February 8 - 22, 2006

On Wednesday February 22, 2006 the Houston Chronicle's "WINE FIND" by Michael Lonsford was 2004 Moreau Chablis! Tasting notes are included below.

WINE FIND
2004 Moreau Chablis

History: After "champagne," "chablis" may be the most misused French wine term around. Millions of cases of plonk have been sold over the years under the name "chablis," most of which had little, if any, chardonnay in it.

The real chablis, of course, is the epitome of chardonnay and comes from northern Burgundy in France. One of the oldest and largest producers is the Domaine Louis Moreau, dating back to 1814, which owns parcels in four of the appellation's seven grand crus and a monopoly in the prestigious Les Clos vineyard, bought in 1904.

But don't overlook the basic 2004 Moreau Chablis with its good flavor (hey, that's chardonnay!) and crisp minerality. 4 Stars

Pairings: This basic Chablis would pair well with seafood, chicken, even pasta with pesto.

On Wednesday February 22, 2006 the Annapolis Capital article "Alexander Valley ready to be noticed" by Tom Marquardt and Patrick Darr featured Alexander Valley Vineyards! Tasting notes and a link to the article are included below.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2003: The big seller for this producer, the family estate cabernet has the classic bell pepper and black pepper notes with expansive aromas of cassis and plum. Generous black cherry flavors in a soft framework follow. It's a very quaffable, medium body wine suitable for current drinking or short-term aging.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Merlot 2003: It's nice to find a good merlot in the market's sea of mediocrity. A surprise, this well-balanced merlot has an intense finish that goes on and on. The well-extracted fruit includes blackberries, cherry, sweet vanillin oak, lead pencil and cedar.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin Zin 2004: This blend - zinfandel (87 percent), sangiovese, and syrah - is what we remember most often about the property, even if there is little on the label to link it to Alexander Valley Vineyards. It has been in the family lineup since 1980. Katie takes particular pride in the mythical label of a reclining male drinking from a horn of plenty - it was her idea. There is plenty in the wine - plum and black pepper aromas with strawberry and raspberry flavors with a hint of mint. A big wine with loads of forward fruit. The producer's 2003 Redemption Zin ($27) is also an excellent wine made entirely with zinfandel grapes.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus 2001: Named after Cyrus Alexander, who first owned the property, this reserve meritage is a colossal wine with layered and complex flavors. The blend is 57 percent cabernet sauvignon, 32 percent merlot and 11 percent cabernet franc. The 2001 is loaded with luscious black cherry and currant fruit with pleasant additions of mocha. It will be featured at Metropolitan Grill. We liked the 2002 even better - it will be released here in March. The 2002 has malbec and petit verdot in the blend.

[Click here to read the entire article]

On Wednesday February 22, 2006 the Los Angeles Times "WINE OF THE WEEK" by S. Irene Virbila was 2004 Domaine Bruno Clair Marsannay Rosé! Tasting notes are included below.

WINE OF THE WEEK
2004 Domaine Bruno Clair Marsannay Rosé

This is no wimpy rosé, but a serious wine that just happens to be the color of rose petals. The surprise is that it comes not from Provence or the south of France, regions where rosé is a way of life, but from Marsannay in Burgundy. Who knew Pinot Noir could make such a fine rosé with a haunting note of cherries and earth? Bone dry, its silky texture and firm structure make it a versatile food wine.

Enjoyable as an aperitif, the 2004 rosé from Burgundy producer Domaine Bruno Clair can easily come to the table too. Pour it for an omelette aux fines herbes, a salade Niçoise, a grilled tuna steak. It could be great with steak tartare too.

Quick swirl
Region: Burgundy
Style: Dry and silky
Food it goes with: Omelets, salade Niçoise, grilled tuna, etc.

On Wednesday February 22, 2006 the Washington Post "WINES OF THE WEEK" by Ben Giliberti was Chateau Puech-Haut "Cuvee Prestige"! Tasting notes are included below.

