Pelz On Wine

1998 Sottimano Barbaresco Currá (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Fri, 25 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

This was pretty good, but maybe a little too heavy handed in its approach for Barbaresco in my opinion. The fruit seemed very forward and the acidity lower than I expected. Vaguely reminiscent traces of balsamico notes on the palate and a very nice plum and blackberry fruit profile. Maybe a touch too voluptuous for me in the execution. That said, still a very nice wine, but one I would pair completely differently with food next time. This one really needs some beef to stand up to it rather than the fowl I chose to pair it with.

2010 Talamonti Trabocchetto Colline Pescaresi IGT (Italy, Abruzzi, Colline Pescaresi IGT)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:11:00 +0000

Run, do not walk...to buy some of this stuff. Purchased locally in Austin for under $18, this has to be one of the finest obscure and inexpensive whites I have ever had. Pale yellow color, this has a wonderfully aromatic nose of flowers and fresh white peach and nectarine fruit. Just awesome on the mid-palate and with a killer finish. Apparently Pecorino is consumed largely with fish in Italy, and I tested this hypothesis successfully. What makes this wine so interesting is that it has beautifully ripe fruit, yet racy lipsmacking acidity. This is definitely meant to be consumed young, but it's worth picking up a case of this anytime. Truly remarkable stuff. My wife loved it too.

2008 Tenuta Mormoraia Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Italy, Tuscany, San Gimignano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:06:00 +0000

This is a really serious white wine. Not at all the simple sipper that I (maybe foolishly) expected it to be. Straw yellow color and almost a little spritzy on night one. Slightly reductive nose of honey, toasted nuts and honeydew melon. Reminiscent of a poor man's white burgundy on the palate with plenty of freshness, toasted hazelnut, bees wax, and peaches. Very full bodied and mouth coating white wine. Finishes very strong and it really begs to be had with some food. Great wine that is worth the price of admission.

2009 Château de Saint-Cosme Côtes du Rhône Les Deux Albion (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

This one is the holy grail of wine...modestly priced? Check. Ueber-delicious? Check. Fun yet serious? Check. Great with a simple or fancy meal? Check. This one really has it all. Cherry and blackberry fruit with earth, licorice, bacon fat, and chocolate. This is practically dripping with perfectly ripe fruit while also having a perfectly balancing acidity and tons of nuance. Finishes strong, and one of the very few CdRs that I have had that I can even see cellaring. Not simply a baby CdP per se. Actually shows some Côte-Rôtie characteristics, too. A wine that should be purchased by the case loads...something I will certainly do myself.

Saturday Food and Wine Bonanza Redux

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:31:00 +0000

Last Saturday, a group of us Austin wine fanatics assembled at our friends Bob and Lauren's house to celebrate the (short-lived) return of our pal Rick who has somewhat recently moved to Lexington, KY. To celebrate the occasion, Rick and Greg made leg of lamb two ways...

The first preparation was a "simple" roast of leg of lamb and the second preparation was a leg of lamb "sous vide" and finished off by searing it on the grill on all sides. While both preparation were outstanding, the "sous vide" was absurdly delicious. The texture was unlike any lamb I've ever tasted...super tender and flavorful.

To go with the lamb, there was a ratatouille-like Zucchini dish which I loved and roasted potatoes in a very fine lemon olive oil and herb dressing (which I have since recreated successfully). Before the main course, there was plenty of cheese, foie gras and other goodies.

As far as wines are concerned, this might have been one of the finest night of wine I have ever been privileged to experience. To start, we had a bottle of 1998 Lopez Heredia Gran Reserva Rosado which was quite simply the best Rose I have ever tasted. Great on its own and with food, this kept my undivided interest for quite some time. It's not your average rose...quire quirky in every way, but the uniqueness makes it special.

After the Rose, there was a tasty bottle of Champagne (also Rose) the name of which I can't remember, but it was very nice. I think it was right about at that time that the corks on the reds started popping...

