Tag: #bordeaux

I have a great fondness for wines from saint Emilion.  Usually you find some fabulous wines at great value.  In this case, the Grand Corbin Manuel was once part of the Grand Corbin estate. Owned by the de Gaye family it has continued to grow in prominence over the last 20 years.  The estate is planted in Merlot, Cab Franc, and Cab Sauv.  These are all represented in this wine.  The terroir is mainly sand and clay that makes the vines struggle and produce some juicy fruit.  It is after all a Grand Cru.  A little suffering …you know the religious connotations.

Let me breathe.  The wine is screaming to breathe.  It is still young, very young a virtual baby in a bottle.  Decant for as long as you can.  Doing so will let you enjoy the bright delightful aromas.  Very much like walking through a garden of roses after a rain.  you know what I am saying, that highly fragrant perfume that lingers everywhere.  I can still smell it.

The juice itself is dark, I mean dark. Beautifully dark.  Appealing to all of your senses, the nose, the sight and color, now for taste.  Ooops, i am almost slobbering over myself.  I kinda have the giggles.  Rich, full bodied wine  Concentrated with licorice and ripe plum flavors. But, oh boy watch those tannins.  You better have some protein available.  I enjoyed this win immensely, but definitely with a meal.

Give it a try

Enjoy  $$$

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Look at how dark that is.  Just inviting and appealing.

 

I love yellow cake with chocolate icing. that has nothing to do with anything – just wanted to throw that out there.

First let’s understand the term Bordeaux Superieur.  The grapes are usually Cabernet, Cab Franc, or Merlot. There are several regulations that differ from regular Bordeaux.

  1. Higher vine density
  2. a lower maximum yield
  3. grapes are harvested later for a more ripe grape
  4. they are barrel aged.

In the case of the Ch. Feret Lambert the Merlot really stands out.

Aromas of violets, rose, cherry, plum and licorice.  These blow from the bottle the second the cork is pulled.  Really inviting and pleasant.  I can close my eyes and imagine myself in a beautiful vineyard surrounded by flowers and vines.

The taste of the juice blows my mind.  Fruit forward and strong.  Outstanding, as my mouth is watering.  the ripe fruits are pushing through wow ok just wow.  Cherry, blackberry, chocolate yes chocolate, and just a note of cedar.  The finish just keeps lingering on, that chocolate spiciness ooohhh.

A real gem.  At less than 20$ it is a steal.  Beautiful .

Now I am going to go enjoy some yellow cake and chocolate icing.  (You didn’t think I wasn’t going to just leave that there without bringing it back.!!)

Enjoy

 

20170831_192019Oh What a Night.  Everything about this wine is spectacular.  First it is from the Pessac-Leognan appellation.  (Do not confuse with Chateau Haut-Brion, the only 1855 classified red wine from the appellation).  But, for a much more economical substitute -and I certainly cannot drink Haut-Brion on a regular basis, this is one to go with.  And of course it is a 2009 vintage.  One of the top 5 vintages in the last 20 years.

The aroma bursts from the bottle immediately after opening.  Violets and roses.  Hints of cinnamon and spices.  Delightful, inviting.  You must let this one sit for awhile.  This just adds to the intense anxiety you have to jump in and drink immediately.  It is sorta like going on a blind date and arriving an hour early, (Carly Simon singing anticipation starts going through your head.

Once you pour the opulent juice in your glass your body starts tingling with excitement.  The dark raven wing color is just-well -beautiful.  As you sip some of the juice in your mouth , first the tip of the tongue starts trying to decipher all of the elements.  Then as your cheeks start noticing the wine, automatic mouth watering begins.  A very well balanced, fruit forward wine.  Plum, ripe cherry, smoke and earthiness and cedar.  Notes of pepper.  OMG  give me more.  Tannins are so very soft and elegant-silky.  The wine is soft,  a more medium body.  Ripe red fruits are plentiful with a smoky after.  The finish is loooonnngggg.   This is a perfect wine for a cheese dinner.

I am going to leave you now and finish this bottle!!!!!

Enjoy

$$$

 

I took most of the summer off with the exception of a few cursory postings.  Now, as Fall is upon us and outdoor activities begin to dwindle in the Northeast, I shall start posting more often.  Besides, on the cold wintry nights here-drinking a bottle of red wine seems more apt.  So let’s start with the current drink.

Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2011. This wine is classified as a fifth growth and has consistently produced high quality affordable wines.  Currently a part of the Lurton family of wines, managed by Claire Villars Lurton, and consulting winemaker Eric Boissenot. 2011 was a difficult year in Bordeaux.  This wine overcame the drought and heat of summer.

Floral and fruit aromas immediately erupt when the bottle is opened.  In just  few seconds the whole room is enveloped in the aroma.

Full bodied with soft elegant tannins.  Rich ripe berry overwhelm the tongue.  Dark fruit flavors pour over the mouth. So many flavors spinning through my mind.  Plum, cassis, blackberry, pepper, cinnamon, hint of cedar. Soft, sweet, elegant tannins follow at the end.  The finish is long and flavorful. A freakin enjoyable drink.   I can’t help myself I had to drink the whole thing.

Enjoy

$$

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Every  now and then you come across something that really blow your mind.  The wines of the Barton family are such.  Leoville- Barton a second-growth and it’s sister, Langoa-Barton a third growth are just supreme wines.  The Barton family has owned the vineyards since the mid 19th century.

