Saturday was rainy and windy here, and I tried three wines in two favorite local shops -- all three were pretty nice.
2002 Maculan Brentino IGT Rosso Veneto Italy. 13.2% alcohol; 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon; aged 50% in stainless steel, 50% in barriques, 1/3 new, 2/3 one year old. $7.50 a glass; $22.00 a bottle at Endless Vines, Franklin Lakes. Imported by Winebow, New York: Winebow on Brentino
Deep ruby-red, deep hue, lovely fruit aroma with rustic wood and hay aromas; very good fruit and spice tastes, rustic, hearty, full mouth feel, very good tannins promising two or three years of further development; long, fruit and earth and spice finish. Interesting wine; I'm sure it would be lovely with a meaty pasta dish. 3*+.
2004 Vereget Mâcon-Charnay Le Clos Saint Pierre Burgundy France. $19.99 at Beekmans in Glen Rock. Light yellow color, clear hue, straight forward aroma of Chardonnay fruit, hints of spice and minerals; pleasant fruit flavors, slightest bit of oakiness, medium mouth feel, good acidity, medium length. 3*+.
2003 Anne Amie Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Oregon. $26.99 at Beekmans in Glen Rock. Deep red color, deep hue, forward fruit and spice aroma, very good fruit tastes with cinnamon notes, medium mouth feel, good tannins and acidity, a bit out of balance, but showing promise with a year or two of cellaring, good length, with the tannins evident, clearly a good food match even now. Anne Amie. 4*.
Regards, Bob