1+1=3 Spanish maths

No I was not in vacation but camera gave up after 4.5 years of service. I haven't got a new one yet but I went to this wine tasting last week at Blackwell's wines on Geary and found some interesting wines I want to share here. The theme of last Saturday wine tasting was "Tuesday night Dinner wines" which covered 10 wines under $15. I started with 2 Spanish NV sparkling wines and really appreciated the 1+1=3 Cava Brut for $13.50. Incredible fruity flavor, like crisp citrus and dry as expected. A nice alternative to Champagnes which would look tasteless after having a sip of this one!

Minervois

No more Rose wine to review for now so let me present this French red wine from Minervois region. The wine itself is not exceptionnal for about $10 at Berkeley Bowl, light taste and young, may be a 13/20 but I can (once again) talk a little bit about its origins. Yes that's where I'm from, this South of France area on Meditreranean coast called Languedoc between Provence and Rousillon. The main two appelations are Corbieres and Minervois; both don't have the reputation of Bordeaux, Cotes du Rhone or Burgundy but can produce wines of great quality. They are not common in US so I always pick a bottle when I find one on the shelves. Corbieres has probably a stronger character and flavors.

Marques de Caceres Rose 2005

This Spanish Rose should satisfy most of us with its dry fruity taste, level of alcohol and price ($5.99 at Trader Joes). Since I drink wines from this winery (Red, White or Rose) I never opened a bad bottle; thanks to their screw caps but also their ability to deliver constant quality over cases and years. Personaly this rose is a little too dense in color and fruit but until I find something better at this price I will keep some bottles in my fridge.

Lo Brujo Rosado

From the same winery as the Red and White wines recently reviewed, from the same discount store on Clement and at the same amazing price of $1.99, here is the Spanish 2004 Rose' from Lo Brujo. Contrary to other members of his family, this wine was totally acceptable and fit well with grilled food. Fresh, fruity but not too much, dry enough but a little high in alcohol, I liked this one; and considering its price it's an excellent deal! Not my favorite yet but definitely better than the previous one; it would be a 13/20 note. More to come...

Monkey Bay Rose'

As the BBQ season has officially started last Sunday, at least in my back yard, I decided to focus my wine tasting on Rose' wines. Once again my goal was not to elect the best Rose on the market (which I already have my idea on the topic and can suggest you, if money is not a constraint, to try any rose from Domaines Ott which are imported in US) but as usual to find the best pick under $10. The first one I tried this year is definitely not the winner: this Monkey Bay is a New Zealand Rose from 2005; it is fruity but not dry enough for me, a little too sweet to pair with a grilled meat. The bargain was found again on Clement & 7th Ave for $2.99. Overall I would give it a 11/20 note. Good enough not to be dumped in the sink but not appropriate for BBQ, probably more comfortable with desserts or as aperitif.

Lo Brujo Macabeo

I got the white and the red version of this wine at the discount market (Clement and 7th ave) for $1.99 each. At this game I couldn't always win and always found the rare jewel at cheap price ;-) These 2 are really poor. I would say that the red can still be drunk, I'd give an average 10/20 but the white definitly goes under the acceptable level and I cannot suggest anyone to buy. Oh well the label was nice though ;-)

Australian Pinot Noir

From the same discount store on Clement @ 7th Ave, I found this 2003 Pinot Noir from Oakridge in Yarra Valley, Australia for $2.99 and I have to say that I was totally satisfied with this wine. It is not comparable to a Burgundy Grand Cru but has all the pleasant qualities and flavors of a good Pinot Noir. Tasting notes on the winery website are correct and describe it well. You'll probably need to add a zero to the price I paid to get the same bottle from the winery! 14/20

Stormhoek in SF

First I have to admit that I'm in saving mode right now and I'm exploring the wines under $5 at the limits between wine and chemical mix. The less the bottle cost the more chances you have to dump it in the sink but it remains a cheap risk and exciting hunt for the acceptable ones. In this quest, I discovered a discount store on Clement st @ 7th Ave (the Bargain Bank) with an interesting choice of wines from Australia, South Africa, California and Europe which I've never seen anywhere else. Most of them under $10 with discount on case price.
The first one I want to talk about is this Stormhoek Sauvignon Blanc 2005 for $3.99, as I just discovered the Pinot Grigio from the same winery recently. I think the cases ended up in this store because of a freshness label which seems wrong but the content is a delight. I bought several other bottles which I will present soon. 15/20