Aramis has been a favorite of mine for years, so I was excited to try the new vintage. Happily, it was not disappointing. The nose is powerful, with a lot of vanilla, cherry, and spice. Medium to full bodied, this wine caresses the palate, rather than overwhelming it the way many Aussie Shirazs do (especially those from Barossa). Cherry and raspberry upfront, with a delightful amount of vanilla and spice. The finish is dry, with a bit of earthy tobacco.
This is a good example of what a McLaren Vale Shiraz is all about; richness with elegance, rather than overwhelming power. But it will stand up to just about anything; while I had it with some cheese (which worked very well), it would be a great match for a steak, or just about anything off the "barbie".
Highly recommended. At $15, this is a great value.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Cloudbreak Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2010 - California
Sometimes, you just want a refreshing wine that tastes good, without thinking about every sip. Cloudbreak Chard is perfect for those times.
Since it's barrel fermented, there is a nice bit of oak, but it's not overwhelming, and is balanced well by the fruit and creaminess. Not overly complex, but very pleasant.
I first discovered this wine in a blind tasting, where it beat out Kendall Jackson, La Crema, and Muirwood's single vineyard. I was surprised when I found out that this was the one I liked best, as it is by far the least expensive, being only $8.
If you're looking for a lighter bodied Chard with a nice bit of oakiness and creaminess, or especially if you're a KJ or La Crema fan, this one is worth giving a try.
Recommended.
Since it's barrel fermented, there is a nice bit of oak, but it's not overwhelming, and is balanced well by the fruit and creaminess. Not overly complex, but very pleasant.
I first discovered this wine in a blind tasting, where it beat out Kendall Jackson, La Crema, and Muirwood's single vineyard. I was surprised when I found out that this was the one I liked best, as it is by far the least expensive, being only $8.
If you're looking for a lighter bodied Chard with a nice bit of oakiness and creaminess, or especially if you're a KJ or La Crema fan, this one is worth giving a try.
Recommended.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Syrah from Chile - Veranda Syrah Estate bottled Apalta Vineyard 2008
I've had only a few Syrahs from Chile, and one winemaker has told me that while they have some great vines, they have problems selling it, and end up blending most of it into Cabs or other wines.
Well, the Veranda may not change that by itself, but it's a step in the right direction. Lots of bright raspberry and cherry flavors with undertones of dark fruit, along with a dose of vanilla and a nice bit of black pepper. If I didn't know better, I might have guessed that this was an Aussie Shiraz, perhaps from Heathcote. More elegant and a little lighter body than a Barrossa wine of this depth, but more spice than anything from the Limestone Coast area.
But there's a level of complexity that I've not found in any Aussie wine at this $18 price point; there's almost a little hint of Cote Rotie hiding behind the rich fruit (in a way, not surprising; many Chilean Syrahs are from cuttings from the upper Rhone valley). Like I'm finding in many better Chilean wines, this nicely bridges the gap between traditional Old World (French) wines and the typical New World (California or Australia) fruit bombs.
It does need some time to breath; I recommend using a Vinturi or decanting. Better yet, grab a few bottles and lay them down for a few years.
Serve this one with anything off the grill, from burgers to filet mignon. Or just have it by itself; it drinks great. I gave this 92 points, a level I don't often get to.
Very highly recommended
Well, the Veranda may not change that by itself, but it's a step in the right direction. Lots of bright raspberry and cherry flavors with undertones of dark fruit, along with a dose of vanilla and a nice bit of black pepper. If I didn't know better, I might have guessed that this was an Aussie Shiraz, perhaps from Heathcote. More elegant and a little lighter body than a Barrossa wine of this depth, but more spice than anything from the Limestone Coast area.
But there's a level of complexity that I've not found in any Aussie wine at this $18 price point; there's almost a little hint of Cote Rotie hiding behind the rich fruit (in a way, not surprising; many Chilean Syrahs are from cuttings from the upper Rhone valley). Like I'm finding in many better Chilean wines, this nicely bridges the gap between traditional Old World (French) wines and the typical New World (California or Australia) fruit bombs.
It does need some time to breath; I recommend using a Vinturi or decanting. Better yet, grab a few bottles and lay them down for a few years.
Serve this one with anything off the grill, from burgers to filet mignon. Or just have it by itself; it drinks great. I gave this 92 points, a level I don't often get to.
Very highly recommended
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