Yes! More Mencia! I have loved the 2003 and 2004 (hold on, long name) Decendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos. I finally tried the 2005 and it is just as good. Great natural richness and wonderful minerality. Kind of like a Cru Beaujolais crossed with a kick-ass Tuscan (Fontalloro, anbody?). About 19 bucks, and would benefit [More]
The Mayor of Mencia, The Baron of Bierzo
Man, I love Bierzo! I am enjoying the 2002 Castro Ventosa Valtuille. About a month ago I was tasting a wine blind that I was 1000% sure was a Cru Beaujolais. Wrong! It was the Bierzo! After being open for an hour it’s a dead ringer for a CB. Although a little more concentrated. This [More]
The Best White Wine in the History of the World That You Can Buy For Under 10 Bucks
2005 Cave de Saumur Les Pouches Single vineyard dry Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley in France. Amazing concentration, depth, and complexity for a 9 dollar bottle. Stunning. France does it again; a truly remarkable bargain. Should be a glass pour at every restaurant in the world. As a bonus it has a totally cool [More]
Cadence Rules!
I just tasted through all the 2004s. They are elegant, balanced, and have great fruit. Nice acidity, too. What I also thought was very interesting is the large percentage of Cabernet Franc in the blends. Coda: 78%Ciel du Cheval: 39%Bel Canto: 50% They all have a nice, subtle Cab Franc character. A certain “savoriness.” All [More]
The Lingering Goodbye
One of my favorite wine reps coined a phrase for a wine with a loooong finish: The Lingering Goodbye. I experienced this tasting perhaps the finest dessert wine I have ever had. And it was Madeira! The Broadbent 45-50 Year Old Terrantez. Terrantez? Huh? It’s one of the world’s rarest grapes and only 20 cases [More]
Polar Opposites
I had two fantastic reds with a fantastic meal recently. It’s amazing how different these wines were, but both worked beautifully with food. The meal: Beef tenderloin with an Ancho chile/coffee/cocoa rub and butternut squash risotto The wines: 2004 Jasmin Cote-Rotie and a 1996 Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella The Jasmin had been decanted for about [More]
Austrian Gruner Veltliner
I love it. They also have the best packaging. 2005 Hofer Gruner Veltliner. Cool bottle.Cool label.Adorable beercap top.1L size.Crisp, dry, fun.9 bucks. Truly a “give-away” price.
Saint Cosme Does it Again
I have sung the praises of the Saint Cosme CDR; a 100% Syrah with purity and elegance. I just got my hands on a 2004 Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions. It’s a step up in price from the regular CDR and a blend rather than 100% Syrah. (And it has a real cork instead [More]
