Hi Friends,
2005 Senejac, Haut-Médoc ($29.99)
This is a nice buy that I recently tasted and it is definitely worth a look. Here is what Wine Spectator says about it:
90 points Wine Spectator: "There's lots of grapey character, with blackberry and hints of smoky oak. Full-bodied, with lovely soft tannins and a long, caressing finish. Best after 2011".
This wine can easily age for 10-15 years with its full potential in over 5 years. Let me know what you think.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
2005 Bordeaux, yet another one!
2005 Valrose "Cuvée Alienor" St-Estèphe ($31.99)
92 points Wine Spectator: "Deep plum, dark chocolate and currant aromas follow through to a full body, with soft, velvety tannins. This is long and beautiful, with loads of fruit and texture. A very pretty wine. Best after 2011."
Enjoy.
92 points Wine Spectator: "Deep plum, dark chocolate and currant aromas follow through to a full body, with soft, velvety tannins. This is long and beautiful, with loads of fruit and texture. A very pretty wine. Best after 2011."
Enjoy.
Excellent 2005 Bordeaux
2005 Carignan Prima, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux ($29.99)
90 points Wine Spectator: "Black currant and violet notes on the nose, with a good dose of slightly charred oak, follow through to a full body, with fine tannins and a long, vanilla-colored finish. There's lots of oak, but also lots of fruit. Needs time. This is very chewy. Best after 2011."
Enjoy!
90 points Wine Spectator: "Black currant and violet notes on the nose, with a good dose of slightly charred oak, follow through to a full body, with fine tannins and a long, vanilla-colored finish. There's lots of oak, but also lots of fruit. Needs time. This is very chewy. Best after 2011."
Enjoy!
Great 2005 Bordeaux Vintage keeps on delivering!
2005 Puygueraud, Côtes de Francs ($26.99)
This wine earned 92 points with Wine Spectator: "Shows lovely black currant, floral and black licorice notes. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a tight bead of fruit and mineral throughout. Long finish. Best after 2009."
According to Robert Parker: "This Thienpont-owned vineyard was one of the first to make noises from what was a totally unknown appellation - Cotes de Francs. Stephane Derenoncourt is the consultant, which helps explain this beautifully textured, dense purple-colored effort. The bouquet offers up aromas of tobacco leaf, black currants, cherries, charcoal, and a hint of background wood. Drink it over the next 5-7 years."
Enjoy it
This wine earned 92 points with Wine Spectator: "Shows lovely black currant, floral and black licorice notes. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a tight bead of fruit and mineral throughout. Long finish. Best after 2009."
According to Robert Parker: "This Thienpont-owned vineyard was one of the first to make noises from what was a totally unknown appellation - Cotes de Francs. Stephane Derenoncourt is the consultant, which helps explain this beautifully textured, dense purple-colored effort. The bouquet offers up aromas of tobacco leaf, black currants, cherries, charcoal, and a hint of background wood. Drink it over the next 5-7 years."
Enjoy it
More from the legendary 2005 Bordeaux Vintage
Every time there is a great vintage like 2005 in Bordeaux, the watermark generally rises for all good wines. This presents a great opportunity to buy into an excellent vintage at much more affordable prices. I will present to you several of these wines in today's notes:
2005 Les Trois Croix, Fronsac ($24.99)
90 points Wine Spectator: "s a pretty nose, with blackberry, flowers and licorice-tainted mineral. Full-bodied, with dense fruit, fine tannins and a long, minerally finish. Best after 2010."
An excellent showing for this Fronsac property owned by the family of ex-Mouton Rothschild winemaker Patrick Leon." (May/June 06) According to Robert Parker: "The former regisseur for Mouton Rothschild, Patrick Leon, owns this estate. His richly fruity, surprisingly soft 2005 Trois Croix possesses excellent concentration and overall balance. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years."
Enjoy it!
A kick-butt Australian Shiraz - A 93 Pointer
Here is a an excellent versatile red wine that will go with just about anything!
