Looking for something robust to go with Peking duck? Telmo’s Gago from Toro is the way to go, according to the Shanghai Daily.
Shanghai Daily: Gago is the prefect wine for Peking Duck
February 28th, 2010Mounir shows the US his 2007s
February 26th, 2010Mounir Saouma took his 2007 vintage wines to St. Louis, Boston, New York, Washington DC and Maryland this week. Talking about these wines it’s difficult to contain your excitement – like trying to hold inside a monster secret you’re dying to tell somebody, or anybody. These 2007s are very, very special. The way in which Mounir is returning to traditional methods of élevage is really without comparison in Burgundy, and these wines just have “it” – spectacular purity and complexity, the ability to transfix you for hours. What is more astounding is that from Bourgogne Blanc to Bonnes-Mares, each of the twenty or so wines we ended up tasting this week had this magic in its own specific way. It’s almost overwhelming to spend an evening with ten of these wines sitting in front of you, and beautiful to imagine the decades of divine moments that await.
Mounir in Washington DC earlier today
Paul Pontallier on 2007v
February 23rd, 2010Another unearthed JJ Buckley interview on the 2007 Bordeaux vintage, this one with Paul Pontallier. He discusses how they were able to handle the vintage, and how the resulting wine came out – the comparison is with 2004, but with more freshness, charm, and a more easy-drinking, pleasant personality.
Jamie Goode visits Quinta da Romaneira
February 22nd, 2010A video taken by Jamie Goode gives an idea of Quinta da Romaneira’s expansive riverfront site. A truly beautiful property, and given the quality we already see in the 2007 dry reds and vintage ports, one with an exceptionally bright future.
Washington Post’s Dave McIntyre visits Alma Rosa
February 17th, 2010Dave Mcintyre has great things to say about Alma Rosa, and especially makes some insightful comments in comparing Alma Rosa to some top Burgundies. You can see the whole article here, and I’ve also posted all the text if you follow to the next page. Don’t forget to click on the great interview.
Richard Sanford of Alma Rosa Winery from Dave McIntyre on Vimeo.
Errazuriz and Sandrone in Bloomberg’s Top 10 of 2009!
February 12th, 2010Pretty incredible to have two wines in Bloomberg’s Top 10 of 2009, Errauzriz Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and Sandrone Barbera 2006. Here is what Elin McCoy has to say, really great reviews of both wines (full article here):
“Of the hundreds of cabs I tried this year, few svelte examples came with a $20 price tag. On a trip to Chile’s warm, dry Aconcagua valley, I found a new smooth, chocolatey cabernet blended with dashes of cabernet franc, petit verdot and shiraz at this winery better known for its expensive wines.” Bloomberg
“At a gala dinner in Italy featuring truffles and braised mutton cheek glazed with Barolo, I was stunned by this vibrant, velvety barbera from famed Piemonte producer Luciano Sandrone. Like a few other top Barolo makers, he lavishes the same attention on his affordable barbera as he does on his age-worthy reds, and it shows. The wine stood up to reds served next to it costing 10 times more.” Bloomberg
Lanzaga in Calgary Herald’s 10 favorite Wines of 2009
February 12th, 2010Geoff Last of The Calgary Herald published the list of his 10 favorite wines of 2009, according to the following criteria: “not the best, cheapest or most expensive, but simply those that have tickled the palate.” Telmo Rodriguez Lanzaga 2005 is chosen, with the following description (full article here):
“Telmo Rodriguez is doing terrific things in Spain, focusing on neglected regions and indigenous varietals with truly great results. His wines offer excellent value and this Rioja is no exception. Rich and silky with underlying power, it’s drinkable now and would be even better in another couple of years.”
Calistoga AVA!
February 12th, 2010News that is a little over a month old at this point, but worth pointing out once again – Calistoga is now an AVA! The Barrett family has worked long and hard to obtain this distinction for the Calistoga area, and it’s great to see that the unique soils and mesoclimate of Calistoga will now officially be recognized. You can see one of the many pieces on this issue here.
Jester for Valentine’s Day
February 12th, 2010The Tennessean recommends Mitolo Jester Shiraz for Valentine’s Day, tasted on the recommendation of their wine panel. See the pdf here, and the result of the blind tasting with Jester Shiraz as follows:
2006 Mitolo “Jester” McLaren Vale, Australia, Shiraz, $24.99.
We found chocolate aromas – milk chocolate and fudge – blended with cherries, plums and cassis. Flavors included black cherries and plums, wrapped in a nice freshness. Tannins (substances in grapes that give wine character over time but can make your mouth pucker when young) were very big. The wine made the chocolate taste more candied.
Shaw + Smith Celebrate 20 Years
February 8th, 20102009 was the 20th vintage at Shaw + Smith, a remarkable achievement. In their first vintage they sourced fruit and a friend lent them some tank space. Today they have vineyards that are producing some of Australia’s, and the world’s, great Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. They’ve stuck to their philosophy all along – to make exciting, modern, cool-climate wines – and have in the last two years perhaps enjoyed more recognition for their efforts than ever before.
