Tasting - Rubus Shiraz 2013, Barossa, Australia

• Rubus Shiraz 2013, Barossa, Australia
• Shiraz
• Barossa
• Australia
• 2013
• $15.95
• Wine Searcher Reviews: 
• http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-415261-2013-rubus-wine-selections-shiraz-barossa-australia

My Review:

Color: Intensely dark purple, nearly black, with very tiny rims of dark red. Opaque.

Nose: The first thing that hits me is an overtone of smokiness overtop very concentrated and ripe dark berries and spices. Aromas include smoke, blackberries, black currant, sugar plum, licorice, and cinnamon.

Palate:

• Acidity = 2.5/5
• Alcohol = 4/5
• Body = 5/5
• Fruit = 2.5/5
• Tannin = 4/5

I've never had an Australian shiraz, which apparently are supposed to be big. This one is massive. It's attack is incredibly robust (hence the name) with a concentrated explosion of blackberries, black currant, smokiness, licorice, cinnamon, red sugar plum, and surprisingly well rounded and soft tannins, though their presence is clearly there. I liked the balance between the fruit and oak, even though this wine is pretty harsh on the baking spices, most notably cinnamon, which I despise. Good balance and a good heavy oaked red.

I had this with some leftover Italian sausage. My mouth was like a war and Australia's wine annihilated Italy's sausage. The body of the wine is far too huge for a sausage to make a difference. The sausage was completely overpowered by the spices of the wine, but the sausage also made the wine taste more acidic and bitter, so the combination really did not work well. This wine needs a fat slab of steak or beef to match up with its heavy body.

Tasting - Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2013

• Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2013
• Sangiovese
• Chianti Classico
• Italy
• 2013
• $12.95
• Wine Enthusiast Review:
• http://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/castello-di-gabbiano-2013-chianti-classico

My tasting notes:

• Color: Brick red color and pretty clear with bigger rims. Slight orange to brick tint around rims.
• Nose: the first adjective that hits me is rustic. it has a good balance of half dry fruit and earth, like fig, raspberry, and blackberry with a decent amount of smokiness. There are also notes of tomato and bacon fat.
• Palate:
• Fruit: 2/5
• Body: 2/5
• Alcohol: 3/5
• Tannin: 3/5
• Acidity: 4/5
• Notes: very soft tannins and delicate fruit flavors aside earthy spice. Flavors of slightly dried strawberry and fig, baking spices, a touch of pepper, and hints of other dried berries and tomato. The flavor had good longevity and was very round and smooth thanks to a fantastic balance. Could maybe even age a couple more years. This wine is a great value and will definitely be a new go to bottle for a "fancy" get together.
• Meal Pairing: I had this wine with penne pasta, 1/3 rosé and 2/3 five cheeses sauce, and Italian sausage slices. The pairing was delicious and I now understand how local dishes pair perfectly with local dishes, because an oaked and old world style sangiovese goes great with sausage and pasta. The dish brings out the riper dark flavors of the wine as well as the common tomato flavor of both the dish and the wine. The smoothness and smokiness of the wine go well with the contrast of the pasta and sausage bringing together a nice complexity of flavors. You get a blast of berries and noodles, and tomato, and cheese, with a smooth and supple roundness washing it all down. Lastly, the equal bodies of both the dish and the wine made the pairing even more fit, since the acidity and the tannins of the wine were reduced by the dish while the fruit thrived to bring the meal into great harmony. 

Tasting - Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Grand Cru - Les Preuses

Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Grand Cru - Les Preuses 2011

• Chardonnay
• Les Preuses (vineyard), Chablis (subregion) Burgundy (wine region)
• France
• 2011
• $66 average according to wine searcher - I worked at a wine distributor warehouse over break and he gave me a stained bottle of a grand cru burgundy, which i would imagine costs quite a bit
• link to wine searcher's reviews:
• http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-56432-2011-jean-marc-brocard-preuses-chablis-grand-cru-france

My tasting notes:

Color - Fairly deeper gold hue indicating some oxidation from aging for 5 years. Transparent, but a pretty deep gold with slightly yellow tint towards the rim.

Nose - Great balance between fruit and oak and good elegance and complexity. Aromas of green apples, citrus, lemons, and soft white peaches with a tiny hint of toast, butter, and nectarine. behind the fruit there is good minerality of something like grey limestone or stones. 

Palate:

• Acidity - 4/5
• Fruit - 4/5
• Body - 3.5/5
• Alcohol - 2/5

Flavors - the attack is fruit heavy, but very crisp and lively with white peaches, green apples, faint citrus, vivid and really bright lemon, and even the slightest sweetness of banana balanced perfectly with a touch of butteriness and toast, almost like a sprinkle of buttered popcorn. Due to having vast complexity, some oak, and malolactic with a heavier body towards the fruity side and average alcohol, I'd say this wine could develop some interesting aromas in the cellar over the next 3-5 years. However, it is fantastic to drink right now as well.

First Blog Assignment

     My experiences with wine so far in my life are pretty unique and very interesting. Having a family that is 1/2 French and a dad who works as one of the vice presidents of the wine distribution company, Vineyard Brands, has given me many opportunities to try some top class wines from around the world. Since my extended family lives in France near Caen and my dad's work requires him to travel to many different wine producing regions of the world, I've had the opportunities to explore beautiful vineyards from Burgundy, Rhone, South Africa, and even some in the United States.
     Knowing so many people who my dad works with has also given me the chance to have 1 on 1 lessons with people in positions ranging from sales reps to wine makers or marketers on many different topics, such as taste evaluation, production, sales, and retail. I've also been able to take my first few steps into the wine industry by doing an internship with Château de Beaucastel in Châteauneuf du pâpe. The experience was really cool but not necessarily lively since I lived in the middle of the vines. It really made me appreciate the art that goes behind wine making and guiding nature to run its beautiful course, but it also made me realize how much more I would prefer the business side of the industry which is more exciting and surrounded by city life.
     From the wines I've tasted thus far, I can't really pick a favorite because I'm starting to understand the uniqueness that comes with the styles from around the world. I really took a huge liking to chenin blanc from the Loire Valley specifically from Vouvray and Saumur, but I also like the modern and more fruit forward style found in South Africa. I also really appreciate pinot noir and how delicate it's flavors end up if it finds a perfect place to flourish and I'm also a huge fan of a classic Châteauneuf du pâpe or Bordeaux, but I can't stand California Chardonnay.