EAST COAST PALATE

This is not a typical choice for a Monday night wine.  But I asked my sister to go select something from the growing stack of brown bag covered bottles by my desk.  She broght me a few ounce pour so I could practice some sensory analysis with this wine (This kind of olfactory exercise can be a lot of fun and will provide a more objective critique of any food or beverage.  If somebody, myself included, sees a wine label that says Châteauneuf-du-Pape, we're predisposed to think highly of this wine).
The color: beautiful ruby red that is clear...nearly translucent.
The aromas are very subtle.  This wine has that old-world dusty smell that allowed me to guess where it was from, but overall it is what many would call tight, meaning its smells and flavors are masked by its youth.  None-the-less I get a little bit of strawberry (my sister said red Jello) and a gravely minerality.  The alcohol (14%) really comes through on the nose here, only adding to the difficulty of picking up other aromas.
The wine has a solid body: decent acid, good tannins, and overall balance that transitions to a finish where the berry flavors are even more pronounced.  There just isn't a lot of depth to this product yet.
In my opinion, this bottle needs 2-3 more years before being opened.  I'm saving half the bottle to see how the flavors and smells open up over night.  If I had to give this wine a score right now, I'd have to stay around the 87-88 point range.  That's a let down when taken into account the bottle sells for $45.  For that much money I expect nothing less than an A effort.  But again, this wine hasn't seen its prime yet.
Lesson learned: wine is fun!!  I know that the 2007 vintage from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is being hyped up as one of the best in a long time.  Unfortunately I haven't tried that many of the CDPs yet.  This Domaine Lafond shows potential, but for the time being I'd have to take my money elsewhere. 
Who has tasted some of the 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Papes and could recommend a wine to me?  I'm working on writing my Christmas list...

I know there are some great Italian Dolcettos out there for a good price.  This wine, to me, just isn't one of them.  The smell of this wine didn't woo me, but it was wierd enough to intrigue my senses.  I smelled, somehow, musty basement and wool sweater over the slighty cherry-currant-rose petal aromas that struggled to waft their way out of the glass.  Moreover though, I got some modeling glue/nailpolish remover (The ethyl acetate strikes again) smells that really make this wine just seem flawed.  The wine tastes tart and leathery, with a cranberry finish.  The way the wine feels in my mouth was actually a lot more pleasant than the flavors in this wine (or lack thereof).  It might just be the bottle that was off, but I won't ever buy this Dolcetto again.  The first impression really ruined it for me.  This effort gets a C.  It would've been better with food, but on its own this wine just didn't do it for me.  
What was the last time you had a let-down experience after getting your expectations up about a wine?  Or maybe the last time you opened a bottle you thought would be kind of a "meh" wine, and then it rocked your world?  Share the stories... 

Well, almost anyday is a good day to enjoy a glass of port, but something about the blustery winds and the biting chill in the air that makes me want a book and a fire, some Medeski Martin & Wood playing on the stereo, and a generous pour of Sandeman in my glass.
These two wines are very distinct from each other, but both are excellently made.  The 2000 LBV (Late bottled vintage is wine from a specific year that is left to age 4-6 years before the bottle is even released) is composed of some beautiful dried fruit aromas.  There are raisins and figs, ripe black cherries and sticky dates.  Despite the obvious sweetness that will be present, this Port brings a creamy balance of sweet and tannic.  There is a very woody/dusty smell about this wine that I really enjoy, and for just under $30, this bottle is a good deal.  If only sipped here and there this is a bottle that could easily last a month.
The Founders Reserve immediately hits me with the scent of molasses.  There is a toasted wood element that hints at the tannins that are in this wine.  Once in the mouth it's a rich mixture of jam and heat (from the alcohol).  The tannins in this wine back up that sweetness, though, and this Porto by Sandeman is well balanced.  At under $20, this port has a better value for me than the LBV. 
Both of these wines are full of intense flavors, and would pair perfectly with chocolate or even a strong sharp cheese.  What I'd like to do though, is make a mix of dates, figs, and raisins, then throw in some almonds and cashews to make a sweet n' savory snack to go with the LBV.  There's nothing like a glass of Porto to take the edge off of the cold air.  It feels like winter has arrived on the East Coast, but with some warming Porto we can all be ready for it.  Cheers to all.

