Great news! Vine Connections recently received outstanding Wine Spectator reviews for the current release of Luca Malbec 2007 and for several other much-anticipated, upcoming releases. Check them out below...oh yeah! LUCA - Shipping Now!
Malbec 2007
93 points | $35 | 1,700 cases
LUCA - Est. Release Date: November 1st
Nico 2005
94 points | $125 | 100 cases
NOSOTROS - Est. Release Date: November 1st
Malbec 2006
94 points | $100 | 200 cases
BENMARCO - Est. Release Date: January 1st
Expresivo 2006
92 points | $35 | 700 cases
| The Parker reviews came in last night during a heated match of petanque at Chateau Pesquie - and how fitting since Pesquie itself received the highest score in the 2005 Chateau Pesquie Quintessence - 93 Points "Pesquie's top cuvee, the 2005 Quintessence, comes from 80% old vine Syrah and 20% Grenache aged in new French oak for 12 months before being bottled with no fining or filtration. This is an opaque purple-hued, classic, cool climate Syrah from southern 2006 Chateau Pesquie Terrasses - 90 Points "The unfined/unfiltered 2006 Les Terrasses Rouge, a custom cuvee made for American importer Eric Solomon, is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a lovely bouquet of black currants, black cherries, licorice, smoke, roasted herbs, and melted licorice. Deep and full-bodied with velvety tannins, good acidity, and a long finish, this is a heck-of-a wine to drink over the next 4-5 years. |
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Well Labor Day weekend this year is all about staying local. Today marks the first official college football watching party - which means TexaCali Ali will be cooking for a handful of rowdy fans. In fact, my guy is a huge OU fan, so this is the first time EVER that I'll be hosting Sooner freakshows. Should be interesting... 
plenty of summer sipping days left in the season. Which brought him, natuarally, to Albarino ("consummate summer wine") and a tasting of 25 bottles in the market today. Which brought him, naturally, to Burgans which ranked among the top in the tasting and by far a best buy in the line up. 
ART ATTACK! Live Music and Local Art - Teira Sauv Blanc, Pellegrini Sauv Blanc & Family Blend plus Argentina's Budini Chardonnay and Cabernet are sponsors.Even with all of the attractions that the city of Austin has to offer, how many people can hook you up with live art complemented by live music and complementary beverages? That is exactly what you will get if you come out to the Austin Art Garage and Do512.com complex this Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. Born out of a desire to help support the local art community, there will be a silent live art auction during band performances including Brazos and Sunset, while patrons watch artists paint live and bid on their creations.
Bids start at $10, and complementary beverages will be provided by Sweetleaf Tea, TexaCali Wines, Lone Star Beer and Bacardi, who will be there teaching you how to make your own Bacardi Mojitos! 21+ w/ ID's ONLY will be admitted
$10 Suggested Donation at the door, only $5 with RSVP!
Bands Playing: BRAZOS, SUNSET, THE EARLY TAPES, Tenlons Fort, SITAR AND TABLA BY AMIE AND SHIV AND QAWWALI MUSIC BY RIYAAZ.
TexaCali Wine Co. begins a new ad campaign in September. Please keep your eye out for this ad at all Alamo Drafthouse Cinema locations throughout Texas. The ad is running in their monthly events program - easy to tear out and take with you when shopping for your favorite wines and sake...cheers - Ali
A little taste of summer a few days ago in Napa. Delicious! I've begun posting pictures of the trip on www.texacaliwine.com now. I've taken hundreds of photos and hours of video that needs a few hours of editing. Hoping to hunker down next week back in Austin to finish all of this for you all. 
Wines dominate with fruity flavors - If Susana Balbo's name is on your wine, you are in for a treat. After 22 years of winemaking experience, Susana Balbo has become one of Argentina's most acclaimed winemakers, standing out in a field dominated by men.
Fortunately you can sample her wine without breaking the bank. Balbo's value-priced wine label, Crios, offers fruit-forward enjoyment along with surprising complexity.
