A few more from the back pocket book

A few more from the back pocket book...

1986 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2eme Cru Classe Pauillac  Bordeaux France

Nice garnet color with brick nuances. Beautiful nose with secondary and tertiary aromas expressed by intermingled notes of forest floor, mushroom, underbrush, kirsch  cedar wood, tobacco, old prune, liquorice and hints of toasted oak. The palate is more youthful than the nose with dark and red fruits flavors inspired with spicy, smoky, earthy, slightly peppery notes coming along, especially on the finish. Somehow so young and refreshingly juicy, enhanced by great acidity and framed by a seamless tannin structure. What a lovely wine. And that attractive  smokiness, I loved it. Could last for another 10-15 years in my opinion, at least that bottle could have... 

It is funny to notice that usually the wine press and critics in general are very elogious and optimistic about the sunnier and thus riper vintages in terms of complexity  and ageing potential. Yet, in most case scenarios and especially with Bordeaux wines, it is very often the brighter vintages that show the most vibrancy and ageing potential: more particularly after 2 decades in the bottle: i.e. 1983 and 1986 compared to 1982 and 1985.

Same for Burgundy, which brings me to agree once more with all the brave and wise who said that fruit and ripeness give you flavors, strength  and texture, while acidity and integrated fruit tannins confer freshness, structure and longevity.


2 Chinese words to celebrate that last fact:

Mainland China in Mandarin or Putonghua: Gan Bei (Sante, Cheers and/or Drink it all!)

Hong Kong in Cantonese: Yam Sing (Sante, Cheers and/or Let's drink to success!)

Of course, this concept can be deceiving as riper vintages show more fruit and fuller texture and can trick you by their complexity and intensity, yet it does not mean that they will last longer compared to vintages that possess more acidity and fruit tannins; (in my opinion) on the contrary they may fade away quicker with time and gradually yet sooner lose their freshness, vivacity and fullness. The statement is a bit bold as there are many exceptions, but overall and in my experience, I think that it is the case.    

1990 Chateau d'Yquem Premier Cru Superieur Sauternes Bordeaux France 

Golden color with a slight pinkish hue. Barely noticeable oxidized notes on the nose at first. After a few minutes scents of orange fruits, mango and apricot, predominated the bouquet. Rich structure and really sweet orange and mango accents mainly composed the round and lightly spicy palate. The finish is quite unctuous and sweet yet not as long as long as expected. It showed much better after half an hour. (Tasted 18.07.2012)

1986 Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2eme Grand Cru Classe Saint Estephe Bordeaux France

Fantastic, with lovely acidity and texture, very integrated and harmonious and still full of potential. Show a youthful profile for its age in this particular bottle and seem to show better now than even a few years ago. I love it. In my opinion much better and vibrant and alive than some of the 1982 and 1985 that I recently tasted, which, once again and despite the disbelief of many in the wine press and critics, brings me back to what I was saying above regarding the acidity, structure, longevity and vibrancy of the wines from cooler vintages.

After 30 minutes decanting the wonderful nose offered attractive aromas of red and dark fruits mingling with nuanced secondary notes of mushroom, truffle, tobacco, cedar wood, pencil shave and cigar box. Well balanced, the palate was still fresh, harmonious and integrated and very healthy. This particular bottle could have definitely be kept for another 10 years no problem. (Tasted 18.07.2012)

1966 Taylor Port (Colheita ?) Portugal 

(No indication on the label but surly a Tawny judging by the brownish color of medium intensity in the glass, past experiences proved the regular vintage ports are usually darker even for old vintages). Charming overall with medium intensity yet still quite vibrant and flavorful with a spicy, peppery finish. Enjoyable but I would have loved more define fruit expression and more refine structure. Not bad but I tasted better bottles than this particular one.

Enjoy,

LeDom du Vin

NV Broadbent Vinho Verde Portugal: a summer favorite!

NV Broadbent Vinho Verde Portugal

This wine is imported by Broadbent Selections, one of the best importers in the US market despite a rather small portfolio yet filled with tremendously mouthwatering wines and ports. In the wine industry, the Broadbent have been pioneer in both European and American market and became inspiration to other younger importers for discovering and importing some of the finest small family owned wineries from around the world. As an example, Chateau Musar, one of the stellar wineries of the Bekaa valley in Lebanon, was first imported by the Broadbent family which greatly contributed to their success.

Vinho Verde, the most popular white wine from Portugal, is a deliciously refreshing, light wine with gentle spritz. “Verde”, meaning “green” refers to the hints of lime color. Broadbent Vinho Verde is one of the only Vinho Verde imported on a refrigerated container. The result is the freshest tasting Vinho Verde on the market. An ideal warm weather wine, excellent for lunch and picnics, this wine is equally as lovely as an evening aperitif. It makes a brilliant pairing with any fish, shell fish and poultry. "Is the world’s greatest pairing for a Caesar salad" according to wine writer Jordan MacKay. The label was painted by Alice, the niece, of Bartholomew Broadbent, when she was four (below).



