What's in the Gullett

Tonight's vino is a 2005 Chloe & Jeremy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. You'll never be disappointed in a Philippe Melka wine (unless of course it's corked). This is quite a young wine that could actually stand to age for a few years (3-5 at least). That being said, it's dense and velvety, plummy and fig-licious. The price point reflects the experience P. Melka crafts into his wines. A wine you take your time sipping throughout the evening as it continues to open up. A delicious wine that's worth adding to a collection (if you don't want to splurge for their Metisse label).

What's in the Gullet

A 2005 Alto Moncayo Veraton Garnacha. A 100% Spanish Grenache wine with 15.5% alcohol. Modeled very much in the American fruit bomb tradition (though not in the unbalanced sense). It's always interesting to drink a 100% varietal, especially one that isn't so common.
It has an inky purple body that forms long slender fingers along the glass (from the high alcohol) after a good swirl. Delicious aromas of butterscotch, blackberry, vanilla and plum. Soft and smooth forward palate with a nice peppery spice on the way to the gullet. A fantastic Spanish wine that's well worth the reasonable price. salud!

What's in the Gullet

Tonight I'm fortunate enough to be enjoying a Napa Valley 1974 Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. I raided my father's wine cellar and have been wanting to drink this bottle for the past two years. I was actually pleasantly surprised that it has held up so well. For a 33 year old Napa Cabernet it's a pretty amazing wine. The color is still a strong deep ruby (only very slight brick-red edges) and the nose has got that minty/menthol aroma, from the days when the eucalyptus groves that grew around Martha's Vineyard influenced the grapes on the vines. Pretty spectacular really. It's probably just beyond it's aging plateau, but it's not showing too many grey hairs. It's got a bit of tart cranberry on the palate in the beginning, but opened up to a smoother brandy chocolate nose. Also, some remnants of black currant and minty raspberry flavor, light nuttiness (like hazelnut, pecan) as well. An unbelievable relic. Glad there's another one in the basement, I'll have to open it in a few years alongside the '75 to see how they pair). salut!

Weekends with Wine

It's been a while since I've posted anything about the wine I'm drinking (my last post featuring the Prisoner wine). So, this weekends feature is the Monticelli Brothers and their 2005 Mario Sangiovese from the Russian River Valley. It should go without saying that if I'm posting about it then I love drinking it. If you're not familiar with a Sangiovese varietal, take this bottle with you to your favorite Italian restaurant and thank me later. Sangiovese has its roots in Tuscany and is the backbone of most Chianti wines (which are upwards of 90% Sangiovese, and rounded off with lesser known blending vareitals). It's not clear from the label what the percentage is of Sangiovese fruit, but next time I run into the winemakers I'll find out and update this posting. The first thing that jumps out at you is the distinctly California fruit bouquet (think spicy strawberry), that's cut with a fair edge of vanilla oak. It has a light and crisp body with a little bit of acidity that makes it work so well with pasta dishes, tomato sauces, pizzas. It's not as earthy as a lot of Chianti's can be, which I typically prefer, and the oak seems to lend a sweetness to the wine rather than a tar element. The best part of the experience is this bottle retails for $28. One footnote here; I drank my wine in crystal wine glasses, which can completely transform a wine. Don't believe me? Try it out for yourself. *salut!*

What's in the Gullet Tonight

Tonight's feature wine is The Prisoner out of Orin Swift Cellars. This delicious wine use to be a cult favorite within the Napa Valley (a little gem that not many people knew about outside of the valley, and we were glad for it). That is until Wine Spectator got a hold of it, gave it 90-something points and then forced a higher production and price for the wine. To be fair though, it's still an unpretentious and super juicy wine. Owner/Winemaker Dave Phinney blends Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Syrah and Charbono for a super-fruity, rich, and delicious wine. The best part, it's under $30!! A relatively high alcohol content and the ripe Zin, Cab., Syrah, combo make this a Napa Valley fruit bomb with loads of cherry, licorice, blackberry flavors. It should no doubt make you a return customer. Get on their mailing list and you might even be privileged enough to get your hands on their Mercury Head "label" as well. shhh!! Let's keep that from Wine Spectator shall we?

Stop!

Before you take another sip of wine go out and get yourself some crystal stemware. Once you do, have yourself a side by side tasting. Pour yourself the same wine in a crystal glass as well as in a composite glass you've been drinking out of for so long (you know, the kind that sounds like tin when you flick it). It will prove to be a whole new experience. salut!

My Latest Favorite

A wonderful perk of living in the Napa Valley includes getting my hands on some delicious wines that many across the country may not ever discover. So, I'm going to give some recommendations every now and again. Consider it akin to insider information.
I've been loving this 2004 Zinfandel lately called Blockheadia Ringnosii. It's 100% Zinfandel made with Sonoma fruit. It's not one of those spicy zinfandels that can be so common with a 100% single varietal. It has some nice ripe blackberry flavors, mellow tannins and a nice, smooth finish. Salut!