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Jim Neal Wines, Chariot, “Diana” 2004

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One of my most popular posts/reviews here was for Jim Neal’s Chariot, “Diana” 2002, a blend of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (although I bet there’s a bit of Petit Verdot in the lastest release). In fact, Mr. Neal himself posted a comment to my last review. I’ve been looking forward to tasting the next release, but somehow missed the 2003 vintage; when I found the 2004 on the shelf the other day, I picked up a bottle to see if this blend was still bringing home the taste and value.

Jim Neal Wines, Chariot, “Diana” 2004 ($12) – Inky dark purple in color with aromas of cherry liqueur and black pepper. Soft and rich in the mouth with boysenberry jam, blueberry and spicy pepper finishing with moderate tannins. Not as complex as I remember the 2002, but still mighty tasty and an excellent value. I’m a sucker for these fruit bombs; YMMV.

14.2% ABV
Synthetic cork closure
Score: 89

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Bodegas Abadía Retuerta, “Rívola” 2003

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This bodega has over 200 hectares of vineyards in the Castilla y León region of northwest Spain. Castilla y León is the largest region of Spain and the largest in the entire European Union. It was formed in 1983 but the tradition of viticulture goes back to the middle ages. Aside from wine, Castilla y León is known for it’s castles which rival those of Bavaria.

Bodegas Abadía Retuerta, “Rívola”, Sardon de Duero, Castilla y León 2003 ($14) – A blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby in color with pronounced aromas of vanilla, blackberry and clove. Raspberry and blackberry fruit with black pepper, spice and dusty tannins complete the package. Nice rich mouthfeel. Might have a little too much wood for some, but it took me back to wines I loved in the past with such a defect and was much less noticeable after some air.

13.5% ABV
Natural cork closure
Score: 87

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Fairview, “Goats do Roam” Red 2004

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The critters roamingI’m not one to buy wines for their labels, except when required by Wine Blogging Wednesday. I have also steered (mostly) clear from the so-called “critter labels” but I’m not as adamant about this as some other wine bloggers. It took a recommendation from fellow podcasters The 3 Wine Guys for me to pick up this bottle for review.

The whimsically named, “Goats do Roam”, is a take-off on the famous Côtes du Rhône. The former comes from South Africa, while the later is from the well known French wine region. Both wines are made from blends of some of the same grape varietals and the result is somewhat like one would assume the wine to be from the name with a South African twist. That twist is that Goats do Roam is made from about 30% Pinotage, the grape developed in France but most identified with South Africa. True Rhône wines would not be allowed to use this grape or the Gamey Noir and Carignan found in this South African red. The similarity from a varietal perspective is the use of Shiraz (Syrah), Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre which are among the varietals allowed in French Rhône wines. As might be expected from serious French vignerons, this name raised a few eyebrows a couple years back. All seems to have returned to normal and we can now safely enjoy this slightly earthy, food friendly red.

Fairview, “Goats do Roam” Red, Western Cape, South Africa 2004 ($10) – Dark ruby in color with aromas of black cherry and vanilla. In the mouth, it’s smooth and juicy with earthy raspberry fruit flavors with some pepper and the slightest dusting of tannin on the finish. A nice value. Think I’ll see what these goats do in villages next 🙂

14% ABV
Stelvin closure
Score: 85

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Winecast 48 – Judge a Bottle By Its Cover

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The theme for this month’s event is provided by Derrick at An Obsession with Food who asks us to Judge a Bottle By Its Cover. Basically, he just asked us to pick up a bottle only selected by its label art and not any other factor such as producer, reputation, vintage or critic review. I thought it would also be interesting to pick up only wines from producers I am unfamiliar with.

So I went to the wine store and found my first selection right away from Nova Wines the producer of the famous Marilyn Merlot, the 2005 Norma Jeane Merlot. The label is a stunning shot of the young Norma Jeane Baker in a bikini sitting on a large flower. It certainly commands attention alongside more modest labels. It’s a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Syrah from the Tallerico Vineyard in French Camp, California. Here are my tasting notes:

Nova Wines, “Norma Jeane”, Merlot 2005 ($10.50) – Clear ruby in color with explosive wild cherry and papaya aromas; simple wild cherry flavors with a hint of the tropical fruit on the finish. Quite quaffable, but not up to the latest crop of Beaujolais Nouveau tasted on my last podcast. Tasted at cellar temperature, but a bit better slightly chilled. Scores – Label: 10/10; Wine: 7.5/10

My second wine stood out from the rest on the shelf for it’s minimalist typography and 3-dot esthetic. This wine is an Eric Soloman Selection, who seems to always have great typographical label art. It is from a co-op of 15 wineries and growers in Portugal’s Duoro valley and is a blend of old vines fruit from all 15 producers. Being a typographer from the pre-computer days, I really appreciate the clean use of sans-serif font and white space; a very elegant label that attracted my attention.

Lavradores de Feitoria, “Tres Bagos”, Duoro, Portugal 2002 ($16) – Deep ruby color with aromas of blackberry, earth and spices; nicely concentrated blackberry fruit and black pepper flavors with dusty tannins and high acidity. Another very good food wine and one of the best table wines from Portugal I have tried. Scores – Label: 9.5/10; Wine: 8.5/10

So both wines take an honor this time; for best label art, Norma Jeane Merlot 2005 and the best tasting wine is the Lavradores de Feitoria, “Tres Bagos” 2002.

Thanks again to Derrick for the theme and I’ll see you all next month.

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Copyright 2005 Tim Elliott. Licensed to the public under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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Forchini Vineyards & Winery, “Papa Nonno� 2003

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Forchini Vineyards & Winery, “Papa Nonnoâ€Â?, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County 2003 ($17/provided as a sample) – A blend inspired by Super Tuscans, but made from 58% Zinfandel, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Carignane, and 4% mixed white varietals fermented together in the classic “field blend” method. Medium ruby in color with black cherry and vanilla aromas; juicy blackberry and plum fruit with some spice, a bit of earth and moderate tannins. A very good wine that is more an old vines Zin than an old world blend. Score: 8.5/10

Thanks to Alan Baker, a.k.a. The Cellar Rat for bringing this sample from the winery to me at the podcast expo.