The Wine of Kings…

And the King of Wines!

I’m pretty sure that some of you know the wine to which this well-deserved sobriquet refers, but for those who might not have a clue…would it surprise you to know that this “royal” wine does not hail from France…or the USA!?   Rather, the very regal wine to which I’m referring is none other than the great red wine from Italy’s Piemonte (aka Piedmont) Region…Barolo!

Barolo’s Beginnings…Briefly

Going back in time, Barolo wines prior to the mid 1800s were on the sweet side and rather non-descript…until that is, some combination of the Marchesa Falletti of Turin and the Count of Cavour, Camillo Benso, decided to change that.  And did they ever!  Seeking a more distinguished red wine, French winemaker Louis Oudart was hired to create a new red wine that was more worthy of and befitting the Barolo name. The new, and dry, Barolo crafted by Oudart not only pleased the Marchesa, the Count of Cavour and the masses…but it was especially well received by the aristocrats in Turin, and particularly amongst the nobles in the House of Savoy.  And so it was that Barolo came to be called the Wine of Kings and the King of Wines.  

Modern Day Barolo

First, you should know that Barolo is a DOCG wine (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) which means “controlled designation of origin guaranteed.”  That distinction aside, to be labeled a DOCG Barolo, the wine must also be made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and aged a minimum of three years.  Barolos designated as Riserva must be aged 5 years or longer – three in oak and two in bottle. For the longest time, Barolo wines were characterized by their high

tannic structure along with the reality that they had to be aged for a very long time before they would soften and become enjoyable — some for as long as ten years…or more.  Barolos also have been known for their complexity and their expansive range of exotic aromas and constantly evolving flavors once their “noble spirit” has been released from the bottle. And to this day, those attributes continue to define the classic, most coveted and most expensive Barolos.  For a classic Barolo, expect to pay $100 or more.

The Barolo Wars

With the passage of time, new winemaking techniques were introduced to produce Barolos that were softer, fruitier, more approachable sooner, and more affordable than were the “classic” Barolos.” And so began the so-called Barolo Wars – that pitted Traditionalist winemakers against Modernists or Reformers who thought they were making better, friendlier and more popular Barolos.  And for what it’s worth, the “wars” rage on but they are mostly wars of words…for each style of Barolo remains definitively distinctive and distinguished…and each can still claim fame as the Wine of Kings and the King of Wines!  To be sure, Barolo is one of those wines to add to one’s “Barrel List!” Nuovo Barolos can be yours for $30 to $50.

Barolo’s Baby Brother

There’s another “100% Nebbiolo” based wine from the Langhe area of Piemonte…and it’s known as Barbaresco.  It too is a DOCG wine, and to many aficionados it’s just as good as or better than many Barolos. Barbaresco wines must be aged two years – one in oak and one in bottle — and while the sibling can’t claim to be King, it’s certainly a fitting Crown Prince!  For a really good Barbaresco, expect to pay $40 – $50.

   Toast of the Month

“To the grandest nation earth can boast;
I love each state from coast to coast;
I love thee for thy freedom most;
My Country ‘Tis of Thee I toast.”

 (Fred Emerson Brooks)

Cluster of the Month!

Red

Blend

Tuck Beckstoffer’s   75 Wine Company   

The SUM    2010    In Sum…Symmetry Personified… Refined, Elegant and Luscious!

(Napa Valley, St. Helena, CA)/$20-$25 – Talk about your basic jewel of a wine…look no further!  Without question, this is one of the best $20 wines you’ll ever experience.  For years, I’ve been a huge fan of Tuck Beckstoffer’s Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon…and though “technically”, this new blend from Tuck – with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon — could also be labeled a Cab, I think that would be an injustice, because what he’s crafted in this incredible expression of the winemaker’s art is a magical blend and mingling of flavors that defy the character of a single varietal.  Bolstered and artistically accented with 15% Petite Sirah and 10% Syrah, this vintage of The SUM was aged in 100% French oak and meticulously tended for 12 months. With floral aromas that can fill a room within 30 seconds of opening the bottle…and  legs that dance all night long… this kinda-hard-to-find gem never lasts very long on the shelves of any retailer…so get it if and when you see it!  You might even want to “tuck” a few bottles away for a few of those occasions when only a very special wine will fill the bill!  http://www.75wine.com/

Alicante Bouschet    (One of the few red varietals that have “red flesh!”) 

