Wine steward Joel Goodman shares a drink in the wine rack aboard the cruise liner Manhattan with … [+]
Bettmann Archive
2 of my preferred activities are to check out a regional hardware store or a white wine shop– not an overwhelming cavern like House Depot, or some wine-stocked warehouse, however smaller places where walking through the aisles constantly exposes a brand-new tool or a new white wine I was unaware I needed. In red wine stores I like to meet an owner who searches for uncommon white wines and excellent deals that are not going to be discovered among very popular bottles. If one is a routine, the shop owner will aspire to reveal you those new bottlings he is passionate about within your budget plan. Here are some I have actually discovered and enjoyed just recently.
Although understood for its Chardonnays, Landmark also makes fine red wines like this Bordeaux-style … [+]
Landmark Vineyards
Landmark Hop Kiln Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2018($85)– Established in 1974 and devoted highly to Chardonnay until 1995, when they started making this Sonoma Valley Pinot Noir, Landmark obtained the Hop Kiln estate in 2016, where their best Pinot Noirs are now made. Its 14.2% alcohol is admirable and shows the wine’s finesse, while exhibiting the vibrant, fruity satisfaction of Sonoma Pinots.
Three centuries of Sicilian wine making guarantees Tasca’s Ghaiara Nera.
Tasca
Tascante “Ghiaia Nera” Etna 2019 ($21)– The Tasca d’Almerita family is now in its third century and 8th generation with existing scion Alberto Tasca. Tenuta Tascante estate (a combo of Tasca and Etna) was established in 2007 with 4 parcels in the communes of Castiglione di Sicilia and Randazzo, with a cool, northern direct exposure. Ghiaia Nera (“black gravel”) is made from the native Nerello Mascalese grape, understood for its minerality from volcanic soil, that makes it a good marriage with hearty Southern Italian fare.
La Valentina ‘Spelt’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva 2018 ($23)– La Valentina is not related to another, much better known, Abruzzese producer named Valentino Valentini, and is a much younger winery, showing off why the white wines of this eastern Italian region have actually drawn in more and more attention. “Spelt” is called for a regional wheat range. The white wine is 100% Montepulciano and, while it doesn’t have the off-putting tannins of lesser examples, it still has an earthiness that matches up with grilled meats, specifically rabbit.
Alois Lageder Schiava Alto Adige 2020($18)– Schiava is a red varietal grown in Italy and Germany, where it is called Trollinger or Vernatsch. It is actually only planted far north and is rarely high in alcohol. Alois Lageder’s biodynamic issue is just 10% alcohol, so it’s simple to consume with appetisers and charcuterie, even a flavorful fish like salmon or mullet.
A big 15% alcohol Bordeaux-style red from California.
Justin
Justin Validation 2018 ($65)– You have actually got to like California Paso Robles smash hits to appreciate this 15% alcohol Bordeaux-style blend of 66% Cabernet Franc and 34% Merlot, along the lines of Right Bank Bordeaux producers. It was barrel-aged for 20 months in new French oak, and, though the tannins are somewhat tamed and the merlot provides it a particular mellowness, I ‘d hang onto this huge red for another 2 to five years. Consume it now and do so with something prepared over an open fire exterior.
Blackbird Vineyards Illustration 2017 ($135)– Unlike Justification above, Illustration achieves something of the exact same heft at only 14% alcohol, as a proprietary mix of 49% Red wine, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon. Therefore, the ballast of the Cabernet Sauvignon underpins the Red wine, rather than the other way around. It ain’t cheap, however it really has a great balance of fruits, acids and tannins that have melded into an impressive Napa Valley red.
Arnione Bolgheri Campo alla Sughera Superiore 2016 ($45)– I’m seeing costs all over the place for this red wine, from $25 to $55, so inspect before you buy. It is, though, a great price for a wine from Bolgheri in Tuscany’s many prominent terroir. It has no Sangiovese in it, but rather a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It is, however, of a less thick, fruitier design of this mix, simply shy of discussing the 14.5% alcohol edge. The vineyard has low yields and 2016 was an outstanding year. Extremely ready to consume right now with roasts or rich pastas.