Produced from some of the best vines, First Grand Cru Classe of 1855.  95% Semillon and 5% Sauvignon Blanc. A sweet, complex palate of flavor.  Each part of the artists  palate paints a new flavor.  The sweet Semillon along with the citrus notes from the Sauvignon Blanc combine to make a perfect Sauternes.

Sauternes reign from the Sauternais region of Bordeaux.  These wines have been affected by Boytritis also known as “noble rot”.   This noble rot provides distinct sweetness for Sauternes and other sweet wines like Tokaij.  Highly concentrated with high alcohol contents, they are usually served slightly chilled in cordial glasses.  The wines exhibit notes of honeysuckle, honey -wildflowers.  The citrus gives way gives way to a lovely orange flavor.  What a beautiful wine.  So Good.

Enjoy

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20181028_165359-1.jpgAnd along comes flavor.  Kimberly Jones is a well-known wine broker.  She has put together some of the most sought after craft wines ever.  When I found out she had partnered with – perhaps my favorite wine maker of all, Anna Monticelli, I just had to find a bottle and try. Anna makes wines for several wineries but one of my faves is of course Pina.  It took awhile to find a bottle, they are in high demand and not in many places.

The 2014 is, well, a slide into decadence.  The fruit bursting flavor that pops when you open the bottle, dark cassis, blackberry, chocolate-continues to pop inside your mouth.  Just the perfect balance of fruit and acid that makes the mouth water uncontrollably.   Rich textures of velvet and satin coat the mouth and throat.  The rich dark fruit of blackberry, chocolate with notes of toasted oak.  Light tannins that just aide and enhance the experience.  WOW what a wine. All of this and under 50$. It is way too easy to drink the whole bottle, but just settle in and do it.  Believe me you will not regret.  Just stay put though..

Enjoy this wine with a fine meal or just by itself.

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Every now and then I am reminded of the Joe Cocker song, “With a Little Help From My Friends.” For way too long one of my friends was pushing me to try this red blend he had “discovered”. Magic Box. He described it as fruit forward, some complexity with structure. Ample and rich with soft elegant tannins. At the price point he noted, $7, I thought he had to be out of his mind. There is no way a wine can be that good-especially a red blend at that price. He must be pulling my leg. So just to shut him up really, I bought a bottle.

To my surprise he was right. A perfectly balanced wine. Just enough acidity to keep my mouth watering for more. The juice flooded my mouth with flavor. Full, rich velvety feel. Plum, cherry and cassis. Hints of tobacco and chocolate, a slight oak note with a medium finish. And those elegant tannins.

The best part of the deal. It is Spanish. Yes a Spanish wine, 90% syrah and 10% grenach. The world just got a little better.

Enjoy!! Oh and every now and then ….Listen to your friends..!!!!!

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I don’t know if I had ever heard of Gamza, also known as Kadarka, before- doubtful.  It is not a commonly known grape and definitely not one that roles of your tongue when discussing favorite varieties.  Gamza is a very dark skinned grape that is common in Eastern Europe, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria.  Probably why it is not a well known variety.  The fruit of the vine of Eastern Europe is just now starting to gain an audience here.  And, after trying this one, it should play to major crowds.

Dark like a raven wing, with those purple tinges that keep your eyes busy trying to see everything going on.  The red will come to play again.  Think of bing cherries, raspberries.  The explosion of flavor once it hits your tongue is not mono.  A symphony of flavor rolls down your throat.  A roll of the eyes in ecstasy.  Soft tannins that just that bit more nuance.  And the finish…not too long but very enjoyable and just enough for you to notice the bits of spice that come through.

This little trip through Bulgaria will set you back a whopping 12$ or under.  IK say book your travel plans now.

I will note that this wine is difficult to find, and for 12$ you should pick it  up if you ever do.

Enjoy

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