I had the 2004 version of this wine. It was nice solid and fruitier Tempranillo from Spain, but nothing too memorable. I got this one from Garagiste for $10, noting that it won some awards, which it proudly displays on it’s label. And this wine didn’t dissapoint. In fact it was suprisingly fine with gritty, dry, and balanced old world fruit yet with new world freshness. And for $10, you can’t really ask for more. I’m not sure where else this wine is available around town, but I’ve seen it pop up enough times to imagine it can be had. It’s heady at 14% alcohol, but I think it can certainly last and evolve. For now, I’d give it 89 points and potential to improve a few notches over the next 4 years.
rene
I came home yesterday and found a couple new bottles of wine on the counter. My wife was at Trader Joe’s and decided to grab some wine while she was out shopping. Something immediately caught my eye and tempted me to take a sip. Any takers on what it was? I’ve gotta give the marketing team some kudos for this label. It worked on my wife and it probably would have worked on me.
It turns out that this “red table wine” was a product of a simple mistake by the producer. He opened up two different vats thinking they were the same and ended up having to make a blend in order to salvage something from his mistake. Oreana describes this as “A soft, satiny, sexy wine, with voluptuous black cherry and blackberry fruit, plus layers of chocolate and spices suggestive of cinnamon, mint and more. Powerful and complex, yet open and accessible.” That’s a mouthful… and another CHALK to the marketing team.
I opened up this wine and was intrigued by it’s bouquet. You could pick out hints of berry and dark chocolate swirling around the glass. The first sip started off well with some of the stuff the marketing team described above, BUT it was anything but soft and it had a harsh tannin aftertaste that turned me off. I let the wine sit for a couple hours and was pleasantly surprised by the way it mellowed out. I sipped, I liked and wasn’t so frustrated by the aftertaste. I’m not sure what this wine will do tomorrow but I’m optimistic that this is a “second day wine.” The price on the flip side is VERY palatable going for $6.00 at Trader Joe’s. I’m giving this an Axis 86 pts with some hope that it will spruce up tomorrow. Try it?
Side Note: I may have given this wine a lukewarm review, but I found Oreana Winery facinating and will be following them for a while. They apparently put out a 92 pt. Wine Spectator Syrah. Check them out at http://www.oreanawinery.com.
Day 2 Update: Drank this on day 2. It has mellowed out quite a bit. I stick by my rating and think it’s a good wine for $6, especially if you like big, rich California wines. Enjoy
Vina Godeval is a wine from an obscure region made of an obscure grape. Here are Pete’s comments from their recent email update: “The 2007 Viña Godeval is from an isolated mountainous region, Valdeorras, that marks the high pass as one descends into Spain’s Northwest coast. The wine is made exclusively from the Godello grape…a variety that was close to extinction, and rescued by Viña Godeval. It is fruity, very dry with vibrant minerality and is a natural companion to shellfish. Unique and spectacular! $15.89″ I agree with everything about this wine but it’s price. I bought the 2002 for $8.50 at Pete’s just four years ago. Maybe it’s the new label, or the timing of the exchange. The thing is, it’s still a great wine. Pour one for the homies… rene
Don’t judge all Rieslings by Chateau St. Michelle, even though they do make some exceptionally affordable and tasty wine. Robert Eymael produces the epitome of German Riesling that embodies high quality, delicious fruitiness that explodes in your mouth. The first thing you’ll find is that the nose on this wine is delightful and invigorating. You immediately feel the fruit and sugar circulating in your glass giving you get a preivew of what’s come. Next up is the smooth apple/ peach fruit that offers a refreshingly crips finish that your tastebuds will enjoy. I’ll drink this wine all summer long and offer it up to anyone who thinks they don’t like Riesling. We found this at Pete’s in Bellevue for $13.50 and ranges between $15-$20 over the internet. This is a boarderline VinoSteal. Enjoy!!
That’s fun to say especially in regards to snooty Europeans. According to an AP article out today the EU wants to ban all US wine with traditional names such as ‘Chateau’. Well to be honest I can see their point to some degree but their approach is an exercise in ‘naivitiet’ (just try try to ban me for the use of that!). What if the US just said “fine, ban our wine and we’ll ban yours?” Clearly a much larger loss for the EU. That might actually boost local producers business as they rush to fill the thirsty US void. I would besad to see that happen. I like traition too, but not when it doesn’t bend to the winds of change. The new world is here to stay and France had better get used to it. Tweet on that Sarkozy!
What do you think?
(http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009243634_apuswinespat.html?syndication=rss).
You’ve heard me before expouse on the upcoming bubble bursting on the wine industry. Wine making countries around the world are producing record volumes of wine. And there’s no question there will be a correction given the supply/demand ratio. Here are some interesting stats to back it up.
- Imports from Bordeaux to the U.S. fell 3%
- Champagne imports to the U.S. plummeted 21%
- Globally, Australia shipped 11 percent less wine by volume, and 18% less in value (i.e. their higher end wines took a bigger hit). To the U.S. market, Australia shipped 26% less wine by value!
- Argentina was the only one bucking the trend, with a healthy 43% in value and 34% in volume increases to the U.S. Their focus on value based wine, and relatively small base gives them an edge.
If you still have a job, it’s a good time be drinking wine. Actually, if you didn’t have a job, it’s a pretty good time to be drinking wine too. Check out VinoDeals and VinoSteals for your best options in town.
rene
We love you soooooooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!
XOXOXO
Us…
Big, golden and luscious. This wine oozes apricots, ripe pear and lychee on a full, slightly oily frame. The alcohol levels are high (15%!), and if we were outdoors, the bees would be drunk. The upfront surge of sweetness is tempered by the acidity and alcohol on the finish, so it doesn’t cloy or get tiring. I’m a fan of this wine. This is a different breed from most domestic Gewürztraminers (that often pack a sweet punch also). It’s from Zind Humbrecht, one of the oldest and most respected domains in Alsace (the region of France next to the German border).
ZH is a one of the pioneers of biodynamic farming (a crazy mix of ultra organic methods and astrology), and they make some of France’s most coveted white wines. This one I picked up at for a relative steal at $22 at Esquin. Not a cheap wine, but cheaper than their more famous Rieslings and Pinot Gris that can easily run in the $40-$80 range. Some may be put off by the sweetness. But remember, dry wines are a relatively modern phenomena as technological advances have led to riper grapes and stronger strains of yeast. Back in the day, almost all wines had some amount of sweetness. And like all fashions, wine preferences are cyclical. Gewürztraminer and Rieslings will have their day in the sun again, if not today.
rene: 91 pts
…and it wasn’t golden.
HRM Rex-Goliath Merlot, Woodbridge CA
Duck Pond has a pretty extensive line of value based wines in the $10-$12 range. I haven’t tried any of them for a while, but this Pinot Grigio (a.k.a. Pinot Gris) was a very nice suprise. Almost water clear color. Tart pineapple nose and ripe apples. This wine has a very nice Sweet Tarts candy flavor profile that is uncanny. It’s the acidity that is the main thrust of the wine. A bit rough if you take too big of a gulp, but stood up quite well to braised chicken cooked in Chardonnay. All in all, a delicious wine that I could easily drain on a sunny day on the porch with everything from smoked salmon to teriyaki. $10 at Safeway on sale.
rene: 87 points
Red, Ribera del Duero (Rueda, Toro), Spain, Tasting Note, Tempranillo | Rene May 29, 2009 | 
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