Holiday Bordeaux 2019

Spec’sology Blog, Holidays, Wine, Wine Reviews
I tasted through a lot of Bordeaux in 2019. Not a disproportionately high amount, but Bordeaux has been on a fairly unprecedented run of quality vintages dating back to 2014, so there are a lot of great wines both currently available and coming soon to market (the 2017 and 2018 Bordeaux futures campaigns are still active). The most exciting aspect of tasting is stumbling across a wine that offers real value – a $20-$30 bottle that drinks like it should cost twice that – which surprisingly... Read More

CA’ MOMI ROSSO DI NAPA 2012/2013

Summer Reviews, Wine Reviews

Fresh and focused with a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Merlot, aged eight months in French and American oak barrels. Offers fresh, dusty red and black fruit showing spicy cherry-berry character combined with gravelly earth terroir, dusty mixed oak, and accents of cedar, tobacco, black pepper, leather, and dark spice. Almost Sangiovese-like, this is an American red wine to serve as you would a Chianti. Try it with pizza, pasta and red sauce, lasagna, or eggplant parmigi... Read More

Mumm Napa Brut Rosé

Summer Reviews, Wine Reviews

A methode champenoise blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay from vineyards in Napa Carneros and southern Napa Valley. A portion of the Pinot part of the blend is red Pinot Noir (riper, longish cold soak, punchdowns) to give the wine its full, darker rosé color. After aging en tirage, the wine is disgorged and dosed to 1.2% sugar. This gives it a richer brut finish that allows it to handle some spice in foods it is served with. Pink-garnet-salmon in color and fully sparkling; almost dry, me... Read More

DR. LOOSEN “L” RIESLING, Mosel 2013

Summer Reviews, Wine Reviews

Sweet, but balanced 100% Riesling sourced mainly from growers in Bernkastel, Wehlen and Graach (with some Brauneberger, Zelting and others) fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel without malolactic fermentation. Offers lovely classic apple juice and lime Mosel Riesling fruit with lots of minerals and a hint of peach. Super fresh and alive in the mouth. Great with shrimp or spicier appetizers. Quite refreshing. ABV: 8.5%

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CASTILLO PERELADA RESERVA ESPECIAL BRUT CAVA

Summer Reviews, Wine Reviews

Pale-gold-straw in color and fully sparkling; dry, medium-plus-bodied with acidity still fresh. A blend of Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada (the classic Cava trio) together with some Chardonnay fermented using methode champenoise (same as the Perelada Cava Brut Reserva) but aged 27 months on the yeasts in the bottle and an extra three months after disgorging. Toastier with a yeasty earthiness and real depth to go with citrus and tree fruit plus some earthy red fruit. The richness from the add... Read More

Château de Lancyre Rosé Pic Saint Loup 2014

Wine Reviews

A 13.5% alcohol richer Rosé blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Cinsault, grown on clay/limestone-based soils and made using a mix of press must and tank-bled wines. Red-salmon-pink in color, bright and clear with good legs; dry, medium-bodied with freshly balanced acidity and very light phenolics. Bigger, richer, darker rosé that is almost in the chillable red range. Riper red fruits with minimal citrus and more richness and texture in the mouth, but with plenty of mineral-earth to give ... Read More

Louis de Sacy Brut Originel Champagne

Louis de Sacy Brut Originel Champagne

Wine Reviews

A 12% alcohol blend of 55% pinot noir, 30% chardonnay and 15% pinot meunier with about 15% reserve wines bottled, refermented and aged 30 months en tirage before disgorgement and finished brut. Gold-straw in color and fully sparkling; dry, medium-light-bodied with fresh acidity. A yeast-fruit-and-mineral nose gives way to a crisp, fresh palate featuring citrus and a bit of red fruit, accented by toasty yeast and a flinty minerality. Fresh and focused, it is best suited to be served as an aperiti... Read More