Trader Joe's NYC revisited

Well, as you may know from my previous entries, I am perpetually on the lookout for "affordable wines that you would not be ashamed to take home"(or something like that), occasionally breaking away for some personal "cellar updates" (a shrinking cellar nonetheless). I have been away from "blog land" for too long, but now I will try to keep the entries flowing. Here is the first of a few "TJNYC" reviews I plan to post (believe it or not, some of the initial wines that impressed me from TJ are still available in NYC- updated vintages, etc.):

2 Cali Cab Bargains-

2008 "Trader Joe's" Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon- purple/ruby color with pale rim; nose filled with ripe blueberry/cherry fruit, with eucalyptus/alcohol element, some tar; very smooth on the palate- fruit forward with slight tannic acid and fresh herbs, currant (jam preserves); medium body with pleasant aftertaste. Priced appropriately at $10, with a good bottle presentation (not the Chuck Shaw austere look...)

2009 Alexander and Fitch Winery, Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon- dark garnet with pale rim; deep, spicy, ripe fruit (cherries, blueberries), with a hint of mint and allspice, slight tobacco leaf; all carries through on the palate with some acidic side palate presence (tannins), but ripe fruit in the foreground with cinnamon and clove nuances. Does not really continue past the front to mid palate, but flavors linger. At $7, a wine that is worth trying- and may fill out with time (still maturing- within 1-3-years).

Two 2007 Napa Cabs on the market

Two 2007 Napa Valley California Cabernet Sauvignons- similar price range ($12-15 per bottle): Annabella "Special Selection" Michael Pozzan Winery, from Oakville, and Avalon from similar plots in Napa (Oakville, Rutherford, etc.). Both wines exhibit similar attributes- dark cherry, blackberry flavors interspersed with silky tannins and a kiss of new oak. Very elegant at this level. If anything sets them apart, the Annabella seems more refined and integrated, whereas the Avalon presents a more complex (Bordeaux blend grapes Merlot, Cabernet Franc, with some Petite Syrah) full-bodied profile. Nice to try them side by side with a suitable food pairing.

Two 1990 Ceretto Barolos- The Test Of Time

Over the years, one of my favorite Barolo producers has been the Ceretto estate- "old school" Nebbiolo crafters. I have had the pleasure of experiencing their 1978. 1979, and 1982 vintages from various vineyards (please see this succinct description offered by my friends at Italian Wine Merchants in New York City). I had been able to purchase some of their 1990 vintage back in the mid-nineties. I laid them down in my upstate wine cellar and tried them in 2001 (11 years old). I wrote reviews of them back then and was sure that more cellar time would reap more sublime benefits. So I purposely opened the two heavyweights (Bricco Rocche Brunate and Prapo) on 10-21-09, without even looking at my previous 2001 notes. So now, these wines were just under 20 years old. I will now write up my tasting notes from both periods:
Brunate
6-1-2001 Notes#26106
Brick red (mature); some browning (even on the edges)
Smoky, peppery fruit (mature)
Steely fruit, with some spice; tannins slightly apparent- dusty, with a charcoal/mineral/sulphur component
Stylish and ready now or within the next 5 to 10 years.
10-21-2009 Notes#26156
Brick red (mature) some rim browning
Stewed fruits, wild field mushrooms, some tar/smoke, "textbook" mature Barolo spices, faint flower and ripe dark plum
Lush fruit (dark berries- black/boysen), still some silky tannins (balance), dark chocolate/licorice, wild game/animal notes; moderate finish
Prapo
6-1-2001 Notes#6482
Darker, deeper red than Brunate; pale brownish near the rim
Spicy, leather, aftershave, game, forest floor, mushroom; rich Nebbiolo fruit w/tannins still present; tar, licorice,plum- complex; mineral/sulphur; more concentrated than Brunate (although not an advantage or detriment); built for longevity (10-15 maybe 20 years), although accessible (some sediment). *
10-21-2009 Notes#6308
Slightly more youthful color than Brunate- less browning, pale rim
Tobacco, menthol, then violets; dark cherry with a medicinal note
Tar/leather/tobacco/zippy berries (raspberry)- no real cherry or dried fruits; moderate tannins (not overbearing); liqueur-like finesse; apricot; elegant
Eplogue
So as you can see, there were some consistencies across the years- these wines probably have the 25-30 year lifeline- a testament to the Ceretto estate and the vintage.

I'm Back

Sorry everyone- I am back with some new entries that are still on the market. I was busier than ever (boring or exciting details will be supplied if you e-ask) but now I am back on the mark. One sidetrack I will divulge is a posting (or 2) on my California friend's site regarding my take on some of the wines offered at our Trader Joe's Wine store here on 14th Street (NYC). Other than that- her we go:

2007 Parducci Pinot Noir (Mendocino CA) ($12)- Brick red/ pale rim; Slight dried fruit with candied cherry and a cocoa element; alcohol burn and leather; Light to medium body with tart PN fruit/ some tannins; Short to moderate finish.

