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

Montebuena Cuvée KPF Roija a Tempranillo

November 13^th 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.  

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

One Hope Zinfandel by Robert Mondovi Jr

One Hope is a brand that everyone should feel good about drinking.  Not only is it a good quality wine, but 50% of the profits are donated to support our troops and their families. Profits from One Hope’s zinfandel go to Snowball express, and organization that supports families and children of fallen soldiers.  Since September 11, 2001 more than 8,000 children have lost a U.S. service-member parent as a result of ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One Hope Zinfandel is created by winemaker Robert Mondovi Jr.

Varietal:  Zinfandel

Producer/Importer:  One Hope   

Region: California

Vintage: 2011

Price: $18.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): ruby red

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): fruity jam, mixed berry pie

Taste (acidity, balance, body): not overly fruity, a little nutty, smooth, a little spice on the finish

Winemaker’s notes:   “ONEHOPE California Zinfandel starts with the foundation of an all-American grape, then custom blended with Syrah from select vineyards throughout Napa, Sonoma and the Central Coast of California. ONEHOPE Zinfandel is a rich red color with loads of juicy dark fruit flavors including plum and black cherry, with hints of pepper and a spicy finish. This delicious wine is versatile and pairs well with dishes such as pizza, barbeque ribs and lamb.”

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: November 14, 2012

Comments: Proceeds donated to the troops, 13.5% abv

Le Grand Noir Malbec

Le Grand Noir, signature black sheep on the label, boasts of being a little rebellious and unconventional in their winemaking.   According to their website brand creators Robert Joseph and Hugh Ryman got the name “Big Black” after a Cathar priest in the region of Carcassonne. The Cathars, a breakaway group from the Catholic Church of the day, had some very unconventional views -Men and women are equal, contraception was not a bad thing and that the church should not amass wealth.

The wines are produced by Jean d'Alibert Winery. Le Grand Noir Malbec is deep dark purple in color and showcases flavors of black cherries and plums laced with hints of pepper and spice. Unfortunately it appears Le Grand Noir is no longer making a Malbec-as it is not listed on their website.

Varietal:  Malbec

Producer/Importer: Le Grand Noir 

Region: France

Vintage: 2010

Price: $7.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Deep dark purple-plum

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): fruity

Taste (acidity, balance, body): black cherries, plum, peppery spice

Bottle presentation: Black sheep on label

Overall rating (1-10): 8.5

Date consumed: November 14, 2012

Comments: Really like this brand’s Pinot Noir

River Bend- Magenta

River Bend vineyard and winery is located in Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin, USA. There isn’t much information about the vineyard, the winemakers, or the owners on their website.  I guess I will just have to make the 2.5 hour trip someday to tour.Especially if the rest of their wines are as good as their Rose'.

Varietal:  Rose’

Producer/Importer:  River Bend- Magenta 

Region: Chippewa Valley Wisconsin

Price: $12.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Magenta

Taste (acidity, balance, body): sweet raspberry, choke cherries, cranberry cocktail

Bottle presentation: dragonfly on the label

Winemaker’s notes: “A semi-sweet rose wine. Frontenac grapes pressed immediately upon picking provide Magenta its signature color and crisp acidity. Enjoy chilled with aged cheeses, tangy barbecue or spicy cuisine.”

Overall rating (1-10): 9

Date consumed: November 14, 2012

Comments: dinner cordial

Mad Housewife Chardonnay

Mad housewife is what I am likely to become having wasted money on Mad Housewife’s Chardonnay.  The description sounds absolutely delightful, something every wife should be treated with at the end of a long day running the household (and maybe even bringing home the bacon). It is described as being full bodied and having” flavors of melon, pear and Fuji apple abound. Hints of cinnamon, light toasty oak, and a creamy finish.”  In reality we felt the 13.5% alcohol overpowered most of the flavor-puts hair on your chest.  We caught only a hint of that oaky buttery flavor we all lust after in a chardonnay.  These heads of households won’t be looking for a Mad Housewife chardonnay to unwind from our days.

Varietal:  Chardonnay          

Producer/Importer:  Mad Housewife         

Region:  California

Vintage: NA

Price: $8.99

Tasting notes:

 Sight (Color/Clarity): Medium gold

 Smell (bouquet, aroma): Melon and citrus

Taste (acidity, balance, body):  Strong alcohol flavor- puts hair on your chest, hint of oaky butter

Bottle presentation: “Wine should be fun, relaxing, and something you can afford to look forward to at the end of each and every day. Wine should never intimidate, make you think too hard, or create a new line item in your budget. This is your time. Time to enjoy a moment to yourself. A moment without the madness.”

Label description: “Flavors of melon, pear and Fuji apple abound. Hints of cinnamon, light toasty oak, and a creamy finish”

Comparisons: Like a dry Riesling

Overall rating (1-10): 7

Date consumed: November 14, 2012