Red wine for youth and aging

08Jan08

The great debate over how drinking red wine impacts aging in humans reaches a breakthrough. According to this Wired article, scientists for the first time have proof in human subjects that a derivative of an ingredient in red wine combats some symptoms of aging.

Not that any of this really matters. The benefits for drinking red wine far outweigh any possible aging combat benefits. And besides, the longer you are around then the more toxic air you get to breathe, so I don’t see how combating the aging process does us any good.

I don’t mean to be negative or pessimistic, but we really put a lot of stock in to the longevity of life. Especially considering the fact that it is the quality of one’s life that is important, not the length of your life.

So drink up. Red Wine is one of the exquisitely authentic pleasures in our time here on Earth regardless of how it combats the inevitable aging process.

Filed under: Commentary   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: aging, alcohol, red wine, wine, youth pill

Vinos Sin-Ley 2005 G-1 Garnacha Madrid

20Dec07

Nothing comes to mind on this wine. It has been so long since I had it that I am not recalling what it was like. The label is cool, but other than that I don’t really know what to say. I can’t even find a good description of it online. In fact, the label you see is for the G5. I technically have the G-1 sitting here and the label is black. I guess this entry will just have to serve as a placeholder for anyone who stumbles upon this entry and has some input about it. Maybe if I come across it again I will buy another bottle just so I can have something to comment on for this wine. Please leave your comments if you know it.

Filed under: 2005, No Thumbs, Spanish Wines   |  Leave a Comment

2003 Cotes du Ventoux Orca II

06Mar07

Here is a tasty French that has body, flavor, and not too much oak. I picked it up just tonight at a PA Wine & Spirits Shoppes on display for $16. I am delightfully pleased, especially since French wines in PA are typically a disappointment.

The wine was difficult to locate online and therefore I had to take my own picture of the label. The only usable description of the wine I came across is the same one on the promo board at the Shoppe. But anyway, this is a good and tasty wine with the right balance of body and flavor that I recommend. Make it a house wine if it fits your price range.

“This serious, dense ruby/purple-colored 2003 Cotes du Ventoux reveals a hint of background oak, but is dominated by its Grenache component (80% of the blend along with 20% Syrah). It exhibits abundant aromas of kirsch liqueur, licorice, and Provencal herbs. Full-bodied, fleshy, round, opulent, and seductive, it should be consumed over the next 1-3 years.”

Filed under: $16-$20, 2003, Cotes du Ventoux, French Wines, Thumbs Up   |  Leave a Comment

Chateua Saint-Sulpice 2003 Bordeaux

05Mar07

Although this wine was extremely difficult to find online, at least for a good label shot and a description, it does not appear to be too difficult to obtain in a store. I was able to see this wine referenced on a few sites but in regards to a picture and a description, well, that was more challenging.

Tonight my wife and I tried the 2003 vintage and it was completely enjoyable. Like all French reds, it needed some breathe time. The wine was well rounded as Bordeaux typically are but it had more body than you would expect from a Bordeaux. Maybe a couple more years would be good for this vintage.

Anyway, here are some links to information about this wine. Looks like it was wine of the week for Chicago Tribune in October 2006. I recommend this wine mainly because of the price (under $15). It is easy to drink in that it has a balanced flavor and a medium body that can satisfy most moods.

This wine on cellartracker.com
This wine on Chicago Tribune site
This wine on corkd.com
This wine on izmowine.com

Filed under: $11-$15, 2003, Bordeaux Region, French Wines, Thumbs Up   |  Leave a Comment

2003 Maison Louis Latour Marsannay

02Mar07

This was my first exposure to Marsannay. I believe that I purchased the bottle from Village Corner in Ann Arbor, MI because I have been avoiding French wines in PA stores lately, but I do not recall the price tag on it. I suspect it was near the $20 mark which I think is a good buy.

The texture was silky and the body was exactly what a good Burgundy should be. The flavor was a bit mild for me and somewhat on the sweet side, but certainly not overwhelmingly sweet in any way. Overall it was a pleasant and enjoyable bottle.

Here is a good tid bit for you on this wine from www.louislatour.com:

Deep ruby in colour, this wine from the northern Côte d’Or has a clean nose filled with woodspice and cedarwood aromas. In the mouth the red fruit flavours are at the fore with that spice showing itself again along with some gamey flavours. A rounded and powerful wine which is tasting beautifully now but could also be put down for a couple of years. Tasted 25/02/05. Vinification: Traditional open vat fermentation followed by 18 months ageing in oak cask.

This wine on cellartracker.com
This wine on toastwines.com

Filed under: $16-$20, $21-$30, 2003, Burgundy, Côte d’Or, French Wines, Pinot Noir, Thumbs Up   |  Leave a Comment

Taurino Notarpanaro 1999

24Feb07

Not much to rave about on this one. In fact, I had trouble even locating it online. The only decent take I found on the Web about this one was on another wine blog. This wasn’t my style of wine. It never opened up to the point I expected, which seems to be the case for a lot of Italian wines in my opinion. They just don’t do it like the French with the whole breathing factor. Anyway, I am not going to say much here. Check out the experience shared so excellently on the other blog I mentioned. I don’t really recommend this wine nor would I buy it again, but I could handle having it served to me.

