Wine Review: 2011 CMS Red by Hedge

2011 CMS Red by Hedge is a dark red and hardy wine with crisp acidity. It is bright and tangy. Something you might imagine complements a solid steak and potatoes meal. It is a natural wine akin to northern tastes and certainly a winter variety. Ripe grapes with a little bit is a good way to characterize the offering. It tastes of dark berry, black cherry, and black plum aromas mixed with other spices.

I have tried a number of wines in my lifetime and found each one to have a slightly different mix and taste. Sometimes the tastes are so close they are difficult to discern one from the other. CMS has its own unique taste and makes me thing of steak, burgers, and rack of BBQ lamb. A mixture of 48% Merlot, 40% Cab and 12% Syra it stands out separate.

The label is also interesting. It has a touch of old European style and theme. You can’t really place where that theme comes from as it appears to be neutral of any particular country. Their website has an aristocratic and ancient Transylvanian sort of impression. Rustic pictures of snow covered fields and Spanish style old world charm mix it all up into its own blend of culture. It is a gothic style that helps the brand differentiate itself from others on the market.

http://www.hedgesfamilyestate.com/wines/current#cms_red

Wine Review: Tierra Brisa's 2012 Malbec

Some choice words that describe Tierra Brisa’s 2012 Malbec include ripe, blackberry, spice, and well balanced.  A nine second aftertaste from complete start to finish. There appears to be just a touch of vanilla which may mean it was aged in oak barrels. Crisp with light tannins. It appears to be well balanced for customers.

Produced in the Mendoza region of Argentina the grapes are ripened on the Andes slopes. The region doesn’t receive a lot of rain but has mild seasons. It is the most important grape growing region in the area and has world interest. The growers have moved from quantity to quality production.  

Malbec is a great wine for steaks and other greasy foods. Even though this wine retails for around $8.00 there is little association of the taste with the quality. It would be a strong wine to offer in a restaurant and earn your price back with a single sold glass. You would get somewhere around 4 to 6 six servings per bottle and can charge the $8.00 easily in most places.

Wine Review: Fonreau Bellevue’s 2010 Bordeaux

Fonreau Bellevue’s 2010 Bordeaux is an import from France that retails for around $10 per bottle. Bordeaux is nice with food items like beef, Asian, and other spicy or greasy foods. It may work well with T-Bone steak, BBQ ribs, and high protein foods. This type of wine is common when eating out or frequenting vacation areas. 

A few phrases that may describe this wine are helpful: slightly dry, tannin aftertaste and ripe grapes. It is somewhat easy to drink. A touch of acidity to the taste based on its tanginess. Blackberry and spice are relevant terms. Dark maroon color and medium body. The wine is reflective of its French origins. 

Bordeaux is made from blending the three different grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet (1). They often adjust the quantities of each to create different tannin and strength levels based upon the types of grape and their maturation dates. Bordeaux is know for its French origin but Napa Valley has been increasing in stature. 

This wine comes from the Bordeaux region of France. As the fourth largest city it produces nearly 70 million cases of wine a year (2). It is a region that draws a host of visitors from all around the world who come for the wine tasting and the culture of the area. The region grows great wine due to its wet springs, moderate summers and mild winters.

Wine Review: Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Summation

The Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Summation is a light aroma California blend. It contains flavors of raspberry jam, black cherry, chocolate and pomegranate. It is blood red color with deep contour. The wines contains a blend of 28% Zinfandel, 27% Merlot, 18% Syrah, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Sirah, 3% Grenache, 2% Petit Verdot. The mix offers quick tears and slightly bitter tannin taste. 

It is an everyday household wine that works well with meat, heavy cheese, and spicy foods. The type of pairing is more on par with heavy steak, greasy burgers, and thick sauced pasta. Cheese offerings could include goat cheese, blue cheese, Muenster, and cheddar. Spicy foods such as Cajun, Thai, and Mexican may also work well.  

The Kendall Jackson winery is a family owned affair that seeks to offer high quality products. They grow their grapes in the cool air of Northern California mountain side. The company seeks to maintain sustainability in their products. They continually develop methods to protect the environment while still offering a solid product.