WINES OF THE WEEK
Chateau Puech-Haut 2001/2002 "Cuvee Prestige"
Coteaux du Languedoc-Saint-Drezery

The challenge in the Coteaux du Languedoc is not how to make full-bodied wines, which is easy in the torrid heat of this obscure Mediterranean region of southern France, but how to make wines as smooth as they are powerful. Rolland has achieved a balance of power and finesse at this estate by adjusting harvest dates, maceration time (skin contact before fermentation) and final blends. The result of this hands-on effort is a lovely, wild red-berry flavored wine subtly accented by new oak, with a nice grip of firm tannins on the finish. Pair this with grilled lamb or beef.

On Thursday, February 23, 2006 the San Francisco Chronicle article "The Chronicle's Wine Selection; Russian River Valley Pinot Noir $31 and up" by Linda Murphy featured wine from Poderi Colla. Tasting notes are included below.

2004 Siduri Sapphire Hill Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir: This is an exotic Pinot, with pretty rose petal, pie cherry and ginger aromas, bright black cherry and cranberry fruit, and black pepper, mushroom, soy and orange zest nuances. Deep, complex and polished, it's for drinking now.
3 Stars

On Thursday, February 23, 2006 the MSNBC article "An Olympian grape, at affordable prices" by Jon Bonné featured wine from Poderi Colla. Tasting notes are included below.

Poderi Colla 2002 nebbiolo d’Alba: An interesting effort from a relative newcomer to the region, that makes the best of the horrid 2002 vintage. Up front, it’s delicate and finely earthy, with lush cherry and tart strawberry, all leading to a slightly tannic, acrid finish. Another bottle revealed vegetal off notes on the nose, though.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2006 the Baltimore Sun article "In the spirit of Mardi Gras" by Rob Kasper featured wine from Kim Crawford. Tasting notes are included below.

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2005: Crisp and tangy, this pale-gold New Zealand wine was a delightful dinner partner to fillets of pecan-covered grouper.

On Wednesday, February 22, 2006 the Houston Chronicle article "In The Wine Chart" by Michael Lonsford featured wine from Catello di Pomino. Tasting notes are included below.

2003 Castello di Pomino Benefizio Bianco (Frescobaldi): bdecent chardonnay fruit, but try the '04; it'll be fresher; high $20s. 3 Stars

2001 Castello di Pomino Rosso (Frescobaldi): it's just ... innocuous; about $25. 2 1/2 Stars

On Wednesday, February 22, 2006 the Forbes.com article "30 Italian Wines Under $30" by Nick Passmore featured wine from Cascina Bongiovanni, Dolcetto di Dogliani and Villa Russiz. Tasting notes are included below.

Dolcetto d'Alba, Cascina Bongiovanni 2003: A good Dolcetto is always a light, fruity, young and fresh-tasting red wine that's meant to be drunk young. As well as being Piedmont's favorite everyday wine, it's recently been discovered by the wider wine world. So it's a treat to discover this delightful version at what, I am sorry to say, is a very reasonable price these days.

Dolcetto di Dogliani, Poderi Luigi Einaudi 2003: Dolcetto never makes great wine, but it does make delightful, early-maturing wine that can be enjoyed young. It's also extremely versatile and can be drunk with a wide variety of foods. This beauty has a fresh and lively zestiness that will make it perfect for summer drinking. Barbecue? You could do no better.

Villa Russiz Pinot Bianco, Collio 2004: A beautifully made wine, all tangy, zesty fruit with not a hint of oak anywhere. Not an ideal aperitif wine, but a joy with chicken or almost any seafood, especially shellfish.

On Thursday, February 9, 2006 the San Francisco Chronicle article "The Chronicle Wine Selections:Barossa Valley Shiraz" by Linda Murphy featured wine from Grant Burge and Yalumba. Tasting notes are included below.

