Buzz wine shop (the first of many?) opens downtown

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2011/06/buzz-wine-shop-is-open-downtown.html

Beau Site Beaumont Beausejour Becot Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse Bel Air Lalande de Pomerol

The Right Next Step For Winery Tasting Rooms

We all know how to make reservations. And most all of us know how to make them on-line at this point. We reserve hotel rooms, tables, seats at shows, transportation options and much more. The reason we reserve anything is...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/YzdJvFvgSUs/the-right-next-step-for-winery-tasting-rooms.html

Cantemerle Cantenac Brown Carillon d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Angelus Caronne Ste Gemme Carruades de Lafite

Meanwhile, In SGV : Daikokuya Arcadia and H&H Restaurant Open, MORE!

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/06/27/daikokuya_arcadia_and_hh_restaurant_open_more.php

Guadet Saint Julien Haut Bages Liberal Haut Bailly Haut Batailley Haut Batailley Rare Signed Marie Jeanne

Alan Kerr?s Vintage?s April 30th Release ? Tasting Notes

Due to a change of date for the Vintages tasting, I was able to scribe a few notes on the next two releases. The focus this month is ?All in the Family?, otherwise known as Aussie dynasties and their notable wines. Interesting to note, all but two of the Australian wines were in screw top [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/gangofpour/uncZ/~3/NAJUQ-xw5nU/alan-kerr%e2%80%99s-vintage%e2%80%99s-april-30threlease

Carillon d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Angelus Caronne Ste Gemme Carruades de Lafite Certan de May Charmail

DEALFEED: Bar Pintxo

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/06/29/bar_pintxo.php

Dame de Montrose d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Angludet d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Armailhac De Chevalier De Fieuzal

ZOMG CUPCAKES: Is the country's cupcake craze on...

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/06/27/zomg_cupcakes.php

Lafon Rochet Lagrange Lalande Borie Lanessan Langoa Barton

Reminder: WBW 71 Is This Week!

It seems like is was just a few days ago that I announced the next edition of Wine Blogging Wednesday but it has been nearly 3 weeks. So just a friendly reminder that WBW 71, “Rhones Not From The Rh�ne,” is in just two days. And it’s easy to participate; just pick up a wine [...]

Reminder: WBW 71 Is This Week! originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Winecast/~3/P5Lljfs40TQ/

Clos Puy Arnaud Corbin Cos d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Estournel Couspaude Couvent des Jacobins

A Wine for Tonight: 2010 Saviah Cellars The Jack Riesling

Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won?t break your budget and is widely available? Many of our readers have said this is something they would like, so here is this week?s selection, the 2010 Saviah Cellars The Jack Riesling from the Columbia Valley of [...]

A Wine for Tonight: 2010 Saviah Cellars The Jack Riesling was originally posted on Wine Peeps. Wine Peeps - Your link to great QPR wines from Washington State and beyond.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WinePeeps/~3/yCkiJKggYtc/

Canon la Gaffeliere Cantemerle Cantenac Brown Carillon d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Angelus Caronne Ste Gemme

Book Review: Summer in a Glass by Evan Dawson

You know a book is good when you're bummed to be deplaning a cross-country flight before you've finished reading. But that's what happened to me with Evan Dawson's Summer in a Glass: The Coming of Age of Winemaking in the Finger Lakes recently.

The book tells the stories of 13 winemakers in the New York State wine region, each extensively researched and told in a narrative non-fiction format. I found the approach particularly effective in conveying each winemaker's story and raising their wines to a higher level of understanding and potential enjoyment. On several occasions I found myself wanting to seek out specific wines described in the book.

If the idea of reading winemaker stories leaves you uninspired I think I might know how you feel. For me, most winery stories sound similar: Guy makes boatloads of money in a non-related industry, dumps it into the sexier wine trade and is now producing wine made with unparalleled standards at unbelievably high prices. That said Summer in a Glass succeeds by relating stories in a way the winemakers themselves might have trouble conveying with a similar level of intrigue.

Perhaps that's because the author is a storyteller by trade anchoring the news desk at Rochester's ABC affiliate. He's also a wine writer who contributes regularly to online wine publications - primarily the highly regarded New York Cork Report. Dawson is the kind of writer I find interesting regardless of the subject he's writing about -- whether it's migraines, Barbaresco or Finger Lakes Riesling.

