Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Wine School Newsletter #2736

Wine School Newsletter

Wine School Newsletter #2736

A few interesting classes are coming up. Let’s start with the Great Ciders of the World. This is where some of the craziest, most interesting fermentaionalists are casting their black magic these days. It’s time to get up to speed, all you brilliant buzzhounds. 

I just released a new date for our popular Spain VS France class on Friday, May 17th. Sign up before it sells out!

The Philly Beer School is throwing down some serious flavor in The Hops Class. If you are as much of a hop junky as we are, this class will pump happiness right into your veins. 

Cheers,

Keith

Keith Wallace, Founder
Wine School of Philadelphia

$100 Off The Core Wine Program

The top-rated sommelier course in America. From now till the end of March, you can get $100 off National Certification. Your coupon code is XDCORE19ZX. Expires on March 28th, 2019.  Register soon, as spots are limited.

Enhanced Spring Semester 

Accelerated Summer Semester

Fall Semester

The fine print: discount is valid only when taking the Core Program with National Certification.

Advanced Wine Courses

I have just released the Master of French Wine course for the Fall. The following three programs are currently available. Keep in mind there are only 5 spots left in the Winemaking program at this point. 

The Wine Reviews

These highly rated Chairman’s Selection wines are both classy and gift-worthy.  As always, these wine buys can be found in the better Wine & Spirits Stores.

Bodega Pujanza 2015 “Hado” Rioja

Bodega Pujanza 2015 “Hado” Rioja

2015 was an exceptionally warm year, with harvest coming in three weeks early than normal. The low pH and just-ripe skins offer an edgier style than most vintages.  Juniper and Belgian chocolate on the nose, with an undercurrent of fresh leather. The palate is an intriguing balance of crisp red fruit and the lushness of a  full-bodied red.  Red currant and licorice on the finish.

A note about pricing. The overlords at the PLCB claim this bottle was “Quoted at $30” which may be technically true. However, you can expect this bottle to be priced at $20 on the open market.

$17.99 PA Wine & Spirits Stores | 91 Points (Keith Wallace)

Ventisquero 2013 “Grey Glacier” Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley

Ventisquero 2013 “Grey” Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley

This is an atypical style for today’s New World Cabernet Sauvignon: It isn’t a brooding tannic monster. Rather, it’s closer in style to the more reserved Cabernets of Napa Valley circa 1984.

Fresh laurel, cardamom, and turmeric on the nose. Medium bodied with crystal-clear blackberry notes and a layer of chocolate, a layer of burnt mint, a layer of allspice, and a layer of graphite. It’s sewn up with round flesh black fruit and mocha-infused licorice. An excellent bottle and unique in the world of cabs.

In 2013, rains came early to the region, and the winery opted to not bottle the Enclave Cabernet. Instead, the grapes usually earmarked for the luxury bottling were diverted into the much-lest-expensive Gray Cabernet Sauvignon.

$13.99 PA Wine & Spirits Stores | 92 Points (Keith Wallace)

Zenato 2015 Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore

Zenato 2015 Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore

This is not the first time I’ve reviewed a Zenato Ripassa, but that was over seven years ago. I think the world is ready for another. On the nose, bitter chocolate and almond frame layers of extracted fruit, almost rasinated in its depth. Oak notes come forward quickly, with vanilla and whiskey lactones right glossing over the deep dark plums and blueberries. A note of jasmine and tobacco rise into the finish with a note of orange zest and tobacco in the finish. Full bodied with a medium level of acidity.

$19.99 PA Wine & Spirits Stores | 91 Points (Keith Wallace)

 Tenshen 2016 White, Central Coast” is locked Tenshen 2016 White, Central Coast

Tenshen 2016 White, Central Coast

The blend is are the classical Rhone varietals: Viognier, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc. There is also a bit of Chardonnay, as well. Aged in old barrels and stainless steel, there are zero oak flavors on display here. The barrels were largely used for malolactic fermentation.

Instead of oak, this wine is an ocean of creamy fruit and salinity.  Aromas of ripe peaches and verbena are elegant and decadent as the Weimar Republic. The texture is lush and full-bodied, and flavors layered with complex earthy butterscotch (like a petri dish of Streptococcus anginosus, for all you science nerds out there). Burnt orange peel and peach notes rise into a mineral-deep finish that bid you farewell with a poof of exotic tree fruit.

$12.99 PA Wine & Spirits Stores | 90 Points (Keith Wallace)

Domaine Vetriccie 2017 White, Ile De Beaute

Domaine Vetriccie 2017 White, Ile De Beaute

A blend of Vermentino and Chardonnay, this bottling offers a deft balance of weight and freshness. It has a mineral kick that is perfect for scallops and oysters, it has the ripeness to hold up to roast chicken and fatty tuna. Aromas of wildflowers and chamomile with a kick of bright citrus. Flavors of ripe pear and melon round out this pretty bottling.

$9.99 PA Wine & Spirits Stores | 90 Points (Keith Wallace)


That’s it for now! Hope to see you soon!