2005 Henry's Drive Reserve Shiraz Padthaway South Australia - $30 (only from K&L wines)
The 2005 Shiraz Reserve was sourced entirely from estate fruit and was aged in 85% new oak. The wine is a glass-coating purple/black with an alluring perfume of toast, bacon, smoked meat, blueberry, and licorice. Deeper and richer than the “regular” Shiraz, it also has enough structure to merit 4-6 years of cellaring. The wine’s finish is long and pure. Wine Spectator rates this wine at 91 points, but Robert Partker rates it at 93! The wine is generally $50, but K&L wines (also through the Web) sells it for $30! Great wine for the upcoming holiday season, or on second thought, for tonight!!
Enjoy it.
2005 Henry's Drive Reserve Shiraz Padthaway South Australia - $30 (only from K&L wines)
The 2005 Shiraz Reserve was sourced entirely from estate fruit and was aged in 85% new oak. The wine is a glass-coating purple/black with an alluring perfume of toast, bacon, smoked meat, blueberry, and licorice. Deeper and richer than the “regular” Shiraz, it also has enough structure to merit 4-6 years of cellaring. The wine’s finish is long and pure. Wine Spectator rates this wine at 91 points, but Robert Partker rates it at 93! The wine is generally $50, but K&L wines (also through the Web) sells it for $30! Great wine for the upcoming holiday season, or on second thought, for tonight!!
Enjoy it.
Need to hear from you all!
Friends,
I would really appreciate your feedback and encouragement! But, I need them more than ever now since I want to ensure I provide you actionable information that you can use. So, please take a moment and drop me a line and tell me what you think, what you like or not, or different types of wine that you would like for me to focus on.
This is for you so help me customize it to your liking.
Happy Sipping!
Robert
I would really appreciate your feedback and encouragement! But, I need them more than ever now since I want to ensure I provide you actionable information that you can use. So, please take a moment and drop me a line and tell me what you think, what you like or not, or different types of wine that you would like for me to focus on.
This is for you so help me customize it to your liking.
Happy Sipping!
Robert
Great 2005 Bordeaux
OK Buddies. Here is a great 2005 Bordeaux that will pair well with lots of foods as well as sipping by itself. This one is from the Haut-Medoc region of Bordeaux. The wine recently got a 90 point ranking from Robert Parker and is obtainable in the Bay Area for under $22!!
The wine is: 2005 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc
From the first sip you can taste the dark plum/purple-tinged with a beautiful nose of new saddle leather, spice box, black currants, and a hint of unsmoked cigar tobacco, it offers medium body, admirable richness, decent acidity, and ripe tannin
Enjoy it!
The wine is: 2005 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc
From the first sip you can taste the dark plum/purple-tinged with a beautiful nose of new saddle leather, spice box, black currants, and a hint of unsmoked cigar tobacco, it offers medium body, admirable richness, decent acidity, and ripe tannin
Enjoy it!
Monday, October 27, 2008
I am Back and so are new wine arrivals!
Hi Friends,
We were gone the enitre summer and out of the country. I have tasted a lot of good wines in the price range that is becoming of the current "market conditions"! Stay tuned for new entries very shortly.
Living well is the best revenge!
Robert
We were gone the enitre summer and out of the country. I have tasted a lot of good wines in the price range that is becoming of the current "market conditions"! Stay tuned for new entries very shortly.
Living well is the best revenge!
Robert
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
2005 Belgrave, Haut-Medoc
Wine Spectator awarded this wine with 91 points. This wine is full-bodied with silky tannins. The undertone of currant is noticeable with some hint of vanilla on the back of the pallate.
This wine gravitates a bit more toward "new world" flavor spectrum than classic Bordeaux. A couple of hours of decanting, this wine will unleash all that goodness.
Enjoy.
2005 La Dauphine, Fronsac
This is another great buy that can be consumed now or be kept for the next 10 years or so. This is possible as the wine is 80% Merlot and %20 Cab to provide it the firm structure. This is a powerful but very elegant wine with long finish and silky tannins. The concentration and depth of this wine is outstanding.
Price is $29!
