Toast to the new school year!

Toasting with a new bottle, my 2nd, of the Telmo Rodriguez Gago 2006 from Spain. Was hopeful I'd like it better the 2nd time but all I taste is alcohol(14.5%), it got a 92 from Wine Advocate & 90 Wine Spectator but I just don't taste what they do. How sad. On the other hand, the Spanish Flaco Tempranillo last night was an absolute delight, seemed more spicy to me than berry sweet as indicated on MadWine's note. So Spain is vindicated! (just wish I had bought 2 bottles of the latter instead of the former)

Rosé season is upon us!

Made my latest haul at EmpireWine.com. Got the Sabine Rosé recommended here by Leslie Sbrocco:
Leslie Sbrocco's Savvy Sipping: Summer Wine Stock Up

I've also had the Balbo Rosé and the Moscato, very delicious & refreshing for summer weather. Looking forward to seeing what Dr. Frank has to offer (Finger Lakes, you gotta love it!) and the Yalumba Sangiovese Rosé. But the Whispering Angel is by far the most exquisite, so delicate.

Here's the full accounting of my purchase, along with the Winery Notes that conveniently accompanied my online purchase:

* Bieler 'Sabine' Rose Cabernet/Grenache/Syrah 2010 - 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache 15% Cinsault 15% Cabernet sauvignon. There is the usual and wonderful underlying raspberry, bing cherry, and wild strawberry with a spicy minerality that keeps the fruit in check. The acidity is a bit brighter than the 09.

* Crios de Susana Balbo Rose of Malbec 2010 - A beautiful, deep, vibrant rosé color. Has a surprising amount of glycerin and body for a rosé wine, and beautiful aromas of ripe wild strawberries.

* Salmon Run Dr. Frank 'Rainbow Rose' - intensely fruity character and sweet palate, this is the wine for all occasions.

* Innocent Bystander 'Frizzante' Pink Moscato 2010 - Innocent Bystander's pale pink 375 ml. serve of Moscato is a refreshing sipper, offering delicious aromas of watermelon, red apples, and turkish delight.

* D'Esclans 'Whispering Angel' Rose 2010 - Look for ripe red fruits, with hints of minerals and flowers. This delicious bottle is a perfect, easy-quaffing wine for lunch, dinner or a delicious glass anywhere. ~ Winery Notes

* Yalumba Y Series Sangiovese Rose 2009 - has aromas of wild strawberries, lavender, sweet vanilla and a watermelon cocktail. ~Winery Notes

Wine Tasting at the Elks

What a treat last night, attended an excellent wine tasting held at the Herkimer Elks Lodge in Herkimer, NY. Members Darren Toy & Cam Ricci presented a diverse sampling of wine from France, Chile, California, Argentina, Italy, and even a chocolate dessert wine from Holland, paired deliciously with fruit, cheese and chocolate. The Mirabeau White Bordeaux and Biagio Cabernet/Sangiovese were my two favorites, but the Villa Rossa Moscato was also spectacular, will definitely be buying that for hot summer nights.

Salut!

Mad Wine!! (aka "House Wine" Followup)

Found a site online with some of Fred Tasker's recommendations for House (Tuesday Night) wine, inexpensive but good. I just bought the 2008 Oak Grove Reserve Cabernet and 2008 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Zinfandel here on Mad Wine:

http://www.madwine.com

Cheers!

Wine for Moms!

Leslie Sbrocco, my favorite wine author, was on the Today show showcasing wines for Mother's Day. She featured a chocolate merlot from Washington State, the Chocolate Shop, that I think I gotta try!



Happy Mother's Day, ladies :)

House wine

Great column by Fred Tasker for the Miami Herald about finding an inexpensive, everyday wine. My (literally) Tuesday night wine this week has been a delicious cabernet from Argentina's Mendoza Valley (ha! they don't just make great malbecs there;) Tilia 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon for only $8.99, try it! Of course Mr. Tasker makes some recommendation here too:

Everybody needs a Tuesday night wine - Wine - MiamiHerald.com

Malbec Roundup

Ok, I've tried several malbecs in the last 3 weeks. The Maipe 2009 Reserve from Mendoza Valley was my favorite hands down. The Salentein 2008 Killka and Kaiken 2008 Ultra Malbec both were humdrum, unremarkable, not robust enough. The Alamos 2008 was very good though, smooth & elegant. This week I tried a malbec from a different area of Argentina, Don David Malbec Reserve 2008 from the Calchaqui Valley. Definitely a different flavor and experience, more herbal notes. It was very highly rated (a 90 WE I believe) but I am rather lukewarm about it.

Wine.com had several new merlots under $20, so that's what's coming up next!