La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2001

The power of high quality wine has gone further than expected, especially in La Rioja, Spain. Not only has it delighted and surprised fellow wine fanatics, but it has attracted the attention and respect of the international wine community to Spain, and has even inspired Gran Reserva (Vintage) one of Spain’s most successful telenovelas. La Rioja wine has broken through geographical and often tense political boundaries between La Rioja and the Basque Country where the wine is jointly produced. To our delight, it has given a common identity to this Spanish region as they share the success of their wine. And now, La Rioja Alta winery has produced one of the finest and highest rated wines, with a profound and complex character that cannot be missed!

La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2001 is a delectable wine produced from Tempranillo grapes (90%) from 40 year-old vines located in Briñas, Villalba and Labastida that are perfectly complemented by a 10% touch of Graciano vines from Melchorón and Rodezno Briones vineyards, all of which belong to the DOC of La Rioja.

In February 2002, the wine was transferred to the self-made, 4 year-old American oak barrels being racked through the traditional barrel-to-barrel method for 4 years, every 6 months. The wine was bottled in June 2006 and has been maturing in the company’s cellars for over six years. In order to preserve maximum organoleptic components, the wine was subject to a gentle filtration, which can produce few sediments with age.

Now is a perfect time to acquire this fiercely anticipated red wine from La Rioja. It is worth the effort of purchasing it simply for its exclusive quality and extraordinary taste, but it will also be a great acquisition for any wine cellar as it will continue to evolve for 5 to 6 more years, and has great drinkability until 2040.

SIGHT: Ruby red, with a slight garnet rim. Very bright, has thin and elegant tears.

SMELL: Fresh, vibrant, with fine notes of candied fruit, spicy black fruit, excellent ripeness with a hint of coffee and chocolate mint.

TASTE: Solid structure, round and sweet elegantly polished tannins. Silky, soft and durable aftertaste.

ALCOHOL: 12.5% °

Serve at 17 ° C, decanting recommended

PAIRING: Red meats, Añejo or other semi-soft cheeses, Jamón Ibérico de Bellota

2009 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape

2009 Cuvée du Vatican Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Appellation: Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Notes:  Dark, rich color. Strawberry, cedar, and tobacco nose. Velvety, but has the southern Rhone rustic sensibility. Strawberries kept in a cigar box.  Great now, could last a decade.  Delicious.

Price:  $39.95 at North Charles Wine and Spirits

2008 Chateau Montelena Estate

Just a stunner.

2008 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon – The Montelena Estate

Appellation: Napa

Notes:  Stunning.  Still a little young, but wonderful structure, fruit, and creaminess.  Like drinking velvet.  A very nice juxtaposition of California Cab and Bordeaux, it has the American cluster but settles down with a great deal of refinement, much like an AMG can smoke the tires, but still be a wonderful grand touring car. Delicious.

Price: $150 at North Charles Fine Wines and Spirits.

2010 Willam Cole Columbine Special Reserve

This is the second of two wines sent to me from The Thomas Collective, the folks behind The Wines of Chile marketing campaign.  Normally, they send very good wine.

2010 Willam Cole Columbine Special Reserve

Appellation:  Colchagua Valley (Chile)

Notes:  100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.9% ABV.  Violet color, not as deep as a normal Cab.  Nose is black fruit and coffee, but not really harmonious.  I pick up cherry, some coffee, and some chocolate.  It is a bit disjointed and off balance, with some acidity on the finish that’s not bringing much to the party.  Normally I’m a big fan of Chilean wines because of the ratio of value to quality, but this one doesn’t measure up.  OK.

Price:  Unknown, I got it free.

2009 Koyle Reserva

Got a few wines from The Thomas Collective, the folks behind Wines of Chile. Tasted one today.

2009 Koyle Riserva Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Colchagua, Chile

Notes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% ABV. The nose is fruit and wood, with a little must, but not so much that you think it’s corked. Chocolate covered cherries that have been in a cedar chest in the basement (which isn’t bad, mind you). Finish is astringent, though, making the wine off balance. That’s unusual, because they usually send excellent examples. I wouldn’t search this out. OK.

Price: Unknown, this was a sample.

2011 Reserve de la Saurine

Something new that came in the Pinehurst Wine $100 case.  It’s a pretty simple country wine, but interesting and very good!

2011 Reserve de la Saurine

Appellation:  Gard (Vin de Pays d’Oc)

Notes:  100% Grenache Blanc, 12% ABV.  Grenache Blanc is usually blended, so this is something I’m not sure I’ve ever had.  Tropical nose, a little tight.  Tropical fruit and lots of citrus (oranges, lemons, limes).  Not much acidity, but a nice weight.  Coates the mouth, very elegant.  There’s a lot going on.  Normally, a lower acid wine will not be a great food wine, but this went well with a simple salmon dish.  I recommend searching this one out.  Very Good.

Price:  Unknown, but probably under $15.

Chateau de Fussignac Bordeaux Superieur 2003

J.F. Carrille “Chateau de Fussignac” Bordeaux Superieur 2003
Tasting Notes: Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend, 12% vol. Dark, ruby red hue, turning a bit brick red-ish near the edges. Still quite fresh on the nose with beautiful notes of black fruits, brambleberry and sweet vanilla and cinnamon spice. Velvety, smooth on the attack but then immediately transitioning into a very dark chocolaty texture and flavor on the mid-palate with the tannins at the forefront. Balanced pretty well by a juicy acidity and flavors of blackberries, black cherries and vanilla. This is definitely a food wine, no surprise there. This will pair perfectly, as planned, with Bordeaux’s hearty cuisine of confit de canard and fois gras.
Rating: 15/20 (89/100)
Price: ~US$20 @ Lionsbridge-Ebay