VinoDuo is Lisa & Gary. Engaged in Sonoma. Honeymooned in Napa. Vacationed in
Temecula (CA), Woodinville (WA), and other off the beaten path wine regions. We’ve married our love of wine with our passion for travel, visiting lesser-known wine regions throughout the United
States. We’ve got strong opinions about the pros and cons of each wine region and this is our forum for airing and sharing them.
A Trip to the Boston Wine Expo
We always look forward to the Boston Wine Expo and see it as our own little harbinger of spring (albeit a month early.) In recent years we’ve relied on the Expo to introduce us to new wines, and wine regions, to explore. This year, as VinoDuo, we were able to attend the show as members of the trade, which entitled us to early entry—a critical benefit if you want to avoid the hordes of people storming the doors for an afternoon of heavy drinking, sip by sip.
Credentials in hand we entered the World Trade Center at 11 am Sunday and plotted our course. Since Gary and Lisa have different tastes and preferences, we split up. Gary made a beeline for Australia and Chile, Lisa for Long Island and Paso Robles. Why? As the duo’s travel writer, Lisa wanted to check back with two wine regions we visited—and loved—in 2006 to catch up on new releases, new wineries and, of course, new restaurants. Gary, as the serious wine connoisseur and red wine devotee, was anxious to sample the latest Shiraz from Barossa Valley and Malbec from Chile.
What follows is our round-up of tastings from the Wine Expo. Despite our best efforts, we simply couldn’t try everything but managed to cut a pretty broad swath through the show.
Credentials in hand we entered the World Trade Center at 11 am Sunday and plotted our course. Since Gary and Lisa have different tastes and preferences, we split up. Gary made a beeline for Australia and Chile, Lisa for Long Island and Paso Robles. Why? As the duo’s travel writer, Lisa wanted to check back with two wine regions we visited—and loved—in 2006 to catch up on new releases, new wineries and, of course, new restaurants. Gary, as the serious wine connoisseur and red wine devotee, was anxious to sample the latest Shiraz from Barossa Valley and Malbec from Chile.
What follows is our round-up of tastings from the Wine Expo. Despite our best efforts, we simply couldn’t try everything but managed to cut a pretty broad swath through the show.
| Winery | Type | Label/Year | State/country or region | Estimated Retail Price | Tasting Notes | |
| Las Perdices | Malbec 70%, Syrah 11%, Bonarda 10%, Merlot 9% | Reserva Don Juan 2004 | Mendoza/Argentina | $20 | With a name like Don Juan, it had to smooth and it sure was… with good fruit-forward blackberries, and cherries, this wine was a knockout! It’s complex with good medium body. | |
| Casa Lapostolle | Syrah | Cuvee Alexander 2004 | Chile | $23 | This was a surprisingly good Syrah for someone who usually does not like it (especially from California). The inky, full-bodied wine is done in a Bordeaux style with complex flavors of cherries, blackberry, vanilla, and very slight hint of oak. The long finish and smoothness make this an outstanding value. | |
| In Situ | Carmenere | Rio Alto Winemakers Selection | Aconcagua/Chile | $10 | Until recently, the Carmenere grape was not abundant and wines crafted from this French grape were even scarcer. Relax, you don’t need to search high and low to find this floral red with good full body, fruit notes on the palate strawberries and gooseberries. Should be a winner when served with Asian cuisine. | |
| In Situ | Cabernet Sauvignon | Grand Reserve 2005 | Chile | $20 | You’ve heard that there are some great values to be had in Chilean wines… Don’t let this one go by! This was by far the value leader of the 2007 Boston Wine Expo. In fact other winemakers were raving about this cabernet as well! I love this wine!! Great structure, fruit, and long finish. Compare to wines at 3x the price. Please leave some on the shelf for me! | |
| In Situ | Chardonnay | Rio Alto Reserve Chardonnay 2005 | Aconcagua/Chile | $10 | If you’re looking for a crowd pleasing Chardonnay with good fruit, fullness and a light wispy finish, this is your Chard. Good value! | |
| In Situ | Chardonnay | Winemakers Selection 2004 | Aconcagua/Chile | $15 | Good, full chardonnay with good fruit, body and longish finish. Should be good with spicy cuisine. Another good value! | |
| USA | ||||||
| MacRostie Estate | Pinot Noir | 2004 | $30 | A very well made and well-priced Pinot with good fruit, balance and finish. | ||
| Liberty School | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2004 | Paso Robles, CA | $14 | Liberty School makes one of the finest Cabs at this price point. Compare to cabs in the $25-$35 price range. Super fruit, fullness and finish that won’t let you down. | |
