Your 5 Favorite Wines

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Olivier Masmondet on February 1, 2008 at 2:43pm

me more than you....must have been the ice...

Permalink Reply by Olivier Masmondet on February 1, 2008 at 2:10pm

Matt, nothing is easy when it comes to wine! what is interesting is to see that our palate can change with time and mature but one thing does not change, this is when you get a great bottle of wine, the "Bang". the "connection" i get in my head and in my heart still the same. Hasn't change at all, still the same kid with wine or Chartreuse...
You know Matt i have a very deep respect for "the opnenminded/state of mind" when it comes to wine, food etc...Being open minded when we taste wine or food etc.. is the perfect "state of mind" because we give more chance to the wine to surprised us. A Chardonnay lover cannot go wrong!

Permalink Reply by Matt Urdan on February 1, 2008 at 5:27pm

Well said, and thanks!

Permalink Reply by Judy "the foodie" Asman on February 1, 2008 at 4:40pm

Speaking of varietals, I believe there are several types of wine lovers:

1) The expert. Knows everything, so listen more than you speak when they talk about wine.
2) The traveler . Knows a little about a lot and will plan trips specifically to taste wine.
3) The well-intended novices . You know the type, they think they're experts or travelers and talk a good game by using terms like "tannins" and "bouquet".
4) The Wine-O. Shameless about buying any wine under five bucks and usually needs a designated driver after an elegant meal (ahem, while still respectful of the science of creating a fine wine).

I, my friends, am the last.

Having said that, I humbly submit my favorite wines of late--not necessarily under $5--that satisfy my grateful senses and limited knowledge base.

1) My favorite varietal is Cabernet Sauvignon for full body and bold flavor, topping my list, Cabs from: J. Lohr, Rombauer, Kenwood Julupa and Fetzer (2004, I believe), which made a great deal during the holidays ($5.99/bottle). (Central Coast through Anderson Valley, Calif.)

2) Navarro Chardonnay, Any Premier Reserve (Anderson Valley)

3) Jost Vidal Ice Wine (Malagash, Nova Scotia)

4) A South African Shiraz (which I mistakenly referred to as a Syrah in profile). Name pending from my neighbor, who gave me the bottle as a gift. It was intense, spicy and different.

5) Two-buck Chuck. Any, as long as it's two bucks.

Permalink Reply by Matt Urdan on February 1, 2008 at 5:33pm

Judy, you can't go wrong with Whitewater Ranch Chablis! It's a very interesting varietal under $6. It mixes well with Sprite for a great spritzer or apricot sangria, but by itself, the tannins are not out of control and it has a scintillating bouquet of neoprene, but somehow it also contains hints of oak, vanilla, butter, butterscotch, and Werther's Originals.

;-)

Cheers!

Permalink Reply by Judy "the foodie" Asman on February 1, 2008 at 6:05pm

Matt, LOL. That just about covers the gamut. Oh, and it sounds like a great recommendation! Thanks.

Permalink Reply by mary-anne/shanti on February 1, 2008 at 4:55pm

I did chuckle as we do plan our trips around food and wine. Well some trips are about the cuisine and culture like our latest trip in Dec 2007 which was to Cambodia and back to Thailand. Ironically we got in on a great wine tasting at a gorgeous seafood buffet to put any to shame at Raffles in Phnom Pinh. Various stations with chefs from sushi to enormous lobster and prawns much flown in from New Zealand and Australia. The wine line up was quite impressive.

If we aren't in love with the cuisine we won't travel there on a holiday. If they make great wine that pushes the choice right up there to the top. Well of course the weak dollar speaks to where our buck will buy the most-obviously non-EU countries. We're headed to Montenegro, Serbia, and Dubrovnik (just have to pop over from Montenegro for a couple days-love that city). Food is terrific as are the wines.

Would love to saunter around Tuscany and the France and savour both the food and the fruit of the vine, but not until EU/US$ improves Greatly!

Yes we are serious foodies and did I just hear Steve open a bottle of wine?????????????

