Italian & German Whites,
Red Bordeaux Wine
This month, we will feature European white wines from Italy and Germany, including moderately priced Bordeaux. The 2005 vintages from Europe are of excellent quality. Equally amazing are the white and red variety. They are well-balanced and intensely flavored. In comparison to other wines, the 2005 European vintages are more open and finely textured. They possess an integrated and supple quality.
The 2003 vintages, on the other hand, are extremely magnetic, warm and rich. The Bordeaux, with its full-flavored quality also yielded positive results.
Recommended Italian White Wines
Jermann – Venezia Giulia (IGT)
* 2005 CHARDONNAY, $33-35
* 2005 PINOT GRIGIO, $30-32
* 2005 VINNAE, $33-35
Possessing such long history in the industry, Jermann is one of the most respected white wine producers in Italy. The wines we will feature today are bright, refreshing and delicate. The 2005 Chardonnay is full-bodied, crisp, and sophisticated. It is bursting with flavors of passion fruit, baked bread, pear and crème caramel.
The 2005 Pinot Grigio is aromatic, ripe and delicious. It features the tastes of pink grapefruit, pear, baked apple and baked bread.
The 2005 Vinnae is an exciting blend of Ribollo Gialla. Complex, full-bodied wine with intense flavor of roasted nut, caramel, baked apple, candied lemon and grapefruit. Drink through the end of 2007.
Recommended German White Wines
Monchhof
* 2005 ESTATE RIESLING, MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER Qualitatswein, $13-$15
* 2005 MOSEL SLATE RIESLING SPATLESE, $18-$20
We have two excellent Monchhof in 2005. The Estate Riesling is appealing and fruity in character. It features the aromas of jasmine, grapefruit and apple. It is light bodied, delicate and crisp. The Mosel Slate was made in Erdener Treppchen vineyard. It features intense flavors of honeysuckle, apple with hints of lime. It is light-bodied and well-balanced. It also possesses an extremely long finish. Drink through 2010.
Weingut Johannishof
* 2005 JOHANNISBERG "V" RIESLING KABINETT, $19-$21
* 2005 JOHANNISBERG "G" RIESLING KABINETT, $19-$21
* 2005 RUDESHEIMER BERG ROTTLAND RIESLING SPATLESE, $25-$27
Three great Riesling. The V” Kabinett (Vogelsang vineyard) is deliciously elegant and intense. Tasting of peach, apple and honeysuckle, with earthy undertones. The “G” Kabinett (Goldatzel vineyard) is fruit-forward and delicious. It features the tastes of peach, cherimoya with jasmine overtones. It is rich with long, persistent finish. The Spatlese is magnetic and powerful. It is bursting with flavors of peach, cherimoya, spearmint and honeysuckle. Drink through 2010.
Weingut P.J. Valckenberg
* 2005 RHEINHESSEN Qualitatswein, RIESLING TROCKEN, $11-$13
* 2005 ESTATE RIESLING KABINETT, $15-$17
The 2005 Trocken is medium bodied and intense. It is fruit-forward with earthy, floral overtones. It tastes of peach and apple. The 2005 Kabinet is Vino-seal stoppered. It is ripe and fruity. Possessing adequate depth and spicy finish. It tastes of apple, citrus, jasmine, and peach overtones. From the Wormser Liebfrauenstift-Kirchenstuck vineyard. Drink through 2010.
Recommended Red Bordeaux Wines
Chateau La Rose LaTour Blanche, 2005 BORDEAUX
$8-$9
Fleshy, grapey and youthful. Bursting with flavors of black currant, toast and plum. It is moderately intense with hints of aromatic oak on the finish. Drink through 2010.
Chateau Lyonnat, 2003 LUSSAC-SAINT-EMILION
$18-$20
Full-bodied. Laced with black currant, spicy oak, herbs and baked potato skin. It is fleshy and full-bodied with long, persistent palate. Drink through 2009.
Chateau Mazeris, 2003 CANON FRONSAC
$22-$24
It is full-bodied and supple. It tastes of blackberry and black currant. It features long, slightly tannic finish. Drink through 2011.
Chateau Recougne
2003 BORDEAUX SUPERIEURE
$10-$12
Round and rich. This is a lightly oaked wine with medium long finish. It features fruity and spicy flavors. Excellent value. Drink through 2009.
Chateau Siaurac
2003 LALANDE DE POMEROL
$23-$25
Moderately rich with subtle light oakiness. Intense fruit flavors with light tannic finish. Full-bodied and excellent quality. Drink through 2010.
If you enjoyed these wine reviews, you
might also find the following wine resources
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