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Archive for category Reds

Wine of the Day – 7 Deadly Zins

Feb 14

Posted by greatWineSource in California, Reds, Wine of the Day | Comments off

I admit it

Ok, I have to admit that as a wine consultant working with a Napa Valley winery, I have primarily focused on drinking our wines, only occasionally expanding my palette into the ever increasing world of luscious wines. That’s about to change. As a wine consultant, I feel it is my responsibility to know about many different wines, so I can truly compare and contrast and know what the right wine is for the right occasion and food and be able to recommend the right wine to my clients.

I’ve posted in other blogs about a few wines I’ve sampled and enjoyed. I have been receiving Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazine for quite some time and so it is my duty now to focus on finding and sampling the reasonably priced wines listed in the magazine and help educate you about those wines; whether they meet the mark for my unsophisticated palette and based on my experience what I think my readers and tasting guests would enjoy.

I often receive recommendations from my tasting guests and because all my tasting guests are so much fun and great people, I want to learn from them as well. One of my guests the other night recommended 7 Deadly Zins, and since I had not yet tried it, I went out and purchased a bottle.

7 Deadly Zins, Lodi Appellation Old Vine Zinfandel 2007

Zinfandel is one of my favorite wines; I love the complexity along with the spicy finish. Last night I opened a bottle of 7 Deadly Zins. I found it rated on wine.com as a 90, but in searching through my Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast mags, can’t find it listed.

The first thing I noticed with this wine when I opened and poured it is the abundance of smoky aromas (almost like bacon). According to the winemaker, it is aged completely in American oak, loaded with berry fruit, pepper, spice, and earth characteristics.

When a wine is aged in oak, it pulls in many of the oak characteristics of the barrel, and this wine is no exception. It was highly aromatic, very interesting, and although the nose was strong and smoky, the flavors were somewhat more balanced, although a smoky flavor was still very apparent. I did find it lacking in the strong spiciness that is so wonderful about Zinfandels. It was a smooth wine, not overly tannic, and very drinkable.

Rating

Overall, the wine was very good, and on my rating scale, I’d rate it an 87.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Leese-Fitch Merlot

Feb 11

Posted by greatWineSource in Reds, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Leese-Fitch Merlot

Last night, my wine group had an event at Bogart’s again. Great wine bar by the way; definitely be sure to give it a try if you have not yet had the chance!

We did a flight of reds, and along with an Old Vine Zinfandel, Shiraz and Cashmere, I tried a Leese-Fitch Merlot (can’t remember if it was 2006 or 2007). Now, if you’ve read my blogs or we’ve chatted, you know I’m a fan of red wines — all reds. Most of the time, I’ll select a Cabernet and possibly an Old Vine Zinfandel depending on my mood. In other words, I would rarely choose Merlot for a glass, even though I do enjoy it occasionally. However, Deb at Bogart’s gave such high reviews to the Leese-Fitch, I had to try it.

I WAS AMAZED! It was fantastic! Just the right amount of tannin to give it perfect structure, and it was so smooth and fruit forward that it left me singing its praises and wanting more! This wine was sensual, with a fabulous velvety mouthfeel and deep, berry flavors with hints of cocoa. Merlot may not be my first choice in most situations, but I am definitely going to have to make a point to see if I can find this fabulous wine at a local wine store, or I’ll just keep stopping back at Bogart’s and enjoy a glass with Deb — always a good time. YUM!

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Meritage

Feb 8

Posted by greatWineSource in Reds, Whites, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for February 8, 2010

Meritage

The wine of the day today is a wine, and not simply a grape that is made into wine.

Style

Meritage wines are blends crafted from Bordeaux grape varieties considered the best of the vintage. Meritage, pronounced like heritage, is a combination of the words “merit” for the grape quality and “heritage” recognizing old world blending traditions. Meritage wines are growing in popularity, recognizing for its cellaring potential, yet enjoyable in youth.

Red Meritage

A Red Meritage is a blend of two or more of the red “noble” Bordeaux varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, St. Macaire, Gros Verdot and Carmenère. Red Meritage flavors and aromas will vary depending on the grapes used in the blend, but it is a highly rated wine, with favorable smooth texture and complex structure.

White Meritage

A White Meritage is a blend of two of three specific white “noble” varieties — Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon or Muscadelle du Bordelais. White Meritage flavors and aromas will lean toward honey and lemon grass, but can vary as well and contrary to many other whites that do not have aging potential, White Meritage wines can benefit from cellaring, adding dimension with age.

Not a Meritage

If the blend includes any other grape variety other than those identified, it is not a Meritage, and to qualify as a Meritage, no single grape variety can make up more than 90% of the blend.

Pairings

Pair your Red Meritage with equally robust and rich foods: prime rib, Stilton Cheese, and Farmhouse Cheddar. Pair your White Meritage with lighter fare such as fresh seafood and poultry.

I do love a good blend; bringing out the beautiful notes, flavors, characteristics of each of the wines. Hmmm, I’m thirsty!

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Pinotage

Feb 5

Posted by greatWineSource in Reds, South Africa, Wine of the Day | Comments off

Wine of the Day for February 5, 2010

Pinotage

Pinotage Grape

Origin

Pinotage was created in 1925 by Professor A. L. Perold at Stellenbosch University in South Africa when he crossed Pinot Noir with Cinsaut.

Style

This red grape produces different styles of wines, from young, light, and fruity, like Beaujolais; deep and robust like a Côtes du Rhône or Zinfandel, or age-worthy like Bordeaux. It has been produced into a blush version, Port style dessert wine as well as a sparkling wine.

Characteristics

You will notice smoky, blackberry or raspberry and earthy flavors, with hints of bananas and tropical fruit. If fermented at too low of temperatures, it can smell like finger nail polish remover or rusty nails. However, when fermented and aged properly, this is a very versatile and first-rate wine.

Pairing

Tuna, swordfish, grouper, rabbit, venison, chocolate soufflé.

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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Wine of the Day – Corvina Veronese

Feb 2

Posted by greatWineSource in Italy, Reds, Wine of the Day | 1 Comment

Wine of the Day for February 2, 2010

Corvina Veronese

Corvina Veronese

Origin

This blue-black grape cultivated by the Romans is noted as the favorite drink of Caesar Augustus, is grown in northeastern Italy and also goes by the name Cruina.

Style

Corvina is the principal grape of Amarone, a complex, dry wine and Recioto, a sweeter, yet crisp wine. These wines are produced in the traditional passitto process in which the best parts of the grape bunches are dried on mats or crates until winter. This reduces the grape’s weight and increases the sugars resulting in a lush, aromatic and richly concentrated wine. (So those of you who are looking for sweet reds, this might be your selection.) It is also the predominant grape in the blends used for Bardolino and Valpolicella.

Characteristics

Corvina Veronese as a single varietal produces light to medium body wines with light crimson coloring. The grape is characterized by bright, delicate cherry fruit flavors, with light sweetness and a pleasant acidity but marked by bitter almond and spice aromas.

Pairing

Amarone is cooked into risotto (YUM), but you can try the single varietal with red sauce pastas and the Recioto with simple seafood meals or grilled fish.

Hello … is anybody out there?

Not sure who reads the blog or if it’s interesting to you. If it is, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you!

Cheers to full glasses all around!

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