"Crios" means "offspring," an appropriate moniker for wines that are meant to be enjoyed in their youth.
Crios Rose of Malbec 2007 ($11) is bursting with ripe strawberry aromas and flavors. This dry rose has a lot of body and a clean crisp finish. It pairs beautifully with Mexican and Asian fare.
Another winner is Crios Torrontes 2007 ($16). Torrontes, the most widely planted white wine grape in Argentina, is reminiscent of viognier.
The 2007 Crios version is excellent, with layers of peach, pear and citrus flavors, and a beguiling floral quality. The ripe fruit flavors imply sweetness, but the finish is dry and refreshing. This versatile summer sipper is at home by the pool, alongside a cheese plate, or accompanying salads and seafood.
Susana Balbo also bottles reserve-level wines under her own name. My current favorite is Susana Balbo Malbec 2006 ($29). This deep purple wine has blackberry aromas, smooth black cherry and plum flavors, and hints of chocolate. The distinctive flavors of malbec, Argentina's signature red grape, are bolstered by 10 percent cabernet sauvignon. Enjoy this dense and aromatic wine with beef or wild game.
Vianei Robinson can be contacted at vlr@robinsonlawfirm.com. Her column appears on Wednesdays.
($11.99 to $12.99; Goody Goody, some Centennial stores, Pogo's, Central Market, Whole Foods Market in Highland Park)
This is the second time that the panel has fallen for this excellent, medium- bodied rosé with nice acidity (in May, it was a hit with our parmesan popcorn). It's from Argentina's famed Mendoza region, crafted by one of Argentina's first female winemakers. "It's got bright, expressive fruit," Mr. Pinnell said. Mr. Hendricks noted raspberry as well as strawberry flavors on the palate. Ms. Beck and Mr. Tidwell found it fruity without being too sweet. "It's great for a hot day," said Mr. Tidwell, who summed up the wine's rich berry profile as "yummy goodness," adding "the concentrated fruit will hold up to the heat."
A little down-home fun with Teira yesterday in the middle of Dry Creek. The new Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot were so fun to drink - nice hot day under a shade tree smack dab in the middle of 30 year old Merlot vines. Cool. - Ali
Took the crew directly West on River Rd. which dead ends to the Pacific Ocean. Hooked a left turn and drove about a mile south and hit the most fabulous beach for the afternoon.One of my last visits in Burgundy was with Etienne de Montille of Domaine de Montille, Deux Montille (the négociant business he runs with his sister Alix) and Domaine du Château de Puligny-Montrachet, where he is the estate manager.
De Montille has just finished reorganizing the domaine, where he and Alix are now the owners. He is in charge of vinifying the reds, she the whites for both the domaine and the négoce business.
None of the reds had been bottled. One group had been racked into tank in early November for bottling in March. Two cuvées were just racked two weeks prior to my visit for bottling in April. The third group was still in barrel and yet to be racked. They are scheduled for bottling in May or June.
De Montille’s insight into winemaking is fascinating to hear (see video). “I adapt every year,” he said. “With white wine, people are more careful, but with reds, people are more systematic each year. But I think it’s just as important to adapt the maturation for reds too,” he added.
For example, he will bottle the 2006s earlier than the ’05s, which saw 21 months in barrel, two months in tank and were bottled just before the 2007 harvest.
The Beaune Grèves, with 40 percent of the stems retained, was closed on the nose, but long, rich and fruity, offering cherry, mineral and spice notes (88–91). Also with 40 percent of the stems, the Pommard Pezerolles showed elegance for the appellation. It was dense and solid, with cherry and iron flavors. Perhaps a tad less complex than above today (88–91).
The Volnay Mitans revealed aromatic floral and red currant aromas and elegance. Its tannins were just a little coarse on the finish from the racking and filtering, but this was very Volnay (88-91). The Corton Clos du Roi, an approximate blend from barrel, was more stern, with wild garrigue scents, yet pure, mineral and racy with a long, cherry and spice aftertaste (90–93).
