winewaves

Root:1 Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc 2006

The Casablanca Valley is the source for this outstanding blanca de la casa. The story of Root:1 is that all the fruit is grown on ungrafted vines. Phylloxera has not stricken Chile like it has France, California and most other areas of the world, so grafting onto native resistant rootstock is uncommon there. Does that make the wine more pure? Not necessarily, but it makes for good wine conversation.

A lot of us are tired of Chardonnay and some us are so bored with it that we drink it from 3 liter boxes. We want to be refreshed, reinvigorated with something new. We want something good and expressive, and we don't want to spend too much. Importer Click Wine Group has done it again with this fresh and edgy wild white that rivals the best of France for a meager price.

Excellent value ($11). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 13.1%.

Style: Tart, unoaked, green, minerally, approaching shrill.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Pale straw with a greenish tint. Aromas: Gooseberry, grapefruit, lime, with background notes of asparagus and flint. The lively tart and definitely not sweet lime rind, grassy and minerally flavors dance into the finish "as time goes by".

Comment: "You must remember this: A kiss is still a kiss".

Chateau De Campuget Rhone Viognier 2006

Love doesn't come to mind with every glass of wine, but this one's a real find. If you're looking for a special white for a special occasion this season, say a wedding, here it is.

Chateau Campuget's winemaker Delphine Crouzet creates a classic 100% Viognier out of southern Rhone fruit. Winewaves recently reviewed Campuget's Nîmes Tradition Blanc 2005, an expressive Roussanne dominated white blend.

Excellent value ($18). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 13%.

Style: Elegant tropical fruit and flowers.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Light straw. Aromas: A peach and pear dominated fresh fruit punch combined with honeysuckle in bloom. The mouthfeel is juicy and round yet tart and round. The lime citrus comes through the fruit punch and joins with a gravelly minerality as the finish reaches for the stars.

Comment: Celebrate the season with a flawless Viognier for under $20.

R Winery Evil Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

"Evil" spelled backwards is "Live" but "Evil" turned upside down, "It's just wrong". That's what the label says anyway.

Evil is another worthy project of the partnership between Dan Philips' Grateful Palate Imports and Chris Ringland's R Winery. The partnership is responsible for Bitch Barossa Grenache, Pillar Box Red and other hotties in our wine market these days. The fruit is sourced from South East Australia.

Excellent value ($10). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 14.7%.

Style: Dark fruit-forward, softly textured, approaching lush.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep purple ruby, semi-opaque. Aromas: Cassis and hints of coffee and vanilla. Medium-bodied and softly textured, the deep fruit-forward flavors are plentiful but just short of jammy and the finish is dusty dry.

Comment: Once upon a time the water was turned to evil wine and it was a worthwhile temptation.

Summerland Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2005

Summerland's under-$15 Santa Barbara Chardonnay is a smart fusion of bright varietal flavors and light handed spice, perfect for the season.

Summerland proprietor Bilo Zarif and winemaker Etienne Terlinden have been creating expressive Central Coast Chardonnay for several years, first at Zarif's Barnwood Vineyards and Laetitia Winery, and now at Summerland.

Excellent value ($14). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 14.2%.

Style: Bright, somewhat complex, light spice, crisp/dry.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Light lemon straw. Aromas: Pear, spiced apple and hints of cold blossoms and banana. Tart, juicy and a bit rounded off, the spiced apple, orange and ginger flavors are lively and refreshing in the clean dry finish.

Comment: A trendsetter in a sea of California Chardonnay.

Some Expensive Home Grown Heirloom Tomatoes

These heirloom tomato plants growing in our Nashville Tennessee backyard may well produce the world's most expensive tomatoes. These pictures were made today (Mother's Day), marking the end of week number 2 since these plants went into the ground. The largest plants have already grown to 18 inches tall.

The raised beds were made out of treated lumber salvaged from the deck that was removed from the house a few years ago. The soil is "Sta-Green" brand and the 20 bags cost about $120-130. The landscape fabric cost almost $10 and the pine needles cost $12. Then there was the cost of the soaker hoses ($18 total) and the support cages ($70). The varieties of tomatoes include: Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter, Arkansas Traveler, German Green, Mr. Stripey, Amish Paste, Boxcar Willie and more. There are a few peppers and a couple of basil plants in the beds.

