Book: How to be Good by Nick Hornby
Wines: French Reds
Pre-tasting: Mouton Cadet Red Bordeaux - $6.99 (Group rated it good especially for the price)
Smooth, medium-bodied with an elegant bouquet, this red wine is a delightful assemblage of Merlot and Cabernet grapes. The nose displays a lovely harmony of aromas over a mature background. You will find jammy notes of red and black fruits, dominated by flavours of raspberry and accompanied by delicate, flattering notes of toast, smoke, pepper and vanilla from barrel ageing. Very pleasant on the whole and a good style for this simple Bordeaux appellation. The same impression is found on the palate, with a smooth and round attack and ripe fruity notes punctuated by a thirst-quenching acidity and fine tannins that blend well with the richness of the wine. It is not until the finish that the wine takes on a more defined character with flavours of blackcurrants and blackberries as well as notes of liquorice and pepper that bring a different dimension to the wine.1. Red Bicyclette Pinot Noir '08 - $11.99 (Group rated it Good)
The 2008 Red Bicyclette Pinot Noir showcases dark fruit aromas and flavors of black cherry and ripe plum. The light oak influence produces subtle notes of cinnamon for a soft, yet full middle palate and a smooth, luxurious texture. This was supposed to pair well with salmon. But all of the wines (except #3) went well with the salmon...maybe it was just the perfect salmon prepared by Ranae!!2. Cotes Du Rhone - Louis Bernard '07 - $12.95 (Group Favorite - Tied with #4)
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault.Cherry red in color with concentrated berries and cherries on the nose. This wine is ample and fruity with a gentle hint of oak.3. Georges Dubœuf Beaujolais Villages '08 - $13.99 (Nobody liked this one!)
Nicely drinkable, easy to pair with pretty much anything. Although Beaujolais-Villages works at room temperature, it is traditionally served cooler than other reds, chilled to 52 degrees F. Its aroma is of ripe berries with a hint of something else, something floral (violet?).Wines bearing the Beaujolais-Villages label are restricted to using grapes coming from at least 2 of the 39 communes in Haut-Beaujolais. These are better wines with more complexity and depth. They can be kept from one to three years. Beaujolais-Villages is a simple, fruity red wine produced from Gamay grapes.4. Beaujolais Louis Jadot '08 - $12.95 (Group Favorite - Tied with #2)
Gamay. Bright, crushed red fruit color, flavors and aromas supported by a fresh acidity and gentle tannins characterize this charming, modestly scaled wine which shows peppery notes on the clean, refreshing finish.