Impressive On a Number of Levels

First and foremost there's the undeniable charm of being transported to a region like the Finger Lakes. Given its duration and intensity, winter in the Finger Lakes makes summer all the more appreciated and Dawson captures the essence of each season beautifully. It's never in your face with metaphors but the notion of how special warm summer nights are comes through brilliantly.

At its best Summer in a Glass weaves chapters together in near-cliff hanger style showing the interconnectedness of winemakers in the region leaving the reader wondering how each winery will fare.

The work Dawson put into researching the stories relayed is evident and pays dividends. Dawson's wide-open, inclusive personality comes through brilliantly as he embeds just enough of himself in the story to draw the reader in.

One of the most difficult things to do as a narrative story teller, I think, is convey a story about the less-likeable character. It's relatively easy to tell the story of a gregarious German like Anthony Road's Johannes Reinhardt but revealing the essence of a highly regarded but not-so-collaborative winemaker like Hermann Wiemer is a different challenge. As an author you know the subject will read what you've written - and might not be happy with it - but Dawson finds a way to find the best lighting for each personality while painting an accurate picture.

Conclusion and Recommendations

After reading Summer in a Glass in some ways I regret not visiting the region already. But at the same time I feel I now have a reliable guide pointing me some of the best producers in the region and an interest in tasting the wines to compare notes with what's described in the book.

If you're a content creator you might find yourself wondering as you read the book: Could I write something on par with this about another wine region? Regardless of the answer the fact the book has you asking that question is, I think, an inspiring achievement in itself.

I highly recommend Summer in a Glass for anyone interested in good stories about wine, especially in the Finger Lakes, and especially if you're headed there for a visit any time soon.

More info here: http://evandawsonwrites.com

4.5/5 Stars WWP: Highly Recommended

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/l_qjLMr80aY/book-review-summer-in-glass-by-evan.html

Batailley Beau Sejour Becot Beau Site Beaumont Beausejour Becot

Mother Nature & Wine Country: The Interview

The weather in Northern California this spring has been terrible. Cold and wet. There's lots of complaining out there. In an attempt to understand what is going on I thought it advisable to go directly to the source. After considerable...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/sypy4XHVNmA/mother-nature-wine-country-the-interview.html

l\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Enclos Leoville Barton Leoville Las Cases Leoville Poyferre Les Forts de Latour

The Right Next Step For Winery Tasting Rooms

We all know how to make reservations. And most all of us know how to make them on-line at this point. We reserve hotel rooms, tables, seats at shows, transportation options and much more. The reason we reserve anything is...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/YzdJvFvgSUs/the-right-next-step-for-winery-tasting-rooms.html

Carruades de Lafite Certan de May Charmail Chasse Spleen Chateau Hermitage St Emilion

Mother Nature & Wine Country: The Interview

The weather in Northern California this spring has been terrible. Cold and wet. There's lots of complaining out there. In an attempt to understand what is going on I thought it advisable to go directly to the source. After considerable...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/sypy4XHVNmA/mother-nature-wine-country-the-interview.html

La Croix de Beaucaillou La Croix du Casse La Fleur Cardinale La Fleur de Bouard La Fleur de Gay

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2007/02/confessions-of-stemware-snob-i-come.html

Carruades de Lafite Certan de May Charmail Chasse Spleen Chateau Hermitage St Emilion

Competition Winners Announced

The winners of the 70th annual Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition were announced today and the list is an impressive one! A box wine, a Scotch whisky, repeat winners (Armida Winery and baseball legend Tommy Lasorda) and so much more! Take a look at the winners here then check out the buzz on [...]

Source: http://blogs.fairplex.com/blog/wine/?p=78

Ausone (Soiled Label) Bahans Haut Brion Barde Haut Baronat Mouton Baron Philippe Batailley

Eater Tracking : Ilan Hall's Next Restaurant: A Mix of High and Low Cuisine?