NV Broadbent Vinho Verde Portugal
Suggested retail price $8-$11
Imported / Distributed by Broadbent Selections in NYC

A blend of 50% Loureiro, 40% Trajadura and 10% Pedernã [aka Arinto], this is a classic Vinho Verde and undoubtedly one of the best out there. In the glass it shows a very pale quasi-transparent yellow color with green reflects. The nose is clean and refreshing. The palate is light, dry and lively with a slight spritz that makes it feel airy and extremely versatile. The revitalizing acidity and the tiny bubbles contribute to a fun and enjoyable experience for the taste buds. Love it! Perfect summery wine; don’t go without it on picnic and party. This Vinho Verde has been for the past 3 years our best selling summer white wine and we can get enough of it. It is really delicious!

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

Info partly taken and edited from the importer website at www.broadbent.com

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2008 Adega Cooperativa de Redondo “Porta da Ravessa” V.Q.P.R.D. Alentejo Portugal

2008 Adega Cooperativa de Redondo “Porta da Ravessa”
V.Q.P.R.D. Alentejo Portugal

“Porta da Ravessa” (or “Door of Ravessa”) is the name of the entrance to the east wall of the ancient “Castelo de Redondo”. Even today local people still speak of its great stories relating to the many merchants and acrobats that in the Middle Ages used to occupy the front of it to entertain, sell merchandises and promoted the many activities of the castle to the travelers and locals.

The medieval door and the rest of its surrounding walls on both sides have been classified as National Monument in January 1946. The image of this entrance was popularized in the 90s, when it was put on the label of “Porta da Ravessa”, one of the numerous wine brands produced by Adega Cooperativa de Redondo.

Adega Cooperativa de Redondo is located in Redondo, a small village located in the District of Évora, 70 kilometers west of Badajos and about 170 kilometers east of Lisboa. Since almost half a century, the Adega Cooperativa de Redondo (ACR) has been dedicated to the production of white and red wines from the Alentejo DOC, Portugal’s largest wine region, with “Porta da Ravessa” being of the most well known wine brands of their portfolio and one of the largest selling wine in Portugal.

“Porta da Ravessa” is produced in red, white and rosé. The red is a blend of Trincadeira, Aragonês, Alicante Bouschet and Castelão, harvested from vines planted on essentially Granitic soils, complemented by patches of calcareous clay and schist, conferring great minerality and earthiness to this wine.

The wine didn’t see any oak and was entirely made in state of the art, latest technology temperature controlled stainless steel tank to keep the maximum of freshness and fruitiness.



2008 Adega Cooperativa de Redondo “Porta da Ravessa” V.Q.P.R.D. Alentejo Portugal
Suggested retail price $8-$10
Imported/Distributed by …In NYC

This wine has a medium to deep ruby color, with clean, earthy aromas of ripe red and dark berries. The palate is nice and simple, with the same type of flavors. Overall, it is lively and young, reminiscent of freshly crushed grapes, with a round, velvety mouthfeel. The finish is dry and earthy yet quite juicy. Just another great value from Portugal to enjoy with or without food.

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

For more Info go to the winery website at www.acr.com.pt

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2007 Casa Santos Lima "Aibyria" Tinto Vinho Regional Estramadura Portugal

Casa Santos Lima "Aibyria" Tinto Vinho Regional Estramadura Portugal

Surely an interesting derivative of the word “Iberia” from a marketing genius or, who knows, may be (or surely?) it was how Iberian spelled “Iberia” in an ancient dialect? However, “Aibyria” definitely means “Iberia” judging by the label which indicates it with an ancient Iberian map; and it is a great name for this little, friendly Portuguese wine.

On the west end of Iberia, in Portugal, the Estremadura region, stretching along the Atlantic coast and the Tagus River (or Tejo in Portuguese), northwest above Lisbon (Lisboa), consists of south Leira, North Setúbal and most Lisboa districts; with obviously Lisbon has the province’s capital.

Many centuries ago, even before the Romans, the wines of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula (Iberia) had already good reputation. However, things slowly changed and over the last 50 years, Estramadura was better known to produce inexpensive, bulk wines from the few cooperatives exploiting most of the vineyards of the area.

The 90’s brought a renaissance to this beautiful region full of grain fields, orchards, and vineyards, along wide plains bordering the fertile and heavily wooded Tagus River valley.

On the west end of Iberia, on north of Lisboa, the vineyards of Casa Santos Lima spread throughout gentle slopes of clay-limestone soils. With good sun exposition and needed protection from maritime winds from nearby hills, this region offers excellent conditions for the production of quality wines.

