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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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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  $

When you think of Pinot Noir you might think of California, Oregon or the great Burgundies. But Chile you say, I say yes!!!

Vina Anakena has produced another fine quality product from select vineyards located high in the Andes.

Anakena Pinot Noir hold it’s own and more against any of the above areas.

Beautiful elegant aromas of strawberries and roses.  The mouth is ripe with flavor.  Strawberry, cherry, sweet hints of vanilla with hints of pepper on the end.  Soft-supple tannins  have you begging for more.  Lovely and luscious, this will have you coming back for more.

Enjoy

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I once referred to a wine as the Jane Russell of wine.  I got a lot of comments wondering what I meant. Well, sexy, voluptuous, full bodied,dark and dreamy- does that account for it.  This wine just about sums up that description.

When you pull the cork on this wine you are immediately hit with aromas of plum, violets and hints of licorice.  Wow doesn’t that just make your tongue stiff.

Once the juice hits your mouth that tongue will be even stiffer.  Oh that flavor. The richness. Fruity and  Full bodied doesn’t even begin to describe it.   Plum notes coat your mouth.  The licorice comes next, followed by hints of pepper and cinnamon. INTENSE. Yes I am in LOVE.  The finish is looooonnnnggg. Vibrant, but elegant tannins are on the end. I am telling you Zinfandel is the best.

Enjoy

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