Filed under: $11-$15, 1999, Italian Wines, Malvasia nera, Negro Amaro, No Thumbs, Taurino   |  1 Comment

Brancott 2004 Pinot Noir Marlborough Reserve

18Feb07

Now here is a great buy. I don’t recall what compelled me to purchase this bottle but I am glad that I did. This is a New Zealand Pinot and it has really sparked my interest. It has been more than a week since I actually drank it (I backdated this entry) so I do not recall the details of its flavor and texture and all, but I do remember enjoying it quite a bit and kept the empty bottle around so I could write about it when I had time.

Here is a description for you from www.wine-club-central.com

Deep garnet red. The wine shows fragrant wild berry aromas, dark plum, a hint of tobacco and fine intergrated oak toast. The palate also shows these dark berry fruits and exhibits a mouth-filling, ripe fruit sweetness. Soft, supple tannins give this wine excellent mouth-feel.

Priced just more than $10, I highly recommend this selection if you come across it. I had the Reserve so I can’t speak for the other grade.

This wine on www.brancottvineyards.com
This wine on www.adwnz.com

Filed under: $11-$15, 2004, New Zealand Wines, Pinot Noir, Reserve, Thumbs Up   |  1 Comment

Gary Farrell 2004 Russian River Valley Pinto Noir

15Feb07

Gary Farrell wines are a reliable choice. Although typically priced out of range to be a house wine for the average drinker, wines from this vintner can be counted on for special occasions. This particular bottle is a well-priced superstar wine in my opinion.

My first exposure to Farrell wines was at the Shibuya restaurant inside MGM Grand about a year ago. It was the Pinot Noir but I think it was 2003. This 2004 vintage was no disappointment. Fruity, sophisticated, and hearty for a Pinot at the same time. According to the vinter’s website this wine is aged in 100% French Oak but I could not determine that from its taste. In fact, I presumed it was aged in steel.

The following description is from calwine.com which I think does a fine job describing the integrity and offering of this wine.

The 2004 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir is fully flavored, fruit-focused wines, which emphasize balance and elegance while avoiding high levels of ripeness, extract and alcohol. This style of winemaking is essential in crafting age-worthy wines, and wines exhibiting the silky, sensual qualities often associated with the finest examples of Pinot Noir from our region. This offering shows classic “restraint”, by allowing the fruit to capture center-stage rather than heavy-handed winemaking. Wonderful aromas of raspberry and violets lead to equally compelling strawberry and dark berry flavors, which are enhanced (but never over-powered) by a perfect compliment of enriching, slightly toasty oak. The succulent fruit components and wonderful balancing acidity ensure excellent compatibility with a wide range of foods, including spicy fish, lamb or veal dishes.

This wine on Gary Farrell website
This wine on CalWine.com
This wine on wine-club-central.com

Filed under: $31-$50, 2004, California Wines, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Two Thumbs Up   |  Leave a Comment

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection 2004 Claret (Black Label)

12Feb07

Mmmmmmm…..My favorite of the Coppola Diamond Collection, this Claret is smooth, perfectly blended, has a balanced and deep taste, and is consistent all the way through. Like pretty much all Coppola wines, it does not require breathing time and can probably sit around a good few years in the cellar if you like too.

The Claret is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. It has California goodness all throughout. I recommend it as a house wine because it is so likable and drinkable on a regular basis, but at nearly $20 a bottle that might not classify as a house wine for the bourgeois class like me.

Anyway, check out the sites below for detailed descriptions of this wine. If you like California reds, this one is a sure winner. I try to keep at least one or two in stock at all times.

This wine on wine.com
This wine on vinorati.com
This wine on carlorussowine.com – Great Price!

Filed under: $16-$20, 2004, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, California Wines, Malbec, Merlot, Two Thumbs Up   |  Leave a Comment

Chateau de Segries 2003 Lirac

09Feb07

Here is a modest French wine that delivers a good experience without pretense. My friend Val and I shared this bottle a few nights ago while painting my house. It was easy to drink and had a nice polished flavour. Nothing special, but a good juicy texture that was enjoyable.

I think the website for the makers of this wine is kysela.com. This was a random purchase for me that I got from Village Corner in Ann Arbor, MI, a retailer I trust for French wines. It actually turned out to be a gift from my step dad. We had placed an order for a handful of wines and this was one of them. I chose it for the description and price and I was not disappointed.

Check it out if you are up for a mild wine that quenches your thirst for flavour and smoothness. I am not an expert of French wine but it resembled a Burgundy/Pinot Noir. It only need about 10 minutes or so of fermentation.

This wine on cellartracker.com
This wine on kysela.com

Filed under: $11-$15, 2003, French Wines, No Thumbs, Rhone   |  Leave a Comment