the baldwinegeek is on hiatus for a few days

"I love waking up in the morning not knowing what I'm gonna do or who I'm gonna meet. Just yesterday I was sleeping under a bridge, and today I'm on the grandest liner in the world drinking champagne with you fine people. I'll have some more please."

1995 Chateau Tour St. Bonnet Médoc

a gift from a friend, this bordeaux has been laying for about 6 months in my cellar, much longer in my friends cellar. special occasions should warrant special wines. with a move to a new city in the near future, i wanted to celebrate. this was purchased a long time ago for about $6-10. a bargain at the time. 1995 was one of those banner years for bordeaux. i was honored to receive this as a gift. the nose was fruity, floral, earthy mushroom and cedar. the fruit aromas came forth further as the wine opened up. on the palate, raspberry flavors came through followed by some very nice earthy notes. this was a beautifully delicate wine with subtle characteristics that changed a grew as the wine opened. very firm tannins softened nicely with air and the fruit flavors burst through. mushroom and damp forest floor notes also came through. exceptional alone or with food (we had pork ribs and corn on the cob), this was a beautiful wine. not sure if this can be found today, and you would be paying a premium for it. but the 2000 and 2005 bottles are available and the '05 can be purchased for a reasonable $20-25.

Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2007

interesting sauvignon blanc from new zealand. melons, grass, and lime on the nose. the palate was in many ways very typical of new zealand with lots of tropical fruit flavors, especially grapefruit and pineapple, but the interesting part was the spice note. usually you get the tart, citrus finish. this one had a white pepper note that was a different and enjoyable change. gave the wine a really nice zingy finish. good summer deck wine that will go with most summer fare. sells for about $15.

Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir 2006

sorry for the lack of posts lately but the baldwinegeek and the comely brunette are embarking on a life changing experience of relocating to a new state and things have been a bit hectic. i am sneaking in a few wine moments when i can. i tried this new zealand pinot noir some time ago and made some notations about it. a worthy pinot at a price of about $28. the nose was raspberry, cherry, and some nice earthy notes. the taste was raspberry and a little plum. also some nice earth flavors, like forest floor. the finish was a little smoky and tannic. overall, very nice pinot.

Chateau La Pierre Levee 2005

i opened this bordeaux blend the other day on a whim. i paid about $13 for it and the 2005's are getting lots of rave reviews. the nose was plums, a little chocolate and a nice earthy note. the taste was very nice. light bodied and fruit forward with flavors of cherries and plums and firm tannins. as the wine opened up, more earth flavors started to emerge, with some nice cedar notes and some chocolate as well. the blend on this wine is mostly merlot and cabernet franc. enjoy this with a wide variety of foods or like i did, all by itself.

Chateau Ste Michelle Orphelin Red 2005

this red blend from washington is a favorite of mine. in fact i blogged on the 04 and now we get to try the 05. a blend of 56% syrah, 15% mourvedre, 10% cinsault, 8% grenache, 4% cabernet sauvignon, 3% petit verdot, 2% touriga, and 1% pinot noir and 1% viognier. wow! there is some serious blending going on here. the nose was plums, earth and spice notes. the taste was very robust and almost chewy. lots going on here. flavors of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate, a little pepper, and some vanilla. the finish was very long and enjoyable. very nice price of $14.99.

Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc 2008

i prefer red wine but in the warm weather, nothing beats a nice chilled white for the patio. this new zealand offering fits the bill and all for the nice price of about $10. the nose is citrus and tropical fruits. the flavor was very new zealand with lots of citrus and pear and some nice mineral notes in a nicely structured wine with a crisp, medium finish. perfect for all your favorite summer time dishes, you will want to go back for more of this after you finish the first bottle.

Rosso di Montalcino 2006 Il Poggione

i had this wine at a little italian called place tre angelina in white plains new york where i dined with the comely brunette. the wine is a sangiovese and left us wanting more. the nose was very floral with roses coming through. there was also nice white pepper and soft cedar notes and as the wine opened up, i got a strawberry aroma. the taste was wild berries, highlighted by raspberry, with floral lavender tastes and anise. i got the anise taste early and that seemed to changed into a softer, woody flavor. the wine had great structure and smooth, silky tannins. i enjoyed this with a salmon dish but this would also go well with pasta with meat sauce and grilled meats. sells for about $20.

Wine Wisdom

sorry for the lack of postings. the baldwinegeek has been away from the computer for a bit. a new posting will be here tomorrow about a nice italian red…the wisdom?

"it is not a wine that commands your attention, but rather, rewards it."

337 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

i tried this cab back in march at the cincinnati wine festival. i bought a bottle recently and had it laying for about a month and had the perfect food pairing of pork chops, mashed potatoes and vegetables. the wine had a nice nose of black cherry, spice and a little chocolate/mocha. i got some real nice black cherry and blackberry flavors with licorice and hints of cedar on the palate. nice silky tannins and a lingering finish, all for the the nice price of $12. excellent food wine.

Fess Parker 2003 Syrah Santa Barbara County

i've had this one before and visited the winery in santa barbara and decided to try a bottle again. nose was black cherry, with an herbal minty note and some spice notes as well. flavor was blueberry and that herbal, cooling taste and some nice spice (nutmeg?) and vanilla notes. medium, well balanced tannins and some really interesting meat notes toward the finish as well. full mouth feel. nice red which sells for $23.

Dignus Crianza 2004

spanish wines have intrigued me lately and this one is no exception. a blend of 50% tempranillo, 25% merlot and 25% cabernet sauvignon, this red has a nose of black cherry, licorice and some nice earthy forest floor. the flavor is black currant and earth with some licorice thrown in as well. nice easy tannins and very drinkable and the price is nice too, selling for $12. well worth a try and this will pair with lots of summer grilled foods, barbecue, and burgers. even pizza.