Valentine's Day Tasting Notes

2003 Tintara Shiraz $19
McLaren Vale, Australia 14.5%
Molasses and eucalyptus underneath blackberry extract and dark plum aromas. Nice aromatic complexity, with jasmine flowers and cassis developing in the glass. There is just the barest perception of alcohol on the palate, along with some heavy oak spice, that mellows in the glass- marking this as a young shiraz still, with several years left before it hits its prime. Decant at least an hour to drink now. Blackberry jam flavors in the middle are followed by loganberry and blood orange notes toward the finish. The molasses from the nose translates in the mouth to a deep undercurrent of sweet, stewed fruit flavors. Long finish of clove, vanilla extract, plum, oak and berry flavors. Incredible balance throughout, well worth the $20. Great with dark, bittersweet chocolate- try to find some with chipotle peppers blended in to have an over-the-top experience.

2006 Adelsheim Vineyards Pinot Gris $16
Willamette Valley, Oregon 13.8% abv
Very ice nose- starts with honey glazed figs, sweet apple and hints of melon before offering up creamy pear, carambola and Asian baking spices. Vibrant, but not overwhelming, acids on the palate that carries the fruit well. Pear and spices up front with fig, melon and grape flavors following in the mid-palate. Star fruit, honeysuckle and lime zest flavors at the finish. Very round flavors with a good balance between the acids and fruit. Just a hint of minerals in the mouth. This is not my favorite Oregon pinot gris, but is a great wine- pair with anything from spicy pacific rim cuisine to spaetzle and schnitzel or rotisserie chicken. Very nice.

2006 Coppola “Sofia” Pinot Noir Rose $16
Carneros, California 12% abv
Creamy strawberry aromas set off by hints of pine nuts, raspberries, canary melons, and tropical fruits like guava and candied mango. Rich and round on the palate, with a great viscosity from a little sugar left over from fermentation that both makes the wine off-dry, and gives it heft as it rolls over your tongue. Flavored with strawberry and citrus up front, the mid-palate offers softer raspberry notes. This wine would make a great brunch staple, with navel orange flavored acids that will make your mouth water for food. The tropical fruit notes from the nose come out on the finish, with notes of lemon peel and flowers.

NV La Diosa Cellars Sangria $8
Texas 12% abv
This Texas made sangria conveniently comes bottles with a screw cap, which makes it perfect for taking along on a picnic, or traveling out on a night of romance. For those of you who like your red wines sweet, this is a slightly grown-up version of those sugar filled reds you’re used to. Aromas of fresh orange juice, grapefruit peel and rosemary play off the red berry and plum you’d get from a red wine. Bright on the palate, with a hint at effervescence in the flavoring, there are generous dabs of juicy grape, candied raspberry and citrus flavors on the palate. Serve well chilled.