Featured Wines - January 2005

The 2003 Ca dei Frati I Frati Lugana is a delightfully elegant wine that wears a traditional Chablis-like robe of pale yellow, with a mere hint if green. In the nose the I Frati’s aromatic profile is redolent with the fresh heady scent of early spring, a mélange of flower blossoms and the first fruits of an awakening land. In the mouth, satiny textured fruit caresses the palate and nearly explodes with the infusion of mineral and subtle earth tha...

A delightful blend of Monastrell, more commonly known as Mourvèdre (50%), Merlot (30%), and Tempranillo (20%), the 2003 Muri Veteres showcases the attributes of Jumilla: charm, flavor, and a youthful exuberance that is hard to beat. Yet, so majestically colored in a royal purple robe, one could easily expect a tannic monster whose only attributes are power and strength, but the Muri Veteres quickly disarms the wary taster with a hedonistic set of...

Deep, rich, corpulent, and profoundly structured, the 2002 Three Valleys Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine to ward off the chill of a cold winter’s night. Upon first airing, this Australian rendition of “Bordeaux visits Hermitage” exhibits a ripe core of blackberry, angostura, and finely fired barrel that captivates the senses. In addition, oodles of layered fruit lay over textured tannins and a boatload of flavor in this comely beauty. With ad...

Bold, brilliant, and pointed, the 2003 Morgadío Albariño Rías Baixas is one grand statement of a wine. Dry, pure, and hauntingly scented, this remarkable white wine exhibits light clean fruit, overt minerality, and a crisp fresh finish. Although somewhat ethereal and difficult to label, one thing is certain; in no way does the 2003 Morgadío Albariño resemble the fruity oak infused confections that many New World producers label as Chardonnay nor ...