W.O.T.W

After a week off, I am back and better than ever.  This weeks wine is an old one but great one.  The world of wine has gotten so big that we often over look some old favs.  Now don't get me wrong, I love trying new wines from new places just as much as the next person.  But there is something about that oldie that reminds you why you got into the wine world after all.  For me it was Cousino~Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley Chile.

Cousino~Macul now in its 7th generation of family winemaking, is no dumby to making top notch Cabernet.  Located in the Macul district of Santiago, the Cousino family's sole purpose is to produce the ultimate Chilean wine.  In the late 1800's, Luis Cousino traveled to Bordeaux with his wife in an effort to study the world's best winemaking techniques.  When the couple returned, they not only brought with them some of Bordeaux's best Cabernet plantings, but several of the regions top experts.  These old Bordeaux plantings are throughout the estate in the Macul and Buin properties.  These centuries-old vines yield powerful wines rich in concentration and serious in structure. 

The Antiguas Reservas 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon has been crafted from estate vineyards with the philosophy of blending Old World elegance with New World style and flavor.  Since this wines debut in 1927, it has been well-structured with rich flavor and finesse.  These wines have a classic framework that will age gracefully.  Elegant, approachable and sustainably farmed, Antiguas Reservas is widely viewed as the benchmark for Chilean Cabernet.

As much as the rich tradition, location, and commitment to quality from the family is attributed, we must also tip our hat to Winemaker Pascal Marty.  He has held several esteemed positions at renowned wineries around the world(Baron Philippe de Rothschild, d'Armialhas & Clerc Milon to name a few).  The last project that he over saw was the joint collaboration in Chile between Rothschild & Mondavi by producing a wine called Almaviva.  Since Marty joined Cousino~Macul in 2003 his track record for the Antiguas Reservas Cabernet speaks for itself.  4 straight vintages of 90+ from Robert Parker.  The current vintage is awesome and for under $20 bucks it's hard to beat....

"This Antiguas Reservas vintage shows an intense red color with hints of violet and burgundy.  It has an expressive nose, with aromas of red berries and black cherries.  In mouth, it is nice and fruity, with notes of ripe plum. Its rich acidity and soft tannins makes it a well structured and elegant wine."  Pascal Marty

It is an ideal wine to accompany red meats like steak with mushrooms, stewed lamb, doves, partridges and kidneys in sherry.

W.O.T.W

This weeks wine of the week is a wine that I recently had at a dinner at Reynolds Plantation, Willakenzie Pinot Blanc.  This Pinot Blanc from the Willamette Valley shows a great depth of character and complexity. 

"The 2009 Pinot Blanc opens with aromas of exotic fruits, including grapefruit, gooseberry, guava and pineapple, along with perfumed honeysuckle, jasmine and orange blossom, with a hint of lemongrass. On the palate, this wine has flavors of honeydew, juicy grapefruit, green apple and stone fruits, marked with an initial richness and a hint of sweetness that evolves into a bright, fresh acidity".

WillaKenzie Estate is a small family-owned winery dedicated to the highest expression of terroir, making great wines from the Pinot family of grapes: Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir, as well as Gamay Noir made in the Beaujolais crus style. Owner Bernard Lacroute developed a passion for Pinot Noir in his native province of Burgundy.

The sedimentary Willakenzie soil on which the vineyards are planted and for which the winery is named, displays subtle variations throughout the estate. Differences in elevation, from 300 to 750 feet, inclination, from gently rounded hilltops to 40 degree slopes, top soil depth, restrictive sandstone layer depth, drainage, exposure, row orientation and microclimate all contribute to create specific terroirs, which are expressed in the distinctive character of each WillaKenzie Estate wine. A further level of diversity and complexity is provided by the selection of more than 10 different clones of Pinot Noir planted across the estate. Creating estate wines that explore and express the specific qualities and combinations of clones and terroir is at the heart of WillaKenzie Estate’s philosophy.

WillaKenzie Estate - 2009 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley

"Lively, silky and refreshing for its pear, citrus and green almond flavors, dancing brightly through the finish." - Harvey Steiman

October 15, 2010-Wine Spectator 90 Points

W.O.T.W

Happy 4th.  I hope everyone is in front of a grill with a cold one in their hand.  Or maybe a glass of vino? 

This weeks wine of the week is Decoy Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Napa Valley California.  This is a winery that is part of the Duckhorn Wine Company.  This winery is truly a unique propriety in the fact that it benefits from talent, expertise, & experience from all of Duckhorns winemakers.  Bill Nancarrow, of Duckhorn Vineyards,  oversees the crafting of Decoy’s Bordeaux varietal wines. Paraduxx Winemaker David Marchesi oversees Decoy Zinfandel. Migration Winemaker Neil Bernardi produces the Decoy Chardonnay and collaborates with Goldeneye Winemaker Zach Rasmuson on Decoy’s Pinot Noir.  An unbelievable track record of winemakers to produce what they call "The everyday wine for the well-informed". 

Duckhorn Vineyards has been crafting Sauvignon Blanc since 1982 and has expanded on this tradition with the Decoy Sauvignon Blanc.  The 2010 Decoy Sauvignon Blanc was fermented exclusively in stainless steel to achieve the lively expression of Sauvignon Blanc, highlighting grapefruit, kiwi, kaffir lime, lemon zest and fresh-cut grass aromas. The palate is bright and balanced, and the flavors echo the aromas, with additional notes of pineapple, gooseberry and minerals leading to a full, refreshing finish.  Serve this as an aperitif with a seafood terrine.

This wine can be found easily around town and for about $20.