Oeno Files

From my friend-once-removed (which means I think highly of him but have not met him personally, having only worked with his wife for a brief spell) The Wine Commonsewer comes this review of Rosemount Orange Vineyard 2002 Merlot:

The '02 Rosemount is Aussie by birth. Although I would not describe the wine as having Big Fruit, It is a pretty decent medium bodied Merlot with an earthy feel and a taste of black fruit and light oak. There is also a bit of astringency at first and decanting may help with that (although TWC did not decant it). You should be able to find it for around $10.00 US and at that price it is a relative bargain.

Pointers like this are quite helpful, as I generally can't be bothered to taste a lot of merlots, and get annoyed when I encounter an inexpensive one that is too thin, or can't stand up to food, etc.

Another trip to our favorite wine store turned up this inexpensive gem, Château Jouclary Cabardès 2005. Lots of fruitiness without being jammy or sweet, very approachable, good with steak. Cabardes require a blending of wines, and the wine shows it by being very even in flavor and a smooth finish. The wine retails at just under $10 at the store.

I couldn't find a Château Jouclary website, but this French wine site had the background on Cabardès: "the only French appellation to associate 40% minimum of atlantic grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Cot and Fer Servadou) with 40% minimum of mediterranean grape varieties (Syrah and Grenache), completion of blends possible with 20% of Cot and Fer Servadou."

I believe the wine distributor told us this wine was predominently Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, but we tasted six wines and I could be mixing things up a bit. (This U.S. wine distributor, turned up via google, mentions Merlot, Grenache and Syrah.)

This wine was a surprise in more ways than one. Our first bottle of the Cisplatino Tannat Merlot was picked up during a more or less exploratory trip through the local Total Wine. Just out to grab 12 bottles of something new and perhaps a little different, and, by the way, what can I get under $10?

A tannat and merlot blend, from Uruguay, and under 10: new (to us anyway), certainly different, and under $10. And, most importantly, a good drink. Goal!

Not a rich, complex wine - we are under $10 here after all - but very balanced, well structured, full flavor and smooth finish. Some plum and dark cherry, but not a typically big fruit New World wine. More restrained than that.

Actually, our first bottle was the 2006. When we went back for more I spotted a lonely 2004 in the bin, and took it along with two more of the 2006. Compared to the 2004, the 2006 had heavier tannins and a more distinctive alcohol nip in the aroma, a little less balanced and smooth, but nonetheless a great value for money.

Drink with any simple meal that calls for a moderate body red.