2006 Ruffino Modus

When deciding what to pair with tonight’s meal, I knew I had to go somewhere Italian. Personally, I have had a mix bag with Italian wines. For me, I haven’t had great success until I get in to the higher price point levels, which doesn’t’ bode well for Monday night everyday drinking.

For tonight I picked up a 2006 Ruffino Modus, which is a Tuscan blend consisting of 50% Sangiovese 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. I have had this wine in the past, while a different vintage, I remember enjoying it. I know I have paid $25 dollars for this bottle previously, but tonight it was on sale for $15, good deal.
I decided to decant the bottle for about 2 hours before drinking. The aromas from the wine were fantastic, dark crushed berries, a little anise, and cedar wood, with a little earthiness funk coming through at the end. I was excited by the bouquet coming from the glass, but was quickly disappointed in the taste. The flavors fell a little flat, an initial lovely taste of berries and anise, but really nothing across the mid palate, and little to no finish. An acceptable wine to eat with, but if it was at $25 dollars, a definite pass, there are better bottles out there at that price point, but at $15, give it a try to see what you think . Who knows, we all taste things differently.
Summary: Score 84



Tonight’s meal I made a braised beef ragout with San Marzano tomatoes and rigatoni pasta accompanied by a mixed local green salad.

2008 Juan Gil Monastrell - Jumilla, Spain

Tonight, I am going to review a wine that I have gone back to over and over again for the last few months. I really love Spanish wine, I have had more luck with good bottles of wine from Spain than anywhere else. This example of what Spain can with its varietals seem to rarely disappoint. Tonight’s selection is: a 2008 Juan Gil, it is 100% Monastrell from Jumilla Spain.

This is a lush, rich, beautiful example of what Monastrell (known in France as Mourvedre) can be. First impressions, it opens up with beautiful aromas of crushed blackberries and cassis. The weight is medium to full bodied and a beautiful inky color, the flavors continue to be consistent of the aroma of dark fruit finishing with some nice spice notes, and long lingering flavors of berries and firm tannins. It is a great wine and a great value at 15 dollars, a definite buy. Rating: 92

For dinner tonight I prepared a boneless butterflied leg of lamb. I encrusted the lamb with rosemary and thyme from my garden. I served it with wilted baby spinach with shallots and butter. I got home late from book club tonight, so I am only cooking for myself, I don't think Lamb would be Erin's first choice for dinner, but I think Hayden would have liked it. I am thinking of including a recipe tab for the future, I have to figure out how I want it laid out, let me know if its something anyone would be interested in.

2006 Ridge Zinfandel - Pagani Ranch

Happy Memorial Day everyone, in honor of the holiday, I thought to keep it American as possible tonight. In one word: Zinfandel.
Thought to be Americas great grape, until genetic testing revealed it to be related to primitivo that was brought to the Americas at some point in our foundation. Be that as it may, winemakers in The States have truly exalted this varietal to new perspectives.

As much as we would all love to drink Caymus, Shafer Hillside Select, and Ridge Montebello; The zinfandel from some of these vineyards tends to be a more entry level pricing, of the Cabernets of the same vintner.
Tonight’s selection I have pulled a wine from my stash; a 2006 Ridge Pagani Estates Zinfandel. While classified as zinfandel (88%) it has been blended with 7% Alicante Boushchet, 3% Petit Sirah, and 2% Caragnan.
This bottle retails for 38 us dollars at my lws, however I received this bottle as a gift from my sister and brother in law, for cooking for my nephews baby shower. Being that my nephew turned one this week, I thought it would be a perfect time to drink!
I decanted the wine for one hour before drinking, however, the aroma was overwhelming as soon as opening the bottle. The red fruit came straight at me.

The aromas consisted of strawberries dipped in chocolate, and with almost a little nutmeg and pepper. The flavor did not disappoint either, long lingering flavors of red berries and spicy notes. The color and texture of the wine was inky, mostly contributed to the little petit sirah. Rating:93

For dinner tonight; cheeseburgers with caramelized onions and cheddar, homemade BBQ potato chips and corn on the cob, followed by some watermelon.

We consumed a couple additional beverages this evening. It was quite warm today, so a little PBR was in order.

2007 Chateau Mont- Redon Cotes Du Rhone

I took my son, Hayden, on a bike ride up to the local wine shop (lws) to look for some wine for this first post. I selected this 2007 Chateau Mont-Redon Cotes du Rhone. I knew nothing about it, but with the 2007 vintage having an excellent reputation and it coming in at $15 bucks, why not.

The varietals are composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah.

Home to taste. I always open the bottle before I begin to cook the meal.

Tasting:

Aromas of Cocoa, and licorice and toast. Flavors of bright red juicy fruit; strawberries, and cherries..., not quite jammy, but some serious fruit coming through. Nice grippy tannins, very drinkable. *Note the fruit did not come through as strong on first taste, but rather after dinner almost 2 hours later.

The wine has a lovely garnet color. Very enjoyable red. A nice wine to start out with. At this price point I would definently recommond. I wasn't sure where to got with the scoring route on this review site, but I think I will stick with the tried and true 100 point scale. With that in mind I would rate this wine an 88.



First Monday Meal

Inspired from the so far rare appearance of sun, and Haydens love of helping daddy with the grill, grilling tonight is a must. I selected a nicely marbled sirloin steak, and harvested some herbs (rosemary, thyme, chives, shallots) from my small container garden to make a compound butter for the steak.

I was very happy to finally see some morels in the market today. I was looking for some sort of mushroom to go along with this wine. In the past, I have found that mushrooms and red meat pair really nicely with Rhones, and the same is true tonight.

Sauteed the morels with some white asparagus (another spring treat) with some brown butter and a sprig of thyme.

Introduction

The start of a new week. The beginning of the wait for the weekend. The wife and I have always tried to treat Monday nights with an extra nice meal, and as good of a bottle of wine that we could afford. It has always been a nice way to extend the weekend, something to look forward to, and ease back into the monotony of the workweek.

I have always foraged for value wines, mostly from Spain and the Rhone region of France. Sometimes I get a lucky find, and sometimes utterly disappointed. I am not a sommelier, or an expert, while others will disagree that I am, but I have worked in the service industry for the the last 13 years, and I have had the fortunate ability to taste quite a few glasses of wine. I will share my Monday night wine experiences with you and maybe sometimes my food as well. Now I am off to the liquor store for the first review. I hope you enjoy!!