Savignola Paolina Chianti Classico 2007
Tasted at home with Lasagna; 2/23/10 - Home Made Mario Batali's Lasagna that is and Home Made Pasta = you rock Michael! Incredible aroma, gorgeous red fruit- raspberries and pomegranate, then the flowers come in, rose petal; just absolutely stunning! Medium bodied, great acidity- terrific food wine, offsets the Bolgnese, Cheese and rich pasta perfectly. OUTRAGEOUS VALUE!!!
Conde de Valdemar Rioja Crianza 2004
Tasted by Michael Quinlan at home with Paella; 2/21/10
90% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo (AKA Carignan in France)
Estate-bottled. OId-Style Rioja in a very affordable package. Delicate fruit aromas, black cherry, amazing secondary aroma, herbs and cocoa powder. Great acidity; this is a tremendous food wine, bold enough for poultry, fine enough for seafood; perfect for Paella with some of both...
A truly great value! Featured in the upcoming Simple Pleasures, the newsletter of Table & Vine
Chianti Classico Riserva 2004
Tasted by Michael Quinlan at home, 2/2/10 with Rigatoni with Sausage and White Beans.
This bottle has been open since yesterday afternoon, 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo. A truly great traditional style Chianti, it was a treat to taste and spit, but better even with food. The spice and richness of the pasta and ragout with the dusty tannin and terrific acidity of the wine made for a great match. $40, will be at T&V very soon, this is a great Chianti!
Muti Albarino 2007 by Raul Perez
1/24/10 Tasted by Michael Quinlan at home with Curried Parsnip Soup. Really looked forward to this and was stunned by the quality. Ripe Albarino fruit, and an amazing streak of mineral. This is about as good as you can find for Albarino. Generous body, with tart apple and tangerine flavors. $35, and well-worth it!
Michele Sata Diambra Rosso 2007
By Michael Quinlan at home with Chicken in Sundried Tomato Sauce.
70% Sangiovese, good fruit, though a bit on the "quite" ripe side, still with some freshness. Positive acidity, but you never lose sight of the ripe fruit, $12, a very good value!
Horizonte de Exopto Rioja 2006
Tasted 1/10/2010 by Michael Quinlan at home with Short Ribs and Risotto.
Amazing fruit, the nose and body of the wine are really giving. Just packed with fruit, the oak is also rather strong, giving the wine firm backbone and lots of vanilla goodness. Open adn ready to drink with just 30 minutes of breathing. This just might be our best modern styled wine for $30. And for you California wine lovers try something new and give this baby a shot it is right up your alley!
This was the last Horizonte made by my good friend David Sampedro before moving on to make wines on his own.
