So as I thought there have not been a lot of new wines to try...or I have been exceedingly busy.There is a new distributor in town who is out showing some new things. Vintegrity and the wines are here.
Manifesto Sauv Blanc 2007 from the Suisun Valley which is in Contra Costa County. shades of pink grapefruit, long grassy finish and a cute label.
Fools Bay Mallee Sands Chardonnay 2007 banana and tropical fruits on the nose and sweet palate. good acidity but too sweet for me
Boxhead Australia 2006 a fun wine of cab and shirz. lovely iodine and bacon fat on the front, cocoa, mocha fleshy finish. a great buy. and very cute label
First Drop Wines The Red One Australia 2008 green nose, nice fruit on the palate but light and I cant tell if the green will go away or if its the result of young vines overcropped.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Beaujolais Nouveau
Two examples of Beaujolais Nouveau came today. DeBeouef and Mommessin. The latter comes in a plastic bottle with screwtop to be more eco friendly. traditions are falling left and right.
Italian wines with Chris from Mo Bev and Giampaolo Cherubin
Just what I don't need is another pinot grigio but the Terlan from Alto Adige 2007 is one of the best P. Grigio I have had in a long time.. pretty straw color, creamy texture., and no bitter aftertaste that I sometimes get from inexpensive PG.
Donna Laura Alteo Chianti 2006 fruity, strawberry nose and flavors a touch green that should go away with a few months in bottle.
Tolaini Valdisanti 2004 a super tuscan from the same region that some of the high end ones come from. definite cab nose and pencil lead...cedar, missing something in the mid palate but nice finish. as my boss said it is nice but so Italian.
Colle dei Venti Barbaresco 2005 earthy, dried fruits, soft tannins finish of dark cherry.
Cole dei Venti Barolo 2004 beautiful garnet to purple in the glass, dark fruits..acidity and finish are nice if light...good price for people wanting to try Barolo.
Donna Laura Alteo Chianti 2006 fruity, strawberry nose and flavors a touch green that should go away with a few months in bottle.
Tolaini Valdisanti 2004 a super tuscan from the same region that some of the high end ones come from. definite cab nose and pencil lead...cedar, missing something in the mid palate but nice finish. as my boss said it is nice but so Italian.
Colle dei Venti Barbaresco 2005 earthy, dried fruits, soft tannins finish of dark cherry.
Cole dei Venti Barolo 2004 beautiful garnet to purple in the glass, dark fruits..acidity and finish are nice if light...good price for people wanting to try Barolo.
wine tastings and such
Here I thought that my wine tastings for the year are done for the most part and 3 distributors came in with new things.
2006 Shooting Star Zinfandel California Jed Steele's 2nd label...named shooting star because his middle name is Tecumseh which means shooting star pretty cedar on the nose, dark cherry fruit, nice and juicy.. soft finish.
MacRostie Keltie Brook Merlot 2003 aromas of pine needles , surprisingly dark color for the age.. lots of legs..light berry fruit. not tannic at all. unfortunately a touch to old.
Spier Steen 2007 South Africa melons, figs and nuts...sounds like a fruitcake...seet but not overly so. nice acidity.
Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir 2007 very light nose, chuncky clumbsy style. from southern chile...dried fruit on the nose...not my style even if it is cheap.
Chono Carmenere 2006 smelled like steak sauce on the nose, smoky flavors.. nice fruit, with black olive finish but too pricey for what it is.
Cuca Fresca Cachagua... a brazilian spirit... if tequila and rum had a baby that is what this would be. alcohol nose and a little lemon zest. these are popular now.
Slingshot Sauv Blanc 2007 Napa Valley herbal, creamy texture, nice blend between the grapefruit and grassy styles.
Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa Definite cab nose, silky tannin, juicy fruit but not overly sweet. nice astringency for clean palate... could use a little more depth but overall for the price a nice wine.
2006 Shooting Star Zinfandel California Jed Steele's 2nd label...named shooting star because his middle name is Tecumseh which means shooting star pretty cedar on the nose, dark cherry fruit, nice and juicy.. soft finish.
MacRostie Keltie Brook Merlot 2003 aromas of pine needles , surprisingly dark color for the age.. lots of legs..light berry fruit. not tannic at all. unfortunately a touch to old.
Spier Steen 2007 South Africa melons, figs and nuts...sounds like a fruitcake...seet but not overly so. nice acidity.
Alfredo Roca Pinot Noir 2007 very light nose, chuncky clumbsy style. from southern chile...dried fruit on the nose...not my style even if it is cheap.
Chono Carmenere 2006 smelled like steak sauce on the nose, smoky flavors.. nice fruit, with black olive finish but too pricey for what it is.
Cuca Fresca Cachagua... a brazilian spirit... if tequila and rum had a baby that is what this would be. alcohol nose and a little lemon zest. these are popular now.
