Domaine Ste Michelle Luxe 1999, WA, USA

January 25th, 2006 Posted in Dessert Wines, Dry Wines, Sparkling, USA, White Wines
Jan, 25 2006
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Domaine Ste Michelle Luxe 1999

A Vintage Sparkler called Luxe from WA made from the Methode Champenoise.

Technical Data:100% Chardonnay vintage 1999 made from the Methode Champenoise.

Description:Pale yellow color with tiny bubbles. Crisp Sparkler showing grapefruit aromas and flavors followed in the palate by fruits like lemon, pear and a hint of tropical fruits with some pineapple and melon. A touch of spice and a soft creamy finish complete its description.

Food Pairing & Service:Will pair well with a wide range of dishes, nice with a trout, or same kind of fish. Also an ideal accompaniment to chocolate and blue cheeses. Serve chilled.

Score:7/10

Suggested Retail Price:$17.99

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Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Noirs NV, WA, USA

January 25th, 2006 Posted in Dessert Wines, Dry Wines, Rosé Wines, Sparkling, USA
Jan, 25 2006
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Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Noirs

An excellent Rose Sparkling Wine NV from WA made from the Methode Champenoise.

Technical Data:90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay, the opposite of a Blanc de Blanc. Made from the Methode Champenoise. Non-Vintage.

Description:Light salmon-pink color with small bubbles. Dry and medium-bodied Sparkler. Strawberry and Raspberry aromas and flavors, with light spice undertones. Dry at the entrance this Sparkler as a soft and fruity long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Because of its soft finish, it will be a good accompaniment with soft cheeses, dessert and specially chocolate or berry. Also nice to be drunk on its own. Serve chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$9.99

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Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Blanc NV, WA, USA

January 25th, 2006 Posted in Dessert Wines, Dry Wines, Sparkling, USA, White Wines
Jan, 25 2006
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Domaine Ste Michelle Blanc de Blanc

A soft and refreshing Blanc de Blanc Non-Vintage (NV) from WA, made from the Methode Champenoise.

Technical Data:

Description:Light golden color with small bubbles. Medium-bodied Sparkling Wine. Equally floral & fruity on both nose and palate. This wine shows a nice floral entrance with honeysuckle and honey followed closely by fruity flavors such as green apple and a hint of tropical fruits. Long lasting finish. Easy going wine!

Food Pairing & Service:This Blanc de Blanc is softer than the Brut from the same Estate, will accompany well soft cheeses, desserts and aperitif. Serve chilled.

Score:8/10

Suggested Retail Price:$9.99

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Domaine Ste Michelle Cuvee Brut NV, WA, USA

January 25th, 2006 Posted in Dessert Wines, Dry Wines, Sparkling, USA, White Wines
Jan, 25 2006
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Domaine Ste Michelle Cuvee Brut

A nice Brut Non-Vintaged (NV) from WA, made with the Methode Champenoise, to enjoy with a meal or by itself.

Technical Data:50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir. 100% Méthode Champenoise. Non-vintage. It is the most representative of a producer’s style. Usually it is a blend of different grapes from different vintages and growing areas.

Description:Light golden yellow color with nice small bubbles. A Brut dominated by its floral aromas and flavors followed by a touch of fruits. Mainly white flowers flavors laced with soft fruits like apple and citrus. Crisp and quite refreshing, with a long lasting finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Because that’s a dry sparkling you will be able to pair it with a wide range of food as well as enjoy it by itself as an aperitif or afterdiner wine. Personally I usually go on spicy food with that kind of Sparkling wine. Serve chilled.

Score:7/10

Suggested Retail Price:$9.99

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Lustau East India Solera Sherry NV, Andalucia, Spain

November 26th, 2005 Posted in Dessert Wines, Fortified Wines, Spain, Sweet Wines, White Wines
Nov, 26 2005
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A “must-have” Fortified Wine, specially for the coming holidays, a great sweet one to share with friend and family, from the very best producer of that type of wine!

Technical Data:From the South of Spain ( Andalucia), produced between Sevilla and Cadix. Like Jerez and Madeira wines it’s a white fortified wine made mainly from Palomino Fino ( 85%) sweetened by Pedro Jimenez( 15%). A blend of Soleras averaging 15 to 50 years of age.

