Wine drinkers - what are you having today/tonight?
Aug 28, 2020, 5:06 am
#692
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Join Date: Jan 2009
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Last night I enjoyed a virtual tasting of Chateau Ksara wines from the Beka'a Valley as part of a Red Cross campaign to support Lebanon in its time of need.
I have to say that I hadn't heard of Chateau Ksara - I am, of course, familiar with Chateau Musar and Ksara is at a much friendlier price point. We had a L'Observatoire 2018 white, a Sunset 2018 Rose and a Reserve du Couvent 2017 red. The white was superb - full but fresh with the 10% Muscat really showing through. I'm not impulsive but I immediately ordered a case. The rose was good as rose goes, but I'm not a great fan of roses generally. This had some body and could hold its own with food, being 60% Cab Franc and 40% Syrah. The red was pretty good - we finished it with some lamb and that's when it really shone - a well made wine I'd be delighted to be served again.
The fun fact takeaway from all this is that they can trace fermenting fruit in Lebanon back 9000 years and wine production 4000 years. Pharaohs would take some Lebanese wines to the afterlife they were considered so good. Personally I find it remarkable that such excellent wines are made in the most impossible of conditions.
I have to say that I hadn't heard of Chateau Ksara - I am, of course, familiar with Chateau Musar and Ksara is at a much friendlier price point. We had a L'Observatoire 2018 white, a Sunset 2018 Rose and a Reserve du Couvent 2017 red. The white was superb - full but fresh with the 10% Muscat really showing through. I'm not impulsive but I immediately ordered a case. The rose was good as rose goes, but I'm not a great fan of roses generally. This had some body and could hold its own with food, being 60% Cab Franc and 40% Syrah. The red was pretty good - we finished it with some lamb and that's when it really shone - a well made wine I'd be delighted to be served again.
The fun fact takeaway from all this is that they can trace fermenting fruit in Lebanon back 9000 years and wine production 4000 years. Pharaohs would take some Lebanese wines to the afterlife they were considered so good. Personally I find it remarkable that such excellent wines are made in the most impossible of conditions.
Aug 29, 2020, 10:38 am
#695
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Last night was a "happy hour" Cotes du Rhone that one of the local spots (take out but you can eat in the parking lot) has had for $15 a bottle during this time, and then a lovely 2018 rose from local favorite Lusu Cellars.
Aug 29, 2020, 5:38 pm
#696
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,222
Chateau de Montmirail Vacqueyras 2016
Rather indifferent Rhone blend but I had to buy the bottle when I saw it because it's from the vineyards across the street from the chateau that a friend rents every summer. We go to the vineyard every night at sunset when we're there and have a glass amongst the vines.
Rather indifferent Rhone blend but I had to buy the bottle when I saw it because it's from the vineyards across the street from the chateau that a friend rents every summer. We go to the vineyard every night at sunset when we're there and have a glass amongst the vines.
Aug 29, 2020, 8:05 pm
#697
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,361
2018 Casa Madero "3V" Red Blend Valle de Paras
A cab, merlot, and tempranillo blend that was much lighter than expected for a wine from such southern climes (Mexico). At $15/bottle, I'll pick up some more while still available.
A cab, merlot, and tempranillo blend that was much lighter than expected for a wine from such southern climes (Mexico). At $15/bottle, I'll pick up some more while still available.
Aug 30, 2020, 11:20 am
#698
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Is not the elevation rather high (1500m)? That, combined with shorter days than at the higher latitudes might be the perfect storm for higher quality wines from the region.
Sep 5, 2020, 4:31 am
#700
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,377
In response to the thread question, I was going to write 'Too Much' but that applies to every night at present so here is my answer:
1970 Comet-Magey Sauternes. A bit young at 50 years but give it another decade or so and it will be excellent.
1970 Comet-Magey Sauternes. A bit young at 50 years but give it another decade or so and it will be excellent.
Sep 15, 2020, 10:54 am
#702
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I don't intend to drink it, but Taco Bell has announced wines from Canada, including Jalapino Red for $19, to go with their food.
Sep 15, 2020, 3:33 pm
#703
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Join Date: Nov 2008
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We had a couple of Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2010 with cold cuts and grilled butterfly lamb chops. Even being a lamb lover, this blessed wine wins, hands down
Sep 16, 2020, 3:59 pm
#704
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Join Date: Nov 2008
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Am I the only one here drinking wine?
Today was Chablis Les Truffières 2010 with the conch chowder ,
Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 (2007) with boar BBQ
Without any desert tonight, only an old Calvados with the Double Espresso
Today was Chablis Les Truffières 2010 with the conch chowder ,
Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 (2007) with boar BBQ
Without any desert tonight, only an old Calvados with the Double Espresso