“There was a big gap between the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits at the beginning, but the Côte de Beaune is catching up,” de Montille said. “They won’t have the structure, roundness and profundity of the Côte de Nuits, but they will have the complexity and character.”
From the Côte de Nuits, the Nuits-St.-Georges Aux St.-Juliens is a new wine for the domaine in 2006. It offered blackberry and black currant flavors in a fresh, elegant, charming way (87–90). Its premier cru big brother, the Nuits-St.-Georges Les Thoreys, from further up the slope, was still in barrel. It featured blackberry and black cherry notes in a classy, refined manner (89–92).
There are two Vosne-Romanée Malconsorts chez de Montille, as of the 2005 vintage. The “normale” dished up a huge nose of black pepper, cinnamon, rose and red currant, with elegance, depth and length (90–93). The Christiane, from older vines, was deeper, sappier and more silky, a backward red with more structure and mineral than the regular bottling (91–94).
Several 2006 whites stood out. From the Deux Montille range, there was a fresh Meursault Tessons, showing honey, citrus and mineral flavors (88–91) and a riper, peach-, lemon- and mineral-tinged St.-Aubin Les Murgers des Dents de Chien (88–91). Under the Domaine Montille label, the Puligny-Montrachet Caillerets was full of passion fruit and mineral notes. It’s a linear white, very long and complete (90–93). The Corton-Charlemagne, from the first commercial release after grafting from Pinot Noir, displayed great intensity and mineral character, along with lemon, floral and apple flavors. A tensile white and very long in the mouth (92–95).
We then drove over to Château de Puligny-Montrachet, where we tasted a range of 2006s from tank and a few 2007s from barrel. “This [2006] is the first vintage since I have been here that we are close to what we want to do in the vineyards and cellar,” said de Montille.
The ’06s are impressive. I particularly liked the Puligny-Montrachet, a lively, straight-laced, hazelnut- and mineral-infused white (88–91). The St.-Aubin En Remilly was richer, with floral, peach and pear notes and a chalky, mineral finish (88–91).
The Puligny-Montrachet Chalumeaux was round and honeyed, with floral and peach flavors and a hint of orange blossom on the fresh finish (89–92). The Folatières also had
floral and orange blossom notes on an elegant, harmonious frame (89–92). The Meursault Perrières was cut from different cloth: Stone, apple and chalk elements were coiled tightly in the lean, tensile structure. It was very intense and long (91–94).
We tasted a Chevalier-Montrachet 2006, but it was in an awkward stage and compared with the Perrières, difficult to see where it was going. Judgment reserved.
Ahhh, what a great way to kick-off my stay in Sonoma. Quick trips to purchase fresh produce, seafood, wine and of course cheese (from The Cheese Shop in Healdsburg).
with a chef's kitchen, comfy decor and a sparkling pool to cool off. Here are a few snaps from my FLIP camera, I'm working on "getting better" with the videos...so stay tuned.
newer plantings. It is important to note that this wine is made in exactly the same way as the Hirsch and from the same fruit. In other words, it is a true ‘village’ wine and represents exceptional value. Tasting notes: Ruby-garnet colored. Exotic spice box aromas give way to Seville orange and bergamot. With air, subtle earth and leather notes emerge. On the palate, flavors of plum, tea, and tobacco vie for attention, braced by an inherent minerality that marks this as a typical expression of the site. A complete wine made with all the exacting care and site-specific attention to detail we bring to all our wines. - 2568 cases bottled 8/20/07; Cheers - Ali
Among thousands of California apple varieties, the heirloom Gravenstein is widely reg
arded as one of the best eating and baking apples. A fine balance of sweet and tart, its full-bodied flavor intensifies when made into sauce, juice, cider or vinegar. The apples also hold their shape beautifully in pies and tarts.
