Brit's Corner April 2014 (not to be confused with Kiner's Korner, the popular post-game show of the New York Mets which was hosted by Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner through the early years of Mets TV broadcasts). What? No, his show was about baseball not wine. But having dated some the biggest Hollywood names during his playing years he probably learned a thing or two about wine along the way. Yes, that was my odd little way of paying tribute as Ralph passed on earlier this year.
But I digress (already)... while we're on baseball news, I've recently acquired two bottles of fine cabernet sauvignon from Napa Valley's Hall of Fame pitcher, Tom Seaver. Yes, THE Tom Seaver he of multiple Cy Young Awards and one NYMets World Championship ring turning the lovable losers into World Series Champions in 1969, The Miracle Mets. After retirement he returned home to California to grow grapes hoping to make fine zinfandel. He looked long and hard for bargains on Diamond Mountain until he found the parcel he needed and the rest is history, as they say. Except that the land was ripe for cabernet sauvignon, not zinfandel. Tom groused but followed his wine maker's advice and planted cabernet. Within a few short years he was making 94/97 rated wines only in small batches sold directly to the consumers-no outlet stores. So I got on the mailing list for the 2011 and sure enough in February I received an offer to buy two bottles, one each of GTS and NLS bottles. The price was a little steep for me but hey, this is Tom Seaver and I'd heard great reviews so I signed up and in a couple weeks they arrived in sunny Corpus Christi Texas much to my delight!
Back on track - my new quest is to find drinkable wines, even pleasant wines, for $10. or less. Yes, tough one there, how is this possible? Well, I think it is thanks to the modern explosion of the wine making business. There are just so many possibilities you never know what you will find. Today I'm reviewing a Clos Du Bois Merlot 2011 from Geyserville, CA. The wine was dark red, full legs, aroma of dark fruits and spice. The taste confirmed the dark, musky fruits with spice or pepper notes but a pretty well integrated and balance taste. I think "mission accomplished" on this one, good value wine, probably score a 2+ but nice.
Let me share one more under-$10. bottle: The Immortal Zin from Peirano Estate Vineyards, 2012 Sells for $11. The wine was purple, full bodied, fruity and spicy. The taste was full and bold and very tasty! I recommend it. Gave it three stars on the Brit scale.
Next time a review of six wines from a Wall Street Journal holiday special offer. Were they naughty or nice? Find out next time.....
Brit Smeal
Showing posts with label Brit's Selection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brit's Selection. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Brit's Corner June 201
Brit's Corner - June 2013
I've been searching for great bottles of red wine under $15 lately, and have been partially successful. Two cabernet sauvignon's have come to my attention. First was our wine club selection for Friday, June 14th, Rodney Strong 2010 from Sonoma County. Rodney Strong has a good reputation of producing good wine at a reasonable price and this selection was no exception. Priced at $12-15 this was a good value. I also sampled a Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2010 cabernet sauvignon, about same price. Robert Mondavi also has a similar reputation and also did not disappoint.
First, bear with me for a geography lesson... both Sonoma and Napa are about equi-distant from the northernmost end of the San Fransisco Bay area, which is called San Pedro Bay. They are about 20 kilometers north of the bay and about the same distance from each other (east to west). One could expect the grapes in these two areas to be very similar as they have the same soil, weather, etc... And they were.
The Rodney Strong cab had quite a bite at first, with pepper and smokey oak overpowering any other flavors, in the initial sips (also a buttery taste). This subsided with each sip giving way to a nice, pleasant taste where one could taste the fruits better and a typical Cabernet flavor; very enjoyable.
The Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon was very similar, but perhaps just a bit less bite initially, but also it didn't seem to fade as quickly. By the end of the first glass both wines had pretty much lost their bites and the dark fruits shone forth. Rodney Strong had maybe a cherry hint while the Mondavi was maybe more of a plum, but otherwise very similar. I rate both a 3 on the Brit scale, although maybe a weak 3 and admitedly, I tasted the Rodney Strong on an empty stomach. I had no cheese or other food to sample with the wine to get a better culinary experience. The Robert Mondavi was a different story, as I had lasagna for lunch before tasting it. That probably impacted the tasting.
In summary, both wines are from generally the same region, same grape, same vintage, and very similar in flavor. I like them both! Up next, I'll share some Merlot experiences!
Until next time, here's wishing you good eats, and good wine treats!
