Rex Goliath Pinot Noir “Giant 47 lb Rooster” 2003
Central Coast, California ($10)
Picked this one up at one of three neighborhood liquor stores I frequent. I thought I had seen it reviewed by another wine blogger but I didn’t remember the verdict. Surprisingly has a smell of maple syrup as well as red berries. Strawberry and cherry palate with good acid ratio. Very drinkable smooth texture. Finish was quick but satisfying.
Received this bottle as a gift. My mother picked up this bottle when she ate at the vineyard restaurant in the area of Niagara Falls, Canada. I had enjoyed gamay based Canadian wine in the past so I figured the rose must be worth a try. Perfect rose color with the legs of a red wine. Smelled like apricots and pears. Silky smooth texture. Refreshing flavor of ripe fruit with a near perfect balance of sweetness and alcohol for a rose. Since it was given to me it do not know the price but it can’t be over $12. One of the best roses I’ve had.
In an attempt to find a “best buy of all table wines” that fits my taste buds and budget, I have found myself again at Astor Wines in NYC. This wine was a staff pick there and for $7 bucks there was no thought needed. A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Mataro. This was an all around decent red table wine, both the nose and palate had dark red fruits and blackberries with a hint of pepper. Nice smooth texture with a dark red color. Short finish but perfect for everyday drinking.
I am officially launching my first wine review, and I think I am already not living up to my pseudo mission statement introduction. My excitement got the best of me and I decided that my intention of pairing food and wine as best I could may not apply tonight. Earlier tonight I posted my first entry, and this left me with the urge of opening a bottle to celebrate. I didn’t care if I’d have to drink it with leftovers from lunch. More specifically fried eggplant sticks from my local Italian restaurant, combined with homemade sauce from the freezer, shredded mozzarella, and grated reggiano.
My choice of Lenz Merlot 2002 from the Northfork of Long Island was less to do with the food pairing as it was with the appreciation of what living so close to wine country has done for my taste buds. Ever since a couple of good friends started pouring wine on the weekend at a Northfork winery, I have got to taste wines I would normally not come into contact with. My merlot experiences of the past were always with California merlot that I always associated with dark full bodied red wines that left me thirsty and ultimately sweating from the heat or spice on the finish. The handful of merlots I have tried on the Northfork seem to be much more drinkable to me. Something about the light body or the brighter flavor that makes me inclined to search for these when in the market for merlot.
After a few weeks of reading wine blogs and a few years of wine drinking on a regular basis, I had the not so crazy idea of starting my own wine blog. I’m not sure what one single inspiration for the idea was though. Perhaps it was sites like Graperadio.com and Winecast.net, or blogs like Lenndevours, Catavino and Vinography.
It could have been the relatively recent appreciation for fine food and cooking, and or weekly “international night” dinner for six with my friends in New York City. It might go as far back as the wine tastings and fine dining in Miami with my girlfriend Johanna. The truth is, it must be some volatile combination of these.
