April seems to have flown by, but at the same time lasted forever. It’s all a bit of a blur at this point in these quarantimes. I’m thankful that my wine clubs are still shipping, the temperature is getting warmer, and the sunshine is lasting longer. I also don’t mind my social media feeds being filled with photos of bread baking. I hope everyone is still staying safe and sane in these wild times.
Dom Perignon 2008 – Rating 5/5
This wine was from Champagne, France and sampled on April 3, 2020. This celebratory bottle was a gift from my husband after completing a particularly large, years-in-the-making, project at work. I could not have asked for a better gift. The medium straw-like hue sparkled as the bubbles danced in the glass. I was listening to “New Light” by John Mayer as the sweet smells of toasted bread and butter along with marcona almonds and yogurt wafted into my nostrils. It was crisp on the tongue with my first sip. Then it turned into a creamy, smooth finish. The scents of marcona almonds continued into the taste and combined with shale and white peaches. It was quite dry, with a higher acidity, and medium body. This wine was not paired since we only toasted with it.
Ballad White Blend 2018 – Rating 4/5
This wine was from Côtes de Gascogne, France and sampled on April 5, 2020. This wine had me craving Springtime and I couldn’t wait to pair it with a fresh salad. I was listening to “Trans” by Gorillaz. This white blend was 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Colombard. The color of this wine was medium straw. It smelled of an herbal freshness with a lot of thyme and a little pear. I was surprised by the slightly creamy mouthfeel, but then was hit with high acidity. It was very citrusy with a mix of lemon and grapefruit flavors. It felt cleansing. I paired it with a cranberry, walnut salad and it could not have been more perfect of a match.
The Leader Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 – Rating 3/5
This wine was from Columbia Valley, Washington and sampled on April 7, 2020. As a former chess club member, I did enjoy the label of this wine in particular. It’s deep ruby coloring was just as enticing. I was listening to “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac. I smelled blackberries, plums, and smoke. The first taste hit me as very fruity, with a medium body and low tannins. The acidity was also quite low. Raspberry tastes were on the front of the tongue and then the long lingering finish of leather took over. This wine was paired with pepperoni, sausage, and pepper pizza and it stood it’s ground well, but it could also be enjoyed stand alone.
Chateau Maucamps Bordeaux Blend 2008 – Rating 4/5
This wine was from the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France and sampled on April 10, 2020. This wine was another that my husband blessed me with from his trip to France back in January. It was one of his favorites that he had tried, so needless to say, I was pumped about it! It shown with a deep, garnet coloring. I smelled purple flowers, baking spices, and smoke. The first taste brought forth a medium body, with tannins on the higher side, and medium acidity. It was light, a bit earthy, and a long cherry finish. We paired it with steak and duck fat potatoes. It paired well with the steak. It held its ground but didn’t overpower it.
Tilenus Mencia 2015 – Rating 1.5/5
This wine was from Beirzo, Spain and sampled on April 23, 2020. I was listening to “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas, which is exactly what I wanted to be after sampling this wine. It shown with a deep ruby, albeit flat color. I smelled vanilla, cardamom, and bell pepper. However, the scent didn’t match the taste at all really. The first and most powerful flavor was oak. The tannins were so thick, but the acidity was also high. Cherry, herbs, and dirt rounded it out. It was paired with chipotle-cheddar sweet potato and ham hash. Overall, it was too spicy on its own to pair with the spicy dish. It was way too much acid all around.