Rolling Stones Wines - Satisfaction

Producer: Rolling Stones Wines
Name: Satisfaction
Varietal: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 4% Petite Sirah
Vintage: 2005
Region: Napa Valley, United States
Price: ~ $50

Well what do we have here Mick? Your own wine? I'm very cautious of celebrity branded wine because for the most part it's mediocre wine in a flashy package. The Rolling Stones booth definitely had a lot of flash: numerous banners, TVs playing shows of the Rolling Stones, multiple bottle displays and somewhat of a greasy salesman behind the table. It put me off a little because I was trying to ask the rep about the wine and he gave me a lazy description and moved on to other tasters—namely the females—who weren't even spending time tasting the goddam wine anyway (there's a lot of them at these conventions). It would seem to me that if you wanted to get your wine out there, you'd spend time with the tasters who were actually serious about discussing the wine.

Anyway, the bouquet was actually pretty interesting with notes of cassis, currant and black cherry. On the palate it had strong cherry and spice notes that were quite bold and forward. With slight oak and a full body (almost syrup-like), the wine was complex and well structured with a long spicy finish.

When I looked the wine up online I came across prices in the $50 per bottle range. I'm sorry, the wine was good but not $50 per bottle good. There are far more interesting wines out there for a much better price. Try it to say you've tried it, but there probably won't be an encore tasting.

Peace in the middle east!

J

       
Click here to download:
Rolling_Stones_Wines_-_Satisfa.zip (519 KB)

Beringer - Founders' Estate Merlot

Producer: Beringer

Name: Founders' Estate Merlot
Varietal: Merlot
Region: Napa Valley, United States
Vintage: 2005
Price: ~ $17

Winter is coming and I'm still dragging ass trying to hold onto summer. Gotta pick up the hammer again and finish off our renovations and work is supposed to get busier as the months progress. October? It's already October? What the hell happened to September?

Big story today in Halifax about a Bishop named Raymond Lahey who was caught with child pornography on his computer. What makes this story a little different is that previously he brokered a $15-million settlement for victims of sexual abuse by priests of the diocese of Antigonish in Nova Scotia. As I was following this today the comments on the CBC website were just pouring in by the second. One of the reasons why I absolutely appreciate the internet: although I may not agree with some of the comments, we're all given a platform or forum in which to be heard.

What does this have to do with wine? Absolutely nothing.

I'm a follower of Wine Access Magazine's twitter updates and one of their daily wines was the Beringer 2006. Unfortunately for me the wine store near my place didn't carry that vintage so I had to settle for the 2005. The bouquet smells of ripe plums, blackberries and a touch of black cherries. On the palate it was a full bodied merlot with warm spice flavours. It was complex enough for me to try and identify the various spice and berry notes and finished long and dry. Balanced and velvety. My only thing would be to let it breathe for a bit before drinking.

You know, after all the previous pedophile talk, here's a video to lighten things up (pun intended). Play it over and over again. Put it on a loop if you have to.

J

   
Click here to download:
Beringer_-_Founders_Estate_Mer.zip (55 KB)

Bacio Divino - Pazzo

Producer: Bacio Divino
Name: Pazzo
Vintage: 2004
Region: Napa Valley, United States
Price: ~ $30

The only thing better than drinking your wine is drinking somebody else's. My friends Ryan and Rochelle brought over a bottle of Pazzo by Bacio Divino from the Napa Valley and it was excellent. I believe they received it as a gift for their wedding and were generous enough to share it with my wife and I on "Games Night 2009" the highlight of which was Taboo.

The colour is clear but deep ruby red and the bouquet has deep notes of black and red cherries, spice and subtle hints of oak. Because this blend is predominantly sangiovese (with petite syrah, cabernet sauvignon and viognier) the palate too has an abundant dark cherry taste but also has smooth notes of spice and earthy wood. The wine is quite balanced with good acidity. It's character persuades you to keep coming back for more and with each taste you discover something new. So frickin' good! Again, excellent wine. Thanks Ryan and Rochelle!

Booyah!
J