September 3, 2011 – Olmstead Wine Co. Tasting, The Spirited Gourmet, Belmont, MA
Olmstead Wine Co. is a local distributor in Massachusetts that focuses mainly on organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. Among the portfolios that they represent are Jenny & Francois (a favorite importer of mine) and Zev Rovine Selections. Olmstead owner/founder Oscar Hernandez was on hand to pour a small selection of his better value wines, and proved a very good host. Thanks to both Oscar and the staff at the spirited Gourmet for arranging and hosting this event.
Given the prices of these wines, I was not necessarily expecting greatness, but was hoping to find some good values. The highlights for me were the Cirelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and the Alvarez y Diez Lanzos Tinto - both very good QPRs in my opinion. (Prices were for the day of the tasting.)
2009 Bodegas y Viñedos Alvarez y Diez Lanzos Blanco Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Léon
50% Sauvignon Blanc/50% Viura (Macabeo). Citrus/floral nose. Medium-bodied, dry, round, with moderate acidity; peach and tropical flavors. Good. $12.
2010 Tegernseehof Grüner Veltliner Federspiel T-26
T-26 refers to a specific plot of vines, which I believe is in Dürnstein. Medium-bodied, well balanced, with moderate acidity; floral, lightly mineral, with tropical fruit and white pepper notes. Good/very good. At $16, quite reasonably priced for Wachau GV.
2009 Azienda Agricola Pratello Lieti Conversari IGT Benaco Bresciano
100% Manzoni Bianco (Incrocio Manzoni 6.0.13), from near Garda. Although I have had this grape in a couple of blends, this is the first time that I have tried it as a single varietal. Medium-bodied, dry, moderately acidic, lightly spicy, with citrus and papaya notes. Good. $20.
2009 Michlits Pinot Noir Rosé Frizzante Burgenland
Light-bodied, lightly sparkling, off-dry, with moderate acidity; strawberry/floral notes. Pleasant. $16.
2009 Bodegas y Viñedos Alvarez y Diez Lanzos Tinto Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Léon
100% Tempranillo. Medium-bodied, smooth, with lightish tannins, and good underlying acidity. Nicely mineral, with cherry, mixed berry, and lightly spicy notes. Very good, and a nice QPR for $12.
2008 Azienda Agricola Cirelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
Medium-bodied, crisp, well balanced, with good underlying acidity; a mineral-driven Montepulciano, with cherry and raspberry notes. Very good. $16.