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...

Affordable Old World Style Pinot Noir

Here is one of the many I've found:

2007 Agustinos Pinot Noir Reserva (Bio-Bio Valley Chile)

Medium to dark brick red. Very aromatic, with "Old World" herbal (eucalyptus)/spice/soil characteristic (think Sauvigny Les Beaune). Perfumed aromas of this fruit are nuanced with sweat and some tar; slight alcohol burn.
On the palate, a spicy, ripe, racy (pepper/plum) fruit is joined by a slight note of the aforementioned alcohol (and tannins). Good acidity and balance. Moderate finish. At $11 this opens the Pinot Noir door without breaking the bank.

Sensational Spanish Red

2004 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva-
Brick red. Immediate ripe, spicy Tempernillo aromas with an integrated vanilla/spicy oak component. On the palate, a well-knit marriage of ripe fruit (berries), spice, and vanilla (toasted barrel), with an earthy note and some tobacco. Smooth and elegant with modest complexity. Moderate finish. 90% Tempernillo (or Tinto del Toro) and 10% Graciano and/or Mazuelo, Rioja Reservas spend a minimum of 1 year in barrel and spend 3 years in the winery (between barrel and bottle aging) before release. Marques de Riscal is Rioja's oldest operating producer (dating back to 1860). Finding this wine in the New York City market for $14, is one of the ultimate "finds" that I base this blog upon...BUT...
I will get into other tastings/ideas/beliefs/trends, etc. soon. Please feel free to write in and add your own comments.

Quick Wine Shout Out

This is a terrific white wine that has been offered at "BLOW OUT PRICES" here in NYC- some good bottle age and from a world-renowned producer- check it out:

2005 Lacryma Christi Del Vesuvio (Mastroberardino)
Deep gold- Ripe melon with hazelnut aromas- bracing (but balanced) acidity intertwined with rich ripe fruit (honey and melon). Small citrus component (a squeeze of lemon), some limestone and the hazelnuts- moderate to long finish.
100% Coda di Volpe del Vesuvio- grown nowhere else in the world... at $9 a bottle this is the buy of the summer- find it while you can.
Mastroberardino's entire lineup is worth checking out- phenomenal producer!