Doña Paula Shiraz-Malbec 2006

Another quick little blog note:

Like the Zolo, this wine is from the Argentinian providence of Mendoza, and the dark ruby-violet color had me hoping for dark fruit in this one.  I’m happy to report that it doesn’t disappoint. This is one of those wines that I could spend all day just simply smelling…. tons of blackberry, plums, spices and black licorice.  The flavor profile to me was interesting because the initial flavor is rich, dark chocolate and then it reveals the blackberry, plums and licorice.  It very much had me thinking of biting into a boutique piece of chocolate candy that has that ultra-thick layer upon layer of rich, dark chocolate that encases a center of oh-so-yummy fruit.  Godiva couldn’t do better if they tried.  Nice tannins, not too over-powering, and a short yet smooth finish leaves me saying that I need to make sure that I have a bottle or two of this still around for those friends who don’t favor those “big” wines, yet want something a little more mid-weight.

Have you had this one yet?

 

Zolo Torrontés 2007

Just a quick little note on another new grape for me..

and what an exciting find!!

This lovely wine from the Mendoza province of Argentina is a gorgeous pale yellow with beautiful green highlights and offers a delicate, yet incredibly aromatic, nose of tropical flowers and herbs.

And, the taste was just as incredible: brisk acids, medium-bodied and the flavors of white peach, pear, and a hint of lime. 

The finish can only be described as loooooong, soft and smooth.  Absoultely wonderful…. Absolutely yummy!

Enjoy this one not chilled to truly experience all its remarkable layers

Nieto Senetiner, Bodegas Don Nicanor 2004 Blend

Being that I’m new to wine, but a long-time “foodie,” my entries will be a blend of wine and food notes.  My interest in wine lays in the complexities of its components.  Just as a fabulous dish is made from the creative applications of various textures and tastes, I feel that wines are created in the the same fashion.  Finding and appreciating those aspects is what expanding my palate is all about.  So, generally, my notes will begin with the initial impression of a wine and, then move into how its taste changes when paired with food.

First pour of this wine had me awed by the deep ruby/garnet color.  A gorgeous rich-looking wine that had me really hopeful that its taste would be just as rich.  All I could pick up on the nose was black cherry and maybe a hint of a smoky wood-like smell.

The taste was just as I’d hoped — full-bodied with rich dark cherry and soft oak flavors.  The mid-palate was a complex layering of dark fruit (maybe plum?) chocolate, a subtle green flavor (which I’m determined to define at some point) and some great soft earthiness (of which I am normally not a big fan, but works well with those curious green flavors).  The finish was beautiful!  A long finish with a black pepper tanginess that I know many people will love.  Its stated at 14.5% and, normally, I would think this to be too much, but its great.  Maybe my palate is ready for bigger and better.  Or, as John W would say… great tannins and great acids make a great wine!

So, tonight, I grilled some beef tenderloin medallions and served them with some grilled asparagus and grill-roasted golden fingerling potatoes…. all prepped very simply with just kosher salt, fresh ground pepper and extra-virgin olive oil (except for the potatoes to which i added some red pepper flakes and a few other spices).  Let me just say… tonight’s choices couldn’t have been better!  A perfect pairing!  The grilled beef balanced beautifully with the oak flavors of the wine, yet enhanced the cherries.  And the asparagus brought forward those sublte green flavors — though I was still unable to define the taste.  But, it has me wanting to spend more time getting to know this wine, and that’s always a good thing!

All in all, this wine is worth every bit of the $22 i paid for it.. its one of those wines that makes you just want to spend time getting to know.  I’m really looking forward to seeing if this develops any differently.