Description:Bright amber color. Rich and concentrated nose focused on toffee and nutty aromas. Sweet, luscious almost weighty wine yet very balanced. The palate is complex, extremely voluptuous and enjoyable showing up flavors such as roasted nuts and toasted almond enticed with caramel and candied apricot peel. Clean lingering finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Perfect accompaniment to light desserts, chocolate cake, can also be served with cheeses like blue cheese or as a sweet digestif. Personally I prefer it at room temperature but most people like it chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$24.99 ( considering the time this wine spent in ageing prior bottling it’s trully a great value)

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Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer’04, Columbia Valley, WA, USA

November 18th, 2005 Posted in Dessert Wines, Sweet Wines, USA, White Wines
Nov, 18 2005
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A flavorful and sweet Gewurztraminer to enjoy with food or desserts.

Technical Data:Blended Gewurztraminer from Columbia Valley region. 83% Gewurzt., 11% Riesling, 6% Muscat. Unoaked.

Description:A classic style Gewurzt. from the famous Chateau Ste Michelle Estate. Pale golden color. Aromas of tropical fruits and spice. On the palate, an unctuous entrance showing rich flavors of tropical fruits and acacia enticed with clove spice. Long lasting sweet finish with hint of spice kicking your palate a little bit. Quite nice!

Food Pairing & Service:Will pair well with all Asian dishes, also a good accompaniment with spicy dishes or even desserts. Serve chilled.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$8.99

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Legacy Muscat Ottonel, Romania

September 26th, 2005 Posted in Dessert Wines, Romania, Sweet Wines, White Wines
Sep, 26 2005
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A syrupy and very enjoyable sweet wine.

Technical Data:The Murfatlar vineyards in Romania have long been producing wines that surpass the expectations of even the most demanding wine enthusiasts. This white Muscat grape variety is left to ripen for longer periods of time, leaving more residual sugar and making this a great table wine.

Description:Straw yellow color. Very aromatic, nicely fruity and sweet, with appealing candied apricot, peach and grape flavors and a soft, smooth texture.

Food Pairing & Service:Deliciously sweet try it with light desserts, chocolate or fruits, could be also nice with Foie gras.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:$6.99

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Quinta do Noval, Special Reserve Port, Portugal

September 18th, 2005 Posted in Dessert Wines, Fortified Wines, Portugal, Red Wines, Sweet Wines
Sep, 18 2005
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A nice Port to enjoy, a little less sweet than the Non-Vintage LB Port from the same Quinta.

Quinta do Noval Special Reserve

Technical Data:Made from 3 Portuguese Grapes, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz ( = Tempranillo) and Touriga Francesca. Grapes trodden by foot and aged in traditional large oak vats called “Lagares”, aged 4 years.

Description:Deep purple color, with a wild spicy nose and ripe fruits well married with woody notes. The full and silky tannins express the essence of its terroir. A rich and full-bodied wine with great charm and finesse. Intense fruity bouquet with a rich, elegant, well-balanced palate, a smooth velvety tannic structure and a powerful, intense finish.

Food Pairing & Service:It is delicious with a variety of cheeses & desserts, particularly chocolate. Ready to be enjoyed immediately, this port does not need to be decanted.

Score:9/10

Suggested Retail Price:?

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Quinta do Noval, Non-Vintage LB Port, Portugal

September 18th, 2005 Posted in Dessert Wines, Fortified Wines, Portugal, Red Wines, Sweet Wines
Sep, 18 2005
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A very fine Port you will enjoy anytime, that’s my latest favorite wine!

Quinta do Noval, Non-Vintage LB Port

Technical Data:Port made traditionnaly from 3 Portuguese grapes called Tinta Roriz ( that’s one of the synonym for Tempranillo grape), Touriga Francesca and Tinta Barroca. The grapes after been harvested have been trodden by foot then aged in traditional large oak vats called “Lagares”. It is blended from a number of vintages to add complexity.The aging is from 4 – 5 years, this kind of Port is bottled according to demand.

Description:Intense dark purple color with some red shades. A complex nose showing mostly red fruits such as raspberry, cherry and berry. This Non-Vintage Late Bottled or LB ( vintage character) Port is an impressive one, it possesses fabulous cherry and berry fruity flavors, a smooth texture with a nice touch of spice and smoky chocolate character just by the end of the palate. Dense, rich, concentrated, this is an excellent value in high quality port. A full-bodied one yet round and well-structured with a long lasting elegant finish.

Food Pairing & Service:Accompanies well chocolate desserts and red fruits one. Could also be enjoyed on its own. Ready to be enjoyed immediately, this port does not need to be decanted.

Score:10/10

Suggested Retail Price:$14.99

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