- Brit
I've been searching for great bottles of red wine under $15 lately, and have been partially successful. Two cabernet sauvignon's have come to my attention. First was our wine club selection for Friday, June 14th, Rodney Strong 2010 from Sonoma County. Rodney Strong has a good reputation of producing good wine at a reasonable price and this selection was no exception. Priced at $12-15 this was a good value. I also sampled a Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2010 cabernet sauvignon, about same price. Robert Mondavi also has a similar reputation and also did not disappoint.
First, bear with me for a geography lesson... both Sonoma and Napa are about equi-distant from the northernmost end of the San Fransisco Bay area, which is called San Pedro Bay. They are about 20 kilometers north of the bay and about the same distance from each other (east to west). One could expect the grapes in these two areas to be very similar as they have the same soil, weather, etc... And they were.
The Rodney Strong cab had quite a bite at first, with pepper and smokey oak overpowering any other flavors, in the initial sips (also a buttery taste). This subsided with each sip giving way to a nice, pleasant taste where one could taste the fruits better and a typical Cabernet flavor; very enjoyable.
The Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon was very similar, but perhaps just a bit less bite initially, but also it didn't seem to fade as quickly. By the end of the first glass both wines had pretty much lost their bites and the dark fruits shone forth. Rodney Strong had maybe a cherry hint while the Mondavi was maybe more of a plum, but otherwise very similar. I rate both a 3 on the Brit scale, although maybe a weak 3 and admitedly, I tasted the Rodney Strong on an empty stomach. I had no cheese or other food to sample with the wine to get a better culinary experience. The Robert Mondavi was a different story, as I had lasagna for lunch before tasting it. That probably impacted the tasting.
In summary, both wines are from generally the same region, same grape, same vintage, and very similar in flavor. I like them both! Up next, I'll share some Merlot experiences!
Until next time, here's wishing you good eats, and good wine treats!
- Brit
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Pinot Noir
Brit's Corner for April.
Had a wonderful 2009 Pinot Noir by Henri de Villamont from Bourgogne, France, price about $16. at Spec's. It is a very smooth, very tasty red wine with fruity and peppery hints for smell, but very pleasing to drink. Paired with filet mignon it was very good, dark fruit evident in the bouquest and taste and to me, an overal good culinary experience! FOUR STARS! Highly recommended.
My second wine to share is from South Africa, a 2011 Sabernet Sauvignon by Domaine Rouxvale. Don't let the twist off cap fool you, this cab is smooth and fruity, a very pleasant taste of cherry and black currant with a hint of spice. Dark red in appearanc with moderate legs, it has a nice appearance as well as a pleasing bouquet and opulent taste! Another FOUR STARS althought perhaps a weak "4". Still I am sharing with you two fine reds to try, one from France, a Pinot Noir, and the second a Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa and sure to find their way into your favorites list of reds in you wine cellar. Enjoy and give us your feedback should you be so blessed as to sample these fine tasting wines costing less than $20./ bottle.
- Brit Smeal, Lead Oenefile, San Antonio Smeal Family Estate
Had a wonderful 2009 Pinot Noir by Henri de Villamont from Bourgogne, France, price about $16. at Spec's. It is a very smooth, very tasty red wine with fruity and peppery hints for smell, but very pleasing to drink. Paired with filet mignon it was very good, dark fruit evident in the bouquest and taste and to me, an overal good culinary experience! FOUR STARS! Highly recommended.
My second wine to share is from South Africa, a 2011 Sabernet Sauvignon by Domaine Rouxvale. Don't let the twist off cap fool you, this cab is smooth and fruity, a very pleasant taste of cherry and black currant with a hint of spice. Dark red in appearanc with moderate legs, it has a nice appearance as well as a pleasing bouquet and opulent taste! Another FOUR STARS althought perhaps a weak "4". Still I am sharing with you two fine reds to try, one from France, a Pinot Noir, and the second a Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa and sure to find their way into your favorites list of reds in you wine cellar. Enjoy and give us your feedback should you be so blessed as to sample these fine tasting wines costing less than $20./ bottle.
- Brit Smeal, Lead Oenefile, San Antonio Smeal Family Estate
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Savignon
This week's pick by Brit is Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Savignon 2011 Central Coast version. This wine is very affordable and can be found most anywhere (even in your local grocery store)!
Appearance: dark plum in color, thick legs that take a long time to form.
Smell: smokey, strong plum smell, spices, pepper, earthy, hint of raspberry
Taste: butter, dry, slight smoke, not as strong of a taste as you would think, short taste, tart finish, slight oak, raspberry on the front note, mouth feel is cotton
Pairings: The Swartzwelders had burgers and fries before wine and the Hogans had pasta before wine. Cheeses: cheddar is a no go, Gouda doesn't do anything for it, havarty brings out the raspberry and plum taste. Chocolate brings out the fruit taste as well but also enhances the smokey notes.