Revised an earlier post of the 2007 Augustinos Pinot Noir Reserva (Chile)- check it here

2005 Chateau Rudelle (St. Emilion/ 100% Merlot) ($10)- Deep red/ pale rim; Graphite with subdued fruit (not ripe?)/ herbal element; Tannic, but not closed- Subdued black currant fruit with a medicinal characteristic- no strong alcohol component; Moderate finish. Not showing a brilliant ripeness which is typical for 2005 Bordeaux...

2007 Simone Special Reserve Merlot (Chile) ($10)- Deep red/ pale rim; Aromatic nose with smoky Merlot fruit and herbal notes; Ripe and easy on the palate with an integration of ripe fruit/spices/graphite ; short to moderate finish- easy drinking.

Many more reviews will follow-

The NYC Trader Joe's Experience

So, as you know, I have been on a relentless pursuit of NYC's most affordable wines. I have finally checked out Trader Joe's- on 14th Street just East of the termination of Irving Street ( the extension of Lexington Avenue after 21st Street- from 20th Street to 14th Street (going South). But let me stop the map references- this store has major low budget wine buying potential. I initially went in looking for wines under $15/20 per bottle, but was enamored with "$10 and under" offerings I saw as potential, "try one bottle and see" decisions. I dove in and with total experimentation ( first time tasting all the way), here are my notes:

2008 D'Aquino Orvieto Classico ($5)- Pale gold, with some green highlights. Delicate nose with some floral, mineral, and perfume notes. Light and delicate on the palate, with pleasant notes continuing. No real complexity here; charming with nothing really standing out (may be over-produced?).

2008 Epicuro Vermentino Lazio ($6)- Light yellow/gold. Aromatic nose, with ripe, mineral tinged fruit and some alcohol/acid burn. Character and flavor components dance on the palate, with a characteristic Old World Vermentino profile- melon and limestone flavors. Great acid balance (crisp). Moderate finish. A winner at this price point.

2008 Chateau des Cleons Muscadet ($7)- Golden color with some green highlights. Crisp, green apple nose with some floral and perfume notes. Crisp and flavorful on the palate (above flavors following) with a flinty aspect as well. Great balance and moderate finish. A winner at this price point.

NV Blason de Bourgogne Cremant ($10)- Light yellow/ good effervescence. Faint fruit and mineral tones on the nose. Totally disappears on the palate- no fruit or mineral, just the bubbles with a slight feel of alcohol. (?)

2008 Jean-Luc Colombo CDR Blanc ($10)- Pale gold. Mineral notes (wet slate and limestone) present, with some subtle fruit and floral notes. An initial banana flavor on the palate, (which eventually dissipates), with medium to full acidity. Delicate fruit tones follow with good balance and some minerality. Good entry level Rhone white wine.

2005 Three Knights Chardonnay (Russian River) ($7)- Platinum/ pale gold- some green tones. Very ripe nose, with melon, citrus fruits, and floral notes. Hints of orange peel. Slight limestone (soil) and vanilla (barrel) components. Lively burst on the palate, with everything above showing up- but with great acidic balance. Short finish, but this wine delivers for the price point. Russian River pedigree and great bottle age for a $7 wine.

2008 Caves Perrieres Pouilly Fume ($12)- Entry level Sauv Blanc from the birthplace of this varietal. Straddles both Old and New World components in the best attributes each has to offer (please ask me to expound on this). Pleasant and not complex, but with good character. Moderate finish, and right where it should be for the price point ( i.e. no "bargain, no rip-off").

Next: The red wines.

An Old Favorite- Under weird circumstances

Here's the scoop

Sicily (Sicilia)
Red grape= Nero d'Avola (90%)
Serious producer= Colosi
Here we go...

2003 (yes there is a story behind this old vintage)
Colosi Dry Red Wine

Deep brick red- still clear to pale rim
Blockbuster aromas of dried fruit (ripe), tar, tobacco,light spices, cherry...
Stewed fruits, but still vibrant with cherries and wild game components...
Moderate finish.

Now here's the story-
Old wine stored in horrible conditions (not mine)- not a wine to lay down, a "drink upon release" type, like "MOST WINES" (just ask me and I will elaborate)

and yet... it still SURVIVED!

Even in the worst storage conditions and beyond it's expected "shelf life"
it still SURVIVED.

The short story- Colosi wines are affordable and produced with utmost quality.

But What About...

Hey Everyone,
I am getting so many tweets about what I have tried and do not like (or "buy at your own risk", etc.). As you may well perceive, there are many wines (especially at this price point) which I would "never invite to dinner again".

I am asking you all to please let me know if any of these entries would be of any interest to you.
--------- Or ---------
I am completely committed to continuing my "best of" format as well.
Please let me know...