Steve's Archive
August on Cape Cod; it's been a hot one so far, so this month's pick will help us cool down. I went to Western Australia for this one; it's called Strait Jacket. It's a Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend. This is a clean, crisp wine with fresh and vibrant flavors. The flavors I get from the Sauvignon Blanc are those of passion fruit, pear, & herbaciousness, with some citrus notes. From the Semillon I get some mid palate intensity and some lemon rind. I think this is perfect for the hot humid days we are having, as it is light, crips, & dry. As for a meal, I think it would hold up to lighter fish dishes; perhaps sushi and some sharp, spicy sauces. |
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If you are one of those heavy, oaky California Chardonnay drinkers, but now it's just too hot out and you want something lighter, there's no need to jump from the Chardonnay family. My selection this month is from one of the top winemakers in the U.S.A. - Charles Smith. The "Eve" Chardonnay is light, floral, & with hints of soft, tropical fruit. This is great for sitting out on the porch and relaxing on a hot & humid summer day. Wine Spectator agreed when it gave this wine an 88 and said the time to drink this Chardonnay is right now. If matching it with food, I think it would be great with clam chowder or fried clams, scallops & baked clams. So I feel this is a great value wine to enjoy in the heat of the summer. |
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We all love those Chardonnays and Sauv Blancs in the summer; but why not try something a little different? Valley of the Moon is from Sonoma County. This Pinot Blanc is 72% Russian River Valley, aged 5 months in stainless steel and 10% is aged in French Oak for 3 months to give it softness. I get aromas of honeysuckle and pears and in the taste i get lots of tropical fruit with a creamy finish and a touch of acidity. I find this great to drink out on the back porch, but also great with all the great local Cape Cod Shellfish like oysters, clams, and scallops. So enjoy the beginning of summer with this great value Pinot Blanc. |
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It's hard not to agree with Wine Spectator on their rating of 96pts. This Chardonnay is simply delicious; a rich, buttery style with ripe, vivid, & delicate peach, pear, & honeydew melon fruit that's complex, concentraterd, & full bodied, offering excellent length & depth. Creamy oak adds a touch of smoke & vanilla. The texture is silky. This rare Chardonnay can be held for ten years as well as being drinkable now, since they hold it for two years prior to release. It's perfect for spring, with a nice seafood dinner or just sipping with cheese. I love it, so get it while it lasts! |
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This fresh and upfront Sauvignon Blanc is loaded with grapefruit and pears with a juicy finish. This wine is perfect for spring on Cape Cod. It matches great with oysters and clams, as well as hearty fish (like Tuna, Monkfish, or lobster), and also Asian food. I stumbled across it one night with a seared Tuna steak that was marinated with a touch of lime juice, cilantro, & red onion served with a mango corn salsa. For me, the perfect fit was this 100% Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand that Wine Spectator agreed with when it gave this wine a 92 rating. So enjoy spring on the Cape with a wine I think fits the season. |
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From one of the most respected vineyards, the 2006 is a big upgrade in my mind from the 2005 vintage. After a bountiful Chardonnay crop in '05, the vines were thinned to create more balanced vines, and a cool growing season preserved fresh acidity and vibrant fruit character in the grapes. The results are aromas of ripe stone fruit, apricot, peach, and pear along with tropical banana and pineapple. Also, it exhibits brown spices such as clove, nutmeg and hazelnut. I find it to be multi-textured and a hearty enough wine for those white wine drinkers huddled by the fire. It would be great with rich cheeses and meats. |
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From Penfolds, one of Australia's oldest vineyards. The Bin 128 which was created in 1962 reflects the unique climate of Southern Australia. In the taste, you get a rush of core fruits; rhubarb, plum, & raspberry softened in French Oak. Great for those cold winter nights with a comfort meal, or by itself. This is a great wine from great winemakers and once you've tried Bin 128, there are a lot of other Penfold wines to put on the calendar. |
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This 2008 vintage takes the best of various appellations of Sonoma County, Dry Creek, Alexander, and Russian River Valley. The flavor was intensified by the uncharacteristic weather changes from the frost in April, to the fires of the summer, and to the heat of fall. I love the balance it gets as some of the grapes are aged in stainless steel, and some in French Oak. This is a great wine for Cape Cod, as it goes great with shellfish, and white meats like chicken & pork. I also like it by itself, sitting in front of a fire. |
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This is a full and complete Pinot Noir that is silky on the palate. This intense, firm, & full-bodied Pinot is under $30, and that is almost impossible to find in an estate bottled wine. The critics agree as Veberage Dynamics gives it 92 points. Wine & Spirits gives it 90, and Wine Spectator gives it 87. Great as a gift, or as a bottle to enjoy around the fireplace this holiday season. |
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This non-malolactic, full scale Chardonnay reveals beautiful acidity and less wood. This vintage has a good percentage of the wine aged in steel barrels and then blended back with the rest that was aged in oak. This medium to full bodied wine has notes of honeysuckle and tropical fruit that is crisp, fresh, and pure. I find it a delight drink it by it self of with a great fish or chicken meal. |
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Jordan Vineyards started in 1972 where Tom Jordan started making World Class wines in Sonoma Valley. The 2004 vintage is no exception . This Cabernet Savignon has rich texture and opulent flavors. This vintage is 76% Cabernet Sauvigon, with a combination Of 18% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, which in turn creates a deep color with distinct notes of cassis, black cherry, and cocoa . This is a great wine with a big heavy meal, or a nice way to warm up in this upcoming cold month on Cape Cod. |
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This month's selection is the Buena Vista Chardonnay from Carneros. A great Chard at a great price; perfect for the best month on the Cape. This is an estate vineyard, loaded with tropical fruit flavors and integrated with almond, spicy oak, and ripe apples that open up to coconut, pineapple, banana, and nutty finish. This full bodied Chard goes with all sorts of food. I'd try it with swordfish or tuna, also some heavier pastas like an alfredo or a ravioli. It will hold up to the flavors of fall such as butternut squash or pumpkin. Just don't believe me: it was a gold medal winner in the San Francisco Wine Competition, and also scored an 89 in the Connoisseur's Guide to California Wines. |
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This is one of my favorite summer wines. It is a great complement to poultry, shellfish and veggies on the grill. Plus it's great with rich cheeses and fruits platters. You will find aromas of ginger and lemon zest are joined by toasted coconut, melon and caramel. The rich flavors of grilled peaches pears and pineapple get even richer with a buttercream and smoked buttery finish. I just love the balance of fruit and minerality. So for me its versatile enough to drink on its own or with a meal which makes it a great one stop buy. |
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This is an old steakhouse staple from my days in N.Y. city . The 2005 Sonoma County Vintage is loaded with a ripe rich chewy blackberry and black currant flavors. Which lead on to the wine's lush velvety palate. Followed by impressions of cedar tobacco, spice and vanilla with a round of tannins on the finish. This will be great with steaks on the grill all summer long. |
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With a balance of rich and graceful flavors of each region farmed, this Zin is packed with flavors of licorice, plums, bing cherries, blackberries, and possesses a deep long finish. |
Crazy Artie!