Friday, February 12, 2010

Reserve Perrin Coutes Du Rhone Rouge 2006

Orange, France, 13%
Granache (60%), Syrah (20%), Mourvedre (10%), Cinsault (10%).
Mis en bouteille par Perrin Et fils. Not "cold stabilized".
Imported by: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL. Wine Info for Reserve Perrin.

Floral, rosey and lavender-esque with a little ink in bouquet. Nice bitter and tart fruit. Lots of flavor but clean and fresh tasting. Lingering essence of cedar and spice. Excellent example of French Rhone style. May gain complexity with age as well. Perfect wine to show as example of French style vs. CA style vs. other styles. . .

Casa Solar Tempranillo 2007

Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Central/Eastern Spain, 13%
Bottled by: Cosecheros y Criadores, Established 1889.
Imported by: CIV Sacramento, CA.
Selected by Lauren Rosillo.

Ink, violets and a little sweet on the nose. Smooth easy to drink but not exactly "soft" in the mouth. Bit of bitter and wood shavings with the fruit and lavender flavors. However has a pretty clean finish; flavors linger a bit but the tongue feels refreshed. Almost crisp. Definitely a, "good-with-food" wine. Not as robust and deep as many Spanish but a good deal for $5. Cool label. Quality wine.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

R.C.T.J.W.F. - (Really Cool Trader Joe's Wine Find) Zinfandel 2007

Vinted and bottled by Familia Nueva Vineyards Creston, CA, 14.6%

Extracted and deep Zin notes on aroma. Some alcohol with plum, dry cherry and leather scents. Strong wine. Not really complex or very rich but has dark fruit flavors with some bitter/spicy elements. Low on sweetness, a bit of alcohol and crisp tannins. A very good hot climate Zin, but a little overpowering with the alcohol and fruit bombing. Might be nice with bar-b-q ribs or carnitas.

Forestville Sangiovese-Chianti 2006

Forestville Vineyard, Sonoma, CA 12.5%

Mild fruity nose; bit of the Italian extracted cherry-berry scent. Smooth, supple mouth with a bit of sweetness. Good up front Sangiovese characters. However little to no tannins. Clean finish. Good flavor and structure for the price. Definitely drinkable especially with pasta and red sauce and the like.

Tenuta Coppadoro Vendemmia "Pescorosso" 2003

Nero di Troia and Aglanico Grapes
San Severo, Puglia, Italy, 13%
Produced by: Tenuta Coppadoro
Imported by: Wine Italy Manhasset, NY

Berry nose, extracted fruit. Smooth fruit with plenty of dark red fruit flavor. A bit tannic but nice lingering finish. May age well. A strong and robust wine with something to chew on. Not extra-ordinary but a good representation of Italian wines.