Francis Ford Coppola   Alicante Bouschet   2008   Fragrant, Fruity, Rich, and Supple!

 (Napa Valley — Oakville, CA)/$15-$17 — Coppola Winemaker of renown, Corey Beck, has really proven his mettle with this splendid rendition of a grape and single varietal wine that are almost unknown to most aficionados and enthusiasts.   Aside from its incredibly vibrant red hue…it’s also distinguished as one of only a handful of red grapes whose flesh is also red!  The German Dunkelfelder and the Georgian Saperav are two others…and they belong to a unique fraternity of

varietals known as Teinturier.    Another quite interesting dimension of this wonderful little grape’s

vibrant red color is its association with the US Prohibition period.  Winemakers discovered that they could dilute Alicante Bouschet wine by an amazing 50% without consumers noticing…and voila…twice the normal volume of wine, instantly!  There simply cannot be a better testament to the intensity of both color or flavor of the little red grape that could!  And now you know the rest of the story!  A true taste of American History awaits you!  Oh…as to its pronunciation, in France, it’s “Ah-lee-KAHNT Boo-SHAY”; and in Spain, it’s “Ah-lee-kahnt-TAY Boo-SHAY.

http://www.franciscoppolawinery.com/

Nebbiolo (The King of Grapes and the Grape of Kings)

Terre di Bo Barolo    2000    Sinfully Spectacular!

(Piemonte Region — Castiglione Falletto, Italy) $30-$40 – Barolo, which is typically referred to as the Wine of Kings and the King of Wines…is always made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes…and is a trademark wine from the Langa Hills outside the town of Alba in the famed Piemonte (Piedmont) wine growing region of Northern Italy.  I acquired my very first Barolo from the Wine Exchange in New York City during a visit I made to New York in 2005.  This is a wine that everyone wants and only a few can get…and when they do…they tend to hoard it.  If I can muster the willpower, I think I’ll sit on my remaining bottle for a few more years…as this is a wine that gets better with age and it can be cellared easily for 15 or more years.  By law, Barolo must be aged for a minimum of 3 years, 2 of which must be in wood (typically oak but Chestnut is also used by some Vintners on occasion).

http://www.albeisa.org/

Cabernet Sauvignon

Elizabeth Spencer  Napa Cuvée    2008    Rich, Complex, Beautifully Balanced, and Succulent!

(Napa Valley — Rutherford, CA)/$35-$40 – While it would be logical to think that Elizabeth Spencer is either the owner and/or winemaker…it would be wrong since there is no such person!  The name is actually contrived…and derived from the first names of Elizabeth Pressler and Spencer Graham who are husband and wife and also partners in making one of the single best Cabernet Sauvignons to come out of California…or anywhere else for that matter.  The O8 vintage is a perfect union of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.  Aged for 26 months in new 60 gallon French oak barrels, this is one of those “ultra premium” wines that one reads a lot about but can hardly find.  So, while you might not see this vintage on the get any one you can…because this one Cab that is always astounding!  http://www.elizabethspencerwines.com/

Courtesy of Jeff Dicks Real Estate in Heritage Wake Forest

Rick’s Grape Skinny

June 2012

“Wine rejoices the heart of man,

And joy is the mother of all virtues.”

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1771

American Wine Society

Join & Learn a Bunch!

If I’ve heard folks offer these sentiments once, I’ve heard it a thousand times — “Boy, do I wish I knew more about wine!” “I am totally confused and overwhelmed every time I look at a Wine List or go to buy wines…even in a grocery store!” “I just wish I could find a wine that didn’t make me pucker up!” “I only drink one old standby because I hate the process of going out and trying to find new wines that I might like.”  “I would buy more wine, but I need to try them first.” “Every time I go out to buy wine, I see dozens of new choices, and that just confuses me to no end!” “I’d love to learn how to enjoy and appreciate wine.” Hold those thoughts dear wineau wannabes…for boy do I have the answer for your all-too-common concerns!  The American Wine Society!

The American Wine Society was founded nearly

45 years ago by people just like “us”…folks who enjoy wine and who are also interested in learning about all aspects of wine.  Dedicated to promoting the appreciation of wine through education, the American Wine Society is formally organized as a consumer-oriented “non-profit” educational organization.  Imagine that, going to classes where it’s perfectly OK to drink wine!

