Tokaji Harslevelu

Saint emilion

Zin

Chard

textbook Malbec stuck in mediocrity

Varietal: Malbec 

Geographical indication: Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo

Vintage: 2008

Producer: Familia Mayol Bonarda

Alcohol: 14.5%

Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon)  

Date tasted: 05/24/2010  

Price: ~$16

- Appearance is clear, of ruby color, and medium intensity. The legs are slim and long. They support the stated alcohol content.
- Nose is clean and fully developed. The medium aromatic intensity is exclusively that of blackberry, and oaky spiciness.
- Dry, low acidity, medium alcohol, and medium plus tannins form a medium plus body. On the palate flavor intensity is medium plus and texture is velvety. There is black fruit and spice on the attack, and notes of pepper and the feel of smooth tannins on the finish. The medium plus length tails off with a tingling sensation on the tongue.
- In conclusion this is a good textbook Malbec. There is nothing that makes it stand out, as well as nothing that readily faults it. As for value, this is a mediocre wine for the mulah. It is ready to drink with meaty non-poultry dishes, but can develop for another year.

Italian "cherry orchard after rain" that goes with tomato sauces

Varietal: 50% Sangiovese, 50% Montepulciano

Geographical indication: Italy, Lazio, Orvieto

Vintage: 2009

Producer: Trappolini

Alcohol: 13.5%

Classification: IGT

Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon)  

Date tasted: 05/24/2010  

Price: ~$14

- Clear, deep ruby in appearance

- Nose is clean, of pronounced intensity, and is still in development. Red and black fruits intermingle to create a smell that overwhelms on all fronts. With my nose in the glass I detect plenty of black and red cherries, hints of animal hide and tanned leather, earthiness, and most eccentrically quill pen ink. Quite a cornucopia of smells for an IGT, a country wine a head above table wine.

- On the palate it is dry in sweetness, low in alcohol, medium minus in acidity, and displays a medium level of rough, against-the-grain tannins. These factors contribute to a medium plus body. Flavor intensity is medium. Cherries mixed with wet earth steal the stage for a medium length.

- Concluding: good wine, great price make for an unbeatable value. Considering its youth it will develop for 2-3 years, but that wont benefit the nose. This wine is a perfect compliment to pastas and pizzas.

Cab sauv

amazing is not what this Pinot Noir is about, but amusing is

 

Varietal: Pinot Noir 

Geographical indication: France, Burgundy 

Vintage: 2007

Producer: Henri de Villamont   

Alcohol: 12%
Classification: AOC

Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon)  

Date tasted: 05/24/2010  

Price: ~$20

- Clear, pale ruby, and transparent in appearance. This is the first vin rouge through the core of which I could read the tasting list.

- Nose is clean. Its medium intensity exhibits cherry, strawberry, nutmeg and vanilla. My feeble olfactory receptors detect youth and certain freshness. Given that this is a three year old Pinot Noir it is reasonable to assume that this wine is still developing. On the other hand, because this is a $20 French Pinot Noir, the most persnickety vitis vinifera, it is possible that this is as high as the nose will soar. However, my lack of experience with Pinot Noir is not conducive to evaluating it.

- On the palate it comes off dry, with low tannin and low alcohol. The resulting body and flavor intensity are both at medium. The nose-palate overlap is direct, but the palate is a much rougher sketch of the delicate nose. As with the nose, there are red fruits and sweet spices on the palate, and yet none of the sub-aromas are discernible as tastes. Redcurrant cassis and oak, that at last summon the audience of my taste buds, save the day.

- To conclude: I found my inability to pinpoint smells and tastes provoking, and therefore engrossing and interesting (it was almost booed at the wine tasting, and the three ladies seated left of me spit-bucketed the glass right after the first sip). The good quality of this Pinot Noir is ready to be enjoyed with spicy/sweet seasoned poultry.

Hi, I'm a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc. I'm here to kick butt!

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc

Country/Region: New Zealand, Marlborough

Vintage: 2008

Producer: Virginie Taunt
Alcohol Content: 13% 
Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon)
Date tasted: 05/24/2010 
Price: ~$13

- Clear pale straw and lemon-green in appearance.
- Condition of the nose is clean and shows vibrant medium minus intensity and youthful development. The first aromas of freshly cut grass quickly yield to flowers, and then peaches, apricots and finally grapefruits
- On the palate it is surprisingly crisp and refreshing. Medium acidity, medium alcohol and the off dry nature of this wine make for a medium plus body. The interplay of these traits creates a synergy that can only be acquired when sweetness, acidity and alcohol are in excellent balance. This wine manages to be delicate and aggressive at the same time, as well as mouthwatering and without any sharp edges. The flavor intensity is at medium plus. This medium length wine opens up with citrus and stone fruits that envelope the mouth, but soon after these sensations give way to green apples, grapefruits and minerals.
- Concluding about this wine is as easy as generalizing about Sauvignon Blancs from Down Under and New Zealand. They always kick ass, and this one was no different. It is ready for consumption with friends, goat cheese salads and dipped veggies.

