L. L. Cellar May-June 22
by Jorge Ferraez
(España/Bandera) La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 cosecha 2005.
What a different wine, with a superb array of nutty and ripe fruit flavors. This one is one of my favorite representatives of the old classic style Riojas. Few wines age so graceful as these ones. Lactic tones bring you to acidic hints of licorice, pomegranate, plum, orange peel and spice. Medium bodied and very ample in aromas and flavors with some meaty and bloody character. A refined and sophisticated wine. Always a pleasure to sip with anything, especially if it is with some serrano ham, manchego cheese and other tapas!
(Francia/Bandera) Henri Prudhon Saint-Aubin 1er Cru “Le Castets” 2018.
I always love these white Burgundies, with fresh lime and flowery accents. Dry, acidic, and bright. Medium bodied with more notes of green melon, apple and white pepper. A little dissatisfied with the lack of expression, both in aromas and flavors. However, it is a very fine and elegant white wine. Silky and luscious. This is a good wine to drink with cheeses; Camembert, Brie, Reblochon, Pont L’eveque, and other creamy ones. This one doesn’t have a very long finish, but it displays very nice tropical fruit, enough to make you enjoy it very much.
(Estados Unidos/Bandera) El Pino Club “Funky Jory” 2018 Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley OR.
Sunday treat! I like the sophisticated and more compacted fruit from the Oregon Pinot Noirs. This one is elegant, graceful, and balanced, like an American Burgundy, not too oaky, well crafted, fruit expressive with plums and cherry, rose petals and spice. It gets sophisticated and complex as you drink it. It evolves from the first pour. Really nice! I always like my Pinot Noir with Chinese or Roasted birds, but this one I had it with a cedar plank roasted salmon and it was amazing.
(Francia/Bandera) Christophe Patrice Chablis 1er Cru BEAUROY 2019.
Pale yellow and discreet in aromas it opens slowly and at its own pace, like most of the Burgundies. There are mellow notes of melon, butter, pineapple, and green apple. Acid, yeasty and dry. It’s elegant and reserved, but quality is presented in a more austere way than usual on a Chablis 1er Cru. Mixed feelings here, I expected more expression and character. This one must be drunk with not much analysis; it is just very pleasant as you drink it. I would put some sushi or shrimp on to enjoy it better.
(Estados Unidos/Bandera) Flight Knoll “Noble Right“ Proprietary Red 2019.
So, one of my best friends goes to Napa and does a wine tasting in this-never-heard of-winery. Next thing, we get together and gives me this bottle he brought by the six pack: nice well-crafted wine with loads of ripe red fruit, mature notes of cherry, plum and roasted herbs. Vanilla and minty hints. Beautiful wine, velvety tannins and full bodied. To be honest this is a delicious wine. One of those well-crafted Cabs from Napa that will impress you, with boldness and big personality.
(Portugal/Bandera) Quinta do Noval Touriga Nacional 2017, Douro.
After a whiff of oak aromas, it develops bright fruity notes, blueberry, plum and strawberry. Medium bodied with ample ripe fruit and berries. Short. Not much to savor after you swallow. However, it has a very welcoming approach with spiced notes. It drinks very nice with short ribs, barbecue or grilled sausages. I need to confess that I’m ready to explore more wines from Portugal, I know they made some amazing stuff, not very easy to find. Touriga is a indigenous grape varietal from the north of Portugal, with a very distinct personality, usually displaying a lot of blue and red berries.