Author: deshaw87

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

Over the past few weeks I have not written much.  Just not inspired, and also enjoying some research.  I have been enjoying some Bordeaux under 10 dollars.  Yes, Bordeaux under 10.  Some call these wines Bordeaux superior.  Whatever you call them, these four are good.  These  are Merlot based easy drinking wines made for the table.  They also are great gifts, give these wines to friends who are not winos.  I mean when you give someone a Bordeaux they all think what an expensive bottle of wine.

Chateau Bellevue

A Merlot based wine blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cab. Franc.  Smooth and tasty, light tannins that ad a little structure.  A very soft nose with floral hints and spice.  The wine is a crowd pleaser as I like to say.  Made to enjoy with an evening meal.  Perhaps not an award winner at wine expos, but a winner in my book.  I have enjoyed this wine for years.  And, I hope to continue.

Chateau Bellevue, an enjoyable evening bottle
Chateau Bellevue, an enjoyable evening bottle.

Chateau Bois Redon

I spent a wonderful evening with Comte de Bosredon last year, listening to stories of his grand mother and family.  This wine is one of my favorites.  I have enjoyed this wine for many years.  Fruity and medium bodied.  The nose exudes fruit with hints of violets and spice.  A Merlot based wine that erupts in a pleasure for the senses.  This is one I keep on hand to impress guests.  You know pulling out a Bordeaux for dinner really suggests something.  They do not need to know it only cost 10 dollars.

just amazing for under 10
just amazing for under 10

Our next up is Chateau Belingard

A nice fruity wine. Light bodied.  This wine is in the Bergerac vineyards, and is exceptional.  Another under 10 bottle, Merlot based with some structure and depth.  Light tannins give it that extra bit.  Another wine from the bosredon family that give it that edge in quality from other wines of the same category.

Belingard, fresh and fruity
Belingard, fresh and fruity

Now for the last of the evening.  Chateau Bel Air Esperance

Of the four from the evening this one seems to be the hardest to find and perhaps the most popular.  Smooth and elegant, rich and full bodied. Fruit forward lots of structure, tannins that follow though.  A very long finish.  A real French table wine that will go with any good meal.  I tend to think of this wine to pair with hearty meals, country cooking seems stick in my mind. Merlot based again, this blend is indeed excellent.

oh yes it is good
oh yes it is good

So tonight I offered 4 wines, all Bordeaux and all under 10.  All quality wines that you would not be apprehensive in serving.  I say go for it and try these wines, come on 40 dollars is not going to break the bank.

Enjoy

My love of Spanish wines continues.Today it is Vinsacro Cosecha (Valsacro) another wine from the Rioja region, and another must try.

Cosecha, (I had to look it up) means to harvest, gather or cultivate. So taking it from there, you get the idea that this wine is a gathering of grapes, cultivated and harvested, then brought together, to form this outstanding art to drink. Yes, I think of wine as an art form. Just like food is an art, or the ability to do so, food and wine are the final product of artists-hence artisans.

This purple colored wine is aged in oak for 16 months.  A blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and Mazuelo.

The nose has a wonderful fresh bouquet featuring violets, roses, hints of cedar and tobacco.

On the tongue the wine confuses you with so many different flavors bouncing throughout. Juicy, may be an overused term… but it does describe the feel of this wine in the mouth. Dark cherry, plum, blackberry, that cedar again.  Spice notes; pepper and cinnamon produce a medium finish. There are tannins but not too over productive to drink alone, though it would go great with cheese or roast.

The wine is easy drinking, friendly, approachable, call it what you want…it is very good. Structured and elegant – more of a medium body stand alone. Definitely a wine that could lay for awhile.

Enjoy $$

Vinsacro, Rioja 2011
Vinsacro, Rioja 2011

Tempranillo, you gotta love it.  Another great wine from the Bodegas Franco Espanolas. This is a fabulous wine…say it again…this is a fabulous wine.  Rioja is Spain’s oldest DO.  2005 was one of the best vintages.  Tempranillo- a black grape used to make full bodied red wines.  Now combine these together with w knowledgeable wine maker and you have perfection.

Have you ever seen a red diamond?  The wine in this glass looks like a blood red diamond.  Deep dark color with a shimmering sparkle.  The rich elegance provides a tell of things to come.

The wine in your mouth is succulent, mouthwatering, rich and bold.  The juicy contents erupt with the red berry flavors.  Black cherry, plum, hints of tobacco, chocolate and a sweetness of vanilla.  Hints of oak coming from three years of aging.  Fruit going all the way through.  Soft silky tannins providing just enough pucker to know a nice piece of cheese is called for.  Balanced, structured and all there.

This wine is 80% tempranillo, 10% grenache, 5% mazuelo and 5% graciano.  look like a perfect combination.