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/06/23/ilan_halls_next_restaurant_a_mix_of_high_and_low_cuisine.php

Ausone (Soiled Label) Bahans Haut Brion Barde Haut Baronat Mouton Baron Philippe Batailley

Rumormongering : Sprinkles Enters New Territory with Red Velvet Ice Cream

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/06/27/sprinkles_enters_new_territory_with_red_velvet_ice_cream.php

Le Moulin Le Moulin Pomerol Le Petit Cheval Le Pin Le Tertre Roteboeuf

Valentines Special at Cross Roads Winery

Wine and Chocolate – February 13 Sunday February 13 from 1-6 for a pairing of wonderful chocolates with CrossRoads wines. Treat your Valentine to this special day of decadence! Tickets are $20    

Source: http://thegrapesaroundtexas.com/2011/01/17/valentines-special-at-cross-roads-winery/

Beau Site Beaumont Beausejour Becot Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse Bel Air Lalande de Pomerol

2007 Sauternes & Barsac

Here you find the ratings of the 2007 Sauternes and Barsac wines from Robert Parker, Decanter and Wine Spectator:



Sauternes & Barsac
Decanter
Wine Advocate
WineSpectator
Price


Chateau d’Yquem
***** 19
96 - 98
97 - 100



Chateau Guiraud
**** 17,5
92 - 94
91 - 94



Chateau La Tour Blanche
**** 18
86 - 88
90 - 93



Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey
**** 18
91 - 93
91 - 94



Chateau de Rayne-Vigneau
***** 19
91 - 93
92 - 95



Chateau [...]

Source: http://www.wine4freaks.com/41/2007-sauternes-barsac/

La Conseillante La Couspaude La Croix de Beaucaillou La Croix du Casse La Fleur Cardinale

Listage : Rooftop Beehives Are Trendy; More On The E. Coli Outbreak

Source: http://la.eater.com/archives/2011/06/24/rooftop_beehives_are_trendy_more_on_the_e_coli_outbreak.php

Wine Making Wine Tasting Yellow Tail Cabernet Wine and Roses

World of Wine Tasting at Wine Nation: Start Building the Perfect Case

Wine Nation is having a big tasting today, Saturday March 26th from 1-5 pm at their store in the Shoppes at Blackstone Valley located in Millbury, MA:

World of Wine Tasting Event
March 26, Saturday | 1-5pm

Join us for this free tasting event.

Taste more than 100 wines from around the world including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Chile, Argentina,
Hungary and California.

Beer and food will also be available for tasting. Special in-store pricing on the day of the event.

They're doing 15% off a mixed case of wines being sampled. They passed me a list of wines they'd be pouring at the tasting - here are some that caught my eye (prices quoted are after 15% mixed case discount):

• Olson Ogden Persuasion ($16.99)
• Londer Pinot Noir ($16.14)
• Beckstoffer The Sum ($16.99)
• Red Door Oregon Pinot Noir ($11.04)
• Waterbrook Reserve Merlot ($18.69)
• Di Majo Norante Sangiovese ($8.49)
• Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay Unoaked ($18.69)
• Foppiano Petite Sirah ($15.29)
• King Estate Pinot Gris ($12.74)
• King Estate Pinot Noir ($22.94)
• Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier ($9.34)
• Crios Torrontes ($11.04)

Further Reading:
Store Review: Wine Nation in Millbury, MA 

Bonus Content:
First Look: Old School Pizza in Wellesley, MA

Check 'em out:
Wine Nation
The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley
70 Worcester-Providence Turnpike
Millbury, MA 01527
508-917-0400
info@winenation.com 

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/phyxHPptog0/world-of-wine-tasting-at-wine-nation.html

Larcis Ducasse Larmande Larrivet Haut Brion Lascombes Latour

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2007/01/boredom-breaking-midweek-meal-chicken.html

Certan de May Charmail Chasse Spleen Chateau Hermitage St Emilion Chauvin

TasteCamp East:Bloggers Arrive in the Finger Lakes

This is one of my favorite times of the year.� I’m fortunate enough to be included on the list of wine bloggers and writers who get asked to attend TasteCamp East, organized by Lenn Thompson and Evan Dawson at The New York Cork Report. Last year, Long Island Wine Country hosted our group and although [...]

Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/tastecamp-eastbloggers-arrive-in-the-finger-lakes/

d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Agassac d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Aiguilhe Dame de Montrose d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Angludet d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Armailhac

Event Report: 2011 Wine Spectator Grand Tour Boston

The Wine Spectator 2011 Grand Tour made its third and final stop last Thursday at the Marriott Copley Hotel in Boston. The event offered a chance to try more than 200 wines in an expo-style tasting over the course of three hours. Between the high quality of the wines being poured, the chance to interact with winemakers and winery owners, and the lack of long lines, it was the best wine tasting I've ever been to.