The first wine was a Beaurenard "Boisrenard" CdP from vintage 2000 (I think), which I found disappointing. The truth is that I have found all the "Boisrenards" cuvees to be too spoofed in the past and this was no exception. Fortunately, this was followed by a 2000 Clos du Caillou Reserve which I really liked for its spiciness and a Marcoux Vieilles Vignes (from a vintage I don't remember) that I liked even better than the Marcoux. The bottle of 2004 Pegau that I had brought along was also very delicious and seemed to be a hit with the crowd.

After this initial wave of CdP, I opened a bottle of 2004 Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea, which came out of the bottle with high pitched acidity but which also quickly calmed down and proved to be a great wine with dinner. Then a 2003 Harlan Estate hit the table which I really liked. After the Harlan, more bottles were circulated among them being a 1989 Clos du Marquis and a 1982 Chateau Potensac, neither of which I tasted (I had to drive home sober after all).

The highlight of the evening for me was a bottle of 2005 Chateau Rayas, which in my opinion is one the finest bottles of CdP to ever cross my lips. The wine is positively unlike any CdP I have ever had although closest in style to the wines of the inimitable Henri Bonneau. Even being this young, the wine looked light garnet red in the glass and was completely translucent. On the palate, though, it packed amazing flavor intensity, the nose was perfumed beyond belief, and the flavors are that of cherry, truffle, earth, herbs, tobaco...and did I say truffle? If no other wine before it had done so, this wine forever lays to rest the theory that profound wine has to have heavy extraction to pack lots of flavor.

To be honest, I am still haunted by this bottle of Rayas. It's far too expensive for me to afford it, but I guess I will add it to my list of "island wines" should I get shipwrecked with a cargo load full of fine wine.

Thanks to Bob and Lauren for hosting, to Greg and Rick for cooking, and to all others for ponying up an amazing lineup of wines that will be hard to top anytime soon.

2009 San Michele Appiano (St. Michael-Eppan) Chardonnay (Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Alto Adige - Südtirol)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:44:00 +0000

Another very solid summer wine. Very dry, very fresh, very steely cool-climate Chardonnay. Zero oak in this. Yet, despite the fresh and steely nature of this Chardonnay, it still very much a serious wine. It has length and poise and shows off the fine apple and peach fruit. Great finish, too. Went back and bought a bunch more. Highly recommended for anyone who loves unpacked Chardonnay.

2011 Domaine de Fenouillet Côtes du Ventoux Rosé (France, Rhône,Southern Rhône, Côtes du Ventoux)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:47:00 +0000

Really fantastic Rosé. Light strawberry and pink salmon color. Nose of crushed rock, strawberry, citrus peel and fresh cut grass. Quite serious on the palate with plenty of strawberry and minerality. Finishes exceptionally well. I love this stuff. This is one to load up on for the summer.

2006 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

This one was interesting. It started out thin and bland on night one, so I chose to put the cork back on it and give it a few days in the cellar. Fortunately, the wine did a 180 as it was spectacular just a few days later. Where there seemed to be fruit missing and hollowness on the mid palate, the wine had nicely filled out and the fruit had plushed up. There's still plenty of the tell-tale Sangiovese acidity, but it was in perfect balance with the fruit and tannins. Flavor-wise, there was ripe cherry, plum, chocolate, earth, leather and a touch of tobacco. Very nice finish. Only warning about this wine right now is that it doesn't seem to be showing well right out of the bottle, so a few years of age may be needed to make sure it is reliably drinking well right out of the gate.

2008 Feudi della Medusa Vermentino di Sardegna Albithia Bianco (Italy, Sardinia, Vermentino di Sardegna)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Really a great white wine. Cost just under $20 and well worth every penny. Straw gold color and slightly reductive nose on night one. Tasted awesome though. While it's a clean wine with plenty of peach, flowers, minerality, and honeyed apple, there is zero lack of seriousness. This white has surprising backbone and finishes like a real champ. This is one to buy and drink this summer in our oppressive Texas heat.