Slingshot Sauv Blanc 2007 Napa Valley herbal, creamy texture, nice blend between the grapefruit and grassy styles.
Slingshot Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa Definite cab nose, silky tannin, juicy fruit but not overly sweet. nice astringency for clean palate... could use a little more depth but overall for the price a nice wine.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
special wine tasting on Nov 13
Domaine de VIllaine Rully Les Saint Jacques Rully 2006is one of the value regions of Burgundy This chardonnay was nicely round with just a hint of caramel. Not overly sweet.
Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Oregon2006 Showing very nicely, lots of dried fruits, soft lush tannins and dark red fruits.
Fontanafredda Barbera Briccotondo 2007 a wine from the Conny Corner, lush red fruit soft tannins and a nice finish. 90 pts from Spectator a great meatloaf wine.
Rothschild Reserve Pauillac 2005 One of the best vintages for bordeaux in some time. Nice little french stink that leads to dark fruits and a long finish.
Beringer Knight Valley Cab 2005 lots more up front fruit than the Pauillac and very easy drinking
Rudd Crossroads Cab. 2005 first time to try a Rudd this wine has the french stink to it but then heads off to the lush flavors of California Cab. Will not find it in Kansas
Segla Margaux 2005 the second wine of the second wine. The big brother to this was named the #2 wine from Wine Spectator. For half the price you can experience why, lots of juicy red fruit but not sweet. I have 3 cases in the store.
Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Oregon2006 Showing very nicely, lots of dried fruits, soft lush tannins and dark red fruits.
Fontanafredda Barbera Briccotondo 2007 a wine from the Conny Corner, lush red fruit soft tannins and a nice finish. 90 pts from Spectator a great meatloaf wine.
Rothschild Reserve Pauillac 2005 One of the best vintages for bordeaux in some time. Nice little french stink that leads to dark fruits and a long finish.
Beringer Knight Valley Cab 2005 lots more up front fruit than the Pauillac and very easy drinking
Rudd Crossroads Cab. 2005 first time to try a Rudd this wine has the french stink to it but then heads off to the lush flavors of California Cab. Will not find it in Kansas
Segla Margaux 2005 the second wine of the second wine. The big brother to this was named the #2 wine from Wine Spectator. For half the price you can experience why, lots of juicy red fruit but not sweet. I have 3 cases in the store.
scotch
For those who think I only taste wine i did experience a great scotch today.
Glenmorange Signet a combination of 20 to 30 year old single malt scotch. initial nose of light peat and wood.. light amber in color, maple,vanilla, honey and heather on the nose and surprisingly light in heat due to the high alcohol content. made in 100% missouri oak.
Southhampton Beer new to the market. Altbeer which means old beer is a zesty, enjoyable ale that seems to be good for light apps or pretzels.
Mas Foulaquier le Rollier Pic St Loup 2005 Pic St Loup is one of the hot value regions of southern France. Dark color in the glass, juicy on the palate, a bit rough in tannins but they will smooth out with age. Cedar on the nose.
Glenmorange Signet a combination of 20 to 30 year old single malt scotch. initial nose of light peat and wood.. light amber in color, maple,vanilla, honey and heather on the nose and surprisingly light in heat due to the high alcohol content. made in 100% missouri oak.
Southhampton Beer new to the market. Altbeer which means old beer is a zesty, enjoyable ale that seems to be good for light apps or pretzels.
Mas Foulaquier le Rollier Pic St Loup 2005 Pic St Loup is one of the hot value regions of southern France. Dark color in the glass, juicy on the palate, a bit rough in tannins but they will smooth out with age. Cedar on the nose.
Jason Maroon wines from Major Brands
Episode by Terlato. They bought the vineyards a few years back and are making a great Bordeaux style wine. This 04 is full of tannin, and tight...cedar and tobacco on the nose. Predominate Cabernet with all the other bordeaux varietals.
Verget wines from Burgundy. These were carried by Golden Barrel until recently.
2007 Verget Macon-Village... chardonnay fruit, interesting melon and fruit nose. A little light on the palate which I found all the wines to be a little dull
2006 Verget Teroirs de Cote d'or... a pleasant wine with a little acidity and nice finish. Light body. I remember it being a littlemore mineral and not so new world
2006 Verget CHablis...where is the mineral and the aciidity.. light style and pretty boring
2006 Verget Chardonnay Vauclause light yellow light finish...nice fruit but not showing well.
Verget Au fil du Temps nv which means as time goes by lots of barnyard or fecal...juicy on the palate but hard to get past the initial nose...
2006 Verget Syrah d'endes pretty purple in the glass but light and fruit, a touch of bacon fat but not nearly enough for the wine region it comes from.
Verget wines from Burgundy. These were carried by Golden Barrel until recently.