Prior to the event I wrote down a cheat sheet of wines I wanted to taste. I didn't think I'd actually get a chance to try all the wines especially after reading Wine Spectator Tim Fish's blog post from the Las Vegas event. At tastings like these lines usually get long and I end up going wherever the crowds aren't. However I was pleasantly surprised the lines for even the marquee wines weren't too long at all. I was able to try everything on my list and then some.

The event provided an excellent opportunity to taste some of the great wines of the world. I bumped into Phil Minervo from Lower Falls Wine Co who coached me to taste through wines in their peer group rather than jumping around.

Bordeaux

What better place to start with a fresh palate than Bordeaux?

With my souvenir Riedel tasting glass in hand I made my first stop at the 2004 Chateau Margaux table (93WS/$220 release price). I thought the wine had incredible texture, was made in a serious style, and had a long finish. Next up: 2004 Cos d'Estournel (94WS/$80). I've always eyed that wine as attainable top-quality Bordeaux. I thought it was very elegant in style:

The winery owner was pouring his 2008 Pontet-Canet (92WS/$105). I thought it was delicious and enjoyable to drink even though it was so young:

The 2005 Mouton-Rothschild (95WS/$680) was powerful but a little too earthy and austere at this point. Maybe even skunky:

From Bordeaux I also tasted 2004 Chateau Palmer (elegantly balanced), 2006 Chateau Haut-Bailley (only 12.5% alcohol!) and 2005 Chateau Lynch Bages (nice fruit - enjoyed it).

Side note: The size of the pours, even for these expensive wines, provided an ample opportunity for assessment. In Massachusetts, a sample of wine poured at a tasting cannot legally exceed 1 ounce and most vendors were pouring right at that mark.

Italy

Next up was Italy to taste some Barolo and Tuscan reds. The 2006 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata Torriglione (92WS/$265) was beautiful - and stunningly aromatic:

The 2005 Marchesi di Barolo (91WS/$88) was very well balanced with really nice floral aromas:

The Tuscan line-up was even more amazing - a crash course in the great wines of the region. Some were showing more generously at this point in their development but all were a joy to taste. One of the more friendly offerings was the 2005 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova (92WS/$75). I liked the style, and the 2006 vintage was rated 100 points by James Suckling. I bought some the next day.

The 2007 Modus (96WS/$35) was a wine I was interested in trying. There was a good amount of speculation it would be the 2010 Wine Spectator Wine of the Year (it wound up at number 25). I enjoyed the wine.

I blogged about the 2007 Felsina Fontalloro recently (92WS/$55). It was showing very well alongside very formidable competition. I really like this wine. I asked the gentleman pouring it to compare it to the 2005 and 2006 vintages. He slyly recommended the 2005 for breakfast, the 2007 for lunch and the 2006 for dinner implying the 2006 is bigger than the 2007. Both the 2006 and 2007 are fantastic - I'd highly recommend you track some down:

The guy pouring the 2008 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno (96WS/$110) wasn't much of a talker but the wine spoke for itself. Brilliant and approachable. Balanced:

 

In the not so approachable camp: The 2007 Testamatta (95WS/$125, some fruit but still quite tight), and 2008 Ornellaia (NYR, tannic beast).

The 2000 Fontodi Flaccienello (87WS/$69) was one of the few wines at the event not rated 90 points at the time of release. The vendor pouring it said Wine Spectator may have rated it higher as part of a retrospective tasting but I couldn't find a record of that. The wine was showing nicely and it was especially interesting to taste a wine of the caliber with some bottle age (many of the wines were insanely young).

I really appreciated that each table was only pouring a single wine. This focus kept the crowd moving and provided an opportunity to quickly see what a winery is all about. When I've only got 3 hours and more than 200 wines to taste that's what I'm looking for.

Pinot Noir

Even though I was spitting as much as I possibly could, I was parched after tasting so many Bordeaux and Italian wines.

I took a break then made a bee line for the Kosta Browne table where Managing Director of Marketing & Sales Sam Lando was pouring. Perhaps more than any domestic winery I was pleased to see them there. They seem to have little trouble selling through their wines and it was a pleasure to taste the 2009 Kosta Browne Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (NYR). Beautiful stuff - my wine of the night. At 14.5% alcohol they seem to have found ways to bring the alcohol levels down slightly while maintaining their rich mouth feel and delicious flavor profile.

