Perrin & Fils Cotes Du Rhône Villages

Year: 2007
Bodega: Perrin & Fils
Country: France
Region: Rhône Valley
Sub-region: Cotes du Rhône
Grapes: 50% Syrah 50% Granache

"Very pure, with gorgeous plum and black cherry aromas and flavors laced with enticing spice, graphite and violet notes. Long, very silky finish. Delicious. Drink now."-WS May 8, 2009.

About the Rhone region: "Legendary wine-producing region in southeast France. Stereotypically speaking, Rhone wines are high in alcohol, and the majority produced is red. The northern Rhone is best known for outstanding 100% Syrah wines from areas such as Cote Rotie and Hermitage, as well as for fabulous white wines from Condrieu (where Viognier is king). In the southern Rhone, look for spicy, full-bodied wines that are blends of Grenache, Syrah, and other varietals coming from appellations such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, or Rasteau. Wines labeled as Cote du Rhone or Cotes du Rhone Village (a cut above generic Cotes du Rhone) are frequently found here in the US because they often represent some of the best values on the market." - K&L Wine Merchants

Description:
- Bursting with black fruit, cherry and plum. Nice spice flavor. Easy going down (That's what she said).
- Somewhat thin & dry, but smooth. Not much complexity.
- A good granacha, but I prefer the ones from Spain.
- Goes well with meat dishes, BBQs, poultry and dishes with sauce.
- In my opinion, a nice casual wine to pair with heartier cajun dishes like jambalaya & red beans and rice (A New Orleans favorite, this French wine would be a great laid back pairing).
- A good value, simple wine. (Nothing stands out).

Music Selection:

Juliana Hatfield - "This Lonely Love"

Personal Rating: 3/10

Lorca - Monastrell

Year: 2006
Bodega: Bodega de Rosario
Country: Spain
Region: D.O. Bullas (Murcia)
Grapes: 70% Monastrell, 30% Shiraz

The Bulles Region:
Near desert-like climate, known for its dryness & large day/night temperature swings --> ideal conditions for the Monastrell grape.

After the MBA, I had an interview in Murcia... it is a small town, very sunny, light oranges and terracotta houses, palmy trees... good small Spanish town. Apparently a bit of a college town. I sometimes wish I stayed there. But I craved a big city.

Description:
- cedar & minerals on the nose
- rip berry & spice flavors
- a simple, weekday wine
- "no real faults, but drinks like an inexpensive wine"
- aroma is woodsy, old world
- apparently the Monastrell grape is undervalued here. (There are much better wines to do it justice)

Music Selection:

Waka Waka - Shakira (The World Cup Song)

VENGA ESPANA VENGA!!!

Personal Rating: 2/10 (But at least Spain won).

Introduction

I am making this blog as a personal journal in order to keep track of all the wines I try. Right now, these selections will be "on a budget". Hopefully as this blog continutes, the wines will become "finer". I am not an expert, just a lover of wines and travel. And music. During each tasting, I will inevitably have some music on. You can tell a lot about the type of person they are by what they listen to. In order for you to get a better glimpse of who I am, I offer my music pairing to each of my wine discriptions. Note that the music pairing may have nothing to do with the wine!