This medium bodied  Garnacha brings a lot of inviting aromas, a lush and leathery flavor, and a bit of a zing from that 14.5% alcohol (and most labels downplay the actual ethanol content of the wine).  The 2007 Las Rocas Garnacha can be found for $10-$12, and for me is a bottle that I'll definitely be revisiting in the future.
I'm winding down after a 2 hour drive back from a teetotaling Thanksgiving dinner in the Shennendoah Valley, and this wine seemed like a good pairing with post-paintball aches, and a stuffed bellyfull of turkey.
There is an allure to the nose of this wine that is almost sythetic, like a strawberry Jolly Rancher, but it's mixed well with a smokey, leathery component that immediately lets you know there's more to this wine that just fruit.  In the mouth it is a burst of berry flavors that yields to some tartness and the solid grip of some moderate tannins.  The alcohol comes through clearly, kind of like when you bite into a chocolate that is filled with a cherry AND some Cognac; with this wine you get the trio: fresh sweet fruit, dark bitter chocolate, and a slap in the face (a kind of playful slap, though) from that 14.5%. 
But the key to making that combo work is balance, and this Garnacha has that.  It isn't some elegant, super-complex Chateauneuf de Pape, but it is smooth and well structured.  I like it.  It gets a solid B/B+, with 88 points.  It's great value wine for its price.

This 2006 Bourgogne, Cuvée La Marguerite, cost me $13.  As it turns out, it pairs perfectly with poultry...
I owe some thanks to Karmen, who asked me to recommend a white wine to complement the bird at a Thanksgiving party.  I looked in my notes, but really felt at a loss for giving sound first hand advice.  I decided to go buy some Chardonnay and some turkey and was pleasantly surprise by how well the pairing turned out.
The wine has definite apple and green grape aromas, with slight floral honeysuckle smells playing around on the nose.  The wine tastes fresh and has the acidity to balance out that buttery viscosity coming from the barrel treatment.  On its own it's a solid B, 86-87 point wine.  But then I took a bite of some roasted turkey slices from my local deli, and washed it down with a bit of wine.  The salty, smokiness of the meat actually makes this wine seem more balanced.  The slightly bitter finish I had noticed before was now mellow and smooth; and those tart green apple/lemon peel flavors popped just a little more.  Tasting the wine with the turkey adds a couple points to the overall experience.  This experiment was a lot of fun for me, and I suggest doing something like this before bringing wine to a party, or planning what to cook and which wines to serve when you have company.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  Let me know what wines you drink with the meal.

2000 Mumm Napa DVX...
This premier bottle from Mumm Napa is a serious sparkling wine.  It a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Its yeasty aromas lend to it a sugar cookie smell that is enticing and warm.  There is a fresh citrus component that brings this wine into balance, and that lemon zest bite lingers all the way to the end of a SweetTart finish.  This bottle deserves an A, 93 points for my taste.  At $50, it's more of a special occasion kind of wine, perfect for holiday merry-making.

Mumm Napa Brut Rosé (NV)
This is a very balanced Brut rosé, made mainly from Pinot Noir grapes.  Its subtle strawberry/raspberry scent gives it an almost desert-like allure, but it's nice and dry, with frothy bubbles that burst with flavor.  This doesn't have the lasting finish as the high-end DVX, but it is an excellent wine, priced under $20 (I saw it over the weekend at Circle Wine & Liquor for $17.99).  I give this a B+.  It's a great bottle to give as a gift or to kick off any party.

After all my pouring and taking sips of wine, I went to check out Lima (www.limarestaurant.com) in downtown D.C.  Having only eaten an apple all afternoon, I arrived with an appetite and was glad to hear that the kitchen stays open until 11 on weekends.  With a Tanqueray and tonic in my hand I tried to decide between ceviche or a ropa vieja hoagie.  I opted for the sandwich, which came with a side of delectable sweet potato fries. 
Soon more people arrived and barstools were taken away as the DJ started his set downstairs.  The energy rose.  Lights dimmed.  My friend Sunny came down and I met some of his lovely friends (Happy birthday, Jen).  The next few hours were spent amongst a throng of beautiful people and the deep pulse of house music on the first two floors and hip-hop and R&B on the top level.  I finally left around 2, and when I got home I just wasn't sleepy, so I had a nice one-hour session of drinking Jameson and watching Wine Library TV (link it up: www.winelibrarytv.com).  Anyway, red eyed and sore, I awoke today with a headache and no plans to go out or drink wine.  It's a low-key kind of Sunday...some leaf-raking, a sad, but not uncommon Redskins loss, an apple and lot of water.  More wine mañana...

