Our Daily Vino

My friends Kyle and Man bought me this bottle as a gift 2 years ago. I decided to let it age a little, and since I was in the mood for a Merlot recently, I uncorked it.

It's a Spanish Merlot from the La Mancha DO.

Color: This wine is dark like a Zin. Deep purple red. Any darker and I'd think there was some Petite Sirah in there.

Sniff Test: Earthy and "bricky" with a razzleberry undernote. This is a substantial Merlot. (The nose reminded me of South Coast Winery's 2003 Wild Horse Peak Merlot.)

First Impression: This is not a fruit forward wine, but neither is it closed and "subtle" to the point of blandness. Up front it's blackberries and raspberries, but eaten on a day where there's a eucalyptus tree burning somewhere in the neighborhood and it's set a rosemary bush on fire, too. The middle's a little blank, but the tannins start to come in, the mouth feel is lush and velvety, and the finish is tart without being sour.

Breathing Room: The front is still the softly smoky dark berries, the middle has that green note, but not bright, muted and soft, and the tannins are even softer and more velvety. Dark chocolate notes come in towards the end. The finish is long and cherry vanilla, and some dried rose petal aromas sneak into your nose from the back. A veil of spicy herbal smoke overlays it all. There is quite a bit going on in this wine.

This wine reminded me a lot of the 2003 Wild Horse Peak Merlot mentioned above. That was a very intense, very lush, powerful and nuanced wine, wonderful in every way. This wine isn't quite that calibre, but a lot of the same taste and "design" elements are there. It's "Wild Pony Hill", if you will. ;)

Verdict: Drink it while unwinding with a good book, pair it with roast chicken or red meat, or let the bottle sit for a few more years, because I think it's got potential for at least 5-7 years in the bottle.

Here's the full 411 on the bottle: Masterpeace by Andrew Peace, 2004 Southeast Australia, Murray River, 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot

Color: Still a deep garnet, but starting to go brick-red around the edges.

Sniff Test: The first sniff made me think of ruby port. It's very fruity, full of plums, currants, and black raspberries.

First Impression: Bracingly tart without being sour or tasting astringent. Up front it's a mouth of plum-preserves and then smoky cherry, with a long (but subtle) smoky cherry finish.

Breathing Room: The same plums and cherries, and then, odd as it sounds, it tasted like blood, was still mouthwateringly tart and "cat tongue" tannic without being bitter. The finish was shorter and still full of smoky cherries and black currants.

I drank this wine over the course of a week and it got better and smoother every day. There was a lot of sediment at the bottom of the bottle -- the last 2 inches were undrinkable.

Verdict: Needs a big steak or hearty game. Quite flavorful.
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As an aside, my brother told me he wants to learn more about wines, has said he prefers whites, so as a gift for his B-Day, I've gotten him a bottle of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Riesling, and a Tempranillo rosé.

After the disappointment of 7 Heavenly Chards, I had high hopes for this wine.

I was not let down, but this wine is unlike any Merlot I've ever tasted.

Also, it came with a screw cap, which I like, because it means there's little chance of corked wine, and I don't have to worry about breaking off pieces of cork and dropping them down into the bottle.

Color: Light bright red
Nose: Plums, smoky spice, earthy note

First Impression: Plums and currants, and there's a sort of smoky veil over all the tastes, a hint of green in the middle, a nice crisp finish that turns to a looooonnnngggg vanilla aftertaste.

Breathing Room: Pretty much the same, a little more silky. Except for the fact that the primary taste is plums and that it has the brightness that I associate with Merlot, this wine is a lot like a Pinot Noir in terms of mouthfeel and body and easy drinkability.

Verdict: a unique and fun red.

Episode: 5x01 -- "Sympathy for the Devil". I couldn't find a clip here, but I have to say that Lucifer's seduction of his vessel is one of the creepiest things I've ever seen.

Next up: My final Supernatural Wine, Sangreal, and episode 5x14 "My Bloody Valentine."