Stories from Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog
-
The First Virginia Post: 2009 Crivelli RUCHE DI CASTAGNOLE MONFERRATO (Piemonte, Italy)
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Today
Well, I finally have a computer and an Internet connection here, so I guess it's time for my first post. And this wine is unique and very good. Ruch e (or Ruchet) is a varietal indigenous to Piemonte, but there… Full Story »
-
Happy 2012 and Big Changes
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Jan 5, 2012
In two days I will be moving from Houston to Northern Virginia to take an exciting new job. I'll have to change the name of the wine blog, I guess, since Virginia is more of a purple state than a… Full Story »
-
2010 Chateau L'Ermitage COSTIERES DE NIMES Rose (Rhone Valley, France)
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Jan 5, 2012
A great value in a crisp, fresh, dry, flavorful rose. Very light bubblegum pink with coppery highlights. Beautifully fruity nose of strawberry, watermelon, and crisp grapes, with a note of brothy earthiness adding some complexity. Direct, fresh, and fairly full-bodied… Full Story »
-
2007 Domaine Philippe Gilbert MENETOU-SALON Rouge (Loire Valley, France
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Jan 5, 2012
I had heard of and enjoyed red Sancerre before, but I did not know until I saw this wine that the nearby town of Menetou-Salon (known for its Sauvignon Blanc-based whites) made any red at all. This was a very… Full Story »
-
Topics:
- Loire
- Dry
- Finish
- Pinot Noir
- Wine
-
2007 La Bastide Blanche BANDOL (Provence, France)
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Jan 5, 2012
This was a classic example of a Bandol red -- deep, a little rustic in texture (from the Mourvedre) but slowly opening with air time to reveal great, earthy scents and deep flavors. Would be fantastic with a French pot… Full Story »
-
2007 Mounts Family Winery ZINFANDEL (Dry Creek Valley)
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Jan 5, 2012
A large-scaled, nicely-rendered Zin. Harmonious and rich. Dark ruby-garnet color. Closed nose at first, but opened the second day (under a Vacu-Vin closure) to reveal lovely, sweet black raspberry scents, along with sweet wisps of high-toned woodsmoke and brown sugar.… Full Story »
-
2005 Chateau Caronne-Ste. Gemme HAUT-MEDOC (Bordeaux, France)
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Jan 5, 2012
Dark black ruby color with some brick at the rim. Medium intensity nose of slightly scorched gravel, old cedar shavings, and a bit of bright plummy fruit. Fades in the mouth quickly, however, ending with drying tannins and scorched mineral,… Full Story »
-
2007 Dry Creek Vineyards "Old Vine" ZINFANDEL (Dry Creek Valley)
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Jan 5, 2012
A very nicely-done, larger framed but balanced Zin. For those who favor a lusher, richer style of Zin. Nearly saturated black ruby color. Rich nose of spicy blackberry syrup, and crumbling, warm sandstone. Deep and mouthfilling, it features stone-infused dark… Full Story »
-
2009 Fausto ROSSO PICENO (Marche, Italy)
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Dec 25, 2011
Rosso Piceno is the basic everyday red of the Marche region, and this one is a very direct, typical example. It's a blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese. Not sure of the proportions in this example. No delusions of grandeur or… Full Story »
-
2009 Domaine Notre Dame des Pallieres RASTEAU (Cotes du Rhone Villages) (France)
Blue State Carpetbagger's Red State Wine Blog &bull Dec 25, 2011
Needs a little time to open up, but it's a solid effort and a decent value. Crystal clear dark ruby garnet color. Closed the first night, with earthy, brambly scents predominating; the second night it was more friendly-smelling, with sweet… Full Story »
