Things are constantly peaking and falling in the world of wine, much like in everything. A certain region will get really hot then cool off down the road. Certain grapes (read: riesling) will become synonymous with making poor quality, cheap wines to being worthy of becoming possibly one of the next darling grapes of the critic community. And certainly riesling seems to be getting it's fair share of attention. Two weeks in a row the local paper has featured articles about that exact grape, and this is not too long after writing up a previous one a few weeks back. There just seems to be some excitement behind the wine now, and rightfully so. Well, I am not here to continue this conversation about how "Gosh, riselings CAN be good wines these days! Seriously! Just listen!". I'm kinda getting sick of it anyway. No, I am here to make my prediction of what will be the next "riesling" storyline in the world of wine. And I've got to say...
Southern Oregon.
Ok, maybe it won't get a ton of national reviews or anything, but to me this is an up-and-coming wine growing area. There's some potential down there (seen by vineyards like Abacela and Del Rio, who sources much of their grapes) and other vineyards, like Rex Hill who released a really yummy Southern Oregon Pinot Noir Cuvee' last year, have tapped into that. To me it's the next area to explore in Oregon. The potential just needs to be honed in and given some time and the right winemakers. We've already proved to people we can make good pinots in the willamette valley. So I think in the next 5 years you'll be hearing more about what's happening in between Willamette Valley and California.
Looking to try a southern Oregon wine tonight? I like Abacela Vintner's Blend #8, which recently hit the market (skip blend #7, it's underwhelming). A blend of all around 8 grapes it is very acceptable at ~$15 with good fruit flavors. Abacela also makes some tempranillos and most recently, an albarino, which has garnered some nice reviews. Cheers!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Quick thought...
Barefoot wine is a inexpensive (read: cheap) wine you have probably seen around most grocery stores. Their bottles are usually covered with a series of stickers proclaiming how great their wines are (gold medal this, 88 points that, etc). Recently, a new sticker has appeared, which reads "Official wine of the American Volleyball Player Association". What the hell does that mean? The most I can figure is that volleyball players are cheap dates.
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Heavyweights!
OK, seriously. Now the big boys from the tasting. They deserve their own post. I'll skip most of the Nickel & Nickel cabernets (Sullenger and Vogt vineyards were my favs from their portfolio, ~$85 each), but let's talk about Insignia and Staglin Rutherford.
I've never had any of that real expensive wine. I've had some Italian Brunellos that certainly weren't cheap, but nothing getting up around $150 a bottle. I was excited.
It was a classic heavyweight cabernet bout. Staglin Rutherford 2004 in the left corner, Insignia 2004 in the right. Both crafty veterans with long track records. Both of these wines can be cellared (and would probably best benefit from that) for some time. I tasted them back to back. For me, Staglin was the winner. It was super rich, was really fruity (but not in a bad way), really complex and had impressive length. That would be the life, drinking Staglin at the steakhouse with you prime dry aged porterhouse. Would I say it's worth the probably $175 you would pay at the store, upwards of maybe $275-300 in a restaurant? Can I even answer that? Let me just say this. Best wine I have ever tried. Period. I was falling in love with the juice, then and there. It was showing excellently, which really surprised me because from what I had heard about these super big California cabernets is that they have got to age. This one will only get better with time and would be so exciting to try in 5 years or 10 years. Don't get me wrong, the Insignia was good (~$215) but Staglin had my heart. I will give a nod to Insignia and say that might have better aging potential. A friend of mine recently had a 1996 Insignia and said it was amazing. You could tell it was getting towards its optimal drinking time. That's 10 bloody years and it's still going strong! That is awesome.
Those of you who know me know that I am not a big spender. I still roll my 1996 Dodge Minivan with no shame (actually some pride...even with the ducktape marks on the bumper). I live at home (hey, I'm working on it...) and the only suit I own was purchased at Goodwill for $10. That said, I'm not afraid to spend some money on consumables (i.e. good food and drink). Real parmesan cheese from Italy, microbrews and lately Belgium beers, quality ice cream and of course wine. Does that mean I'll buy a bottle of Staglin? Honestly, I might do it. I'm surely not made of money but we only live one life. We should treat ourselves every once in a while. Or in this case once in a very long while. I'll go halves on a bottle with anyone who wants. Are you in?
I've never had any of that real expensive wine. I've had some Italian Brunellos that certainly weren't cheap, but nothing getting up around $150 a bottle. I was excited.
