Wine Review: Name: 2007 Recanati Cabernet-Merlot Yasmin Kosher

Name: 2007 Recanati Cabernet-Merlot Yasmin Kosher
Producer: Vians
Region: Israel, Galilee
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
Year/Vintage: 2007
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $9.99, PA Wine Store
Date Logged: 08/30/2009
Pairing(s): Grilled Italian-style Chicken
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

Israel isn’t exactly high on the list of hot wine properties, so my expectations were fairly low for this wine that I recently picked up for a fairly cheap price. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised, though. This is a very drinkable, simple wine that delivers plenty of fruit, is fairly well balanced and complements most food with ease. For 10 bucks, it is definitely worth keeping on hand.

Pretty light burgundy in color, reminiscent of a Pinot. Equally light on the palate, with cherry licorice and smoky flavors dominating. Subtle tannins on the back with a smooth but relatively short finish.

Wine Review: 2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley

Name: 2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley
Producer: Chateau Ste. Michelle
Region: USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 2% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Year/Vintage: 2006
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $13.99, PA Wine Store
Date Logged: 08/26/2009
Pairing(s): Grilled hamburgers
My Rating: 3 Stars

This is a pretty easy wine to drink, with very concentrated fruit flavors up front and moderate tannins in the back. Dominated by black raspberry and candied cherry fruit flavors, with only a moderate oak lurking in the background. It is on the velvety side of smooth, not overly complex, and better with food than without. Not great, but certainly worth trying. Interesting to note that the "cabernet" is actually a rather complex blend of five different grapes. The winemaker was obviously going after a specific flavor.

2006 Vina Hermosa Cosecha Rioja

Name: 2006 Vina Hermosa Cosecha Rioja
Producer: Vina Hermosa
Region: Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Tempranillo
Year/Vintage: 2006
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $10.98, Wine Library (NJ)
Date Logged: 08/19/2009
Pairing(s): Pizza (Piccolo Forno)
My Rating: 2 Stars

The first thing you notice about this wine is that it is thin…something you don’t generally associate with a Rioja…and generally not a good attribute for a Rioja. It is medium red in the glass with some cloudiness, which I also found a little odd. The nose has some strawberry jam and cherry aromas, with a little smokiness lurking in the back. It is watery on the palate, with some cherry fruit up front that quickly disappears. Not much acid, and even less tannins, and a fairly short finish. Overall, not a delicious wine and definitely not a wine for sipping. However, it gets a little better with food, and did, in fact, compliment the Neapolitan style pizza quite well.

At only a couple of years in the bottle, it is probably one of the youngest Riojas that I’ve ever had. So maybe it needs a little more time in the cellar. We’ll see, since I bought a case of this based on a promotion from Wine Library.

Wine Review: 2005 Viansa Sempre Avanti

Name: 2005 Viansa Sempre Avanti
Producer: Viansa
Region: USA, California, Sonoma County
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: 50% Sangiovese, 27% Merlot, 15% Zinfandel, 7% Teroldego & 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
Year/Vintage: 2005
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $9.99, PA Wine Store
Date Logged: 08/08/2009
Pairing(s): Pizza
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

This is a $30 bottle of wine I got for 10 bucks. Sometimes this kind of markdown at the State Store is a red flag for a wine that has somehow not lived up to expectations. In this case, though, it seems like it IS actually a great value.

The nose is very interesting, with a predominant aroma of cedar and pencil shavings, with some nice dark berry undertones. It is very Italianesque on the palate, with a good complex mixture of spice, leather and raspberries. It follows with a nice smooth dose of tannins and a fairly long lingering finish. We had this with pizza and were not disappointed. It would also go well with heavier pasta dishes, maybe even a steak. I will definitely seek this out and buy again, especially if it is still at $10.

Wine Review: 2004 E. Bodin Cassis Blanc de Blancs

Name: 2004 E. Bodin Cassis Blanc de Blancs

Producer: Château de Fontblanche

Region: France, Provence, Cassis

Classification: N/A

Type: White Wine

Variety: Probably one or more of Trebbiano (Ugni Blanc),Clairette Blanche or Marsanne

Year/Vintage: 2004

Bottle Size: 750ml

Purchased: About $20, Marseille Supermarket

Date Logged: 08.01/2009

Pairing(s): Chicken Piccata

My Rating: 5 Stars

Well, there it is…five stars. And for a white wine no less.

I bought this several years ago in France and it has sat in the wine cooler ever since, waiting for a perfect pairing. We teamed it up with Jen’s chicken piccata and it couldn’t have been a better match. The wine’s citrus attack paired perfectly with the lemon zest of the sauce, and the acidity was just right to cut through the saltiness of the capers in the dish. Even by itself, the wine was smooth and delicious, a perfect and refreshing accompaniment to a hot summer day.

Wine Review: 2003 Château Garraud Lalande de Pomerol

Name: 2003 Château Garraud Lalande de Pomerol
Producer: Château Garraud
Region: France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Lalande de Pomerol
Classification: N/A
Type: Red Wine
Variety: Merlot blend
Year/Vintage: 2003
Bottle Size: 750ml
Purchased: $19.99, Claymont Total Wine & More
Date Logged: 07/30/2009
Pairing(s): 1) Pasta, 2) Pizza
My Rating: 3-1/2 Stars

A nice wine with classic Bordeaux elements. Surprisingly, this was a Alfio Mariconi import, which I have typically had poor luck with. I was pleasantly surprised with this one, though.

Nice fruit components of plum and cherry followed by raisin and cinnamon on the mid-palate and a nice earthy, mushroom-like complexity coming afterwards. Mild tannic finish, but long. It was light enough to go quite well with both the pasta and the pizza, but I think would have been great with a steak as well.