Tonight I offer the 2006 Langoa-Barton, Wine Spectator gave it at 91.  A score like that and it is considered a third growth (not if I were alive in 1855). The beautiful dark raven color shines in the glass.  Like rubies sparkling in the light.  The nose erupts from the uncorked bottle.  Violets, roses, fresh very ripe fruit.  A plentiful basket beckoning.

Loosening the liquid into the mouth your body immediately knows it is being allowed to sample something special.  The full rich fruit coats your mouth and tongue.  Cherry, blackberry, plum and currant.  Soft, elegant tannins linger in the finish.  Balanced, structured, complex….you come up with your own adjectives. Get this while you can not many are left.

Enjoy

$$$

wp-1462398889183.jpegDon’t forget to follow me  @overthewinebow.com

 

Chateau Ferran is located in the Pessac Leognan., Graves.  This region is known for both red and white wines unlike most Bordeaux areas.  Most famous for being the home of Chateau Haut-Brion.  Being on the left bank, the predominant grape is Cabernet.

Chateau Ferran was a gift to me to sample.  I was not disappointed and will accept gifts as these any time. Thank You.  The nose emitted an air of old world mustiness.  Not in an off putting way though.  A typical aroma of wild ripe fruit that grows in the woods, berries of sorts, combined with an earthy truffle mushroom note.  Yea,  I know most of you are thinking WHAT? who would drink that, but believe me you will not be disappointed if you did.

The flavom hits you full force.  Front and center comes that earthiness immediately on its heels, the berries.  Rich and fruity.  Black berry, currant, cherry, a bit of coffee and chocolate are noted too, are all combined to make this an overwhelming mind blowing experience.  Slight hinders of cedar and smooth tannins with a long, long, long finish.   Very well structured with all the planes of flavor evenly spread.  A big dinner wine.

Enjoy

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You can almost taste the goodness from here.

The Chateau Cote Montpezat, located in the appellation Cotes de Castillon owned by the Bessineau family since 1989.  The history of the chateau goes back to the 16th century.  No doubt providing great wine since.  This 2010 vintage has achieved high ratings 90 or above from many reviewers.  The wine is majority merlot with remaining cab franc and cab sauvignon.

The fragrance of violets and ripe red fruits slowly lofts into the room after opening.  Pour the wine into the decanter and letting it sit for 30 minutes, leave the room and then come back.  The aroma overtakes you as you re-enter.  Starting out soft and easy then the power hits.

The mouth is coated with a soft velvety liquid.  The rich-ripe fruits caress your senses.  Your brain is reaching trying to distinguish all of the flavors.  Besides the dark cherry notes I distinguish a certain fig too.  Soft and elegant throughout.  A lingering spice that makes your mouth water continuously.  Concentrated and full bodied, oh the gorgeous drink.

Enjoy

$

Gorgeous

The original title of this blog was…Friday  is pizza and Bordeaux night at our house.  But, I wanted the name to be in the title and it was a bit too long. Soooo, Friday night is pizza night at our house.  The biggest difference between our house and any others is the wine we drink with it.

Last night we ordered from our favorite pizza place with a few wings on the side.  I went downstairs and pulled a wine that I really just wanted to drink not really caring if it was a “pizza wine”,  as if any wine is NOT a pizza wine.  And WOW did I get it right.

Chateau Lamothe-Cissac, a Haut-Medoc favorite, from Domaine Fabre.  The Fabre family offers a whole selection of wine for every price range.    What a beautiful wine. The blend is a perfect balance of Cabernet, Cab Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.  The nose is filled with aromas of ripe red fruit.  Hints of floral notes follow.  The sirens of ancient lore could not better entice.

The luscious, I repeat luscious, liquid rolls over my mouth.  The soft velvet coating is soothing.  So many flavors bursting through.  Plum, cherry, dark fruit ripe and bursting with flavor.  Oh the lovely, soft, elegant tannins that linger for a long long time.  An invitation to enjoy more.  And so I did.  Enjoy.

$$

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Look at dark rich color
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of course with the pizza

wpid-wp-1448236052331.jpegAnother great wine from one of my favorite wine makers, Brigitte Rullier-Loussert.  Brigitte learned the business from her father Michele Rullier. The estate is set in one of the primo locations in bordeaux.  Nestled in between Pomerol and St. Emilion it invokes the best of both appelations.  The estate works to maintain sustainable – organic farming techniques.  The terrioir tells the story of the wine.  In her own words, ” My urge isn’t to produce muscly wines that have been excessively leached-out and whih are often, too woody, this is not what my vision of what wine should be.  Wine should offer both body and substance, without forgoing elegance symbolizes perfect harmony as far as I’m concerned.”  A great philosophy from a great wine maker.

Now to the wine.  The nose gives off aromas of cherry and spring flowers. The squid inky color is not disappointing, just a tease.  Oh, and when it hits your mouth the lovely, luscious, velvet coating that covers your tongue is a never ceasing stream of taste.  Licorice, dark berry, plum all cover your mouth and move gently down your throat.  Oh what a thrill.

I should also mention the earth tones that linger in the aftertaste.  Not a full barnyardy effect, but more of a dirt/mineral flavor.  Not off putting, just another depth of flavor.  Quality, and yes the terroir shows through. I believe Brigitte’s philosophy shows through in this wine.

Enjoy

$$

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Overlooking the valley just behind the estate. One of the most beautiful scenes in France.

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