November 2007
November
27, 2007
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ALTERNATIVE
MEDICINE
2004 Hamacher Chardonnay Cuvée Forêts Diverses
Willamette Valley, Oregon
For
those who aren’t fans of big, oaky California Chardonnays,
this 2004 Hamacher Chardonnay from Oregon is
a great choice for sipping and our choice for Wine of the
Week. The winery’s owner-winemaker, Eric Hamacher,
was originally planning to pursue a career in medicine,
but after visiting Sonoma for a harvest, decided to leave
medicine behind to follow his true calling of wine production.
After studying viticulture and enology and working in a
number of vineyards, including Robert Mondavi and Chalone,
Hamacher opened his own winery in 1995. His handmade Chardonnay displays
a seamless finish and a distinct roundness. It was produced
with minimal intervention and handling, spending eighteen
months aging in French oak barrels. Even though this pale
varietal is a 2004 vintage, it is still young and quite
pleasant. This refined wine features a delicate texture,
and while it does not lend itself to being paired with
any foods, its elegant feel and flavors of mineral, spice,
pear and honeycomb mean it can surely be enjoyed on its
own.Rating: 15/20
Price: $30
Other Chardonnays we
have tasted
Check out our guide to the Willamette
Valley
For more information, visit www.hamacherwines.com |
November
20, 2007
 |
CELEBRATE
GOOD WINES
2007 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
Beaujolais, France
Ask
any wine lover what their favorite holiday in November
is and, most likely, Thanksgiving will
be the furthest thing from their mind. Each third Thursday
of November, the latest Beaujolais Nouveau is released,
and the world celebrates. This year, the 2007 Georges
Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau marks the 25th year that
Americans have joined in the custom. Although the festivities
are colorful and exciting, the origin of the Beaujolais
Nouveau celebration began with legislation. In
the 1950s, the French government declared that certain
wines would be available one month before the others.
Upon this announcement, the French began commemorating
the primeur, or first wine, with a grand-scale
event. The Gamay grapes used in the varietal make it
a good choice for early consumption and early release,
so its integration into the festivities seemed natural.
This wine features flavors of raspberry and red currant,
with a bit of black currant and strawberry. It pairs
well with turkey, ham and other holiday foods, so add
to the festivities with a wine rooted in celebration!
Rating: 13/20
Price: $10
Other
Reds we have tasted
Check out our guide to France
For more information, visit www.winewithoutrules.com |
November
12, 2007
 |
FRUIT
OF THE LAND
2004 Chateau de Rieux
Minervois, France
It's
not often that you get the chance to down a glass of
wine from the Minervois appellation (Languedoc) of
France. This blend of 80 percent Syrah and 20 percent
Grenache comes from older vines (15-30 years) in tough
soil, with low yields. There is fruit on this dark
vino, but moreover, you smell terroir. There is a great
earthy character all around. Blackberry, violet, smoke
and tobacco greet you. There are rich tannins, and
a long finish with spice and wood tones. We would advise
some aging for this wine before you decide to pair
it with a lamb dish or with pungent cheeses.
Rating: 14/20
Price: $19
Other Syrahs we
have tasted
Check out our guide to France
For more information, visit www.regencywines.com |
November
5, 2007
 |
FROM
RECREATION TO REFRESHMENT
2004 Flying Horse Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California
Our
weekly offering comes from the man who created the
water amusement parks Raging Waters in California and
Splash Town in Texas.
The determined Bryant Morris has developed a passion
for restoring vintage carousels and for making Sauvignon
Blanc and Cabernet
Sauvignon-based wine in Napa. He has assembled
a solid winemaking team with Jennifer Rue and consultation
from May-Britt and Denis Malbec. Everything is taken
very seriously and is meticulously achieved, just like
his work on precious horses from the old carousels.
These are handcrafted, low production wines. This particular
bottling generated a mere 550 cases. This Cab is a
dark robust wine with a complex character. Scents and
flavors are delivered in layers and you’ll get
violets, blackberries, plums, black cherries and vanilla.
A glass by itself can give you both satisfaction and
amusement. By sipping it slowly, you’ll discover
cigar box, licorice and dark chocolate expressions
from its structured tannins all the way through the
long finish. With food, we might see it with lighter
meats and delicate red ones, including duck and ostrich.
Rating: 15.5/20
Price: $39
Other Cabernet
Sauvignons we
have tasted
Check out our guide to California
For more information, visit www.flyinghorsewines.com |
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Read
about the wine world's most influential critic: Robert
Parker, Jr.
|
