Author: deshaw87

Husband, Father, Golf hacker. I Love to talk about our travels, the food, wine, family and things that interest me.

In my continued infatuation with Spanish wines I bring you truly one of the easiest drinking, but complex wines you wil ever try. #Baronia Florida dEnglora.  A lovely wine from Montsant, named for the mountain top.

It carries a bold dark ruby color.  Enticing and mesmerizing like the gem it is named for.

Open the bottle and just stand back for 15 minutes or so.  The aroma of fresh violets and roses fill the room.  These are accompanied by aromas of fresh brewed coffee and kitchen spices.  Already you are in your comfort zone.

Taking the glass to your lips, the anticipation of what is to come is almost unbearable.  The color, the bouquet have all combined to entangle your senses.  And truly the juice does not disappoint.  The fresh rich flavor of the fruit coats your tongue making your mouth water uncontrollably.   The cherry and plum are the first noticed.  Then the light note of coffee and chocolate finished off by cinnamon  and pepper. This party in your mouth is both exciting and comforting at the same time.

Spanish wine, what can I say.  No where else can you get such full bodied richness and stay under $10.00 (US)
This is a wine you will serve to any wine geek and they will think you paid a fortune for it. Just keep it our secret.

Enjoy. $

I am a lover of Spanish wines.  Boy, am I a lover of Spanish wines- reds, white, rose.  You  name it I drink it. The region of Rioja, by far the most prominent and productive.  The geography and climate lend itself into some spectacular beauties.

Valserrano (Bodegas d la Marques) has over 100 years-5 generations of wine making experience. Producing high quality but very affordable wines in the Rioja.  Fermentation is in  Allier Oak Casks.  Most wines are bottled in majority American oak with a smaller percentage French oak.

The Valserrano blanco is 95% Viura, 5% Malvasia, grown from estate vineyards.  A beautiful pale yellow color.

This is a perfect wine for a summer afternoon or evening.  Medium bodied with oh so many personalities shining through.  All at once you get citrus up front, followed by a  and nut notes, think almonds and cashews, then more fruit, passion fruit  and other tropical notes.   Perfectly balanced, I AM IN LOVE.

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I had the pleasure to visit this winery and it was well worth it.   I look forward to a return visit one day.

Enjoy

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I know there are a lot of derogatory things said about Merlot, but frankly I don’t give a damn.  Merlot after all is one of the primary grapes of Bordeaux, you know think Petrus.

Gordon Brothers estate is located in Columbia Valley.  It is Washington states oldest AVA.  Known mainly for Chardonnay it is becoming more and more known for Cabernet and Merlot.  Merlot being the more flexible it has become the second most planted after Chard, with Riesling starting to get a foothold.  Gordon brothers Estate was founded by brothers Jeff and Bill Gordon  in 1980.  This boutique winery has a reputation for producing some of the finest wines coming from Washington.

Today is all about Merlot.  The wine is aged in French and American oak.   When you open the bottle the aroma of violets and roses erupt.  The silky smooth juice coats your mouth with the tantalizing flavors.  Black Cherry, Plum, spices that remind me of the Holidays.  The tannins are smooth- elegant.  The finish is long and filled with fruit.  A completely beautiful wine.  Treat yourself to this wonderful experience.

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Enjoy

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St Amant is one of my favorite wineries.  The zinfandels they produce are some of the best quality you will ever  have. Tim and Barbara Spencer started the winery in 1979,producuing these rich, fruit forward wines that are appealing to every palate. Their son Stuart is now the wine maker (and doing a fantastic job). 

Barbera is typically a varietal thoought of from Italy.  But, in the past few years the grapes’ popularity has crossed borders.  Lodi, Californiina produces some magnificent fruit forward examples.  

This vintage was extraordinary.  Rich, big, voluptuous and round.  The nose gives the aromas of strawberry, tobacco and understated earthiness. 

The color is deep dark purple.  Giving the temptation  to  “sample me”.  WOW.  The fruit notes are abundant.  Strawberry with lighter red fruit notes; raspbery, cranberry start you off on this journey of pleasure.  My tongue tingles wityh excitement as the next wave of flavor washes over.  Notes of darker fruit like plum take over with hints of cedar.  The tannins are light, just enough to cause your mouth to constrict with desire for more.  

Smooth, elegant with depth and structure.  A well balanced, rounded wine that is underrated.  Give a try, you will not be dissappointed. What a buy -under 20$

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Enjoy

The Yakima Valley is a Washington State AVA established in 1983. The AVA has become known as a place for high quality intense wines.   The first harvest for Sheridan Vineyards was in 2000 under the guidance of owner and winemaker Scott Greer.  He produces some very very fine cabernets, blends and my favorite the merlot, Sheridan Mystique.

The 2014 is exceptional.  Right off the bat, when you open the bottle the pent up frustrations of aromas that have been bottled up far too long,  currants, cherry and incense  explode into the room and wrap you head in nirvana.

If your mouth is not already watering… then I am sorry you are not felling well.

Once the juice hits your mouth your body will automatically relax, you exhale and a smile will slowly cross your lips. Your troubles have disappeared, your mind and soul is trying to make sense of all the flavors going through it.  The intense full-bodied wine is giving you everything it has.  Cinnamon and spice come next with soft and elegant tannins pushing through.  A long long finish repeating all again and again.

