Wine By Nine

Red Wine by Ch?teau Greysac from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. A sleeper of the vintage, the gorgeously plump 2003 Greysac may be even better than my score indicates. It reveals hints of sweet cherries, figs, plums, and smoky licorice along with supple tannin, a beautiful texture, medium body, and no hard edges. This luscious, tasty Medoc should drink well for 6-8 years. -The Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Ch?teau Larose-Trintaudon from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. Graceful and easy-to-understand, an appealing harmony of Cabernet and Merlot. While well-structured and endowed with significant aging potential, Larose-Trintaudon is supple and ready to drink when released. Delicious with all kinds of beef and lamb, slow-cooked stews or pot roast and mushrooms with garlic and herbs.

Red Wine by Cousino Macul from Chile, South America. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot Dark purple, this wine begins with immediately accessible scents of black plum, cassis, wild blueberry and cocoa powder. As it expands in the glass, it reveals layers of rosemary, tarragon, light toasty oak, and earthy, mineral notes. Soft, rich and expansive on the palate, it showcases dense ripe fruit flavors of blackberry and plum, with secondary notes of mocha, anise and oak spices. Supple, with fine-grained tannins, it is inticately structured and seamless. Though drinking well in its youth, it can age gracefully to reach peak in 6-8 years.

Red Wine by Mulderbosch from South Africa. Blend: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Pertit Verdot, 8% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc This wine displays a deep ruby color. Blackcurrant, coffee, nutmeg, all spice, forest floor and mulberry aromas entice the nose. This follows through on the palate together with ripe plum, intense blackberry and voluptuous vanillins giving the wine great structure and complexity. Food pairings: Game birds, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, lamb potjie, steaks, meat stews, ratatouille, strong cheddar cheese.

Red Wine by Ch?teau Haut-Beaus?jour from St. Estephe, France - Bordeaux. A deep garnet with glossy highlights. Nose is slightly peppery with scents of soft fruit, such as blackcurrant and raspberry. Merlot is predominant and marked by an honest attack that is well rounded and full. A supple wine, with a soft tannic structure, well balanced and not overpowered by wood. A very well balanced and elegant wine with an extensive lingering finish.

Red Wine by Dry Creek Vineyard from Sonoma County, California. Grapes: 52% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot The 2003 Meritage is the first vintage incorporating Malbec into the blend. The addition of this varietal adds additional layers of depth and complexity to this stylish and elegant wine. The aromas begin with ripe black cherry and finish with vanilla and a hint of mocha. On the palate, bright currant and plum flavors lead to cedar and tobacco notes. This wine is seamless and well-integrated from beginning to end and should age and develop beautifully for several years to come.

Red Wine by Ch. de Clotte from Cotes de Castillon, France - Bordeaux. Blend: 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec. This is a delicious Bordeaux at a VERY affordable price. A great entry Bordeaux that will keep you coming back for more and hopefully further your exploration into the world of Bordeaux. The average vine age is 40 years and produces this rich style Bordeaux with dense fruit. It displays a dark red-black color in the glass. An intense nose of mature red fruits. A well-structured palate with good concentration and notes of prune and vanilla.

Red Wine by Glen Carlou from South Africa. Blend: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc The wine is deep red with an intense and brilliant hue. On the nose are aromas of cloves, sandalwood, fresh cassis berries, and dark brambly fruit. Ripe tannins, full sweetness, clean, intense black berries and spice linger on the palate. The finish is long lasting, elegant and balanced with mouth- filling complexity. The 2004 vintage is a smooth, rich wine with fruit forward character and ripe tannins which means it will age well. It is ideal to drink now with rich food and red meat dishes. The classic structure will allow the wine to mature well for at least 10 years.

Red Wine by Beringer from Sonoma County, California. A lush, intense-cherry, blackberry core is given by the 76% Merlot, while the 15% Cabernet Sauvignon gives structure and adds depth to the dark fruit aromas and flavors. Small amounts of Malbec, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc contribute spice, orange zest, roasted coffee, and fruit nuances to the palate, giving an overall impression of plushness and depth. Beringer has owned and farmed its Knights Valley vineyards since the mid-1960's, when the Beringer family recognized that the cobbley, rocky alluvial soils were a great place to grow high quality wine grapes. In the late 1980's, when phylloxera necessitated replanting, Beringer's vineyard manager Bob Steinhauer took advantage of the opportunity and replanted almost exclusively Bordeaux varietals that matched Knights Valley's soil and climate conditions.

Red Wine by Nitida from South Africa. Nitida's signature blend masterfully combines the spicy and earthy flavors of 35% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon to create a classy, well integrated wine. Aged in French oak for 12 months.

Red Wine by Ch?au Trois Moulins from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. Blend: 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot This Bordeaux has an intense ruby red color with a deep purple rim. It is concentrated on the nose with delicate hints of ripened fruits and toasty oak aromas. The mouth is ample and rich, containing an abundance of fruit and ripe tannins. A very well-balanced wine with a long and interesting finish. The average age of these vines are 25 years. Chateau Trois Moulins is the twin of the famous Chateau Cambon La Pelouse in the southern Medoc region of Bordeaux. Although Chateau Trois Moulins is not as well known as its sister, it receives the same meticulous care in grape growing, winemaking and aging. The principal difference is that Trois Moulins is made to be consumed earlier and more attractively priced. The two estates are owned by Annick and Jean-Pierre Marie. Their winemaking facilities, as well as the their vineyards, are adjacent to each other. Chateau Trois Moulins, which dates from the 19th century, is set between Chateaux Cantemerle and Giscours at one of the highest points of Macau. The estate borders the Margaux appellation and its outstanding terroir of quaternary gravel with large pebbles is similar to that of many top Margaux.

Red Wine by Le Libertin de Lussac from St-Emilion, France - Bordeaux. Le Libertin de Lussac is the second wine of Chateau de Lussac. Following the tradition of Bordeaux's right bank, this wine is primarily Merlot. The left bank of Bordeaux is primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and typically the wines are as well. Blend: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. This wine has a beautiful dark red color with a mix of ultra ripe berry, plum, and dried fruit flavors. A touch of liquorice and toasted oak provide great balance and complexity that lingers on the palate. A deliciously approachable wine in its youth.