Tag: Sampler Packs

This Week’s 3-Pack: A Tale of Three Malbecs

Originally published on April 14, 2008.

If you’re paying attention, you realize these aren’t really “weekly” 3-Packs. More like bi-weekly, or bi-and-a-half-weekly, but whatever….

So here it is, lifted straight out of the weekly newsletter….

A Tale of Three Malbecs
The Malbec grape and Argentina are proving to be one of the wine world’s greatest matches. But many people don’t realize the grape first found its home in the Cahor region of France. This 3-Pack features the grape in three very different incarnations – 1) highly gulpable 2) polished and refined 3) old school French

Punta Pays Malbec 2005 (Mendoza, Argentina): A highly gulpable verision of Malbec – black fruits, plums, a hint of smokiness, but nothing too serious to get in the way of easy-drinking goodness.

Terrazas Reserva Malbec 2005 (Mendoza, Argentina): This version also has classic black fruits, plums, smokiness, and some notes of violet. It’s more intense and has some additional toasty notes from time aging in oak. Polished, refined, and great with grilled beef or lamb (it is from Argentina!)

Chateau la Caminade “La Commandery” 2005 (Cahors, France): Malbec from its original home in Southwest France, where its known as Cot Noir or Auxerrios (don’t even try to pronounce it.) Inky black, with brambly dark fruits, a pleasantly salty character and a long, chewy finish. Excellent with meats, game, mushrooms, and cheeses.

This Week’s Other 3-Pack: Chenin Blanc: A Grape of Many Flavors

Originally published on March 22, 2008.

Chenin Blanc is the rare grape variety that can do crisp and refreshing, rich and full-bodied or the whole spectrum of off-dry to sweet and luscious. In this pack, you can taste for yourself – one grape, three wildly different wines.

Teddy Hall Chenin Blanc 2007 (Stellenbosch, South Africa): This expression of Chenin is dry, crisp, and refreshing, with zesty notes of lemon peel. Highly drinkable and perfect for summer.

La Noblaie Les Chiens-Chiens 200X (Chinon, Loire, France): White wine from the Loire’s Chinon region is a rare find, but this one is definitely not for the dogs-dogs (chiens = dogs). A total contrast to the Teddy Hall, this version of Chenin is dry, yet richer and fuller. Notes of citrus, honey, and a finish that will remind you of popcorn – toasty, slightly oily – hard to describe, but definitely yummy.

Domaine Pichot – Domaine Le Peu de la Moriette 2006 (Vouvray, Loire, France): Chenin Blanc in its off-dry expression. Slightly sweet, with notes of hints of honey, candied fruit. The hint of citrus peel on the finish keeps it clean, crisp, and surprisingly refreshing.

This Week’s 3-Pack: Que Syrah Shiraz

Originally published on March 21, 2018.

Another week, another 3-Pack. Actually, I’m featuring two 3-Packs this week – one white, one red. Below is the red version. The white one will follow tomorrow because I’m tired and need to unwind with some crappy TV. Ah, the glamorous life of a wine store owner…

Que Syrah Shiraz
OK, the name is more than a little cheesy, but it was tough to resist because this pack features three very different examples of the Syrah grape (aka the Shiraz grape.) Two names = twice the fun, or in this pack, three times the fun.

Green Point Shiraz 2005 (Victoria, Australia): From one of the coolest regions in Australia, this wine is worlds away from typical Aussie fruit bombs. A good example of “cool climate” Shiraz, it offers bright, fresh, vibrant red fruits with a touch of sweet spice and crisp acidity.

Burch Hall Syrah 2004 (Sierra Foothills, California): A little less fruit-forward than the Green Point, this Cali syrah is clean and elegant with notes of red cherries and a bit of peppery spice.

Charles Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2006 (Barossa Valley, Australia): Classic Barossa Shiraz – big, brooding, loads of spice, some toasty oak, a rich earthiness and a smooth, velvety finish. The world “elegant” may not leap to mind, but this is yummy stuff.

This Week’s 3-Pack: Don’t Fear the Blend!

Originally published on February 27, 2008.

Feeling lazy – and had to deal with a broken kitchen pipe this morning, so I’m entitled to a little laziness – so this entry is pretty much ripped directly from my weekly newsletter….

I’ve noticed that a lot of people seem to shy away from blends – those pesky wines that list a number of grapes on their label. Maybe they seem extra confusing, or maybe there’s a concern that all those grapes are tying to hide something. It doesn’t help that wines from Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley, some of the world’s best wines, don’t list the grape varieties on their labels. If they did – we would all know they’re blends!!!

So to try to ease the fear of the dreaded blend, I put together a weekly three pack featuring the Cabernet Sauvignon grape in 3 different incarnations – on its own, blended with Shiraz, and all mixed up in a Southern France ménage a quad (or whatever the proper term would be for wine-made-from-4-different-grapes.)

And the wines are….

Morro Bay Cabernet 2005 (California)
Classic Cabernet character at a really good price – dark cherries, blackberries, with a minty/herbal touch. Some toasty oak which is typical of Cabernet – even through it comes from the barrels the wine is aged in, not the grape itself. Very food-friendly, which isn’t always true of this grape. And liquid proof that Cabernet can stand on its own (and doesn’t have to cost a fortune.)

Pecan Stream Cabernet/Shiraz 2004 (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
In this little gem, Shiraz plays nice with Cabernet, mellowing it out and adding a bit of red berry and spicy flavours. The wine has a touch of the gamey/meaty character that seems to be typical of South African wines and adds some character.

Domaine du Poujol Proteus 2005 (Vin de Pays de l’Herault, France)
A blend of Merlot, Carignan, Cinsault, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t let those strange grapes from the South of France scare you – this is a fresh, attractive red with juicy red berry fruits, a touch of spice, and a nice, soft finish. You probably won’t be able to spot the Cabernet, but it adds a bit of structure which makes this wine more than just a berry stew. Imported by Kermit Lynch.