Enjoy

Rioja Bordon 2005 Grand Reserva
Rioja Bordon 2005 Grand Reserva

In honor of Pope Francis’ visit to Philly I am enjoying a 2009 Grand Vin Clos Saint Michele.
Chateauneuf Du Pape means “new home of the Pope”.  A vacation place for Popes, a refuge during war, an amazing place.  The vineyards are rough, the huge rocks that define the soil make it so hard to believe grapes could be grown in such a place.
This delectable wine is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, only the best grapes chosen.  The fruit rises from the bottle the moment the cork pops. The rich, ripe fruit notes pass over the lips and invigorate the senses.  Black cherry, coffee, chocolate, hints of tobacco.  Elegant spice notes give wsy to very soft delicate tannins. The complexity is mind boggling.  Perfectly  balanced. 
Congrats to the Mousset family for their endeavors.  I was lucky to stand in their vineyards on a cool May day.  Wonderful.
I fear I am not paying enough homage to this wine in my attempt to hurry and watch Papa in Philly, my city is shining.
Enjoy

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Those rocks make the best wine

Those rocks make the best wines.

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An Italian staple; Valpolicella
An Italian staple; Valpolicella

Another gem.  Under $10. Who doesn’t love a great wine and a fabulous price. In this case a Valpolicella. To be more precise, Valpolicella is a region or province, in Verona Italy. Valpolicella is second to Chianti in production. It is typically made from three grapes; Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara. It is usually not aged ( or at least not long) and released very young.It is light and fruity by nature.

This wine fits all of the above descriptions. A light ruby – Dorothy need not worry about those shoes- color. By looks, refreshing and fruity. If energetic can describe a wine…then this would be it.

The aromas remind me of an early Spring morning. Lots of fresh fruit notes, clean and crisp, like walking through a blooming orchard in the crisp cool morning.

Such a warming and delightful taste. Almost against the mentioned notes.The wine covers the palate with a soft and elegant but velvet, touch. A smooth rich fruit mouth envelopes the senses. A simple wine-full of  flavor. Hints of oak linger, a very minor bit of tannin, but oh that fruit.

Enjoy

Oh those Mistral winds, blowing down from the Alps to the Mediterranean.  I’ve stood in the middle of vineyards with the Mediterranean  only a few miles away and those winds howling down, full coat on in late May.  But what I would give to do that again.  The wines of the Rhone region are mainly grenache, syrah and mouvedre.  The southern Rhone deals with these winds bringing cold air and hot humid summers.  Domaine du Mistral has been in the Aubert family for 15 years under the very watchful eye of brother Yves.  A multi award winning domaine with most offerings under 20$.

So lets get to the wine.

A bright, bright red glow in the glass.  Already tantalizing, the wine is calling you to partake.

The floral notes abound, a llittle smoky. Violets intermingled with aromas of red berries.  The bouquet opens up the room and you are smitten already.

As the wine passes over my tongue i am so intrigued.  Rich, robust full bodied.  Every centimeter of my mouth is tingling.  The velevty soft tannins cling to my cheeks, not enough to make me pucker, just enough to make me want another glass.  

Wow, the fruit just keeps coming.  Raspberry, blackberry abound.  What, yes a little hint of toast, smoke and earth. But the fruit is the best and it just keeps going.  Very structured and balanced, Elegant, fruity, I don’t know what else to say.  Just a damn good drink.

Enjoy.

Blowing in the mistral winds
Blowing in the mistral winds

I just like saying the name Elouan.  Kinda sounds like a mystical genie…Elouan.

And mystical it is.  This is a new pinot from the Wagner family. Their foray into sourcing juice from Oregon. Part of the Copper Cane wine division, and they did a good job. This should not of course be compared to Meiomi, The very successful pinot that has just been bought. No, this one can stand on it’s own.  I enjoyed this wine immensely.  It may be of a lighter body, but it has lots of flavor.  A great wine with a lighter meal, salad,chicken or pork, or just to drink by itself

The nose is fruity, raspberry and cherry notes are in order very pleasant.

The color is light, almost see through. Typical of pinot, but not off putting.

Now the flavor.  Very fruit forward, you are hit instantly with raspberry, cherry, even a seemingly cola flavor, an abundant amount of fruit is present   The spice comes at the end, cinnamon and pepper. The end lingers for a time, but not everlasting.

Light to medium body, the wine is proportionally balanced making it a very enjoyable.   A nice alternative to some of the very light pinots coming out of Oregon.

Enjoy.

Don't compare to Meiomi, it can stand on its own
Don’t compare to Meiomi, it can stand on its own

God didn’t make little green apples and it doesn’t rain in…..wherever, Martin Ray Chard, Los Carneros. Martin Ray is an old brand, currently owned by Courtney Benham. What he has done with this brand is amazing. Bringing it back to life and making it one of California’s top tier productions.

My wife is an ABC ( anything but chardonnay) kinda person.  But tonight I amazed her.

Opening the bottle the aroma of green apples blew through the room.  It was just overwhelming.

The golden straw color sparkles in he light.  Beautiful.

Taking a small sip my wifes’ eye lit up.  I did gooood. Matching the aroma, the taste of green apples, citrus, and pear.  So much fruit.  Balanced and full bodied. Perfect acidity.  This wine is great.  Smooth, rich, complex with a long fruit finish

One of the best wines I have had in a long time, not to mention Chardonnay.

Enjoy

Look at that gold
Look at that gold