Mesmerizing Mott's Applesauce on the nose + a runaway palate = this torrontes-like Chablis

Varietal: Chardonnay 

Geographical indication: France, Burgundy, Chablis 
Vintage: 2008
Producer: Domaine Desvignes 

Alcohol: 12.5% 
Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon) 
Date tasted: 05/24/2010 
Price: ~$15

- Appearance is defined by absolute clarity and lemon color of medium intensity.
- There is a medium intensity in the clean nose of this still developing wine. Aromas are wide-ranging but almost all very subtle. Terroir, minerality and flintiness  first take the stage. They are followed by unripe peaches and green apples. Somewhere in the mix a hint of marmalade comes through, which speaks to the ripeness of the grapes. All aromas aside, however, the most distinctive smell, as well as what really characterizes this Chablis, is an unsweetened and uncinnamoned Mott's Applesauce. Once you think of it you cannot but visualize putting your nose into a freshly opened jar instead of an ISO standard wineglass.
- Its off-dryness, its medium minus alcohol, and the medium plus acidity create a feel of a medium plus body on the palate. As the medium flavor intensity of lemon, apple and stone fruits wears off the acidity lingers. Moreover, on swallowing there is a certain kick in the aftertaste that if not pleasant, is at least attention-grabbing. Length is at medium minus. As much as the palate tries to detect it doesn't compare to the novelties and subtleties that the nose captures. The overlap between nose and palate is direct but brute. The smell entices you to drink the wine, but drinking the wine adds nothing to the experience. In that respect it reminds me of a generic torrontes.
- To conclude: it is ready to drink, but it might develop further, although I highly doubt it; all objectionable plonk aside, and given that there is nothing worse than a nose that doesn't support the palate, I deem the quality to be at good minus. The acidity screams of mussels and oysters.

eins zwei drei this Deutsche Riesling is devine

Varietal: Riesling
Country/Region: Germany, Pfalz
Vintage: 2007
Producer: Neiss
Alcohol: 12%
Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon)
Date tasted: 05/24/2010
Price: ~$19

- Clear, pale lemon in appearance. No discernible bubbles in sight.

- On the nose the condition is clean. The aromas of lychee and passion fruit are light in intensity, but it is evident that they are still developing.

- On the palate this off-dry Riesling beams with lively acidity. Although it comes off as having medium alcohol my taste buds completely dismiss the alcohol and instead focus on the tiny bubbles. These bubbles are dissolved carbon dioxide, a byproduct of second fermentation achieved in the bottle. It is apparent that this wine underwent fermentation on the lees, or autolytic fermentation, as on the attack the flavors of yeast and toast are quite strong. On the palate lychee and passion fruit become secondary flavors. The length is medium minus, the flavor intensity is medium, and so is its creamy body.

- Verdict: good Riesling. It is ready to drink, but can develop further. Will go with anything from the sea except fatty tuna or salmon.

Riesling eroica

enter Tempranillo: funky, red/dry fruitish, Chicken companion

Varietal: Tempranillo

Geo indication: Spain, Rioja

Vintage: 2008

Producer: Biurko Gorri

Name: Arbanta

Alcohol: 14.5%

Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon)  

Date tasted: 05/24/2010  

Price: ~$13

- Clear, pale garnet in appearance

- Nose is clean. The aromas of red cherries, prunes, figs, horse saddle, animal, smoke and earth all come medium intensity. The nose is fully developed. Aside from its fruity character the wide range of smells can be explained by steel tank fermentation on naturally occurring yeasts.

- Its off-dry palate is held in place by mouthwatering medium acidity, medium plus alcohol and tannins at low plus. These form a full bodied wine, the length of which is medium minus. Juicy attack quickly surrenders to an abrupt, cliff-like finish. The taste is exclusively cherries and plums with funky nose-like nuances.

- In conclusion: good. Ready to be consumed now and probably wont develop further. Chicken, turkey or duck roasted or grilled are all great matches.

Plump, fat legged Italian principessa named Pinot Grigio

Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Country: Italy
Vintage: 2009
Name: Sydney Ann
Producer: Colli Vicentini SCA for T. Edward Wines
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon)
Date tasted: 05/24/2010
Price: ~$10


- In appearance the wine is clear with pale lemon lemon intensity and greenish hue. After swirling the wine formed quickly streaming wide legs.
- The clean nose reveals medium intensity and youthful development, both of which are common to this varietal. The aromas of lemon and other citrus fruits are aided by the smell of freshly cut Granny Smith apples.
- On the attack my palate detects no sweetness. The wine is bone dry, with medium plus acidity, and medium alcohol. Presence of fat legs at swirling supports the 12.5% alcohol, a relatively high content for a wine that underwent cold fermentation in steel tanks. The medium minus body is balanced. The nose and palate do not fully overlap as the medium flavor intensity shows lemon, yellow grapefruit, and unripened stone fruits. Lengthy wine but only lemon remains on the finish.
- To conclude: awesome value; ready to consume now; pairs with hard cheeses and Spring salads

Easter-Worthy Young Gun 2005 Cab Blend from Napa

Varietal: Blend of: 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Sangiovese, 7% Petite Sirah
Country/Region/Appellation/Vineyard: California, Napa Valley (Rutherford, Oakville, Oak Knoll, Pope Valley, Cappelle Valley)
Vintage: 2005 (bottled July 2007)
Producer: B Cellars
Alcohol Content: 14.8% (60 TA, 3.63 pH)
Price: $32.50
Bought where: Wine.Woot

Wine was drunk straight out of a basement cellar. It was considerably cooler than room temperature. At first it smelled young and tasted very closed, but after a few minutes in the glass opened up.