Founded in part by Finger Lakes wine legend, Dr. Konstantin Frank…who also founded and owns the widely acclaimed Vinifera Vineyards of Hammondsport, New York…AWS has grown from two hundred or so like-minded growers, vintners, retailers, and enthusiasts to a burgeoning union of more than 4000 wine lovers in 45 states.  With 120 + chapters across the country, there is quite likely an AWS chapter near you that you could consider joining.   

So Why Join AWS?

You know…somehow I just knew you were going to ask that!  So let me get on with the merits of membership.  First and foremost, AWS is the nation’s largest consumer-based wine education organization…and it is organized and operated in a manner that perpetuates its educational focus.   AWS is not a business or social networking organization…and…it is not a drinking club!  Conversely, AWS is an alliance of wine enthusiasts which is dedicated to identifying and fulfilling the evolving wine related interests of those who share a desire to expand their knowledge and appreciation of wine.  Most chapters host a monthly educational event and tasting – the topics and wines for which are determined by chapter members.

Not that you might need any more reasons to join…but there is the Annual Conference (in Portland, Oregon this November), the AWS Journal and News, the hugely popular AWS Certified Wine Judge Program, the AWS Wine School, amateur winemaking materials, annual competitions for both amateur and commercial wines, the AWS Education Foundation that awards college level research scholarships, the National Tasting Project, discounts for wineries and professional services, professional memberships, sponsorships and advertising opportunities…and…a new and improved  feature-rich AWS website! 

Oh…and it goes without saying that AWS members get to hang out with some of the world’s nicest people, they get to learn more about wine and to taste more wines than 99% of the rest of the world…and within just a few months of joining…members no longer have anxiety attacks and tremble with fear when they go into a wine shop or start reading a 10 page Wine List!  Best of all…in no time, members will be able to tell those pushy, know-it-all retailers what they can do with those bottles of plonk they try to pour down our throats!  Hey, I’ll toast to that!  So where do you sign up? Glad you asked!

Here’s the link to the AWS website — http://www.americanwinesociety.org/ and don’t hesitate to call Diane Chappell, the AWS Member Services Manager if you have any questions!   She is the best!  888-297-9070

   Toast of the Month  

“To the grandest nation earth can boast;
I love each state from coast to coast;
I love thee for thy freedom most;
My Country ‘Tis of Thee I toast!”

 (Fred Emerson Brooks)

Don’t Forget Flag Day !

June14 ^th !

The Monthly Cluster!

Reds

Grignolino  

Le Nocche    2010   Grignolino d’Asti

Light, Elegant and Floral…it’s Bottled Heaven!

(Piemonte Region Italy – Asti DOC)…$16-$20

Wow…what an incredible and irresistible expression of this rarely seen varietal from northern Italy’s famed Piemonte Region. Known more for its big bad brothers, Barolo and Barbaresco, Piemonte is also notorious for hiding and holding onto a number of its stellar siblings…one of which is this exquisitely shy and delicate damsel of delight, Grignolino (Green-yo-leen-oh)! The widely acclaimed artisans from Vinchio-Vaglio Serra have kindly seen fit to grace our shores with this darling of a wine…and believe you me, she’s destined to steal a lot of hearts!  With a crystal clear and intriguingly distinctive burnt crimson color, its delicate dry nature is beautifully enhanced by an evolving palate of aromatics and flavors that ranges from strawberries and tart Bing cherries to allspice and vanilla. In brief, it’s nothing short of bliss in a bottle and it makes a perfect date for cheeses, pâtés and cured meats…as well as fare that might feature veal, pork or fowl!  This is a versatile wine whose concurrently fruity and floral nature is as distinctive as it is delicious. www.vinchio.com/newsite/eng/home.php

Pinot Noir

Acacia Carneros  2009  Fruit-forward, Rich & Excellent!  (Carneros Appellation – Napa, CA)/$16-$22 – This wonderfully luscious wine from the “heartbreak grape” is in a class with considerably more expensive Pinot Noirs…and it’s as elegant and supple as they come.  Winemaker Matthew Glynn crafted this beautifully structured wine from 100% Pinot Noir grapes – 90% of which were taken from vineyards in the Acacia Estate and the balance from nearby and highly controlled vines.  Aged in a combination of 70% French and Hungarian oak (30% new) for only 7 months – the fruit from this vintage is an exceptional expression and it’s a marvelous and wonderful example of perfecting a wine from the fickle and very hard-to-tame Pinot Noir grape. www.acaciavineyard.com

Red Blend

Hedges CMS  2009    Chewy, Fruity & Awesome!

