2007 Errazuriz Single Vineyard Carmenere

On January 31, 2010, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2007 Single Vineyard Carmenereicon by Vina Errazuriz from the Don Maximiano Estate in the Aconcagua Valley of Chile. You can find some great notes on the harvesting and production of this 97% Carmenere and 3% Syrah based wine. This wine can generally be found for around $15.

Color

In the glass this wine shows excellent color of dark purple.

Aroma

The nose makes you immediately aware of the 12 months in new oak barrels that this wine was aged. It also exhibits a piney menthol note which might be some eucalyptus showing. There is good blackberry components along with a intriguing red beet aroma.

Flavor

On the attack the blackberry is dominant, followed up by sweet blueberries. The mid-palate exhibits cherry flavor with good tannins. The finish again shows some oak but also a bit too much alcohol. This wine is rated at 14.5% alcohol. The wine starts with a thick sweet nature and ends hot and dry. Quite a roller coaster on the palate. After breathing for a while, it starts to show some red fruit components such as strawberry on the mid-palate. Also of note is the length of the finish which is quite impressive. This is a big wine and will pair well with steak or blue cheese.

Rating

I enjoyed this wine, particularly after letting it open up some. It should age nicely. I rate it 89 points.

This wine has been reviewed by a lot of other bloggers and it is interesting to see what aromas and flavors they detected. How about you?

Here are some of those reviews for you to check out:

CheapWineRatings.com

A Good Time With Wine

2 Days Per Bottle

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2008 La Joya Reserve Merlot

On January 28, 2010, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2008 La Joya Reserve Merlot by Vinas Bisquertt from the Colchagua Valley of Chile. This 100% Merlot based wine is aged in Oak for about 10 months and was purchased for under $9.

Color

In the glass it is a dark ruby red color.

Aroma

There is an earthy component which comes through. It is definitely like rock and soil. Other pleasing aromas include ripe dark fruit and a good cocoa note.

Flavor

On the attack there is some sweet black plum flavor which transitions to a mid-palate of cherry and good tannins. The finish shows a little oak and is a bit too hot from the alcohol. There is also a nice hint of sour cherry on the finish. At first I thought this was going to be over extracted and syrupy, but it isn’t and has a good body to it. It pairs well with chocolate.

Rating

This is a solid wine. Oddly, the wine label describes red fruits, but I never got any. I rate it 87 points.

If you have had this wine, did you get any red fruit flavor or aroma?

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2008 Spier Pinotage

On January 25, 2010, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2008 Spier Pinotage from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. I assume this wine is made from 100% Pinotage grapes. It was acquired for under $10. Pinotageicon is a interesting grape that is a cross of Pinot noir and Cinsaut. It is widely associated with South Africa and is noted for sometimes having a Banana aroma.

Color

In the glass, this wine shows a nice thin garnet color.

Aroma

On the nose there is definitely banana. It is not really the peel, but more the fleshy inside fruit portion. It is very obvious on this wine and not one of those subtle aromas that is hard to detect. In addition there are also blackberry and mint components. I also get a hint of black cherry. Overall it is great and intriguing nose.

Flavor

On the attack there is dark plum. The mid-palate has cherries and a hint of creamy vanilla. The long finish is extraordinary with smoke, tobacco, and white pepper. This wine is very dry and medium to full-bodied. I detect no tannins so drink it young. It will pair well with BBQ meats.

Rating

I think the variety of flavors and aromas offered by this wine make it a winner. Don’t be fooled into thinking it will be a fruity red wine. It is definitely not. I rate it 88 points.

Have you tried a Pinotage?

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2009 Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Blanc

On January 24, 2010, In White, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2009 Petit Chenin Blanc by Ken Forrester from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. This 100% Chenin Blanc based wine was acquired for under $9. Ken Forrester Vineyards makes this wine in a sustainable manner and contributes to the quality of life of the local community and their employees. It comes with a screw cap closure.

Color

In the glass it is a light straw colored wine.