- Clear appearance and less than deep ruby intensity. Wine should be decanted as sediment is abundant and quite chunky. It was advertised as unfined and unfiltered.
- Clean nose. Medium minus intensity shows vibrant black fruit. Wine is still developing, as can be judged from the prolonged development in the glass. Hints of red fruit (red cherries) quickly become black cherries and then black currants, both of which linger. Aromas of coffee become discernible after 30 minutes in the glass. Although there are allusions to other smells the rest of the bouquet is inaccessible, which only the age can reveal.
- The palate is off dry. The acidity registers at medium plus and outlives the slightly astringent but pleasant tannins. At very high 14.8% the alcohol doesn't strike out, which is the direct consequence of the incredible balance achieved between acidity and tannins. The medium minus feel of the body is OK, but the flavor intensity, or lack thereof, makes me picture a pianist incessantly pressing and amplifying the same chord. This wine is too young, and the many layers of personality it is to acquire are not there yet. I taste black fruit and something else, which is as specific as I can get. The lack of elemental common characteristics with the nose is its second proof of immaturity. Predictably the length is short plus, with a medium strength attack and an astringent-acidity finish.
- To repeat my conclusion: it is underage. What's more certain is that in 5-8 years this ugly duckling will become a swan. Very good quality.

Kickass 2009 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough

Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Country/Region/Appellation/Vineyard: New Zealand/Marlborough
Vintage: 2009
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol Content: 13%
Price: $16.99
Bought where: Trader Joe's

I tasted the wine on three different occasions: twice at room temperature and once lightly chilled from the fridge. Aromas and flavors evolved much better after the wine was chilled.

- Appearance is clear with pale lemon intensity.
- The nose is clean and shows medium + intensity with  fully developed aromas. There are floral notes and abundance of tropical fruit. Lychee and gooseberry are most pronounced, although some citrus and green fruit is also present.
- On the palate there is a pleasant medium-dry sweetness and medium + acidity. The prolonged length of acidity is very surprising as mouth waters very little. Since the stated alcohol level is relatively high this makes me conclude that sweetness is actually higher that what is perceived, while dryness is overstated. This is not to say that the 13% alcohol is at all overwhelming. It registers at medium / medium +, just like the body. The wine comes off very balanced. Alcohol and sweetness and acidity and flavors all intermingle, but most importantly there is a considerable overlap with aromas. Gooseberry, lychee and citrus come in waves in that specific order. The attack is strong and the finish is very enjoyable, with citrus lingering even after a minute's time.
- Conclusions are such: quality is very good (one of the best Sauvignon Blancs I've had thus far). This is decided by the amazing balance, but also the complexity of nose and palate. This wine can develop for another 3-5 years, but it will soon plateau and decline.

I had Israeli Muscato and wrote this, go figure

First times are tough. The pressure of giving enough but not overpowering; of taking everything you need and leaving something to entice you to return. First blog entries can be excruciating like that.

My goal: through Vinь & Vanь I'll attempt to demistify wine FOR MYSELF through winening up and writing down, and to have a laugh later on. Self-reflection and outer scrutiny lie in opposite time spectrums, the former lags while the latter is always two steps ahead. Hence notes on wine smelling like "peanutbutter jar wash-off" or tasting a bit like "a shriveled apple that spent two weeks comitting in a leather bag" might seem like misplaced comic relief, but they are not. I will be outmost serious most of the time.

My paycheck = wine under $40. So I'll be blowing wind into sails of the belief that excellent wine can be found in that price range. I'll start by justifying drinking what the British call "plank".

Give me a subpar wine and I'll provide five reasons to drink it:
ONE: Get a taste of what wine shouldn't taste like (also known as developing the palate)
TWO: Get a buzz, which, after enough times, will prove invaluable as your alcohol resistance grows and you are able to trully "taste" the blackberries in your fourth glass of "Ribera del Duero" as opposed to pondering over what went wrong when you kissed her after insisting that you split the bill
THREE: Keep off stroke/heart attack, provided you consume less than five ounces, as per numerous US health orgs. There is no way to reconcile Frenchmen's/Frenchwomen's high-fat diet, insurmountable wine consumption, lack of exercise with their lack of widespread obesity and eighty one year life expectancy, which is nine places behind the rice-eating, fish-stock-depleting, and whale-killing Japanese. Thomas Jefferson once exclaimed,"I have lived temperately ... I double the doctor's recommendation
of a glass and a half of wine a day and even treble it with a friend."
FOUR: Antioxidize the radical self into liberality (you will know you've accomplished this by "wine lips" or #2)
FIVE: Resveratrol out your wrinkles
SIX: Further reasoning will require further lubrication, I had enough Muscato for only five reasons