I am not an expert, just a discerning wine lover or amateur de vin (as the French say), but everyone has a different palate, likes and dislikes so it must be understood that any of my recommendations are personal. I just hope that you find them useful or at the very least - interesting. I also hope you enjoy my photos. It is more fun sharing then keeping them backed up on a hard drive.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Southern France Beauties...

Provence is touted for many things but I find the wines to be under appreciated and there are certainly some fabulous value for quality. The Triennes Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah blend is great illustration of that.
This 9 Euro blend was a prize find for me when I was in Cannes.

Domaine de Triennes Les Auréliens - 2008, Vin de Pays du Var, Provence $13.00 - 17.60

This red is robust. Black fruit, gamey, spicy, herbaceous. Complex and balanced.


http://www.saq.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=75705&parent_category_rn=&shouldCachePage=

http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-82390-2008-domaine-de-triennes-coteaux-varois-les-aureliens-rouge-provence-france
Next up Cazouls-les-Beziers (Languedoc) and Domaine Castan where I visited a wonderful family winery and tasted the whole range. One wine really stood out as populist and approachable and even though this Syrah and Grenache blend is quite different in 2007 & 2009, they were both pleasing. I enjoyed tasting them side-by-side so much that I bought two and compared them again when I got home!

Domaine Castan - Terrior du Lias- 2007, Coteaux du Languedoc - 8.00 Euro
Pronounced nose with dark fruit, clove, pepper and spice. Licorice on nose which follows through on palate. Lively on palate.

Domaine Castan - Terrior du Lias- 2009, Coteaux du Languedoc - 8.00 Euro
Fresh black and red fruit with hints of spice and pepper.

http://domandrecastan.free.fr/carte.html

http://www.prlog.org/11641212-smithfield-wine-introduces-domaine-castan-wines-to-the-uk-market.html

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Elegant, Easy-Drinking New World Value

I admit that I have so much to write about after my recent trip to France that I can barely organise my thoughts. Between work, school and my blog, I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Social media is a pleasure and a pain, life can be so busy that it is hard to be consistent... so I decided to cut myself a break and just write this week about a wonderful Chilean find. Yes, still finding time to taste wine and oh yeah, conveniently there is a French connection, just to make me feel better. Run don't walk...

BARON PHILLIPPE DE ROTHSCHILD - ESCUDO ROJO, 2008 - MAIPO, CHILE $14.55
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah & Cabernet Franc blend. Nose of spicy blackberry with hints of tobacco and slight mint. Integrated and elegant on the palate. Extra yummy with aged, hard cheese.


http://www.bpdr.com/xgb/default.asp

http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/product/details.do?language=EN&itemNumber=590331