A $12 home run out of the park!

January 22, 2010

Wandered into the Austin Wine Merchant today to sniff around for some more blog worthy bottles.  John wasn't there, so I was left to my own instincts.  This one caught my eye. Terre d'Ardoise Carignan Vielles Vignes 2007, Cotes Catalanes. Old Vines Carignan? How bad can that be?

Headed to the grocery store, Porterhouse steaks on sale for $4.49/lb, how bad can THAT be. Fired up the grill, Romaine salad with home made vinaigrette (I use anchovies, dijon  mustard, fresh thyme and oregano from the garden and my own house made red wine viniger and EVOO, let it sit in the fridge for a week...wow) and the steak med rare.

The nose on the wine was black cherry, black fruit and a tiny touch of clean tar. The palate, is, well amazing. Rich, but not heavy. Dark black fruit, elegant not overblown, white pepper, cocoa, crisp acids to give it backbone, but NEVER HEAVY. That rare breed of "elegant contradiction" complex and rich but never heavy on the palate. Supple structure and a nice finish. Paired oh sooooo well with dinner. Is SUCH a joy to sip on after dinnner.

 A huge WINNER at only $12! Well done John! Quality in the bottle I think worth twice the price of admission, but PLEASE keep it at $12. 

Drink this wine!

Cheers,

Rob Moshein, Austin Wine Guy