About WiNEZ

WiNEZ was a monthly event at EZ Street Saloon in South Range, WI. Unfortunately, due to lower turn out the owners had decided to stop hosting the event. The last wine night at EZ was held on November 12, 2014. But that is not to say the die hards won't be getting together for some wine tasting periodically at EZ Street Saloon. I will continue to blog the wines we have tasted pre starting this blog, along with our impromptu meetings, and maybe transform the blog into something more personal. We will see where it goes. I do know the blog will still be about wine!

So for my WiNEZ pals you can count on this blog to serve as an archive of what was consumed and a reference for your spending sprees. For those who are just curious about what the Northwest Wisconsinites are drinking here are some thoughts… but be warned I am by no means a wine expert-I only know what I like. Since I am not an expert I will try to include the winemakers label descriptions as well.

Salute! or as the Finnish would say Kippis!

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Ménage à Trois Midnight 2012

What would WiNEZ be without a little adult humor?  It seems that every WiNEZ we find something ridiculous to giggle about, this month it is the Ménage à Trois  Midnight label bringing out stories of last Friday’s party (if you want the scoop you have to join us for WiNEZ).
All silliness aside this is a fantastic wine. Ménage à Trois Midnight is a limited release red blend (2012, 13.5%, CA) made in small batches- we tasted lot #369. The label calls it the dark side of Ménage à Trois. Unlike their top selling three wine red blend- Midnight is made from four wines (Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon).  Close your eyes and inhale the aroma and you will find yourself snuggled in front of a smoky oak winter fire with chocolate and cherries.  The flavor is full of plum and cherry sweetness, smoky oak and tobacco, chocolate and a hint of coffee.  It is so well balanced between fruity sweetness and dry finish it’s like velvet in your mouth.  Ménage à Trois  Midnight can be compared to Apothic Dark, Carinivor and Columbia Crest’s H3. This is a great wine to enjoy during our long dark winter nights here in the Northland.

Varietal:  Red blend 
Producer/Importer:  Ménage à Trois  Midnight
Region: California
Vintage: 2012 lot 369
Price:  $$11.99
Tasting notes:
 Sight (Color/Clarity): Deep purplish red
Smell (bouquet, aroma): Oak, smoke, chocolate, cherries
Taste (acidity, balance, body): Plum, tobacco, black cherry, cocoa, coffee
Label description: The time has come to explore your deepest, darkest desires with Ménage à Trois Midnight. A gorgeous garnet color in the glass, this luxurious blend wraps you up in a velvety embrace. Voluptuous blackberry and plush spiced plum flavors seduce your palate, while hints of mocha and exotic spice linger on your lips like a stolen kiss. Silky and smooth with a long, powerful finish, you’ll wish Midnight could last forever.
Winemaker’s notes: Our winemakers are definitely not afraid of the dark. For this special wine, they wanted to create a truly uninhibited blend— something deeper, darker, and bolder than ever before. In true Ménage à Trois style, they decided that ‘more is more,’ and crafted a blend of not three—but four—grapes! Merlot adds a plush, velvety texture, Cabernet Sauvignon offers elegance and power, Petite Sirah lends inky intensity and Petit Verdot imparts a deep violet color and concentrated fruit. To round out the flavors the wine is aged on French and American oak. The result is a wine that leaves an indelible impression. It’s mysterious and dark, soft and sensual—just like Midnight.
Comparisons: Apothic Dark, Carnivor, Columbia Crest-H3
Overall rating (1-10): 9.5
Date consumed: November 12, 2014

Comments: Jim’s new favorite!  13.65% ABV

Friday, November 14, 2014

Montebuena Cuvée KPF Roija a Tempranillo

November 13th was International Tempranillo Day!  Who knew wine vartietals have their own day?  By luck we just happened to have sampled a Tempranillo this month:  2010 Montebuena Cuvee KPF Rioja.

First, surprisingly not many people are familiar with the very old Spanish grape Tempranillo, also known as Tinto Fino in Ribera del Duero, Tinta de Toro in Toro, Ull de Llebre in Catalonia, Cencibel in La Mancha and Tinto Roriz in Portugal. Grown in the Iberian Peninsula it dates as far back as 1100BC. Tempranillo is a red grape, but a rare white mutant does exist in Rioja.  I am going to have to keep an eye for the white variety.

Back to the 2010 Montebuena Rioja.  It is 100% Tempranillo fermented in 100% American Oak. Dark garnet red, a bit earthy and drying on the nose. The palate it is a little sour grapes, unbalanced heavy on the acidity, soft on tannins, making it coarse and rustic.  There is no real complexity in flavor, no fruit, lite peppery short finish. Seemed really tight, might need to open up and relax. Other reviews commented on how it was better on day 2, now I wish I had some day old to try.


Varietal:  Tempranillo
Producer/Importer: Montebuena Cuvee KPF Roija           
Region: Spain
Vintage: 2010
Price:  $9.99
Tasting notes:
 Sight (Color/Clarity): Deep purplish red-garnet
Smell (bouquet, aroma): Dry and earthy
Taste (acidity, balance, body): Dry, bit sour-acidic, pepper, fairly simple, short, course finish, tight-needed to open up more?
Winemaker’s notes: Brilliant deep ruby red color, fruity aroma. Montebuena Red has a spicy vanilla bouquet and is smooth and fruity in the mouth with some well-integrated secondary nuances, full-flavored and a persistent pleasant finish. Produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes, which are hand harvested from the Montebuena vineyard.
Overall rating (1-10): 8.5
Date consumed: November 12, 2014

Comments: Twist cap.  

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Stella Rosa Moscato d'Asti DOCG

The 2014-2015 WinEZ season is off to a snowy start.  A foot of the white stuff may have kept a few people snuggled at home in front of their fires, but for those who came out it was a night of really good wine.  Starting out the night Stella Rosa’s Moscato d’Asti DOCG from the Piedmont region of Italy.  This is a really good Moscato- full flavors of pears and honey crisp apples, sweet but not sugary or syrupy, and a nice clean finish.  Add this to your holiday shopping list. 

Varietal:  Moscato d’Asti
Producer/Importer:  Stella Rosa     
Region: Asti region in Piedmont, Italy
Vintage: 2012
Price:  $17.99
Tasting notes:
 Sight (Color/Clarity): rich golden straw
 Smell (bouquet, aroma): peaches and honey
Taste (acidity, balance, body): Pears and honey crisp apples
Overall rating (1-10): 9.5

Date consumed: November 12, 2014