Month: June 2018

Poggio Anima Asmodeus Sicily 2013

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Nero d'AvolaLeave a comment

2018-06-20 Poggio Anima Asmodeus Sicily 2013.jpg

Ah, this is better.

A robust, yet light
wine to soothe the
soul after that
Garnacha dragon.

Dark plums approaching
pruney, but not quite
there.

So…, DELICIOUS.

This has me
EPHEMERALLY
interested in
Sicily.

If this wine is
a respectable
ambassador for the
island, then why
aren’t we more wired
into the place?

I DON’T KNOW.

The lunch special is
sauteed smoked sausage
and polenta so this wine
selection was a no-brainer.

I moved the bottle to
the fridge right after
I got home from
road-tripping
the armadillo.

There’s nothing like
an act of “pest control”
to prepare you for
the trading day and
a memorable lunch.

The wine is WONDERFUL.

Just a pure and
beautiful wine with
no hair or warts.

Perfectly groomed.

Low ALC and inconspicuous
oak.

All the flavors come
together to create a
harmonious symphony.

http://www.poggioanima.com/offering-details.php?name=asmodeus

Since the website
is focused on the
2015 vintage, it
might actually be a
treat to be drinking
the 2013.

And no armored plates…

Day Two…

One of the NEAT
things about drinking
a wine over two
days is that you
have better (or better)
expectations on the
second day.

This wine IS a
respectable ambassador
from Sicily.

Hey Garnacha, I have brain
damage…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30eWs90CJk8

Where’s Estella when
you need her?

Hiding in the Garnacha pips.

Hang in there.

Castillo de Monséran Garnacha Carineña 2014

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn GarnachaLeave a comment

2018-06-19 Castillo de Monséran Garnacha Carineña 2014.jpg

This one is so
far out of my
“safe zone” that
the first sip has
me trying to steady
myself.

The bottle say 13%
ALC, but this hit
me like a port wine.

Maybe it’s the tannins.

There’s a strong
“aromatic” easily
picked up by the
nose and taste buds.

Fiery. This is
freaking fiery, but
not like hot pepper.

More like peppermint?

How bizarre.

I’m guessing big oak,
but I will investigate.

After regaining my
balance, I think I
taste something nutty.

Complexity comes to mind.

My description of
the tannins is
“plaited”.

This wine is a
gordita in pigtails.

OMG, there’s sludge
caked to the side of
the bottle up to the neck!!!

Did they use a
hydraulic press
on these grapes?

Sheesh.

Day Two…

I’m still two inches
off the bottom and
I’m picking up
“sludge flakes” in
my glass.

This wine is
outrageously FULL
of something.

Maybe the wine was
“pressed” in a
gas centrifuge,
filtered through
a colander, and
aged in six inch
thick oak thimbles.

How elegant!

Waiter: Which wine
would you like with
your five alarm
chili?
Diner: I’ll have the
one of those Spanish
golden triangle wines.
W: I’ll call
the hazmat team.
D: Don’t bother,
I’m from Barcelona.
W (aside): He can’t
spell either.

My mouth feels
like I ate a
rosemary bush.

I’ll have to stick
to rosés from this
area unless I can
find something just
a WEE BIT LIGHTER
IN STYLE.

I thought the 13%
ALC would buy me
something, but I guess
not, unless it is
was just less ripe
grapes.

Since I don’t routinely
eat wild boar on the
hoof, I can’t imagine
what food would pair
well with this one.

Propane Plumpers?

Flambo Fillets?

C4 Seafood?

Red Beans and Ricin?

Finally, there was
something “volatile”
about this wine that
I was not able
to put my finger on.

Hang in there.

Erath Resplendent Pinot Noir 2015

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Pinot NoirLeave a comment

2018-06-16 Erath Resplendent PN 2015.jpg

This one is too good
for MY words.

Beautiful, clear
presence in the glass.

Indiscernible yet
alluring perfume.

Taste bud seducing paleness.

Perfectly smooth tartness.

Redemptive second
voice flavors.

Silky tactile comfort.

I can ALMOST hear
this wine cooing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXTe3K7BllM

It is difficult to
enjoy the wine when
your knees, forehead,
and hands are planted
in the earth.

Rise my son and enjoy
the fullness of my
bounty.

Your homage is noted
but now is this the
time of celebration
and elation.

I have to take a
giant step back and
ask if Oregon PN can
compete with Borgogne
PN ON BALANCE.

