Gotta love the posting activity of these grape nuts!
Baer Winery (www.baerwinery.com) is located in Washington and according to their website have recently moved to the Woodinville area. If you haven't been to Woodinville, you should. It is just a bit north of Seattle and home to some big name wine rooms like Chateu St. Michelle, Columbia Winery, etc. They are putting a lot of money into community development and making it a wine destination... perfect for aspiring Alaska Grape Nuts.
Anyway, we stopped in at a nice little wine store and tried a few of the daily pours. I had a great Aussie Cab that was full bodied but nicely restrained compared to what you typically expect. The woman behind the counter was leaving for a visit to Alaska in a few days so was very interested in talking to us. We had a nice visit and she recommended this wine.
Tragically, I believe the owner or winemaker had passed away before the wine was completed. A few friends got together to finish off this vintage. It is a nice wine - good structure and nice acidity with fine tannins. It isn't a heavy fruit wine but well balanced. This would be a good dinner wine and would go with a wide variety of dishes.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
A NEW WINE FROM LA BODEGA WITH SOME NEW GRAPES
Thursday Nov 13th
Tuesday Nov 11th we spent a fair amount of coin and over an hour at Vino Volo. I agree with Jim, the Washington Syrah's were very good!! WE also had a Oregon Pinot Blanc... cannot remember the name, but it was very good.
Went by La Bodega this afternoon and bought two red blends that I have never tried. One Calif, the other Aussie. Tonight with Pizza we had the California 2004 Adelaida.
34% Mourvedre, 22% Syrah, 18% Grenache, 14% Counoise, 12% Cinsault
Sandy and I both enjoyed it. Cost is around 18 or $19. The Rioja Vega Spanish wine had a Mourvedre grape in it. GOOGLE on the COUNOISE GRAPE, "Yet the grape is a key component of many Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, and comprises 10% of the Beaucastel Rouge. Its moderate alcohol and tannins, combined with good fruit and aromatics, balances the characteristic intense spice, strong tannins, and high alcohol of Syrah. "
The precise origin of Counoise (pronounced "Coon-wahz")
Cinsault (or Cinsaut) is one of the oldest south of France variety. Even nowadays it is impossible to determinate its origins, between Provence and Languedoc.The Cinsault is a hill-side grape-variety. It is the reason for which it is always associated to other varieties: Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah. Cinsault produces large grains, very sweet and juicy
RS
Tuesday Nov 11th we spent a fair amount of coin and over an hour at Vino Volo. I agree with Jim, the Washington Syrah's were very good!! WE also had a Oregon Pinot Blanc... cannot remember the name, but it was very good.
Went by La Bodega this afternoon and bought two red blends that I have never tried. One Calif, the other Aussie. Tonight with Pizza we had the California 2004 Adelaida.
34% Mourvedre, 22% Syrah, 18% Grenache, 14% Counoise, 12% Cinsault
Sandy and I both enjoyed it. Cost is around 18 or $19. The Rioja Vega Spanish wine had a Mourvedre grape in it. GOOGLE on the COUNOISE GRAPE, "Yet the grape is a key component of many Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, and comprises 10% of the Beaucastel Rouge. Its moderate alcohol and tannins, combined with good fruit and aromatics, balances the characteristic intense spice, strong tannins, and high alcohol of Syrah. "
The precise origin of Counoise (pronounced "Coon-wahz")
Cinsault (or Cinsaut) is one of the oldest south of France variety. Even nowadays it is impossible to determinate its origins, between Provence and Languedoc.The Cinsault is a hill-side grape-variety. It is the reason for which it is always associated to other varieties: Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah. Cinsault produces large grains, very sweet and juicy
RS
Thursday, November 6, 2008
HOMEWORK + EXTRA CREDIT
You all know how diligent I am at doing my homework, especially when it includes drinking wine. I had a really good spanish wine the other night but after the pitiful results of the elections we opened 2 more bottles and now I completely forgot the name and everything about the great spanish wine I had at Little Italy. Enough talk about politics though on to the important things in life, WINE! Sooo, I decided I would open a bottle of 2005 Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo that came from Wine Styles. I think it was last months club selection. I just opened the bottle and it has a REALLY intense nose just out of the bottle. A little Sniffy Sniff and I am ready to dive into the bottle. So far so good. The label that Wine Styles attaches says "complex flavors", up front I find it very smooth and easy to drink. Very HEAVY or Chewy though. I like it! Nice peppery finish that actually is pretty complex. I think as it breaths it will get even better. Ok, I will tell you more about it as I continue on the quest to see what lies on the bottom of the bottle.
I do however want to tell you about a Phenominal Syrah I recently had. I was passing through the Seattle airport a few weeks ago and stopped at Vino de Volo for a snack and a wine sampler. One of the wines in the sampler were soo good I had to take a bottle with me. It was called K syrah from K vintners. $25. Awesome wine from the Wahluke Slope in Columbia Valley. I have never tried a wine from this winery but this one was outstanding. We had this with grilled filet and it paired really nicely. Great raspberry flavors, smoky, very smooth.
Ooh, we interupt this extra long wine blog to report that the 2nd glass (after it has breathed a bit) of Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo was even better than the first.
I am really liking the Washington Syrah's and look forward to the AGN wine tour in April.
Well, I must sign off but will continue on the quest for some great Spanish wines. This weekend I am taking my Wine Spectator to Brown Jug and Gold Rush to stock up on some great Spanish Wines to taste. Until we blog again. Cheers! !!
I do however want to tell you about a Phenominal Syrah I recently had. I was passing through the Seattle airport a few weeks ago and stopped at Vino de Volo for a snack and a wine sampler. One of the wines in the sampler were soo good I had to take a bottle with me. It was called K syrah from K vintners. $25. Awesome wine from the Wahluke Slope in Columbia Valley. I have never tried a wine from this winery but this one was outstanding. We had this with grilled filet and it paired really nicely. Great raspberry flavors, smoky, very smooth.
Ooh, we interupt this extra long wine blog to report that the 2nd glass (after it has breathed a bit) of Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo was even better than the first.
I am really liking the Washington Syrah's and look forward to the AGN wine tour in April.
Well, I must sign off but will continue on the quest for some great Spanish wines. This weekend I am taking my Wine Spectator to Brown Jug and Gold Rush to stock up on some great Spanish Wines to taste. Until we blog again. Cheers! !!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
TWO GOOD WINES
Election Day 2008
Over the last 3 nights we tried a couple of nice wines. A 2005 Spanish Rioja Vega and a California Cashmere (Blend) from Cline.
Both were very good. The Rioja Vega was smooth with a hint of cherry / berry taste. Initially smelled of must and liquorice until it breathed a little. To me a rich, full bodied wine. For $14 a bottle I thought a great value for a very good wine.
The Cashmere is also a red blend from California Cline Vintners. A little bit lighter than the Rioja Vega with a little stronger hints of fruit. Not overpowering though. We enjoyed this with pasta and found it very nice.
rs
Over the last 3 nights we tried a couple of nice wines. A 2005 Spanish Rioja Vega and a California Cashmere (Blend) from Cline.
Both were very good. The Rioja Vega was smooth with a hint of cherry / berry taste. Initially smelled of must and liquorice until it breathed a little. To me a rich, full bodied wine. For $14 a bottle I thought a great value for a very good wine.
The Cashmere is also a red blend from California Cline Vintners. A little bit lighter than the Rioja Vega with a little stronger hints of fruit. Not overpowering though. We enjoyed this with pasta and found it very nice.
rs
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