Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Reds and Rosés you can grab in the Twin Cities for under $15. Expect a new wine to be revealed each Thursday(ish).

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Chateau Coupe Roses Minervois 2010 La Bastide

4 Comments

Cost: Average price $14

Where buy now: Solo Vino, Stinson Wines & Spirits, North Loop Wines & Spirits

Grapes: Carignan, Grenache and a smidge of Syrah

Region: France

Vintage: 2010

Chateau Coupe Roses Minervois 2010 La Bastide

Admittedly, I’ve been on a hiatus. This time by choice. I’ve been drinking a lot- a lot of mediocre juice. “Yeah, I get it Lush, woe is you. Wait, isn’t that your job?”

Touché, my friend. However, if something doesn’t inspire me to write an article, it’s not worth my time. Therefore, I don’t deem it worthy of yours.

So, when I opened this bottle on Friday night, the instant aromas spoke to me. My senses perked up like some dog’s ears who just heard the magical phrase “Want a treat?” I’m not all pedantic and bookish, folks [shocker!].

I can definitely tell you, with the initial smells and sips, you will taste this vino’s origin. It will help explain the term “terroir”. “Terroir” is a French term that loosely translates as “sense of place”, and is often batted around to describe wine that is indicative of it’s geographic origin. Here’s a great blog that best describes this: http://bit.ly/Se3adj/What is Terroir?

The sum of environmental effects, such as climate, geography and history, can impart crucial elements to a wine’s flavor profile. But really, it’s so much more! It’s the true essence and soul of a wine. When you taste or smell something and it transports you to a different place, that is downright bitchin’.

Though I’ve never been to France, this wine evokes terroir in my senses, particularly the French Countryside.I t could be due to the earthy, herbal tones; it could be the raw, fresh flavors of spicy cherry and barnyard funk.

This wine is a product of husband/wife team: Francoise & Pascal Frissant. The wife, Francoise, is the principal winemaker. This couple very much respects and feels connected to the vineyards and land that surrounds them. They do not make a whole bunch of wine, but harvest low-yield grapes, and allow the environment to shape and mold the flavors.

I envision their farmhands, along with Francoise and Pascal, sitting back, enjoying this blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah with their lunch. In this French daydream, there are freely wandering goats and sheep. A rustic picnic table is set with a crusty loaf of French bread, brie, olives, pickles, salted cured meats, pates, dijon mustard and figs. OH, and everyone must be wearing a beret. [Admittedly, my only frames of reference are the 80’s classics “Better Off Dead” and “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” with some “Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown” mixed in.]

As we enter our Godforsaken Winter season, you’re going to need to be transported physically and/or emotionally. If you don’t have a couple grand to get out of Dodge for a scenic, temperate holiday, you can find this lovely wine in many local stores, usually between $13-$15. Open it up and really think about what you’re drinking, how it makes you feel. I bet it’ll be tough not to imagine what it was like on that French Countryside, picking grapes then breaking for an unrushed lunch. Perhaps make a fun, French-themed afternoon out of it. Anything “French” you can think of: “French fries. . . French dressing. . .French bread” .

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Famiglia Meschini Carmenere

3 Comments

Cost: Average price $14

Where buy now: Zipp’s Liquors, South Lyndale Liquors, Swirl My Wine, France 44, Apple Valley Liquor, Century Wines and Spirits, Tonka Bottle, The Wine Shop, Liquor Barrel Golden Valley, Richfield Liquor Store No. 1

Grapes: 90% Carmenere, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Colchagua Valley, Chile

Vintage: 2010

Famiglia Meschini Carmenere adorned with dribbled wine stain

I waxed poetic about Famiglia Meschini’s Pinot Noir last week. Now, let’s get a little dirtier, wait, I mean “earthier” and drink some Carmenere. I first tried this wine at the now defunct Babalu Restaurant [now Bar La Grassa]. I really liked it. Since then, I haven’t been wowed by Carmenere. It always seemed to be too high in alcohol with harshly gritty spice. Would I ever find a good Carmenere for under $20 that didn’t taste of cheap vodka and mudpie?

The FM Carmenere hails from Colchagua Valley, about 500 ft above sea level, in the Central Valley. This valley is where most of the award winning Chilean wines are coming from. Vines grow in a mix of soil, sand and granite. The typical hot daylight temperatures are yielding full bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Carmenere.

I fell in love with this wine upon first sip. What makes this Carmenere stand out is the 10% Cabernet, which for my palate, balances the wine. It’s medium bodied with dark, smokey fruit flavors, followed by chocolate undertones and fresh cracked pepper- all of which scream “FALL WINE”! The tasting notes state the wine is aged in American oak that is 50% new and 50% used. The newer oak helps give wine that smoky, toasty flavor. If this is something you enjoy, start looking for labels that say “aged in new oak”. Clever.