My second stop of the evening was Barrel House liquors down on 14th st. NW.  I opened up three wines from one of Washington state's biggest producers, Columbia Crest. 
The 06 Chardonnay, 06 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 05 Shiraz were the samples being poured, offering a diverse range of flavors.  The Chardonnay was oaky, buttery, and for me a little bitter.  I really don't like it, even for $9.  The Shiraz and the Cabernet were both low B wines for me.  The Shiraz has that peppery spice with some jammy fruit leading the way in the flavor profile, but there isn't much structure or finish.  I liked the Cab a bit better.  It's a cherry dominated wine with some oaky aspects, but for me it was the smoothest and most balanced of the trio.  These two reds were also priced at $9. 
Having just returned from living in Walla Walla, WA, I'm familiar with the Columbia Crest label.  I'm also familiar with some of the higher quality wines that come out of the Pacific Northwest.  These are bottles to buy as alternatives to Yellowtail or Kendall Jackson, but they don't really represent the true depth and quality of many of the wines coming out of Washington's Columbia Valley.

My eventful Saturday began yesterday at down at Circle Wine & Liquors (www.circlewinelist.com), where I poured three well-priced Aussi wines.  The Rosemount 2008 Chardonnay, 2007 Shiraz, and 2007 Shiraz/Grenache are all on sale there for $9.  The Chardonnay for me was a bit green smelling.  Nice notes of crisp green apple... Not so nice aromas of peas or green beans.  It was an okay, non-oaky Chardonnay that scores a low B for my taste, but would probably be a good choice for someone to try if they like lighter Pinot Grigio style Chardonnay.
The Shiraz is a fruit-bomb aromatically, with a whiff of candylike sweetness mingling with nice cherry and plum action.  Once I tasted it, though, I percieved a slightly plastic taste, as if somebody dropped a Lego block in my glass when I wasn't looking.  A bit off, but still a typical spicy, plummy Shiraz from down under.  Another low B.
The Shiraz/Grenache was the favorite of the day...for me and most of the store's clientele that stopped by for a few sips.  This wine had the fruity qualities mixed with a cocoa subtlety that pops in on the mid-palate.  For me this is the bottle I would buy; a solid B and a very versitile vino for holiday pairings.

This is not a white wine that many people know about yet.  If you like Sauvignon Blanc or Gruner Veltliner, give this wine a try.  If you haven't tried Gruner Veltliner yet, give THAT a try. 
This wine only boasts %9 alcohol, so the good part is you can drink even more!  It is light, almost watery in appearance.  The nose is mostly floral, with hints of oily petroleum coming through, as well.  There is a bit of a bitter, grassy/herbal bite when you taste it, but the tart acids cut so cleanly through to the palate that your tongue and cheeks are left with a tangy wow feeling, a crisp finish that goes a long way.
I picked this wine up at the YES Organic Market, because I had recommend this wine to Nick and Allison, whom I met while pouring wine down there.  It dawned on me that I should try the wine, too, if I were going to start telling other people about it.  I happy I brought one back to try.  For $8, it is a wine that is definitely worth its cost for my palate.  I love the acidity and minerality on this wine.  Ideally I would be in Annapolis drinking this wine with raw oysters or steamed clams, but it serves as a good sipping wine, too.  Like the last wine reviewed, this gets 88 points from me.  That Iberian peninsula is showing some serious under-$10 talent this week.
As for whatever readers are here with me in my formative blogging/reviewing phase, share some stories, post some reviews, send ideas.  It's all about One Wine Love.  I want to see this site evolve into a forum for anyone with a taste for fun, food, and a good glass of wine.  Cheers to all.