Jane's Weekly Wines from the Atlanta Wine School PRINT AND GO VERSION March 16th, 2006 Southern Hemisphere Wines *************************************************************************************** RETAILERS WHO SUPPORT THIS COLUMN AND HAVE HAD THIS LIST OF WINES IN ADVANCE. Pearson's Wines of Atlanta, 3072 Early St Nw Atlanta, GA 30305 -- 404-231-8752 Corner Wine & Art, 1402 N. Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306 -- 404-875-8810 Home Town Wine & Spirits, 4856 Hog Mountain Rd, Flowery Branch, GA --770-965-6058 The Colors of Wine, 2355 Cumberland Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339 -- 770-432-2828 Sigman Bottle Shop, 425 Sigman Road - Conyers, GA 30012 -- 770-929-8797 Shiraz, 675 Pulaski Street, Suite 400, Athens, GA 30601 -- 706-208-0010 Windward Beverage, 12915 Hwy 9, Alpharetta, GA 30004 -- 678-566-3301 IS YOUR WINE SHOP NOT LISTED HERE? HAVE THEM CALL 770-668-0435 *************************************************************************************** Fincas Patagonia "Zolo" Torrontés 2005 La Rioja, Mendoza, AR Medium-bodied dry white wine; medium pale yellow with greenish highlights. Floral aromas, white blossoms, honeysuckle/jasmine/peach; fleshy, juicy stone fruit flavors, like biting into a ripe juicy peach, with characteristic orange peel note. Reminiscent also of Muscat. Aromatic, but not over-the-top. Brisk acidity, ensuring a long fruit-driven finish. Fills the palate. So delightful. While there is a variety also called Torrontés in Galicia (northwestern Spain), it's not clear whether the one in Argentina is the same, despite much immigration from Galicia to Argentina. This is one of the best I've ever tasted; correct to varietal, but no exaggerated floral character. Beautifully balanced. Serve moderately chilled, about 55 degrees, in white wine glasses. Dishes with exotic spices: Indonesian chicken; curried dishes (but not hot); Indian fare that's not wicked hot; cous cous either as a hot dish or as a salad; chipotle-accented dishes if not too hot (Whole Foods' chipotle chicken salad); Country Captain; crawfish cakes or grilled shrimp with mildly seasoned rémoulade sauce; Argentines would serve this with empanadas or locro, a corn/potatopumpkin soup (with or without meat) that has a hot sauce served on the side to taste. Unique World Wines $16 91 ************************************************************************************* Fire Block Dry Rosé 2005 Clare Valley, AU Medium-bodied dry rosé wine; brilliant translucent ruby rose color. Intense aromas of red fruits, ranging from strawberry to cherry to raspberry, with red fruit flavors that bloom in mid palate. Slight reminiscence of cinnamon candy hearts. Silky texture. Lively acidity leaves the mouth clean, refreshed and ready for another sip. Mouthwatering. Grenache, from vines planted in the1920s. A singe, meaning that free-run juice is tapped for the wine, and then it's vilified at cold temperatures, like a white wine, to preserve freshness. This, folks, is rosé, and it stands to reason that the country that can turn out big, jammy blockbuster red wines should be able to turn out a rosé with an attitude. Serve moderately chilled, about 55 degrees, in white wine glasses. Crab and red pepper pàté; chorizo, pimento cheese, shrimp with not-too-spicy rémoulade or tomato-and-onion pickled shrimp; grilled chicken with pico de gallo, barbecued chicken (mild tomato-based sauce); Whole Foods' chipotle chicken salad (very good!); grilled or roasted pork tenderloin; enchiladas; fajitas with shrimp or chicken; Brunswick stew; mildly seasoned Indian vegetarian dishes, meat-filled empanadas, sausage and peppers; chicken or pork satay with peanut sauce Unique World Wines $17 90 ************************************************************************************* Sacred Hill "Whitecliff" Pinot Noir 2004 East Coast, NZ Light/medium-bodied dry red wine; medium translucent amber-edged ruby red. Earth and fruit unite in classic Pinot Noir aromas; delicious dark cherry fruit with just a hint of dried thyme. Sweet fruit (but not cloying) and savory all at once. Clean, delicious strawberry-accented fruit (but not a fruit bombe) blooms in mid palate and leaves plenty of finish. Well structured, with silky