Brit Scale Ratings:
Sherry: 3
Erin: 2
Brit: 3
Robin: 2
Gerry: 2
Melissa: 3
Appearance: dark plum in color, thick legs that take a long time to form.
Smell: smokey, strong plum smell, spices, pepper, earthy, hint of raspberry
Taste: butter, dry, slight smoke, not as strong of a taste as you would think, short taste, tart finish, slight oak, raspberry on the front note, mouth feel is cotton
Pairings: The Swartzwelders had burgers and fries before wine and the Hogans had pasta before wine. Cheeses: cheddar is a no go, Gouda doesn't do anything for it, havarty brings out the raspberry and plum taste. Chocolate brings out the fruit taste as well but also enhances the smokey notes.
Brit Scale Ratings:
Sherry: 3
Erin: 2
Brit: 3
Robin: 2
Gerry: 2
Melissa: 3
Friday, March 22, 2013
Chateau Landat 2009, March 15
Would like to share my last pick, a French red haut-medoc called Chateau Landat, 2009. It was rated 91 by wine spectator, I think, and was trying to find a French red that we all could find. It cost about $20 and had a good review online. SO we made it my Friday night pick for March 15. I must say, it was a disappointment. The wine was appealing visually but had almost no bouquet to speak of, perhaps a hint of spice and licorice but that was faint. I decanted mine for two hours and still did not bring out the bouquet. Well, the taste was forgettable, very dry, almost no taste except maybe a hinte of spice and faint dark fruit but mostly a bite that was not pleasing at all. Cheese mellowed the bite but still the medoc had almost no taste that one could say was enjoyable. Next day, same results. Our concensus was that we should never get this wine again, although I could drink it perhaps with gouda or other cheese. Brit's rating: 1 star, maybe 2 after extensive decanting and good cheeses with the wine. Very dissappointing.
Good news, I found two very nice reds the next week from the WSJ wine club, first was a Bordeaux by Christian Mouiex - the genius behind decades of the Chateau Petris line. This 2009 Bordeaux has nice merlot and cabernet sauvignon flavors, very pleasant to drink with a meal or by itself. Also, a surpisingly pleasant South African Cabernet Sauvignon by Domaine Rouxvale, vintage 2011 whose flavors exploded on the tongue with cherry/wild cherry sensations, very nice! I highly recommend these two reds, each considered 3-stars on the Brit Scale. That's Brit's Corner for March 2013.
Not to promote Total Wines or anything (we in fact have no affiliation with them) but this wine was picked because Brit could go online and see what the rest of us could find in our stores that he could find in his own store in Texas. So it turns out that wine was Château Landat Haut - Médoc 2009.
Appearance: slightly leggy, very dark purple
Smell: merlot, oaky, dry, slightly buttery
Taste: lighter than you would think, dry, oaky, turpentine endnote, wooly texture, grape, smokey
Pairings: filet for Brit, BBQ chicken pizza, Gouda with the wine takes the bite away, cheddar works as well, chocolate makes this wine super dry and sour so avoid it at all costs when drinking this wine,
Brit Scale Ratings
Erin: 1
Sherry: 2
Brit: 2
Gerry:
Robin:
Melissa:
Good news, I found two very nice reds the next week from the WSJ wine club, first was a Bordeaux by Christian Mouiex - the genius behind decades of the Chateau Petris line. This 2009 Bordeaux has nice merlot and cabernet sauvignon flavors, very pleasant to drink with a meal or by itself. Also, a surpisingly pleasant South African Cabernet Sauvignon by Domaine Rouxvale, vintage 2011 whose flavors exploded on the tongue with cherry/wild cherry sensations, very nice! I highly recommend these two reds, each considered 3-stars on the Brit Scale. That's Brit's Corner for March 2013.
Not to promote Total Wines or anything (we in fact have no affiliation with them) but this wine was picked because Brit could go online and see what the rest of us could find in our stores that he could find in his own store in Texas. So it turns out that wine was Château Landat Haut - Médoc 2009.
Appearance: slightly leggy, very dark purple
Smell: merlot, oaky, dry, slightly buttery
Taste: lighter than you would think, dry, oaky, turpentine endnote, wooly texture, grape, smokey
Pairings: filet for Brit, BBQ chicken pizza, Gouda with the wine takes the bite away, cheddar works as well, chocolate makes this wine super dry and sour so avoid it at all costs when drinking this wine,
Brit Scale Ratings
Erin: 1
Sherry: 2
Brit: 2
Gerry:
Robin:
Melissa:
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