2003 Fisher Coach Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon

Marvelous. Upon opening up it was a bit tight, but with a quick burst of black fruit before the tannins grabbed a hold. After 30 minutes, the fruit became more pronounced and the aromas really came through. Still young and with such a high alcohol content (14.8%) it's capable of aging for an extended period and adopting the markers of aged Napa Cabernet. Perfect with the porterhouse and a medley of snow peas, squash, red, yellow, and orange peppers sauteed in olive oil with garlic, butter, and lemon. Not too bad for my first solo cooking session...who knew?

Recent wines

It's been awhile since I've last posted about the wines I've been drinking, perhaps its because I've been preoccupied with numerous happenings elsewhere. Here's a quick, incomplete rundown in no particular order:

2005 Two Hands Ares: A stellar Australian Shiraz, quite possibly the best I've ever had, but definitely the highest-rated. Loads of black fruit accompanying a comical story and a great meal at Morton's. Here's the low-down: Per my request, the Assistant GM decanted the wine before our arrival. Upon arriving and making ourselves comfortable at the table, the same Assistant GM brings a decanter of wine over to the table and starts idle conversation in which he asks if I've ever had the Ares before. Let it be noted that I instantly noticed he had not only failed to bring the empty bottle or the cork, also the decanter was not nearly as full as one would expect from a standard 750 ml bottle, but the biggest clue was that the wine inside was not nearly as dark as I had expected. Anyway, long story short, I taste the wine in the decanter and then ask "Is this the Ares? Because it really doesn't take like it." He smiles, states that I'm correct in identifying the intentional mistake (it was actually Inglenook cooking wine, I think a Burgundian), and promptly brings another decanter, this one bearing the wine I so desperately desired. That same night I also tasted a 1997 Grand Cru Echezeaux from Lamarche.

2002 Darioush Shiraz: Another funny story: P and I decide to get a late-night snack from McDonalds, lo-and-behold guess what I do? Breakout this bottle of Shiraz and in all seriousness, say "This'll go great with those Quarter-Pounders without onions, the BBQ sauce for the nuggets, and the overly-crisp fries that sat in the oven a few minutes longer than they should have". Excellent wine, horrible food--never again will such a pairing occur.

2006 Two Hands Bella's Garden: A great Australian Shiraz. The culmination of a weekend of Shiraz.

2004 Justin "Isoceles" Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot: A beautiful red that shows Justin's ability to comeback from a startling setback in 2005.

2004 Concha Y Toro "Don Melchor" Cabernet Sauvignon: Yummy. Were it not for the lack of funds, I would've stocked up on this one. Instead, I'll stock up on the 2005.

2002 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: Excellent, a prime example of Beringer's ability to create age-worthy Cabs. A steal of a deal found buried in a case of 2004 BPR at the Waltham Costco.

2003 Antinori Solaia: Who would've thought I found this at a 7-11 in Vermont, just outside of Mount Snow? Upon opening and taking that first sip, I updated my Facebook status with something along the lines of having "found heaven on earth". I then received a message from a friend saying that was the best update he'd seen in a long time. Really though, this was stellar wine; its 1997 vintage was Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year. I just wish there was more than one bottle on the shelf.

2001 Antinori Tignanello: Upon cutting the seal, I noticed leakage and instantly became worried about oxidation. Fortunately, abundant, robust fruit flavors flashed shortly after opening and the wine was still very much enjoyable even several days after being opened. I think the bottle lasted for 3-4 days and only on the 4th day did sourness preclude the fruit.

2005 The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc: A beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, one of my proposed wines for a professional project that until recently, I was involved in.

2006 Four Vines "Naked" Chardonnay: Another one of my proposed wines. First tried at the Burlington Nordstroms.

1995 Chateau Simard Saint Emilion: My first mature Bordeaux (I've tasted an Ausone, but tasting is far different than drinking).

2005 Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel: Their 40th vintage Zinfandel. If I recall correctly, the fruit is grown in the Anderson Valley.

