2004 Luigi Bosca Malbec

Enjoyed this wine on Sunday courtesy of my brother-in law Bob who assisted me (or shall I say assisted him) in building my new cellar.  I am a big fan of Malbec and this one did not disappoint.  This is an intense ruby red with aromas of coffee (big fan), black cherry and blackberry.  Elegant wine yet not overwhelming on the palate or wallet (around $15-$16/bottle).  Finishes firm with enticing sweetness for a red.  Clearly drinkable now but would be even better in 2-3 years.

  Top Notch 

Keep on sipping

From Sipping With Stollie

Had the pleasure of dining at Maroni’s in Northport Saturday night with my brother-in-law and sister in-law.  Aside from the experience of Maroni’s (I am still recovering from the 23 course tasting menu) the wine and ambiance was fantastic.  I had only been there once before and that was with our dear friends Mr. Neil and Miss Patty along with The “Dish” and his wife Allison. If these wines are good enough to be served there they are certainly good enough to be added to my blog . 

2012 Ricco Rosso IGP Marche, Carletto:  

I happen to be a fan of “blends” and this one did not disappoint.  Rocco means rich and that is what you get with this wine.  It blends Sangiovese (63%), Merlot (20%) and Cabernet (17%) behind the cork.  This wine expresses hints of fruit falvors such as black cherry, plums AND BLACKBERRIES.  The finish is sweet and smooth and you cannot beat the price (around $10/bottle).  This is a gem that can be included as your everyday/every meal red wine.  I have consumed wines for double the price which I have not liked nearly as much.  Not a Hall of Famer but a solid drinking wine. 

2012 Santa Rita Pinot Noir 120 Central Valley: 

Those of you who follow me know that I am also a big fan of Chilean wines.  Not only are they softer on the wallet but they are also great on the palate.  This Pinot from Santa Rita does not disappoint and was also on the list of those being offered at Maroni’s this past weekend.  Terrific value and character.  Hints of strawberry with an earthy richness and mild spice compose this wine and all for a price that makes Chilean wines so popular (this too for around $10/bottle).  Pairs well with just about anything you plan on serving.  Cheers.

  

Until next time 

Top Notch

Sipping With Stollie

After a bit of a hiatus the Sip enjoyed a busy weekend “sippin”.  Here are a few of the highlights:   

2011  Tres Ojos (Garnacha) :   This wine packs a wallop especially for the price (under $10/bottle).  Very dark ruby color with hints of Black Raspberry and dark Cherry fruit.  May soften a bit over time but I would not cellar it for long  as it certainly is approachable now.  Like most Spanish wines, very enjoyable yet cost friendly. Full Bodied wine that can be enjoyed with any meal. 

             2011 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc: Zesty and crisp, this Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand does not disappoint.  Like most Sauvignon Blanc’s from New Zealand  this wine demonstrates a lively aroma of fruit.  It is refreshing yet elegant.  Does not disappoint. 

2011  Peachy Canyon Incredible Zinfandel:  It had been a while since I have sipped any wine from Peachy Canyon and I truly forgot what I was missing.  This abundantly rich wine bursts with flavors of cherry and strawberry fruit.  If you love Zinfandel, Peachy Canyon is a strong producer of this varietal.  Cost is around $15/bottle.  I picked up a few extra for my cellar. 

                                                        2012  Southern Edge Pinot Noir:   

          This bottle was a gift from the Dish and the Hick man themselves and I was able to enjoy it with both of them.  A Full Bodied wine, it is a bit “oaky” with hints of vanilla and chocolate.  Stronger than expected. I would let this one sit for a couple of years before attempting to consume.  At the very least, let it breathe for an hour before drinking.  I think I was surprised with how strong it was being that it is a Pinot Noir.  Could have passed for a Zinfandel.  Still, thoroughly enjoyable.  

 "Top Notch"

from

Sipping with Stollie

This week from "Sipping With Stollie"

January 14, 2014

Enjoyed two outstanding bottles that I have had in my cellar for quite some time.  Both equally enjoyable yet very different.  Well worth the wait.

