Box: December 2015

Holiday Spice

Happy holidays everybody.

Yes the time of the year when we get to sleep in, clean up after house guest and live through the stress of finding AAA batteries for the kids new thing on Christmas morning. And of course, the time to enjoy a quality drink with friends and family. This years holiday box takes a little different angle. Where the last 3 years we had always concentrated on Bordeaux and the South of France, this time we took a new theme, “Spice”. Don’t worry, we didn’t do curry wines, but we did mix in some less familiar grape varieties amongst the classics.

First to please the masses we have two different Chardonnays with very different flavors. You decide if you prefer “steel” or “oak”. Then we dropped in two Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Sauvignon comes from the French word “Sauvage”, or wild, and these wines give you a hint of wild grass and other uncontrollable green stuff growing out in the country. This was of course very deliberate, as it is arguably the best white wine to have with cold fish or oysters (that may be on some of your holiday tables).

For the reds apart from a classic Bordeaux Superior and a Californian Zinfandel, we put in a Spanish Syrah. Syrah for me means one thing – green pepper, and that taste is very evident in this wine. The wine was aged in oak and received a very honorable 92 points from the globally respected critic Robert Parker.

So be it a classic or a spicy twist, this years IWCoK holiday box has every base covered.  Enjoy your world tour and have a well deserved rest.

Mike

 

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Two rivers of Marlborough 2014

Wine description:

  • Country: New Zealand
  • Grape: Sauvignon blanc
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
  • Price: 359 Kč

Mike's Tip

How many gold medal labels can you fit on one bottle ? This wine entered the race (and won 5x!) . A classic new world Sauvignon with well balanced flavor of grass, minerals and white fruit. Delicate enough for any light starter, but with flavor to match a cold fish starter. Get out the shell fish.

Stanley Bay 2014

Wine description:

  • Country: New Zealand
  • Grape: Sauvignon blanc
  • Alcohol: 12%
  • Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
  • Price: 229 Kč

Mike's Tip

Also a new world "Sauvage" but more a little brother than a big hitter. The lower alcohol content and minerality makes this a much simpler wine and ready for all occasions. Don't be afraid to pull this on out for the in-laws as its fruity taste makes it a very easy drink.

La Pauline Platine 2014

Wine description:

  • Country: United States
  • Grape: Chardonnay
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
  • Price: 199 Kč

Mike's Tip

Pauline was Napoleon's favorite and most trusted sister and a woman with a certain love of life. Not sure how she would up on a bottle of Chardonnay from Burgundy, but it doesn't really matter. Chardonnay is best known for Chablis, which is a specific sub region. But it is the same sun just across the path and this is where we find this one. What makes it a little unusual is that it was rested 3 months in oak giving it a rounder, more caramel taste. I would have said California.

Black Hawk Chardonnay 2013

Wine description:

  • Country: United States
  • Grape: Chardonnay
  • Alcohol: 14%
  • Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
  • Price: 169 Kč

Mike's Tip

Coming to you from the "Farm of the world" the San Joaquin Valley of California. Measuring 100 by 750 Kms, this is America's fruit and vegetable garden and the largest farm in the world. It also produces 90% of all the Californian wine. This one comes from the norther end close to San Fransisco, and gives a strong mineral, and very light oak taste. I would have said France.

Black Hawk Zinfandel 2013

Wine description:

  • Country: United States
  • Grape: Zinfandel
  • Alcohol: 14%
  • Style: Medium-bodied red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
  • Price: 199 Kč

Mike's Tip

For you experts out there, you will know this variety as Primitivo. Not because it tastes like a football hooligan, but rather that is the first
(primi) grape picked at the harvest. Whatever you call it, Zinfandel is the 2nd most popular red grape in the USA, putting its' global consumption in the top 10. Not that it matters, but more importantly this wine was awarded a "Best Buy" award from our own Wine and Degustation magazine. Round and full bodied, with a long tail of vanilla.

Alceño Premium 50 Barricas DO Jumilla 2012

Wine description:

  • Country: Spain
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 14,5%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
  • Price: 297 Kč

Mike's Tip

These are the spices I was talking about. Syrah takes a lot of its flavor from the area it is grown. In this case, the warmer climate gives it a softer pepper taste, but leaves a hint of liquorice and leather (trust me here). Elegant and an excellent full bodied red for any stewed meat of game dish (and a great break away from the same old Merlot / Cabernet line).

Château Haut Nadeau Bordeaux Supérieur AOC 2009

Wine description:

  • Country: France
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 14%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
  • Price: 219 Kč

Mike's Tip

This classic Bordeaux cuvee shows both its; maturity and its terroir. That little bit of acidity from the Cabernet Franc comes out, and demands that this wine properly breaths before drinking (1 hour minimum) and will accompany some red meat preferably with a bit of fat. Not for the dinner with "Kapr" or ham, but the steak or burger the day after ;-)

Señorio de La Serna Baron de Santuy Reserva DO Ribera del Duero 1999

Wine description:

  • Country: Spain
  • Grape: Tempranillo
  • Alcohol: 13,5%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: Víno výhodně.cz
  • Price: 249 Kč

Mike's Tip

Total shocker this one. I admit we tried it just because of its funny label and bottle shape. But WOW, this is one of the chance gold mines you stumble across. Look past the "Pirates of the Caribbean " bottle motive, and you will find a 100% Tempranillo that was aged for over 2 years in oak, and another 13 years in the bottle. Aged enough and ready to consume RIGHT NOW. So smooth this will go with a steak, or a movie night on the sofa.