Friday, March 5, 2010

The Friday Lineup

A weekly commentary on selected wines tasted.

2007 Mouton Cadet Bordeaux Rouge (about $10). Sometimes a flaw can be charming, as in a dinner companion’s crooked grin or a touch of green stemmy-ness in a red Bordeaux. The vins gendarmes don’t like any vegetable notes in their red wines, due to early harvesting, but some of us grew up with a hint of greenbriers in our reds and still enjoy it. This Mouton also has good fruit from the 65% Merlot, 20 Cab Sauv and 15 Cab Franc blend. Buy.

2007 Clos de La Chance “Hummingbird Series” Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon ($18). This falls into that nice-for-the-price category – good fruit, minerally, touch of leather, mild tannins. Not complex. Consider.

NV Fantinel Prosecco Vino Spumante Extra Dry ($15). Usually the extra dry category is littered with saccharine wines, but this is not one of them. It is as complex, fruity and clean on the palate as most bruts. Buy.

2008 Patone Cellars Brandywine Valley “La Fleur Blanc” (22). This is a promising new winery from Pennsylvania’s Chester County that uses purchased fruit, and with this wine the fruit is a blend of apples and oranges. At least in the flavors – orange notes from the Viognier, and apples from its Chardonnay companion. A very chalky wine, with a crisp and refreshing finish. Try.

2007 Patino Cellars Brandywine Valley Malbec ($30). Lots of cassis and spicy peppermint, yet this isn’t a fruit-forward wine, but more of a savory one. Well-made and interesting. Consider.

Until next time....

Roger Morris

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