Monthly Archives: March 2014

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2012 Cinco Joses, Aragones Winery

The 5 Joses proclaims itself “one hard workin’ bottle” and this red earns a grin in both its aspirations as well as its execution.  This “Old Vines” Grenache hails from Spain (perhaps garnacha is thus more appropriate) and was part of an internationally flavored dinner for our humble table.  The Cinco Joses accompanied a great quinoa and kale salad, accented with onions, cucumbers, arugula, and tomato salad–fresh and with just the right amount of kick to it.

Unconventionally, the red also complemented a fish entre, a whitefish packing too just a hint of zest.  Not quite the way you might draw it up on the whiteboard but just fine for this family.  Throw in a side of portabello mushrooms and you’re ready for good eating.

Grenache seems to have one of those easy growing profiles (you can find it in Europe, Australia, and the U.S.) and it takes on a similar profile in this 2012 red.  It was a bit acidic right out of the bottle, but I seem to have this inherent flaw in that I never let a new bottle breathe enough, so you have to balance that into your own evaluation.  That’s how I regarded the tannins in the Cinco Joses, but it definitely packed in the fruit right from jump too.  I would say less strawberry or raspberries in your taste here, and more black berry.

If you’re a fan of Zinfandel I think you’d be happy with this affordable, rich red.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.

 

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The Ones That Got Away

We enjoyed a number of fine adult beverages through the 2013 holidays and into March of 2014.  In light of an aggressive travel schedule, however, I’ve neglected to review several great reds and whites that graced our table in this time frame.  Tasting notes will have to wait another sampling but thought you’d enjoy a quick depiction of our “travels” through wine country domestically and abroad.

2011 Buena Vista Natalia’s Selection Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California, USA.
2007 Bagrationi Champagne, France.
2011 Casillero del Diablo Red Blend, Chile.
2011 Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA.
2011 Cairanne La Cigalette, Cote due Rhone Villages, France.
2012 Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Italy.
2011 Clos du Bois, Pinot Grigio, California, USA.
2011 Tiamo Chianti, Italy.
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3 Muses Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Interesting dining approaches for our consumption of the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from 3 Muses Cellars.  Arriving home on a Friday evening after a week on the road in New Jersey, I had my first glass of this gentle cab with a delicious frittata.  Frankly, I’m not sure what wine goes best with breakfast food but sometimes it’s the adventure that makes this blog such a worthy cause.  Yes, that’s right, I’m sacrificing for the art…

2014-03-22

3 Muses Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Rosa, California, USA.

…and I honestly don’t have great notes on how the Muses worked this first night.  The following evening, however, we revisited as part of a favorite easy meal: tender, succulent beef, crispy crowns seasoned potatoes, and fresh salads.  Armed with our new grill and a penchant for cow flesh, the steaks have been fantastic over the last several weeks and this is another one of those occasions.  The seasonings on our steaks were easy to identify but the faint touches in the Muses were less so.  Thus, I offer a few words from the winemaker:

“Soft and subtle on the palate, this California Cab offers aromas and flavors of cassis, plum, dark berries, and dried herbs.”

Short and sweet description, right?  Sort of like the vino itself.  The Muses had the deep, rich ruby hues we often associate with a California red but was a bit weaker in the subtleties that really make a great Cabernet Sauvignon distinguish itself from the pack.  I’m glad we gave it a go but there are many finer options out there waiting for us in the future.

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2012 Mr. Riggs “The Ring In” Shiraz

“The Ring In” Shiraz was a mail-order bottle that caught my eye in several ways: 1) its simple, understated horseshoe-shaped logo; 2) its odd name; and 3) the fact that it was a Shiraz.  Several years ago I had a pretty significant Shiraz phase, recording thoughts and tasting notes in a wine notebook, but this grape has been absent from our table in recent months.  Someday I may unearth the notebook and add some of that information to Notes–here some thoughts on the Mr. Riggs experience in the interim:

2014-03-16

2012 Mr. Riggs “The Ring In” South Australia Shiraz.

Big bouquet of blackberry and dark fruit on the nose, right upon opening, and with none of the sharpness that you occasionally get when uncorking a Cabernet Sauvignon.  Deep, deep red pour into a glass held by my eager hand, and then more fruit too upon initial tasting.  Here are several ideas from the experts that should further shape your instincts with The Ring In:

“This exclusive U.S. import offers notes of black cherry, eucalyptus, violets, blackberry, vanilla, cocoa, and minerals.”

As depicted in the mouth-watering photo here, we had The Ring In (a South Australian gem) with a hearty beef stew and biscuits, both cooked up to a tender and flavorful effect by my wife.  You might be thinking about heartburn right about now, but let me assure you her stew broth was packed with subtle tastes that were easy on the tongue and throat.  This meal did well to ward off the chill of a rainy, overcast Sunday and was a great last dinner before an early a.m. flight to New Jersey and “road” foodstuffs.

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2012 Gracenote Pinot Noir

After a tiring flight from San Antonio, the 2012 Gracenote Pinot Noir was a welcome treat that marked the end of a six-day work week.  My wife had opened in advance of my arrival, and the aromatic Pinot Noir had had a good opportunity to breath while I was en route from the airport.

2014-03-15

2012 Gracenote Pinot Noir, Ubben Vineyards, Russian River Valley, California, USA.

This Russian River Valley red, aged in oak barrels, was created by Ubben Vineyards (and winemaker Reed Renaudin) and had a great fruity scent to it.  Great, vibrant color too.  Notes from the pros read as follows:

“This sublime wine offers impressions of dark cherry, strawberry, lavender, vanilla, cedar, and a hint of toast.”

It had a bit too much vanilla for me, but the strawberry (not exactly my favorite) was subtle and I tasted more of the cherry and cedar–gladly.  I consumed a glass with a chicken cordon bleu and delicious orzo salad, and the Gracenote was an effective medium between the two.  A nice bit of comfort after the Saturday night flight.