I'm hoping by now everyone's had the chance to see "Bottle Shock", the awesome movie about the 1976 Judgment Of Paris, where judges couldn't tell which wines were American, and which were French. It's a great movie, and I cried throughout the WHOLE thing! they've even got a few Gallo digs, which just makes me all tingly inside! The only thing that would have topped it was if Alice Fiering and Jancis Robinson got into a celebrity death match and got mutilated by the surprise referree Jennifer Rosen in a belly dancer costume, dripping with shiny jangly things!!! *sigh* Oh well, a girl can dream.
Chateau Montelena, the winery the movie is based on, has just been sold by "Bo" Barrett (with Dad's approval) to Michel Reybier who owns Cos d'Estournel, a winery in Saint- Estephe.(Bordeaux, France)
I don't know how I feel about that.
On one hand, I'm happy, as this kind of implies The United States is finally getting some recognition (not by our amazing ability to throw high-class hissy fits) but from the "authorities on good wine" a.k.a. The French.
On the other, is this a sign of how bad our economy is failing? Is this really the American dream? Find a niche, fill said niche, then sell out to the highest bidder?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
2004 Montecillo Crianza, Rioja, Spain
Bought this on a whim, as the $7 price tag was too hard to pass up, and I think I'm becoming a "Temp Tramp" (as in Tempranillo, jerk!) !
Pouring this baby gives you an indication of it's character right away! It's a beautiful, brooding garnet color, the nose is big with dark chocolate, espresso, black tea, black currant, and blackberries.
It's dry, full bodied, medium tannins, very "firm" in the mouth, with pronounced black pepper, smoke, violets, dark chocolate, black cherry, espresso flavors.
It's medium alcohol, at 13.5% but, *DAMN*!
It's got a great finish, long but not terrible, it's so full and robust, and in-your-face about it's flavors! This is NOT a sissy wine, and I can't decide if I'd rather have it with buffalo steak, barbecue, or spicy sausage gumbo....
After spending some time with this (including a bubble bath) I'm really liking this more and more! Sure, it's a little showy, and puts hairs on your chest, but I'm kind of digging that. If it's too much for you, try chilling it, putting your big girl panties on, or letting it breathe for about twenty minutes. It's nice to witness the in-glass transformations of this particular Temp; it becomes more savory, more bacon and game and meat flavored. (And if that doesn't get you drooling, I won't mention the chocolate covered bacon I'm plotting on next!!!)
I bet Robert Parker would cream his jammies if there was more oak in this!!
Pouring this baby gives you an indication of it's character right away! It's a beautiful, brooding garnet color, the nose is big with dark chocolate, espresso, black tea, black currant, and blackberries.
It's dry, full bodied, medium tannins, very "firm" in the mouth, with pronounced black pepper, smoke, violets, dark chocolate, black cherry, espresso flavors.
It's medium alcohol, at 13.5% but, *DAMN*!
It's got a great finish, long but not terrible, it's so full and robust, and in-your-face about it's flavors! This is NOT a sissy wine, and I can't decide if I'd rather have it with buffalo steak, barbecue, or spicy sausage gumbo....
After spending some time with this (including a bubble bath) I'm really liking this more and more! Sure, it's a little showy, and puts hairs on your chest, but I'm kind of digging that. If it's too much for you, try chilling it, putting your big girl panties on, or letting it breathe for about twenty minutes. It's nice to witness the in-glass transformations of this particular Temp; it becomes more savory, more bacon and game and meat flavored. (And if that doesn't get you drooling, I won't mention the chocolate covered bacon I'm plotting on next!!!)
I bet Robert Parker would cream his jammies if there was more oak in this!!
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