In this part of the world I think it's safe to say that we don't have four seasons but five. I call this time of year the ugly season. The snow is melting fast exposing all the sand and gravel that is used to keep us moving upright whether you're in a vehicle or walking on an icy street or parking lot. I know this season doesn't last long and soon the city, and those responsible for parking lots and the like, will clean it all up. But, until that is done and the green grass pokes through you might need a little bottle of joy to pass the time. Hopefully one of the ones below will do the trick.
Gemtree
TATTY RD 2012 Shiraz (291104)
Australia
$14.99
Gemtree vineyards have been in the Buttery family since its inception in 1980 with the purchase of their first vineyard. Tatty Road is just the latest line of wines following the original Gemtree along with a line they call Gemstone. I believe the newest line of wines is called Tadpole, in recognition to a wetlands conservation project the family is involved with.
Have you noticed how Australians like to abbreviate words? Relatives become 'rellies' and in the case of Tatty Road the real name of the road is Tatachilla. That is why the label looks like a street sign and I suppose the name is easier to pronounce and takes less energy.
Tatty Road is from the McLaren Vale of South Australia. The colour is like a dark cherry with maybe some red highlights. The aromas reminded me too of ripe cherry and blackberry. There is that hint of pepper that is quite common in Shiraz but this one also has touches of oak a hint of chocolate and baking spice. In the mouth it is not what I would call a jammy wine but instead it has some complexity and layers. Soft tannins and just enough acidity round out the wine and help to deliver a pleasant finish. I'm sure you could serve this wine with any dinner whether the main course is beef, lamb or pork or why not pizza or grilled burgers?
Full Circle
2012 California Red (388736)
U.S.A.
$17.99
What we used to see from the new world were single varietal wines but today we're seeing many wines out of the United States that are blends. This seems to be the trend not only from the U.S. but other new world countries are getting on board. In the old world, or Europe, blends have long been the tradition. Blended wine has the advantage of bringing components together that compliment each other and round out the tasting experience.
In the case of Full Circle the blend is not revealed, kind of like Colonel Sanders and his secret fried chicken recipe, the recipe is kept nameless. They do let us know that the grapes, which are grown organically, come from two different counties of California, Mendocino and Lake. If I were to guess which grapes are present in this wine I'd say Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon and I'm sure there are others that I can't identify.
In the glass, Full Circle is dark purple with some denseness to its colour. I found the aromas of raspberry, currant and a little peppery spice. On the palate, this wine is medium-bodied with those same fruit flavours. It has some texture to it as well as light and velvety tannins provided by the Cabernet grapes. The acidity seems to be low giving the impression of some sweetness. This isn't a food necessary wine but would pair with milder meats such as pork or fowl.
Meffre Saint Vincent
2012 Ctes-Du-Rhne Blanc (888958)
France
$15.99
Traditionally only red wines are made in the Gigondas area of the Southern Rhne in France. However, we have a white wine that was produced there. This wine is a blend of Grenache blanc, Roussanne, Clairette blanche, Marsanne and Viognier. I'm familiar with some of these varietals but not all. Gabriel Meffre founded the winery in 1936 in this appellation that produces some very good wines.
This white wine is pale yellow in colour with some green highlights and like its colour it is bright and fresh. The first thing I noticed about the aromas was the minerality, flint and stone but then the fresh delicate tree fruits appear. Pear and peach are delicately the most pronounced. In the mouth, it is light and delicate with those fruits. On the finish it too is clean and crisp with a mildly acidic finish. This would be a great choice to serve with sole or any white fish with a creamy white sauce.