1997 Parusso Barolo Piccole Vigne (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:28:00 +0000

This one was a treat. Opened at our favorite Austin restaurant, Asti, with a wonderful dinner. We just popped and poured this and I thought it was spectacular right out of the bottle. Deep dark tar, rose, and cherry with earth and a touch of chocolate and minty/eucalyptus notes. Mid palate was awesome and finish even better. Too bad this was a single bottle...I would love to have a lot more of these to drink over the next 10+ years.

2006 Domaine Pierre Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Believe it or not, but I actually prefer this to the 2007. In 2006, Pierre Usseglio's base CdP came out exactly like I love it. Classic kirsch liqueur, garrigue, saddle leather and licorice with ample acidity and earthiness. Unlike in 2007, the fruit is more balanced and doesn't play as dominating a role. Lovely freshness and yet some real structure and tannic bite. I really regret not having bought more of this particular wine. It is/was also an outstanding value at $25 on release.

2007 Rhys Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard (USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I just can't stay away from my Rhys wines as of late. This one was opened and poured immediately and shared with friends over the better course of about an hour. I thought the wine was immediately ready to drink and showed both serious and fun at the same time. All about red cherry and berry fruit with some dried herbs, cold smoke and crushed rock. Not particularly tannic, this felt like it was in a great spot to be consumed. As always, these wines are so delicious that it is hard to describe much beyond that. I don't think it was an exercise in academia to drink this, but I know that it was a great pleasure to do so and I couldn't have asked for a better match to grilled beef.

Wine Hunter: 2006 Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino - $49.99

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:56:00 +0000

Great deal on this Brunello. $49.99 per bottle and 96 points from Galloni in a banner vintage for Brunello. How can you go wrong? Seller is Vinrare. Link here.

2008 Rhys Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard (USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:45:00 +0000

Really some wonderful wine. Followed over the course of several nights, this started out brash and fruit forward, yet with a pleasant earthy and herbaceous notes. Cherry fruit through and through with a little chocolate and leafiness. Strong mid-palate and finish. As the days passed by, the wine kept gaining freshness and shedding the plush cherry fruit. The last glass was the best and it really reminded me of drinking 1er Cru Red Burgundy from a solid/warm vintage (although not roasted like 2003). With enough cellar time, this will be an absolute stunner.

2003 Château Rieussec (France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:44:00 +0000

This was the Friday night finale, and it was also my favorite wine of the night. Just an amazing Sauternes that shows off everything I love about Sauternes. Sweet and plump, with white spring flowers, poached pear, honey and candied apple. Lovely balancing acidity on the finish and full on the palate. Really a sticky that has it all. And I suspect time will be kind to this wine, to boot.

2007 Domaine Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:04:00 +0000

This was the first red opened on Friday night. My last bottle of this unbelievably good buy. Nice kirsch and blackberry fruit with lots of earth, licorice, and dried herbs. Lots of stuffing and sweet, ripe fruit and tannins. This is definitely a crowd pleaser although I don't know if it wins over folks with subtlety or finesse right now. A great wine to drink right now with substantial foods.

N.V. Ariston Aspasie Champagne Blanc de Blancs (France, Champagne)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00:00 +0000

This one started off our Friday night festivities and although I really liked it, this botle was lacking just a little. The same freshness with citrus and apple peel as always, but the mid-palate felt just a touch hollow. All-in-all still an excellent Champagne, but just not quite as good as I have experienced it in past bottles.

2002 Château Malescot St. Exupéry (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:39:00 +0000

Another wonderful bottle of wine. Although it's not fully mature, it is coming along nicely. It wasn't as soft as I remembered my last bottle. I actually thought this one was on the ferocious side for a Margaux that's 10 years old. The best part of drinking this wine was actually smelling it. It had a really wonderful and deep nose of black currants, mossy treebark, earth, and bitter chocolate. On the palate, the fruit seemed slightly lighter and more in the red color spectrum than it did on the nose. Cherry, chocolate, and licorice on the palate with a minimal saline note on the finish. A touch of toasty oak is also still tasteable. All in all, this is a great wine to pair with substantial dishes, such as the braised beef shank I drank it alongside with. Definitely a wine I can recommend.

