Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, 2012

Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, 2012

Can we get a fine Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau at this price? ...

Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau

Once a marketing smash, the new wine phenomenon has become more and more of a yawn in the last several years. It’s too early in the season for boring statistics, but fewer and fewer people anxiously await the third Thursday in November, once a great excuse for parties. This offering is a so-called-top-of-the-line Beaujolais Villages Nouveau. Like the other new wines, it was raw grapes only a few short weeks ago. The producer dates back to 1880 and owns over 180 acres (more than 70 hectares) of some great vineyards in Burgundy. If you are in the Beaune area, only 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Dijon you should visit the Hospices de Beaune and its museum with a sound and light show evenings from April to October. And don’t miss the local wine market for better wines than today’s offering. The companion wine is a Gamay Nouveau from a lesser known region of France at about two thirds the price.


OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed
Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2012 12 % alcohol about $15.
There were no specific marketing materials so let’s quote the back label. “Passion and skill have been faithfully transmitted to the present fourth generation of the Drouhin family. The vinification of this wine reveals the elegance and true expression of the Beaujolais terroir. With its intensity and fresh fruit, Beaujolais is the festive wine par excellence. This is a unique bottle, to enjoy and to share.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was thin and sweet. It had moderate length and no depth. In the face of Japanese rice crackers it was raw. A barbecued chicken leg brought out the bubble gum and a slight sweetness. A barbecued chicken breast made me think that the bubble gum was tamed but I was wrong. The liquid darkened but I kept thinking raw. Then came a packaged Turkish salad composed of sweet pimento, tomato paste, dried parsley, hot peppers, vinegar, and spices and voilà, our new friend paled. Candy made from fruit juice and fruit puree muted the wine; it was only grapey. And for the first time in years I was totally unable to return the cork to its resting place. I had to dig up another cork to seal the bottle.

This review of a Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, 2012 continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2012/beaujolais_villages_nouveau.php

A French Gamay Nouveau 2012

A French Gamay Nouveau 2012

Can you get a decent French New Wine at this price?...

Georges DuBoeuf Gamay Nouveau

Formerly a marketing phenomenon, the coming of the new wines has turned into a virtual yawn in the last several years. I won’t bore you with statistics, but an ever declining number of people wait with baited breath for the third Thursday in November, once the sign for great parties. Maybe I’m just aging. Maybe not. This offering actually comes from a major French Beaujolais Nouveau producer. But it is not a Beaujolais, it’s a Gamay Nouveau (that’s the same grape) from the Ardèche region of southwestern France. This area is in the famous Rhone Valley, but don’t expect a fine Rhone wine at this price. You must remember, this is a new wine, which means it was grapes only a few months ago. This area is quite rural for France and is highly recommended for canoers and kayakers. Or you can visit the DuBoeuf wine theme park in the not so far Beaujolais region. The companion wine is a Beaujolais Village Nouveau at half again the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Georges Duboeuf Gamay Nouveau Vin de Pays de l’Ardèche 2012 12 % alcohol about $9.

There were no specific marketing materials and the back label is silent so let’s get right on to my review.
At the first sips this wine presented light acidity and bubble gum. Surprise, surprise, there were no tannins. It was raw. Japanese rice crackers sharpened its acidity and imparted some sweetness to the liquid. A barbecued chicken leg softened its acidity and added a bit of lime to the drink. A barbecued chicken breast sharpened the Gamay’s acidity once again and provided some metal. A packaged Turkish salad composed of sweet pimento, tomato paste, dried parsley, hot peppers, vinegar, and spices muted this wine into a dark tinge. Candy made from fruit juice and fruit puree actually rendered the new kid pleasant in the background.

This review of a French Gamay Nouveau 2012 continues on my web site
at http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2012/wine_lovers_bargain_review_fgno.php

A McMinnville, Oregon Pinot Noir

The Willamette Valley in northwestern Oregon is particularly known for its Pinot Noir. The McMinnville AVA is a subregion of that valley, said to be distinguished by its soil, rainfall, and climate. In 1997 Moe and Flora Momtazi bought 532 acres (over 200 hectares) of an abandoned wheat farm near McMinnville, Oregon and began planting grapes the following year. They made a commitment to biodynamic (that’s organic plus) wine. They do six Pinot Noirs including one costing in the mid to high eighties depending on vintage when purchased from their web site. Contact them for a destination wedding. The companion wine is a California Pinot Noir at less than half again the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed

