Mas Carlot Marsanne-Roussanne Cuvee Tradition 2003

This is a white wine that Anthony got along with a box of 2005 vintage. It is bottled in a 'red' wine bottle and has a nice yellow straw color. It is 60% marsanne and 40% roussanne French grapes, a common pairing. I spent some time just trying to smell the bouquet of the wine as I didn't really think it showed up very much - Anthony said 'of course it does'. :) It has a smooth minerally but not too acidic flavor. Anthony thinks of wet grass and maybe peach or honey. I am still in search of a white that would bring me back to whites and this one doesn't do that, though it is passable. It apparently retails for around $34, although it looks like it's a difficult wine to get a hold of.
On a side note, Anthony very helpfully pointed out that if I inhale at the same time that I am taking a sip of the wine, I can get a different, perhaps more complete taste of the bouquet. When I tried this, I found that the wine tasted completely different - much smoother. Anyway, I thought that was interesting. Basic, I know, but I'm interested and excited to try new things. :)

Chateau La Pierre Levee Cotes de Castillon 2005

This is apparently a fairly popular wine and vintage as I've found it noted on quite a few food and wine blogs already. I can definitely see why. This is a Bordeaux so I was excited to try it. It is a mixture of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the top two grapes grown in the Cotes de Castillon area of Bordeaux. It is a smooth, tannony but not too acidic. I felt that I could definitely taste the fruit flavors - like cherry and maybe plum. It had an oaky taste to me and a medium-bodied feel. I really enjoyed the bottle and found myself finishing it off in one seating rather than dragging it out as I often find I do. For around $15 a bottle, it is a steal, in my opinion. If you can find it.

Bottle Shock

I am very ashamed at how long it has taken me to add a post to this blog. We have tried so many wonderful wines over the last couple of months and even attended a super fun wine tasting, so there has been no shortage of things to write about. There is no excuse. I pledge to try to be better.

I must rave about a great wine movie we saw recently. Bottle Shock is about a wine shop owner who in 1976 decided have a blind tasting competition in France to see if the new California wines could compete with the French. It is a really good movie and I recommend it to anyone who loves wine. Occasionally the owners of the inn Anthony works for will give him a bottle of wine for a gift. We were excited to note that one of the wines we were given is from the winery that won the competition. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars won for their 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon. Anthony hasn't let us open our bottle yet. Rent it! It's a good movie!

This is the wine aerator that my parents gave Anthony for Christmas and he loves it! 'When wine is poured in the vinturi, its design creates an increase in the wine's velocity and a decrease in its pressure. This pressure difference draws in air, which is mixed with wine for perfect aeration.' I would suggest it for anyone who drinks a fair amount of wine and appreciates a good glass. It even comes with a little stand and a bag to carry it in. My dad has one too. You like yours, right Dad? :)

Saint Croix Vineyards Port

This port I bought some years ago when I visited this winery with my mother and sister. At that time I was just beginning to explore wines and didn't know anything about them. I was interested in whites that were "fruity" and any kind of rose. I found this port there and really liked it and was so proud of myself for liking a 'red' that I bought this 1/2 bottle. We've been carrying it around with us ever since. When Anthony suggested we open it I was excited - until he informed me it may have turned into vinegar by now (I think he was just giving me a hard time).
Anthony's little history lesson for me - Port wines are fortified, which means that alcohol is added before the fermentation process is complete, thus leaving the sugars behind. This preserved the wine while also making its alcohol content significantly higher. Apparently it was found that wine could not withstand the rocky and tumultuous trips on trade ships and thus would turn into vinegar. When alcohol was added during the fermentation process the wine became much more stable. The alcohol is added early in the fermentation process for port wines, thus causing them to be sweet with a high sugar content. If the alcohol is added late or just after the fermentation process a dry wine is created.
This port is very sweet but very rich with a wonderful smell and even better taste. Somehow it doesn't overwhelm you with sweetness and though it is smooth it has a little spice to it. Every taste leaves you wanting more.
Saint Croix doesn't list a port on their website any more but retailed it for around $30/bottle in the past. The bottle is a tall, dark 1/2 bottle with a simple, classy PORT label.

Alois Lageder Riff Pinot Grigio 2006

Riff is an Italian winemaker and this Pinot Grigio originates from vineyards on the foothills of the Dolomites, which is part of the Alps. I tried it last night and really didn't like it. It had a very flowery flavor and made me think of the color mauve and old ladies in pink lace and southern flower patterns. However, Anthony informed me that I was not allowed to comment on a wine that I had not tried at its optimum temperature. So I chilled it over night. It is better chilled but it is still not going to convert me back to a white wine drinker - which may not entirely be the fault of this bottle. It is still flowery but not so overwhelming and has a bit of bite when it hits the back of your tongue. It could be light and refreshing in the hot summer, especially paired with a light salad.
This wine retails for around $13/ bottle and the bottle is fairly standard dark color with an interesting design on the label, intended to remind one of the substantial amound of dolomite limestone present in the soil in this region.

Altun Reserva 2003, Bodegas Altun, Rioja

This is a Spanish red wine made from 100 percent Tempranillo grapes. It is, as Anthony pointed out, a very earthy wine with a little spice but not enough to overpower the other flavors. You can taste a bit of the deep fruits in it but it is by no means 'fruity'. It is a smooth wine that leaves a pleasant red wine flavor in your mouth. Intense but not too much to enjoy. I really liked it and would drink it often. I also thought it was cool that the wine is hand harvested and they use no herbicides or pesticides. Anthony says he would pair this with grilled meats, pork and even salmon. It is a classic dark bottle with a simple label and runs about $27/bottle.

Dunnigan Hills Matchbook Chardonnay 2006

This wine is a blend of grapes from the Dunnigan Hills and Northern California. It is light and fruity with hints of apples and citrus. It is a wine that was given to Anthony by one of his wine reps. He is not going to put it in his restaurant and I can't say I blame him. It hits your mouth very smoothly but seems to disappear almost immediately. If you are not paying attention, you can miss the taste completely. It has no lingering flavor and is easily forgotten. The bottle is more impressive with a long neck and a large base and a classy label highlighting the Matchbook name. It retails around $15/ bottle.