit Erika’s Facebook page for more information that also includes the releases for Europe, Asia and South America.  

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Vina Equia Rioja Reserva 2007

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Vina Equia Rioja Reserva 2007

Vina Equia Rioja Reserva 2007

I believe that sitting around a table covered with tapas while surrounded by friends and enjoying a high quality Rioja is a memorable pleasure that everyone should get the chance to experience.  When you find yourself in this situation I hope that your wine glass is filled with Viña Equía Rioja Reserva 2007.  This Tempranillo from Rioja, Spain will not disappoint with its tight structure, great balance and smooth tannins framed by a noticeable acidity.  The bright cherry red color of this Rioja leads you flawlessly into a complex palate of red fruits and spice followed by a long finish to be savored with classic tapas fare.  This offering received a 92 point rating from both The Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator.  I have found that it pairs surprisingly well with chocolate, but I have had several people highly recommend it as an excellent choice to serve with lamb.  The real mystique of Rioja is that they are superb wines at a reasonable price, pair well with small plates and can set your imagination free to enjoy the simple pleasures around you or allow you to picture yourself in the green mountians of Basque country. 

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Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Dinner

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     Seven Springs Mountain Resort will be hosting the Chateau Ste. Michelle Vineyards Wine Dinner in their Slopeside restaurant at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday March 20th, 2013.  This dinner will feature a wine pairing for each course from the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery.  I have posted the menu for your convenience.  Reservations can be made by calling 800-452-2223 ext.6000.  Seven Springs Mountain Resort is at 777 Waterwheel Dr. Seven Springs, Pa 15622. ChateauSteMichelle

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Campo Maccione Morellino di Scansano 2008

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Campo Maccione Morellino di Scansano 2008

Campo Maccione Morellino di Scansano 2008

This is a hidden gem that comes from the southwestern Tuscan town of Scansano.  Morellino is the name for Sangiovese in Scansano but no matter what you call this red blend the one thing you will be calling it is delicious.  Rocca delle Macìe produces this solid but modestly priced red blend that is softer and rounder than the wines from Chianti because the Zingarelli family vineyards are located further south in a more moderate climate that is warmer and drier.  Best described as fruity and finely balanced this medium bodied offering has a nice finish that can be paired with a diverse menu.  Pasta, pizza, roasted or grilled meats and aged cheeses are just some of the pairings that this food friendly wine can be served with to showcase its best qualities. When you  start with a price that is easy on the wallet then add a taste profile that is easy on the palate what you will certainly end up with is a sure winner like Campo Maccione Morellino di Scansano 2008

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Free Finger Lakes Travel Magazine

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Photo Courtesy Finger Lakes Wine Country

Photo Courtesy Finger Lakes Wine Country

     Anyone considering a possible trip to the Finger Lakes Region of New York should request this informative free guide.  Simply go to the website www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com and select “Plan” from the toolbar then scroll down to the submission form or click on the picture of the magazine, if you prefer the human touch you can call Morgen, Christina, Teresa or Ginny at 800-813-2958 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday.  While you are on the site consider subscribing to any of the free e-newsletters offering a wide spectrum of topics that will interest any visitor.  The current 2012 digital issue of Finger Lakes Wine Country Magazine is also available for download from this site as well as a free Finger Lakes Travel app for your mobile device, which can prove to be invaluable while exploring the region.  The information that you can obtain from the magazine and website can be very helpful but the real fun begins when you visit and begin discovering something new around ever turn.

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Bidding is Now Open!

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All Materials Courtesy of Morrell & Company Fine Wine Auction

All Materials Courtesy of Morrell & Company Fine Wine Auction

    Have you ever wanted to bid on a great bottle of wine offered at a wine auction but could not stand the thought of sitting in a room filled with wine snobs while holding a little paddle with a number on it.  If your answer is yes then you are in luck because Morrell & Company Fine Wine Auction is conducting an internet only auction on Wednesday February 27th at 10:30 a.m.(EST) on their website www.morrellwineauctions.com.   Bids may only be placed by absentee bid and live bid.  Absentee bids may be placed now and the live bidding will be available online at the commencement of the auction.  To participate go to the website and register, peruse the catalog of offerings then place a bid if you find something you like.  If you intend to bid live, Morrell recommends using their Live Bidding Simulator to check your computers compatibility to prevent any issues when live bidding starts.  Need more information? Call 212-307-4200 

Alta Vista Malbec Mendoza Serenade Vineyard 2009

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Vineyard in Mendoza Province, Argentina.

