Jane's Weekly Wines from the Atlanta Wine School PRINT AND GO VERSION November 16th 2006 Alexander Valley, Sonoma *************************************************************************************** RETAILERS WHO SUPPORT THIS COLUMN AND HAVE HAD THIS LIST OF WINES IN ADVANCE. 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 *************************************************************************************** Alexander Valley Vineyard New Gewürtz 2006 North Coast Light-bodied off-dry (.7 RS) white wine; medium pale yellow. Aromas of brown aromatic spices and ginger; with fleshy juicy pear flavors are sparked by the same spicy notes. A slight spitziness adds dimension to the texture. Clean, crisp finish makes the wine totally food-worthy. Based in the valley, Cold-fermented. Stainless steel. Alexander Valley Winery, known for its red wines (even a Pinot Noir), launches each new vintage with this delicious nouveau, something of a California answer, as it's released Nov. 1, to the French Beaujolais Nouveau, released the third Thursday in Nov. Serve moderately chilled, about 50 degrees, in tall tulip-shaped glasses. Roast turkey; roasted butternut squash, red onion and dried cranberry salad; squash-filled ravioli with mustard fruits; pork steaks with whole-grain mustard cream sauce; roast pork loin with fruit stuffing; grilled ham steak with sautéed apples and onions; grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut, mashed spuds and whole-grain mustard; soft assertive cheeses, such as Robiolo and French Muenster. Empire Distributing 88 $9 ************************************************************************************* Sausal Winery Private Reserve Zinfandel 2004 Full-bodied dry red wine; medium deep dark cherry color. Lively plum spice aromas, with flavors that blend dark fruits and brown aromatic spices with approachable tannins and a lingering, and not very alcoholic (despite the 14.8% alc.) finish. Beautifully balanced; classic Zinfandel. Should appeal to a broad range of tastes. These are the oldest Zin vines in the valley. Serve moderately cool, about 65 degrees, in tall, narrow tulip-shaped glasses. Of Genovese descent, the owning Demostene family goes back more than 100 years in this valley. Peppered liver pàté; all manner of cured meats, such as salami, surpressata; sandwiches such as muffaletta and stromboli stuffed with sausage and peppers; Cuban sandwiches; sausage lasagna; dishes with linguiça (a spicy Portuguese sausage widely sold in California--here find Wilshire brand at Whole Foods--just spicy enough); beef or pork fajitas; firm, aged cheese (Parrano, aged Gouda); No Más! ancho chile-accented dark chocolate cake (made by Metrotainment Bakery)--awesome. Prestige Wine Wholesale 91 $23 ************************************************************************************* Wattle Creek Shiraz 2001 Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium dark cherry red color. Aromas are initially quite shy, but quickly evolve to express red fruits (red raspberry); sweet red fruit (raspberry); fairly straightforward, with easy tannins, long finish. Might not make you swoon solo, but is great with food (see below). Winemaker Christopher ??? is an Aussie who has worked in Alexander V alley for the past 25 years. Serve in tall tulip-shaped glasses at moderately cool room temperatures, about 65 degrees. Varied food options: Smoked liverwurst and other smoked meats; salamis and other cured meats; peppered liver pâté; grilled lamb steak or braised lamb shank; meat-stuffed stromboli; dark meat turkey (but probably also white meat); beef stroganoff; grilled chicken breast with sun-dried tomato pesto; braised short ribs of beef; roast chicken; meat loaf; vegetable stews with legumes; creamy blue cheeses National Distributing Company 88 $26 ************************************************************************************* Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Big, full-bodied dry red wine; deep inky purple red. Rich, black fruit (esp. black currant cassis) aromas lead to intense, deep, complex black fruit flavors. Big but not a bruiser, this Cab sends waves of intense fruit flavors through the palate, and is embellished by round, silky, elegant tannins. Long finish. Could last with proper cellaring, perhaps 5-8 years. Surprise: But sure is good right now. 100% American oak barrels, mostly used, so no aggressive flavors. Serve at cool room temperature, about 65 degrees, in tall Bordeaux-type tulip-shaped glasses. Great value. Smoked liverwurst and other smoked meats; salami and other cured meats; grilled steak (with blue cheese or peppercorn sauce); beef stroganoff, furred game; mushrooms (stuffed Portobello mushrooms), roasted prime rib; firm aged cheese, creamy mild blues and goat cheeses Georgia Crown 94 $20 ************************************************************************************* Porter Creek Vineyards Angeli Vineyard "Old Vine" Carignane 2004 Medium/full-bodied dry red wine; medium deep dark cherry red. Intense fresh dark and red fruit aromas, with flavors that fill the palate with delectable, juicy dark and red fruit flavors. The slightest touch of brown aromatic spice boosts complexity. Intriguing, with soft tannins. Easy to enjoy, but substantial in structure. Grape is a Rhône Valley classic. Vines are so old, nobody knows exact age, but current owners go back 50 years, and vineyard was already established. Potential keeper 3-5 years with proper cellaring. Serve at cool room temperature, about 60 degrees, in tall tulip-shaped glasses. Peppered liver pâté; salami and other cured meats; liver and onions, grilled ham steak; roast duck and turkey; grilled lamb steak and roast leg of lamb; lamb stews (navarin of lamb); braised short ribs of beef; vegetable stews; sun-dried tomato pesto with grilled chicken breast or roast pork tenderloin; feathered game; creamy blue cheeses and mild, creamy goat cheese; dark chocolate (about 55% cocoa) Quality Wine & Spirits 93 $24 ************************************************************************************* Simi Landslide Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Full-bodied dry red wine; deep inky ruby red. Spicy black currant aromas; deep, intriguing fruit flavors, with a texture suggesting wine has been neither filtered nor fined. Easy tannins. Lovely depth of flavor, concentration. Balanced, elegant and refined. Grapes: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. Serve at cool room temperature, about 65 degrees, in large tulip-shaped Bordeaux glasses. Smoked liverwurst; peppered liver pâté; grilled steak; roasted standing rib; braised beef short ribs; roast duck; beef stroganoff; beef stews, grilled ham steak rack of lamb Georgia Crown 92 $25