I don’t know.

The question is whether
I would take an “average”
Oregon OR Borgogne PN
if BOTH were offered.

I DON’T KNOW.

Wait a minute…

Hang in there.

Gérard Bertrand Corbières 2014

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Red BlendLeave a comment

2018-06-14 Gérard Bertrand Corbières 2014.jpg

At what time of
day do you start
thinking about which
wine you are having
for lunch.

I usually start at…

Since I was going
to have the savory meat
pies from Andre’s, I
wanted a “fuller than
(my) normal” RED.

I can’t remember what’s
in the cooler, so my
wine selection had to
wait until the market
opened and the dog woke
up and moved away from
the cooler door.

Hmmmm.

Corbières. That works.

I consider this to
be the French wine
that ordinary men
can drink every day
to make them feel
princely.

After just a few sips,
I feel like a king.

Call in the winemaker
and let me offer her
a chalice of gold as
a token of my
appreciation for this
year’s vintage.

Exploding with scrumptious
and voluptuous black fruit.

Gorgeous, soft tannins
that surround you like
a swarm of loving bees
bestowing kisses upon
your lips.

The slightest hint of
“leafy green things” that
lets you know that it’s
from SOUTHERN FRANCE
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

This one eschews Carignan
for the other varieties
allowed in the AOC’s
red wine.

That alone makes this
wine a “must try”.

I’m “real particular”
about Syrah.

It’s like, if you love
Syrah, you’ll like
Corbières, but not
vice versa.

Several weeks ago I
was drinking a “more
generic” Languedoc blend
and wondered why I wasn’t
drinking Corbières,
right then and there.

I didn’t know, but
this time I made sure
that I was getting
EXACTLY what I wanted,
whether I asked for it
correctly or not.

Huh?

For a brief period of
time, right BEFORE Lukas
in Martin City opened,
(and Vino 100 folded)
I stopped at the VINO 100
store every other Friday
on my way home from “work”.

That’s where I was
introduced to Corbières.

It was a mind altering
experience.

(Doesn’t take much.)

This one has 14% ALC, so
I have to be good and
put a stopper in it
today, SOONER rather than
later.

Tonight I will be visited
by the…

Most people didn’t know
how much Gary loved
Corbières.

Day Two…

It’s like Christmas
morning only I KNOW
what I’m getting.

Anti-braised home grown snow peas.

And…

Better have the wine before
the food insanity ensues.

No matter, both are so
good that the sequence of
consumption doesn’t matter.

Life is good when
you have…

Good Food (I want you)
Good Wine (I need you)
Peace of Mind (Ain’t no way)

Oh well…

Hang in there.

Schloss Gobelsburg Cistercien Rosé 2016

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Rosé, RoseLeave a comment

2018-06-13 SCHLOSS GOBELSBURG Cistercien Rosé 2016.jpg

 This one is a repeat
impressor, but still
hard to “spell”.

I don’t remember what
it is like, EXACTLY.

Outrageously tart.

I’m not going to cheat
and look to see if I
made notes previously.

Within all that tartness,
I’m picking up a tiny bit
of the honeycomb.

I’m NOT picking up a
particular citrus flavor
today.

(Previously, I imagined
tangerine.)

Maybe something softer.
Pear? Tropical?

Here’s the official
scoop…

https://www.gobelsburg.at/en/wines/schlosskellerei-gobelsburg/rose-cistercien

I didn’t get this
one as cold as I
like on day one.

I need more/better
wine bottle chillers.

Day Two…

After a night in the
fridge, the wine is
icy cold and a comfort
during the back-to-back
FOMC/ECB press conferences.

A rare event like a…

Hang in there.

Scarpetta Frico Rosso 2016

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Red BlendLeave a comment

2018-06-12 Scarpetta Frico Rosso 2016.jpg

I brought home 26 bottles
OF VARIOUS WINE
from Lukas recently.

This was the “I can’t
wait to try” one.

And not because it was
probably the least
expensive one I bought.

It was Zach’s description.

Another direct hit.

Although this is a blend
of Sangiovese, Cab Sav,
and Merlot, it is still
light enough to stay
in my bull eye.

I’m not positive about
the grape blend but you
get the idea.

Light, yet busting with
flavor, and with just a
hint of oak.

I’m in between garlic/peppercorn
cheese with crackers, and
Szgediner Pork Goulash
(from Andre’s)
with polenta.

