I taste Merlot first, so I’d talk about it before Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fruity style. Black berries nose, cinnamon, and hint of green bell pepper and white pepper. But these flavors decay quickly. Very smooth mouthfeel and the palate is dominated by black berry. An easy drinking bottle.

This is probably my second Vin de Pays d’Oc, the first one should be from Mouton Cadet. Honestly, both give me similar impressions — less tannins, easy drinking and light in nose and taste. Languedoc is at the south part of France, the weather is much warmer than Bordeaux, but these Vin de Pays d’Oc are much lighter than Bordeaux reds. So, I am wondering this is the character of Vin de Pays wines. Maybe I should buy some reds made by Bordeaux varieties from Languedoc AOCs for comparison.

The 2nd one is Cabernet Sauvignon, still a Vin de Pays d’Oc. Very similar to Merlot, but brings more coffee and chocolate flavors (still has green bell pepper and cinnamon). Besides, sweeter black berries, stronger body and more tannins than Merlot.

The same, not as strong as normal Cabernet Sauvignon, and not similar to Languedoc style.

Cocchi Brachetto d’Acqui

This is the 2nd bottle from Cocchi I’ve ever had. The previous one is Cocchi Mascato d’Asti, which is a spumante (full sparkling wine) with notable litchi flavor. Brachetto is a red grape variety, majorly cultivated in Piedmont region (northwest of Italy). The spumante made from Brachetto is called d’Acqui. Its fruity flavor is between strawberry and raspberry. However, its bubbles are a little bit rough while just pouring out. Though it has some short, its flavor and inexpensive price (about NT$350) make it decent on the dining table in a joyful time.

Mouton Cadet 2006

This is the table wine produced by Baron Philippe de Rothschild, and Mouton Cadet is the brand name. Philippe de Rothschild family is the owner of Chateau Mouton. So, many people treat this Mouton Cadet as the table wine level product of Chateau Mouton, and this wine contributes a lot to the revenue of Philippe de Rothschild family’s wine business.

Well, it also has the “5 arrows” mark as Chateau Mouton.

65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc. Very right bank style, and also express the right bank style in flavors and tastes. Black berry, oak, light vanilla and light mint. Medium body and less tannin. There is a tangerine hint at the end of short palate.

As a table wine, it’s good. But some agents in TW sell this wine in an unreasonable price.

Baron Philippe de Rothschild Cadet d’Oc 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (Vin De Pay D’Oc)

Although this is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, I immediately remind of Mouton Cadet while smelling this wine. So, I check the bottle, and find it also has the famous “5 arrows” mark of Philippe de Rothschild family!!

Black berry with hints of mint and chocolate. Compare to Mouton Cadet, this one is not a better choice. Though, paying NT$300 (special price) for this Vin de Pay is OK, but *NEVER* for the regular price (about NT$650). :p

牛小排跟沙拉以及紅酒都是在 Costco 購買，其中小天馬提到只打算使用海鹽來煎牛小排，所以我打算挑 Rhone 區的紅酒來搭配，希望 Rhone 區常有的辛香味道可以跟牛小排好好結合。

這次美中不足的是牛小排有點太油，小天馬在煎牛排的時候因此被噴起的油燙傷，而且吃完這餐的隔天早上起床依舊覺得腸胃油膩膩的。下次應該買比較高等級的牛小排，或者換成菲力來試試，再不然乾脆來去吃 outback 之類的餐廳好了…

紅酒雖然原本打算買隆河區的，不過最後買了有在Costco現場試飲的 M. Chapoutier 2008 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Latour Domaine de Bila-Haut，有試飲過畢竟比較保險一些。這瓶酒產區為 Languedoc Roussillon，跟 Rhone 地區一樣都在法國南部，葡萄品種也都以 Grenache 跟 Syrah 為主，另有 Carignan。深紅色(garnet)的酒液，邊緣為紅寶石色(ruby rim)，味道以黑櫻桃為主，另外有 raspberry 香氣，還夾有微弱的黑胡椒香。單飲時有濃厚的果香開頭，接下來有黑胡椒味道，酒體中等單寧不是太多，而且單寧仍算年輕，可以再放個兩三年會比較好。配牛小排吃的時候也不錯，但是最後會出現刺激的辛嗆味道是美中不足的地方。

