"Eat thy bread and drink thy wine with a merry heart." Ecclesiastes 9:7
When you think of Meritage wine, try to envision a Bordeaux, with a California attitude. Only then will you just begin to scratch the surface. Here are three that you can find for under $30:
Langtry Meritage, 2006
This Lake County Meritage blends the classic Bordeaux varietals into an intensely rich and flavorful wine. Dark fruit supported by firm tannins lead into a smooth, well rounded finish.
Sterling Vineyards Meritage, 2007
A Napa County Meritage with more earth than fruit, but makes it's best attempt at imitating a like minded Bordeaux.
Estancia Meritage, 2006
Paso Robles is a great place to find great wines. This Meritage is one of those wines. Vibrant aromas of black cherries, anise, rosemary, and sage are accompanied by flavors of chocolate dipped black fruit and sweet oak. Wonderfully structured tannins round out the long and smooth finish.
Cheers,
Tony
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Friends, food, and wine.
"In Vino, Veritas." Pliny the Elder
After a few months I'm back to tell the tale of wine. Well, at least the wine I've had the pleasure of tasting over the last few days. Here are some of the standouts:
2006 Bonterra Merlot Organic Grapes
As the name says, this wine is made from organically grown grapes, but that's not to say it doesn't taste good. Quite the contrary, this Merlot displayed pure, ripe, red fruit flavors with a decidedly smooth finish.
2005 Mezzacorona Pinot Noir
Italy is not well known for Pinot Noir, and, while this one won't change that anytime soon, I did enjoy it's bright cherry aroma and tight acidity. It will cut right through rich (fatty?) dishes.
I enjoyed these wines with good friends and one of my very favorite things to eat: Grilled Rib Eye Steaks! We threw in grilled zucchini, yellow squash, red and green bell peppers, and red onions for good measure. Simple and tasty.
Cheers,
Tony
After a few months I'm back to tell the tale of wine. Well, at least the wine I've had the pleasure of tasting over the last few days. Here are some of the standouts:
2006 Bonterra Merlot Organic Grapes
As the name says, this wine is made from organically grown grapes, but that's not to say it doesn't taste good. Quite the contrary, this Merlot displayed pure, ripe, red fruit flavors with a decidedly smooth finish.
2005 Mezzacorona Pinot Noir
Italy is not well known for Pinot Noir, and, while this one won't change that anytime soon, I did enjoy it's bright cherry aroma and tight acidity. It will cut right through rich (fatty?) dishes.
I enjoyed these wines with good friends and one of my very favorite things to eat: Grilled Rib Eye Steaks! We threw in grilled zucchini, yellow squash, red and green bell peppers, and red onions for good measure. Simple and tasty.
Cheers,
Tony
Monday, March 16, 2009
Red Wine at the right time!
"Wine is poetry in a bottle." Clifton Fadiman
Hello again, over the last few weeks I've had the pleasure of tasting some great red wines. These are some that stood out above the rest:
Budini Malbec 2007
Ripe and fruit forward, this deep red Malbec begs for food with a smokey tilt and drinks dilightfuly.
Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Reserve Zinfandel 2004
Ripe dark fruit is perfectly complimented by spicy earth and a lingering, smooth finish. Zin has been grown in California for over a century, this one is one of the best examples.
Talus Pinot Noir 2007
Surprizing for a low cost wine, the Talus Pinot Noir is easy on the palate, smooth, and balanced.
Testarossa Syrah Subasio 2007
True to it's name, the "red head" is bright and lively with ripe, well rounded flavors. It's willing to arouse the senses.
Valle Vista Red 2006
Regarded as California's answer to Bourdeaux's Medoc region, this red blend from Napa Valley is solid and versatile. A great cheeseburger wine!
Cheers,
Tony
Hello again, over the last few weeks I've had the pleasure of tasting some great red wines. These are some that stood out above the rest:
Budini Malbec 2007
Ripe and fruit forward, this deep red Malbec begs for food with a smokey tilt and drinks dilightfuly.
Rancho Zabaco Dry Creek Valley Reserve Zinfandel 2004
Ripe dark fruit is perfectly complimented by spicy earth and a lingering, smooth finish. Zin has been grown in California for over a century, this one is one of the best examples.
Talus Pinot Noir 2007
Surprizing for a low cost wine, the Talus Pinot Noir is easy on the palate, smooth, and balanced.
Testarossa Syrah Subasio 2007
True to it's name, the "red head" is bright and lively with ripe, well rounded flavors. It's willing to arouse the senses.
Valle Vista Red 2006
Regarded as California's answer to Bourdeaux's Medoc region, this red blend from Napa Valley is solid and versatile. A great cheeseburger wine!
Cheers,
Tony
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ready to drink Reds!
"Wine is made to be drunk as women are made to be loved." -- Theophile Malvezin
2007 McManis Petite Sirah
Dark, inky, and purple in color leads to deep, dark fruit flavors. Hints of smoke intertwine with the layers of flavor and continue to the satisfying finish. Pleasantly surprising!
2006 Eos Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Pleasant aromas are followed by subtle fruit flavors up front. Next you'll experience notes of leather, earth, and tobacco. Supple tannins in the finish.
2005 Jean Luc Colombo Chateau d'aigueville Cotes-du-Rhone
Pleasing ripe fruit flavors make a great first impression. The solid structure and livelyness on the palate confirm it.
Cheers!
Tony
2007 McManis Petite Sirah
Dark, inky, and purple in color leads to deep, dark fruit flavors. Hints of smoke intertwine with the layers of flavor and continue to the satisfying finish. Pleasantly surprising!
2006 Eos Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Pleasant aromas are followed by subtle fruit flavors up front. Next you'll experience notes of leather, earth, and tobacco. Supple tannins in the finish.
2005 Jean Luc Colombo Chateau d'aigueville Cotes-du-Rhone
Pleasing ripe fruit flavors make a great first impression. The solid structure and livelyness on the palate confirm it.
Cheers!
Tony
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tasty Reds
I had the opportunity over the past couple days to taste two very delicious red wines. Here is what I found:
2007 Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red
Made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah, this well structured blend displays ripe fruit and deep purple color. Your are first greeted by fresh aromas then treated to lush flavors that satify without being too complex for its own good.
2007 270 West Pinot Noir
Ripe and punchy right off the bat, this Pinot Noir pleases with a crisp start and a pleasantly fruity finish. Try it with roasted chicken or by itself while reading your favorite book.
Cheers!
Tony
2007 Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red
Made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah, this well structured blend displays ripe fruit and deep purple color. Your are first greeted by fresh aromas then treated to lush flavors that satify without being too complex for its own good.
2007 270 West Pinot Noir
Ripe and punchy right off the bat, this Pinot Noir pleases with a crisp start and a pleasantly fruity finish. Try it with roasted chicken or by itself while reading your favorite book.
Cheers!
Tony
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