Aroma

On the nose there is some grapefruit and a very fresh cool water smell. Perhaps something a little like chlorine. It might sound bad, but it is actually just very fresh smelling. There is also a white grape juice component.

Flavor

On the attack there is a butter and honey component. In the mid-palate it has a slightly mineral component which reminds me of the sea. It is similar to clam shells. The mineral component is complemented by pear and lime notes and it finishes with some starfruit. Overall it tends to be fruit dominated and meanders between a dry and sweet wine. It will pair well with shellfish.

Rating

One thing that is holding this wine back a little is the low acid. It would probably pair a little better with food if it had it. I do think it is a decent value and rate it 87 points.

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2006 Veramonte Primus

On January 21, 2010, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2006 Primusicon by Veramonte from Chile. This Bordeaux style blend of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Syrah, 17% Merlot and 16% Carmenere is available for around $20. Kudos to Veramonte for such good labeling of the varietal percentage used.

Day One

I’ve just opened this wine and let it breathe for only 30 minutes.

Color

In the glass this wine is a dark purple with a dark ruby rim.

Aroma

On the nose there is quite a bit of oak at first. Next there are dark berries including black berry and mulberry components. In addition, there is a hint of strawberry. Overall it has a good nose and isn’t shy.

Flavor

Loads of oak throughout this wine. It is a bit challenging to find the flavor of the wine. It finishes a little too hot for me as well. It has a medium to full body and on the attack there is some dark cherry and black berry. The mid-palate shows some sour cherry and dry tannins. The finish is long and dominated by the oak with some herbaceous notes such as oregano and thyme. I really like the tannins. It will pair well with smoked meat and strong flavored cheese.

Rating

This wine is not a good match for my palate. I rate it 81 points.

Day Two

The wine has now been open for over 24 hours and was re-corked after Day One.

Aroma

The oak is still quite prominent on the nose of this wine. There are also good components of strawberries, black currant and blackberries. A hint of mint is also noticeable.

Flavor

Blackberries on the attack quickly replaced by black cherry. The mid palate has some nice sour cherry and the finish is really hot with a herbaceous touch. The tannins are impressive, so this wine is probably going to last for a very long time. The only really big difference from the prior day is the intensity of the cherry which has improved the flavor.

Rating

This wine is not an easy wine to drink and isn’t showing well at this stage. As such it isn’t a match for my palate. I rate it 83 points.

Summary

Although this wine improved over time, it never really became enjoyable. It is well made and has some great tannins but needs better fruit for me to really get into it.

Have you had it? If so, did it match your palate?

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2007 Altovinum Calatayud Evodia

On January 20, 2010, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2007 Altovinum Calatayud Evodia from Spain. This 100% Garnacha (Grenache) based wine was acquired for under $10 and comes in a beautifully labeled bottle.

Color

In the glass it is a dark ruby red with purple edges.

Aroma

Mint and red currant dominate the nose on this wine. There is also a cedar component. It is quite floral with lavender being prominent.

Flavor

Red currant and pomegranate on the attack. Black cherry and some black pepper on the mid-palate followed by good tannins, sour cherry, and a very strong green component. This is a pretty complex palate, but I have read that Grenache can get quite green and lose the fruit flavors when a winemaker tries to increase the tannins from the grape skin during the winemaking process. It is a delicate balance to keep the fruit and yet get some tannins. Perhaps that is what is happening with this wine. It definitely has some old world character. It will pair well with pasta and pork.

Rating

I think for the price this is a wine worth trying. If you are looking for a sweet fruit bomb it will probably not match your palate. But if you want something with lots of flavors, then it could be a good fit. I rate it 86 points.

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Aroma: Banana

On January 19, 2010, In Education, By dcpatton

The Banana, Musa sapientum, is a very common fruit tree from the tropics. It is native to Southeast Asia, but is now grown throughout the tropics. It grows in large bunches and the individual fruit or fingers are often know as a banana. They have a distinct aroma and some people maintain that the banana peel and fleshy inside edible fruit have different aromas.