2005 Barossa Valley Estate E Minor Shiraz: From the makers of the notoriously tasty E&E Black Pepper, a steal for $11.

2004 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon: It seems I've got a distinct ability to sell this wine to guests (last I checked, I was the only one to have sold any, my record being 2). On both occasions, I had the pleasure of tasting this gorgeous wine--frankly its elegance and graceful style make it like--even the fear of sounding cliche will not prevent me from saying this--poetry for the wine lover.

1998 Col Solare: Antinori and Chateau Ste. Michelle's Washington collaboration found at D&L, one of my favorite liquor stores in Waltham.

2005 Joseph Phelps Innisfree Cabernet Sauvignon: Produced from the left over fruit used for Insignia and its Napa Cabernets. Excellent, two bottles gone in the blink of an eye while celebrating a former colleague's birthday, one who happens to be quite the fan of Phelps' Insignia.

Big boys still sitting in the cellar waiting for their day: 2002 Spring Mountain Elivette, 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia, 2004 Stags Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23.

Updated: 8/19/08.

2006 Root 1

A fruit forward Chilean Cabernet from the Colcghagua Valley. One to remember, albeit for its introductory characteristics to the finer aspects of red wine, especially given the fact that its roots are ungrafted and have yet to have been plagued by Phylloxera. Definitely a wine for a blooming novice and one to recommend to those who aren't familiar with the beauty and intricacy of Cabernets.

ADDENDUM: Not nearly as complex as Concha y Toro's Don Melchor (its 2005 vintage received its highest rating yet), but still a great cabernet.

1996 Faustino I Gran Reserva

My first tempranillo (actually a blend of tempranillo graciano, and mazuelo; rated 87 points). An old world, yet rich and full-bodied red that slowly opened up after a decade+ in the bottle. Even after several days, its red fruit and mineral character showed beautifully; last night, well integrated tannins begged to complement the New York strips which I had paired with the wine a couple days before. Mom liked the bottle it came in.

il Molino di Grace Riserva 2001

I'm satisfied on a consistent basis by the many wines imported by Ed Peterson of Domaine Select Wine Estates. Even after being open for several days, the wines have been particularly impressive. Especially this Chianti Classico from il Molino di Grace, particularly it's Selezione Il Margone, which maintains a complexity that's hard to beat and flavors that make me want to grill a New York strip at 3:10 a.m. In fact, it's so good that I think I'll act on my whim and broil that Kansas City strip I've got marinating in the fridge right now. On a sidenote, I'm rather stuffed up right now, but I get aromas of strawberries right now, but that's about it for now...we'll see if I have any left after my meal. If not, then oh well.

2005 Bradford Mountain Grist Vineyard Syrah

Three days old and with just over a half a bottle left. Having been stored in the fridge for the past two days, oxidation slowed considerably. After warming up to cellar temperature (50 degrees) and subsequently just below room temperature, its black fruits (cherries, blackberry) emerged along with a soft, yet prolonged finish; I don't get blueberry or plum, but I certainly agree with 88 points. Paired with Kansas City strip steaks embedded with crushed peppercorns, sourdough baguettes, and boc choy. Here's what James Laube had to say about it:

Ripe, rich and fleshy, with intense blueberry, wild berry and plum notes that are well-centered and complex, ending with firm tannins. Drink now through 2011. 500 cases made.–JL

2004 Altamura Cabernet

Two days old, but still plenty of life in a half full bottle. Oxidation had begun, but black currant, berries, and bing cherries were still prevalent and the finish was more than enjoyable. Not to mention, it was a wonderful complement to the porterhouse, potatoes, broccoli, and sweet peas. A typical Napa Cabernet, but one that's definitely worthy of a repeat performance (WS: 91 pts). Currently, a Costco special, but as the powers that be, I scored this one for free (see below).

Addendum: Altamura's New England distributors also push Opus One.