Nearby, Adam Lee was pouring his 2009 Siduri Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir (92WS/$29). I liked this wine quite a bit more than his 2009 Russian River Valley bottling I tried earlier this year and will seek out the SLH for future purchase. It's a winner.
 
Oregon was also well represented. Sokol Blosser was pouring their 2008 Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills (90 WS/$38). I love how distinctly vibrant their wines are across every recent vintage and bottling - fabulous. The 2008 Bergstrom Pinot Noir (93WS/$78) showed how you're rewarded for spending more in Oregon Pinot Noir. 

Napa Cabernet

Looking back I can't believe some of the Napa Cabs I passed up. The 2007 Robert Mondavi Reserve was there and I didn't make it a priority to taste it. What was I thinking? I very much enjoyed the 2008 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (94WS/$130). It was only outdone by the 2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia (94WS/$200). Love everything about that Insignia with its rich mouth feel and generous fruit-driven flavor profile. For my palate, it's absolutely delicious without going over the top. Cliff Lede was pouring their 2007 Poetry (91WS/$150). Beautiful bottle. Nice wine. 

Wandering Around

The wineries were generous with their selections.  Michael Twelftree from Two Hands was pouring their 2007 "Zippy's Block" Single Vineyard Shiraz (91WS/$110). Catena Zapata brought their 2007 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec (96WS/$120). For wineries like these (which I've heard of tasted their wines before) it was nice to be able to try some of their lower production bottlings.

One of the most delicious wines I tried all night came on a tip from Mike O'Connell Jr from Upper Falls Liquors. The 2008 Betts & Scholl Grenache Barossa Valley - "The O.G." they call it (90WS/$20). Original Grenche? It was luscious and so enjoyable after tasting through dozens of drier wines. I'd really like to track this one down:

Conclusions and Recommendations

What was advertised as a light buffet turned out to be quite substantial. Buffet stations and seating areas outside the ballroom provided a break from the action. Plenty of bottles of Acqua Panna and Pelligrino aided in hydration.

Several people I ran into at the event called it "the best wine tasting I've ever been to." I agree with them. The combination of high quality wines, manageable crowds, and the overall experience made it an event I'd look forward to attending again. It was the kind of thing I'd really enjoy going with some friends, attending the event, going to dinner afterwards, and spending the night at the hotel.

More than anything the tasting provided a way to taste some of the great wines of the world and get a feel for their flavor profiles. I can read tasting notes all day but until I get a chance to experience wines myself it's hard to know what I'll like. Because of this I find tastings like this really valuable. I learn a lot and can focus my wine exploration in new directions.

Disclosure: I attended on a free blogger pass.

Further Reading: A review of the event from The Passionate Foodie

Question of the Day: Have you been to a Wine Spectator tasting in the past? What are some of the best wine tastings you've ever been to? What made them so enjoyable?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/qnVNh6j2Yhs/event-report-2011-wine-spectator-grand.html

Cissac Citran Clarence Haut Brion Clerc Milon Climens

Silver Oak Winery in the Napa Valley ? For Cabernet Sauvignon Fans

I loved listening to the offbeat and jovial winemaker, Daniel Barons, who tells it like it is with a no-holds-barred approach to winemaking. He has been making wine for 41 years so he says he has seen it all. Continue reading →

Source: http://www.winecountrygetaways.com/napablog/silver-oak-winery-in-the-napa-valley-%e2%80%93-for-cabernet-sauvignon-fans/

Citran Clarence Haut Brion Clerc Milon Climens Clinet

Whew! It's shaping up to be a hot summer. Chill out with a no-bake blueberry fool

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2011/06/whew-its-shaping-up-to-be-a-hot-summer-chill-out-with-a-blueberry-fool.html

Labegorce Zede Lafite Rothschild Lafleur Lafleur Gazin Pomerol Lafon Rochet

Scarecrow Second Label Unboxing Photos

Flying high off a 100 point Wine Advocate rating for their 2007 Scarecrow, check out these shots for the packaging of Scarecrow's second label wine - the 2008 M. Etain:

 Pretty impressive - I wonder what kind of treatment the flagship wine receives?
With a $225/btl release price and current auction prices of the '07 Scarecrow approaching $600/btl it's intriguing to seek a taste of their wines. One way to taste the greatness is with this second label Monsieur Etain that goes for $125/btl.

