This Week’s Tasting
Wed June 24 5:00 - 7:00
Barbecue Wine Preview for the Fourth
Barbecue, Anyone?

This week good wines, good values, good strong/deep flavors for your Fourth or anytime.
2008 Dr. Heyden Oppenheimer Pinot Gris-dry is nothing like what you might be used to in another Pinot Gris or Grigio, or in a German wine It is a bone-dry powerhouse that takes over your palate with its intense grape, flint, and assertive lemony acids. Last summer’s rendition was a surprise hit tasting hit. This 2008 is even more powerful. For your spiciest most hot peppery marinades. It is one of the few whites that will stand up to Indian cuisine. Ten cases only

Peter writes,
The 2008 Valle Reale Cerasuolo Rosato is one of those wines with enormous appeal to a wide range of palates. This is a wine that goes well with seafood, poultry and lighter meats and can stand up to some spice. In the springtime in Abruzzo this is our lunch wine. One thing I know is that if I grill some fresh trout and serve it with the Cerasuolo it makes my wife very happy.
Domaine Gilles Bonnefoy is one of the new properties discovered by noted importer Eric Solomon. It is in the Cotes de Forez region of the extreme upper Loire Valley. Bonnefoy grows his vines organically on volcanic soils that flatter the Gamay grape. The 2008 Bonnefoy Cotes de Forez La Madone Is very well balanced and is like a cru Beaujolais, but stronger and more distinctive with real interest and complexity. Cooled not chilled, its clean cut will partner chicken or sausage very nicely.
The 2006 Barberani Polago is a very fine blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano from Umbria. The Barberani estate is situated on the hills above Lake Corbara, formed from the Tiber river. Expert viticulturist and winemaker Dr. Maurizio Castelli runs the estate. Typical Umbrian dishes including spit roasted red meat and game are perfect with this wine. Actually any richly flavored red meat or sharp dry cheese fits the bill.

Len again,
For several vintages I wanted to like the wine from Patricia Wells’ Rhone vineyard Clos Chanteduc as much as I liked her food writing, but vintage after vintage the wines showed good good material I would have expected from her century-old Grenache (there are some Syrah and Mourvedre, too) but were uninspiring and at best correct.
Two years ago she gave the winemaking over to the inspired Yves Gras of Santa Duc. Man and the fine 2007 vintage have transformed the wine. It is now lively to the nose and mouth, delicately spicy, and nicely fleshed with just enough structure to counterbalance richer foods. Five cases only.
2006 Piping Shrike Shiraz is Aussie shiraz the way it oughta be., Ripe lather and violet in the nose, bright acid over plummy leathery fruit in the mouth, not too jammy or over the top. Not surprising since it is from Barossa fruit vinified by noted winemaker Charles Cimicky, but at a most un-Cimicky price. I loved it at first taste, through second and third and thereon. Make sure that you have at least a second bottle on hand. You’ll want it.

White

2008 Dr. Heyden Oppenheimer Pinot Gris-dry ; Aroma: spicy firm dusty dry and earthy, Strong powerful lemon & stone; Mouth: assertive rounded acidity, powerful grape, strong stone combine for mouth-filllng flavors, dry & long; Very Good 14.99; Mixed Case, 13.49; Case, 12.74

Rose

2008 Valle Reale Vigne Nouve Cerasuolo: Vivid, intense pink. Fruit aromas of fresh wild cherries and a hint of raspberry. Rich flavors , medium body and great freshness. Long finish with a spicy note. Very Good Plus 14.99/bottle 13.49/mixed case 12.74/case

Red

2006 Giles Bonnefoy Cotes de Forez La Madone: - Organic; Color: red with purple rim, medium density; Aroma: heady ripe firm clean fine currant acid; Mouth: clean, lighter bodied, but a subdued acidity give it nice cut and thrust; Very Good 15.99; Mixed Case, 14.39; Case, 13.59

2006 Barberani Polago Rosso: Deep ruby red. Bright cherry, plum and raspberry aromas with a peppery touch. Rich, fresh fruit flavors with good structure and balanced acidity. Broad, complex finish. Very Good Plus 14.99/bottle 13.49/mixed case 12.74/case

2007 Clos Chanteduc Cotes du Rhone; Color: very dark purple; Aroma: heady deep purple, mineral spice; Mouth: firm sweet red cherry, clean acidity, fleshy very firm, a slight angular structure, firm, long; Very Good Plus 16.99; Mixed Case, 15.29; Case, 14.44

2006 Piping Shrike Shiraz; Color: very dark; Aroma: very heady spicy, deep leather a touch of pepper, very dense, lightly wood accented, firm; Mouth: thick rather bright very clean food-friendly acid, balanced, firm leathery finish, nicely long; Very Good Plus 16.99; Mixed Case, 15.29; Case, 14.44

6/24 Barbecue Case: Two each of the above wines at a special price of $162