| Liberty School | Chardonnay | 2005 | Paso Robles, CA | $13 | Lush but not too rich; tropical fruit, citrus, some oak. Crisp and clean. A Chard for people like Lisa who don’t like oaky, heavy Chards. | |
| Chumeia | Cabernet Sauvignon | Basport Vineyard 2002 | Paso Robles, CA | $25 | We bought their Zin and Cab Franc when we visited the winery last summer. I still think those varietals beat the Cab but the Basport Vineyard was lovely; lush and rich with beautiful color and a hint of spice on the finish. Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years | |
| Chumeia | Chardonnay | 2005 | Paso Robles, CA | $12 | They call this a “great Monday thru Thursday Chardonnay, and I think that’s just about right. Very drinkable, balanced, with bright fruit and a hint of butter. Not a high-end Chard but very drinkable. | |
| Chumeia | Torrontes | Silver Nectar 2005 | Paso Robles, CA | $10 | We call this “deck wine” because it’s perfect for Sunday afternoons in the spring and summer. Floral notes, honey, peach, with a hint of sweetness. The Torrontes grape is from Argentina, where Chumeia has developed a partnership. | |
| B&E Vineyard | 57% Merlot 38% Cab 5% Cab Franc | Red Rhythm | Paso Robles, CA | $22 | We’re suckers for small, family owned wineries and can’t believe we missed B&E during our trip to Paso. The owners were pouring at the show and we were particularly taken with Rhythm. Fruit forward and throughout; very balanced; supremely drinkable | |
| Matanzas Creek | Chardonnay | Sonoma Valley 2005 | Sonoma, CA | $29 | Our friend Robin has been bugging us to try Matanzas Creek Chard for what seems like years, swearing that it was the best she’s tried. Fortunately, Matanzas exhibited at the show and Lisa was able to taste the Chard and the Sauvignon Blanc (see below.) Well, Robin was right. This is an outstanding Chardonnay. Elegant, balanced, just the right touch of butter, with a bit of minerality. Truly outstanding and clearly worth the price. | |
| Seabiscuit Ranch | Chardonnay | Sonoma 2002 | Sonoma, CA | $39 | Finally a great classic chardonnay with full body, buttery-creamy palate, and super good taste. The 2004 Redwood Valley Chardonnay was not available to taste, but at $22.50 it may be a bargain. | |
| Newton Vineyard | Claret: 60% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cab Franc, 5% Petit Verdot | Red Label 2003 | Napa, CA | $25 | Gary and Lisa discovered the Newton Claret separately and rushed to tell the other about it. Since our taste in Red wine is often at odds, we are glad to find one we both can love. Rich, dark, with aromas of berries, the wine bursts with berries and a touch of oak | |
| Waters Crest | Chardonnay | Reserve 2005 | North Fork, LI, New York | $25 | We tasted the 2005 at the winery last summer and recommended it in our posting. Still tastes good! Pale gold, vanilla and butterscotch, with a hint of butter. | |
| Vineyard 48 | Chardonnay | Reserve 2005 | North Fork, LI, New York | $30 | We bought the 2004 Reserve Chard at the winery during our visit and were equally pleased with the 2005 poured at the Expo. Balanced, with apple, vanilla, and peach flavors. | |
| Newport Vineyards | Riesling | 2006 | Newport, RI | $12 | OK, so you might think good wine can't come from the Ocean State… You’re wrong. If you’re looking for a delicious wine to have with Asian cuisine, this should be on your list… Clean, semi-sweet, and crisp on the finish. A good wine for the price! | |
| SPAIN | ||||||
| Darien | 54% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 12% Mazuelo, 4% Graciano | Crianza Rioja 2000 | $15 | Super red color with hints of luminous cherry and toasted oak on the palate. I don’t normally like Riojas, but this one was a real winner! | ||
| ITALY | ||||||
| Chigi Saracini | 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet | Toscano Poggiassai 2003 | Italy | $35 | Best described as an intense, well made, serious wine that knocks your socks off. Deep blackberry and cherry flavors made me wish for a plate of osso buco or a fine cut of tenderloin. | |
| Chigi Saracini | Sangiovese | Villa Chigi Chianti DOCG 2005 | Italy | $10 | One of the nicest Chianti’s I’ve had in years and a very good value. Truly a great pizza/pasta wine. Good fruit, balance, and finish. Another pleasing wine at a good price | |
| Chigi Saracini | Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon | Traonta D’Oca Toscano 2003 | Italy | $40 | Wow! A big wine with a long complex finish. While I don’t often run out and buy a $40 bottle, this would be one to seek for that special occasion. | |
| Cantine | Tintilia | Macchiarossa Tintilia del Molise DOC 2004 | Italy | $20 | Floral taste, full fruit, medium finish. | |
| Cantine Cipressi | Montepulciano | Mekan Molise Rosso DOC Montepulciano del Molise 2004 | taly | $15 | The best Montepulciano we tasted at the show… The winemaker told us to wait for the 2005…can’t wait! | |
| FRANCE | ||||||
