Yasa Spanish Granacha

Thought I'd review something a little different today. This is a very interesting red wine from Spain. 2003 Yasa Garnacha, or in the states Granache. I have found with this wine it's one you either love, or hate. It is one of the most "earthy" wines I have ever tasted. Very Ruby red color and full bodied. A little acidic, and very strong tannins. Black berry fruit on the nose and on the palate, full of earth, herbs and spice. Very heavy, full finish. Served best with wild game or smoky meats.

Calatyud is a huge agricultural region of Spain. Yasa is produced by Virgen Dela Sierra cooperative. The coop has 579 growers who tend to 1,753 acres of Granache. This region is mostly known for its fruit crops of apples and peaches. They also grow some nuts, mostly almonds.I find this wine very nice, different from the usual glass of red. Please pick up a bottle if you come across it, should be reasonably priced. Enjoy a little bit of spain.

Benton - Lane Pinot Noir 2005

Ahhhhh, I do love a great Oregon Pinot Noir. Had some friends visiting from Oregon over the Holidays, and we went out to dinner, and of course. Had to share a bottle of my favorite. Oregon Pinot noir. My friend recommended this bottle, she had heard nice things. Being she is from Oregon, I decided to we should try it. A 2005 Benton Lane pinot Noir was our choice for the evening.

I found the aromas to be quite earthy and chocolaty. On the palate a bit spicy (kind of unusual for a traditional pinot Noir). Nice flavors of dark cherry and maybe a hint of coffee or mocha. A nice fuller bodied Pinot and quite complex. It had a quick and clean finish.

I do always tend to love Oregon Pinots. Oregon has a much better growing climate for this ultra sensitive grape. Having a much cooler and moist climate than California, Oregon tends to produce beautiful Pinots. This vineyard is in the Southern Willamette valley of Oregon.

First production of Benton Lane pinot was released in 1992. At first Benton Lane only produced pinot Noir, but in 2003 they produced small amounts of pinot Gris and pinot Blanc, but served exclusively in their tasting room, sort of an experiment. Then in 2004, the headed off with full production of the Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.I found this wine to be a fabulous change from the traditional Pinot and recommend it to anyone.

Red Bicyclette Syrah

I know how a lot of Americans feel about the French, but I must say I have had some wonderful French wines. This is a nice little, very inexpensive bottle of Syrah. Red Bicyclette Syrah has a nose full of Cassis and spice. Very fruity palate with lots blackberry flavors, very rich and full with a note of plum flavors a bit spicy too.

For a Syrah it is very dark in color, has a nice smooth finishThis particular winery is in the Languedoc region of France of the coast of the Mediterranean sea. The climate in this region is great for growing spicy syrah grapes. This is due in part to how the vineyard is sheltered from severe weather by the Pyranesse mountains. This winery is known for producing wines with supple tannins that give it such amazing quality for the price.This is great paired with Lamb, Porkchop or anything with a nice spicy sauce.

Hope you enjoy. We picked this up at the local Albertsons in Idaho Falls.

Erath Oregon Pinot Noir

My previous review was on an Oregon Pinot, and I said I love a good Oregon Pinot Noir. Well this is my favorite to date. This is a fabulous all around great light red wine. Good with beef, fish, pasta, you name it, it's complimentary. 2005 Erath Oregon Pinot Noir - . Erath makes a beautiful pinot, very fruity on the nose with aromas of raspberry and blueberry. This is a sweeter Pinot Noir very fruity on the palate with strong flavors of strawberries and a touch of vanilla.This is a beautiful house red, this Pinot is very versatile with many foods.

Hope you find this wine as enjoyable as I do. Price is around $20, GREAT price for the treat inside. One thing I do not like about this particular wine.... twist top, which is a matter of opinion. I love the ritual of opening wines, smelling wines and of course the best part, tasting the wine. I also love wine corks. I find them unique to each different vineyard.

I also love to make wine cork boards from my collection of cool corks.Erath Winery is one of the oldest Oregon Pinot growers, Dick Erath is a Pinot pioneer. He has been winning awards for his Pinots since 1972. Before I was even born (barley). His goal, to make food friendly, all around affordable Pinot Noir. He succeeded. Dick Erath has one of the most interesting stories of all times.

I wasn't kidding when I said I love a good Oregon Pinot Noir. This is my all time favorite pinot from Oregon, for now. Oregon is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, as far as pinot growing climate goes.

Terre Del Marchesato

My first review on a wine was actually a Christmas gift from a friend and the owner of the restaraunt I work in Idaho Falls. The wine was a 2004 Terre Del Marchesato, Emilio Primo, Toscana. Described by my boss as a beautiful wine, I must agree with him. This Italian beauty is a blend of Cabernet Sauv., Merlot and Syrah. Great balance and nice acidity. This wine feels good in your mouth, and has a smooth finish. Mildly fruity ( not overwhelming) with a hint of chocolate and tobacco.

I am still learning a lot about Italian wines. This particular wine comes from a small agricultural area in Tuscany.