Another is to seek out Scarecrow winemaker Celia Welch's Corra where she's the winemaker and owner: http://corrawines.com

Or you could just live vicariously through RJ's Wine Blog. His notes on the '06 Scarecrow and the '08 M. Etain. 

Question of the Day: Have you ever tasted a wine rated 100 points by Wine Spectator or Wine Advocate? If so was it a disappointment? Or could you see where their perfect rating was coming from?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/x8F7DRuB5oE/scarecrow-second-label-unboxing.html

Patache d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Aux Pavie Pavie Decesse Pavie Macquin Pavillon Rouge du Margaux

Wine Spectator's Grand Tour Comes to Boston

On Thursday May 19th, 2011 Wine Spectator's Grand Tour is coming to Boston's Mariott Copley Place Hotel. The event includes a taste of over 200 wines, a light buffet, and a souvenier Riedel tasting glass.

These wineries pouring at the event caught my eye for one reason or another:

• Almaviva
• Caymus
• Ch�teau Cos-d'Estournel
• Domaine Serene
• Elk Cove
• Evening Land
• Felsina
• Bruno Giacosa
• Hall
• Kosta Browne
• Ch�teau Margaux
• Ch�teau Mouton Rothschild
• Joseph Phelps
• Ch�teau Pontet-Canet
• Sokol Blosser

The tour includes stops in Las Vegas and Chicago.  For more information including a full listing of participating wineries visit the Wine Spectator Grand Tour website. Tickets are $200.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/-rnhwkoln8Q/wine-spectators-grand-tour-comes-to.html

Beau Sejour Becot Beau Site Beaumont Beausejour Becot Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse

A random act of generosity at Woodberry Kitchen

Source: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/06/woodberry_diners_treated_to_di.html

Latour a Pomerol Laville Haut Brion Le Gay Le Moulin Le Moulin Pomerol

What women don?t want: perfume shaped wine bottles!

I’m going out on a limb here and say that women don’t really want their wine in perfume-shaped wine bottles. But that’s just what the grappa distillery Mazzetti d?Altavilla is making with their new “Essentia Vitae.” Here’s what someone who hailed it as the packaging innovation of the week had to say. ?While perfume-inspired wine [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/1wGUTzk4g-A/

Malescot St. Exupery Margaux Marojallia Marquis de Terme Meaume

Source: http://thecaveman.blogspot.com/2009/03/cahors-2005-le-combal-cosse-maisonneuve.html

Haut Bages Liberal Haut Bailly Haut Batailley Haut Batailley Rare Signed Marie Jeanne Haut Brion

Four Luscious Red Wines to Buy Now at Trader Joe's

Brief programming note: The Wellesley Wine Press hit 600 subscribers today. Thanks so much! If you're not one of them and you're interested in receiving notifications of new blog posts on the WWP click here to subscribe.

It's happened to me twice in the past couple months. I open a $20-$30 bottle of wine and it's either flawed -or- just not to my liking for one reason or another. After the first glass I set the bottle aside and crack open a $5-$10 bottle of wine from Trader Joe's and I enjoy it so much more than the original bottle. Good, clean and delicious. Luscious. Affordable. Sometimes they absolutely hit the spot and I wonder why I waste energy tracking down highly rated and almost always more expensive wines.

Don't get me wrong -  I do find wines worth the effort. The 2008 Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, the 2008 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir, and the 2007 Felsina Fontalloro are a few recent examples.

But we all need affordable daily drinkers in the rotation, right? And Trader Joe's can step in brilliantly in this department - especially at the ultra-challenging sub-$10 price point.

Still, you have to be careful at Trader Joe's. Sure, the bad wines won't cost you much - but who wants to buy really bad wine and toss it out? Even if it's only $3.99? Recent dumper-outers include the L'Authentique (l'awful!) and Blue Fin Petite Sirah (a sobering offering).

There are indeed gems to be found, but it always helps to have a sherpa guiding the way. I enjoy comparing notes with Jason over at Jason's Wine Blog and tracking down buzzworthy wines he's discovered. Many of these were tips I received from his blog.

All of these were purchased at the Trader Joe's in Framingham, MA in the last few months.

2009 Sebastopol Hills Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
$9.99

My bottle lists the ABV at 13.8%.

It's only 20-30% opaque which bodes well for it behaving like a Pinot Noir. On the nose I get ample fruit, herbal tea, and a tangy (signature?) California Pinot Noir note.