It was a classic heavyweight cabernet bout. Staglin Rutherford 2004 in the left corner, Insignia 2004 in the right. Both crafty veterans with long track records. Both of these wines can be cellared (and would probably best benefit from that) for some time. I tasted them back to back. For me, Staglin was the winner. It was super rich, was really fruity (but not in a bad way), really complex and had impressive length. That would be the life, drinking Staglin at the steakhouse with you prime dry aged porterhouse. Would I say it's worth the probably $175 you would pay at the store, upwards of maybe $275-300 in a restaurant? Can I even answer that? Let me just say this. Best wine I have ever tried. Period. I was falling in love with the juice, then and there. It was showing excellently, which really surprised me because from what I had heard about these super big California cabernets is that they have got to age. This one will only get better with time and would be so exciting to try in 5 years or 10 years. Don't get me wrong, the Insignia was good (~$215) but Staglin had my heart. I will give a nod to Insignia and say that might have better aging potential. A friend of mine recently had a 1996 Insignia and said it was amazing. You could tell it was getting towards its optimal drinking time. That's 10 bloody years and it's still going strong! That is awesome.
Those of you who know me know that I am not a big spender. I still roll my 1996 Dodge Minivan with no shame (actually some pride...even with the ducktape marks on the bumper). I live at home (hey, I'm working on it...) and the only suit I own was purchased at Goodwill for $10. That said, I'm not afraid to spend some money on consumables (i.e. good food and drink). Real parmesan cheese from Italy, microbrews and lately Belgium beers, quality ice cream and of course wine. Does that mean I'll buy a bottle of Staglin? Honestly, I might do it. I'm surely not made of money but we only live one life. We should treat ourselves every once in a while. Or in this case once in a very long while. I'll go halves on a bottle with anyone who wants. Are you in?
Trade tasting season is now open...
Apologies (and love to the one and only Montastic) for the hiatus. But now it's getting near tasting season. Lots of good shows will be taking place over the next few months and I'll try to get on here and let you know what I find. Any tasting notes here are just from what I remember...
Today was California through one of my distributors. There were a few big names present, most notably Joseph Phelps (Insignia included!), Nickel & Nickel and Staglin. Here are some wines I felt are worth picking up or even searching out. In depth post to follow about Staglin and Insignia.
Joseph Phelps, Le Mistral 2005: This is a red blend of multiple grapes (syrah, grenache, mouvedre and a few others) which is a typical style of southern France (I think, French wines are my weakness...and I don't mean I'm crazy about them, I just don't have much exposure to them). A nice get away from straight varietal wines. Retail ~$40
J. Lohr Valdiguie 2006: This was one wine I have never heard of (meaning the grape). A fairly obscure grape from France that makes a lighter style wine. Nothing crazy good about it, maybe an interesting note of liquorice and red fruit (think kinda pinot noir-ish) but would be a good bottle when retailing ~$8.50
Nickel & Nickel Zinfandel Bonfire Dry Creek 2005: No real tasting notes on this, but it was my favorite zin there. It should be at $52
Hahn Cab Franc 2005: There's not a whole lot of cab franc options out there it seems and most at this price point can't compete. Good value when looking for something different. ~$12
Cycles Gladiator, most varietals: Not bad juice at the price. Wasn't crazy about the merlot, though. I thought the syrah was notable. From ~$7.50 (syrah)- $14 (pinot)
Today was California through one of my distributors. There were a few big names present, most notably Joseph Phelps (Insignia included!), Nickel & Nickel and Staglin. Here are some wines I felt are worth picking up or even searching out. In depth post to follow about Staglin and Insignia.
Joseph Phelps, Le Mistral 2005: This is a red blend of multiple grapes (syrah, grenache, mouvedre and a few others) which is a typical style of southern France (I think, French wines are my weakness...and I don't mean I'm crazy about them, I just don't have much exposure to them). A nice get away from straight varietal wines. Retail ~$40
J. Lohr Valdiguie 2006: This was one wine I have never heard of (meaning the grape). A fairly obscure grape from France that makes a lighter style wine. Nothing crazy good about it, maybe an interesting note of liquorice and red fruit (think kinda pinot noir-ish) but would be a good bottle when retailing ~$8.50
Nickel & Nickel Zinfandel Bonfire Dry Creek 2005: No real tasting notes on this, but it was my favorite zin there. It should be at $52
Hahn Cab Franc 2005: There's not a whole lot of cab franc options out there it seems and most at this price point can't compete. Good value when looking for something different. ~$12
Cycles Gladiator, most varietals: Not bad juice at the price. Wasn't crazy about the merlot, though. I thought the syrah was notable. From ~$7.50 (syrah)- $14 (pinot)
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