2006 Azienda Agricola Montevertine Toscana IGT (Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:53:00 +0000

Great stuff, and definitely one of the most unique Sangiovese based wines I know. Although this is a blend of mostly Sangiovese with Canaiolo and Colorino, the weight of this wine is reminiscent of a Burgundy or Barbaresco. There's definitely ample power in this wine despite its lithe texture and weight. Red cherry and raspberry fruit, licorice, and plenty of dried herbs are a the main aromas and flavors in this wine. I have no experience cellaring this, but I loved it right now. Food-wise, I believe this is best paired with fowl, pork, or even beef. Pizza, pasta, and other Italian staples would overwhelm the finesse in this wine, I think.

2001 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva Especial (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

So this is what a good bottle of this tastes like...Unlike the other half bottle I opened previously, this one was absolutely outstanding. Kept improving over the course of 4 days (yes, this was an exercise in academia of sorts). Dark cherry and black currant, lots of earth, dried herbs, orange peel and an almost saline note. Tremendously powerful on the palate despite being incredibly weightless/effortless on the palate. Finish just keeps on sailing. The only issue is obviously that there seems to be some significant bottle variation. That statement is based not only on my experience (one bottle amazing, one undrinkable), but also on a variety of notes I have read elsewhere describing the same level of disparity from one bottle to another. Definitely caveat emptor as I don't have a clue how my remaining 3 standard bottles and 1 half bottle will perform.

Fantastic Video on Serving Wine from Decanter

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:56:00 +0000

As the title says, the video I am linking to below is a fantastic primer even for relatively experienced wine collectors on how to serve wines. The Decanter's Steven Spurrier is explaining everything from serving temperature, ideal wine glasses, decanting, and all sort of other material. Hope you enjoy this one.

"How to serve Wine" by Steven Spurrier

2006 Château La Croix St. Georges (France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The other wine I brought to Easter lunch festivities. This one was decanted for a while, and I thought it was very good. A very reserved and brooding rendition of Merlot. The blend is actually 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc and the vineyard is located right next door to the famous Le Pin. The nose wasn't giving much, but the palate showed nice cherry, earth, chocolate, and a hint of ground espresso bean. Lovely mid-palate and finish. Definitely a wine that can be cellared for a long time, and relatively inexpensive for the quality. This one, I can definitely recommend.

Thomas Duroux of Chateau Palmer on Bordeaux Vintage 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:02:00 +0000

2007 Rhys Pinot Noir Home Vineyard (USA, California, San Francisco Bay)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Very good. I brought this to an Easter Sunday lunch because I thought it would go well with the food. As always, this Rhys seemed atypical of what I have come to associate with California Pinot over the last few years. Very deep red and almost purple in color, this wine is nevertheless lithe and laced with minerality, yet it is also ripe and full of cherry fruit and underbrush. It had nice complexity and stayed interesting for the several hours we consumed it over. Most gratifyingly, the hosts of the lunch who are dear friends of ours, LOVED this Rhys and the other Rhys wines I have shared with them over the last few years. A winner of a wine for sure.

2001 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)

noreply@blogger.com (Steffen Pelz) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:27:00 +0000

Pretty modern style. Deep, dark cherry and dark/bitter chocolate. Seems slightly disjointed. Very clean, very ripe, very fruit forward, and pronounced roasted coffee/espresso (which may suggest significant new oak). There's balance there and the acidity is not low. Overall, the wine just doesn't keep my interest. Everything seems disproportionate and overblown. On night one, I found it to be borderline spoofed, whereas on night two, it had calmed down quite a bit. If I had to decide on buying another Rasina, I think it would be a pass for me. Just not my style.