Near the town of Torres Vedra, located roughly 40 kilometers north of Lisbon, Casa Santos Lima is a big winery covering about 280 ha, including 160 ha of vineyards with more than half of the vines planted since 1990. Their first bottling happened in 1996 and they are now producing more than 1 million bottles a year under a wide range of labels, including "Aibyria".

Made in a more modern, extracted style, with long maceration and some ageing in new barrels made mostly of Portuguese oak, the wines have still kept a touch of their Portuguese roots and sense of Terroir.



2007 Aibyria Tinto Vinho Regional Estramadura Portugal
Suggested retail price $9-$12
Imported by Vintage Trading LLC

2007 Aibyria Tinto is produced from the local grapes varieties: Tinta Roriz, Alicante Bouschet (or Bouchet), Castelao and Touriga Franca, through traditional fermentation methods, long maceration and 3-4 month of oak aging.

The resulting wine is clean, earthy, and somewhat rustic in a good way. Beside its deep ruby-garnet color, the nose offers notes of ripe dark and red brambly fruit with earthy, spicy notes and slight hints of oak. The palate is quite fleshy with good richness and structure. The medium-long, persistent and earthy finish is very enjoyable. Pair it with Mediterranean food and grilled Lamb chops.

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

For more info about the winery go to www.casasantoslima.com

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2008 Baclhôa JP Azeitao red Setubal Terras dos Sado Portugal

2008 Baclhôa JP Azeitao Tinto Setubal Portugal

Wow! What a wine! Last night when I came back from work, I was thinking about the post that I just wrote a day earlier about Bacalhôa JP Palmela 2002 and how good the wine was. Thinking about it, I realized that I also bought their entry level and didn't open it. So, I opened it without much expectation about it. After all, it only cost $7.99 at the store and I was hoping for a correct wine without too much complexity or depth.... well, I was wrong.

My wife and I first reaction was: Wow! This wine is good! and when I told her the price, she could barely believe it and found it even better. Almost deciding that it should be our house everyday red wine. However, we are way too curious and adventurous to stop at one wine and drink it every day. But I need to admit that I bought 2 more bottles tonight and we finished them in no time. It is definitely a sign that this wine is very good and quite easy to drink.

JP Tinto is normally and in most cases produced mainly using the Castelão grape variety, which, on the Setúbal Peninsula, is known, more commonly, as Periquita. However, this is a blend of 6 different grape varieties: 50% Castelão, 20% Aragonez, 15% Syrah, 5% Alicante Bouche, 5 % Touriga Franca and 5 % Trincadeira (What a wine! What a blend!). After the grapes are crushed, the must is fermented at a controlled temperature. It is then immediately stabilized in stainless steel tanks and bottled soon after in order to allow the retention of the fruity aromas, resulting in a very pleasant wine that should be drunk young.

2008 J.P. Tinto Azeitao Red Setubal Terras dos Sado Portugal
Suggested retail price $7-$9
Imported / Distributed by Admiral wine Merchants

It has a ruby-colored robe of medium intensity. The nose is clean and fruity with ripe red and fruit character. In the palate, the wine is smooth and has prevailing aromas of ripe red berry fruits with touch of earthiness. The acidity carries the fruit nicely toward the long fruity finish. Overall, this wine offers a generous and easy going, friendly mouth-feel profile, in a simple yet convincing and juicy way. It is a hell of a wine at this price. Love it. So versatile, you can pair it with pretty much anything.

FYI: the 2008 received a Bronze medal at a conquest (International Wine Challenge 2009), and I can easily understand why. Try it, you'll understand. And the price is difficult to beat.

Enjoy!

Find more info about this wine on the winery website at www.bacalhoa.com and on the importer website at www.admiralimports.com

LeDom du Vin

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2008 Quinta do Feital Auratus Alvarinho Trajadura Vinho Regional Minho Portugal

2008 Quinta do Feital Auratus Alvarinho-Trajadura
Vinho Regional Minho Portugal

You've probably tried many Albariño from the "Rias Baixas" and other regions of the north western part of Spain, in Galicia. But did you ever try an Alvarinho from the Vinho Verde region in the "Vinho Regional Minho" appellation, Portugal? Probably not, so here is one that you should try: 2008 Quinta do Feital "Auratus" Alvarinho-Trajadura.

But before I describe the wine, here is a little explanation about the appellation and the region: Vinho Verde is a Portuguese white wine (but also a region of the same name) produces in the Minho region, located in the far north-western part of Portugal, along the Minho river which is the natural boundary between Spain and Portugal.

Vinho Verde is located on the south bank of the Minho river, in Portugal, opposite to the "Rias Baixas" appellation in Spain. The name literally means "Green Wine", referring to its youthful freshness rather than its color, altough certain wines may have green-isch reflects.

