April 14, 2006
Tisdale 2004 Merlot
I have encountered the first wine in which the taste was made better by the price. Approximately twice the goodness of the sensory taste is accomplished by the price of $4.99 for the bottle. A decent, unoffensive, slightly spicy wine that is lifted from the humdrum by an extraordinary discount. Mmmmmmm, frugaliscious.
Posted by Noel at 04:01 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 20, 2006
La Vieelle Ferme Cotes Du Ventoux 2003
Since I tend to sit on my writings for longer than I should, the datedness of the following review is duly noted. However, since Detroit is still at the top of the league with a sizzling 32-5, it's appropriate to revisit the defending champs in a wine review...
As Detroit bore down and sealed Game 4 of the NBA Finals in the fourth quarter, I broke out the penultimate glass of La Vieelle Ferme Cotes Du Ventoux. Danny Arroyo, dubbed "The Human Victory Cigar" by Al Michaels, checked in so a celebration was in order. Unexpectedly, the robustness in the initial taste caused the sad, weary face of Tim Duncan to gain a pathos that hitherto eluded him. He's human, and though strong, still fallible.
Not to draw too closely here, but the wine was the same. The strength was in the spice, a rich and clearing burn down the whole throat. The roof of my mouth is still tingling. But outside of that shock, small hints of the grape and of the wood failed to give muscle to the taste.
Detroit played a perfect game, so my standards were high. Fewest turnovers in a Finals game. Given that this was 1.5 liters for 13 dollars at the Mountain Market, I can't complain. But I think the French to be more memorable when they act peculiar.
Posted by Noel at 05:33 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 15, 2005
Mad Dogs & Englishmen Shiraz Cabernet Monastrelli 2003
When poured into the maw, a cool river of fruit dammed up on my tongue. Then, the spice came rushing downstream, burst through the damming refreshment and kicked my tongue back in delighted shock. But it didn't stay and burn. Finished quite politely. Must act properly and maintain appearances, after all.
Time to return to the store, then.
As a bonus, fun chronicle in the intermidable Old Grey Snotty Lady style of the commercial work on scientifically quantifying consumer taste in wine.
Posted by Noel at 05:49 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 26, 2005
Redwood Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
If the place was loud and crowded tonight, the wine was well-matched. I tried to have some conversation across the table, but by the end of the bottle I was tired of it shouting. Mellow out, man. Even though I tasted some berries, and lot of smoke, I remain unconvinced that this wine was anything other than a mediocre Led Zepplin cover band. Maybe they'll cool like Robert Plant has with age. But hey, for $9.50 at the Mud Pie's half-price wine night with eight good friends, I was happy. And the wife appreciated it much more than I, which counts towards a better time.
I was more intrigued by the half-glass of Smoking Loon 2003 Syrah that my friend to the right slid over. Actually, I poured the glass myself and drank, because he was lollygagging and I was tired of the noise and ready to go home to oyster crackers and bed.
Posted by Noel at 05:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 05, 2005
Georgia Winery Meetup
A couple of friends and I have made plans to visit the Georgia Winery this Saturday around 3ish. Perfect way to celebrate my first year of freedom from the bonds of higher education.
We've seen the signs with the bizarre drunk cow on Market Street bleating “Got Wine?”, we've been trying to figure out just what the heck a Muscadine is, and we're virulently suspicious that anything approaching good wine can be made a mile off I-75 in Fort O. Should be fun. If you want to join in this little local adventure, leave a comment and I'll include you in the planning.
Posted by Noel at 08:35 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 11, 2005
Big Red House 2004
Fridge clean-out night this time. We each had a glass of white that was left over from Easter festivities. Mine?
Tasted like watery red Kool-Aid with a delayed kick. My mouth totally forgot what it tasted like, and I had to keep sipping to remind myself. I couldn't even formulate a line about it until the last swallow. Pretty fuchsia color in the glass. If you want to pose like a red-drinker, maybe people won't notice. Points off for a silly font on the label too, one that failed entirely to mention how the wine tasted. They probably forgot too.
Price: ??? (gift)
Store: ??? (ditto)
Rating: *.*
Why even that? Compared to the white zinfindel that my wife was sipping, it was positively bold.
Posted by Noel at 08:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 03, 2005
Enate Enatito 2002 Cabernet Savigon-Merlot
Supple. Well-toned body. This bottle sat since 2002, and I get the feeling that sitting for longer will only strengthen the sure snaps of whatever that purple stuff is. Very drinkable stuff. Balanced on the beam, pulling together the alcohol, the fruit, and the wood. Pleasing boquet if you stick your schnooze in the cup.
Bougt at: Riverside Beverage
Origin: Spain
Type: Merlot
Price: $9.99
Rating: ***
Posted by Noel at 09:22 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 01, 2005
Ecce Vino
The wife and I have made an effort to talk about our food and drink in the last few months. This is intentional, with hope to increase our enjoyment of meals and to increase our descriptive abilities. Also to write better.
Since one of the main ends of this blog is to force me to write, more and better, it seems natural to start blogging those talks too. Further, maybe I can get some of you to enjoy new pleasures that are available in Chattanooga. So basically my aim is no less than to become the Chattanooga-specific Food & Wine section of the New York Times. Snotty food-critic-dom, ecce vino!
I'll start posting some small writings on remarkable beer and wine right here. If you didn't catch it yet, I'm not claiming any status or special knowledge regarding these things. If you're an expert, share your knowledge with my posts. I'm just interested in good stuff, and writing about it.
We've been keeping track of favorite wines in my linkblog already, so follow up with that if your interested instant recommendations.
Posted by Noel at 05:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ecce Vino
The wife and I have made an effort to talk about our food and drink in the last few months. This is intentional, with hope to increase our enjoyment of meals and to increase our descriptive abilities. Also to write better.
Since one of the main ends of this blog is to force me to write, more and better, it seems natural to start blogging those talks too. Further, maybe I can get some of you to enjoy new pleasures that are available in Chattanooga. So basically my aim is no less than to become the Chattanooga-specific Food & Wine section of the New York Times. Snotty food-critic-dom, ecce vino!
I'll start posting some small writings on remarkable beer and wine right here. If you didn't catch it yet, I'm not claiming any status or special knowledge regarding these things. If you're an expert, share your knowledge with my posts. I'm just interested in good stuff, and writing about it.
We've been keeping track of favorite wines in my linkblog already, so follow up with that if your interested instant recommendations.
Posted by Noel at 05:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack