Only Rose

2004 Solo Rosa, California Rose ($15) -- From a producer that only makes Rose (get it, Solo Rosa) and in fact only makes this wine. Good fruit flavors, acidity and tannins and very dry. It is a wonderful domestic Rose. It is Sangiovese/Merlot blend (50/50) from Napa and Lodi respectively, aged five months in 2 to 4 year-old French oak barrels. Just over 2,000 cases produced.

This wine tasted great at Thanksgiving and after hiding in the fridge for two weeks it still has fruit and dryness. Way to go!

I can't imagine a world without Rose's like this!

Thank you, Jeff and Daniel.

Winter is Here!

Hey kids you better get inside before your tongues freeze! Courtesy Cincinnati Enquirer. We are expecting 4 to 6 inches tonight so all the kids are convinced that there is no school tomorrow.

I'm working on the puppy photos too. She really likes to hang out with the pony and thinks Cody is a big dog with a very strange tail. But there will be no cat photos on this blog. I have to draw the line somewhere!

I am out of here before I get snowed in!

Classic California Cab

2001 Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($60) -- 13% alcohol. I pulled this out of inventory as it had sat for a year with no takers and there is none at the warehouse. The rep suggested I take it home and enjoy. Enjoy I did! Elegant aroma, soft fruits, with structure, balance, long finish, integrated tannins. This was not your typical big bad Cali Cab, but more Bordeaux-like with finesse and elegance.

An hour later it had opened up more and reminded me of the cedar aromas and flavors I got when I tasted the 1972 BV Georges de Latour Cab last March. Maybe that was just my imagination.

Day two, and I still concur with the above.

Day three, and still beautiful! Does this mean it has legs and could age for 10 more years?

Aged in 225 liter French oak barrels for up to two years, then one year of bottle age.

Damn, this was the last bottle!!!

Wine Blog Wednesday #16

2003 le jaja de jau


For the 16th version of Wine Blogging Wednesday, hosted by Derrick at "An Obsession with Food (and Wine)", the theme is "Judging a Wine by Its Label". For the wrap-up of all the entries visit his site in a few days or hours.

This label/wine caught my eye at the local supermarket amongst a thousand other labels while I was gathering groceries for last Saturday's dinner. I put it in the basket soley on the label as I had never heard of this producer before. It is a Syrah/Grenache (60/40) blend from the Pyrennes area in France. I was expecting a smoky, big fruit wine with good tannins and a short to medium finish. I have no idea how to pronounce it. The back label suggested that it be served well-chilled which should have been a clue as to what I was about to taste.

The cork is a two piece synthetic type which is great for golf balls, but not my choice for wine. The color is pale red; earthy/cherry nose (more Grenache than Syrah); somewhat abrupt finish; a bit thin for my liking. I wanted to like this wine because I liked the label and applaud their decision to stay away from cute animals, but I think there are many other better $10 wines out there. The $9 Cuvee de Pena comes immediately to mind! I would probably not re-order.

I paired with my chili for dinner and as expected it did not hold up well, although the remnants of the 2001 Santa Duc Heritage (which is 100% Grenache) saved the day. The "Jaja" did open up later and and was less tight but I would overall peg it as a young, fresh simple "vin de pay" or table wine. If I tried it again, I would chill it and drink in the warmer months.

The following is from the website:

The estate spans the villages of Cases de Pêne, Estagel, and Tautavel, occupying 134 cultivated hectares planted in eleven classic Mediterranean varietals. The magnificent hillside vineyards were completely revitalized by removing neglected vines and cumbersome stone.

The vineyards of the Château de Jau were painstakingly revitalized by ripping up the old neglected vineyards and crushing the stone upturned in the process. The rebuilding of the vineyards at Château de Jau, overseen by winemaker Estelle Dauré, represents some of the most ambitious and exciting work undertaken in the Roussillon in the last twenty years. This revitalization has allowed the Dauré family to create the incredible wines produced today.

What does "JAJA" mean?:
"Jaja" is a slang for the region's delicious full-flavored, everyday wines. It is the house selection in local bistros and restaurants. The Label was designed by Benjamin Vauthier - founder of the “fluxxes” movement in contemporary and graphic art.

HARVEST & AGEING
Harvested along with the wines for its older brother, Cotes du Rousillon Village Rouge and blended with wines from neighboring vineyards. Jaja is vinified to preserve all the ripe fruit of each vintage. Bottled early to preserve bright fresh fruit flavors.

WINEMAKER’S NOTES
A chunky, peppery red with smoky kirsch/blackcurrant and herbs de Provence scents; delicate floral nose, well-balanced tannins and acid; hints of raspberry on the palate; light, simple, and straightforward. Grape Varieties: 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache

Another Wine Garage

Next time I'm in Singapore I think I will drop in to visit the Wine Garage!