News and Wine Blog
March Wine Club - Wines from around the world!
03/04/2025
David Finlayson Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Making great Cabernet is a passion of David’s and, while performing the 1995 harvest at Chateau Margaux, he learned the process of working with tannin ripeness and a softer, more selective pressing regimen. Produced from four outstanding clones of Cabernet Sauvignon planted on different sites in the Stellenbosch area, it is made to exude absolute purity of varietal and was made with a nod to the classic wines of the Medoc, in Bordeaux.I paired the David Finlayson Cabernet from South Africa with an African pork chop dish. Coriander, cumin and garlic are common spices that are used in South African dishes. The earthy, smoky flavors in the dish complemented the aromas and flavors of the wine. The wine shows lots of red fruit, a hint of oak and notes of spice. The spices in the red pepper sauce brought out the spice in the wine and softened the oak notes. I made a mint, yogurt, cumin sauce to top the chops. This refreshing sauce matched the mint notes in the wine and brought out the acidity on the palate. This pork dish is one of my favorite pork dishes and is one that I make often. The David Finlayson Cabernet was the perfect wine to drink with my favorite pork dish....Delish!
Thistledown "Gorgeous" Old Vine Grenache 2022
Grenache is Australia’s signature grape variety and they are slightly obsessed with it (as they should!). Sourced from a number of old vineyards in the Riverland and McLaren Vale, some of which are dry grown bush vines., this wine captures all that is good about Grenache. All vineyards are vinified in small batches, separately. Wild ferments and whole bunch inclusion, along with no filtration or fining help define the delicious, energetic character of the wine.
Deb paired the Grenache this month: "Pan searing short ribs to hold in all their juice and then letting them simmer on low with your ingredients of choice is just so easy and so satisfying. This Grenache is juicy but dry, low in tannins with crisp and balanced acidity. Even though I used the wine when simmering, I added artichoke hearts and red peppers to enhance even more of the clean crisp feel of the wine to the sauce. Placing this fall off the bone meat sauce on top of lightly buttered noodles with a dab of sour cream and fresh parmesan.... Eat and drink well my friends!"
Spreitzer 101 Dry Riesling 2022
The Spreitzer estate, founded in 1641 and one of the oldest in the Rheingau, benefits from a long tradition in winemaking as well as the recent modern winemaking innovations of sons Andreas and Bernd Spreitzer who have controlled the estate since 1997. This riesling comes from 3 different vineyards within Rheingau; Hendelberg, Lenchen, and Doosberg. The soil is colored slate, quartzite, loam, and loess which all give unique minerality and complexity to the wine. This wine was aged in stainless steel to elevate the crispness and then old barrels to round out the acidity.
Its Lent season, which means for many people, fish dishes are a staple until Easter. I love crab cakes and this dish with the lemon caper cream sauce, marries incredibly well with the satiny mouthfeel of this dry crisp Riesling. The wine shows delicate flavors of citrus, minerals and is balanced with refreshing acidity. Crab, with its delicate sweetness is classic pairing with Riesling. I buy my lump crab at Sams, it comes in a 1lb tub and is excellent. I was able to make 8 large crab cakes out of the pound and served them atop fresh lettuce with the sauce drizzled on the cake. Perfect for Fish Friday's! Recipe links below. ENJOY!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David Finlayson Cabernet Sauvignon
TASTING NOTES: Displays true Cabernet Sauvignon characteristics of cassis and blackcurrent flavors. Fresh, minty herbaceousness backed by mocha/vanilla notes. Firm structured tannins and a long finish on the palate show good ageing potential.Recipe to pair with David Finlayson Cabernet:
www.vinomas.com/African-Pork-Chops-with-David-Finlayson-Cabernet
Thistledown Gorgeous Old Vine Grenache
TASTING NOTES: Aromatic, deceptively light but with beautiful wild fruit, strawberry, spice and juicy supple tannins. Characterized by balanced, aromatic fruit profiles, crisp acids and a capacity for both youthful exuberance and aging.Recipe to pair with Gorgeous Grenache:
www.vinomas.com/Beef-short-ribs-Thistledown-Gorgeous-Grenache
Spreitzer Dry Riesling 101
TASTING NOTES: opens with a bright, pure and delicate Riesling bouquet with floral and crunchy stony aromas. Lush and elegant on the palate, this is a charming, very delicate and elegant Riesling.Recipe to pair with Spreitzer Dry Riesling 101:
www.vinomas.com/Crab-Cakes-with-Lemon-Caper-Cream-Riesling
High Tier Wine Club:
ABEJA 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley
Spanish for bee, the name Abeja (pronounced 'ah-BAY-ha') was chosen to honor a deep-rooted respect for the environment. Both the winery and The Inn at Abeja operate on the belief that each of us can make a difference in the world every day. Regardless of how small the gesture or detail, the difference made is worthwhile.Tasting Notes: Sophisticated layers of wild blackberry and baking spice mingle on the nose with violets, leather and vanilla. A well structured palate is artfully balanced by a fullness in fruit, fine-grain tannins and well suited acidity. Morello cherries appear with black pepper, lavender, and cocoa powder on the palate. Towards the close, darker notes of walnut and dark plum emerge and continue throughout a lengthy finish.
Post By:
Deanna Albertson