Hello everyone! Thank you for joining me for this week's reviews. This time I have selected some random wines that are absolutely amazing in their respective categories.
Let's start with one of the best tasting Rieslings I have had the pleasure of drinking.
The Chateau Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling is the result of a partnership between two of the World's best Riesling growers: Germany's Dr. Loosen, and Washington's Chateau Ste. Michelle.
It is this partnership that yields a very unique and delicious wine. Dr. Loosen brought their vines to the New World and found just the right partner and place to grow them to get the best results.
Eroica is an "ageable" Riesling, capable of resting for as long as ten years, due to the high quality of the grapes used to create this masterpiece of a Riesling.
Once the wine has had a few minutes to open in the glass, it yields a beautiful bouquet of apples, limes and a soft minerality. There is also a slight citrusy note of oranges or tangerines. It reminded me of the Solas Viognier from Laurent Miquel.
On the palate you are instantly aware that this is NOT a sweet Riesling, however, it is not completely dry. It has more of an off dry quality to it, making it a soft, enjoyable wine. It yields full fruit flavors of green apple, yellow pear, and finishes with a bit of lime. It gets a crisp, zestiness from the acid, but is not out of balance. In fact, this wine is perfectly balanced between the acid, minerality and fruit flavors. Pair this with anything from cheeses, breads, creamy soups, fish, chicken or pork dishes, and even desserts like crème brûlée, lemon pound cake, or madeleines.
Price range: $15-$20
Next up, the Rosé.
I selected the Gerard Bertrand Cotes des Roses because it has been our best selling rosé, and because it is simple, delicious, and refreshing.
On the nose, light fragrances of raspberries, strawberries and red plums invite you to taste this delicious year-round treat.
The first sip reveals the soft fruit flavors mentioned above and yields a surprising nuance of effervescence. This is not a sweet rosé, but it is not super dry either. There is a slight chalky minerality and an ever-so-slight saline note to the finish.
Hailing from France's southern Mediterranean region of the Languedoc-Roussillon, this wine was created with the intent of enjoying it on a warm sunny day overlooking the ocean while enjoying light coastal dishes. Perhaps that's why it has been so popular here in the Long Beach/Orange County coastal region. It will compliment breakfast fruits as well as morning favorites such as crêpes, French toast, blueberry pancakes and sourdough toast with jam.
Rather than the traditional Mimosa, try this wine with breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even as a pre-dinner wine with appetizers. The unique bottle design resembles that of a rose, so hang onto it when you've finished the wine, and use it for a centerpiece by adding colored water.
Price range: $10-$14
Finally, the red.
I have to confess: I selected this wine due to the label and its name. Who can resist a wine with a name like Troublemaker? I'm so glad I discovered this wine, because it has all the qualities that I have come to prefer in my red wines. It is big, bold, dark, earthy and very, very satisfying. This is what red blends are meant to be.
To get the most out of this wine, decant it for at least two hours. On the nose, this wine bursts from the glass with huge, deep, dark fruit notes and a port-like quality. Black everything: raspberries, cherries, currants, plums and fig. There is an equally present earthy note, like that of old book leather, used oak barrels and rich tobacco.
Once in your mouth, this wine does not disappoint. Massive, full notes of black fruits and figs accompanied by big, luscious tannins and a long drawn out finish that is very port-like, but not sweet. If you're like me, you will savor this wine all by itself. However, if you do wish to pair it with food, I would go big or don't even bother.
Spend the money and get a perfectly grilled Filet Mignon, Porterhouse or Prime Rib along with a fluffy baked potato loaded with butter and chives or roasted garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus with butter, sea salt and cracked black pepper. You can even save some of it for dessert, but have it with something decadent, like a multi-layered dark chocolate or raspberry-chocolate cake, dark chocolate truffles, or "molten lava" chocolate cake. I gotta stop, I'm making myself hungry.
I've enjoyed this wine in the past with the aforementioned dinner and afterwards with a pipe and a spicy, cherry flavored tobacco. If you are into big, bold, flavorful red wines, you will love it, too.
Price range: $15-$20