Tag Archives: Chardonnay

Wine of the week 4/10 – 4/16

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Oveja Negra Chardonnay/Viognier 2009 $9.95
A light straw color in color. Rich fruity nose of apricot, banana and green apple with subtle mineral notes. Tropical fruits, apricot and green apple flavors with a medium body and soft, elegant finish. Pair with Thai food, seafood dishes and white sauce pastas

Grapes: 85% Chardonnay – 15% Viognier
Region: Central Valley, Chile

Santa Barbara Winery ZCS 2009 $15.95
In this synergistic blend, the Zinfandel from 50 year old vines lends the jammy fruit quality to the wine, the Carignane adds density and finish, and the Sangiovese shows off cherry aromatics and flavors. Oak aging takes place in neutral puncheons so as not to disturb the full fruit quality of ZCS. This is a very versatile, food friendly wine made to match a wide range of occasions and meals

Grapes: 70% Zinfandel, 21% Carignane, 9% Sangiovese
Region: Santa Barbara, California

Wine of the week 3/27 – 4/2

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Domaine de la Condemine Macon Peronne “Le Clou” 2008 $11.95
A light golden hue, floral aromas. Intense, clean and fresh on the palate. Citrus notes, bold acidity. Excellent match to seafood with butter or cream sauces or rich blue cheeses.

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Burgundy, France

Lesse-Fitch Pinot Noir 2008 $9.95
With deep plum color, this 2008 Pinot Noir has an exotic nose of strawberry and raspberry jam with notes of fresh oregano and wild game. The palate starts with tart cherry fruit and then develops into layers of dried fruit; strawberry and figs, herbs; oregano and thyme, and earth; wild mushrooms. The acidity makes this wine very food friendly.

This wine would pair well with grilled flank steak with chimichurri and stir fried green beans with a black bean sauce, sautéed Salmon with creamed spinach and roasted parsnips, or roasted beet salad with fresh chevre, thinly sliced red onion, and arugula.

Grapes: 90% Pinot Noir, 5% Grenache, 5% Ruby Cab
Region: California

Wine of the Week 2/13 – 2/19

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Yalumba Unwooded Chardonnay 2009 $9.95
Pale straw with light green hues, the Yalumba Y Series Unwooded Chardonnay displays aromas of honeydew melon and nashi pear, with hints of grapefruit and pineapple. The palate is silky with flavors of ripe nectarines, guava and grapefruit with a fresh acid finish. Serve with Thai chicken salad or gnocchi with sautéed prawns and a burnt butter sauce.

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Australia

Monte Antico Toscana Super Tuscan 2006 $13.95
#61 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009 – According to James Suckling on his WineSpectator.com blog: I came across an incredible value in my office in Tuscany today. Tasting a range of wines from $10 to $25 with Neil and Maria Empson of Empson & Co., I found some excellent wines. But what was the most impressive for the money was the Monte Antico 2006. Its suggested retail is $11, and it could sell for less (like here). And it is in the market now. Granted, I have not tasted it blind yet. But it’s in the very good to outstanding range. The wine is 75 percent Sangiovese, 15 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. It is made from 25-year-old vines minimum, mostly from Pisa, Maremma and Chianti Classico areas. Of course, the quality of the 2006 vintage in Tuscany shined through on this wine. This is a superb Sangiovese year. The aromatic quality of Sangiovese is mind-blowing for most wines from Tuscany. The 2006 Monte Antico has beautiful plums, berries and fresh acidity.
-90 points Wine Spectator

Grapes: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
Region: Toscana, Italy

Wine of the Week 1/30 – 2/5

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Mackenzie Chardonnay 2009 $10.95
This Sonoma County Chardonnay is fermented in stainless steel tanks and exposed to minimal oak contact after fermentation. This approach retains the bright, clean citrus and apple flavors, and makes this a particularly refreshing (not to mention value-packed) Chardonnay.

Grapes: Chardonnay
Region: Sonoma, California

Château de Ségriès, Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2009 $10.95
The wine is ripe, rich and round, with black raspberry, white pepper and spice flavors. True Cotes du Rhone in a Bistro style.

Grapes:50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 10% Carignan
Region: Rhone Valley, France

Wine of the Week 02/21 – 02/27

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Domaine Mathieu Chateauneuf du Pape 2001 $14.95
Overview: The 2001 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits classic kirsch liqueur and licorice aromas in a sexy, round, medium to full-bodied style with no hard edges. Plump and plush, it will provide pleasure over the next 8-10 years.

Domaine Mathieu is one of the few producers that use all 13 grape varieties for their wines with the philosophy of Grenache and Cinsault for sweetness, warmth and mellowness. Mourvèdre, Syrah, Muscardin and Camarèse for robustness, maturity, colour and a thirst-quenching taste. Counoise and Picpoul for vinosity, charm and a special bouquet. Clairette and Bourboulenc for finesse, fire and brilliance.
88 Points – Robert Parker

Grapes: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Cournoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan, Vaccarese
Region: Rhone Valley – France

Paul Dolan Chardonnay 2007 $9.95
Overview: Old vine Chardonnay? The vineyards that provided grapes for this wine were planted in the early 1970s, with low-yielding older varietal clones. A cool-site vineyard north of Lake Mendocino, and a warmer-site vineyard near the Russian River in Hopland, combined to make this elegant wine. Pear and winter citrus fruit character is complemented by creamy vanilla spice.

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino County – California