Dave’s Faves

David Ferrie

Bodega Goulart Malbec Classico: Value! I’m introducing this word to alert you to wines you should take advantage of until the vintage is over. It means outstanding quality at a low (or very low) price; meaning below $15.00. Malbec lovers will appreciate the soft, round affability of this wine. Lovers of full-bodied wines will love the plush blueberry, raspberry and fig. I had it with pot roast and recommend you do the same.

Leese-Fitch Merlot: Value! I love a good Merlot. I love a good and cheap Merlot even better. There’s thick plum sauce and blueberry flavors that fill the mouth. The finish is long and heady with a hint of licorice snap. Simple beef dishes with mashed potatoes and gravy would be a great pairing.

Taste the Aromas

Kimberly Grasso

Vega Sindoa 2008: I am a huge fan of Tempranillo or the noble grape of Spain and this 100% Tempranillo was no different. Displaying the terroir of this region, which is at the foothills of the Pyrenees, with bright flavors of cherry, plumb, vanilla and a bouquet of earth, tobacco, leather and herbs. Also displaying warming hints of cinnamon, this wine really held up to the typical characteristics of this grape. Typical and yet it had a special feel of the Pureness Mt range, rugged and sturdy on the palate. The ruby red color was lovely and the finish long and soft, a true gem of a wine with special care given at every stage of the process, cheers!

Dave’s Faves

David Ferrie

Writer’s Block Grenache: And speaking of Grenache, oh boy, this one is delicious! A big, lush truckload of macerated cherries starts the party followed by a dance of cola and cinnamon that lasts way past bedtime. This wine I can only think of drinking by itself, but not by myself. Fun. Fun. Fun.

Quatro Mani Montepulciano: This is a wonderful marriage of old and new world styles. There’s big mouthful of red fruit on the front end that commands attention. Cherry and raspberry blend softly and sweetly. The wine finishes with that classic Italian herbaceous green olive and oregano. For pairing? Think pizza, pizza, pizza.

Dave’s Faves

David Ferrie

Firestone Central Coast Chardonnay: Smooth, silky and incredibly well-balanced. This wine walks the line between crisp tartness and cloying oak and butter. It brings a light, lemon citrus and a round, yet refreshing, spicy oak finish. A crab in cream sauce or baked brie and French bread has my mouth watering as I think about it.

Taste the Aromas

Kimberly Grasso

Inkberry Shiraz Cabernet 2007: As with most plants, or grapes grown at higher elevations, “things happen” and that is what happens with the Inkberry Shiraz Cabernet 2007. Being that it’s grown at the higher elevations exposes these grapes to an intense amount of sunlight and UV rays. This generous sunlight is what gives this wine the amazingly dark “inky” color. With 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon this wine has layers of rich fruit and soft tannins. Hints of dark chocolate and spice appear along with oak that is well integrated. The aromas of sweet ripe fruit and red berries come right off the glass and as the wine opens up a bit more, plums and earth are welcome smell. In addition to the Inkberry Shiraz Cabernet, Kafevino has a wonderful selection of Australian wines, stop in and check them out for yourself!

Dave’s Faves

David Ferrie

Font du Vent Cote du Rhone: This is a wonderfully well-balanced, typically French-style red wine. The fruit presentation is focused, yet restrained with wild red berry and spice and a lasting finish of lavender and earth. A touch of minerality sets off any heaviness this wine would portend. Mediterranean lamb dishes come to mind when thinking of food pairings.

Taste the Aromas

Kimberly Grasso

Walla Walla Washington kicks out some great wines and it doesn’t fall short with the Canoe Ridge Cabernet. Immediately the aromas of blackberry, anise and spice pop out at you. Then the flavors of dark cherry, currants and cocoa dance and linger across the palate and then it finishes off with a hint of coffee. The tannins support the bright acidity and intense fruit. Great to pair with a dish that has a lot of fat such as lamb, I would like to point out that Canone Ridge is a place. It is the location of the estate vineyard Canoe Ridge Vineyard and it also the home of Chateau Ste. Michelle’s red wine production facility. Drink now until 2013, this would pair well with Salmon Wellington or anything in the world of Wellington.

Taste The Aromas

Kimberly Grasso

Man Vintners 2009 Chenin Blanc: Okay the holidays are over the sun is still taking it’s sweet time just to keep it’s face showing and I am anxious to be in the water, rowing that is. What’s a girl to do? Well to bring back a bit of summer how about a nice glass of Chenin Blanc? With that being said I pulled out the Man Vintners 2009 Chenin Blanc and although it wasn’t like being at the beach, the melon, fruit and guava aromas helped to bring a hint of summer to my nose. This wine was crisp, bold and sweet with a refreshing mineral acidity which is characteristic of the coastal vineyards. The Agter-Paarl region had ideal weather and the vines were pretty much stress-free and if you can imagine a stress-free grape makes for a stress-free glass! Versatile food wine to go with most poultry, fish and salads. Serve chilled
Cheers!

2006 Dry Creek Valley Redemption Zinfandel

Lee Barczak

It was a pleasure to enjoy a bottle of 2006 Dry Creek Valley Redemption Zinfandel the other day from Alexander Valley Vineyards. Wow! This is a real classic flavor burst of a very distinctive zinfandel. The color is intense and one cannot help but find this a visual treat. Then the nose…earthiness but in a very pleasant, welcoming style with a quick transition to burnt, bittersweet chocolate. So inviting it made me want to sip it immediately. The first was a combination of blackberry and spice. This had a nice finish that seemed to leave a trace of blueberry, but baked, like you taste in a pie. There was then a lingering trace of star anise and pepper. Can’t wait to have another bottle! This is part of a trio of Zins from the winemaker called Temptation, Sin and Redemption. I don’t care where you find yourself on that continuum, I don’t think you will be disappointed. Cincin!

Taste the Aromas

Kimberly Grasso

Purple Angel by Montes 2006: Every once in a while you get a scent of a wine that is really extraordinary, subtle and unique, and it usually happens when you least expect it. That is exactly what happened upon opening the 2006 Purple Angel by Montes. The aromas of ripe blackberry and black cherry had a secondary chocolate cake powder scent and then suddenly you get the black pepper and eucalyptus…wow! With all these wonderful aromas I couldn’t wait for the palate! The blend of 92% Carmenere and 8% Petit Verdot, provide sweet dark fruit, black licorice and raspberry combine with a hint of banana and spice. With 18 months in new French Oak, a smooth long chewy finish and soft tannins, this is nothing short of angelic!