餐後是 Trivento 非年份(non vintage)的白酒，用 Torrentes 和 Chenin Blanc 葡萄釀製而成。味道以荔枝為為主，夾有微弱桃子香，口感除了甜味之外有鳳梨、檸檬的香味，不過香氣延續性並不好，但如果是喝開心的這瓶酒算是很成功。

美國Opus One前莊主Robert Mondavi 是首先發現智利這塊瑰寶的先驅之ㄧ，他先後於1985年與1991年造訪智利，並結識了Eduardo Chadwick。這兩個人有著共同的理想：在智利這片土地上釀造出可以充分表現出其風土特色的頂級葡萄酒。

Arboleda 是繼 Caliterra 之後，Robert Mondavi 與 Eduardo Chadwick 於 1999 年共同創立的第二個品牌，也可說是更高級的品牌。

自 2005 年開始, Eduardo Chadwick 開始進行一個計畫：也就是將 Arboleda 這個品牌推向「頂級葡萄酒」這樣的形象。Arboleda葡萄酒，完全由 Aconcagua Valley (阿空加瓜谷地)所培育出的單一品種葡萄所釀造，充分表現風土特色。堅持人工篩選以及對釀造頂級好酒充滿熱誠的釀酒團隊，就是實現這個計畫的秘密武器。

Arboleda 如今成為 Eduardo Chadwick 所率領的 Errazuriz集團部分任務地位。於 2008 年 2 月份重新出發，葡萄採用出自於 Aconcagua Valley 自家單一葡萄園的葡萄，在湧出天然泉水的 Las Vertientes 的葡萄園裡栽種 Carbernet Sauvignon, Carmenere 及 Syrah；而在靠近海岸 14 km 的 Chilhoe Estate 小丘上種植 Sauvignon Blanc；在較南邊的 Casablanca Valley 種植 Chardonnay。集團總帥 Eduardo Chadwick 本身直接管理的獨特體制誕生的頂級葡萄酒也成為全世界討論的熱門話題。

活動舉辦的地點是在長虹酒吧，餐飲以泰式為主，所以我也拿了一些食物來嘗試搭配，包含涼拌木瓜絲、蝦鬆、月亮蝦餅、咖哩椰奶烤雞肉串、台式蝦餅。這天品飲的有 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, 2006 Chardonnay, 2006 Carmenere, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Syrah，最後加碼了 Fritz Haag 這個有名德國酒莊的 Brauneberger Riesling 2008 Kabinett。

Arboleda Sauvignon Blanc 2007

light blond with light light green hue.

Light acid flavor in citrus tone and some litchi aroma. After swirling, there are some patient fruit and guava shedding out, that makes me associate with Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008 — #40 in WS 2008 Top 100.

The palate keeps its acid flavor tone (in tangerine) with watering mouth feel. And the after dry is good.

While pairing foods, I think 月亮蝦餅 is a good choice, if you like dense and fresh acidity. This sauvignon blanc makes the sweet of 月亮蝦餅 stand out, and then the acidity follows.

With time goes by and temperature increases, the acidity decreases but there is some bitter mouth feel. So, I think this wine may be proper served with seafood appetizer.

WS: 91, RP: 90

Arboleda Chardonnay 2006

light yellow with green hue.

Orange, nut, pineapple, butter, oak and vanilla. Very dense and very typical new world Chardonnay.

The palate also contains tropical fruits. Starts with light sweet, then acidity, and then ends with great after sweet.

This one has great aromas and flavors, but not a good choice pairing today’s food. The aromas and flavors are tooooo strong. :Q

WS: 90, RP: 90

Arboleda Carmenere 2006

Ruby rim.

Coffee, chocolate, raspberry, black berry, cinnamon, light vanilla, light black currant, and light wood aroma.

Medium body, young but velvet tannin.

The palate comes from a sweet and smooth mouth to a light acidity ending. Very good while pairing with 椰奶烤雞肉串, increase the sweetness of chicken.

RP: 92

Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

ruby color with a rim of brick hue.

black berry, chocolate, red cherry, leather, wet grass and sugar flavors get into nose. The low tone flavor brings black pepper palate with a sweet start, then turns into acid with after sweet.

Strong body and maturing tannins. Besides, turns into sweeter aromas and brighter tone with time passing. Good with 椰奶烤雞肉串.

RP: 91

Arboleda Syrah 2006

Maturing and coating tannins!! I think it’s arriving its peak, and can lasts for 2 or 3 years!!

