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
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Assignment 1: Spain
You all thought we'd forgotten about our little Alaska Grape Nuts group, didn't you? But, in reality, we've simply been doing the reverse summer hibernation that all Alaskans do. Now that winter is upon us again, the wine fun also rises.
As our first group assignment, we've decided to tackle Spain. Want to learn more... here are a few available sites:
- http://www.winesfromspainusa.com
- http://www.jrnet.com/vino
Of course, some personal studying is required. Wine Spectator has a list of value Spanish wines. Or, visit your local wine store and ask for some recommendations.
Dive in, do your homework, and share your stories here.
As our first group assignment, we've decided to tackle Spain. Want to learn more... here are a few available sites:
- http://www.winesfromspainusa.com
- http://www.jrnet.com/vino
Of course, some personal studying is required. Wine Spectator has a list of value Spanish wines. Or, visit your local wine store and ask for some recommendations.
Dive in, do your homework, and share your stories here.
Friday, May 9, 2008
2005 Tin Roof Merlot
A month and a half since our last post?!? Well, no wonder no one reads. Tonight while the misses is down in Valdez I made a grocery run to Costco. Unfortunately, I made a swing through the wine department on a typically low will-power evening and happened to find several new wines I'm quite interested in trying. There was a Argentina Malbec and a French Rhone import that I picked up. Then, on my way out, they had a massive display of 2005 Tin Roof Merlot... probably 40 cases of it. I had heard somewhere about this sub-$10 bottle of Merlot receiving a 90 point Wine Enthusiast rating. At Costco their selling it for $8 a bottle... an absolutely amazing price especially considering we're in Alaska. So, I had to pick up a bottle of that and crack it open to see what all the fuss is about.
2005 Tin Roof Merlot
I wouldn't call this a memory-making wine, but there is really nothing wrong with it. It comes across very subtle and smooth. The mid-palate shows the most complexity, but the finish is a bit weak, in my opinion. After a few sips I seemed to be able to nurse some lingering tangy fruits, but it all fades pretty quickly.
90 points Wine Enthusiast?... I'm not on the same boat. I'd probably rate it 85. A quick note about ratings - I think they're interesting but I'd like to develop enough knowledge to understand who gave the rating, since then I could start to determine if they share a similar slant as me. It's like a friend who you know likes the same style wine... if they tell you about a great wine, you'll go try it. But someone that you konw prefers a different style, you may regard their recomendations a bit differently.
Alright, enough for tonight... I have a glass of wine to drink and an open house to prepare for. If you come, I'll pour you a glass of Tin Roof under my roof.
2005 Tin Roof Merlot
I wouldn't call this a memory-making wine, but there is really nothing wrong with it. It comes across very subtle and smooth. The mid-palate shows the most complexity, but the finish is a bit weak, in my opinion. After a few sips I seemed to be able to nurse some lingering tangy fruits, but it all fades pretty quickly.
90 points Wine Enthusiast?... I'm not on the same boat. I'd probably rate it 85. A quick note about ratings - I think they're interesting but I'd like to develop enough knowledge to understand who gave the rating, since then I could start to determine if they share a similar slant as me. It's like a friend who you know likes the same style wine... if they tell you about a great wine, you'll go try it. But someone that you konw prefers a different style, you may regard their recomendations a bit differently.
Alright, enough for tonight... I have a glass of wine to drink and an open house to prepare for. If you come, I'll pour you a glass of Tin Roof under my roof.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Oregon Pinot Noir
My uncle was a wine lover. I’ve only recently begun my wine quest adventures and with his recent passing, I do feel a bit of remorse that I wasn’t able to talk to him more about his wine knowledge and learn from him a bit. I did learn, however, that he was a bit put out my recent panning of the Pinot Noir varietal (http://walchfamily.blogspot.com/2007/09/pinot-noir.html) and suggested I needed to try some Oregon Pinot Noir’s. So, while visiting Eugene for his memorial, that’s what I did.
King Estate Winery (http://www.kingestate.com/) is only about 20 minutes from my uncle’s house. It was started by the King Family (of aviation radio fame King Radio) in 1991. They are most known for their Pinot Gris but have a large estate and produce several other varietals including Pinot Noir.
We tried three different Pinot Noir’s from this vineyard – their entry level Pinot, their Signature series, and a Pinot made by the winemaker. All were excellent and didn’t leave me with disappointed expectations. I also think that my price scale needed to adjust – the cheapest bottle of the three I tried was $20. Pinot Noir is a more difficult grape and so to get a decent bottle the cost goes up to the $20-$50 range.
We tried the King’s Next Pinot Noir and did a little interesting comparison. We decanted one bottle and then compared it against the pop-and-pour bottle. The PAP bottle had a steely metallic finish that made it quite unpleasant, to be honest, and would have reaffirmed all my assumptions of PN. But, decanting the wine brought out some subtle but ripe fruit in the mouth and completely removed the metallic aftertaste in the finish. For me, it was a very nice wine when decanted but almost undrinkable right out of the bottle.
Stay tuned for more on the Oregon Pinot’s… in honor of my uncle I plan on continuing a quest of discovering the allure and intrigue of this grape and Oregon’s Bordeaux-like growing region.
King Estate Winery (http://www.kingestate.com/) is only about 20 minutes from my uncle’s house. It was started by the King Family (of aviation radio fame King Radio) in 1991. They are most known for their Pinot Gris but have a large estate and produce several other varietals including Pinot Noir.
We tried three different Pinot Noir’s from this vineyard – their entry level Pinot, their Signature series, and a Pinot made by the winemaker. All were excellent and didn’t leave me with disappointed expectations. I also think that my price scale needed to adjust – the cheapest bottle of the three I tried was $20. Pinot Noir is a more difficult grape and so to get a decent bottle the cost goes up to the $20-$50 range.
We tried the King’s Next Pinot Noir and did a little interesting comparison. We decanted one bottle and then compared it against the pop-and-pour bottle. The PAP bottle had a steely metallic finish that made it quite unpleasant, to be honest, and would have reaffirmed all my assumptions of PN. But, decanting the wine brought out some subtle but ripe fruit in the mouth and completely removed the metallic aftertaste in the finish. For me, it was a very nice wine when decanted but almost undrinkable right out of the bottle.
Stay tuned for more on the Oregon Pinot’s… in honor of my uncle I plan on continuing a quest of discovering the allure and intrigue of this grape and Oregon’s Bordeaux-like growing region.
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