Vinho Verde wines are light and fresh, and are intended to be drunk within a year or two after bottling, the fresher the better (like Txakoli wines in the Basque country). Although, they do not quite qualify as semi-sparkling wines, they do have a definite pétillance or slight pearling on the tongue. Very fresh and summery, due its natural acidity, Vinho Verde is usually dry yet fruity (and I do not mean sweet for the 1,000th times) with floral and mineral aromas, more or less distinct and concentrated depending on the blend, the different grape varieties that constitute the blend and of course the syle of the winemaker.

Although, it is more common in the US market to find white Vinho Verde, the region and the diverse appellations and sub-appellations also produce some Rosé(s) and some red(s). A few examples of the Rosé are quite popular in New York, like Casal Garcia Rosé; the red are less known and not always available in the US market due to barely existent demand.

Vinho Verde white wines are pale yellow lemon colored, around 9 to 11% alcohol, and are made from local grape varieties: Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura, Avesso and Azal.

Vinho Alvarinho is made from Alvarinho grapes, from the small designated sub-region of Monção. It has usually more alcohol (11.5 to 14%) with riper fruit and aromas.

The reds are fairly intense and tannic with good acidity, and are mostly made from Vinhão, Borraçal and Amaral grapes. The rosés are very fresh and fruity, and usually made from Espadeiro and Padeiro grapes.


2008 Quinta do Feital Auratus Alvarinho-Trajadura Vinho Regional Minho Portugal
Suggested retail price $14-$17
imported / Distributed by Polaner in NYC


The fruit comes from a newly purchased estate in Seixas planted with old vines Trajadura and young vines Alvarinho. Trajudura is a relatively obscure white grape used, in this case, to add body to the wine. The Portuguese "Vinho Regional Minho" appellation is the equivalent of a French regional "Vins de Pays".

The 2008 vintage was quite difficult with ripening problems due to rainy climatic conditions and definitely not as harmonious and expressive as the 2007 vintage. Therefore, the winemaker has to leave the grape macerate for a longer period in order to increase the skin contact to extract a maximum of flavor and structure. Fortunately, the old vines of Trajadura really add texture to this Alvarinho in 2008. Moreover, the estate only farms organically and only used wild, indigenous yeast, which usually add an extra dimension, more character and layers of complexity.

So despite a difficult vintage, the 2008 Quinta do Feital Auratus Alvarinho-Trajadura Vinho Regional Minho is quite crisp with a clean, focus palate and beautiful aromatics! It has a pale yellow, gold-like color, with golden reflects. The nose is clean, fresh, inviting, mineral and attractive with aromas of white peach, white flowers, citrus peel and more mineral. The palate is quite rich, expanding, viscus, yet fresh with vivid, needed acidity and beautiful balance. The fruit flavors are bright and racy yet ripe and generous, well rounded with excellent texture and length. Although I loved the 2007 vintage, I personally found the 2008 to be really good too and very consistent. Versatile, dry, fresh and easy drinking, yet with a bit more fruit, substance and depth than you regular Vinho Verde, you should compare this wine with some of the best Albariño from Spain rather than comparing it with its inexpensive Vinho Verde sibling. Fish and shellfish will nicely complement this wine, and Vice Versa.

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin,

Info partly taken from the importer / distributor website at: www.polanerselections.com

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2006 Dow's Vale Do Bomfim Douro Valley Portugal

2006 Dow's Vale Do Bomfim Douro Valley Portugal
Suggested retail price $11 - $14
Distributed by Winebow in NYC

The Vale do Bomfim is produced by the Symington family from grapes grown in vineyards that traditionally supply the house of Dow. Dow is one of the most well known and reliable Porto house, and their vintage port is always one of the best on the market yet their entry level ports are also excellent.

Vale do Bomfim reflects the new style of wines coming from the northern part of the Douro Valley, where healthy ripe grapes, mature vineyards and modern winemaking have been successfully combined to produce rich, expressive, full bodied red wines.

A blend of 40% Touriga Franca, 25% Tinta Roriz, 20% Tinta Barroca and 15% Touriga Nacional, 2006 Dow's Vale do Bomfim is rich, complex and earthy yet elegant and integrated. Despite its attractive ripe wild dark berries flavors and assertive spice aromas, one may complain about the oak which could have been a bit more integrated. However, overall, this wine is very pleasing and full with reminiscent notes of ripe dark fruit, spice and dark chocolate and hints of toasted oak and earthy tannins. Quite comparable to the last vintage, slightly less complex but as enjoyable, this wine will definitely please rich red wines from Portugal lovers. Somewhat ready to drink now, it will surely improve after a year or two in the bottle due to the tannins.

Drink with substantial dishes based with red meat: i.e. beef stew, venison, roasted poultry.

Enjoy!

LeDom du Vin

It also exist in Reserva in previous vintage, I may be wrong but I don't think that this 2006 is a Reserva. Compare to previous vintage, it doesn't mention "Reserva".