Cycles Gladiator 2005 Central Coast Merlot

This wine almost got a top rating just for the bottle: A cool name (“Gladiator” – “Strength and Honor” and all that…) and a nude women holding onto a flying bicycle for dear life.  What more could you want from a wine of California’s Central Coast – or anywhere else for that matter?

Well, that’s an easy one.  How about balance?  Does that do anything for you?

The wine was albeit relatively young when we had it, as the inky purple color revealed.  The aroma was quite good, with everyone enjoying the spicy black fruit flavors and small touches of oak and vanilla that reached out of the glass.  Unfortunately, when we actually got to the palate our initial hopes were dashed.  This dry wine had a low amount of tannins, which was not a problem.  When we got to the finish, a yucky aftertaste eradicated any plum and black cherry flavors present and a heavy long-lasting burn unleashed by the high alcohol content of the wine.

While it is true that the wine was young, the alcohol was a problem.  If you happen to get your hand on the bottle, consider waiting a couple years to open and then be sure to decant the wine for an hour – or three – before serving.  This might give a chance for the flavor to change for the better.  That’s the last time I let a nice-looking name or label get my hopes up.

Varietals
Merlot 90%
Cabernet Sauvignon 8%
Petite Verdot 2%

Appearance
Clarity: Clear
Intensity: Medium
Color: Purple

Nose
Condition: Clean
Intensity: Medium
Aroma: Black fruits, spice (vanilla), and oak

Palate
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Low
Body: Medium
Flavor: Plum and black cherry
Length: Short with high-alcohol aftertaste

Conclusion
Quality: Acceptable
Pairing: Try it with a thick lamb curry or lamb chops.

Mud House 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

Just when you thought all there was to New Zealand was rugby, beautiful scenery, and Lord of the Rings; that small island nation to the southwest of Australia is no longer simply a dagger pointed at the heart of Antarctica, it’s an ICBM pointed at France’s bragging rights for making the best Sauvignon Blanc wines.  The Kiwis are successfully challenging French dominance of this varietal, and Mud House brings us a good example of how with their 2007 vintage.

Don’t be fooled by the pale lemon appearance – one whiff and you’ll get an appetizing scent of green bell peppers and green apples.  While the 13% can trick you into thinking this wine is sweeter than it is, the acidity gives this wine a crisp taste of more bell peppers.  The finish is long lasting and clean, making this wine hard to put down.  Don’t hesitate to pair this delight with tomato-y Italian foods or a nice stir-fry with chicken and vegetables.

Appearance
Clarity: Clear
Intensity: Pale
Color: Lemon-Watery

Nose
Condition: Clean
Intensity: Medium-Pronounced
Aroma: Green bell peppers, hint of apples

Palate
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium-High
Tannin: None
Body: Medium
Flavor: Green bell peppers
Length: Long

Conclusion
Quality: Good
Pairing: Italian food with tomatoes; Asian stir-fry with white meat

 

This outstanding wine from the southern Rhône Valley of France will knock the socks off of any wine novice, and not only because of the 14.5% alcohol content.  A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and Mourvèdre, the 2005 vintage is a deep purple with a ruby hue around the age to demonstrate its age.  While the color may make you want to brace for an overpowering nose, it is actually a pleasant medium full of blackberry scents with a slight hint of strawberries.

The palate though, is something to remember.  A very “medium” wine in terms of all elements – including tannins and acidity – you will be able to enjoy a strong blackberry flavor complimented with a strong black pepper tones.  We downed a bottle of this with some nice medium-rare lamb chops and the pairing was amazing.  Who would ever have thought that glacially smoothed rocks could help create such a delight?

Varietals
Grenache: 80%
Syrah: 10%
Cinsault: 5%
Mourvèdre: 5%

Appearance
Clarity: Clear
Intensity: Deep
Color: Purple, with ruby developing on the rim

Nose
Condition: Clean
Intensity: Medium
Aroma: Blackberries, strawberries

Palate
Sweetness: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Body: Medium
Flavor: Blackberries, black pepper
Length: Medium, slight alcohol burn in the back of the throat

Conclusion
Quality: Good
Pairing: Lamb chops, roasted pork (would love to try this with a Chinese dish)

Scotch whisky has recently become one of my favorite libations. Sure, beer will always hold a place near and dear to my heart, but for me there's nothing better than settling back with a nice single malt, perhaps even paired with a good cigar.

I first discovered Cragganmore 12 Year Single Malt on a trip to Amsterdam, and with every sip it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. From the light amber appearance to the nice, long, smoke-filled finish, it's no wonder Cragganmore was chosen to represent Speyside in the Diageo Classic Single Malts series.

Cragganmore is one of only a few distilleries that continue to use worm tubs - coiled distillation tubing that is run through a tub of cooling water. Most other distilleries use modern condensors to condense the vapor back into liquid form.

Strength
40% abv

Appearance
Light amber, golden

Nose
Complex, with deep floral fragrances and a slight hint of honey and vanilla

Taste
Vanilla, honey, medium smoke and slightly sweet

Finish
Long and complex; the peat really works its magic

Conclusion
A very fine every-day scotch due to its (relatively) inexpensive price tag (about $35 a bottle here in the states), Cragganmore 12 Year Single Malt is a great whisky. I give it an 8 out of 10.

Cheers!
Peter

Cline Cellars: Cline 2006 Ancient Vines Zinfandel

Its reputation tarnished by an onslaught of sickeningly sweet pink wines, Zinfandel is finally regaining some much-deserved respect thanks to producers like Cline Cellars, whose 2006 Ancient Vines Zinfandel is something to behold, especially for a novice such as myself.

Coming in at a powerful 14.5% alcohol by volume thanks to the grape variety's high sugar content, this ruby treasure of California's Contra Costa Valley has a medium-pronounced nose of black cherries and leather that is inviting, to say the least.  The follow-up to that wonderful nose does not dissappoint, as it packs a slightly off-dry punch with softened tannins and a medium level of acidity that achieve balance.  The cherry and plum flavors that hit you right away soon open up with the wine and transform into a delightful spiciness reminscent of roasted coffee.

While this wine leaves a bit asking in the way of length, it complemented a T-bone steak very well and was worth every penny of the $18 it cost, especially to someone who favors heavier reds such as myself.  This wine is no longer available on the Cline site, but we were able to find it recently at a wine shop in Edison, New Jersey, so you may still be able to get acquainted with a bottle or two...

Appearance
Clarity: Clear
Intensity: Medium
Color: Ruby

Nose
Condition: Clean
Intensity: Medium/Pronounced
Aroma: Black Fruit (Cherries), Leather

Palate
Sweetness: Dry/Off-Dry
Acidity: Medium
Tannin: Medium
Body: Medium
Flavor: Black Cherries and Plums; Roasted Coffee
Length: Medium

Conclusion
Quality: Good/Outstanding
Pairing: Grilled Steak; Spicy Tex-Mex dishes