The wine is REALLY TART.

Just delicious.

Apparently, you don’t
HAVE TO club CS and Merlot
to death to make good wine.

And you don’t have to
break the bank to get
a perfectly fine wine.

It came to pass that,
in the era of grape
variety and viticulture
proliferation, the earthbound
inhabitants found
sustenance in the form
of fermented juice in the
all corners of the planet.

Those that chose to eschew
this largess escaped to Mars.

God turned THAT planet into dust.

Someday He will restore
Mars like he did Earth.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2%3A1-11&version=NIV

Then we can have the
best of BOTH worlds.

It is interesting to
consider that two
thousand years ago you
could prove that you
are GOD by making
“the best” wine.

Some things ever change.

As long as the wine
is palatable…

Day Two…

I’m having the leftovers
after eating a BLT
for brunch.

Just a gorgeous, tart
fruit bomb.

I’ll shut up because
I don’t want to go…

Are those sugar crystals
in the bottom of my glass?

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Sean Minor Central Coast Pinot Noir 2016

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Pinot NoirLeave a comment

2018-06-10 Sean Minor Central Coast PN 2016 front.jpg

Whoosh.

And it’s gone…

Sometimes the wine just disappears.

Too soothing to analyze.

Too comforting to second guess.

Too “roundly on target” to cause
you to adjust your sights.

Bingo.

Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding.

Extra play.

My favorite “flipper” machine was
“Lawman”.

How many dimes/quarters? did I pour into
this monster as I was was drinking $0.25
beers on Sunday nights?

Sheesh.

I haven’t found a video that
contains the WHACK sound when
you get an extra play.

The third video is REALLY INTERESTING.

What does this flipper machine
stuff have to do with “fine wine”.

Everything.

Something has to “ground you”
into your “current existence”.

We don’t always know what thing
is doing the grounding.

It is just “stuff” happening.

When we finally look up, we go
Ah, that’s what was happening.
I wish I had been more aware.

Sometimes we are aware,
sometimes not.

Today I’m aware of an
ocean of fine wine being
produced for my enjoyment.

What am I DOING ABOUT IT?

I’m flipping enjoying it.

I just need an extra play now.

I am NORMALLY put off by
“family stuff” on the back
of wine bottles, but I
will excuse this one because
IT IS GOOD.

2018-06-10 Sean Minor Central Coast PN 2016 back.jpg

Also, note that this
“approachable” wine
is from the “Central Valley”.

“Mars” would be a more
definitive AVA though it
may be less approachable.

You can observe the phenomenon here…

Click to access CA_WineMap_2011.pdf

Some of the grapes in this
one might be tan line free.

Who knows?

The daisies won’t tell.

I had to snort this
stuff when I was a
kid.

Hang in there.

Noble Vines 667 Pinot Noir Monterey 2015

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Pinot Noir, UncategorizedLeave a comment

2018-06-08 Noble Vines 667 Pinot Noir Monterey 2015.jpg

This one is way off
my taste target.

Pruney.
Oaky.
BIG (14.5% ALC)
Soft.

That’s enough misses
for me.

But I don’t want to
give the impression that
the wine is anything other
than GOOD.

Let’s spin the description.

The fruit is rich like
raisins and super ripe
jammy plum preserves.

Throw in some blackberries
and boysenberries.

As a testament to the
barrel ageing treatment,
the wine exhibits an
overt oaky smoothness.

You can feel the ALC
heat on the first sip.
If that puts you off,
then chill the wine.
That will help.

This wine would be good
with smoked meats such
as turkey or pork.

Just nibbling on more
flavorful cheeses will
work too.

I’m trying the hot pepper
cheddar from Dean & Delucas.
(from a gift? BOX of
Vermont cheeses???)

Why is this wine so jammy?

Let’s look at the map…

http://winewitandwisdomswe.com/wine-spirits-maps/swe-wine-maps/california-u-s-wine-map/ca-central-coast-u-s-wine-map/

We’ll assume that the wine
is from the Monterey AVA,
and not “the county”.

Look how close the boundary
comes to the water.

I can just imagine the
grapes…

Super ripe, bursting with
sugar.

As I continue my enjoyment
of this one it occurs to me
that it shouldn’t be too hard
to learn to love this style
of PN.

But, it’s like making the
transition from a tart
fruit pie to…

Now where can I find me
another fire breathing PN?

Australia maybe. Hmmm.

