2005 Santa Julia Magna (Cab-Malbec-Syrah)

I could not believe what I heard when I went to the LCBO to purchase this bottle....."sorry we are sold out."   WHAT!!!! it was just released the day I went, but after some talking she happened upon a couple more bottles.  

I ventured home and opened it up and let it decant for about an hour and a half....it didnt help this wine, it is just way too young to be drinking now!  The nose was something else though, leather, black licorice, warm stewed raspberries and blackberries with just a touch of sweat.....mmmmm.....

On the palate it was a big mouthful of jam and juice with some firm tannins.  So what I did was carefully place it all back into the bottle (from my makeshift decanter....a crystal waterford vase) and let it sit overnight.  I had it tonight with dinner and it was beautiful.  The day had let those tannins soften so it was a mouthful of soft juicy jam in the palate.

I was very pleased with this wine and am going to give the 2 other bottles I purchased some time to rest in the cellar for a couple of years.

To all that are interested they do have this at the LCBO new realease Feb 28th and it looks like most stores have quite a bit not just ours!

2005 Duale Nebbiolo-Barbara Fontanafredda Langhe DOC

Okay first I must tell you this was my last bottle of this wine and the LCBO doesnt have anymore (believe it was released around this time last year), so I was a bit sad to be drinking the last one, I didnt really want to share with Jayme!

So to describe this wine....the nose is amazing!  slightly confected, raspberry, cherries, plum, with a slight hint of tobacco and cigar.

The palate doesnt disappoint, the oak comes through a bit stronger in the mouth, stewed cherries and other red berries.  Very juicy mouthfeel, medium tannins, firm acid but so well balanced.

This wine is so great to just have on its own, as I did (didnt go to well with the wings and fries we had for dinner....that where the beer came in handy)

This wine is a fav of mine so hopefully the LCBO will carry the product again so you all and myself can partake!

2007 CLOS DU FERRE MUSCADET SEVRE & MAINE

I didn't want to do it, I just wanted to drink a glass (er bottle or 2) of wine tonight and not think about what I am drinking...but dammit I just can't do it.

My mind has been a mess, we wrote our Italy exam today and its all I have had on my mind for the last week...so I decided to go with a nice, light easy drink French wine (take that Italy!).

If you are not familiar with Muscadet, add it to your list of wines to try.  The varietal finds it home in the Loire on the Ocean and is a classic pairing with fish, shellfish....anything from the ocean basically!  

The best way for me to describe it is the grassyness of a Sauvignon Blanc, the fruit of a Riesling and the spritz of a vinho verde.  Dont get me wrong it is not that complex just perfect to sip while the man makes some seafood for dinner (your the best Jayme).  I was familiar with this wine as we tasted it in class, that's what prompted me to purchase a bottle.  

It would be great chilled on a warm summers day on its own,  or with some lighter fare.  This wine in particular has  great peach, apple and citrus nuances.  The slight spritz on the palate is a refreshing jolt to bring the wine to life.  

I bought this bottle in Vintages not sure if they still have it, believe it to be around $15 or so.

This is just the beginning of the night....will fill you in on the rest of my drinking adventures later!

PS - I had a glass of Sherry when I came home....its one of my new fave drinks....this bottle was introduced to me last week by a classmate.  It is a semi-sweet sherry called Walnut Brown and sells for about $12/bottle!  It has great notes of mocha, raisins and dried figs.  delicious! 

Cheers!

Domaine Ostertag PInot Noir Rouge "E"

This is the first Pinot Noir I have had from the Alsace, and I must say I was suprised.

The man and I went to The Office last night in St.Catharines which if you haven't been before you must.  I believe Sunday to Thursday it is BYOW with no corkage fee and on Friday and Saturdays it is $12.00  Woot Woot!

The wine was great and totally unexpected.  I recently purchased this from LCBO Vintages Online, $22.00/bttle and I ordered 3.  Let me tell you I will be be buying some more if there is any to be had.  Apparently this Domaine only produces 700bttles a year, how we got some I dont know!

It had this confectionary note to it (think strawberry nibs), something that would be common in say a Beaujolais, but not overdone with all the bubblegum and berries.  It was soft on the palate with beautiful raspberry and rhubard notes.  Just a hint of the barnyard earthyness.  I would say medium bodied with a juicy mouth feel, it just flowed in the mouth, very well balanced.

Food - we had some great food for dinner it was kind of like tapas style, but kinda not.  We shared a gnocchi with sundried tomatoes, bacon, cheese and herbs and dry rub drumsticks with a peanut infused wing sauce.  For mains I had a strudel stuffed with  asparagus, mozzarella, peppers and mashed potatoes (heaven for me) and Jayme had monkfish wrapped in prossucitto (ps i am a horrible writer and speller).

The food paired wonderfully with everything.

I cannot say enough about this wine...if you can grab a bottle or two!  It is only online at Vintages, I promise you will be pleasantly suprised!

Also I promise you wont be disappointed with The Office check it out!