Mondays can be a drag. I have found that my Monday nights are much better when I try some wine. Each Monday night Shauna and I will try one white and one red and then let yall know what we think.
Winery: Azienda Agricolo Grillo
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Colli Orientali del Friuli (Italy)
Vintage: 2005
Approximate Retail: $25.00
Importer: Vino Bravo (www.vinobravo.com)
Fun Fact: A portion of the wine is aged for 6 months in barrel on the lees. (http://en.mimi.hu/wine/lees.html).
Tasting Notes: Friuli is one of my favorite growing regions in Italy, especially for aromatic whites. I have never tried a wine from Axienda Agricolo (winery) Grillo or from this importer, Vino Bravo. The moment I poured the wine I knew we where in for a treat. The wine that greeted us was pale gold in color with gorgeous aromatics. There are aromas of white peaches, apricots, Myer lemons, white flowers and chalk. I just stuck my nose in this wine for a while before I took a sip so I could just escape in its melange of aromas. For those that always say they don't want to drink white wine, yall are missing out and need to get on the band wagon. Whites like this are transcendent and almost hedonistic. The palate continued the story of exotic fruit and floral flavors. One of the most intriguing qualities of this wine is its texture. Since a portion of the wine is aged in barrel and on the lees there is a richness and creaminess to the wine that adds to the complexity and beauty. Even with this richness the wine is well balanced and has a bright pop of acidity on the finish to wash down the simple pasta with olive oil we were enjoying. The wine has an incredible finish that lasts well over 30 seconds. I highly recommend this wine and as you can see it is almost 3 years old (remember the grapes are picked in the fall) and the wine was fresh and vibrant, so no need to worry that the wine is past its prime.
Winery: La Croix Bonis
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet
Franc
Region: Saint-Estephe, Bordeaux, France
Vintage: 2003
Approximate Retail: $25.00
Importer: Various
Fun Fact: The second label to Chateau Phelan Segur
Tasting Notes: Even with the current Euro/US dollar issues we are facing Ifirmly believe that you can still get better value and quality out of Europe and La Croix Bonis proves my point. This wine is a great wine for those who have been firmly rooted in drinking wines from the USA. 2003 was a very hot vintage so the wines are a bit more plump and upfront from other vintages yet the wine still provides that Bordeaux-ness us Francophiles need it our wines. La Croix Bonis is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and is a great example of why this grape is considered a "noble variety". The wine is inky purple in color with dense aromas of blackcurrant, plum, black cherries, cedar, dried savory herbs and clove. The palate is full and rich with fine but not firm tannins. The primary fruits are present but not over bearing or singular. There is nuance between the fruits that make this wine complex and worthy of its price. The wine is aged in oak for 12 months and is very well integrated and not at all primary in the wines flavor profile. Though the acidity levels are not as high as they would be in other vintages, the wine is balanced. La Croix Bonis is a great way to introduce oneself to the wines of Bordeaux.
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