The Bar Towel

I recently had the LAN 2007 Rioja Riserva. Gotta say I was a little disappointed with it overall. All the goodness of the Tempranillo grape, with nice balanced acidity, fruits and oak but it just felt a little too thin on the body, a little wishy-washy.

I did recently grab a case of this in Edmonton as we have it on bin end, Torres Cordillera Carignan 2010

Still quite 'green'. A fair bit of black pepper and spices going on, with some over ripened dark fruits and strong woody flavours. Very tannic giving a very long drying finish. A handful of Hojiblanca olives definitely helped temper the flavours.

Torontoblue wrote:I recently had the LAN 2007 Rioja Riserva. Gotta say I was a little disappointed with it overall. All the goodness of the Tempranillo grape, with nice balanced acidity, fruits and oak but it just felt a little too thin on the body, a little wishy-washy.

Yup the 2010 was far from a Faustino and not a perfect bullseye, in fact the 2009 was reportedly better. But for sixteen bux, quite decent.

Having some more with a grilled Prime Rib from Sanigan's Meat in Kensington, smells like it will be amazing...

Finca Nueva Barrel Fermented Rioja White 2013

A really interesting smooth Spanish Blanco with a nice acidity to balance the delicate pale fruit flavors… decent structure for a white, especially at 16 bucks. For sure one to try!

Monte Zovo Bardolino Chiaretto 2014

Wow, unusual tangy apricot acidity, tart-fruity citrus and gooseberry plus tangy and fresh brioche aromas. Will pick this up again next season. Different than typical French Rosé.

Batasiolo Barbaresco 2011
Like the Produttori Barbaresco 2009 I had last November this beauty has some serious structure and a lot of flavor detail going on. Nice tannins mineral and acidity support deep cherry-raspberry fruit. NICE grippy palate. $28.95 is an excellent value point for any good Nebbiolo… $13 less than the Produttori which costs a chunk more for some added complexity but then the Batasiolo is not done ageing and will still improve. If interested I would jump to try one & maybe keep some to enjoy in the next four-plus years.

By the way this Prod Del Barbaresco Cantina del Pino 2010 looks awful tempting to me. Winealign

Prod Del Barbaresco Cantina del Pino 2010

A refined Nebbiolo, as a Barbaresco showing more grace instead of Barolo's power. Dark berries and black cherry, dry cassis, some forest floor/herbal complexity that is pretty subtle. Fantastic color. A taste of the Piedmont without going there.

I was pleased to try this but may be returning my second bottle, 94 rating notwithstanding.

Ascheri San Giacomo Nebbiolo d'Alba 2012

This is a simpler, more youthful presentation of a grape more typical to Barolo and Barbaresco. I really like it! There is some thick velvety fruit up front asserted with a bit of alcohol, and there is a bit of Neb steeliness to the palate and finish. The tannins grab the teeth just slightly and the acidity is nicely poised.

More polished than I expected. Ascheri delivers a good one here!

Tessellae Côtes du Roussillon Old Vines Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre 2013
All that preamble to announce that yes, this is a wine made with a classic Southern Rhone grape blend, but no it's not just like those wines.

The climate & terroir of this part of Roussillon make a solidly-structured red that is also delicate (I'm reminded of Faustino that way) showing Neufdupape-like three-dimensional blackberry and bramble and other wild berries, a nice tart acidity, just enough dryness, and a very posed palate. It's really good. The 'garrigue' of herbaceous florals and herbs and a woody element balances it well.

'Should' mature to 2017-18, and drinking well right now. Blink and you'll miss it.

ADD NOTE - this was left in the fridge a few days. Wow - it's actually improved!! I need more of this, and I suggest decanting so it can breathe.

I have bottle of Mcdowel. I love the taste. It doesn't affect your head a lot I guess.

Barahonda Barrica Monastrell/Syrah 2011 Monastrell (Mourvèdre) Blend
Here is a nice big Mourvédre-heavy blend from Spain. The wines from the Rhone in France usually have as a predominant grape Grenache or Syrah, with Mourvédre in a supporting role, lower in the blend. It's a moody, dense grape and I like it as a single variety wine. In the Barahonda we have a nicely-rounded Mourvédre-based wine with the silky Syrah adding harmony. Peppery with black fruit, good full palate. Spain is leading it with some of the good-value new-world-ish reds.

I had that Barahonda last year. Got it for around $12.00 down in Montana. It was a very nice, easy drinking, value for money Spanish red.

The 'BO is bringing in a 2000 Vieux Chateau Gachet, which is from Lalande de Pomerol. Anyone know anything about it? 30 bucks seems cheap for a 15 year old Bordeaux.

Bordeaux Right Bank Reds tend to be full-bodied and have high acidity. The Right Banks Bordeauxs are beautiful blends that consist mostly Merlot, making some of the most sought-after wines in the world.

The moderate climate of Bordeaux creates medium plus tannins and a stilted structure accent very earthy soil, tobacco, tar along with blackberry, raspberry, and plum on the nose and palate.

Craig,
Looks like 2000 Vieux Chateau Gachet could be a moderately good vintage that is representative of Pomerol if not outstanding.

Speaking of Pomerol, Christian Moueix is a good reliable Bordeaux label/Négociant offering reds from some of those vaunted regions. By my limited sampling I liked the C M St-Emilion even better than the Pomerol, and for much less although I didn't age either of them for that many years.

I still think the Gachet-Lalande might be a fine wine for thirty dollars to try a properly aged Pomerol from a decent house. For the cellaring cost it's cheap.

Xavier Ventoux 2012 - Rhone - Syrah Grenache Mourvédre
A silky flavourful red with lots of crushed dark berry, and a perfect balancing dryness and acidity. Really refined and outstanding for the low price.

Château de Nages JT Costières de Nîmes 2012Syrah/Mourvèdre
A delicious Rhone red I wish I had snagged a few more of! Syrah lends the plush ripe dense red berry fruit, and Mourvédre adds the deeper brooding layer and a hint of brush and herbals. A density that promises it would age pretty well, if desired. Good poised acidity and fine tannins balances the richness on the palate. Replays of blueberry, black- and raspberry, like liquid summer sunshine. Some red fruit candy and liquorice. If you see it snag it - 24.95, and worth a small detour, seriously.