2008 Finca Lopez Noceti Malbec 1919
This Argentinian Malbec we’ve sampled once or twice previously (albeit before starting this blog), an affordable red from South America’s Mendoza region. It definitely has a whiff of berries and “deep red” about it. I’m reserving some additional notes for the next tasting, but this first bottle we split over two evenings–the second one with dinner. We had this Malbec with a delicious apple blue cheese salad and perfectly readied pork chops.
A nondescript part of Mom’s birthday celebration was enjoyment of this 2010 Pinot Noir…nondescript in part because I was the only one tasting and in part because it just…blended in with the evening’s fair. It wasn’t stellar, and it wasn’t a disappointment. It was just a solid, dependable red. This California (North Coast) pinot from Mendocino County accompanied a meal that was indeed memorable–a light arugula and pear salad finished with a light honey/EVOO/mustard vinaigrette; an orange-tinted quinoa; sesame ginger snap peas, and roasted scallops on skewers. All of those were great, so maybe it’s just in comparison that the pinot was just adequate?
This growing favorite we shared with our good friends and neighbors with a few hors de oevres. They remarked at its taste and seemed to enjoy the Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Cabernet Sauvignon blend as much as we do. The Neprica does not disappoint!
Some comfort food and comfort wine–this red Italian blend figuring prominently therein–marked this Tuesday evening meal. We had originally considered something more healthy and greens-based but deferred at the last minute. Given my own upcoming travel and the uncertain culinary delights I’d have along the way, I wholeheartedly embraced the move to the simple mac and cheese as well as the Neprica.
Happy Valentine’s Day–a day to spend in celebration of that special something that you can’t quite define in words but can cite a thousand examples between the two of you. Our HVD dinner, brightened with fresh tulips, consisted of a homemade lobster macaroni-and-cheese that armies would fight for, delicious asparagus in a lemon and burnt butter sauce, and the best company possible.
A molten chocolate cake – you see it in the photo here – was a featured dessert that my wife could sell in a high=end supermarket. It was a great finish to an evening that began with the Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label, one of our absolute favorites, and plenty of phone calls to our favorite people. Hoping your celebrations and your bubbly were as good!
Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label, of Champagne, France, accompanying our fresh tulips, chocolate cake, and lobster macaroni-and-chees dinner.
Based solely on the tasting video and reviews shared on Wine Express, we bought a case of this red Italian blend “sight unseen”. The first bottle completely fulfilled our every expectation, an amazing fruity–and light–red that struck pinot-like chords for us. It was the perfect complement to our evening meal, a delicious homemade potato soup with broccoli, fresh green onion, and chopped bacon. Good bread on the side, too.
My wife’s soup was great, and the wine was too. About Italian wines we know literally next to nothing, but so far we’re off to a great start. We’re excited to have a case of this blend on hand for the coming weeks and months. Anyone reading and following along would be happy to have this for him/herself too. Here’s validation from the big shots:
“Neprica is an awesome blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon from southern Italy that offers an unbeatable price versus quality ratio. This rising star of Puglia would pair with meats, pasta or aged cheese and offers clean aromas of ripe fruit, spice and leather.“
We cracked open the Gnarly Head Zinfandel about a week ago as an alternative to a pinot noir or cabernet. It had a sharp aftertaste on that first evening, but subsequent glasses over the week tasted better and better. Most evenings it was consumed just in small glasses prior to whatever dinner we had in mind; at least once it accompanied pork loin, purple roasted potatoes, and a killer apple-blue cheese-lettuce salad. Here’s what the winemaker says about this wine:
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel makes a bold statement at first sip. Our quest for outstanding Zinfandel led us down a country road into the heart of Lodi, California revealing a sea of gnarled, 35 – 80 year-old vines pruned in a special, mop-topped way called “head trained”. True gnarly heads, these old vines yield fewer grape clusters with smaller berries than trellised vines. These mighty little berries produce intense, bold wines that are deep in color with concentrated dark fruit flavors. Our Old Vine Zinfandel has a gnarly core of rich, dark berry flavors with layers of spice, plum, pepper and vanilla balanced by light hint of toasted oak.
A birthday celebration is always more complete with champagne, particularly one as amazing as this one. The Moet & Chandon Champagne Imperialwas a gift from dear friends, and was a great accompaniment for fresh sushi (courtesy of Kurumi). We popped this bubbly and hit the chopsticks with big smiles. It was light, fruity, and had a deft touch that helped make the night into a memory. Here’s what the big shots say about it:
Moet & Chandon Champagne Imperial
The color is an elegant golden straw yellow with amber highlights. Its aromas are radiant, revealing bright yellow-fleshed fruits (i.e., apple, pear, yellow peach), honey, floral nuances (e.g., lime blossom) and elegant blond notes (i.e., brioche and fresh nuts). The palate is seductive, richly flavorful and smooth combining generosity and subtlety, fullness and vigor, followed by a delicately fresh crispiness (fruit with seeds), to reveal the magical balance of champagne.
A must-have again soon!
Santa Julia Reserva - Malbec Argentina
This Argentinian malbec we recently enjoyed…like many others, as a celebration for making it through our respective work weeks. I do not recall what food accompanied this delicious treat, but know this bottle we would gladly do again–soon! Definitely lighter than a cab or a merlot, and slightly weightier than a pinot noir.
This deep, rich red blend caught our attention at our local Bottle King, where its 90 point Wine Spectator rating was being promoted. We uncorked and, not waiting even five minutes for the wine to breathe, sipped immediately–it was really heavy by comparison to the pinot noir that usually appeals to us. And here’s why:
34% Cabernet Sauvignon
34% Merlot
18% Syrah
10% Malbec
3% Cabernet Franc
And it is aged in both French and American oak barrels for 18 months. We sipped while enjoying shrimp cocktail and then gourmet grilled cheese (mozzarella cheese, basil, and roasted red peppers) sandwiches with seasoned potato wedges. Kicked up comfort food to ease us into the weekend.
Horse Heaven Hills 2009 Les Chevaux Red Wine.
Not sure how much of this is marketing and how much the actual truth, but this is the brief summary of the wine and the region from the bottle itself: “Washington state’s famed Horse Heaven Hills, named for the wild horses that once roamed this area, have been home to the Columbia Crest winery for over two decades. Our winemaker blends innovation and tradition to capture this unique basalt and bedrock terroir creating wines that highlight the intensity of these grapes. Les Chevaux (French for ‘the horses’) is a special blend of varietals from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA and personifies the legacy of the wild horses that once roamed this fabled area.”
Was fun and would be a treat to serve, but we would probably opt for something a little lighter in this situation next time.
NotesOfNote 