winingwithmel

Beronia Reserva 2010, Doca Rioja

Dark ruby red, bordering on opaque. On the nose, aromatic black cherry and other dark fruit, as well as tobacco, cedar and sweet spice. Let this one breathe for at least an hour. It is very grippy with equally high acidity, for a simultaneous drying yet mouthwatering sensation. This full-bodied red boasts red cherry and berries, clove, herbs, cedar and some minerality on the palate. I quite enjoyed drinking this rioja with beef stew, but think it would go very nicely with any grilled red meat. It could also stand to be aged for a few more years, which would take the tannin edge off.

Flat Rock Riesling 2014, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

This wine has so little colour it almost looks like water! Very little of the tell-tale riesling vinyl aroma, which is a good thing in my books. Lime, stone fruit, some floral notes and a hint of minerality make for a great seafood pairing. Medium body, low alcohol with medium-high acidity and a hint of residual sugar = a really nicely balanced wine.

CedarCreek Platinum Viognier 2014, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

Beautiful light yellow wine with buttery aromas, tropical fruit, peach, a pleasant woodiness like pine, orange and green apple. This wine was fermented in concrete, which imparts no flavour and concentrates fruit flavour. The wine finishes with a delectable hint of residual sugar. Delicious!

Te Pã Koha Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

The Koha 2015 sauvignon blanc by Te Pã Wines is a really nice light-bodied wine that shows ripe peach and apricot as well as elderflowe and grapefruit. I reeeeeaally enjoyed this one.

Viña Olabarri Crianza 2011, Doca Rioja

This is a big wine that shows off black cherry, prune, licorice, sweet spice, alcohol at first and a bit of earthiness. It is a beautiful deep ruby red. It’s got a bit of spice on the palate, which plays off nicely with steak.

Get the whole story at https://winingwithmel.com/2016/09/08/nostalgia-de-espana/

White Cliff Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Marlborough

The 2016 vintage of this wine is a stunner! Marlborough had fantastic growing conditions, and you can taste it! Incredibly aromatic and intense acidity. Fantastic tropical fruit flavours like pineapple, guava and passion fruit, balanced out with a saltiness from the area's maritime climate. So drinkable! Great with seafood or for easy drinking on its own. At that price, I'll definitely be stashing a couple of bottles of this in my fridge.

Ravenswood Old Vine Napa Valley Zinfandel 2014, Napa Valley

You can't go wrong with the Ravenswood Zinfandel: lots of black fruit like black cherry, plum, blueberry and blackberry, as well as vanilla, cocoa, baking spice and a hint of smoke. Pair with grilled duck magret served with a berry coulis for a meal your guests won't forget.

Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir La Clape Syrah/Carignan/Mourvèdre 2011, Ap

What a perfect way to start a weekend. This Coteaux de Languedoc from the south of France boasts a lovely blend of syrah, carignan and mourvèdre. Medium ruby red in colour, there is definitely a hint of garnet. On the nose, it’s quite fragrant, showing dark fruit, floral notes and spices.

The structure of this wine is really nice and quite balanced: medium bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity. On the palate, same dark fruit, with cedar, black pepper and those spices from the nose. Paired surprisingly well with Moroccan beef stew.

Get the whole story at http://winingwithmel.com/2015/11/29/under-the-weather-wining/

Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Chardonnay 2013, Sonoma/Monterey/Napa Counties

Tropical fruit, lemon and butter on the nose, followed by a certain sweetness on the palate, and notes of peach, pear and oaky deliciousness. Medium-bodied and smooth. Yum! This wine would pair well with a creamy chicken dish.

Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay 2014

This chardonnay has very subtle aromas of lime, minerality and a hint of butter from sur lie aging. The CSM winemaker uses more old-world (namely Burgundian) winemaking techniques, which means less oak influence. Rather than a round mouthfeel, it is bright and acidic, and tastes of green apple and pear. As the wine warms up, the oak nuances start to come out, with sweet spice, butterscotch, and toasted qualities. Perfect for roasted chicken.

Get the whole story at winingwithmel.com/2016/07/08/focus-on-washington-wines/