All the following wines where tasted at the store with Alison from Domaine Select (Importer/ Distributor) on Thursday January 29th 2009.
2007 Bodegas Tahuan "Siesta" Extra Brut Champenoise Method Mendoza Argentina
Suggested retail price $16-$19
Imported/Distributed by Domaine Select in NYC
The complete name of this well made Argentinean sparkling is "Siesta en el Tahuantinsuyu". Own and crafted by Ernesto Catena, the son of Nicolas Catena the owner of the famous Catena Zapata (one of the leading winery in Argentina), this white sparkling wine is a blend of 50% Chardonnay an 50% Pinot Noir. All grapes come from selected vineyards by Ernesto Catena.
Pleasant, the nose boasts intermingled fresh, delicate aromas of white peach almond (the core of the fruit) and apple with light toasted, bready, yeasty notes. On the palate, it has a full attack with a substantial amount of mousse yet not soapy and slightly yeasty yet it is not heavy or too rich . It has a very good balance and the refreshing acidity carries nicely golden apple, fresh almond and white fruit flavors until the end. Very focus and inviting, it is a bit like biting into a juicy, earthy, ripe golden apple. Very enjoyable and versatile enough to suit any occasion.
(Tasted 01/29/09) LeDom du Vin
For more info, read the following article at: http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Features/Premium/0,1197,4438,00.html
or go to: www.domaineselect.com
NV Tenuta di Collalbrigo Brut Rosé "Ti Amo" sparkling wine Veneto Italy
Suggested retail price $13-$16
Imported/Distributed by Domaine Select in NYC
Made with mainly Prosecco grapes and 10-20% Pinot Nero (the reason why it is not a Prosecco but a sparkling wine), it has a very clean, bright, light pink robe. Overall, the palate is very round, approachable and friendly with fruity flavors (and I do not mean sweet once again) but it is a bit plain. In my opinion, it is not bad but lack a bit of punch, character and acidity to lift up the fruit and the mid-palate. It wouldn't be my first choice for an inexpensive sparkling Rosé, but it surely will satisfy customers looking for a fairly simple, uncomplicated and not very complex sparkling Rosé. Minerality and crispiness lovers should choose something else.
(Tasted 1/29/09) LeDom du Vin
For more info go to: www.domaineselect.com
or to www.collalbrigo.com
2005 Fratta Pasini (Antichi Poderi del Conte Luigi) Valpolicella Veneto Italy
Suggested retail price $14-$17
Imported/Distributed by Domaine Select in NYC
The nose is nice and somewhat elegant. The palate is juicy with bright red cherry and great acidity. It feels ripe without being heavy or rich. In fact, it is rather light on its feet with a green, somewhat slight herbal tannic touch on the finish, but the juiciness of the fruit balances it nicely and makes you forget about it. It needs a bit of food to be fully appreciated. As we say in French: "C'est un vin de table, pas un vin de soif." ("It is a table wine, not a wine that will quench your thrust.") (Tasted 01/29/09) LeDom du Vin
For more info go to: www.frattapasini.com and www.domaineselect.com
FYI: In France, and mostly everywhere in Europe, especially for the red wines in Italy, Spain and Portugal, we categorize as a "Vin de Table" (or table wine) a Terroir driven wine; especially when it tastes a bit earthy, somewhat rustic, with high acidity and dry tannins, and needs food to be fully appreciated (although you could surely drink it without, but it will taste better with a bite of something). A "Vin de Soif" is generally a wine which is juicy, ripe, approachable and friendly and does not necessitate anything with it. Wine from ripe climate region are often considered as Vin de Soif, mostly in the new world(s): Australia, Argentina, Chile, California, etc...
2007 Stefano Rizzi "Micante" MaremmAlta Maremma Tuscany Italy
Suggested retail price ...
Imported/Distributed by Domaine Select in NYC
Made of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, Micante has a floral, expressive, ripe nose with bitter chocolate, dark cherry aromas. The palate has the same type of flavors. It is very well balanced, round yet not plain or boring. The mid-palate and finish are very attractive, full yet lifted by a very good acidity and structured with integrated tannins. Overall, it is a very enjoyable food wine. I like it a lot. (Tasted 01/29/09) LeDom du Vin
For more info go to: www.maremmaltla.it or www.domaineselect.com
2007 Primaterra Syrah Sicilia IGT (Italy)
Suggested retail price $8-$11
Imported/Distributed by Domaine Select in NYC
Like many wine from Sicily made with Nero D'Avola or Syrah, Primaterra Syrah is rich, earthy, well rounded and approachable yet may be a bit plain. Plain is may be not the right word for this wine, let's just say that is simple, uncomplicated yet with a good fruit driven attitude. The palate reveals lovely ripe dark berry flavors with hints of earth and spice and a crowd pleasing touch. Only hiccup, in my opinion, it has a slight green, bitter touch in the finish (may be due to the tannins but I do believe that in this case it more the alcohol). However, it remains a very good value in this price range and seems to be the perfect pizza wine. (Tasted 01/29/09) LeDom du Vin
For more info go to: www.primaterrawine.com or to www.domaineselect.com
2003 Bodegas Tahuan Syrah (Tahuantinsuyu) Mendoza Argentina
Suggested retail price ...
Imported/Distributed by Domaine Select in NYC
Here again, another wine from Ernesto Catena from the famous Catena family in Argentina. 2003 Tahuan Syrah has a great nose with ripe dark berry, Cassis and cherry aromas with earthy floral notes. The palate is superb, really inviting, balanced, very ripe yet enjoyable, not stuffy. Pretty full bodied and overall smooth, with earth and spice hints, it has an easy drinking attitude that make it the perfect steak wine (to enjoy with mountain salt from Argentina). (Tasted 01/29/09) LeDom du Vin
For more info go to: www.domaineselect.com
To be continued with another Importer/Distributor....
Enjoy!
LeDom du Vin
No comments:
Post a Comment