Hang in there.

Gabbiano PROMESSA Pinot Griggio 2015

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Pinot Grigio/Pinot GrisLeave a comment

2018-06-07 Gabbiano PROMESSA Pinot Griggio 2015.jpg

Maybe I can taste
green apple.

Maybe it’s a bit
oily.

I don’t have expectations
of getting blown away
by the flavors in PG.

Just something light
and easy to…

The producer, via the
“bottle verbiage”, was nice
enough to tell us what
the wine is SUPPOSED TO
taste like.

I got the green apple
right.

Stay away from bottles
that describe family and
farm animals.

And if you want a GOOD
and AFFORDABLE
white wine, look to
northeast Italy.

This wine is from the
IGT delle Venezie.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-delle+venezie+igt

Forget the wine on tap
idea, we can go swim in
it there.

I remember the exact
moment that I got plugged
into PG…

I was talking to a young
woman at work, the subject
of wine came up (somehow),
and she declared herself
to be a PG drinker.

I became a PG drinker
at that point in time.

It’s REAL EASY to do.

You can study up on which
foods might “go well” with
it, but don’t waste your
time.

I had refried roesti and
sage whole hog sausage
with it today.

Wine beauty is in the eye
of the famished.

Ok, so maybe there’s some
mild citrus tartness in
there.

I’m trying hard to conjure
up a bit of honey.

I didn’t take notes on day
one, and the wine is
disappearing rapidly today.

I’ll have to CONCENTRATE.

I’m going to put all my
energy into making that
OILY sensation become
a (bees) WAXY sensation.

Nope. Didn’t work.

I keep coming up with
olive oil.

GOOD olive oil.

Hmmmmm.

What goes well with
olive oil?

Was that a trick
question?

Hang in there.

Cupcake Central Coast Pinot Noir 2015

On By optiontraderswinenotesIn Pinot NoirLeave a comment

2018-06-04 Cupcake Central Coast PN 2015.jpg

If you are going to drink THIS KIND
of wine then why not have “camp food”.

Bannock with sausage and dirty eggs.

My bannock mix has baking powder
in it and I will cook it on a
covered cast iron griddle.

This wine is good at lowering my
“cost per bottle” and is a
“reasonable facsimile” for PN wine
in general.

This was my first attempt at
bannock.

Even with the baking powder it
was “filling”.

Less fluffy than, but similar to
biscuits.

The wine reminds me of the
smell of balloons.

Maybe this was a poorly
inspired “wine pairing”.

I’m picking up a bit of the
“cherry cola” in this one.

That’s nice, but the overall
feel is that of “softness”.

Too soft for me.

Maybe a bit of cinnamon.

Who cares?

This is a “hugely generic”
wine, so the important question
is whether it is a “palatable
cost per bottle reducing
agent”.

It’s on the borderline in
terms of palatability.

Dear Cupcake,

Please excuse my meanness,
I’m just having a
“day of disorientation” and
YOUR WINE ISN’T HELPING
ONE BIT.

Sincerely,
OTWN

“RETAIL” could be rescued
out the jaws of AMAZON simply
by having this wine freely
ON TAP in the center of the
mall or store.

Wife: Oh darn, I have to go
to Walmart to get some
.
Hubby: I’ll go.
W: Huh?
H: I need to look for
string trimmer line.
W: What kind of wine
is on tap today?
H: Cupcake PN 2015.
W: You’ve got 15 minutes.
H: Hand me that last
piece of bannock.
W: Here you go dear, but
let me wipe the egg off
your face before you go.
<15 minutes elapses>
W: See anything interesting
at Wally Mart?
H: Not really. Just the
usual…

The wine bottle made
me do it…

Day Two…

I’m not letting FOOD get
in my way today.

Let’s track test this
puppy without any
competition.

Hmmm.

Cheap perfume on a skinny
runway model.

Seductive, IN A WAY, but
still a bit Spartan.

https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-hottest-women-from-spartacus-tv-series

Ooops. Not what I had in mind…

“Obsession” on Twiggy.

Something like this…

And if you dwell on the
wine long enough, you
HAVE TO START BELIEVING
IN MAGIC…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuyhawvlFXo

What? You didn’t know she
was “singing” about bannock
and cheap PN?

Why don’t the Walmart
“greeters” sing and dance
like ONJ?

Drink. Enjoy.

Rinse. Repeat.

Ahhh, PN, I’m…

Hang in there.