Vineyard in Mendoza Province, Argentina. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

     I received a comment recently on my post “Bodega Goulart The Marshall Malbec 2009” from Erika Goulart the owner of the Bodega Goulart Winery in the Mendoza region of Argentina.  She thanked me for commenting about her wine and wished me well.  This particular post is the most viewed of all my posts and receives views nearly everyday, so with this in mind I will be modifying my subjects to better match the interests of my readers.

Alta Vista Malbec Mendoza Serenade Vineyard 2009 continues the long tradition of Mendoza Malbec but is a little stronger in structure and has more than ample alcohol content at 15.5%.  This wine can be best described as rich and dense with aromas of vanilla mixed with wild berries.  The flavors are as deep as one would expect with chocolate and blackberry giving way to oaked cedar then finishing with a spicy bite.  Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate gave this vintage a 94 point rating which makes the P.L.C.B. price of $39.99 reasonable.  The P.L.C.B. website www.finewineandgoodspirits.com can be used to locate this wine by using the product code 39823. 

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Vina Cobos Bramare Malbec La Consulta Rebon 2009

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Vina Cobos Bramare Malbec La Consulta Rebon 2009

Vina Cobos Bramare Malbec La Consulta Rebon 2009

     I usually do not buy a wine with this many words in its name especially when I can not pronounce most of them but I was intrigued by the back story and origins of this Malbec.  The Malbec grape is not native to Argentina but was introduced into the region from its homeland of France about 150 years ago, the vines quickly found their new home a perfect match and the rest is history that is still being made today.  This Malbec is more complex than the Appellation Malbec with its aroma of exotic spices and floral notes.  Dark violet tones treat the eye as the muscular palate of plum, raspberry and black licorice fill your mouth letting you know that this is a seriously complex wine.  The finish can only be described as complex and long with rich pliant tannins.  The grapes are the key here and are sourced from the Marchiori Vineyard and other properties within Mendoza.  The word complex comes up often when describing this Malbec because so many factors come into play during its production not the least being that it is aged 18 months in 100% new Taransaud French oak and then bottled unfined and unfiltered.  Wine Advocate gave this 2009 vintage a 94 point rating and commented that it needed to unwind 2-3 years making its cellar life 2014-2024.  I am sure it will age wonderfully but I don’t like to wait so I aerated it and it opened up nicely with plenty of aroma.  The P.L.C.B. has this wine in limited availability and is most easily purchased through their website www.finewineandgoodspirits.com.  The product code is 39329 and the price is more than the normal price of the wines I review at $54.99.

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Winter at Standing Stone Winery

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Wine Barrels Photo Courtesy Standing Stone Winery

Wine Barrels  Photo Courtesy Standing Stone Winery

I have just heard from Martha Macinski or Marti as she is known to everyone in the Finger Lakes.  She updated me on the happenings around the Standing Stone Winery that she and her husband Tom have owned since 1991.  They have just finished pressing frozen grapes to make Riesling Ice and Vidal Ice.  The grapes are not picked frozen but are picked as late harvest and then frozen commercially so that they may be pressed to make Ice wine.  The Riesling Ice 2012, Vidal Ice 2011 and the Riesling 2012 are all ready and will be bottled in early March.  One of the nice things about stopping by the tasting room during the winter is that there are fewer people visiting so Marti and her staff will have more time to talk and share details about the wine.  The vineyard crew is busy fixing any trellis components that have broken over the previous growing season.  Pruning will start in February and after that task is completed the vines will be tied up before bud break in the spring.  There was some concern that the recent spike in temperatures would reduce the snow cover that protects the vineyard during the winter but the cold nights and the return of normal winter weather prevented any damage to the vines.  Marti made me laugh when she told me that ” You would be surprised how much work it is to taste 10 barrels of Standing Stone Saperavi.”  I know it is a tough job but I guess someone has to do it :-).  They will be bottling some 2010 and 2012 wines in April and May with the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and the Merlot being of reserve status and reportedly delicious!  Thanks to Marti for keeping me informed on the latest news from Standing Stone Winery which is on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake in Hector, NY.  If you want more info you can visit the website www.Standingstonewines.com or go to their Facebook page.

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