Black pepper, black berry, oak, spices aromas in brighter tone.

The taste is a little spicy with a hint of blue berry, and has good after-sweet. The blue berry flavor decays with time.

Fritz Haag Riesling Kabinett 2008 Brauneberger

light gold

Peach, litchi, honey, vanilla, melon and fresh grass aromas. Chewy mouth feel with slightly sparkling.

Simple and basic aromas and flavors, but very concentrated and fabulous!!!

Let’s enjoy the photos! (and sorry for my lazy and late)


3 Gentlemen in 3 Generations

In personal, I love this one most. The grandpa, the brother (son), and the grandson. The son was recording and looking at his father, who was looking at his grandson, who was looking at somewhere else. These “invisible” lines make this one interesting.
我最喜歡這一張，有父親、有弟弟(兒子)，還有孫子。兒子看著老子，老子看著孫子，孫子則不知聚焦何處。三道隱形的線條讓畫面變得十分有趣。

The Family

很自然。自然就是美 (L)

His grandson

Bite you~

記錄祖孫兩人的互動真的很有趣，咬來咬去的 XD

Ready to Ride?

Cha~

很動感，很溫馨的互動

[[SlideShow of the whole set]]

The main topic of this month is Ceretto, which is one of the largest wineries in Italy. They majorly produce so-called “3-B” wines, Barbera, Barolo and Barbaresco. Actually, Barbera is a grape variety, but Barolo and Barbaresco are regions. Ceretto is in the famous area “Piedmont (Piemonte)”, northwest of Italy, founded in 1930s and bursted their business in 1980s.

Italian wines (especially the reds) usually need longer maturing time, even though new wine making technologies are applied, we still need 4 or 5 years for mature. So, most wines today are still too young. For better mouthfeel, all bottles are opened 3~4 hours before tasting.

2008 Ceretto Barbera d’Alba Piana

100% Barbera, and the vineyard is in Alba Piana. Alba is one major town in Piemonte region, and Barbera is the most common variety in Piemonte region.

This wine provides rich aromas in nose, including plum, cherry and a little bit sweet flavor. After swirling, you can find the smell of raspberries. About 30 mins later, mineral is exposed in the glass.

Deep black and red. A little bit sweet at the beginning, and ends with beautiful after acid. Young body brings a lot of tannins but not velvet.

Need more decanting time before drink (I think 5 hrs maybe OK), need more patient to wait its maturation.

2005 Ceretto Barbaresco Asij

100% Nebbiolo, which is a common variety for Barbaresco and Barolo.

Barbaresco is at the northeast of Alba, and Barolo is at the southwest of Alba. The wines from these two DOCG areas have similar noses and palates. Some people said the difference is that Barbaresco is lighter and thinner, and Barolo gives stronger tannins and body. However, I think it depends on the terrior and the vinification process.

This wine brings a higher tone aroma in the glass (compare to the preceeding one), like flowers, dark chocolate and blackberry. As time goes by, the nose turns from higher tone to lower tone, the chocolate flavor becomes more obvious.

The color is red, with slight brick hue. Good body, begins with acid and ends with sweet. Palates include blackberry and black pepper. A lot of tannins but still young.

2004 Ceretto Barolo Zonchera

Also, 100% Nebbiolo. Interesting flavor, like melt chocolate mixed with cream. Black cherry, wet grass and white pepper in mouth.

Still too young, hold.

2000 Barolo Bricco Rocche PRAPO

This one is the most tasty red today. Licorice, blackberry and bright mums (Chrysanthemum) bouquet.

Apparent brick hue, especially at the rim.

Palates are blackberry, maple sugar, white pepper, spices and orange.

Good tannins and smooth mouthfeel, can still keep for a couple of years.

2005 Monsordo Langhe Rosso DOC

It’s a Bordeaux style red, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Nebbiolo (about 10%). The famous comic, 神之雫, mentioned this wine, and that makes this wine become popular in Japan and Taiwan. The black bottle also becomes one brand mark.

This wine is definitely not a standard Italian wine. Because the Italian wines need a long time to mature, Ceretto has some financial problem to pay their employees. So, they make this early matured, easy to drink and popular style wine.

Black currant, vanilla, chocolate and green bell pepper. For me, this one is good while comparing to other Bordeaux, but a little bit weird while tasting it with typical Italian wines.