Warm, dry days, cool nights and Northern California’s mellow loamy soil provide ideal growing conditions for Sonoma County’s historic Gravenstein apple trees. The twisted trunk of a mature Gravenstein supports a 30-foot canopy laden with perfumed blossoms in the springtime. Some trees produce a prolific 2,000 pounds of fruit each.
Aficionados flock to Sebastopol during the Spring Apple Blossom Festival and again at the Gravenstein Harvest Festival in August.
As it ripens, the standard Gravenstein undergoes a pronounced change in color; from yellow or lime green, an intermediate light orange with red stripes, and finally to a medium orange with dark red stripes. Other apples oxidize after slicing, quickly turning an unappealing brown. Cut into a Grav and an orange tinge almost immediately blushes over the ivory flesh.
The Gravenstein was introduced to South Jutland, Denmark, in 1669, which is where it gained its name. German migrants brought the apple to North America in 1790 and Russian fur traders planted the first West Coast Gravenstein orchards at their outpost in Fort Ross in 1820, where the trees survived despite inhospitable conditions such as intense winds and salt air. It is likely that cuttings from theses trees were used to start the orchards in Sebastopol.
By the early 1900s thousands of Gravenstein orchards were established and the apple had become the heart of a major industry in Sonoma County as dryers, canners, apple cider and apple brandy producers took advantage of its suitability for processing. During World War II American troops were provided with applesauce and dried apples from Sebastopol Gravensteins, and this made the apple into an icon for the town.
An Apple a Day! - Ali
but look at this Kid! My nephew is showing off his new Cubs "Fukudome" shirt. Look at those cheeks. He just turned one, oh the bottles of wine my brother and sister in law went through during those first 12 months! Cheers - Ali
2006 Handley Gewürztraminer "There's a hint of rose if you search for it, but this is not aggressively floral. Instead, it's fresh, chalky, crisp and clean, like biting into a fresh litchi. Firm acidity drives the wine, cutting right through the fruit to deliver its flavor into the meat of whatever is for dinner." 93pts Wine & Spirits Magazine. 
Just returned from 2 days in Chicago ... Cubs, Views, Pizza and a little shopping - so fun! I posted all of the pics on www.texacaliwine.com
2006 Crios de Susana Balbo Cabernet Sauvignon
Medlock Ames Green Initiative: Rather than building fences, Sonoma’s Medlock Ames created wildlife corridors to allow wild pigs, deer, bobcats and mountain lions to pass through its vineyards without damaging the vines or themselves.
Wine to Buy: 2006 Chardonnay ($30) Though full-bodied, this creamy Chardonnay is elegant and focused, with lemony flavors that end on a mineral note. www.medlockames.com
Nice props for "Star Filled Sky" Sake on this July 4th Holiday...these triplets are just too cute and send a big Happy Holiday out to all fans of TexaCali from Colorado this weekend - their Daddy is the biggest fan of Vine Connections Sake I know! Cheers - Ali
SIGH. So I literally put the brakes on traveling over the past few weeks in order to dig out from months of packing and unpacking my bags and wine boxes. Knocked out my office yesterday - well, almost - everything that was placed on my desk needs to be filed and put away. No fun whatsoever. ARGH.
Value Brands 2008 |
| Top 9 American Value Brands |
| |
Handley
What: Cool-climate whites from one of the benchmark names of Anderson Valley.
Standout: The '06 Anderson Valley Pinot Gris is layered and complex, easily among the best pinot gris made in California. Likewise, Handley's '06 Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer is an Alsatian rock star hiding out on California's north coast. Both run $18.
Where: Milla Handley owns vineyards in Anderson Valley and Dry Creek Valley, and her winery is located outside of Philo, CA.
When: Open a bottle of the Pinot Gris with grilled weisswurst, while the Gewurztraminer, with its spicy citrus flavors and bright acidity, is the choice for Thai curry.
