Rioja Vega 2009

 

This Rioja has complimented everything that I have eaten today:  a Mushroom rissotto (which I am cooking as I write this post), salt and peppery snacks, cheddar cheese, turkey slices, ha! Almost everything. There's a reason why this wine is known to pair with all forms of tapas.

Established in 1882, Rioja Vega is one of the oldest wineries in the Rioja region. Located in the Rioja Alta sub-region, the wine is predominantly Tempranillo (90 percent) blended with 10 percent Garnacha grapes to add color and weight.  Minimal aging in French and American oak maintains a youthful wine while imparting structure and texture. 

Tasting notes mainly comprise of characteristics notes of cherry, plum and tomato. Surprisingly the wine opened with a refreshing acidity and nose which I wasn't expecting from this vintage.  Common synonyms for the varietal are: Tinto del Toro, Tinto Fino & Tinto del Pais (Spain), Tinta Roriz & Aragonez (Portugal).  I have tasted the 2011 vintage of this wine and wasn't as pleased.  Even though the 2009 could be slightly past it's cellering age it was still drinking extremely well.  With it's elegant gentleness and brave acidity it made me realise that I don't indulge in Rioja's as much as I ought to.

Price: $ 12.50

Varietals: 90% Tempranillo,  10% Garnache

Origin: Spain

Chateau La Barotte, Reserve 2010

The Chateau La Barotte has been one of the best finds of 2014 and I fervently hope that a case of this wine materializes out of thin air and into my apartment. (I have been devouring the Percy Jackson & the Olympians voraciously over the past few days, with gods, demi gods and objects appearing in and out of thin air all too frequently). 

The Chateau has been owned by the Guerin Family for 3 generations. In 1930 Rene Guiron bought the castle with it's 4.5 hectares of vineyards and 1.5 hectares  of land with an AOC label. Since then necessary improvements have been added to the wine storehouse,to the equipment and to the methods of cultivation in order to make the farm into a modern wine producing Chateau. The Chateau La Barotte is located in the commune of Saint Andew de Cuzbac, 15 miles away from the city of Bordeaux, 12 miles away from Libourne and 18 miles away from the commune of Blaye. The 20 year old vines benefit from excellent sun exposure and the constant attention of Michel and Stephane Guiron.

Tasting notes: The 2010 Brodeaux from Chateau La Barotte is a beautiful, well balanced wine comprising of the traditional Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The wine is a dark ruby red with lighter crimson tints. The nose brims over with dark fruits like blackberries, black cherries, licorice with hints of red fruit; crushed strawberries, currants. This is a surprisingly elegant wine that can compliment meats like venison, goat, lamb and chicken with its suppleness and hints of tartness complimented by it's high but well rounded acidity. The tannins are ripe and the finish is quite long. An absolutely good find, a wine from a lesser known chateau, where some of the best known bargains in terms of quality and price are to be found.

Chateau La Barotte
Bordeaux 2010
Merlot:  70%
Cabernet Sauvignon:   16.5%
Cabernet Franc:   13.5%
Price:  $ 9.99

Chateau Dumas Cenot 2011, Bordeaux

It's a beautiful evening as the lighter and cooler breezes disperse the heavy air of this afternoon. Zucchini, sliced and simmering with green onions, turmeric root and ginger is almost done, the pot of steamed red rice is ready and I'm looking forward to a glass of the Chateaux Dumas Cenot which was opened yesterday evening.

The title of Bordeaux Superieur is a title in its own right, for both red and white wines, covering the entire Bordeaux region. The most common requirements are that these wines must be aged for at least twelve months in oak before they can be sold. The wines are also often produced by single parcels of older vines.  The vast majority of Bordeaux Superieur wines are estate bottled which is not a requirement for generic Bordeaux. They also tend to have a higher alcohol level.

Tasting Notes: This 2011 is dark ruby colored with purple undertones and an expressive nose of matured black fruit, specially prunes. Riper berries on the nose as well as on the palate combine to make a soft wine that still has a strong tannic structure which adds strength to an otherwise fruit forward wine.  The 2011 Dumas Cenot is meant to be a basic level wine from this appellation but delivers more than one would expect. I personally feel that this wine can be appreciated by those that like rich fruit in their glass as well as those that prefer a drier wine with classic Bordeaux qualities. It also develops quite well in the bottle after opening. I'm drinking the 2011 vintage in 2014 which is just about the time it should be cellared if desired, anywhere from 4-5 years. 


Chateau Dumas Cenot: Bordeaux Superior 2011
Cabernet Sauvignon:   +60%  
Merlot:   +30% 
Price:   $12-$15