fruit tannins. Looks light, but delivers surprising intensity. A classic. New Zealand's "East Coast," which used to be an official appellation, designates vines grown on the east coast of both North and South islands. Sacred Hills is located in Napier, Hawke's Bay, and North Island. Serve at cool room temperature, about 65 degrees, in generous globe-shaped glasses. Mildly flavored light foods: eggplant baked with crumbs and pine nuts; portobello mushrooms with pasta (either hot or as a salad with light olive oil/vinegar dressing); grilled salmon or tuna (perfect!); grilled chicken red pepper sausages; mild curries (Indonesian Style); chicken or pork satay; roasted Cuban-style mojo-marinated pork; roast chicken or turkey; grilled quail United Distributors $17 89 ************************************************************************************* Bodega Banfi Cinco Tierras Premier Malbec 2003 Mendoza, Argentina Full-bodied dry red wine; deep purple red. Lively, lifted aromas of sweet dark berries, evolving a cedar note as the wine opens; with a touch of blueberry; flavors. Sweet dark berry flavors, focused on black raspberry, loganberry, boysenberry. Firm but silky tannins. Aging potential, 5-8 years at least if well cellared. Excellent value. 100% Malbec aged 12 months in French oak. Cool room to cellar temperature, about 60-65 degrees, in large-bowled glasses. Salamis, chorizo, peppered or plain creamy liver pâté; smoked meats (Patak's smoked liverwurst, awesome!), chicken or veal al Marsala, meat-filled empanadas, roasted or grilled tenderloin of bee6 with chimichurri sauce (garlic, parsley, olive oil), assertively flavored pasta dishes (lots of garlic); grilled portobello mushrooms; grilled sweetbreads, lamb, roast duck; cheese (especially soft blue-veined cheeses) Bacco Fine Wine $33 91 ************************************************************************************* Darling Cellars Onyx Shiraz 2003 Darling, Western Coast, South Africa. Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium-deep ruby garnet. Aromas of dark fruits with a slight sawdust overlay, suggesting American oak, with flavors that seem pretty evolved and vinous, away from primary fruit flavors. As wine opens, a firm core of brown spices--cinnamon/allspice--opens in mid palate. Fairly firm tannin that soften with decanting plus a long finish. A bit medicinal (but not unpleasantly so) in the end that disappears completely with decanting. South Africa was the first to use the term Shiraz, as prisoners on their way to Australia left both vine cuttings and the term. 15 months in French oak barrels. Absolutely needs decanting to breathe and open up, at least 30 minutes ahead of serving. A great 2nd day wine. Potential for cellaring 5-8 years. Cool room temperature, about 50 degrees. Patak's smoked liverwurst, peppered pàté, grilled steak with Gorgonzola or Cabrales cheese sauce; grilled lamb rib chops, beef quesadillas; Cuban-style mojo-marinated roast pork; roast turkey; babootie (a South African layered casserole), eggplant baked with crumbs and pine nuts, grilled Cornish hen or quail, mild semi-soft cheeses United Distributors $18 93 ************************************************************************************* Santa Rita Casa Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 Maipo Valley, Chile Full-bodied dry red wine; deep inky purple red. Aromas initially very minty, but that diminishes to the nuance level; then black currant/blackberry aromas with hints of leather, followed by black currant/blackberry flavors. Long, tannic finish. Good structure. Juicy fruit tannins. Intense, concentrated, but balanced, not over-the-top. Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon. Definite cellaring potential, 10-15 years. Decanting advised; as wine is unfiltered. Serve at cellar temperature (55 degrees) although 65 degrees also is good, but you sense alcohol more sharply. Full-flavored foods: Peppered liver pâté; steak au poivre or with chimichurri sauce; grilled lamb; steak or braised beef dishes; roast duck; prime rib; Southern-style barbecued ribs with mild tomato-vinegar sauce (surprise!); mild firm aged cheeses (raw-milk Cheddar; Parrano; aged Gruyère; aged Parmesan) Empire Distributing $50 94 75 91