beefy reds
By Rebecca Chapa, Tannin Management

Fuller red wines go best with beef since beef is a full-bodied meat. The tannins or astringency in red wines are drying on their own, but in the presence of fat they gain subtely. The best part is that the tannins also strip your palate of fats in order to make the second bite as palatable as the first. So fire up the barbie and pour a tall glass of vino….

California Selections:

Bartholomew park Cabernet Sauvignon Parks Vineyard 1996, Sonoma Valley,
Deep purple in color. Complex berry, chocolate and anise flavors underlying. This wine is elegant on the palate with excellent balance and flavor. Close to raisiny black fruit with candied cherry notes. (707) 935-9511

Bartholomew Park Winery, Merlot, Alta Vista vineyards 1996, Sonoma Valley,
Intense fruit with some spice and rich cherry flavors. Medium plus body, good balanced level of alcohol and great richness. Very good. (707) 935-9511

Frog's Leap Winery Rutherford 1996, Napa Valley,
Spicy nose with eucalyptus and tobacco. Good fruit and body. Elegant and supple, red fruit character. (707) 963-4704

Sebastiani Vineyards, Sonoma, Sebastiani Old Vines Cuvee 1997,
Sonoma County, 83% Zinfandel with Petite Sirah, Carignan, Mourvedre. Deep ruby with a purple rim, jammy raspberry and black pepper nose. Good acidity, firm tannin and rich flavor. Has a very long finish. (707) 933-3287

Sebastiani Domenici Vineyard Zinfandel 1997, Sonoma, 85% Zinfandel with Mourvedre from what are claimed to be the oldest planted Zinfandel vines in Sonoma. Red fruit character with a very firm structure. Good intensity. (707) 933-3287

Redwood Winery, Fiddletown Zinfandel 1998, Plymouth, Deep ruby with intense spices and pepper on the nose. Red fruit character with intense fruit. Some stewed tomato character with good depth of flavor. (209) 245-6979

Mt.Veeder Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon 1997, Napa Valley, Rich ripe and intense fruit with a long finish. Good rounded red fruit and soft tannins, yet very concentrated.
(707) 224-4039

Monticello Cellars, Merlot 1997, Napa Valley, Soft, cherry, red fruit, deeply concentrated, rich and intensely spicy with full body. Very rich, and enhances the characteristics of the merlot grape. (707) 253-2802

Swanson Merlot 1997, Napa Valley, Deep purple with clean herbal aromas and rich bright fruit. Very concentrated with rich black plum flavors and great balance. Tannins are rounded. Available in half bottles. (707) 944-1642

Hendry Block 7 Zinfandel 1998, Napa Valley, High intensity of berry with intense cassis character. Elegant flavors with a bright purple hue. Spiced and supple.
(707) 226-2130
 
French Selections:

Jouguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos 1998, Loire Valley
Intense berry nose with currants. Smooth and rich fruit with great length and supple tannins. Good body and mouthfeel. Reminiscent of cranberries. Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants (Jouguet) (510) 514-1524

Paul Jaboulet Gigondas Pierre Aiguille 1998, Rhone Valley
Cinnamon, cardamom spices and rich black licorice flavors. Intense fruit with full rich body and complex spice and meat character.

Chapoutier Belleruche Cotes du Rhone 1998, Rhone Valley
Grenache\Syrah. Deep color with toned black pepper, spice and ripe fruity character. Bright acidity with mineral and earthy notes and great length.

Chapoutier La Bernadine Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1997, Rhone Valley
100% Grenache. Brickish in color with earth and bacon on the nose. Meaty, rich and spicy. Great flavors and chewy tannins. Very intense with a long lingering finish and rich texture. Very Good.
 
Bordeaux:

1997 in Bordeaux was a difficult vintage, but vinters with drive and dedication were able to succeed. These wines seem ready to drink earlier and less appropriate for long term aging. They also represent good value at their price range.

Chateau Clement-Pichon 1997, haut Medoc,
Anise and licorice nose with rich ripe fruit. Good cherry and plum character with mineral and earth tones. Good intensity and finish.

Chateau Haut-Beausejour 1997, Saint Estephe,
Some spice, tobacco and earth on the nose. Full body with lean tannins but good cherry fruit. Rich with good body.

Chatreau de 1997, Saint Estephe,
Oak and red fruits on the nose. Licorice notes on the palate along with ripe cherry fruit and pomegranate like acidity. Very pretty.

Chateau Lafleur-Gazin 1997, Pomerol,
Great meaty nose and high perfume. Rich spiced fruit and allspice. Good length and outstanding intensity and finish.

Chateau Leoville-Barton 1997, St. Julien,
Bright fruit intensity with elegant cigar nose and a pretty, ripe, long finish. Cigar and cherry layered fruit. Great balance.

Chateau Lynch Bages 1997, Pauillac,
Spicy, soft, pretty and supple flavors. Tobacco and rich ripe cherry fruit. Good length and structure.

Chateau Pichon-Lalande 1997, Pauillac,
Great fruit with a supple polished texture. Ripe and very forward, intense fruit and good length. Plummy, soft, lush and ripe.