Sunday, December 6, 2015

Beringer Chardonnay Private Reserve

Beringer Vineyards
Chardonnay
Private Reserve
Napa Valley

St. Helena, California, USA
2012
14.7%
$29.99 -- The Still, Lincoln, NE

Color: Medium gold
Nose: Cedar, clementine-lime, toasted bread, tiny hint of menthol
Body: Full
Front: Salt, lime
Middle: Honey and cream, Meyer lemon
Back: Faint sage, apricot, a hint of Tate's chocolate chip cookie
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork

Ain't a damn thing wrong with this wine. It's big and rich. But it is also nuanced, with flavors poking in and out with each sip. My face likes it better when it's at room temperature, or just below, than when it's straight out of the fridge. This is delicious with an appetizer of sweet pears and Gorgonzola verdi dolce.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Chateau des Jacques Moulin-À-Vent

Maison Louis Jadot
Chateau des Jacques
Moulin-À-Vent
Gamay
Beaujolais
Romanèche-Thorins, France
2011
13%
$21.99 -- The Still, Lincoln, NE

Color: Medium strawberry red
Nose: Cherry, marijuana, nutmeggy cinnamony
Body: Medium
Front: Cherry licorice but not as sweet as TwizzlersTM
Middle: Orange peel, coffee
Back: Rocks, dust, thyme
Burns clean?: Yes
Cap: Cork

Shhh. I have changed my wine-reviewing strategy. I felt bad giving lukewarm or even tart reviews to wines, so I am only going to review ones I think offer a happy experience. Also, I felt bad reviewing wines nobody really could get (down here in the 99 percent), so I am going to try to stick to good values. That doesn't mean all inexpensive wines, exactly, but there won't be a whole lot of red Burgundy, let's just put it that way.

I'm tasting this wine after it's been open a day, and it still has a delightful way about it. Not too heavy, not overpowering, it's about nuance and a few fresh, strong flavors. The aromas are beautiful; it tastes good with almonds, prosciutto, and fish. The feeling it gives you as you smell and drink it is that sense you sometimes get that it must surely be only the beginning of a wonderful evening.