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

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

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

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

PINS DES DUNES Rosé, BORDEAUX 2015

Summer Reviews, Wine Reviews

The wine is one-third Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. I tried this new vintage with Bear Dalton when we tasted through the 2015 vintage in Bordeaux. We were astounded at the pleasure this wine gave us all! I am an avid fan of dry Rosé and this wine is guaranteed to be at my table on a regular basis during the summer. Flavors of bubblegum dust, strawberry and juicy fruit sing through the palate with a core of medium, plus acidity on the backbone. The mid-palate offers hints of crushed ro... 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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CASTELLARGO ALBUS WHITE BLEND

Summer Reviews, Wine Reviews

In an area best known for Pinot Grigio, Castellargo is producing one of the best quality white blends in the region without the use of its most popular grape. Albus is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Friulano that is not aged in oak to preserve the freshness and acidity. This wine is refreshingly juicy from the first sip. Exotic flavors of elderflower, guava and lychee zing into medium-plus acidity. Notes of honeysuckle and jasmine quaff through the mid-palate with a backbone of we... 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

Domaine De La Laidiere Blanc - Bandol 2008

Domaine de la Laidiere Blanc, Bandol 2008

Wine Reviews

Made from Clairette and Ugni Blanc, Laidiera Blanc is floral and fresh with pleasant acidity and minerality. White Bandols are tricky. They are not inexpensive and don’t usually fit into the crisp and citrusy category of a Sauvignon Blanc or buttery and creamy category of Chardonnay So where does that leave Bandol Blanc? Maybe more like a white Rhone–but it really its its own thing. These are wines of texture and weight with subtle aromatics. Hints of peach skin, apricot pit but not full-blo... Read More

Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc, Pessac-Léognan 2009

Wine Reviews

I try every Bordeaux Blanc I can get my hands on, and this effort from Chateau Carbonnieux is one of the prettiest white wines I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting. Carved out of the Graves region of Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan is known for developing some of the most elegant white wines in Bordeaux. This dry white shows a honeysuckle coating mouthfeel and a wonderful lasting lemon zest finish.

Sailor's Grave

Sailor’s Grave Cabernet, Napa Valley 2010

Wine Reviews

This intensely evocative Cabernet Sauvignon radiates deep plum and ruby-colored hues. The aromas are well defined with concentrated cassis and ripe black cherry, backed by mocha and toasted vanilla notes. On the palate, this full-bodied tannic Cabernet has firm mid-palate presence and loads of cellar-worthy potential. As the spectrum of flavors unfolds, the huckleberry and raspberry give way to a complex mocha, coffee, vanilla matrix —all balanced under the fruit notes, giving the wine a tingl... Read More

Casajus Vendimia Seleccionada, Ribera del Duero 2011

Casajus Vendimia Seleccionada, Ribera del Duero 2011

Wine Reviews

While traveling through Northern Spain, I was taken through the heart of Ribera del Duero. I was fortunate enough to meet up with Jose Alberto Casajus and while walking through his vineyards in Quintana del Pidio, he talked of not only his winemaking, which is off the charts, but also his legend of being the village baker. This 100% Tinta Fina (Tempranillo) is super silky, and shows refined tannins, juicy dark berries on the front and a stern backbone proving a long finish—an amazing blend of ... Read More