’97 Fattoria del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano:  Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of the oldest wines in Italy.  It is made primarily of the Sangiovese grape This was a nice well balanced wine very smooth to the palate.  Tasting revealed flavors of spice and vanilla.  Being this was a ’97 vintage it cellared extremely well and matured into a fantastic wine, again, well worth the wait.  If you have the opportunity to get your hands on this wine grab it although be ready to spend a few sheckles.

’00 Closdes Brusquieres Chateauneuf-du-Pape:  Classic Chateauneuf-du-Pape in that it was so dense and dark ruby in color with aromas of licorice and herbs.  Potent red berry flavors.  I am glad that I let it age for as long as I did as it needs at least 5-7 years of cellaring to reach it’s potential.  Not quite the same taste as the Montepulciano but no slouch in it’s own right.  I have always been a fan of Chateauneuf-du-Pape’s and this did not disappoint.

"Top Notch"

Sipping With Stollie

Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings from

Sipping With Stollie 

 

Had the pleasure of enjoying an absolutely “TOP NOTCH” evening and meal with the Dish himself (and both our families) last night.  Enjoy one spectacular bottle of wine after dinner. 

 

2006 Patricius “Leonis” Tokaji Aszu Puttonyos:   yes, it is a lot to write and even harder to pronounce but all you have to worry about is finding it and getting a few bottles.  This is a Top Notch Hungarian dessert wine that can hang with any German Riesling.  The wine is made from a very late-ripened grape affected by Botrytis, a mold that concentrates grape sugars and flavors into honey like sweetness (tastes even better than it sounds).   This wine has hints of apricot, Pear and Peach.  Very balanced and can be enjoyed not just with dessert but with anything you desire, especially if you enjoy sweet wines. 

 

Thank you Dish for sharing this with me along with the Filet, baby lobster tails, Mrs. Sippin’s homemade mac & cheese, roasted sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts.    No restaurant could have prepared a more enjoyable meal…..

 

 

From My Family to Yours

Have a "Top Notch" Holiday

Sipping With Stollie

 

 

 This past weekend from 

Sipping With Stollie!

Enjoyed two spectacular wines this weekend.  2005 Vertex, Red Cuvee Blend North

Coast and the 2008 Vertex Red Cuvee Blend North Coast.   I brought the 2005 last

year when in Napa and recently had them ship another few bottles to me along

with the 2008 varietal to compare. 

Both are exceptional wines and not ones you will see on the shelf at your local

liquor establishment or wine shop.  They are produced by Gabrielle Vineyards in

Napa, a small producer of maybe a few thousand cases a year. 

These wines are spectacular and while certainly drinkable now can be cellared

for, I would say, 4-6 years.  The 2005 has aromas of red cherry and blackberry

with very smooth tannins and nice structure.  The 2008 is equally impressive but

with hints of red raspberry (a favorite of the Sip).  Both are full bodied Red's

that can be paired with practically anything you hunger for. 

If you ever make it out to Napa Gabrielle Vineyard is a must stop.  

      I also enjoyed a wonderful, and very reasonably priced wine, called Apothic Red. 

It is a 2010 blend which combines the spice of Zinfandel, fruit flavors of

Syrah, boldness of Cabernet and smooth elegance of Merlot all captured in one

bottle.  It reveals aromas of fruit complemented with hints of mocha, chocolate

and vanilla.  For those of you who enjoy blends this one is worthy of a look (or

sip), especially for the price (between $7.99 - $9.99/bottle).  I bought 6

bottles myself.  

                                                                                                         Top Notch from 

Sipping with Stollie

Sipping With Stollie featuring 
2006 Falling Star Cabernet SauvignonSorry for the long delay in posting but between "The Dish and Sippin" we have been preoccupied with many different issues so imagine my surprise to receive an email today from Sippin.

"Enjoyed this wine with an old friend, Mr. Frank this past weekend. While not a bad wine for the price(under $10 a bottle) I would probably stick to their Malbec which is much smoother and less tart. I don't think Falling star has conquered the art of producing a Cabernet as of yet. Thankfully we enjoyed the pizza and Greek salad as much as the wine. (not to mention the company)"

          Enjoy the vine and keep sipping the wine.

            Wishing you a Top Notch weekend from

                     Sipping With Stollie