On the palate it's classic domestic Pinot Noir with strawberry flavors, silky smooth texture, and hardly any tannic bite. Doesn't get overly fruity but it's satisfyingly flavorful.

Bottom line: This is legit Pinot Noir for $9.99. The only thing lacking is acidity and perhaps some minerality. But it scores points for what it *doesn't* have: I didn't detect any off-putting aromas or flavors.

Well done and a value at $9.99.  

87/100 WWP: Very Good


2009 Chariot Gypsy
$4.99

First Bottle:
My first taste of the Gypsy and I can see what the buzz is about.

Light-medium bodied with a fruity nose immediately upon opening. Fresh and lively. While it's certainly slighty sweet on the palate I think the baked cranberry notes reign it in nicely. A little spice. No finish really but as a $5 party wine I think it plays well.

Pretty darn good wine for $4.99.

Second Bottle:
Satisfying once again. Notes consistent with prior bottle.

Especially after opening a corked bottle and seeking a clean, tasty bottle of wine - this one hit the spot. 

85-86/100 WWP: Very Good

2009 Cocobon
$6.99

Light and juicy, with slightly sweet streaks of mocha. Very approachable and friendly. Probably works better as a cocktail or right after dinner than paired with food. Nice value.  

85/100 WWP: Very Good




2007 Lost Sonnet Meritage
$9.99

This one caught me a little off guard because it's unlike the Chariot Gypsy and unlike the Cocobon. It's a far more serious wine and needs time to open up. I don't think I've ever seen a Vinturi make such a noticeable difference in a wine and it's better the second day than the first.

That said, I can't enthusiastically get behind it 100% due to some quirky off aromas that were present both upon opening and after some time. Give it a try but don't back up the truck. 

85/100 WWP: Very Good

Further Reading:

• This $5.99 Italian red has satisfied across a number of bottles
• I'd put this one in a similar bucket as the Lost Sonnet - very good but try before you buy too much

Question of the Day: What bargains have you found at your local Trader Joe's lately?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/KlYeWGcRCP4/four-luscious-red-wines-to-buy-at.html

Croizet Bages d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Agassac d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Aiguilhe Dame de Montrose d\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Angludet

Chicago chefs nominees aplenty at James Beard 2011; Tribune's Monica Eng also nominated

Source: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2011/03/chicago-chefs-nominees-aplenty-at-james-beard-2011-tribunes-monica-eng-also-nominated.html

Bellevue Mondotte Berliquet Beychevelle Branaire Ducru Brane Cantenac

Is the 2009 Belle Glos Meiomi as Good as the 2008?

Get 50% off shipping when you purchase six or more bottles of French wine with promo code "drink84"

No, it's not. At least not for me, of the three bottles of the 09 I've tasted and compared to the eight bottles of the 08 I've tasted.

That said, it's still a good value in California Pinot Noir. The 09 is just lacking that little something extra the 08 had - and still has. I thought the 2008 was a 92 point wine and while the 2009 doesn't reach that same level of excitement for me, it is coming to market at very compelling prices. Whereas I'd never seen the 08 available for less than $19.99 I've seen the 09 for as little as $17.59 at Costco locations in Massachusetts and Arizona.

This price adjustment could be related to an intentional decision Caymus Vineyards (Belle Glos is Caymus' Pinot Noir label) made to drop their wine prices in response to the economic downturn that began a couple years ago. Gotta love a company that has a sense for market trends and eases pricing a bit at just the right time. I've seen Caymus Special Selection drop from around $125 to $99 and Conundrum from $20 to $15. I haven't seen Caymus drop below $55 yet however - have you?

Here are my notes: 

2009 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir

I was very interested to try the 09 vintage of this wine after thoroughly enjoying the 08 (92 pts across a half-dozen bottles). The signature sweet spice is still there but I also get ample chimney smoke at Christmas. It's a little unusual - we'll see whether I sense it in future bottles. But I still think this is a solid wine. Will buy more for sure.

89/100 WWP: Very Good 

Recommendation: If you see the 08 around buy it. There's not much left in the market and the 09s are replacing the 08s at most all high volume retailers. That said the 09 is still a pretty good play - especially south of $18.

Question of the Day: What do you think? Is 2009 as good as the 2008?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/fRdrZX0sjA0/is-2009-belle-glos-meiomi-as-good-as.html

Le Tertre Roteboeuf l\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Eglise Clinet l\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'Enclos Leoville Barton Leoville Las Cases