| Millhade | 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Savignon | Chateau Sergant Lelande De Pomerol 2003 | France | $20 | Ok, so you saw Sideways and suddenly Merlot was off limits…not so fast… This blend is outstanding, with good fruit (cherries & blueberries) and fullness throughout. A well-crafted wine! | |
| Domain de Couron | Marselan | See Notes | St. Marcel of Ardeche | $11 | This wine is truly yummy with big fruit, fullness and hint of blueberries and blackberries. A unique wine worth every penny! What is Marselan? It’s a relatively new grape varietal that’s a hybrid crossing Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Finally a blend brought to you by nature instead of a barrel. | |
| AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND | ||||||
| Hardy’s | Shiraz | Sparkling Shiraz | Barossa Valley | $18 | A potential new favorite at the VinoDuo household… A great aperitif or accompaniment for an intense chocolate dessert. Yes, it’s semi-sweet and it’s a red sparking wine. Skeptical? Go to Trader Joe’s and get one of their frozen flourless chocolate tortes. You’ll be an instant convert! | |
| Ferngrove | Shiraz | Frankland River Dragon Shiraz | Western Australia | $25 | Excellent Shiraz with deep crimson color, pepper and deep blackberry/plum fruit. Good tannin structure and smooth throughout. Should improve with some cellaring… Wine Spectator suggests “hold” onto the 2004 vintage. | |
| Crossroads | Sauvignon Blanc | Marlborough 2006 | Marlborough | $15 | Minerals and green grass on the nose, light and refreshing taste. Very good! | |
Vinoduo certainly has a lot more stamina than I do. Boston Wine Expo is a fun experience but a tad overwhelming to the lesser obsessed wine lover. I pooped out quickly. One's palate can only appreciate so much in an afternoon. Due to friends in high places I too was able to score a trade pass and avoided crowds. Can't imagine it being enjoyable with more people.
My strategy was to visit some "old friends" and see if the latest vintages stood up to those I had loved in the past and then go to some wineries that I had read about and had always wanted try. Matanzas Creek Chardonnay, which I fell in love with at first sip a year ago, is top dog in my book and the 2005 is no exception. Pure perfection. Glad VinoDuo saw the light on this. Also went to another favorite, Beaulieu Vineyards, and headed straight to the Rutherford Cabernet . Again, dependable and delicious, berry filled, smooth as can be without being boring.
On to Gloria Ferre r known of course for their sparkling wine, hoping to sample some of her transcendent blanc de noir, but discovered that her rep was there to tell the world about their lesser known still wines. Who knew? Everybody but me? Was pleasantly surprised by their 2004 Carneros Chardonnay ($18.00) tasting of lemon and apple. Had never tasted anything from Cambria, liked but didn't love the 2005 Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay ($16.00). (My feeling in general about $16.00 to $18.00 Chardonnays is that you are better off buying a $20 to $30 Chardonnay, for the slight difference in price you are usually in whole different quality zone altogether. For example, I tried a 2005 Stuhlmuller Estate Alexander Valley this past weekend ($21.00) and while it's no Matanzas Creek, you are still in another level, but I digress...back to the Expo:
I came upon Gallo of Sonoma booth and at last was able to taste the "new" Gallo for myself to see if it was worthy of all the good write ups I had beein reading for the past several years. I have to say that I was impressed with the Frei Ranch Cabernet in the $25.00 range. Nice. However, in the same price range and sometimes a litte less, I prefer the smoothness of the aforementioned B.V. After checking out Chalone (nothing to write home, er, VinoDuo about) my palate was overwhelmed.
Though I felt that there were at least 10 more wines that I should have tried, they would have not been appreciated or enjoyed. Great fun to experince the Wine Expo once or twice, but to experience new wines, for me, I am better off frequenting the tastings at my favorite local favorite wine shop. Since I had to give my mouth a needed a rest, I stopped for a cooking demonstration by Gordon Hammersley (who prepared a wonderful pork tenderloin accompanied by a lovely Reisling-ugh forgot which one) where I learned about a great Greek olive oil, Aria, which leaves a lot of the stuff I was buying in the dust. Like the wine, spend a little more on the olive oil, it's worth it.
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Thanks for tipping us off to the Frei Ranch Cab from Gallo of of Sonoma. Like you, we grew up at a time when Gallo was synonomous with "Ripple." The winery was also being boycotted by Cesar Chavez and the farm workers, so Gallo was verboten in the oh so liberal VinoDuo family. But it sounds like the Cabernet from the "new Gallo" is worth a sip or two.
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