Family gathering inspires wine-tasting spree

I truly enjoyed a weekend of NCAA D1 Championship Wrestling. Delaware had three contestants this year. While none made the podium, all competed well. Any wrestling fans who want to see film can visit trackwrestling.com and avail themselves of all the championship matches plus a bevy of the best and most exciting matches of the three-day tournament. The weekend was chock-a-block with excitement. The highlight for me was son Daniel’s 27th birthday dinner, which we shared as an extended family, who are rapidly becoming one of my better tasting panels. I always enjoy tasting with a large panel, discussing the wine as time passes.

A leisurely pace usually provides the best observations. Over the course of the past several days we sampled quite a few bottles. As a result there is a lot of ground to cover.

Kim Crawford Hawkes Bay Rosé 2016 is a lovely rose-pink-colored wine with a pleasing tropical fruit and berry nose balanced by clean acidity. Look for watermelon and strawberry flavors that persist through a medium-clean finish, 87 points priced under $17; these are reminiscent of the 2015s.

Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay (Limari Valley, Chile) 2015, 91 points, is in its window right now. Pale golden with a bouquet of figs, roast hazelnuts, citrus and barrel spice, which repeat on the creamy-smooth palate. A favorably priced value Chardonnay around $22. In the $28 range, look for 93-point Dierberg Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2013. Again, right in its window. These were rated all over the lot, and the descriptions were varied enough for me to check them out. Glad I did.

The 2013 was the first production overseen by new winemaker Tyler Thomas. Based on these, he will be a name to watch. Those who enjoy full-bodied, complex, buttery chardonnay with grip, bright acidity and a diverse bouquet should try one of these. You’ll be back for a case.

Lemon peel, lime, ripe apple, and barrel spice aromas with a creamy palate of orange peel, tropical fruit and a crisp, clean finish. This is a lot of wine for less than $30.

Dierberg aso produces a very limited amount of Drum Canyon Vineyard Chard priced near $45. I sampled some 2014 at their tasting room last year, but it is unavailable here.

Dan asked for pork chops, fresh homemade apple cinnamon sauce and artichokes for his b-day dinner. I also tossed in an avocado, tomato, onion, red & green pepper, and green been mixed salad with chili oil, lime juice, cider vinegar, xvoo and garlic dressing. In order to tie them all together, I decided on a roast pork loin studded with garlic slices, with a coffee-chili-cumin-cinnamon rub. That’s a ton of flavor profiles. I was flummoxed for a bit, considering which wine would provide the best support.

I had been sent a sample of a boutique Portuguese producer that also just happens to own one of the Alentejo region in Portugal’s most famous restaurants, Sao Rosas. The puff piece on the wine recommended “use with roast meat and robust flavors.”

The 2009 is a dry blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez (Tempranillo) and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is inky, opaque purple-colored with a black currant nose. On the dense palate, silky tannins and more fruit. When I first sampled the wine, it seemed to be missing an ingredient. Careful observation alerted me there were no oak notes. I returned to the puff piece to learn these were steel fermented and unoaked. It is rare to find such powerful dry red wine, with age on it, that was made in this type process.

I’m happy to report Monte dos Cabacos Tinto 2009 filled the bill, 88 points under $20. Another selection sent in that sample was Dona Santana Quinta de Lemos 2009. This won gold at Concors Mondial and Silver at IWC in 2015. None in our area, unfortunately, but I did see some in NJ and NYC. Perhaps your friendly wine shoppe best bud could bring some in for you. Huge fruit bouquet drives a fruit-driven sweet palate with plenty of acidity, tannic grip and oak-driven spice on the finish, 92 points McD at $28.