I’m deeming this my Autumnal wine. (One cannot say that word enough, IMHO!) As the days continue to shorten and the cooler breezes start to invade, this wine will become your best friend. Grill up flank steak and make tacos- this Carmenere would pair beautifully.  Then, keep that fire stoked- s’mores with dark chocolate would be sooo stupid good with this wine. Or, simply pour a big ol’ glass, snuggle up in a blanket with your dog/cat/child/”Rabbit” (ahem), and sip as you watch the leaves gently fall to the ground. You know how I’ll be spending my Autumnal (yes!) weekends.

If you’re interested in sampling this wine (and other Savvy faves), you’re in luck! I’ll be at Zipp’s Liquors on Sat., Sept. 15 from 4-7pm. C’mon down to say hello (and/or “Autumnal”), and meet their wine buyer, Jeff. This is a great, easy-going environment to sip, sample and hang. Should you want to buy a bottle or two (or nine), you’re in luck: Zipp’s will have special sale prices during the tasting!

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

Famiglia Meschini Pinot Noir

Cost: Average price $14

Where buy now: Zipp’s Liquors, South Lyndale Liquors, Swirl My Wine, France 44, Apple Valley Liquor, Century Wines and Spirits, Tonka Bottle, The Wine Shop, Liquor Barrel Golden Valley, Richfield Liquor Store #1

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Region: Casablanca Valley, Chile

Vintage: 2010

Famiglia Meschini Pinot Noir

You know, “they” say most folks gain weight during the Summer months. “Pshaw”, I thought, “impossible”. Nope. As evident by my 8 or 9 pound Summer weight gain, it’s all too real. I know, I know, drinking hooch most every night doesn’t help the ol’ tummy. Not to mention, I should look at buying stock in the natural liver cleanser, milk thistle. At least I’m destroying my liver and cortisol-laden abs in the name of entertainment and education.

Oh, but this Summer was not all doom and gloom.

Earlier this Summer, I was fortunate to be able to taste a smattering of the new-to-market wines from Famiglia Meschini. True to The Savvy Lush form, I don’t remember sampling them all per se. Thankfully, I did keep my notes, and found a common theme: “can’t wait for them to hit stores”. I’ve written reviews of Famiglia Meschini’s Torrontes http://bit.ly/KQ9Kss/FM Wines Torrontes The Savvy Lush Review and Cabernet Sauvignon.http://bit.ly/U0tfNd/FM Wines Cabernet Reserva The Savvy Lush Review I’ve raved about their Unoaked Chardonnay and Malbec-Syrah.(So has Bill Ward but how many links can I put in this review? Do check out his blog, Decant This) FM Wines have headed West from their native Argentina for Chile to find land and vineyards to produce a couple new wines adding to their repertoire; a Pinot Noir and Carmenere. Bienvenido Chile, ‘cause this stuff has got it going on.

Let’s dive into the Pinot Noir. It hails from Chile’s Casablanca Valley near the Pacific Ocean coast. What does coastal weather have to do with good wine production? A couple things. First, Pinot Noir grapes benefit from cooler, milder climate-hence you see several Pinots from Oregon & Washington. Second, they have thin skin and thus are more susceptible to their surroundings. Coastal weather provides a more balanced climate, the weather these grapes crave for success. Extreme temperatures + harsh sunlight = yucky Pinot Noir. You are going to start seeing more budget Pinot Noir from Chile. I’ve sampled a few and they don’t truly taste like Pinot Noir to me, but are more concentrated, heavier. For my palette, I like Pinot Noir from Oregon. That said, I dare you to find a decent, budget-conscious Oregon Pinot.

The FM Pinot Noir is the smoothest Pinot I’ve had from Chile. It’s an agreeable wine that is fruit forward in the way of stewed cherries and raspberries. A tad dry on the palette, this will taste great alone or with a salad and prosciutto, perhaps a carnitas tostada, or pork chops. In fact, I think this could make for a great Thanksgiving wine with your turkey dinner. The stewed red fruit will compliment the roast turkey, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings. How’s that? One less source of stress for this year’s meal- your wine is now chosen.

I’m so excited about the news wines Famiglia Meschini are rolling! Excited is putting it mildly- downright giddy is more like it. If you are at all interested in sampling one of these wines, you’re in luck! I’ll be at Zipp’s Liquors on Sat., Sept. 15 from 4-7pm. C’mon down to say hello, and meet their wine buyer, Jeff (of Wine Geek TV fame http://www.winegeektv.com/Wine Geek TV ). This is a great environment to sip, sample and hang. If you want to buy a bottle or two, feel free as we’ll have special sale prices during the 3 hours.