A Wine for Jan: Low Acid, Low Tannin, Long Finish
A Wine for Jan: Low Acid, Low Tannin, Long Finish
The task is to find a wine Jan will enjoy sipping without food. She is an important member of the Wine Study Group and as a result has tasted 200+ wines over the past 2 years. She likes a wine that is low in acid, low in tannin and one that doesn't taste "watery." Watery is Jan's term for a short finish and possibly a wine light in body.
These are the grape varietals that fit this profile: Merlot, Grenache, Gamay, Rondinella, Corvina, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Bonarda, Dolcetto, Montepulciano, Graciano, and Carmenere.
With this criteria and these varietals in mind, I selected these wines for us to sample. Below are my tasting notes. Jan plans to do further research on these wines. The top contenders are the Carmenere from Chile and the Rametello Rossa from Italy. The Merlot and Cannonau from Italy were in the second position. They were all delicious wines.
An update (March 2nd). We tasted wines from the Loire Valley. This is the new contender, 2017 Domaine Filliatreau, a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley.
An update (March 11th) It seemed like the 2017 Cavalcina Bardolino was a contender but after a second day, Jan said it was too dry for her. Next up are a few Granache wines.
An update (March 17th). We tasted 4 Spanish Granacha wines. Jan liked this one the best. 2017 Honoro Vera Garnacha, 14.5% abv $9.99 at Trigs.
These are the grape varietals that fit this profile: Merlot, Grenache, Gamay, Rondinella, Corvina, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Bonarda, Dolcetto, Montepulciano, Graciano, and Carmenere.
With this criteria and these varietals in mind, I selected these wines for us to sample. Below are my tasting notes. Jan plans to do further research on these wines. The top contenders are the Carmenere from Chile and the Rametello Rossa from Italy. The Merlot and Cannonau from Italy were in the second position. They were all delicious wines.
An update (March 2nd). We tasted wines from the Loire Valley. This is the new contender, 2017 Domaine Filliatreau, a Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley.
An update (March 11th) It seemed like the 2017 Cavalcina Bardolino was a contender but after a second day, Jan said it was too dry for her. Next up are a few Granache wines.
An update (March 17th). We tasted 4 Spanish Granacha wines. Jan liked this one the best. 2017 Honoro Vera Garnacha, 14.5% abv $9.99 at Trigs.
The wines are listed in order of preference. This order may change as Jan is doing further research this weekend.
2014 TerraNoble Gran Reserva Carmenere
14% abv $19.99 at Trig's
Varietal: Carmenere
Region: Maule Valley, Chile
More information:
In 1850 Carmenere was brought to Chile and until 1994 it was thought to be Merlot.
Tasting Notes:
The color is is deep purple. Medium intensity aromas of sweet tobacco, baking spices strawberry, vanilla and chocolate. The wine is dry with low acid, low tannin medium + flavor intensity, finish and body. The flavors are cinnamon, red cherry, green pepper. A very easy drinking wine.
Carmenere pairs well with smoked, grilled or roasted meats, chicken, pork, lamb, beef and veal. Due to its character, it also holds up with and matches perfectly with some spicy dishes and strong, hard cheeses. It's a good food wine similar to Cabernet Franc.
2015 Vini Mura Cannonau di Sardegna Prisma
13.5% abv $12.99 at Trig's
Varietal: Cannonau, Italian for Grenache
Region: Cannonau di Sardegna, Sardinia, Italy
More information:
Tasting Notes:
Clear with medium- garnet color. The aroma is medium- intensity with aromas of smoke, strawberry, ripe raspberry, tobacco, chocolate, and vanilla. The wine is dry with medium-acidity and medium-tannin, medium- finish and body, and medium flavor intensity. The flavors are ripe cherry tobacco, vanilla and toast. Easy drinking. Such a great price point as well.
2016 Cusumano Merlot Terre Siciliane, IGT
14.5% abv $9.99 from Trigs
Varietal: Merlot
Region: Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy
More information:
Tasting Notes:
The color is deep purple. The Intensity is medium+ with aromas of dark cherry, plum, floral, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco and smoke. The wine is dry with medium- acid, medium tannin, medium+ finish and flavor. The flavors are dark chocolate, dark cherry and tobacco. This is amazing for only $10.00. Jan said she would need a little food with this one because of the tannin.
2011 Di Majo Norante Ramitello Rossa DOC
13.5% abv $16.99 at Trig's
Varietal: 80% Montepulciano 20% Aglianico
Region: Molise, Italy
More information:
Tasting Notes:
Medium+ garnet color. Medium-nose intensity with aromas of green pepper, liquorice, dark cherry, tobacco and vanilla. The wine is dry with medium acidity, medium+ tannin, flavor and finish. The flavors are dark cherry, chocolate and coffee. This is a delicious wine.