Also noted... Handley 2006 Anderson Valley Hein Vineyard Pinot Blanc (89 points): This bright white has pale apple and grape skin flavors, with a sweet hint of bee pollen in the end. A fine, summery, aperitif. (340 cases)
TEIRA 2006 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 87 points: Green scents of mint and mexican peppers give this plump wine a clean edge. It finishes on the flavor of grapefruit pith. Serve with raw clams. (1,490 cases)
For a detailed recap of the tasting wineandspiritsmagazine.com
from the South of France! Ffind these beautiful wines at the big downtown Whole Foods Store.
A mosaic of catalane terroir.
To represent the quintessence of a region which is said to be a world on its own… that is what Lafage Estate aspires to. It is a region of contrast that has been moulded between the crafty hands of the catharian wind and the Spanish mist, nestled between « mar i muntanya », where the Pyrenees Catalane offers diversity that can hardly be equalled elsewhere.
It is thanks to this heaven-sent eclecticism, and its exposition to the favourable rays of the fervid sun, that a vineyard of excellence has sprouted from the soil of the Lafage Estate . From the marble-and-limestone foundations of the towering Canigou, to the time-smoothed pebbles on the Mediterranean’s edge, progressing through the clay-limestone of the planes to the schist of Agly and situated merely a few yards from the viticulture village Maury, the Lafage Estate was established around the precipitous edges of the Roussillon valleys, on rich and alluvial soil, betwixt the tepid heights and the salty fresh spindrift. A sundry of influences, that ever as much adds to the redolence of the Lafage wines, concordant with the fruit, the unique character of the land and its grape-varieties.
As far as our desire for authenticity is concerned, the Lafage Estate is always on the lookout for new land of character. « We are looking for parcels of altitude, North-facing plantations that can fill up on freshness ». A perpetual quest in this multifarious region that has a sole
goal: that of obtaining the perfect harmony in each Lafage Estate wine!"
Kanbara Bride of the Fox – Junmai Ginjo
Enjoy intense aromas of grilled nuts, pistachio, and a hint of white chocolate. Flavors of roast nuts and ripe honeydew explode at the front and finishes crisp with a hint of lingering sweetness.
Mantensei Star-Filled Sky - Tokubetsu Junmai
The nose is led by steamed rice, fresh red plums, and suggestions of roasted peanuts. Bright and lean in the mouth, unlike many Nigori, and the impact is chewy with sweet rice flavors intermingling with the nutty and slightly fruity characteristics of the sake.
An extremely rare combination: Miho Imada represents one of the unusual instances in
rich taste and feel of Miho's sake.
This is fairly thick and chewy nigori (cloudy sake), but it is still surprisingly dry. The aromas are bright and fresh and they show a lovely ricey and fruity combination. In the mouth, this sake has solid weight and gives the same flavors of fresh fruit and creamy fresh rice that your nose told you about. You will rarely taste a classier nigori at this price
This mellow and round sake reveals cacao powder notes and sandalwood bouquet on the nose. Soft on the palate with gentle acidity that puts the accent on the light spice of white pepper and cedar-like flavors, the finish is clean but encompassing.
Rich, Heartbreaking and Delicious – just like Mr.Big.
Rihaku is proud to boast the highest average rice milling rate of all Japanese breweries. This sake is a good example why—while it is already unusual to produce high-quality nigori at the Tokubetsu Junmai grade, Rihaku's goes one better by making a Dreamy Clouds that goes beyond the minimum, and could technically qualify as a Junmai Ginjo grade nigori.
This is a rich, full flavored sake with fresh-cut green grass aromas and hints of tropical fruits with cantaloupe leading by a nose. The mouth feel is silky with mango and baked pear flavors and suggestions of creme brulée, though the sweetness is kind to the palate with excellent acidity leading the way to the finish.
This Summer’s Blockbuster Selection of Ginjo Sake!
