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ASTRALE e TERRA MERLOT 2004
Estate wine from Napa's Atlas Peak
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| Greetings!
If there was any doubt that I'm a foodie (which there's not, but for sake of the intro), the fact that I have lamb shanks on my mind all week vanquishes it. I haven't braised lamb shanks for over ten years. Silly, since I love them and they're ridiculously easy to make...just don't forget them in the oven. Interestingly, I'm using a recipe from an Indian curry cookbook...cumin, star anise and ginger play their parts. Today, in fact, they're marinating in yogurt, ginger, garlic, turmeric and cayenne. I'll serve with spicy, bold, cool-climate California Syrah. Not sure which ones yet. Failla, Wind Gap and Rudius Syrahs come to mind.
Much to tell you on the tasting event front. If you live in these here parts, or plan to visit, check out Back Room's Tasting Events through March, including a weekend tasting in conjunction with the Napa's Mustard Festival Marketplace/Street Fair. Read all about it just a little below.
Been a long time since my spotlight has fallen on Merlot. As time goes by, my greater appreciation for, and understanding of, the grape make me want to burst the Sideways pop-culture balloon. Sideways was soooo last decade. Today I present to you a Napa Valley Merlot with style, flavor and deliciousness. The Astrale e Terra Merlot is today's Money Wine. Have a gander.
Round and round and round she goes. Dan
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Money Wine
March 4, 2010
Money Wine: a wine that anyone who loves good, rich, utterly delicious wine will enjoy A LOT, and is an EXCEPTIONAL VALUE.
Today, a dinky-production Merlot with a little bottle-age on it.
ASTRALE e TERRA Merlot
 Atlas Peak "Estate" Napa Valley 2004 $28
Since 1997 Astrale e Terra has been making solid wines from their vineyard in the hills above the Valley floor. I've found them to be dependable wines, i.e. not bad, and not outstanding either.
I tasted through their wines two weeks ago and marked the Astrale e Terra 2004 Estate Merlot with a gold star for super-duper quality.
Then it got better: the price is great - at $28 an excellent value. After that, I learned the production of this wine is a mere 160 cases, and normally reserved for their wine club...only available from the winery and Back Room Wines. Nice!
I like Merlot, I really do. For years I gave Merlot demerits if it didn't taste and feel like Cabernet Sauvignon, which is usually the case. Good Merlot, however, should be perfumed, sensual and a little silky...something in between Pinot Noir and Cab Sauv. Merlot has both brightness and depth of fruit with the taste of soil, spice and tobacco. Merlot, generally speaking, is a better match with dishes that we often choose Cabernet Sauvignon by default (lamb, beef, stews of the same). Try a couple bottles of
Astrale e Terra Merlot and see what I mean.
My tasting notes: Sweet juicy berries and cherries on the nose with
mincemeat and vanilla notes. Loads of bright, intense, fresh wild
red/black cherry flavor with a little soy sauce, more black truffle than soil, cumin and light, toasty oak. Time in bottle has served it well as it has maintained the fresh fruit while getting even silkier. An excellent wine.
3 ways to order:
Buy Astrale e Terra Merlot online here,
Just reply to this email with your order,
or call us, toll-free, at 877-322-2576
Thank you!
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TASTE!
In a nutshell, here's what's coming up the next two weeks.
Click the event to learn more about it.
Come ANYTIME within the hours listed to partake.
TONIGHT, Thursday March 4, 5 to 8 P.M.
"Bring a Blind Bottle Night"
TOMORROW, Friday March 5, 5 to 8 P.M.
Iron Wine Competition
The Iron Wine: Orin Swift "The Prisoner"
Will it be dethroned?
Next Thursday, March 11, 5 to 8 P.M.
White Burgundy Tasting
Chablis, Meursault, Puligny, Corton...killer wines.
Next Friday, March 12, 5 to 8 P.M.
A Taste Tour of France
Next Saturday & Sunday, March 13 and 14, 2 to 5 P.M.
Mustard Festival Tasting At Back Room Wines
Dip pretzel sticks in Napa Mustard and
Try Wines to Match
Saturday: Spanish Wines & Local Pinot Noir
Sunday: French wines and Cal-Italian
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You know spring is coming when...
| - You're getting ready to watch the Oscars this weekend.
- You're checking the score of your favorite baseball team (Spring Training games have begun.)
- On a related note, you pay just a little attention to college basketball unless you choose by mascot...it's almost time to fill out your NCAA bracket.
- You put garden preparation on your to-do list.
- You put clean-out-the-room-where-I-throw-stuff higher on your to-do list.
- You see Homes For Sale signs pop up like forest mushrooms.
- Taxes, taxes, taxes.
- And last but not least, get ready to drink Rosé wine once again! But until that day arrives,
Drink more Tempranillo.
Dan
Daniel Dawson
Back Room Wines
Corner of First & Main Streets (First Street Entrance)
Downtown Napa, California 94559
Phone: (707) 226-1378 Toll Free # is 877-322-2576
email: daniel@backroomwines.com
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IRON WINE COMPETITION
This Friday,
March 5,
5 to 8 P.M.
The Iron Wine:
ORIN SWIFT
"The Prisoner" 2008
Taste it blind along with four challengers for the Iron Wine throne. Taste and rank them.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
$10/Tasting
More details here
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BRING A BLIND BOTTLE NIGHT
Tonight!
Thursday, March 4
5 to 8 P.M.
(best to be here by 7)
Bring a wine that's a classic, quality representation of the grape.
Bring in a bag so we can't see what it is. Guess the grape of the other wines and share yours.
It's a fun and educational way to learn how to taste!
$5/person
Cheese & crackers served
Click here for more information
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