Kudos Scott you have produced a superb wine.

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Enjoy.

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Chablis is located in the Northern most area of Burgundy.  Using Chardonnay grapes  to produce a slightly lighter more mineral flavored wine.

The color of Laroche reminds me of a gorgeous sunlit day.  Yellow and fiercely bright.

The aroma rising out of the bottle brings to mind a field of fresh daisies with notes of citrus.

As the juice its your mouth the crisp, mineral notes are the first to note.  Quickly on their heels; orange, mandarin, crisp green apple.  Your mouth tightens up from the citrus, but your senses beg for more, more, more.  Delicious, crisp and refreshing.

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Enjoy wp-1485985993718.jpg

Yea, this baby got back and she’s stacked.  This voluptuous wine  soothes and excites all at the same time.  Like listening to your favorite Barry White song  with an exotic dancer moving slowly in front of you.

There is so much depth to this wine. So many elements competing for attention.  The aromas erupting from the bottle your olfactory system (yes I had to use that word) will go into overdrive.  Plum, violets, cherry blossoms and more fill the room starting the hypnosis that will eventually set in.

Once in your mouth your body will hit nirvana.  That peaceful feeling that leads you into bliss.  All of the flavors pop in your mouth like an eruption.  Each flavor taking its turn at lead.  Like the sirens of lore beckoning you, your body eases into complete relaxation.  What a wonderful feeling.  Very lite tannins follow a very long finish.Pure pleasure.

Enjoy

$$  a phenomenal value.

wp-1484265583400.jpgI enjoyed this with a little afternoon snack.  Needless to say the rest of the day was ecstasy.

 

Kirwan is a Third Growth classification in Margaux.  It is owned by the Irish family Kirwan, one of the “Tribes of Galway”.  The terroir of Margaux is fabled, and Kirwan sits on some of the best.  Kirwan has @40 hectares planted with merlot, cabernet, cab franc and petit verdot.  The family has taken these 40 hectares and produced some magnificent vintages.  As a Third Growth it still produces some of the highest rated wines of Bordeaux.

The vintage I have is the 2012.  A highly rated and solid vintage, and at about 50 dollars an excellent value.

The color is a deep very dark purple.  A smooth sheen gives it a gloss like a ravens wing.

The wonderful bouquet of violets and plum erupt from the bottle as soon as the cork is popped.  Give this one time to breathe and enjoy the aromas as you do.

The velvety smooth layer of delight that coats your mouth causes all of the senses to erupt with delight.  Truly your body has not experienced this kind of pleasure from a mere bottle of wine.  The eruption in your senses causes your body to tremble.  Your mouth will overlfow with delight.  Plum, ripe red fruits and tannic.  Yes, tannic, begging for protein.  And give it you will, meat, cheese, chocolate everything will pass through your mind.  Today I give you prime rib.  Think about it, you know you want some now.

A complex and highly structured wine that for a lack of words is a show off.  I am not sure if it is really showing off though if it actually produces something this stunning.

Enjoy

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Happy New Year 2017…

Last night we had a quiet night alone.HR was at a party and I had to work during the day. We did our little tradition when we are alone, champagne and hors d’oeuvres.  We toasted in the Year with Mailly Grand Cru brut reserve.

Mailly is actually a village cooperative that produces some of the finest Grand Cru wines. There are only 17 villages out of 319 rated as Grand Cru.  Mailly is the only one that sources all of its grapes from grand cru vineyards. 

The winery is built on levels of caves that were hand dug and go down several stories, adding to the ambience of the winery. 

As soon as you pop the cork the very delicate bubbles flow over the top of the bottle. Fine,elegant soft bubbles. 

The delicate taste of fruit, a little citrus with light hints of toast. Soft, delicate mouth watering. Alot of the”popular” are over toasty and leave the taste of stale bread.  Comes from the yeast.  Many people say they do not like champagne.  Too bitter they say.  I say they have never had a good one… Mailly.

Enjoy

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I just returned from a quick trip to Vienna.  The Christmas markets were in full bloom, lights, action-people. This time of year it is very popular to enjoy the warmed mulled-spiced wines that are in every market.  And, I did so indulge. I actually thinnk my favorite was the warm Aprol spritz.  Not to mention all of the beer choices.  

But, while there I was able to enjoy a few nice meals. (Though I actualy prefer the light snacks you can pick up from the street vendors.) Most restaurants will offer a variety of wines on the menu from vhianti to california cabernet and bordeaux.  But if you really want to put a smile on the face of your waiter-order a local wine.  

I enjoy Gruner Veltliners and some dornfelders too.  Tonight I am talking about Gruners.  Specifically Winzer Krems Gruner Veltliner.  

Gruner Veltliner is a type of white grape. Austria is best known for sweeter wines, but these are dry with a note of minerality.  Think Chardonnay with a little more citrus.  A tangy, fresh and crisp wine.  

The Winzer Krems has all of the above mentioned notes.   The nose is soft with delicate hints of green apple, lime and  yes it is almost like descibing not quite ripe pineapple.  That sounds wierd but actually works well.  

These wines are little known in the US, but well worth a try.   I know the season is a little late for white wines (If you follow this idea), but if you are looking for a little lighter wine to go with a light meal, you must give this a try.  And, a very affordble wine at that.

Enjoy  $