(Columbia Valley – Benton City, WA)/$15-$18 – This fantastic blend of 45% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Syrah is probably the single best Washington State red blends  under $20 I’ve  tasted in a good long while.  To boot, if this incredibly rich and silky smooth delicacy is a harbinger of things to come from the Pacific Northwest, then California better look out!  Its definitive richness is achieved through “minimal intervention and filtering” – a winemaking approach characterized by allowing Mother Nature to work her magic.  For under $20, it’s a bargain bonanza of taste…and it’s worth hunting down!

www.hedgescellars.com/

Rosés

Frias Rosé  2009 Fresh, Crisp, Fruity, & Fun!

(Spring Mountain District – Napa,  CA)/$12-$17 Talk about a perfect wine to enjoy on a hot Spring afternoon…look no further!  Frias Family Vineyards Rosé is fruity, fun, fresh, & feisty…and it’s one of those “pinkies” that is likely to please even those “macho” palates!  The Frias family – and their head winemaker, Todd Heth, have applied the enviable amount of talent and creativity in crafting a truly superb Rosé.  With the kind of care and attention to detail that is more often associated with the making of artisanal varietal wines, this light ruby jewel resulted from a careful blending of juices taken from red varietals across the harvest period. It was fermented at very low temperatures – an approach that serves to preserve and highlight its fruit-forward character – and it was then allowed to rest for 5 months in an unspecified combination of oak and stainless steel.  The result is a succulent and delicately floral in nature Rosé that is sure to become a favorite! www.friasfamilyvineyard.com/

Courtesy of Jeff Dicks Real Estate

Your Wake County Real Estate Resource

Rick’s Grape Skinny                         

January 2012

“As soon as we make the decision to try to understand more about wine, all that is demanded is that we exercise our senses of smell and taste…this is the essence of wine tasting.”

(Oz Clarke)

Be It Resolved for 2012…

Let’s just cut to the chase and forget all those resolutions about losing weight, eating less and exercising more, etc., etc..  Borrr-ing!  Been there done that…and blew it every time!  So…let’s just resolve to do something else…like something that’s fun, and interesting, and educational, and totally enjoyable…like drinking some mighty fine wine!   Got your attention!?  Well…here’s the skinny!

Six Easy-to-Keep Resolutions

1. Think      Outside the Box!  

No…I’m not talking about box wines!  I’m talking about “our personal wine box”…you know, that subconscious mindset that tends to define the wines you and I routinely buy.  Be enthusiastic about trying new wineries and different versions of the wines you typically prefer (i.e. a Washington vs. Cali Cab or a non-oaked Chard vs. your usual big ole butter bomb, etc.).  12 new versions of your usual suspects over the next year will truly open your eyes and expand your palate! 

2. Commit      to Taking Notes!

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I hear, “I had this great wine the other night but I’ll be darned if I can remember what it was!”  I carry a small notepad…but hey, even a napkin will work!  So get with it wineaux!  Get serious about recording notes and observations about the wines you drink. Capturing the name, vintage and “what naturally comes to mind” about the wine in a small journal is a great way to start.  Just keep it simple…but keep a record…and then, make the effort to reflect and remember! 

3. Visit      2 Vineyards and Wineries!  

As I’ve said many times, there is no wine experience that remotely comes close to generating the amount of knowledge and joy one gains from visiting a Winery.  Meeting those salt-of-the-earth farmers and artisans who grow the grapes and make the wines – all while sampling their wares of course — is not only educational…it gets those curiosity juices flowin’ and it amplifies your desire to learn more and experience more.  Visit one winery every 6 months – or more if you can — and you’ll be talking about those visits for years…along with planning more trips! 

