BIG FIRE 2007 Oregon Pinot Noir

This is one of my favorite pinot noir wines from Oregon. In fact this wine was the first red wine I tried and I decided that I liked it a lot. We used to have this little, cozy restaurant on the corner. It was called Phil and Lou's and we were frequently eating there. Nice place, with a great atmosphere, great, simple and tasty menu. That's where for the first time I tried this red wine, and I fell in love. I used to drink white only for a while, and funny, how it's changed quickly, and now I almost don't drink white wine at all. Pinot Noir is my favorite, I also like zinfandel, malbec, cabarnet and trying to get into the worlds of Shiraz. There's just so many....

Big Fire - I really liked the 2006, unfortunately I don't think I get it any more, and they have this 2007. It's slightly different from 2006, but it is a very nice wine. Smooth, with flavors of cherry and different berries. Great with pizza dinner, or just by itself. Priced: $23.00 per bottle.



Here is the wine poster from R. Start & Co. website. Check it out and let me know what you think, and if you liked it.

Wine Tasting

Few weeks ago we attended a wine tasting at Wine Discount Center on Elston (in Chicago). I wanted to write about it right away, but I didn't get a chance. It's called "First Look Tasting" and it has place every first Wednesday of the month, and it's sort of like a preview of wines that will be sold during that month. What they do is, they buy bunch of cases of the wines they like, have tasting, sell those during that month, and next month they have a new selection... so if you like something, you have to stock up, as it will not be there next month...
The tasting costs $10.00 per person, and you need to make a reservation ahead, the space is limited. There are 30 different wines, from all over the world to taste. I think that's a good number of wines to taste at one evening. And the wines are in pretty affordable price bracket - I would say between $4.99 and $27.99 being the highest priced bottle of the tasting. So you don't have to spend a fortune on wine if you like what you tasted...



I had quite a lot of favorites but we only purchased 4 bottles. Here is what I got:

Maipe Bonarda 2008 (Argentina, Mendoza) - this wine is packed with complex aromas and flavors of blueberry, earth, smoke and roasted herbs. Round and ripe on the palate, it has surprising depth and length for its price - $7.99. Rich and robust, there is both a rustic quality and a freshness. Build for hearty fare.

Albino Rocca "Rosso di Rocca" Piedmont 2005 (Italy) - this wine comes from one of the top producers of Barbaresco. This blend of 80% Nebbiolo, 10% Barbera nad 10% Cabernet s jam-packed with vibrant fruit and aromas. Beautiflly balanced and pleasurable to drink now or over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2010. Very affordable priced - $10.99

Celler Can Blau Montsant 2007 (Spain) - "a blend of carinena, syrah and garnacha. Dark purple, with sexy aromas of blackberry, blueberry and black cherry. Asian spicesn, and smoked meat. Velvety texture and good mineral bite. Has a good finishing clarity and cut, leaves strong blue fruit notes behind and repeats the spicy quality." Price $13.99 per bottle at WDC.

El Chaparral De Vega Sindoa Grenache Navarra 2007 (Spain) - I have not tasted that wine at the tasting, as it was not available to taste. I read the tasting notes and based on that I bought that bottle. Spain is the third wine producing nation in the world, you can't go wrong with their wines,and those are very affordable. I'm sure it will be a great taste. 100% grenache grapes, ruby color, clean finish with light cherry flavors. Priced at $11.99 - seems like a good choice to me.

Don Miguel Gascon Malbec

What is Malbec? Malbec is a grape used in making wine, originated in southern France is known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux Wine. Came to Argentina in mid nineteenth century and adapted well to the climate and soil. Argentinian malbec grapes produce softer, less tannic variety of wines. Mainly grown in Mendoza wine region. High altitude vineyards located along the Cordillera in Andes produce full mature grapes.

Established in 1884, Don Miguel Wineries have been recognized for the rich and smooth flavors. The 2006 Gascon Malbec is full bodied with soft round tannins. Flavors of blackberry, blueberry and some dark cherry.

I found this wine in Whole Foods Market, and it was around $10.00 - very affordable bottle. Nice for the price. I would pair it with rich, hearty pastas, and red meat.

With approaching holiday season this wine is great for gatherings (inexpensive) and also great for a gift. ;)

Wine Logg: A to Z 2007 Pinot Noir

A to Z Winery produces one of my favorite Pinot Noirs. For under $20.00 you get this very flavorful, vibrant, with aromas of raspberries and blueberries wine. It has this smoky, earthy flavor. I call it cloudy... it just is little cloudy on a palette. And that's what I love about this wine!
Since Food & Wine magazine announced it the best pinot under $20.00 I have a hard time trying to find in the stores.

Anyway, A little about the winery: so where is the name come from, A to Z?
Well, this winery blends component wines that come from many different wineries in Oregon, and instead of listing all of them, they decided to name it from A to Z. The idea behind it is, instead of reflecting just one specific winery, they represents the whole Oregon of wineries... I think it's pretty clever, and the wines they make are really good.

I will quote the tasting notes for this superb A to Z 2007 Pinot Noir:
"2007 A to Z Pinot Noir is true to variety and vintage with bold aromatics and a palate to please. This wine has moderately-deep color and a tannin profile to match. The dark spices on the nose and palate complement the flavors you would expect from a good Oregon Pinot Noir: blackberry, raspberry, black cherry and earth. The oak profile is restrained and the natural acidity from the 2007 vintage gives the wine precision and tautness." {provided by A to Z Wineworks website}

If you are into pinots, and you can find it - I would definitely give it a try. It is a really good wine. Great for a gift, or party...

Wine Logg: Benton Lane 2006 Pinot Noir

I've been exploring a lot of different wines lately, and I am learning that my favorite grape is definitely pinot noir. So I buy a bottle here, and there. I have a few nice bottles at home. Sometimes I just like to go to Binny's and spend some time there picking wine. There are so many great choices, it's really hard to decide.
Last Sunday I was making dinner and I opened a bottle of Benton Lane 2006 Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette Valley ($25.00). Great pinot for the price. They are not cheap. Here are the tasting notes provided by Benton Lane Winery website:

"This deep ruby colored pinot noir has impressive and varietal aromas of bing cherries, red plums, hibiscus and wild mushrooms. The smooth, ripe tannins give a voluptuous texture to the mixed berry and chocolate flavors of the wine. A hint of white pepper adds further complexity to the lively and seamless velvety finish".
The winery is environmentally friendly and certified as "Sustainable Agriculture" and "Salmon Safe".

I really enjoyed this wine. Will definitely buy another bottle. :)