At $9-10, I would have been more impressed. I was a bit disappointed after paying $13 at Sam's Wine and reading an impressive in-store description. The La Ramillade (I realize that's "the" twice, thanks to Mme Erickson, my 8th grade French teacher), has good initial flavors of oak and medium fruit, but finishes with a packed punch of spicy tannins. The bottle didn't mention what grapes composed this Cotes du Rhone; another website said grenache. A poor pairing with my cedar planked wild salmon tonight. The grapey flavors made it taste a bit cheap. That said, as I enjoy a 2nd glass while watching the Cubs continue to beat up on the Sox (SWEEP!?!), it's much nicer in flavor.
All in all, a pretty good inexpensive red, so I'll give it a 5.5/10. Try red meat with this one. Either way "smooth" would not be found in this wine's description. And the name? It comes from the thorns of the local pine tree which workers burn to keep warm during the winter pruning. period.
June 22, 2008
June 17, 2008
Charles de Fère Cuvèe Jean-Louis Blanc de Blanc Brut
Back in Chicago after a long week in North Carolina with family - and it's time to celebrate with a bottle of champagne with a long French name. And why does champagne always have to be saved for a celebration?
Hands down, the best sub $15 bubbly I've ever had. At $7/bottle at Sam's Wine, this is one French import that you should try. It doesn't have that sharp aftertaste that many in this price range tend to have. It's a nice balance between sweet and dry, with neither overshadowing those fine bubbles. Clean and crisp on this fine summer's night. 8/10 rating gets "Chuck" de Fère in my best of class category.
Another reason to celebrate: As this is post #52 since AWineAWeek started in January...I've reached my annual wine goal (52 bottles) in half the time alloted. Here's to overachieving! ;)
Hands down, the best sub $15 bubbly I've ever had. At $7/bottle at Sam's Wine, this is one French import that you should try. It doesn't have that sharp aftertaste that many in this price range tend to have. It's a nice balance between sweet and dry, with neither overshadowing those fine bubbles. Clean and crisp on this fine summer's night. 8/10 rating gets "Chuck" de Fère in my best of class category.
Another reason to celebrate: As this is post #52 since AWineAWeek started in January...I've reached my annual wine goal (52 bottles) in half the time alloted. Here's to overachieving! ;)
June 4, 2008
Penfolds Koonunga Hill 2006 Shiraz Cabernet
After designing a "bespoke pro-cess" all day with my British pals, it was time for a Wednesday wine.
This Aussie red blend is 78% shiraz and 22% cabernet. The first thing I notice is a strong bite that overpowers the finish. Tobacco and oak on the nose. A sign of quality wine (in my book) is when you can pick up on multiple flavors - I've found that tough to do with most under $10 wines, but the Koonuga Hill is full of dark fruits such as plum and gives flavors of chocolate and oak. And then that bite kicks in. At $8/bottle at Costco (and easy to find), it's not too shabby with a 5/10 rating. And to see how Australian I could be, I even had a Mint Slice and a Tim Tam while sippin' my cheap wine.
P.S. it's summer hiatus time, so although I'll be busy drinking content for my next several posts, you won't see them on the site next week. Just check out the categories to the right and catch up on past posts! I'll miss you.
This Aussie red blend is 78% shiraz and 22% cabernet. The first thing I notice is a strong bite that overpowers the finish. Tobacco and oak on the nose. A sign of quality wine (in my book) is when you can pick up on multiple flavors - I've found that tough to do with most under $10 wines, but the Koonuga Hill is full of dark fruits such as plum and gives flavors of chocolate and oak. And then that bite kicks in. At $8/bottle at Costco (and easy to find), it's not too shabby with a 5/10 rating. And to see how Australian I could be, I even had a Mint Slice and a Tim Tam while sippin' my cheap wine.
P.S. it's summer hiatus time, so although I'll be busy drinking content for my next several posts, you won't see them on the site next week. Just check out the categories to the right and catch up on past posts! I'll miss you.
June 1, 2008
Bodega Norton Reserva - 2005 Malbec
A great standby Malbec to pair with pizza, pasta, or steak. Or salmon, like tonight ;). A great value for an easy-to-find cheap wine - picked this up at Costco for $10.50, but online prices are from $13 to $18. I wouldn't pay more than $13 though. Very smooth at the start with a quick pepper on the finish that coats the mouth. Mostly blackberry standing out. 5/10 rating, can't go wrong here and it's easy to find.
P.S. This is the first week "A Wine A Week" stuck to it's name with only a single wine posted. Don't think I've gone soft - A German Fest down the road had me ziggy-zakky'ing steins and unfortunately not serving any Riesling or Guwerztraminer for me to blog about.
P.S. This is the first week "A Wine A Week" stuck to it's name with only a single wine posted. Don't think I've gone soft - A German Fest down the road had me ziggy-zakky'ing steins and unfortunately not serving any Riesling or Guwerztraminer for me to blog about.
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