Arboleda Carmenère 2006

Wish I had a nice Canadian wine tonight so I could toast the Canadian Olympic Hockey Team on their winning of the Gold medal.  I am not an avid hockey fan, but I do watch occasionally and tonight enjoyed one of the best ever games.

Instead, I uncorked an Arboleda Carmenère 2006 from the Colchagua Valley of Chile.

First released in 1999, Arboleda wines are made from fruit grown under strict sustainable viticultural practices from their best vineyards in the most prestigious viticultural regions of Chile.
Very dark purple color with aromas of dry earth, some green pepper and pipe tobacco.  Reminded me of a time when I smoked a pipe.  After quitting, the pipe was kept in a desk drawer and the burnt tobacco aroma was always evident in the pipe bowl even after several years.
The palate was more of a smoother tobacco with blueberry and black currant with a dry and little spicey long finish.
Can't wait till the snow melts and I can light up the grill for a few T-bones or rib eyes.  This should be a perfect pairing with the steaks.  Tonight I had with a pepperoni and mushroom pizza.  It wasn't that bad with the pizza, but it was not that great either.  Bring on the steaks!!!
The Arboleda Carmenère 2006 was purchased locally for $19   
      Vintage: 2006

      Appellation: Chile    

      Wine pH: 3.61
      Wine Acidity: 5.31 grammes per litre
      Alcohol: 14.5%
      Residual Sugar: 1.82 grammes per litre

Other Reviews:
Travaglini, Gattinara 2001 (Italy)
Carpineto, Dogajolo 2006 (Italy)
Penfolds, Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre 2006 (Australia)
Muga, Rioja Reserva 2003 (Spain)
Buttonwood Grove, Dry Riesling 2006 (NY)
La Corte, Salice Salentino 2006 (Italy)
Damiani, vino rosso NV (NY)
Vina Real, Rioja 2005 (Spain)
Damiani, Pinot Noir 2006 (NY)
Barons de Rothschild, Bordeaux Reserve Speciale 2006 (France)
Clos Du Bois, Calcaire 2006(California)
Heron Hill, Eclipse 2004 (NY)
Bonterra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (California) *organic
Babich, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (New Zealand)
Quinta, Da Cortezia Reserva 2004 (Portugal)
Heron Hill, Cabernet Franc Rose' 2006 (NY)
Damiani, Meritage 2007 (NY)
Bonterra, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California) *organic
Henry Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon)
Lindemans, Bin 40 Merlot 2007 (Australia)
Mutuo Rioja Crianza 2004 (Spain) *organic
White Springs, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Anthony Road, semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo Riserva 2005 (Italy)
King Family Vineyards, Michael Shaps Viognier 2006 (Virginia)
Ravines Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2007 (NY)
Row House Cellars, White Table Wine NV (NY)
Candoni Chianti DOCG 2007 (Italy)
Glenora Wine Cellars, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Billsboro Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards Reserve Riesling 2008 (NY)
Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005 (Italy)
Lamoreaux Landing, dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Agent for Change (Martellotto Wines) Zinfandel 2006 (California)
Fulkerson Winery Dornfelder 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Syrah 2007 (NY)
Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel 2007 (California) *organic
Lakewood Vineyards Riesling 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot 2007 (NY)
Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008 (California)
Bogle Winery Petite Sirah 2007 (California)

Bogle Winery Petite Sirah 2007

Think my taste buds are back.  I've been having a few problems with red wines since finishing some prescribed meds a few weeks ago.  No matter what was tried I was getting a very musty taste.  I opened a few old reliables thinking there must have been some bad bottles in the rack, but they turned out to be the same. Thankfully, all is now well and I have been really enjoying the last few days getting re-united with my favorite beverage. During my time off  I ordered a few cases of my favorite Finger Lakes wines to stock up the fridge and this past week completed my stocking up by purchasing the wines I need to learn more about in order to continue my education in wine appreciation. BTW, they are Zinfandel, Syrah, Pitite Sirah and Carmenere.
The Zins are coming along better than expected and Syrah is rapidly becoming one of my faves.  This past week-end I started ordering the Petite Sirah at the Lounge and tonight I opened what is, as of now, the best.  A Bogle Winery 2007.
The aroma was not what I expected of this dark garnet wine.  I expected more fruit, but got an earthy leather and some spicy anise or licorice. In the mouth there was some blackberry, dark plum and spice with a dry and peppery finish.
Recommended pairing is rich meat dishes of lamb, pork or game and their hearty sauces.  Tonight Shirley made an excellent dish of chicken breast in left over fried peppers, onions and sausage, served with whipped potatoes, green beans and a chicken gravy accented with thyme. The pairing was just a tad short of "magnificent." The Bogle Petite Sirah was the perfect match.
Still have some way to go with this wine, but I am happy with the progress. At least I am no longer afraid of Petite Sirah.
The Bogle Petite Sirah was purchased locally for $7.99. Great value!!


