"Trout Valley" Nelson Pinot Noir 2008

I love this wine. We went through 3 cases of it this summer and still cannot get enough... Bouquet of spice, leather, oak and strawberry. The mouth is dominated by crisp, energetic red currant, followed by sweeter fruit and sugar cane finish. Wonderful bright red, medium body, I had it slightly chilled. I'm even willing to accept the screw cap;) Today served with a pile of fresh tempura, but frankly this Pinot goes with most foods.

12$ retail @ Uva Wines, 82 points

D. Bosler Birdsnest Pinot Noir 2009

A young Pinot Noir from Casablanca Valley in Chile, enjoyed at Black Mountain Wine House along with their house panini. The bottle was a nice surprise: spicy nose and a fairly complex taste, going far beyond your standard pinot red fruit. Floral notes, caramel, blackberry, medium body.
Great value, particularly at retail price.

32$ @ Black Mountain, 10$ retail, 73 points

Cantalupo "Il Mimo" Rosato 2009

Rosé Nebbiolo from Piemonte Colline Novaresi: a girly man drink! Just kidding; this wine is quite substantial. Full body, saturated almost glowing crimson, beautiful legs. Watermelon and red fruit compote nose which slowly opens a distinctive note of eucalyptus. The mouth is no doubt fruity, but the fruit is well balanced by almondy bitterness, tannin and a good amount of acid. Mostly strawberry, cherry and apple. Very nice.

16$ at Blue Angel Wines, 79 points

TdB Barbera D'Alba, 2008

Another tasty barbera, another plate of pasta, over all a pretty satisfying dinner experience. The wine was fuller body than it should be considering the grape and the year... Purplish red, quite beautiful in a glass. A sweet cherry, clove and nutmeg nose, more cherry, tobacco and a sugar cane finish mouth. Solid, fun but not life changing. The bottle was purchased in a small liquor store in Ditmas Park, which should very seriously consider changing name... Or at least incorporate a zany advertising slogan, like: "S.T.D Wines&Liquors: Party Hard and See Your Doctor Later!"

$14 in retail, 73 points

Sylvain Pataille Burgundy, 2007

Seems like gnocchi is the official pasta of the summer 2010! This time prepared with baked prosciutto and fava beans, accompanied by a bottle of 2007 Sylvain Pataille Burgundy. I have nothing negative to say about this gentle, wild strawberry infused Pinot noir... Simple mature apple nose with a touch of eucalyptus.. Plum marmalade, strawberry, healthy amount of tannin to remind u this is no Gamay. The wine is at it's prime, no signs of yellowing, nicely developed glycerin.

23$ @ Union Square Wines, 83 points

Summer reds

Let me start by saying that I haven't posted for a long time but I am proud that this blog is a year old and the project has not been abandoned. I will also state for the record that I did not drink these four bottles by myself but rather with a group of friends while cooking and eating a meal. We ate potato gnocchi with shitake mushrooms, asparagus and fresh tomato.

Joseph Faireley Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2007

The Faireley family are in the business of buying plots of land in Burgundy that will produce optimal grapes. This wine comes from reserved plots located in the Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise. Its a light ruby color with red fruit aromas and very well rounded taste. Its a perfect summer wine that can accompany any meal. It retails for around 20 dollars in the US.

Alba Rossa Salice Salentino Rosso 2008

This wine comes from Salento in the Puglia region located in the boot of Italy. It has a big flavor of fruits and at the same time it retains a very earthy background. This wine is 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera. The cost is around 12 dollars in the US.

Trinchero Barbera D'Asti Superiore 2003

The grapes for the production of this wine come from 20-year-old vineyards. The grapes are fermented in cement vat and then held in old wooden barrels for 12 months before being bottled. The taste is very fresh and fruity, and at the same time slightly sour. The cost of this wine is about 20 dollars.

Nibio Terre Rosse Monferrato Dolcetto 2006

This wine had a taste of mango which was a very cool surprise. It is a full bodied tannic wine with a fine bouquet and a velvety finish. It should be noted that its a biodynamic wine with no sulfites added. The makers say it is very well suited for aging. This particular variety has been grown in this region for more than 1000 years and it is referred to in the annals of the Republic of Genoa. The cost around 13 dollars in US, an excellent value wine.

Bodega Renacer- Enamore 2007

Bodega Renacer- Enamore 2007
Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina


Blending fruit from 3 different Mendoza regions this great malbec has hints of figs, chocolate, liquorice and coffee and packs a toasty finish.

Its a boutique wine and production is limited, if in the mood for a more adventerous malbec this would be a good place to start.

Price U$ 25