#33 - Mencía

Varietal: Mencía
Wine: Mencía
Label: Eira Vella, Roble
Region: Spain
Year: 2009
Date Tasted: March 2012

Notes:
A very dry light red, this wine's greatest strength seems to be in what it makes you keep looking for. I usually describe wine flavors in a set of three to try to define parameters that you can take as the outside of the (as it were) 2d flavor diagram, and for this wine, I have to use blueberry, cranberry, and snow - not watery, but a sort of soft chill that makes you laugh without really knowing why. Be careful of pairing this wine with bold flavors, but if you are looking for a dry companion to desert or a vegetable platter, this should be more than at home.

#32 - Barbara

Varietal: Barbara
Wine: Barbara
Label: Crivelli Barbara D'Asti
Region: Piedmont Italy
Year: 2009
Date Tasted: March 2012

Notes:
Medium dry red with a very full fruit mixed with mild but varied tannins. Notes of blackberry and carmel. Enough complexity and variance over the tongue and in finish that you never feel like you have actually gotten to know it. My favorite of the Wine Kitchen set we had, and one I will continue to explore.

An evening at the Wine Kitchen

For our anniversary, we had an evening at The Wine Kitchen in Leesburg courtesy of a friend. The restaurant has a great atmosphere and is popular enough on a weekend that you may spend some time standing near (but not yet even sitting at) the bar talking wines while waiting for a table to clear. WK keeps a rotating stock of wines, and allows purchase by the bottle, glass, or taste (really nearly half a glass). And to top things off, you can get a three-taste sampler in groupings put together by the staff. Never being ones to turn down variety, The Heart and I ordered their current Italy and Spain trios, respectively. This post will be followed by the two new varietals, but abbreviated reviews of the other wines are here.

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Varietal: Trebbiano, Passerina, Pecorino
Wine: (Unknown blend name)
Label: De Angelis
Region: Falerio, Italy
Year: 2010
Date Tasted: March 2012

Notes:
Very clear flavored white, light bodied and medium dry. High notes of flavor, particularly peach and rose, is bright enough to remind of a sparkling white. Very easy on the tongue, and the favorite of The Heart.

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Varietal: Sangiovese
Wine: Chianti (Reserva)
Label: Renzo Masi & Co.
Region: Firenze, Italy
Year: 2008
Date Tasted: March 2012

Notes:
Dry red, medium to full body, notes of nutmeg, black pepper, and Granny Smith apple. Complex and everything a grand chianti should be.

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Varietal: Tempranillo
Wine: Tempranillo
Label: Gran Familia Rioja
Region: Rioja, Spain
Year: 2008
Date Tasted: March 2012

Notes:
Medium dry with the full fruit this varietal is known for; notes of cranberry, apple, and almond. A consistent, versatile, and enjoyable wine.

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Varietal: Syrah
Wine: Syrah (organic)
Label: Lobetia
Region: Madrid, Spain
Year: 2010
Date Tasted: March 2012

Notes:
Very broad flavor, dry red but not biting which shows a maturity beyond its short years, notes of raspberry, walnut, and a hint of curry. Try this for syrah/shiraz like you haven't had it before.