4. Attend      One “Wine Dinner!”

Now these can be a tad expensive…like $75-$100 per person or thereabouts, so I’m suggesting that you just go to one Wine Dinner this coming year.  It’s important to do some research to ensure you make the best choice possible, and you can start by contacting some of your area’s top restaurants and by speaking with the Sommeliers or Executive Chefs. 

5. Read      More and Learn More!

There is no substitute for reading when it comes to learning more about wines.  So, go buy a top quality wine book (from an independent book store!!) or subscribe to a wine magazine and start reading more…and more often.  Oz Clarke’s New Wine Atlas and Jancis Robinson’s Oxford Companion are two world class resources that can dramatically expand your knowledge of all things wine!

6. Taste      the world!

Commit to buying and trying wines from 12 different countries in 2012.  Alternatively, you might also consider trying wines from 12 of the world’s most famous and most widely respected Wine Regions (i.e. Bordeaux and Champagne from France, Chianti and Piemonte from Italy, etc.) And take the time to discover the various national Signature Grapes (i.e. Carménère from Chile, Pinotage from South Africa, etc.) so you optimize the experience.   So many wines…so little time!

    Toast of the Month  

“May your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, and never in want!”

(Traditional Irish Toast)

A Case for Christmas!

For those of you who might have been
thinking I was about to end the year with a big “poligious” (political-religious)
sermon on all matters Christmas – I hope you won’t be too disappointed.  Indeed, as much as I do believe in “all
things Christmas”…to include Christmas trees…the “case for Christmas” I’m writing
about this month…is the case of wine I’d like to have Santa deliver to me for
Christmas this year!! (Hey…there’s nothing wrong with a little fanciful dreaming
every now and again…eh!?)

 So
let’s start packing our Christmas Case…and with any vintage you might find of
these exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style gems!

1. 1.
   Joseph Phelps Insignia

$150
– $250

1. 2.
   Cakebread Cellars Benchland
   Select

$100 – $120

1. 3.
   Caymus Special Selection  

$110-$130

1. 4.
   Beaulieu Vineyards (BV)

Georges
de Latour Private Reserve

$100 – $120

1. 5.
   Silver Oak Napa
   Valley

$90 – $110

1. 6.
   Far Niente

$125 – $140

1. 7.
   Lail J. Daniel
   Cuvee

$110 – $125

1. 8.
   Rubicon Estate Rubicon

$160 – $200

1. 9.
   Heitz Cellar Martha’s
   Vineyard

$125 – 150

1. 10.  Ridge Monte Bello

$125 – $140

1. 11.  Chateau
   Montelena Estate Cabernet

$120 – $140

1. 12.  Opus One

$200 – $225

Toast of the Month

“We can only be said
to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”

~Thornton
Wilder~

   Here’s to those moments…and may there
always be many…and then…many, many more!

But…if I Can Only Have One…

Here’s a “Hint!”  

Joseph Phelps Insignia
2007

Intense, Voluptuous, Opulent, and “Perfect!”

(Napa Valley – St. Helena, CA)/$200-$250 

Hardly ever

does one see a 100 point wine…but the incredible Joseph Phelps’ team of Philippe
Pessereau, Director of Vineyard Operations, Damian Parker, Director of
Winemaking, and Ashley Hepworth, Winemaker, have indeed combined their
extraordinary talents to produce “the
perfect wine!” Comprised of the very best grapes from Phelps’ Estate
vineyards in 6 of Napa Valley’s most respected viticultural districts, this
spectacular Bordeaux-style blend of 88% Cab, 8% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot was
aged in 100% new French oak for 24 months.  Perfecto Mundo!

http://www.jpvwines.com/discussing-the-2007-insignia-release/  (Watch the JP Team discuss the 2007 Vintage!)

OK, OK…so at somewhere between $1500 on the low side and
$1850 on the high side…I must really be smokin’ Loco Weed if I’m seriously
suggesting this incredible portfolio of wines for a Christmas present.  Relax…it’s like Fantasy Football…except you
pick wines versus thugs!  How about one a month…or one for Christmas,
Anniversary and Birthday!!?   Good Luck!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Rick Davis

Courtesy of Jeff Dicks Real Estate

Rick’s Grape Skinny

November 2011

Toast of the Month

Here’s to the
corkscrew – a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit, the treasury of
laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the gate of pleasant folly! (From the Wine List at The Commander’s
Palace, New Orleans)

W.E.P. French