2008 Ceretto I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano Moscato d’Asti DOCG

Litchi, litchi and litchi!!! Small and lasting bubbles (but not too much). The bubbles comes from the low temperature fermentation.

BTW, Taiwan is the best selling region of this wine. The reason is 茹絲葵 restaurant uses this wine, and you kwow this is a well-known dating restaurant. Besides, this wine has a nickname in Taiwan — 把妹酒. XD

However, for me, I think Korbel Moscato desert sparkling and 2007 Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Spatlese are better than this one.

Trout Gulch Vineyards 2007 Chardonnay

奶油、橡木桶、梨、蘋果與些許的煙薰味。在口中有鳳梨的微酸，不過持續性不是那麼好。

Testarossa 2007 Castelo Chardonnay

混合了多個葡萄園的葡萄所釀製，包含 Sonoma county, Santa Cruz mountains, Santa Barbara 等。清新的橡木桶香味(比起前者要來的high tone)、礦石味道。花香、甜桃香味，持續性很好。我喜歡這一瓶。

Alfaro Family 2008 Rose of Pinot Noir

顏色很深的 Rose。覆盆莓、白胡椒粉的香味。飲用時覆盆莓香氣、偏lower tone的香氣，有些鳳梨香。這瓶也很棒 

Windy Oaks Estate 2007 Terra Narro Pinot Noir

顏色偏淺的 Pinot Noir，跟前面的 Rose 其實顏色很接近 XD。黑胡椒、黑莓的香氣為主，另外帶有一些草莓香。飲用時主要是黑莓的香氣，另外口感微辛。丹寧並不會過於厚實，算是容易入口的酒。

Nicholson Family Vineyards 2007 Syrah

黑胡椒、黑醋栗、藍莓。丹寧並不細緻，味道上有些濕土壤的味道，不過有點單調，應該需要再放。

未成年請勿飲酒

Martella 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Cooper 2007 Garrod Viognier, Aptos Creek 2001 Pinot Noir, Black Ridge Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carlotta Cellars 2008 “La Reverie” Rose, Ridge 2007 Geyserville Zinfandel.

Martella 2008 Sauvignon Blanc: pear, peach and good after palate acidity

Cooper 2007 Garrod Viognier: light sweet with honeysuckle and a hint of something like leaves or grasses.

Carlotta Cellars 2008 “La Reverie” Rose: On the list, today we should have Black Ridge Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. However, I had this one before and I just saw that impressive Rose I had a week ago on the tasting table. So, I ask the owner to skip the big red and taste the Rose again. Well, SMOKY, SMOKY and SMOKY. Especially after palate.

Aptos Creek 2001 Pinot Noir: This one is really interesting, for its Burgundy flavor. Aromas contains cinnamon, licorice and a hint of oak. The mineral palate is another impressive thing.

Ridge 2007 Geyserville Zinfandel: 58% Zinfandel, 22% Carignan, 18% Petite Syrah and 2% Mourvèdre. It does not show the traditional sweet of Zinfandel, but still has a raspberry or strawberry hue aroma which is usually found in Zinfandel. Actually, as I just taste, it also provides concentrated aromas of spices, that makes me to suspect it is a Rhone region red. I think that probably due to the blendings of Carignan and Mourvèdre.

Ridge 2007 Estate Chardonnay, Carlotta Cellars 2008 “La Reverie” Rose, Fernwood Cellars 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Martella 2006 Syrah.

第二部分是來自 Chain d’Or 和 Stefania 酒莊的酒款。

Ridge 2007 Estate Chardonnay

前一兩週這瓶酒才被 Wine Spectator 評了 93 分的高分，不曉得今年會不會又殺進百大？

不太強烈的木桶味，帶有一點煙薰。清爽的柑橘味道不是很濃烈，另外有香瓜味道，清新細緻高雅。飲用時有淡淡的水果香甜以及礦石味道，接著是很柔順綿延的檸檬與柳橙的酸味，延續的時間很長。在口中的觸感非常的好，雖然沒有非常特別、非常突出的味道，但是很 balance 的一款酒，幾乎感覺不到酒精味道的存在。

Carlotta Cellars 2008 “La Reverie” Rose

這是一家很新很新的酒莊，有多新呢？今年(2009)三月24才正式揭幕。很酷的是除了官方網站之外，他們有 facebook group，也可以在 twitter 上頭找到他們，喔，對了，還有 blog。

