Quick Review: Madrona Zinfandel 2010

US, CA, El Dorado, Madrona Zinfandel 2010
+ // Fruity  // Cedar, Graphite, Dried cherry // Strawberry, Pepper, Graphite, Nutmeg, Candied apple // Full

Big savory flavors with a strong fruit backbone.

Quick Review: Two Italian Reds

We sampled two red wines at the 2013 NYC Wine & Food Festival Pairing Seminar.

2010 Layer Cake Primitivo
/ // Fruity // Black cherry, clove // Pruned cherries, purple flower (lavender?) // Medium

Anthony Giglio suggested the lavender. I wasn't sold, but I also couldn't say there wasn't lavender in there...and as we always argue, if someone thinks it, it is right! Layer Cake is a U.S. wine producer but, for this Primitivo, they source grapes from Puglia.

2005 Tormaresca Negroamaro Masseria Maime
++ // Spicy // Honey, coffee, black fruit, strawberry // black fruit, pepper, tannin // Medium-full

My favorite of the day's offering, best served with food. The grape here is Negroamaro.

The two reds, side by side.

Quick Reviews: Brooklyn Winery Chardonnay 2011

US, NY, Brooklyn Winery Barrel Aged Chardonnay 2011
+ // Crisp // Apple, Mineral // Red grapefruit, Vanilla, Stone, Cinnamon // Medium
 Definitely not Californian, very crisp for oak

Quick Review: Italian Pinot Grigio, Austrialian Sangiovese

Italy, Venato, Ogio, Pinot Grigio
+ // Crisp // Apple // Mineral, Grass // Light

Australia, New South Wales, Mudgee, Robert Oatley, Rose of Sangiovese
++ // Crisp // Mineral, Berry // Citrus rind, Strawberry // Medium

Quick Review: Wine at Fornino

Italy, Umbria, Orvieto Classico, Tenuta di Salviano 2010

++ // Crisp, Funky // Flowers, Herbs, Ash // Green Apples, Flowers, Ash // Medium

Made from the Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes, this wine had a mixture of tart apple flavor with an undercurrent of bitter ash and smoke that added an interesting complexity to it.

Kept chilled in this wine bucket.

Quick Review: Barbera d'Asti Le Mondianese

Italy, Piemonte, Barbera d'Asti, Le Mondianese 2006

+ // Smooth // Petrol, Chocolate, Cherry // Black Pepper, Sweet Cherry, Red Grapefruit, Vanilla // Full bodied

This was a powerful wine, surprisingly aggressive on the attack considering its age, almost crisp, but with a long, smooth finish.

Note: "Piemonte" is the Italian word for "Piedmont," a province in Northwestern Italy.

Quick Review: Brotherhood Riesling

US, NY, Hudson Valley, Brotherhood Winery, Riesling 2011

++ // Fruity // Peach, Floral // Apple, Nectarine, Floral // Light

This is semi-dry, meaning some sugar has been added. The White House stocks one wine from each of the 50 States to serve at State Dinners. The Brotherhood Winery Semi-Dry Riesling was selected to represent New York. This particular wine represents New York State.

Quick Review: Domaine de Remparts

France, Bourgogne, Cotes d' Auxerre, Domaine des Remparts

/ // Fruity // Cherry // Cherry, Strawberry // Light

 

Tina appreciated this one a lot more than Nathan did. It was smooth drinking wine, good with food, and well-rounded in all aspects. Nathan in general likes the fruit and tart found in the Finger Lakes wines.

Quick Review: Mark West Pinot Noir

CA, Napa, California, Mark West, Pinot Noir, 2009

+ // Fruity // Dried Cherry // Dark Cherry, Stone, Spice // Light Bodied

Quick Review: Bloomer Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir

NY, Finger Lakes, Bloomer Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2007

+ // Fruity // Cherry, Petrol // Cherry, Smoke, Plum // Light