Posts Tagged ‘raspberry’
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Willamette Valley – Oregon – USA
Cost: $22
Winemaker’s Notes: The medium garnet color introduces a bright aroma of raspberry, cherry, and cedar with hints of pie spice, sandalwood, and dried cherry. On the palate it opens to ripe cherry, red and black raspberry, and mocha accents supported by a medium plus body and full, fine grained tannins. Pairs well with grilled meats, flavorful sauces, and rich farmhouse cheeses.
My Review: This wasn’t the first time I’d had the 2009 Montinore Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, no that would have been some weeks ago at my local Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar where Mike, our favorite bartender there, convinced my wife and I to give it a try during a visit there for happy hour. We liked it so much I went online and ordered half a case of it.
Varietal: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5% Syrah; 3% Merlot; 2% Petit Verdot; 1% Malbec; 1% Cabernet Franc
Region: California – USA
Cost: $11 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: The wine has a smooth texture and sweet, red fruit character that distinguishes California’s finest Cabernet Sauvignons, along with smoky oak, vanilla, and roasted nut accents to invigorate the palate and provide a lengthy finish. Enjoy with standing rib roasts, grilled steak, roast duck, spareribs, lasagna, or flavorful hard cheeses.
My Review: An evening where my wife was out and I was home alone with the dog to fend for myself on dinner usually only means one thing – steak, a baked potato, and a bottle of red wine to be enjoyed. There are worse ways to spend an evening. I’d been sitting on this sample until I could get around to cooking up a steak, and as tends to be the case, I’m glad I did.
Varietal: Petite Sirah; Tempranillo; Syrah; Grenache; Malbec; Mourvedre; Nebeillo; Tannat; Souzao; Aglianico; Barbera; Zinfandel; Petite Verdot; Cabernet Franc; Charbano; Nero d’Avola; Sanviovese; Sagrantino
Region: California – USA
Cost: $10 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: This Big House Red lives up to that old Fruit Bomb moniker that you’ve come to expect. It starts with a nose full of blackberries and raspberries, with hints of leather and spices. The palate is clean, exhibiting flavors of cranberries, roses, and a touch of rhubarb. This finish lingers, with flavors of vanilla and a touch of dark cherries in the finish. Pairs well with all grilled meats, lasagna Bolognese, grilled vegetables, or even sashimi grade Ahi tuna.
My Review: The previous version of this wine was one of those that I was torn on. I liked what they were trying to do by creating a table wine with a little bit of everything that could then go with a little bit of everything, but I felt that the attempt created a wine that just fell flat. This vintage was different.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Russian River Valley – California – USA
Cost: $25 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Cherry red color with aromas of cherry, raspberry, peppery spices, and a touch of oak. In the mouth an elegant to full body Pinot Noir with elegant balance and good depth. Pairs well with pork tenderloin, salmon, and filet mignon.
My Review: I’ve had this wine sitting on my racks for a while, which is a bit weird since I usually don’t let Pinot last that long in my house. Regardless, last week on an evening the wife was out and I was home alone, I finally got around to opening up the bottle and I definitely regretted taking so long to get to it.
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Spain
Cost: $13
Winemaker’s Notes: Pale, bright raspberry pink, with an abundant, uninhibited mousse. Intense raspberry aromas, backed by strawberry and aniseed, and a hint of cherry caramel. Red berry flavours dominate the palate, complemented by strawberry, touches of peach, watermelon, and lemon. There is a lovely minerality which adds to the complexity, and just a hint of sweetness which will increase its versatility in both food pairings and when it will be drunk.
My Review: My wife and I picked up this bottle at a local store after having dinner last week as the bottle looked interesting and we didn’t have any bubbles in the house, something we’re trying to do a better job of remedying. While neither of us was familiar with the maker, a Cava made with 100% Pinot Noir was intriguing so we bought and this past week, opened.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Charlottesville – Virginia – USA
Cost: $20 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes: Velvety accents of plum, raspberry and lilac charm the nose while flavors of lively tangerine and red apple dance across the palate. Aged in French and American oak.
My Review: I have, in the past privately amongst friends and family, and publicly on this website as well as several others, made it quite clear how big a fan of Blenheim Vineyards and their winemaker Kirsty Harmon. Thanks to the 2009 Blenheim Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon the streak is still alive.
During the latest Virginia Wine Expo, I made it a point to stop at the Blenheim Vineyards booth where Kirsty was kind enough to take myself and my family through the tasting which of course lead to a certain inevitable ending – I came home with wine. Last night while the wife was out with a friend (read: abandoned the dog and I to our own devices), I tossed a steak on the grill and opened up a bottle.