2007 Verget Macon-Village... chardonnay fruit, interesting melon and fruit nose. A little light on the palate which I found all the wines to be a little dull
2006 Verget Teroirs de Cote d'or... a pleasant wine with a little acidity and nice finish. Light body. I remember it being a littlemore mineral and not so new world
2006 Verget CHablis...where is the mineral and the aciidity.. light style and pretty boring
2006 Verget Chardonnay Vauclause light yellow light finish...nice fruit but not showing well.
Verget Au fil du Temps nv which means as time goes by lots of barnyard or fecal...juicy on the palate but hard to get past the initial nose...
2006 Verget Syrah d'endes pretty purple in the glass but light and fruit, a touch of bacon fat but not nearly enough for the wine region it comes from.
Everyday wine tasting
Starting today we have a wine system in the store that allows me to keep 5 bottles on gas for people to taste. Supposedly this will keep the wine as fresh the first pour as the last. The first group of wines feature Gallo upper end. Gascon Malbec, Martini Sonoma and Napa Cabernet, Frei Brothers Merlot and McWilliams Shiraz. All very nice and affordable wines to try.
wine of the year
Well I was a little wrong on the wine of the year. It was not a bordeaux but a Chilean Bordeaux blend called Clos Apalta from Casa Lapostolle. A very consistent wine and usual top 100 if not in the Top 10.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
2008 spectator 100
So far the lineup is looking very international. The two Chateauneufs were in the store at one time. The 2007 Seghesio Zin may be back in the market, and I would love to find the Pontet-Canet from one of my distributors. it will be fun to see what the top 5 turn out to be.
Rudd is now available to me. It is a property owned by Leslie Rudd who is from Kansas, he owns the Dean & deluca franchises.
Rudd is now available to me. It is a property owned by Leslie Rudd who is from Kansas, he owns the Dean & deluca franchises.
long time no see
Sorry for the delay, between the store wide tasting on the 6th, which was a hit and everyday things I have not been able to pay attention to this as I should. The posting over the next few weeks may be a little lighter too, if for no other reason than the distributors take less out to sample in the weeks between thanksgiving and christmas.
Also the wines lately have been somewhat underwhelming... but here are a few of the better ones
Telmo Rodriquez Basa Rueda a wine from spain that has been with us before but a different supplier had it. light sauv blanc flavors with some flowery aromatics. green apple on the finish. A good value that gets good press usually
Alma Rosa Chardonnay 2005 I enjoyed their pinot noir but the chardonnay leaves me flat, just like the taste. Advocate gave it 90 but i found not much to catch my attention from the nose to the finish
From JP with vintegrity a new distributor in town
Dutton Goldfield Chardonnay 2006 toasty , rich ml but very balanced with nice acidity.
Dutton Goldfield Pinot Noir 2006 mushroom and earth. pretty red fruits on the palate. good long finish
Dutton Goldfield Zin Russian River a bordeaux style zin, very smooth, juicy not briary... a little mocha and red fruit on the finish.
from Jason with Major Brands
Hanna Pinot Noir 2007 Russian River...scares me if this is what 07 is going to be like. very chunky on the palate.typical cali pinot nose cranberry and tea. maybe will be better in 6 months.
Tintara Shiraz 2005 hot nose of over ripe fruit, jammy fruit on palate. but who needs another big fruit bomb... and a few vintages old too
Kathryn Hall 2004 a new property for missouri market. this cabernet has some pedigree for its vineyard sights.. dark cassis color and nose, nice grip on the mid palate and finish is pretty long. might make it into the store.
Also the wines lately have been somewhat underwhelming... but here are a few of the better ones
Telmo Rodriquez Basa Rueda a wine from spain that has been with us before but a different supplier had it. light sauv blanc flavors with some flowery aromatics. green apple on the finish. A good value that gets good press usually
Alma Rosa Chardonnay 2005 I enjoyed their pinot noir but the chardonnay leaves me flat, just like the taste. Advocate gave it 90 but i found not much to catch my attention from the nose to the finish
From JP with vintegrity a new distributor in town
Dutton Goldfield Chardonnay 2006 toasty , rich ml but very balanced with nice acidity.
Dutton Goldfield Pinot Noir 2006 mushroom and earth. pretty red fruits on the palate. good long finish
Dutton Goldfield Zin Russian River a bordeaux style zin, very smooth, juicy not briary... a little mocha and red fruit on the finish.
from Jason with Major Brands
Hanna Pinot Noir 2007 Russian River...scares me if this is what 07 is going to be like. very chunky on the palate.typical cali pinot nose cranberry and tea. maybe will be better in 6 months.
Tintara Shiraz 2005 hot nose of over ripe fruit, jammy fruit on palate. but who needs another big fruit bomb... and a few vintages old too
Kathryn Hall 2004 a new property for missouri market. this cabernet has some pedigree for its vineyard sights.. dark cassis color and nose, nice grip on the mid palate and finish is pretty long. might make it into the store.
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