Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé

The third Thursday of November is a wonderful day in the world of wine, because it is Beaujolais Nouveau release day!  Beaujolais Nouveau is a vin de primeur (wine sold in the same year that it was harvested) made from the Gamay grape, which is a signature grape of the Beaujolais wine region in France.   Harvest season in France is usually between late August and early October, so the Beaujolais Nouveau is only fermented for a few weeks before it's release.  As such, it is light-bodied and not complex, but it is easy-drinking and often has a strawberry flavor.  Judging by this year's Nouveau, 2015 seems to have been a strong year for the Beaujolais region.

Tasting Notes - Rosso di Romagna

Name: Rosso di Romagna
Producer: Maestro di Pomidoro
Region: Emilia Romagna, Italy
Grape Varieties: Sangiovese
Vintage: 2013
Overall Rating:  ★★★☆☆
Pairing: This wine was alright; kind of a strong alcohol burn to it.  However, I loved the tomato man on the label, and we drank the whole bottle with a NY thin-crust pizza.

Sight
Color: Purple


Brightness: Dull

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Scent: Plum and Cherry

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Medium
Acidity: Smooth
Tannin: Low
Flavors: Fruit:Apricot/apple/plum, very juicy
Finish: Long(5-7 sec)

Tasting Notes - Nero Scuro

Name: Nero Scuro
Producer: Fattoria Laila
Region: Rosso Piceno DOC
Grape Varieties: 80% Montepulciano/20% Sangiovese
Vintage: 2013
Overall Rating:  ★★★★☆

Pairing:  CHEESE!  I've really been enjoying Montepulciano wines lately.  They're easy drinking and seem to go with everything, and as I like to say... wine goes with everything! :-p



Sight
Color: Purple


Brightness: Dull/Opaque

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Age: Some age
Scent: Plum, berry, earthy

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Light-Medium
Acidity: Tart/Crisp
Tannin: Low/Medium
Flavors: Jammy plum and berries

Tasting Notes - Riverstone Chardonnay

Name: Riverstone Chardonnay
Producer: J. Lohr Estates
Region: Arroyo Seco, CA
Grape Varieties: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2014
Overall Rating:  ★★★☆☆

Pairing:  I'm not usually a fan of California Chardonnays, but this was very drinkable.  The oaky-ness was relatively moderate, so it complimented (and didn't overpower) our tortellini with roasted mushrooms and romanesco.

Sight
Color: Yellow


Brightness: Day Bright

Aroma
Intensity: Moderate
Age: Youthful
Scent: Citrus and Pear

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Medium-Full
Acidity: Fresh
Flavors: More citrus and pear, and some buttery, vanilla flavor from the oak.

Tasting Notes - Lobo

Name: LOBO Tinto Multicastas
Producer: LOBO
Region: Peninsula of Setubal, Portungal
Grape Varieties: Castelao, Touriga National and Trincadeira Grapes (These are all Portuguese Grapes and were a delicious, new find for me.)
Vintage: 2012
Overall Rating:  ★★★★★

Pairing:  De-stressing after a long day at work.

Sight
Color: Purple


Brightness: Dull/Opaque

Aroma
Intensity: Low
Age: Some age
Scent: Cherry and berries

Palate
Dry/Sweet: Dry
Body: Light
Acidity: Fresh
Tannin: Low

Flavors: Juicy berries, but slightly earthy/smokey on the finish