Maysara Third Degree McMinnville Pinot Noir 2008 13.7 % alcohol about $21.
Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : From the youngest female winemaking team in the U.S. comes this certified biodynamically grown Pinot Noir. Flavors of cherry, pomegranate and fresh nutmeg are rounded out with elegant tannins and fine structure. This young wine – it could benefit from decanting – is drinkable now, but will continue to evolve over the next few years. Food pairings : Effortless – Brie; Dine Out and Delivery – Bacon cheeseburger; Special Occasion – Duck and wild mushroom risotto. (Angela Ortmann, FEAST Magazine (St. Louis), Sept. 2010.)” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was rich and mouth filling. Its acidity was almost sour. Japanese rice crackers rendered the liquid earthy, but its fruit seemed unripe. When paired with a barbecued chicken breast in a spicy skin this wine was powerful, oaky, and chewy. A commercial potato salad with celery and onions made Red a tasty liquid whose acidity was bang on. The other side dish was roasted eggplant brimming with garlic. Now this Pinot Noir became a tasty liquid and nothing more.

This review of an Oregon Pinot Noir continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_articles/Elsewhere_wine_articles/mcminnville_oregon_pinot_noir.php
 

A California Pinot Noir

Wine Reviewed
Red Truck Pinot Noir 2009 13 % alcohol about $9. 

 

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Ruby red; sweet aromas of Bing cherry, strawberry, and floral; light bodied with gentle spice and vanilla flavours on the palate. Serving Suggestion : Serve with grilled salmon or tuna.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was rather sweet with no tannins and light acidity. Japanese rice crackers sharpened the liquid’s acidity and brought out the strawberries. When paired with a barbecued chicken breast in a spicy skin I tasted plums and earth in this now powerful wine. A commercial potato salad with celery and onions gave Red the taste of chocolate and light acidity. The other side dish was roasted eggplant brimming with garlic. Now the Pinot Noir was refreshing yet weak.

This review of  A California Pinot Noir continues on my web site
athttp://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2012/wine_lovers_bargain_review_calp.php

Revisiting A Galilee, Israel Pinot Noir

Revisiting A Galilee, Israel Pinot Noir

How will this Israeli Pinot Noir be the second time around? ...

Galil Mountain Israeli Pinot Noir

A few years ago we reviewed the 2007 vintage of this Israeli Pinot Noir. Now we are looking at the 2010 offering. As we said before northern Israel’s Upper Galilee region is a great place for wine and has been for about two millennia. The mountains are fairly high, the days are hot, the nights are cold, and the soil is poor. So this is a potential location for fine wine.The Galil Mountain Winery was founded in the year 2000. They do mostly red and are talking about 80,000 cases a year. The companion wine is a Canadian Pinot Noir at about two thirds the price.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Galil Mountain Pinot Noir Kosher Passover 2010 14 % alcohol $15.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Description : Classic Pinot aromas of violet blossom and sour cherry are accompanied by a velvety texture with a long, elegant finish.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was round, long, balanced, and earthy. A homemade quiche brimming with spinach, cottage cheese, and Parmesan cheese boasting a sesame seed topping rendered the drink’s acidity somewhat unpleasant. When the libation encountered the main dish, a boxed Baked Ziti Siciliano doused with grated Parmesan cheese, it became metallic and earthy, tasting of black cherries. A delicious square of Nougat-Praline filled Swiss Milk Chocolate made me feel that there was still something in my glass, a tinge of black cherries and some acidity.

This review of a Galilee, Israel Pinot Noir continues on my web site at
 http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Near_weekly_15_dollar_wine_reviews/Y2012/revisiting_galilee_israel_pinot_noir.php

A Canadian Pinot Noir

Wine Reviewed
Equifera Pinot Noir VQA 2008 12.7 % alcohol $10.

Let’s start with the marketing materials. “Tasting Note : Medium ruby red colour; aromas of red cherry, spice, with faint earthy notes; dry, light body, rounded on the palate, with flavours of tangy red fruit. Serving Suggestion : Try with grilled salmon, bbq chicken and mushroom dishes.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was earthy presenting aggressive acidity and round tannins. A homemade quiche brimming with spinach, cottage cheese, and Parmesan cheese boasting a sesame seed topping rendered the drink’s acidity tangy and its tannins disappeared. When the libation encountered the main dish, a boxed Baked Ziti Siciliano doused with grated Parmesan cheese, it became thin and did not offer much fruit. A delicious square of Nougat-Praline filled Swiss Milk Chocolate really muted my glass’s contents.

This review of a  Canadian Pinot Noir continues on my web site  at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2012/wine_lovers_bargain_review_capn.php