It should not be too long before a show of tomatoes can be produced along with corresponding wine recommendations for pairing with home grown tomato dishes.

The slideshow format is a new feature here at Winewaves. You may click here or any picture above to be transported to a slightly larger version of the same slide show.

Pure Love Barossa Jack Shiraz 2005

Jack Russell terriors are cute, but they're also tough and focused dogs who protect their owners from ground level vermin such as rats, mice, rabbits and snakes. In the Barossa, a bold Jack is a good friend to have indeed.

Pure Love is the affordable line of Australian Shiraz produced by Jayson Woodbridge and Barossa Jack pays homage to his faithful if short legged best friend. Winewaves just reviewed Layer Cake Shiraz and Jack is an identical top notch effort.

Excellent value ($15). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 14.5%.

Style: Lush, fruit forward, some oak spice.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep purple ruby, translucent. Aromas: Raspberry, cassis, loganberry, dark chocolate and sweet spice. The mouthfeel is warm, tart, richly sweet and then dry and well structured. The dark red fruit liqueur and chocolate flavors are tenacious and gripping yet cuddly.

Comment: Jack could win "Best of Show" on any given night. It's a "piece of cake". This dog hunts.

Haras De Pirque Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Stimson Lane, parent of Chateau Ste. Michelle imports this Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon which is an attractive value and perfect companion to a ribeye on Derby weekend.

The horse drawing on the front label pays homage to Leonardo Da Vinci and ties together the Haras De Pirque Estate's dual focuses: wine and race horses. The estate is owned by the family of Eduardo Matte. The winery is shaped like a giant horseshoe and they raise winning thoroughbred stallions.

The composition of Haras Cabernet is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with 10+/-% Carmenère and a smidgen of Syrah. Aging was 8 months in French oak.

Excellent value ($9). Closure: Real cork. Alcohol content: 14.5%.

Style: Lush, black fruit forward, with some smoky oak.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep crimson with purple edges, with just a bit of a haze, semi-opaque. Aromas: Perfumed cassis, loganberry, cedar, tobacco, wet earth and well toasted oak. Jammy and substantial on the tongue, the lush black/red fruit, herbal notes and bold earthy tannins go the distance like a thoroughbred should.

Comment: An American in Chile.

Alma Rosa Santa Barbara Pinot Gris 2004

Are you likely to pay a bit more for a wine if it's biodynamic, organic or a product of sustainable farming practices? What if you get a superior wine of great aroma/flavor intensity and length?

Thekla and Richard Sanford left their namesake winery behind in 2005 to found Alma Rosa and they bring new energy and positive focus to the venture. They farm their Santa Rita Hills vineyards with respect and kindness in order to keep the land and their wines unspoiled and beautiful.

Burgundy native Christian Roguenant is the head Winemaker, a frequent wine judge and also a photographer. 2004 is the first vintage for Alma Rosa Santa Barbara Pinot Gris, and the 2005 was recently released.

Excellent value ($18). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 12.5%.

Style: Intense fruit, pretty, light, crisp.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Bright lemon gold. Aromas: Perfumed apricot, white peach, cold blossoms and spring rain. A voluptuous body with nice curves combines with a lively tart feeling on the tongue as the pretty apricot and lemon flavors are sustained in the crisp finish.

Comment: "Tell me what wine you drink, and I will tell you what you are."

Pure Love Wines Layer Cake Barossa Shiraz 2005

I'm always on the lookout for a really nice piece of cake, especially the chocolate layer variety. Not just any old "cranked out" assemblage will do, it needs to be monumentally on point. This one's worth the calories.

Pure Love Wines is the most approachable project of Jayson Woodbridge, who is the cult star of "Hundred Acre" wines. Layer Cake is everywhere. Personally I spotted it in Las Vegas, Nashville (Frugal MacDoogal) and Houston (at Spec's on Westheimer).

Excellent value ($13). Closure: Screw cap. Alcohol content: 14.5%.

Style: Lush, fruit forward, some oak spice.

Tasting Notes: Appearance: Deep purple ruby, semi-opaque. Aromas: Blackberry, raspberry, loganberry, fruity dark chocolate and hints of sweet spice. On the tongue the powerful body is marbled and wrapped in plush icing. The liqueur chocolate flavors reverberate decadent tones before the lights go out.

Comment: Grab it while it's making appearances all around the USA. "You look like you need a nice piece of cake".