在美國所生產的 Rose 大部分為 Zinfandel、Grenache、Syrah所釀製。 而這款 Rose 是用 saignee(放血法 *笑*) 方法由 Grenache 葡萄釀製而成。根據 Carlotta Cellars twitter 的說法，是五月一日才剛裝瓶，而因為是個小的新酒莊，所以只生產了75箱。

色澤為淡紅褐色，聞起來有淡淡的花香，而在一般 Rose 常有的白酒味道卻不是很明顯，喝起來有些微甜草莓味道。很棒。

Fernwood Cellars 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

香氣主要是黑莓味道，喝起來丹寧柔順，已經在適飲期了。很特殊的是有黑棗的味道，I like it. (L)

Martella 2006 Syrah

這個是第二次喝這一款酒，很基本的香氣與口感(黑醋栗跟一些櫻桃、些許的胡椒)，雖然不是很特殊，但是以 20 出頭的價錢我覺得配餐很超值。

Chain d’Or 2006 Chardonnay

老實說還不錯，可是先前喝的 Ridge 2007 Estate Chardonnay 實在是香味與延續性都好很多，這款 06 年份的 Chardonnay 馬上就被比下去了。

Chain d’Or 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

超乎想像的柔順，非常的順口，比前面 Fernwood Cellars 的同年份要來得順口許多，香味的延續性也不錯，有一些肉桂味。

Stefania 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

丹寧還很年輕，所以相比之下就沒有前一款好喝 。味道主要是櫻桃。

Stefania 2006 Uvas Creek, Santa Clara Cabernet Sauvignon

在這天的 Cabernet Sauvignon 當中，這一款絕對是最好的，明顯的薄荷與濕土壤的味道，濃厚的黑醋栗與黑莓，在口中也不像前一款同年份的咬舌。(L)(L)(L)

Stefania 2007 Eaglepoint Ranch Syrah

對這一款酒的印象不太深，實在是因為前一款太好喝了。XD 黑胡椒、黑莓。

Sometimes, I wrote down my perception of a wine at the end of a wine tasting notes. However, this wine is too impressive, so I move it to the beginning.

2008年 Wine Spectator 排名40的 KIM CRAWFORD Sauvignon Blanc 2008。

#40 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008, KIM CRAWFORD Sauvignon Blanc 2008.

飲酒過量有礙身體健康，未成年請勿飲酒！

Drinking too much is not good to your healthy, and you can not drink unless you are adult.

Kim Crawford 是紐西蘭的酒莊，成立於 1996 年，而當時只是一家 virtual winery，因為他們沒有自己的葡萄園，葡萄都是跟當地果農收購而來，同時借用其他酒莊的釀酒設施來釀酒，直到2000年，他們才正式擁有自己的酒莊與葡萄園 (詳細介紹)。雖然這家酒莊很年輕，不過他們的Sauvignon Blanc可是在2003, 2004, 2008這三年都被選入 Wine Sepectator Top100 裡頭，實在是太厲害了！

很漂亮的淡金黃色裡頭散發出香濃的番石榴味道，同時有些微的百香果味，和過去接觸過的Sauvignon Blanc以柑橘、柳橙、瓜類為主的味道大不相同。當品嚐時有些氣泡感，明顯的百香果夾帶一些柑橘香，同時很棒的後味裡有著優雅的礦石味道。

光以這特殊的氣味與口感就值得推薦買一瓶來喝喝看。此外，更令人驚異的是$16美元的定價也真的非常便宜，我在Costco是以不到$15(含稅)的價格買到，真的是太划算了。

Kim Crawford is a New Zealand winery founded in 1996. At that time, it was a “virtual winery”, because they did not have their own vineyards, and bought grapes from farmers and used facilities of other wineries to make wine. Till 2000, they opened their own winery and bought vineyards to keep the grape supplies (introduction). Although it is a young winery, its Sauvignon Blanc is listed in Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2003, 2004 and 2008. Really amazing!!

The beautiful gold liquid sheds concentrated aromas of guavas with hints of passion fruits. It is very different to other usual Sauvignon Blanc wines which have tangerine, citrus, orange and melon as major aromas. The palate contains obviously passion fruits and notes of citrus with a little bit sparkling texture. The lingering finish has an elegant mineral taste.

This Sauvignon Blanc is really worth, just according to the aromas and palates. Moreover, surprisingly, the regular price is just $16, and I bought it from Costco with less than $15 (tax included). It is really a great wine and great deal!