Saturday, November 29, 2008

W.O.W. - It's Bohemian

I hope you got to enjoy a great pinot noir with your roast turkey - I know I did. If there is more roasted turkey, duck, lamb or even a juicy, lean filet mignon in your remaining holiday plans, then you really should consider popping a bottle of our very own 2007 Bohemian Vineyard pinot from Russian River California. Just released, this wine is already showing beautiful lush fruit and great acid balance, and is the ideal partner for food with some heft. Turkey leg anyone?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Austin ferments

Our co-operative wines for 2008 are fermenting along nicely and the sangiovese and zinfandel (pictured here foaming like mad during punchdown) will be ready to press within a week or so. Barrel fermented Carneros chard is just now completely dry and gets a stir daily to move it along the way to smoothing out and gaining complexity. All to say that if you want to see your wine at this early stage of its life you better do it soon!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

WOW-Franc-ly tasty

Some interesting (if a tad funky) cab francs lined up at Uncorked in East Austin. Volante from Sonoma was big and bold while Bernard Baudry, from Loire Valley in France where they lead with cab franc, was earthy and complex. Try a cab franc when you get a chance - it's not just for blending anymore.

Monday, November 10, 2008

WOW - Malbec Tasting

Hard to say there was a clear favorite as we gathered for a malbec tasting. Most of the wines were from Argentina with a couple of French Cahors thrown in for variety. All wines were dense, dark and pretty tannic and benefitted from pairing with food: good with flavorful chorizo or an empanada. Flavors ranged from simple bold fruit to vegetal and herbal with fennel, mint, asparagus, and even spinach. In some wines the most pleasant aromas came from the oak. Overall verdict: blend this stuff! It adds interesting depth, color and tannin structure to a blend but on it's own can be a bit chunky and one-dimensional. Having said that, if grilled meat is on the menu these wines can be a great value as most are under $25 retail. Makes one wonder if the rockroom co-op should try our hand at a malbec or malbec-driven blend!? Maybe in 2009...