Two different but good wines with dinner this weekend.
Wine #1. Clear ruby red wine with a nose of earthy cherries and a hint of strawberry (if you are guessing pinot at this point, you are correct). Enjoyable midpalate feel with nice tart cherries and smooth tannins. A medium finish of cherries and tingly acidity. Nice match with roasted chicken stuffed with garlic. This chicken was quite juicy and the two juices seemed to meld well.
Wine #2. Deep garnet wine with an expressive and enjoyable nose of black raspberry and blackberries. Smooth tannins caress the midpalate while dark fruits and tannins excite the taste buds. A medium to long fruit-driven finish with a smooth tannic grip at the end. Definitely new world style but nicely balanced and a good match with a slow roasted cross rib beef roast encrusted with dijon mustard. The beef seems to enhance the acidity a bit and mellow the fruit. Dark fruits notes in this wine were a bit unusual in my experience with this variety of wine (see below).
Wines:
#1 2006 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Gulf Station, De Bertoli. 13.5% abv
#2 2003 Tempranillo, Mendoza, Zuccardi "Q" 14.5% abv