Wine Review: 2005 Bodega Septima Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: 2005 Bodega Septima Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon

Producer: Bodega Septima

Region: Argentina, Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo

Classification: Gran Reserva

Type: Red Wine

Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon

Year/Vintage: 2005

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $18.99, PA Wine & Spirits, October, 2008

Date Logged: 11/15/2008

Pairing(s): Grilled steak with gargonzola cheese and butter

My Rating: 4 Stars

The bottle that this wine comes in looks larger than usual and feels a bit on the heavy side. Which is fitting, since this is a big wine. Dark, dark red color in the glass. Lots of red fruit on the nose - cherries, raspberries and strawberries, all of which follow through on the palate, along with some green pepper and vegetable components as well. Not overly complex, but not exactly a fruit bomb either. Quite tannic on the long finish, this wine needs a strong food to pair with. I had it with grilled NY Strip at Café Du Jour, and the wine complemented the spices and gorgonzola cheese that they rub on the steak very nicely. If you’re looking for a delicious, almost-but-not-quite-Bordeaux style of wine for a big meal, this is a good choice for less than 20 bucks.

Wine Review: 2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Kabinett

Name: 2007 Rudolf Müller Riesling Kabinett
Producer: Rudolph Muller
Region: Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Classification: N/A
Type: White Wine
Variety: Riesling
Year/Vintage: 2007
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $12.99, PA Wine & Spirits, October, 2008
Date Logged: 11/12/2008
Pairing(s): Green Curry (spicy 9 out of 10)
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

Our string of hits continues. Another good value from the Mosel river valley of Germany. This wine paired very well with a relatively spicy curry. Very pale in the glass, almost clear, with strong green apple and citrus components on the nose and palate. The wine had a delicious sweetness up front and a really nice mineral finish. Better with food than without, but easy-drinking either way. Highly recommended.

Wine Review: 2004 Placido Chianti Classico

Name: 2004 Placido Chianti Classico
Producer: Placido
Region: Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico
Classification: Reserve
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Sangiovese
Year/Vintage: 2004
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $13.99, PA Wine & Spirits, October, 2008
Date Logged: 11/9/2008
Pairing(s): Spaghetti, red sauce and meatballs
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

Nice. Perfect match for a hearty pasta dish like spaghetti and meatballs. A little red fruit mixed with great earthy and leathery undertones on the nose and palate. The acidity mixes well with tomato-based food, and I can see having this with pizza as well. Medium finish, with a nice mouth feel all the way through. Great value.

Wine Review: 2006 Domaine Saint Martin Bourgogne Blanc

Name: 2006 Domaine Saint Martin Bourgogne Blanc

Producer: Domaine Saint Martin

Region: France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, St. Véran

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Chardonnay

Year/Vintage: 2006

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: $13.99, Total Wine & More, February, 2008

Date Logged: 11/7/2008

Pairing(s): Greek Chicken Wraps

My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

This was a very nice Chardonnay from the Mâconnais region of France. Very pale straw color in the glass, with a pleasant nose of grapefruit and peaches. Crisp and well balanced on the palate, with good peach, citrus and melon flavor components, and a little bit of mineral on the back end. The finish was a little short, and there was almost no detectable oak. The wine matched very nicely with some soft cheese and lemon-based chicken wraps, but it would also serve quite well as a nice summer sipping wine.

Wine Review: 2007 Gunn Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Name: 2007 Gunn Sauvignon Blanc
Producer: Gunn Estate
Region: New Zealand, Marlborough
Classification: N/A
Type: White Wine
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Year/Vintage: 2007
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $14.99, PA Wine Store, Oct. 2008
Date Logged: 11/2/2008
Pairing(s): Grilled Chicken Salad
My Rating: 2.5 Stars

This wine is loaded with fruit. Lots of apricots, peaches and pineapple on the nose. More of the same on the palate, with a good dose of honey sweetness, but balanced fairly well with some acidity on the mid-palate. This is a light drinking wine that definitely goes well with salads and chicken. A little pricy for an average wine. I think the Kim Crawford Sav Blanc is a slightly better wine and is generally $4-5 cheaper.

Wine Review: 2005 Le Pont Bandol

Name: 2005 Le Pont Bandol
Producer: Le Pont
Region: France, Provence, Bandol
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Mourvèdre, others (e.g., maybe Cinsault, Grenache)
Year/Vintage: 2005
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $14.99, Total Wine and More, Feb. 2008
Date Logged: 11/1/2008
Pairing(s): Pizza
My Rating: 3 Stars

Bandol vines are located in the hills between La Ciotat and Toulon, near Marseille, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Bandol is one of the oldest vineyards in France. The first vine was planted in Bandol 2,500 years ago by the Romans!

This wine had a nice garnet color in the glass. The nose was rather closed, with hints of spiciness – it smelled a little hot. The palet was noticeably spicy, with black pepper as well as green and red bell peppers. We had it with pizza and it actually complemented the peppers and pepperoni quite nicely. It was mildly tannic, and would hold up to a savory meat dish just as well. Medium finish.

Overall, a good food-friendly wine and a pretty nice value.