      Vintage: 2007

      Appellation: California

      Vineyard Sources: Clarksburg & Lodi
      Harvest Date: September 10 through October 24, 2007
      Release Date: March 2009
      Wine pH: 3.61
      Wine Acidity: 0.57g/100ml
      Alcohol: 13.5%
Other Reviews:
Travaglini, Gattinara 2001 (Italy)
Carpineto, Dogajolo 2006 (Italy)
Penfolds, Bin 2 Shiraz/Mourvedre 2006 (Australia)
Muga, Rioja Reserva 2003 (Spain)
Buttonwood Grove, Dry Riesling 2006 (NY)
La Corte, Salice Salentino 2006 (Italy)
Damiani, vino rosso NV (NY)
Vina Real, Rioja 2005 (Spain)
Damiani, Pinot Noir 2006 (NY)
Barons de Rothschild, Bordeaux Reserve Speciale 2006 (France)
Clos Du Bois, Calcaire 2006(California)
Heron Hill, Eclipse 2004 (NY)
Bonterra, Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 (California) *organic
Babich, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (New Zealand)
Quinta, Da Cortezia Reserva 2004 (Portugal)
Heron Hill, Cabernet Franc Rose' 2006 (NY)
Damiani, Meritage 2007 (NY)
Bonterra, Sauvignon Blanc 2006 (California) *organic
Henry Estate, Oregon Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon)
Lindemans, Bin 40 Merlot 2007 (Australia)
Mutuo Rioja Crianza 2004 (Spain) *organic
White Springs, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Anthony Road, semi-dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Cantina Zaccagnini, Montepulciano d' Abruzzo Riserva 2005 (Italy)
King Family Vineyards, Michael Shaps Viognier 2006 (Virginia)
Ravines Wine Cellars, Cabernet Franc 2007 (NY)
Row House Cellars, White Table Wine NV (NY)
Candoni Chianti DOCG 2007 (Italy)
Glenora Wine Cellars, Gewurztraminer 2007 (NY)
Billsboro Winery, Sauvignon Blanc 2008 (NY)
Fox Run Vineyards Reserve Riesling 2008 (NY)
Banfi Chianti Classico Reserva 2005 (Italy)
Lamoreaux Landing, dry Riesling 2008 (NY)
Agent for Change (Martellotto Wines) Zinfandel 2006 (California)
Fulkerson Winery Dornfelder 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Syrah 2007 (NY)
Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel 2007 (California) *organic
Lakewood Vineyards Riesling 2007 (NY)
Atwater Estate Vineyards Cabernet-Merlot 2007 (NY)
Cline Cellars Cashmere 2008 (California)

An Un-Super Bowl Sunday

It's been a long time since I was able to watch a Super Bowl at home.  For the past 14 years I worked on Sunday. My days off were Tuesday and Wednesday.  I actually enjoyed my mid-week days off. There were no lines at the stores, no crowds at the mall, never needed restaurant reservations, wine tours were not as hectic with the smaller crowds in the tasting rooms and my season tickets to the Broadway show tours were and still are for Wednesday nights. It wasn't until the NFL playoffs began that I became aware that I'll be home to watch the Super Bowl on my new LED TV.  So the planning for the event began.

 First and most important was making sure there would be enough wine in the wine fridge. Since there was only going to be Shirley, Pam and I attending and two of us will be drinking only one or two glasses, I figured three to four bottles were sufficient.;)   Shirley planned on making a rye-boat, maybe some crab legs or lobster with some veggies and dip and an assortment of cheeses.  Let the party begin.

All was going well until a small health problem that began a few months ago decided to become intensely aggravated this past week.  I knew I had only one week to fix the problem, so off to the Doc's I go on Tuesday morning.  He tested and prodded and poked and concluded that I should take a few antibiotics and that I should be OK by Friday.  He was off by a few days, but that did not matter, he prescribed seven days of the drugs, including the anti-biotic "Flagyl." Now one only has to google search that drug to become extremely careful about following both the Doc's and Pharmacist's orders on staying away from any form of alcohol.  When they said any form of alcohol, they meant it.  All sites warned that even using mouthwash containing alcohol should be avoided. 'CRAP'

Major changes were then made for Sunday evening.  No party food, no wine and no Philadelphia Eagles in the game.  Menu was revised to Tacos and gatorade. Certainly was not going to be an evening to remember. 

Alright now, what do I review or at least attempt to review this week.  Since I was drinking way too much orange flavored Gatorade G2, I figure to try that.
Aroma - watered down Tang (remember Tang)
Palate - watered down Tang.
Taste - watered down Tang.
Finish - there was none.
Serving Size: 20 oz; Calories: 70, Total Fat: 0g, Carbs: 17g, Protein: 0g

Wow! that was easy.  Maybe next week I'll try grape flavored or compare with Vitamin Water.  Not holding my breath on that!!!

Last pill will be take very early Tuesday morning.  First glass of wine will be very early Tuesday evening.  That seems so long from now, but I think I'll survive.

Do you have on Super Bowl game day stories you would like to forget?  Please let me hear them. I need something to make me feel better.


One more thing:  "Go Saints"