One of the big hits at last Friday's wine tasting was (surprise?) an organic California Merlot from Robert Sinskey Vineyards.
Now this is not your cliché "California" merlot that was made such fun of in the movie Sideways.
It combines classic California characteristics with Old World finesse and complexity to create an outstanding wine, and a great food wine, too. It has a fantastic nose with thyme, bay leaf and licorice mingled with the deeper scent of ripe blackberry. On the palate, rich ruit is accompanied with well-developed silky tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a smooth, indulgent texture that echoes its velvety color.
It's also a great addition to the growing list of ORGANIC products that we use in our baskets.
The other wine favorites from last Friday were Domaine d'Aupilhac (southern France) and Chateau Haut Rion (a white Bordeaux).
Sylvain Fadat, at right, makes great wines in the south of France in the little village of Montpeyroux. If you haven't yet discovered the wines this region, this would be a great place to start.
It's like a slow dance with a beautiful girl on a summer evening. It's earthy and sultry and charged with potential. You just want to keep dancing. A dark black-red wine with scents of earthy herbs and blackberries. Solid structure with balanced tannins and acids, great finish. A blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault. It was a huge winner at our last wine tasting. You'll find it in our Connoisseur's Choice basket, or choose it for any other wine basket on our site.
The white wines of Bordeaux provide a great alternative to your run-of-the-mill California Chardonnay. We were delighted to find this floral blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Chateau Haut Rian is lively, clean, crisp, with lovely citrus notes and a lush, lingering finish.
