Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Glad to see this thread alive still. Opened a Australian Granache called Boots last night. I've had it before, and it's excellent. Give it a little time to breathe and it opens up and improves further. For $13.99 a bottle at the Sam's W&S down the street from me, it was an absolute steal (I bought three).
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Pretty interesting interview with Robert Parker. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/22/dining/22pour.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Wine Spectator's Sips & Tips: March 27, 2006 COLUMBIA CREST Merlot Columbia Valley Two Vines 2002 (88 points, $8) A drink-me-now wine, lithe, supple and distinctive for its blueberry and roasted red pepper flavors, finishing with silky texture that supports the flavors beautifully. Drink now. 235,000 cases made. From Washington. Thx, Jay!
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) That's a good piece. I've always thought the man was villified a bit much, but he knows his stuff, and we do share similar tastes (reaffirmed by page 2).
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) We just finished up a case of 2004 Colonia Las Liebres (Bonarda varietal). It could have stood some cellaring but at $7.50 a bottle I couldn't pass it up.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Wine Spectator's Sips & Tips: April 3, 2006 2 BROTHERS Big Tattoo Red Colchagua 2004 (86 points, $9) Medium-weight and open-knit, with black cherry, plum and mint notes. Smoky, slightly firm finish shows an herbal hint too. Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 23,000 cases made. From Chile. Thx, Jay!
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Had a pretty good wine last night in the $15-18 range. It was the Tablas Creek Vineyard Cotes de Tablas -- a California blend of Rhone varietals. A little spicy, with a lot of juicy flavor. It's harder to find good California reds in that price range. There are good table wines under $12, but it seems that the decent higher quality stuff is in the $30 range.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) If you like a full bodied red with spice and "juicy flavor," I high reccomend Austrailia. For anywhere from $13-18 you can pick up a fantastic Grenache called Boots.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) It's funny that you mention it -- when I was buying wine on Tuesday, someone at the store I go to recommended Boots, but I already had bought too much. I'll pick it up next time.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Wine Spectator's Sips & Tips: April 10, 2006 FEUDO ARANCIO Chardonnay Sicilia 2004 (85 points, $9) Straightforward apple and mineral character follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with good acidity, a light finish. Drink now. 60,000 cases made. From Italy. Thx, Jay!
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) 2003 Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon - nice Cab at ~$12
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Got a bottle of the BV Tapestry as a gift. It is supposed to be a Bordeaux type blend. I'll give my report after I open it up.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Grace Family Vineyards. Whenever I can get some.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) BV?? Buena Vista? Thx, Jay! (I've got the last 3 WS Sips and Tips in my email...just being lazy)
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) BV stands for Beaulieu Vineyards or something like that IIRC.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Sorry -- it stands for Beaulieu Vineyard. They make a whole range of California wines at all different price levels -- www.bvwines.com
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) 2002 -- not sure whether to save it or not. I was thinking of going ahead and having it young.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) No brainer there. There's something about the "Family" in Napa. Grace, Bryant, Jones, Neal, Laird, Frank,...don't come cheap though. Quoting Ferris..."It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Wine Spectator's Sips & Tips: April 17, 2006 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE Chardonnay Columbia Valley Indian Wells 2004 (90 points, $17) This one has a sense of restraint. It finds a comfortable balance between tangy flavors of apple and star fruit against a lithe texture and mere hints of spicy oak that flit around the edges. The finish persists, pulling everything together nicely and letting it echo. Drink now through 2008. 25,000 cases made. From Washington. Wine Spectator's Sips & Tips: April 24, 2006 GABRIEL MEFFRE Côtes du Rhône La Châsse du Pape Prestige 2004 (88 points, $10) Red plum and currant fruit, with juicy texture followed by tobacco and mineral notes on the moderately structured finish. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. From France. Wine Spectator's Sips & Tips: May 1, 2006 LA VIEILLE FERME Côtes du Ventoux Rosé 2005 (87 points, $8) Wonderfully fresh, with dried strawberry, red cherry and mineral notes. Has some nice weight too, which should work well with summer fare. Drink now. From France. Thx, Jay!
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Wine Spectator's Sips & Tips: May 8, 2006 VIÑA DOÑA PAULA Cabernet Sauvignon Luján de Cuyo 2004 (89 points, $14) Solid, juicy Cab, with ripe currant and blackberry fruit layered with suave toast. Fleshy finish. Drink now through 2007. 10,000 cases made. From Chile. Thx, Jay!
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) I'm a big fan of Chateau Ste. Michelle, very good balance and moderately priced.
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) Wine Spectator's Sips & Tips: May 15, 2006 COVEY RUN Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley 2004 (87 points, $9) Bright, vibrant style delivers quince and lemon aromas and flavors on a lively but not terribly acidic frame. Drink now. 21,532 cases made. From Washington. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Correction: Last week's wine selection was noted as being from Chile when in fact it is from Argentina. Please see the archive for the amended tasting note. We apologize for any inconvenience. Eroica! Love it! Thx, Jay!
Re: Your favorite Wine? (AKA, the Wine? thread, part 2) There is no pleasure on this earth greater than a full-bodied red and a thick slab of barbequed steak. Buying Australian wine can be a little hit-and-miss if you don't know what you're after. For a steal of a shiraz I can highly recommend picking up a bottle of Jacob's Creek, which you can get for under US$10 over there. My favourite good, consistent-quality and inexpensive red at the moment is the Penfolds Bin 389 shiraz cabernet. I don't know if this is something you can get it over there, but it's worth trying if you can find it.