This Week’s Tasting
Wednesday, August 12 5:00 - 7:00
Deck Wines for Daily Drinking

Welcome to the dog days of summer. If we’re cooking ours hot on the grill, or doing bratwurst, ribs, chicken, beef, fish or veggies, at one time or another we all need something simple, direct, and inexpensive to go with. Hence this week’s wines with all those plus a bit of character for seasoning.
Aside from France, I have only found good dry Chenin Blanc from South Africa. Kanu has stepped up to the plate with their 2008 Chenin Blanc, dry, with good Chenin acidity and a fine minerality that will partner any fish or chicken dish.
You would assume that the word ‘Chardonnay’ in the 2008 Talmard Macon-Chardonnay refers to its grape. You would be wrong, Yes, Chardonnay as with all other Macon whites is the grape , but on the label it is is the name of the Talmard estate’s town , which, coincidentally, gave its name to the grape. The wine is not light, not tin, but solid Macon, dry and sturdy enough for not only fish, but chicken or even pork chops.
2008 Ranga Ranga Sauvignon Blanc has more zing and substance than any other New Zealand sauvignon we have tried near this price. If you are a fan of that juicy grapefruit and guava infused genre, you will love this one.
People think they should drink their reds at room temperature. Most though, including the wines below, will not taste good in a hot muggy summer Boston room, unless you keep your AC low. Our advice, cool, or even lightly chill these and other reds before serving in summer.
Spanish wines have been great values for years. Then, along came the 2008 Bodegas Campos Reales Tempranillo to inspire Peter to pronounce “ridiculous value.” It comes from a high-altitude thirty year old vineyard in La Mancha about a hundred miles from Madrid. The wine adds both richness and depth to the typical red fruit and balancing acidity of Tempranillo.
Vila is a new winery in Argentina’s prime wine growing area, Mendoza. All their reds are good value, but the most interesting was the Fondacion Tinto, a blend of half Malbec and Cabernet and half Boanarda. Bonarda’s origins are not clear, somewhere in the hills of France’s Savoie or Italy’s Piedmont, but in this wine it adds an exciting lilt and spice.
South Africa’s Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon is hands down our most popular red. The newly arrived 2007 vintage is the best yet, juicy and rich with a nice olive note of the grape. Beauty and if not brains , nice smart character.

White

2008 Kanu Chenin Blanc Aroma: clean firm rather thick; Mouth: firm fine acidity rather broad minerality, dry, long; Very Good 9.99; Mixed Case, 8.99; Case, 8.49

2008 Talmard Macon-Chardonnay; Color: deep cold; Aroma: rich, heady, a little , firm, rather clean, citrus & flint; Mouth: classic lemon & stone Macon, very solid with good weight & density, lots of character, substantial for the price, ; Very Good 11.99; Mixed Case, 10.79; Case, 10.19

2008 Barkers Marque Sauvignon Blanc Ranga Ranga; Color: very pale ; Aroma: clean lemon gooseberry, pretty; Mouth: clean very ripe sweet round fruit, clean ; Very Good Plus 11.99; Mixed Case, 10.79; Case, 10.19

Red

2008 Campos Reales Tempranillo: Bright ruby. Pleasant cherry and strawberry fruit aromas with a touch of spice. Rich, balanced flavors with a crisp fresh character in the finish. Very Good Plus 8.99/bottle 8.09/mixed case 7.64/case

2007 Vinos de Vila Fondacion; Color: very dark; Aroma: heady rather dense, lightly spice, very firm, clean; Mouth: thickish, bright fruit, lean light acid, firm,high toned lift over good structure, strong finish; Very Good 10.99; Mixed Case, 9.89; Case, 9.34

2007 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon; Color: very dark, fullish; Aroma: very rich fruity, very ripe, juicy full; Mouth: rich fruit fullish, very ripe, clean acid, a touch of olive, clean acid finish, clean light firm; Very Good 9.99; Mixed Case, 8.99; Case, 8.49

8/12 Summer Deck Case: Two each of the above wines at a special price of $110