...bringing the wine country to the high country

For the 4th of July, my wife and I are inviting over about 40 of our closest neighbors, friends and family for backyard gathering to celebrate the birth of our nation.   My wife has chosen to have catered a hearty Bar-b-que buffet of beef brisket, pulled pork, chicken and babyback ribs along with the traditional side dishes of coleslaw, baked beans and potato salad.  My assignment was to select a red and a white that would pair gracefully with this broad variety of meats and hearty side dishes.

I am happy to announce that this weekend I have found and enjoyed“The Chosen Red” for this celebration.  My selection is Bogle Vineyards “Petite Sirah”. Vintage year 2005, this Petite Sirah is considered Bogle’s “heritage” varietal.  On the nose, ripe boysenberry with hints of pepper and herbs fill your senses.  Inky and jammy tones fill the mouth with fruit and berries.  You will enjoy a smooth finish that lingers from a semi dry and oak induced taste.  This is a wine that can develop for years to come, so stock up now.  Very modestly priced between $9 and $12 and readily available at most well stocked retail establishments.

The next challenge is to find a white that marries to Bar-B-Que as well as I think Bogle’s “Petite Sirah” does.  Check back next weekend see what I find!

Enjoy!!!

Sir Vino

From the Yecla region of Spain, winemaker Bodegas Castano repeat their 2004 success with another quality value offering of Hecula Monastrell vintage year 2005.  A really nice wine priced around $10 that many will judge to be $30.  Deep plum in color with somewhat of a heavy body but not overly dry.  Abundant frangrance of dark fruits with hints of floral and spice.  This wine is a definite candidate for decanting as some of the initial roughness seems to disipate with air.  Day two and three will reward you with a smoother finish and a greater appreciation for this wines complexities.  Be aware of the high alcohol content (14.5%).  Currently stocked at Costco.

Enjoy!

Sir Vino

 Sonoma County vintner Mark West Winery specializes in Pinot Noir.  Sourced primarily from California’s coastal appellations, these vineyards provide grapes of intense fruit aromatics and flavors.  Let your senses be aroused by the aromas of cherries, blackberries and plum.  You can expect low to moderate grape tannins, good acidity with broad expansive aroma and bouquet from this 2006 vinted Pinot.  This “black” pinot is rapidly rising in it’s public awareness and availablity while not currently broadly distributed, is gaining foothold on the shelves of many wine specialty stores around the country.  This is a recommended case purchase as supply appears limited and demand increasingly growing.  My case purchase with some in-store incentive pricing rounded out to just under $8.00 per bottle.  Quite a value!  Sir Vino recommneds Mark West Pinot Noir at a retail price of $13.00 and under. 

Enjoy!

Sir Vino