2016 Chateau du Trignon Cotes du Rhone Rouge
14.5% abv $14.99 at Trig's
Varietal: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre
Region: Cotes du Rhone, Southern Rhone, France
More information:
Tasting Notes:
The wine is medium purple in color. The nose is medium- intensity with aromas of raspberry, strawberry, acacia, tomato leaf, juniper and green pepper. The wine is dry with medium-acidity, medium tannin, medium body and flavor with a short finish. The flavors are leather, raspberry, mineral, forest floor and chocolate. This was Jan's least favorite wine and one she did not take home for further sampling. It had a little too much acid and greenness. I enjoyed the Cotes du Rhone throughout the weekend. It was delicious. The Search Continues. Next Up
We will try these wines on March 5th. Dianne is making chorizo stuffed peppers and Jan is bringing Camembert cheese.
2015 Messacorona Vigneti Cliffhanger Vineyards Proprietary Red Blend Dolomiti IGT Estate Grown
13% $11.69 at Trig's
Varietal: 70% Teroldego, 30% Lagrein
More information:
"Chianti Classico meets Beaujolais Cru"
Wine library TV Episode Teroldego Rotaliano Wine With Some Chesse
(pronounced lah-GRAH'EEN, lah-GRINE or lah-GRI'NE)
Wine library TV Episode Lagrein Wines From Alto Adige
Tasting Notes:
The wine is clear, medium ruby in color. The nose is clean, medium- intensity with primary and secondary aromas: red cherry, rose vanilla, cinnamon, and tobacco. Dianne had sweet cream on the nose. The wine is dry with medium-acidity, medium tannin, medium+ alcohol, medium+ body, flavor and finish. The flavors are red cherry, dark chocolate and white pepper. I liked this wine. Dianne thought it was too simple.
2014 Cantina Altarocca Librato IGT Umbria
13% abv $26.99 at Trig's
Varietal: 70% Cabernet Franc, 30% Canaiolo
Region: Umbria, Italy
More information:
(lee-brah-TOH um-BREE-ah roh-soh)
Tasting Notes:
I had such high hopes for this wine but sadly it has the same flavor as a Loire Valley Cab Franc which I find unpleasant. The wine is clear medium garnet in color with legs. The nose is clean, medium intensity with tertiary aromas: savory,leather, prune, dried blackberry and green olive. The wine is dry with medium- acidity, medium+ alcohol, medium body, medium tannin, medium finish and medium flavor intensity. The flavors are vegetal/green pepper, white pepper red cherry. charred wood and forest floor. Maybe it's too old and would taste better younger.
2017 Cavalcina Bardolino, DOC
12.5% abv $13.49 at Trig's
Varietal: Valpolicella Belnd (60% Corvina - 30% Rondinella - 10% Molinara)
Region: Bardolino, Veneto, Italy
More information:
Tasting Notes:
The wine is clear, medium purple with slight legs. The nose is clean with medium- intensity. The aromas are primary: red cherry, strawberry, rose grape and tea leaf. The wine is dry with medium- acidity, medium- tannin, medium alcohol, medium- body, medium finish and flavor. The flavors are red cherry, tea leaf and red liquorice. This is a very tasty easy sipping wine.
2017 Decoy Merlot
13.9% abv $22.49 at Trig's
Varietal: 92% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petite Sirah
Region: Sonoma County, CA
More information:
Tasting Notes:
The wine is clear, medium ruby in color, with definite legs. The nose is clean medium+ intensity with aromas of violet, tobacco, vanilla, cedar, dark cherry and chocolate. The wine is dry with medium+ acidity, medium+alcohol, medium+ tannin, flavor, finish and body. The flavors are black cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, tobacco and cedar. This is good solid wine for the price.
2014 Catena Zapata Catena Alta Malbec
13.5% abv $31.49 at Trig's
Varietal: Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina. Sourced from various vineyards in Maipú, Luján de Cuyo, Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Altamira, Valle de Uco , Tupungato, Valle de Uco
More information:
Tasting Notes:
The wine is a clear deep ruby color with legs. The nose is clean with medium intensity and aromas of violet, vanilla, cherry, chocolate, mint, cinnamon and tobacco. The wine is dry with medium+ acidity, medium+ alcohol, tannin, body finish and flavor. The flavors are dark chocolate, dark cherry, cedar and mint with a little spice, tobacco. This is a good wine. I am just not a fan of mint.
2017 Donausonne Blaufrankisch
10.5% abv $10,99 at Trig's
Varietal: Blaufrankisch (Lemberger) (Kékfrankos)
Region: Kunsag, Matra, Hungary
More information:
Tasting Notes:
2015 Yvon Mau
12.9% abv $9.99 at Trig's
Varietal: Merlot
Region: IGP Vin de Pays de l'Aude, France
More information:
Tasting Notes:
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