Monthly Playlist for January
New Year, New Playlist, New Incentive: the person who orders the 24th playlist wins February's version...tell your friends!!
6 WINES - $78.00
Easy to order - just click on the link at the bottom...as always - all selections are available separately or by the case, too
2013 EL GANADOR MALBEC
Mountainous Malbec Value that's made by the renowned producer Chakana who are better known for their high-end offerings. ($12)
Where It's From: Mendoza, Argentina.
Grape(s): All Malbec.
Aromas and Flavors: Chewy black fruit, spice from oak, pepper and licorice. Dense texture you almost need a machete to cut through it.
Food Choices: Grilled sirloin with chimichurri.
Music Choices: INXS's 'Original Sin' because this wine is all about hedonistic guilt-ridden gluttony.
2010 LA PIERA TERRASSES DU LARZAC "OBRIERS"
Intrigue and individuality from Southern France. ($12.50)
Where It's From: Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc, France, Spain.
Grape(s): 65% Cinsault, 35% Carignan.
Aromas and Flavors: Smoky, seductive yet very strong. Loaded with kirsch, pure earth, provencal herbs and a steely, mineral mentality.
Food Choices: Tasty animals, especially game like venison or buffalo.
Music Choices: Run The Jewels 2 by Run The Jewels because like the wine, you are now entering a BSfree zone!
2012 MUSTIGUILLO PAGO EL TERRERAZO "MESTIZAJE"
Autonomous and full-flavored, flamboyant red from the autonomous Valencia Community. ($13.50)
Where It's From: Utiel area of Valencia in Spain.
Grape(s): 75% Bobal, 9% Grenache, 8% Merlot, 7% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Aromas and Flavors: Permeating dark chocolate, Asian spice, cherry, berry, subtle coffee underbelly. Fleshy and forward with plenty of grip.
Food Choices: Teriyaki chicken or good carnitas.
Music Choices: My Morning Jacket's cover of Erykah Badu's 'Tyrone'. Straight ahead, soulful rock music along with a flashy guitar solo.
2013 COTTANERA SICILIA BIANCO "BARBAZZALE"
Alluring white wine from a producer who always takes care of business. ($14.00)
Where It's From: Castiglione di Sicilia on Mt. Etna.
Grape(s): Inzolia & Viognier.
Aromas and Flavors: Aromatic, rocky scents. Seashore, lime-blossom, vitamin, hints of spice and orange. Clean and brisk from Inzolia, creamy and pleasing from Viognier.
Food Choices: : Pesto-based pasta dishes with green veggies or pan-seared calamari.
Music Choices: Break out The Meters 'Look-Ka Py Py'. New Orleans funk with tight, melodic grooves.
2012 SOUTHARD COLUMBIA VALLEY RED
One of Washington's Wiz-Kids returns with a new, top-notch vintage of a remarkably priced red from an area that sometimes doesn't necessarily do remarkably priced very well. ($14)
Where It's From: Columbia Vallety, Washington.
Grape(s): Solely Syrah.
Aromas and Flavors: Black fruit, black pepper, black flowers. Plenty powerful yes lively and lush. Really overachieves.
Food Choices: Smoked meats or some sort of Moroccan/Indian fare.
Music Choices: If you're a Syrah fan and don't like this wine I can't help you. Having it alongside Strand of Oaks' 'HEAL' may do the trick.
2011 CHATEAU HAUT-RIAN COTES-DE-BORDEAUX ROUGE
Whether it's Michel Dietrich's red, white or rose, Haut-Rian is the little wine that constantly delivers the goods. ($12
Where It's From: Cotes-de-Bordeaux, just SE of the city of Bordeaux.
Grape(s): 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc.
Aromas and Flavors: Plum, raspberry, tobacco, tea leaf and savory earth scents. Silky fruit in mouth but plenty of Bordeaux's dry, earthy character.
Food Choices: Roasted duck is prime but I really love it with a hot bowl of Pho.
Music Choices: 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' by The Beatles. Always brings back memories of drinking insane amounts of wine with Michel and Isabel on Cap Ferret and then having Izzy scold us for being 'mildly intoxicated' at 3 AM and singing this selection loudly!
Order the Playlist!