2003 Grant Burge Miamba Barossa Shiraz: Bright blackberry, plum and raspberry flavors get a boost from coffee, chocolate, licorice and smoke notes. Delicious now. 2 Stars

2003 Grant Burge Filsell Barossa Shiraz: There is wonderful balance and complexity here, with jazzy blackberry and raspberry fruit, black olive, mocha and vanilla notes and mouthwatering acidity -- racy and lively. 3 Stars

2003 Yalumba Barossa 95% Shiraz & 5% Viognier: No Aussie producer has done more with Viognier than Yalumba, and the grape's presence in this Shiraz gives the wine a pretty floral nose and a deep-purple hue. Ripe wild berry and spice aromas and flavors ride a rich, polished-tannin frame. 3 Stars

On Wednesday, February 8, 2006 the Washington Times "Wine of the week" by Paul Lukacs was Royal Tokaji, Tokaji Aszu, 5 Puttonyos! Tasting notes are included below.

WINES OF THE WEEK
Royal Tokaji, Tokaji Aszu, 5 Puttonyos, Tokaj-Hegyalja, 2000

This decadently rich but beautifully balanced elixir demonstrates why Tokaji, from Hungary, is one of the world's great dessert wines. It would make a wonderful end to a romantic Valentine's Day supper.

Tokaji is made from late-harvested grapes infected with Botrytis cinerea, the so-called "noble rot" that concentrates sugar and acidity, resulting in wines that can be both sumptuous and structured. This rendition smells and tastes opulent, with fruit flavors reminiscent of ripe apricots and secondary notes that echo sweet spice. At the same time, it displays beautiful harmony and never seems cloying or heavy.

A lush wine like this pairs best with fruit, cheese or nuts. It also can be delicious all by itself. Whether drunk on its own or alongside a dessert, it's romance in a glass — a delectable sweet for the sweet.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2006 the Washington Post article "WINE; Rosés and Reds With a Certain Romance" by Ben Giliberti featured wine Demoiselle. Tasting notes are included below.

Vranken Brut Rosé Champagne Demoiselle Grand Cuvee: is also eye-catching, in an embossed glass bottle that lets the salmony pink of its lush, softly rounded rosé shine through.

Tikal Amorío Altos de Mendoza 2003: Big, juicy and balanced; a modern wine that delivers plenty of fruit without being overwhelming. 3 Stars

Altos Las Hormigas Mendoza Viña Hormigas Reserva 2004: Rustic and tannic, with jammy, blueberry aromas.
1 1/2 Stars

On Wednesday, February 8, 2006 the Chicago Tribune article "Sweet wines for your sweetie" by Bill Daley featured wine from R.L. Buller and Royal Tokaji. Tasting notes are included below.

NV R.L. Buller & Son Tokay: From Australia and finished in a sherry-like style, this wine had a lovely honeyed aroma and a warm caramel sweetness. A blend of several vintages, the wine was super-smooth and soft.

1999 Royal Tokaji Birsalmas: This amber-colored tokay from Hungary reminded one taster of "peaches with a lemon chaser." Long, pleasant finish.

On Wednesday, February 8, 2006 the Wine Spectator article "Tasting Highlights: Pommard These 2003 red Burgundies reveal a deep well of fruit supported by firm tannins" by Bruce Sanderson featured wine from Vincent Girardin and Mommessin. Tasting notes are included below.

Vincent Girardin Pommard Les Chanlins Vieilles Vignes 2003: A mix of violet, cassis and blackberry aromas and flavors highlight this elegant yet structured Pommard. It's concentrated and harmonious, with a supple texture. The aftertaste is sweet fruit. From the premier cru portion of Les Chanlins. Drink now through 2018. 92 Points

Mommessin Pommard Les Chaponnières Grande Exception 2003: Spicy new oak adds dimension and complexity to the cherry and licorice aromas and flavors in this fresh, strapping red. Not so much rustic as showing the exuberance and density of the vintage. Fine length. Best from 2008 through 2020. 92 Points