Archive for January, 2009
Altosur Malbec
Varietal: Malbec
Region: Argentina – South America
Cost: $8.99 – $10.99
A very subtle aroma is followed by flavors of berry and cherry with a hint of spice on the back end. Very mellow, this red is very easy to drink either with food or by itself. Pairs well with red meat, pasta, or by itself.
Recommendation: This is a great example of the Malbec grape. A smooth, silky wine, the Altosur is a bargain and would be worth it at twice the price. As a growing fan of the wines from South America, Malbec in particular, this is a great find and I certainly recommend it to anybody that finds it at their local store.
Franc the Tank
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: < $20
Low tannins and a lighter finish than is usual for a Virginia Cabernet Franc. A peppery finish with spices throughout, a very medium-bodied wine. Will pair well with red meats, chips and salsa, or just by itself.
Recommendation: Vino Curioso is a new up and coming vineyard in Virginia, with the cabernet franc (with a great reference to Old School) being the highlight. As a vineyard, Vino Curioso seems to be marketing themselves towards a younger demographic, something that not many vineyards are doing yet. At a wine expo, the average age of the patrons at their booth was under 30. Vino Curioso is doing a great job of marketing their wines in a fun and inventive way, all the while producing a quality wine. If you find a bottle of the Franc the Tank at your local store, I recommend grabbing it – it’s not your usual Virginia cabernet franc, but it’s a very good one nonetheless.
Da Vinci Chianti
Varietal: Chianti
Region: Italy
Cost: $14.99
Cherry on the nose feeds into plum and blackberry on the palate. Some spice and oak on the backend of the wine, with a very dry finish. Pair with juicy red meats (beef or lamb), or sauce heavy pastas.
Recommendation: As a fan of dry red wines, this one is a keeper for me. That being said, this is probably best paired with something as opposed to be enjoyed by itself. The finish may be too dry for some, so if you’re not into tannin heavy, very dry red wines, this isn’t really the one for you. Serve this with a sauce heavy pasta dish and you’re more likely to enjoy it. Not a bad chianti, but for the price point there are better ones out there.
Clos du Bois California Riesling
Varietal: Riesling
Region: California – USA
Cost: $12.99 – $13.99
A semi-sweet white wine from California (with a French name that means “Enclosure in the Woods”) with citrus flavors and a bright, clean aroma. Clos du Bois has less residual sugar and sweetness than a German Riesling. Will pair fairly well with spicy food.
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of sweeter Rieslings, this wine will probably suit your tastes if you want something that is sweet, but not sickly sweet. That being said, this Riesling is leans closer to the sweet side of the Riesling varietal. If you’re more interested in a Riesling that is dryer, this probably isn’t the one for you. Pair this with something spicy if you buy it, but you might want to avoid it if you don’t want something with too much sweet flavor.
Grayhaven Winery Cabernet Franc
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Region: Virginia – USA
Cost: $16
Grayhaven’s Cabernet Franc offers a deep ruby color with aromas of berries and spice. Light to medium bodied, it delivers simple and straightforward flavors of wild cherry and plum. Hints of spice, leather, and a pepperyness on the finish. Pairs well with braised lamb, roast duck and Northern Italian style veal dishes.
Recommendation: This is a great Cabernet Franc for somebody looking for a more mellow red wine. Works well with or without food, and can even be turned into an excellent mulled wine. Certainly on the lighter side of color and flavor when it comes to Cabernet Franc, but the peppery finish is a pleasant surprise and adds something to the wine that makes it worth the purchase. Grayhaven doesn’t enter their wine into competitions, and I’m not saying that this wine would win if they did, but it would certainly get an honorable mention.
Check this wine out if you get the chance, and visit their vineyard in Gum Spring, Virginia if you’re in the area. The comfortableness of the vineyard alone will make you want to spend the day there drinking their wine.
Antano Tempranillo
Varietal: Tempranillo
Region: Spain
Cost: $9.99
Fruity aromas are followed by a very light, mellow Temranillo with flavors of fruit and hints of spice. The fruitiness of the wine is tempered quite well with tannins. Will mix well with sharp cheeses or lightly spiced food.
Recommendation: This is a nice and mellow Tempranillo that will mix very well with most foods, except those that are heavily spiced. If you’re looking for a slightly more interesting red wine that you can enjoy with food or by itself, but that isn’t the usual bottle of merlot, this is definitely the bottle you should try. However, if you’re looking for something that will add a lot to your meal, this probably isn’t the bottle of wine for you. For the price it’s certainly worth a try, but don’t be expecting a bottle of wine that will change how you think of red wine or Tempranillo.
