Summertime Wines
This summer has started out with long lazy days leading into long easy nights with warmth and beautiful wines playing a key role in the laughter and pleasure that I’m reflecting on. I feel lucky and am filled with gratitude for these times and for the wines that helped them be so special. Lately I’ve dropped my jaded edge and become addicted to Tempier’s amazing Bandol Rose, for me is still the best pink wine in the world, especially the 2007 vintage! This amazing and vibrant Rose is just plain a great wine, refreshing enough to have with breakfast and rich and complex enough to do the whole menu at dinner. With melon, red citrus, cherry and a teasing array of spices Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose is almost darn near perfect anytime, anywhere and goes sublimely well on day dreamy summer days. Another great summer passion is fresh and minerally Riesling that not only quenches the thirst with low alcohol and a hint of good sweetness, it also matches up wonderfully with summer menus of greens, fish and cheeses. Last weekend I dove into a glorious petrol fumed and slate infused 2004 August Kesseler Spatlese from the Rheingau, this weekend was a delicate and tropical dry 2006 Domaine Weinbach Grand Cru Schlossberg, which was very shy and easy, not the normally intense and full-bodied wine of recent vintages, but lovely all the same. To get into late evenings I’ve mostly opted for slightly chilled Pinot Noirs, but there have been some other gems too, like the 2004 La Spinetta Sezzana Sangiovese from their estate in Tuscany. With it’s perfume of sweet herbs and licorice and full smooth body this is a wine to be savored, and this vintage has to be one of the finest produced by this estate. Big rich red berry and cherry fruit, hints of strawberry and nice violet like flower notes reminds of a great Brunello and makes me remember how good Sangiovese can be. As for the Pinots, I am still moved by the power, richness and elegance of the 2006 Oregon wines, with Cristom, Bergstrom, Beaux Freres and Penner-Ash all vying for best of class honors. Then there are my favorites from the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Santa Cruz Mountains all played a part so far this summer, but you can never overlook the magic of Burgundy for moving and remarkable wines. This months’ winner is reviewed below, it is the stunning 2003 Domaine de Montille Pommard, trust me this is an awesome wine.
Cheers!
Grapelive Wine of the Month
2003 Domaine de Montille, Pommard Premier Cru “Les Pezerolles”, Red Burgundy, France
This sexy and complex Pinot will make anyone a Burgundy believer and or lover with rich, lush and robust flavors and textures. This layered and seamless Pommard shows depth and style way beyond what you’d normally find in this unrated village, this is way up there with the top Grand Cru’s, and again proves the talents of this producer. This wine opens with smoke, wild flowers, red currants and a hint of game, before taking you on a pleasure trip with dark and red fruits that unfold in vivid detail. There is a beautiful cherry and plum core with raspberry, rose petals and woodsy notes in the background along with touches of liqueur and truffle. The finish is immense and lingering with sweet spices and subtle fine oak notes framing the fruit perfectly. This is an outstanding wine that is fantastic now and will give much joy for years to come. (Est. $99-150) 96 Points, grapelive
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