Banana and Wine

Unlike Eucalyptus which can show up in wine due to its proximity to the vineyards, Banana trees rarely grow in the same region as vineyards. However, it is often reported in the aromas of white wines. It is most commonly found in red wines featuring the Pinotage grape varietal. I’ve also seen it mentioned in reviews of Beaujolais Nouveau.

Look for future reviews of Pinotage based wines as I look for the presence of Banana in wine. Do you know of any good ones to try?

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2007 L’Ardì Dolcetto d’Acqui

On January 18, 2010, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2007 L’Ardi Dolcetto d’Acqui by Vigne Regali from the Piedmont region of Italy. This 100% Dolcetto wine was found for under $11. Let’s see what the “Gift Vineyards” of the Banfi company have to offer.

Color

In the glass it is ruby red and appears light as you can see your fingers through it.

Aroma

There is some interesting notes on the nose. It has dark plum and black cherry components mixed with a earthy wood note.

Flavor

This is a really fruit driven wine with loads of cherry throughout. It is good fruit though and not artificial fruit flavored. There are some tannins on the finish but they are quite pleasant and mild. There is also a hint of chives on the finish. This is a very easy to drink red wine. Consider offering it slightly chilled to your friends that prefer white wine. It will pair well with pasta and savory chicken dishes.

Rating

I like this wine. It isn’t complex, but there is nothing offensive about it. I’d like to see it under $10 but think it is worth trying. I rate it 87 points.

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2005 Bodegas Castejon Nobul Tempranillo Vinos de Madrid

On January 14, 2010, In Red, By dcpatton

Today I am tasting the 2005 Nobul Red Tempranilloicon by Bodegas Castejon from the Vinos de Madrid region of Spain. This 100% Tempranillo wine was purchased for under $9.

Color

This wine looks dark ruby red, but has some interesting shades of brown that make it look much older.

Aroma

This wine has a stunning nose. It is intense. There are good strawberry and plum notes combined with mint and cedar. Very interesting and explosive. This is an exciting start.

Flavor

The attack has cherry and strawberry which transitions to the mid-palate with more sour cherry. The finish has mild tannins and a little heat. To me this wine offers a really basic profile which is being covered up by a lot of oak. I like the fact that it is not too sweet. It will pair with a hamburger or pizza.

Rating

For my palate this was definitely not a match. I rate it 76 points.
Anybody else tried it yet?

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Flavor: Black Currant

On January 13, 2010, In Education, By dcpatton

The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is a berry producing shrub native to Europe and Asia. It is different than the redcurrant (Ribes rubrum). Historically it’s popularity comes about due to it’s high concentration of Vitamin C. During World War II, oranges were difficult to obtain in the U.K., so blackcurrant was cultivated and became more commercially available.

Palate training

Blackcurrant is very distinctive. It is a rich dark fruit with a long lasting flavor. You can find it in jelly and preserves. I prefer the preserves as they have whole pieces of the berry in there. Although, I haven’t seen the fruits available for sale alone, I bet you can pick your own in certain countries. I personally like the blackcurrant preserves from Hero.

Blackcurrant is also used to produce a liquor called Crème de cassis. It is another fun way to learn to recognize blackcurrant. Though it is a bit different due to the high alcohol and sugar, you can also learn to tell the difference and look for it independently in wine. Note that Crème de cassis is often mixed with white wine (Kir) or champagne (Kir Royale), but to train yourself to recognize black currant I recommend having the liquor alone (just note the alcohol).

Another great source to use is blackcurrant juice. Unfortunately it is mainly available in Europe.

Wine and Black Currant

Many of the dark red wines contain a component of blackcurrant on both the palate and nose. It is usually dominant on the palate. Look for it in Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere. Click through on the tags (links on the right side of this blog) for wines which contain those grape varietals.

I encourage you to find either the Crème de cassis or some blackcurrant preserves. The preserves would probably be the most useful for memorizing the flavor; although the Crème de cassis could be the most fun (if you can remember it). What other information about this flavor would you find helpful and what techniques do you find useful for learning a new flavor?

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