.My license plate is FDNWINE

Mary-Anne in Alamo, CA

Permalink Reply by Judy "the foodie" Asman on February 1, 2008 at 5:00pm

I second that one Mary-Anne. I had fun replying to this.

I also find I return to a destination just to hit a "great find" of a restaurant.

Love the license plate!

Permalink Reply by Don on April 27, 2009 at 7:17pm

Fast Trak in SF is looking for you. They continue to send me letters demanding payment of a long past due non-payment using Fast Trak on the Bay Bridge. Please contact them so they stop sending me letters. Your license plate (FDNWINE) appears to be registered to me.

Permalink Reply by Nick Lizalde on February 15, 2008 at 5:30pm

These are my top 5
Cakebreads Rubiyat
Frog's Leap Syrah
Siver Oak Cab
Justin Isosceles
Beringer Knights Valley cab

Permalink Reply by Randy Caparoso on March 8, 2008 at 4:36pm

So many different responses... I love it! Here's mine:

1. Domaine Tempier, Rose (from Provence, the world's greatest dry pink wine for any kind of food, vintage after vintage)

2. Domaine Tempier, Cuvee Speciale (my "world's greatest" red wine for any kind of food, vintage after vintage)

3. Au Bon Climat, "Isabelle Morgan" Pinot Noir (the epitome of silk and lace in New World Pinot)

4. Tres Sabores, Napa Valley Zinfandel (I hate to share knowledge of this this spice soaked, velvety Zin with other Zin lovers -- so little of it made by my friend, Julie Johnson!)

5. Rocca Family Vineyard, Napa Valley "Bad Boy Red" (okay, this is more a current fave-rave, but right now I feel like I can drink this luscious, dense, spicy blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon all day, everyday)

Thanks for sharing, everyone!

Permalink Reply by Rwesley on April 4, 2008 at 6:59pm

Wow...I'm in the business so my list is considerably longer than 5...and it would be almost impossible to limit myself to my top five!! Many have such wonderful experiences related to the experience...even a professional has a hard time separating the two.

Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz..multiple vintages...Such impeccable care and love goes into the making of this wine. The vines have tiny, tiny berries and very small and limited clusters. The vineyard dates back to the late 1880’s and the wine is sublime….rich deep layer of cedar, nutmeg and spice, hints of black pepper. Have been luck enough to both visit the winery and vineyard..and drink the wine on several occasions…the best after a full day of duck hunting in Ontario!

Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose and Clos de Sainte Madeleine Cassis Blanc…classic rose and white wine of the south of France. I love dry Roses and I cut my teeth on Domaine Tempier. Perfect fresh berries balanced perfectly with hints of perfume and spice. Nothing better on a hot summer day. The Cassis blanc is crisp and hints of sea and earth. I still search this wine having had it both in the US and in France…One of the most beautiful vineyards in France…overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the beautiful town of Cassis.

Hall Vineyards, Napa Valley Kathryn Hall 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (Barrel Sample)…Okay, I’m biased here, but I had a sample in February and the wine is already luscious, integrated and filled with fruit and spice. Deep rich layers of dark fruit, integrated tannins and a long silky finish…Great Mountain and Hillside fruit! If this sounds wonderful…try the 2004 version of Kathryn Hall or the Hall Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2005!


Alex Gambal Chambolle-Musigny Les Charmes…Alex is an American living and working in Beaune. He has wonderful grower contacts and has purchased some limited vineyards in and around Beaune. His production is limited, but the wines have great fruit and fine integrated tannins! Any of his wines are worth searching out!!

2006 Guillemot-Michel, Mâcon-Villages (Imported by Fran Kysela) This wine has always captured my rapt attention….not your classic Macon, but rich and almost “honeyed”. Hints of lemon and citrus on the palate with a long and lingering finish. I have been lucky enough to drink this wine over many vintages and it never fails to give me a thrill. Wonderful memories of having this wine with many delicious meals!

Dierberg PInot Noir and Chardonnay Santa Maria...Wow...Big lush with hints of raspberry mocha and spice for the Pinot and rich lemon for the Chardonnay...Try the Cabernet for Star Lane as well....A surprise from the area! My favorite southern Cal producer!

I could go on and on...but this is a start!

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