Cheers,

Keith


Wine School of Philadelphia
109 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
www.vinology.com

Don’t love us anymore?

https://www.vinology.com/unsubscribe/

 

The post Wine School Newsletter #2736 appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.



source https://www.vinology.com/wine-school-newsletter-march-2019/

Fight The Good Fight (Castelluccio Romagna Recent Releases)

Tuesday, 26 February 2019

Tenshen 2016 White, Central Coast

Tenshen 2016 White, Central Coast” is locked Tenshen 2016 White, Central Coast

The Tenshen Overview

Tenshen is a side project by two industry vets. Joey Tensley (Tensley Wines, Carina Cellars, Santa Ema) and  Alex Guarachi (Guarachi Family Wines, Guarachi Wine Partners) have been releasing Rhone-style blends under this label since 2014.

When I first heard of the partnership, I was bemused. Their work habits are both polarizing and polar opposites. Joes is one of the most laid back dudes in the trade. He never seems like he’s breaking a sweat. But don’t let that demeanor fool you,  he not only runs his own winery but is the consulting winemaker for other wineries, both in California and in South America.

On the other hand, Alex is a firecracker with a short fuse. He built up his wine import company from the ground up and then opened up a Napa winery. He’s brilliant, but his leadership style is more Philly than Los Angeles, and that rubs the locals the wrong way. The name “Tenshen” is apt for this project.

The label releases three Rhone-style wines every year: red, white, and a rose. This review of for the Tenshen 2016 White. The blend is are the classical Rhone varietals: Viognier, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc. There is also a bit of Chardonnay, as well. Aged in old barrels and stainless steel, there are zero oak flavors on display here. The barrels were largely used for malolactic fermentation.

The Wine Review

Instead of oak, this wine is an ocean of creamy fruit and salinity.  Aromas of ripe peaches and verbena are elegant and decadent as the Weimar Republic. The texture is lush and full-bodied, and flavors layered with complex earthy butterscotch (like a petri dish of Streptococcus anginosus, for all you science nerds out there). Burnt orange peel and peach notes rise into a mineral-deep finish that bid you farewell with a poof of exotic tree fruit.

 

The post Tenshen 2016 White, Central Coast appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.



source https://www.vinology.com/tenshen-2016-white-central-coast/

Monday, 25 February 2019

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For February 25, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

Grab The 1WineDude.com Tasting Guide and start getting more out of every glass of wine today!

Shop Wine Products at Amazon.com

Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For February 25, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-february-25-2019/

Friday, 22 February 2019

Bodega Pujanza 2015 “Hado” Rioja

Bodega Pujanza 2015 “Hado” Rioja

Bodega Pujanza 2015 “Hado” Rioja

Bodegas y Viñedos Pujanza

There is a solar system of wineries rotating around the ancient walled city of Laguardia in Alavesa, Rioja. At the outer limits is the massive Calatrava-designed Bodega Ysios.    The inner rings of wineries include Artadi and Palacio and Pujanza.  Even at the sunfilled center of town lies Bodega El Fabulista, and it’s narrow underground tunnels.

Bodegas y Viñedos Pujanza is new by Rioja standards, having been founded in 1998.  They own four vineyards near Laguardia. Finca Valdepoleo, Finca  Norte, Finca Valcabada, and San Juan de Anteportalatina.  Each of the vineyards is bottled separately, have an extraordinary reputation, and priced accordingly.

With the economic difficulties in Spain emerging in the past decade, Pujanza started releasing a lower-priced wine. The Hado is a blend of their 40 hectares of vineyards, from vines 35 years old and younger. Since then it’s been a go-to Rioja for those looking for high-quality and affordable Rioja. Since 2009, we included it in our Advanced Spain Wine Course.

The Wine Review

2015 was an exceptionally warm year, with harvest coming in three weeks early than normal. The low pH and just-ripe skins offer an edgier style than most vintages.  Juniper and Belgian chocolate on the nose, with an undercurrent of fresh leather. The palate is an intriguing balance of crisp red fruit and the lushness of a  full-bodied red.  Red currant and licorice on the finish.

A note about pricing. The overlords at the PLCB claim this bottle was “Quoted at $30” which may be technically true. However, you can expect this bottle to be priced at $20 on the open market.

The post Bodega Pujanza 2015 “Hado” Rioja appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.



source https://www.vinology.com/bodega-pujanza-2015-hado-rioja/

Monday, 18 February 2019

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For February 18, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

Grab The 1WineDude.com Tasting Guide and start getting more out of every glass of wine today!

Shop Wine Products at Amazon.com

Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For February 18, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-february-18-2019/

Monday, 11 February 2019

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For February 11, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

Grab The 1WineDude.com Tasting Guide and start getting more out of every glass of wine today!

Shop Wine Products at Amazon.com

Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For February 11, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-february-11-2019/

Monday, 4 February 2019

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For February 4, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

Grab The 1WineDude.com Tasting Guide and start getting more out of every glass of wine today!

Shop Wine Products at Amazon.com

Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For February 4, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-february-4-2019/