|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
Domaine Séguinot-Bordet & Domaine Thibert Imported by J et R Selections, Mount Pleasant, MI 2002 Monmouseau Sancerre, $14.99, 12.5% alc.: This medium straw colored Sauvignon is one of the flintiest wines we’ve had in a long time; it’s all flint, quince and under ripe apple, with good intensity, excellent cut and a nice long finish, all on a medium to medium full bodied frame. Initially somewhat austere, this just gets better and better as it opens in the glass, and offers great QPR for the tariff. I like it well enough to have brought more home after the bottle noted here. Find this wine Imported by USA Wine Imports, Inc., New York, NY Ürziger Würzgarten Mosel Saar Ruwer Riesling Auslese, $34.99, 8% alc.: I quite enjoyed the ‘04 Erbes Ürziger Würzgarten Kabinett a few weeks back. When a bottle turned up in my department with a discolored capsule, the distributor rep, Mariann Valentino replaced it and gave me the bottle in question to take home, on the chance that it was not otherwise flawed, which happily turned out to be the case. Medium straw to pale gold in color, with lovely aromatics of honey, peach and apricot highlighted with some steely petrol, all of which echo and expand on the palate; sweet and unctuous, with enough acids to make it all work nicely and excellent length on the finish. Lovely wine, now and for some years down the road. I’d pour this one after dinner, but it would probably work with some spicy Thai or Indian cuisine as well. Find this wineImported by Chapin Cellars LLC, Springfield, VA 2004 Chateau la Cariziere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie, $11.99: Muscadet is THE classic match for any shellfish, especially oysters and mussels, which makes sense in a way, since the Muscadet appellation is further west than any other in France’s Loire Valley; any further west, and you’d be wading in the Atlantic. All of the wines from this region bearing the name Muscadet are made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, not exactly a "household" name in these parts, but those familiar with it hold a special place in their hearts for it. This particular selection is quite representative of the varietal, with its medium straw color and flavors and aromas that are something like a blend of river water, wet stones, under-ripe apples and citrus characteristics; the fruit almost seems rich and austere at the same time. It's medium full bodied, with excellent acidity and a long finish. I had the pleasure of tasting this and the Hermine d’or Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie with their maker, Joseph Landron a few weeks ago, and both the wines (completely organically produced) and the man were delightful to spend some time with. Besides shellfish, the Chateau la Cariziere will pair well with any lighter seafood. Find this wine
Chateau la Cariziere and The Furst Imported by Eagle Eye Imports LLC, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Both of these lovely wines show rich golden color and quintessential peach and litchi Gewürztraminer character that are more impressive than these simple descriptors would indicate; both have good weight without being heavy, an oily, voluptuous texture, with just enough acidity to make them both work, and very good length on the finish. These give the impression of sweetness upon entry, but they’re not really; nor are they terribly complex at this point, but both compensate in other ways and are sure to develop with some time in the bottle. These were tasted about one week apart, so the comparison is from memory, but nevertheless, I found both to be delicious to sip and savor over several hours.
2005 Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes Cafayette, $15.99: Torrontes is another grape varietal that’s anything but a household name, except maybe unless you live in Argentina. Thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region, it is now grown on the Iberian Peninsula and in Argentina, where it has assumed something of a national identity, being the white wine most associated with that country, much as Malbec is with reds. For me, much of the appeal of this medium straw colored wine comes from the lovely floral overtones to the apple and tropical fruit flavors and aromas; it’s almost like drinking honey suckle and orange blossoms, with a hint of mint. The fruit has very good intensity, with subtle mineral undertones, good acidity and a long finish. A wine of immense appeal, this matches well with spicy Thai dishes, crab cakes and any full flavored seafood. Find this wine Imported by Vine Connections, Sausalito, CA 2004 La Noble Chardonnay Vin de Pays D’OC, $8.99, 13% alc.: This isn’t just the best $9 Chardonnay in the house; it actually drinks better than a number of more expensive models. It shows solid varietal character, offering crisp apple flavors, with soft herb and mineral in support, unfettered by oak, and thus allowing the nice fruit to perfectly express itself. This will match well with a wide variety of the "usual" fish and fowl suspects, green salads or serve admirably for just sipping on the back deck. Find this wine Imported by Hand Picked Selections, Warrenton, VA Reporting from Day-twah, Bastardo
Other Recent Wine Explorations More Red Wings and Red Rhônes 2006
Back to the Underground
Index
|
||||
es,
as is usually the case this time of year, we’ve been drinking a
disproportionate share of whites during the warm weather months. I mean,
who wants to drink heavy reds with all this heat? OK, so we DO open some
of them too, but we make damn sure that they are cooled down to around
56 degrees F when we pull those corks. Still, we do better than a 60/40
ratio of whites to reds from May through September. Some have
already been noted 
2003 Domaine Séguinot-Bordet
2001 Domaine Séguinot-Bordet
2004 Domaine Thibert Pere et Fils
2001 Domaine Thibert