Enjoy
2005 Malmaison, Moulis
Here is another winner from the Moulis area of Bordeaux. It is highly rated by Wine Spectator at 91 points. It is a inky dark with hints of minerals, dark chocolate and licorice. It is definitely a full-body beauty with elegant tannins and a good finish.
The Barrel tasters have noted that the make up of this wine was 90% Merlot and 20% Cab. This would be one of the few that will reward you for years to come. Definitely worth adding it to your cellar.
2005 La Tour de Mons, Margaux
Wine Spectator gave this wine 90 points and described it as "Gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberry, Indian spices and cherry follow through to a full body, with firm, round tannins, sweet fruit and a pretty caressing finish". Not bad!!
Like most wines that I have set forth, these are drinkable now, but will benefit greatly with additional 4-5 years of cellaring.
Enjoy!
2005 de Sales, Pomerol
Here is an excellent wine from the Pomerol region of Bordeaux. The winery has been in this family for over 500 years! The gravel and sandy soil in this winery adds to the minerality and classic Pomeril mystique. The price is unbeatable at $25!
Enjoy!
2005 Camensac, Haut-Medoc
This wine took 93 points from Wine Enthusiast in a recent Barrel sample. This is a very "big wine" with strong tannin and lots of age-worthy fruits. It will age well if cellered properly. In norther California it is priced around $25.
I would match this with some strong cheeses or lamb kabobs!
I would match this with some strong cheeses or lamb kabobs!
More Good Stuff from the legendary 2005 Bordeaux
There is a great deal of excellent wines that are pouring in from this legendary vintage. However, it is a bit difficult to find true values since the prices have skyrocketed both due to our dismal exchange rate as well as an extraordinary demand for high end wines from France.
Believe it or not, the Chinese market is white hot for these wines as they are piling up for the Olympic visitors as well as local consumption. Some recent tariff adjustments made these wines a particularly good "buy" for them.
The good news is that with any extraordinary vintage such as 2005, the "water mark" actually comes up and availability of really good wines goes higher as well.
I am publishing some recommendations that are worthy of buying NOW!
Happy Sipping
Believe it or not, the Chinese market is white hot for these wines as they are piling up for the Olympic visitors as well as local consumption. Some recent tariff adjustments made these wines a particularly good "buy" for them.
The good news is that with any extraordinary vintage such as 2005, the "water mark" actually comes up and availability of really good wines goes higher as well.
I am publishing some recommendations that are worthy of buying NOW!
Happy Sipping
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Bordeaux 2005
As some of you know, Bordeaux 2005 has been touted as possibly the vintage of the century! Some like it even better than the legendary 2000 vintage. Wines from this vintage are good across France spanning over to the Burgundy Region and most others.
I will be bringing to you several of these excellent buys from one of my two favorite regions of the world (Burgundy is the other one!). As with any good vintage, the watermark for quality rises. As such, you will have a better chance of getting some good wines which are now rating as excellent, often at reasonable prices. For 2005, the famous Chateaus are offering their wines at stratospheric prices. Some of the first growth is going for well over a $1000. However, there are many bargains out there starting with today's' feature:
Chateau Pipeau
Region: Bordeaux
Appelation: St. Emilion
Wine Classification: Grand Cru
Vintage: 2005
Price: $30 USD
This is a well structured wine that is very approachable now simply due to the fact that it has a high content of Merlot as you can see from the appellation. This unlike wines from the left-bank of Bordeaux, rewards you in a shorter wait time (that means you can drink it now!). However, this will age well if you would like to store it as well. In 5-7 years, it could potentially hit its peak. The wine itself is jam packed with black fruits but it is not jammy like big California Cabs, so it does not over-power the food. This will pair well with grilled meats, hard and aged cheeses or just all by itself!
Enjoy it.
