Bitch Barossa Grenache 2005
May 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Wine Makers Remarks: “The bitch is back”. Bernie Taupin’s wife Maxine is said to have coined the phrase when she witnessed Elton John in one of his “famous foul moods”, complaining about everything. Taupin liked the phrase, as did Elton who gave it a melody and adopted it as his “theme song”, recording it into history in 1974. Some have even attached the line to Hillary Clinton much more recently, and there are days when it fits me too. Can you relate? Drink amongst yourselves.
Much like last year’s inaugural vintage, the 2005 Bitch is loaded with pizzazz, maybe just a touch firmer. Appearance: Medium crimson to cranberry with a slight unfiltered haze, bright pink around the edges to match the label. Aromas: Raspberry, cherry, Belgian milk chocolate, Madagascar vanilla, and hints of nutmeg. Ripe and sweet-tart around the edges, dry on the tongue with youthful mild tannins that are just a bit gravelly. Chocolate covered raspberry and cherry flavors finish firmly with a hint of gravelly mineral and pepper, not to mention a real “kick”. This red is on the money for what it’s trying to be, and is arguably more effective than a box of Godiva chocolates at 1/3 the price.
CHATEAU MONTROCHE 2005 COSTIERES DE NIMES
May 4, 2008 | 2 Comments
If you are just looking for really tasty and versatile red wine at a great price, this will be a sensational year for you. This is one of a pair of sensational little Rhones in feature spots this month that simply deliver what Mother Nature gave them.
If you are the Dufoix family, you live in a small village just west of the Rhone River and 15 miles from the Mediterranean. Your estate resembles one in Chateauneuf with rocky soils and the fruit, a mix of half old-vine Grenache with half Syrah, can hang late and get quite ripe and mature. In 2005, you get the vintage equivalent of a poker full-house, and your estate is managed and wine made by your friends and next door neighbors, the Cornuts, who also do a whale of a job at their own estate, Mas Guiot. Life is good, oui? Dark, plummy and packed with expressive, plush fruit, the tannins are ripe, the wine has round edges and fresh flavors. A surprisingly complete effort for this kind of fare with loads of personality, plenty of stuffing and an affable demeanor.
Faustino VII 2004
April 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Winemaker’s notes: In 1861 Eleuterio Martinez Arzok set out on a journey, selling his Rioja wines direct from the barrel, working from the back of a horse-drawn cart. Thus began Bodegas Faustino, today Spain’s largest producer of Reserva and Gran Reserva Rioja wines. In the late 1950s, Eleuterio’s equally adventurous descendant, Faustino Martinez, launched the Faustino label. Source of over 25% of all Reserva and Gran Reserva Riojas sold abroad, Faustino is a proud custodian of the Rioja’s international reputation for world-class wines. A phenomenal nine million bottles of Reserva and Gran Reserva wines are stored in Faustino’s magnificent cellars.
Horton Vineyards 1999 Cotes d’Orange
April 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux Rose 2006
February 18, 2008 | 1 Comment
Wine maker’s notes:
This dry Rose is intensely fruity. It comes from vines grown high on the slopes of Mount Ventoux, one of the best vineyards in the Rhone Valley. The delightful and distinctive character of La Vielle Ferme Rose is the judicious blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah grapes.
Wine Spectator
“Effusive and bright, with cherry pit, strawberry and mineral notes followed by a refreshing finish. An ideal summer back-porch pour that has the stuffing to match with food. Made from Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. Drink now.”
Horton Vineyards 1998 Mourvedre
February 16, 2008 | 1 Comment
Description: Dennis Horton is known in the wine industry as the ‘Lone Rhone Ranger of the East’ and has shown that world class wines can be made in Virginia with hot weather grapes. At Horton Vineyards we currently have under vine 30 different varieties of grapes including 5 different Rhone vines; Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache, Syrah and last but definately not least Mourvedre (alias Mataro, Morrastel, Esparte).
