2007 Kunde Family Estate Sonoma Valley Zinfandel

Oh how I love me a good Zin, and certainly it's hard to match the Sonoma Valley for really solid Zinfandels, like the one I'm enjoying this evening, the 2007 Kunde Family Estate Sonoma Valley Zinfandel.  I've had a few bottles of wine from Kunde, and they've not disappointed me.

This wine is no exception.  A deep ruby color that suggests a richness you might expect from a good California Zin.  The nose is very rich and supple, with a strong scent of leather and oak intermingled with anise and the faintest hint of licorice atop ripe cherry and plum.  The taste is not as fruit forward as I had expected, rather the subtle fruit tends to provide a lasting, smooth flavor of dark berries to mid palate, followed by well structured tannins that make for a long, vibrant finish.

I'm enjoying this one tonight with some 4-year old cheddar I bought from Herman's Boy, one of my favorite local cheese merchants up in Rockford, Mich., but it would also go with a variety of fun, easy dinner options, from Chinese take out to rich barbecue!  Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 7.5, and it was such a bargain at only $10 from Wines Till Sold Out (www.tillsoldout.com).  It's been a while since I plugged them, but I just can't say enough good things about them, by far the best online wine merchant in the world, perhaps even the universe (though I haven't ordered much beyond our solar system).  Great wines, great prices and great people to deal with, what more can you ask?

2006 Terra D'Aligi Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

Ahhh...I've been neglecting my happy little blog, so here is a first review for the month of June!  Today, I distributed our monthly office "Wine Club" selection, the 2006 Terra D'aligi Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, what I consider an ideal selection to start off the warm summer months.  For those unfamiliar, this wine originates in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy and is made of 100% Montepulciano grapes (though technically up to 10% Sangiovese is allowed and still maintain the DOC).  Unlike it's Tuscan cousins, the Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is really meant to be consumed young given the rather dry composure and soft tannins typically associated with it.  It is also usually quite a bit lighter than many of the heavier wines we often see today (think "big bold cabs from California).

It is this lighter side that makes it an ideal wine to enjoy at a summer barbecue with a nice ribeye grilled medium rare (or in my case lightly seared), or some nice kabobs or even burgers and dogs on the fourth of July!  It would also pair well with a platter of nice aged parmesan, asiago and romano cheese, or a wonderful array of grilled peppers, zucchini and eggplant!  I need to stop now, I'm making myself hungry and I haven't even started supper!

This particular wine, though a little more mature, exhibits the essence of an early summer wine.  I saw one critic recommend letting this one breathe for an hour, but heck I don't have time for that, so on we go!  The nose exhibits hints of leather, cedar, spice and dark cherries.  The color is a deep purple, which belies the lighter mouthfeel and more composed flavors.  The taste is an interesting blend of ripe fruit, a hint of spice with an exceptionally dry finish.  Overall, I would rate this one a very respectable 8, which coincidentally matches its bargain price tag of only $8!  I picked up a case of this for the Wine Club through Wines Till Sold Out, but if you can find it at your local wine merchant, pick up a bottle and start the summer off right!

Are you ready for some football?

Ok, as a die hard Bears fan, I really see no point to watching the game tomorrow other than for my squares and the chance to wine some money.  But I am going over to some friends for a party tomorrow, and I think I'll bring a bottle of nice red wine but then I had to go to G.B. Russo & Sons, my absolute favorite store in Grand Rapids!  And of course I spend more than I wanted, but I got some nice items for a more festive Italian/foodie fare for the big game!  So, suppose I will bring a bottle of 2008 Coppola Claret which is a good bet for wine and as for food, here's what I picked up:

• Two different kinds of crostini, one with Italian herbs and one plain
• A pound of nice kalamata olives
• Some blue corn and regular corn tortilla chips
• Some aged Stella Asiago cheese
• Some nice aged American Grana Parmesan
• Some cheddar Buffalo wing cheese (with jalapeno and habanero peppers, I tried it and it's very HOT!)
• Some slided dry salami (the kind that's an inch or so in diameter)
• A jar of roasted red peppers, and
• A nice loaf of artisan bread

I suppose a lot of other people are bringing stuff too, but at least I can be sure now that I won't go hungry!