Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 1999

On of the great things about having a wine cellar is the pleasure and excitement of enjoying a wine in a mature state. Many wines evolve in flavor and texture and become quite elegant after years of cellaring. Bold fruit flavors become more subtle, rough tannins smooth out, secondary characteristics of herbs, flowers, fruit and earth add complexity. We purchased this Simi Cabernet back in 2002 when it made the Wine Spectator Top 100 List. This week we decided to open this bottle after it rested for about 8 years in a cool dark cellar. Wow, aromas of fresh blackberry, plum, cut apples and wet stone. The color is dark ruby with a crimson rim. Still amazingly youthful considering the grapes were harvested over 10 years ago. Medium bodied with firm, tightly focused dark fruit flavors and notes of smoke, herbs and minerals. There is a zesty grip that compliments the exotic flavors. The flavors are balanced by firm acidity and fully integrated tannin giving this wine of extraordinary depth and length. So smooth and elegant it would be hard to guess this as a 1999 Alexander Valley Cabernet. Back in 2002, we purchased this Simi Cabernet for about $20.

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese, 2008

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese, 2008

I always keep my eyes open for good value wines from Italy. This Di Majo Norante is 100% Sangiovese from vineyards located in the region of Molise, along on the Adriatic Sea between Puglia and Abruzzo. Compared to many value priced Sangioveses coming from Tuscany, this wine is surprisingly bold and complex. The wine was aged in steel then in large oak vats, for six months, to achieve smoothness and softness while preserving the fruity flavors of Sangiovese. This wine exhibit’s a dark ruby color and a fresh bouquet of violets, red cherries, berries, spices, earth and leather. A smooth and plush palate is loaded with dark ripe fruit, tobacco, leather, tar and cedar. The fruit-driven style is balanced by smooth tannins and moderate acidity. There is little evidence of oak in the mouth. I really enjoyed this wine while snacking during the Super Bowl this past weekend. This is a perfect wine to pair with any hearty Italian food or to enjoy with a great pizza. This value Sangiovese can be found in the Seattle area for under $10.

Dow Vale do Bomfim, 2007

Dow Vale do Bomfim, 2007

This is a new vintage of this dry red wine from Portugal, produced by from the house of Dow. Their reputation lies in the production of high quality Ports during the past 350 years. The Vale do Bomfim is produced from Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, & Tinta Barroca. This is an example of modern wine making from established vineyards with traditional grape varieties from the upper Douro Valley. The 2005 and 2006 vintages were very nice and we were excited to try this new vintage. This is another elegant wine with a dark red color and abundant aromas of black fruit, vanilla and cinnamon. This is a medium bodied wine with lovely flavors of black cherry, cassis and chocolate. There is evidence of toasty oak, on the finish, that adds a touch of creamy vanilla. The mouth-feel is quite velvety with ample smooth tannins and gentle acidity. This wine is quite smooth and delicious and is great on it’s own or will pair well with any hearty meal. If you like chocolate covered cherries, seek out this wine. This is another example of the high quality modern wines starting to come to us from the Douro DOC. We found this wine at Esquin Wine Shop, in Seattle, for about $10.

Borsao Red Wine, 2008

Borsao Red Wine, 2008

This wine is imported by Elliot Bay Distributing, of Seattle, and is one of the many great wines exported from Spain by Jorge Ordonez. He is perhaps the most influential exporter of Spanish wines to emerge in the last few decades, tapping into the quality and value of the less-traveled regions of Spain such as Toro, Campo de Borja, Montsant, and Jumilla, as well as the Ribera del Duero, Rioja, and Priorat. From the ultra-expensive to the great values he has discovered and facilitated the revival of some tremendous old-vine Grenache (Garnacha) and Tempranillo vineyards that had laid dormant or neglected for decades. As a result, there is now an amazing resurgence of Spanish wine in the international marketplace. This red table wine is produced by Bodegas Borsao in the Borja region of Spain. This Borsao is a blend of 75% Garnacha, 25% Tempranillo and has a deep ruby color. Aromas of fresh black berries and licorice jump out of the glass. This is a medium bodied wine that has rich flavors of ripe berries, coffee, plum, wet stones and baking spice. There is nice acidity and smooth tannins that round off the finish. Definitely more “New World, than Old World, this wine represent another great value from Spain that can be found in the Seattle area for under $8.