Potential Gold

Wine Blogging Wednesday #005

This week I opened up a 2007 Napa  Valley Chardonnay marketed by the Costco wholesale club and branded with the Kirkland logo.  This Chardonnay is a perfect example if a wine which is an outstanding deal for the money spent.

Sure, you can go to Trader Joe's or Cost Plus and find something cheaper, but a huge thing in the wine-O world is the "QPR".  The QPR is the Quality to Price Ration and when you're looking for good buys, you want to make sure your QPR is as good as you can get it.

This wine, in my opinion, is a great QPR.  Clearly we've taken these three letter to perform as a noun which is common with wine-O's so try not to let it bother you if it isn't 100% correct English!

The Lowdown:

• Vintage: 2007
• Varietal(s): Chardonnay (100%)
• Producer: Costco (Kirkland brand) WINE MADE BY: D.C. Flynt M.W. Selections
• Cost: +/- $9 US

With notes of apricot and green apple on the nose, the well rounded and soft mouthfeel of this wine really won me over.  I am not fan of white wines but when they are approachable, not too acidic and not too oaky and woodsy, I love them.  This Chardonnay really hit the spot for me with great fruit and well balanced oak and acidity.  It is a dry wine, made of 100% Chardonnay and 2007 was a fantastic year for wine in Napa Valley. 

What do you think about Chardonnay?  There's a stereotype out there which seems to lean on the side of women preferring Chardonnay and White wines more than Reds (but I know my wife loves the reds more than the whites...).  What do you think?  Any great Chardonnay's you'd like to share info about?

Please post your comments/questions below!

Wine Blogging Wednesday #004

Below is episode number four for Wine Blogging Wednesday.  I opened up a delicious "Orange" wine from the Central Coast of California.  Near Lompoc to the North and Santa Barbara to the South, the Celestina (Pinot Grigio) is skillfully made by Point Concepción (aka Point Conception).

Below the HD Video are the key points and other info.  Be sure to check back again next week for another WBW and keep reaching for that Potential Gold!

The Lowdown:

• Vintage: 2007
• Varietal(s): Pinot Grigio (100%)
• Producer: Point Conception
• Cost: $17

*Wine Maker's Info: The 2007 vintage was one of the driest years on record for Santa Barbara County.  The juice of traditionally vinified pinot grigio is pressed whole cluster and fermented to produce a white wine.  In the winemaking - these grapes were instead destemmed and the berries and juice placed in a bin with dry ice, as if making a red wine.  After four days of cold soaking to extract color and flavor from the crimson skins, but before fermentation began, the must was pressed and the pink juice placed into new French oak barrels to ferment for 21 days. When fully dry, racked into neutral oak to complete elevage. (from the Point Conception website)

Overall I really enjoyed this wine.  The nose is excellent and full of really yummy fruits and spice like clove.  The flavor is delicious too.  I had some for dinner last night and it went really well with Balsamic & Dijon Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs and a rough cut Greek style salad... is there a 'salivating' smiley!?

Leave your comments below!  So who do you think WILL win the Super Bowl???  Saints or Colts

Wine Blogging Wednesday #003

My third episode of Wine Blogging Wednesday is below.  This week I tasted a 2005 Domaine de Pibarnon Bandol which is made from Mourvedre and Grenache. 

See the side notes below the video when you're through watching.  Enjoy and please leave any/all feedback in the comments section.  Cheers!

Sorry about the quality - I need some lighting....(or a better camera!)

The Lowdown:

• Vintage: 2005
• Varietal(s): Mourvedre (90%), Grenache (10%)
• Producer: Chateau de Pibarnon
• Cost: $35

Tasting this wine alone, I wasn't able to finish the bottle off - actually, I didn't want to finish the bottle off.  I knew that the following day this wine would shine more than it did when I tasted it. 

On second taste, the wine really mellowed out.  The oxygen really helped open the wine up and I would say that this wine easily needs at least four hours to breathe before you should drink it.  Taste it through the progress and you'll agree with me. 

I really liked that there was already a thick layer of sediment stuck to the sidewall of the bottle once it was empty.  Not loose sediment that fell into the last glass, but the thick stuff which shows signs that the wine will age well.  I am going to wait five years before I open the next bottle (note to self - hide the last two bottles somewhere far, far away...)

Overall, this wine is awesome.  FIND some if you are up to it.  This wine is a thinker's wine.  Lots of stuff in the glass - not just a big pile of fruit.  If you're into something with a bit more depth  than this is for you.  I think the 90+ score is perfect for this wine.  It is yummy!

Leave your comments below!

Wine Blogging Wednesday #002

For the second Wine Blogging Wednesday of 2010 I chose to review a fresh, crisp Sauvignon Blanc.  The 2005 Sancerre from Domaine Roland Tissier et Fils is an excellent wine.  Check out the show below.

The Lowdown:

• Vintage: 2005
• Varietal(s): Sauvignon Blanc
• Producer: Domaine Roland Tissier et Fils
• Cost: $18 (purchased on sale for $10)

Leave your comments below - let me know what wines from the Loire you enjoy most!