September Sip: Part 2

Hello again Sippers!

This week has been interesting and long. I have been working really hard with my wonderful staff, the 9/11 Pentagon dedciation happened this week, and I am glad that we have a weekend off! So...let's continue with some more sipping selections for you.

I am sharing with you a day early to let my brain rejuvenate tomorrow. It is dreary here in Washington, DC. It is a good evening for movie and some Thai. Here are some selections for that very thing. While Gewurztraminers and Rieslings are nice, they are not the only wines that pair well.

A wonderful little casual wine at home is what you need? Choose this.
Rosenblum Cellars Zinfandel Vintners Cuvee XXII
The color is purple. The body is medium. The acidity is balanced. This drinkable red does not have a big zin but is highly extracted, mildly tannic with an overview of berries, minerals, and earth. Now the explosive fruit fills the mouth initially, yet remains soft textured and perfectly approachable. It does not have a long finish and is more like a Pinot Noir. This is perfect for the novice wine drinker and the casual meal.

The fruits are cherry, blueberries, and plum and a little spice. The tannins are mild and smooth. It is vivid, before and after airation. A screaming wine, though not the most elegant fruit, its a bottle for a fun time. This is a friendship-serious bottle with a HUGE bouqet, confusing at first but far more sensical after it breathes for a good 20 minutes. Accessible is the word for this little lovely.

Feeling sexy? This is the right one for you.
2003 Aramis Vineyards The Governor Shiraz McLaren Vale
A selection of the finest barrels, the Syrah The Governor reveals toasty new oak along with abundant blackberry, blueberry, and licorice notes, and hints of camphor and flowers. Full-bodied, dense, and rich. Dark fruit with some mocha and intense, balanced flavors. That is the formal description. Let me tell you what I really think!

Inky purple, sexy aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, violet and vanilla custard, complicated by spicy oak. There's big-time oak going on, but also plenty of ripe, luscious dark berry fruit that verges on liqueur-like. Fat, broad and sweet on the finish, the oak spice coming up strong. There's clearly great material and sex appeal here, and the oak is plenty suave, but I'd love to see it ratcheted down a notch. ($35 approx.)

Send me a note and let me know how your September Sips experience is going.

Salut!