I will be bringing to you several of these excellent buys from one of my two favorite regions of the world (Burgundy is the other one!). As with any good vintage, the watermark for quality rises. As such, you will have a better chance of getting some good wines which are now rating as excellent, often at reasonable prices. For 2005, the famous Chateaus are offering their wines at stratospheric prices. Some of the first growth is going for well over a $1000. However, there are many bargains out there starting with today's' feature:
Chateau Pipeau
Region: Bordeaux
Appelation: St. Emilion
Wine Classification: Grand Cru
Vintage: 2005
Price: $30 USD
This is a well structured wine that is very approachable now simply due to the fact that it has a high content of Merlot as you can see from the appellation. This unlike wines from the left-bank of Bordeaux, rewards you in a shorter wait time (that means you can drink it now!). However, this will age well if you would like to store it as well. In 5-7 years, it could potentially hit its peak. The wine itself is jam packed with black fruits but it is not jammy like big California Cabs, so it does not over-power the food. This will pair well with grilled meats, hard and aged cheeses or just all by itself!
Enjoy it.
Terrific Zinfandel from Sonoma Valley
Zinfandels to me are like golden retriever of wines! They are versatile, easy-going, match up with just about anything. You should pair Zins particularly with grilled meats and BBQ during summer time. This wine is made by Stellwagen Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, here is the information about the wine:
Producer: Stellwagen Vineyard
Wine: Joseph Swan Vineyards, Zinfandel
Vintage: 2002
Region: Sonoma Valley, California
Price: Around $20 USD
It is summer time and everybody is doing more outdoor cooking and grilling, so this should make a perfect match for your entertaining as well as everyday drinking. let me know what you think.
Enjoy,
Producer: Stellwagen Vineyard
Wine: Joseph Swan Vineyards, Zinfandel
Vintage: 2002
Region: Sonoma Valley, California
Price: Around $20 USD
It is summer time and everybody is doing more outdoor cooking and grilling, so this should make a perfect match for your entertaining as well as everyday drinking. let me know what you think.
Enjoy,
Great Pinot From New Zealand
What I want to introduce to you all this time is a great Pinot Noir from the New Zealand which I recently came across. Needless to say, I bought a good supply of it. First, here is the wine:
Wine: RunHolder
Produced by Te Kairanga Winery
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2004
Price: around $30 USD
The wine is mid-body and an excellent choice for grilled chicken or Salmon, specially. Typical of Pinots, you get a good dosage of black currants, Bing cherries. The wine has a firm structure and nice lengthy finish. This is one of the better Pinots I have seen from NZ at this price range.
Enjoy it.
Wine: RunHolder
Produced by Te Kairanga Winery
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2004
Price: around $30 USD
The wine is mid-body and an excellent choice for grilled chicken or Salmon, specially. Typical of Pinots, you get a good dosage of black currants, Bing cherries. The wine has a firm structure and nice lengthy finish. This is one of the better Pinots I have seen from NZ at this price range.
Enjoy it.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A great wine from Argentina
As I mentioned earlier as part of the charter of this blog, I will stay away from technical wine jargon and simply introduce you to excellent buys from around the world with no bias toward any particular grape types!
I came across this Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina which is an excellent wine. The wine is medium to full-body with concentrated berries and hint of Bing cherries. The wine has a long finish and really stays on your palate for a while! You can enjoy this wine by itself, or any full body strong cheeses such as dry-aged Parmigiana Regiano (I know the cheese is from Italy). The wine is:
Name: Catena
Vintage: 2005
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Grape: Malbec
The best part about this wine is its availability. I actually found it at our local Costco for $15!!
You can pair this wine well with hardy dishes as it will stand up to them quite nicely. Enjoy the wine and let me know what you think.
This blog is for your benefit, I certainly would like to hear from you about types and varietals that you like, and I will introduce wines in those areas.
I came across this Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina which is an excellent wine. The wine is medium to full-body with concentrated berries and hint of Bing cherries. The wine has a long finish and really stays on your palate for a while! You can enjoy this wine by itself, or any full body strong cheeses such as dry-aged Parmigiana Regiano (I know the cheese is from Italy). The wine is:
Name: Catena
Vintage: 2005
Region: Mendoza, Argentina
Grape: Malbec
The best part about this wine is its availability. I actually found it at our local Costco for $15!!
You can pair this wine well with hardy dishes as it will stand up to them quite nicely. Enjoy the wine and let me know what you think.
This blog is for your benefit, I certainly would like to hear from you about types and varietals that you like, and I will introduce wines in those areas.
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