Great Grill Wines
What happens when opinionated tasters meet strongly flavored wines? Lots of divided opinions.
June 13, 2018
There was little agreement but no violence at our tasting last week.
2010 Valle Reale Montepuliano d’Abruzzo Vigneto di Popoligot the closest to consensus. It’s nice and round, was easy to like and easy to drink.
Most people liked the rich boldness and layered depth of the 2015 Clos St. Antonin Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages. However, it was preceded by the leaner, more herbaceous Renecke Syrahand for some was made to seem too fruity. We should have opened the Syrahwell ahead of time.
There was somewhat less comment on the Pinot Noir-like Etna Rosso, although some did like it.
People liked the 2016 Librandi Efeso anddid get the pear, almond and mineral flavors. Few knew saffron though.
Barbecue Wines
White
2016 Librandi Efeso: Bright straw. A wine of great personality with ripe pear, almond, mineral and saffron aromas and flavors. Excellent $25.99/bottle 23.39/mixed case 22.09/case
2014 Goisot Coteaux Auxerrois Gueules de Loup; Aroma: Clean and rich, rather full, very concentrated; Mouth: bright acid broad, creamy full with low toned minerality, very fine definition, a sense of mature nuttiness; Very Good - Excellent 29.99; Mixed Case, 26.99; Case, 25.49
Red
2016 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso: Ruby red. Ripe cherry fruit and red currant with sweet spices and dried herbs. Fresh, finely balanced finish with good acidity. Will age very well. Very Good to Excellent. 21/bottle 18.90/mixed case 17.85/case
2010 Valle Reale Montepuliano d’Abruzzo Vigneto di Popoli: Bright ruby. Concentrated layers of dark berry fruit, licorice and spices. Rich and aromatic with balsam and silky tannins. Very Good to Excellent 18.99/bottle 17.09/mixed case 16.14/case
2015 Reyneke Syrah- Organic, biodynamic Color: purple black; Aroma: bright plummy fruit, delineated, lighter, fine acid; Mouth: smooth lightly herbal, clean nutty, smooth restrained & understated, good length fine tannins on the finish, long & poised; Very Good - Excellent 22.99; Mixed Case, 20.69; Case, 19.54
2015 Clos St. Antonin Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages; Color: light red black; Aroma: lightly heady, earthy, firm, pretty deep black cherry, lightly earth spice; Mouth: thickish, juicy, bright herbal acid, clean, fresh tight, youthful herbaceous, long & sweet; Very Good Plus 24.99; Mixed Case, 22.49; Case, 21.24
6-13 BBQ Pack: One each of the above wines - $130 - may incur delivery charge
Or you can mix
Any six - 11 bottles of the above for a 10% discount
Any twelve bottles of the above for a 15% discount
Please pass this on to any friends who are wine enthusiasts!
- Len Rothenberg
