Savor the Flavor

When Neil and I drink wine, we do it for the total experience of the wine. We love to smell it, taste it and think about the flavors. There are days when Neil does ask me, “Can we just drink this one?", to which I say “No", but he puts up with me. This is a collection of wines that made a pretty significant impression on us, enough for us to extend our tasting over multiple days. Do you subscribe to the theory that wine that was opened yesterday can’t be good any more? Many folks will tell you that certain wines need to breathe for a couple days or at least will agree that the flavors will change. That’s what this entry is all about, the evolution of flavors. Maybe this will inspire you to “Savor the Flavor” too?

Châteauneuf du Pape red blend Philippine de Saint Cyrille Grande Reserve 2011 France-Rhone

Day 1 waited 1.5hrs to drink aromas: dry, stones, earth/dirt, black cherry, dark fruits flavors: dry, licorice, cherry and raisins, dry finish, light texture

Day 3 Developed more fruit, earth is mostly gone now, definitely cherries Still doesn't really seem like Grenache or Syrah.

Final day smells like berries, dark fruit now, still earth/dirt but much more mellow, finally some spice Much more subtle, dry, black pepper finish. Texture reminds me of Grenache kind of but maybe mainly Mourvèdre? Doesn't really have flavor of Syrah either.

Dolcetto Dominico Clerico Visadi 2010 Italy-Piedmont-Langhe

Day 1 aromas: rich, strawberry, dark fruits, some earth flavors: dry, not as much flavor as aroma, high acid, graphite Mark (salesperson) said it would be similar to Beaujolais of France since people drink it young

Day 2 aromas: dark fruit, licorice, floral, reminds me of Bordeaux aromas, Great aroma! flavors: prune, dry but pretty darn good, dark fruits, some spice

Day 3 Seems pretty different to Neil today aroma: smells milder, chocolate, some dark fruit but less, grapes, blueberries, earth/smoke flavors: still dry, prunes, grapes, tastes lighter, tart-like wine grapes to cranberry ring of sediment on the bottom of bottle

Cabernet Sauvignon Charles Shaw 2000 US-California

Day 1 Berry aromas filled the room flavors: dry, earth, fruit/cherry, smooth

Day 3 Neil felt a bit passed prime tonight aromas: prune flavors: spice & tart, dark fruit, prune/raisin

Day 4 aromas: Raisinet flavors: Raisinet & prunes

I thought it tasted like any other Cab Sauv but Neil said it was better than Charles Shaw should be and he liked it. After I tasted it again, it was better than those "suck your face dry" Cabernets. Neil's Uncle Gale called it flat.

Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon Viña Maipo 2015 Chile-Central Valley

Day 1 aromas: peach flavors: creamy, soft, hint of tart, sweet/soft finish drank with yuca, black beans and Tiburon

I asked Neil if we could stop drinking so we could enjoy it again the next day

Day 3 aromas: Mineral flavors: more tart

I think my very buttery dinner was influencing the wine. The last sip of wine had a cherry finish. Neil said "This rosé is great!" We decided we will get it again!

2nd Bottle: We had it again a couple months later and remember the dinner was really affecting the flavor of the wine again. I was kind of surprised that we can’t have rich buttery foods with it.

Red blend Viña Maipo Vitral Reserva 2015 Chile-Rapel Valley

Day 1 aromas: meat, earth, dark berry flavors: dry, earth, lively spice but then softer finish with earth, smoky, interesting fruit-blackberry.

had with chorizo Neil likes it, best Viña Maipo so far

Day 2 aromas: candied prune flavors: spice and earth still, black licorice finish

When we purchased some of these wines, we held them to a higher standard while others were purchased just on a whim. The CS we found in our Aunt’s bar downstairs. How interesting that with the different price points they all turned out to be so flavorful. We hope this entry proved our point that every now and then you should "Savor the Flavor" of your wine. They may end up surprising you!