Red Meat and Red Wine with Tom

 This latest appearance on the Tasting Room with Tom Leykis we brought friend of the store, Nathan McCall of McCall's Meat and Fish in Los Feliz. They are great. They understand their craft well and enjoy what they do. We highly recommend seeking them out; Mccall's Meat and Fish

The theme was red wines to pair with red meat. We also talked about the qualities of different cuts of meat, fat content, pairing ideas and supporting local businesses, among other things. It is always a blast to do the show. 

Listen to it here: Tasting with Tom

On to the wines...

2007 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Marina Cvetic, Italy

2008 Jean-Louis Tribouley Orchis, Cotes de Catalanes, France

2008 Parr Selection Syrah Purisma, Santa Barbara, California

Montepulciano: the grape grows all over Italy. Places like Abruzzo and the Marche do well with it. Not to be confused with the region Montepulciano in southern Tuscany, where the grape grown there is Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile, local dialect). Related to Sangiovese, maybe a distant cousin, but a little darker. Can be made in different styles, fresh and fruity or more serious like this one.

2007 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Marina Cvetic $29.99 Italy
(92 Points: Wine Advocate) The 2007 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo San Martino Rosso flows from the glass with layers of perfumed red fruit. This is an especially silky, refined Montepulciano that impresses for its textural elegance and long, polished finish. Sweet red berries, flowers and licorice wrap around the close. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.

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Grenache and Carignane: from the Cotes de Catalanes in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, these are old vines with intensity. The Languedoc region is kind of the wild west of France in that there are far less rules than any other region. Almost anything goes. There are some very good values there.

2008 Jean-Louis Tribouley Orchis $29.99 France
(93 Points: Wine Advocate) There is at least as much tannic backbone and sense of density evidenced in Tribouley’s 2008 Orchis as by either of his 2009s. But this also projects an impressive sense of sheer energy. Bittersweet floral aromas which vie with bitter-edged black fruits, while iodine, stone, and iron filings seem to suffuse the fluid fruit concentrate to the point of some austerity. Like its 2009 counterpart, this displays an uncanny sense of sheer lift for all of its palpable density, making for considerable finishing exhilaration. Look for it to serve well and fascinatingly for at least the next 8-10 years.

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Syrah: from the Purisima Mountain vineyard site, which is owned by the Beckman  family, located a few miles west of Los Olivos. Farmed biodynamically and responsible for excellent quality Syrah.

2008 Parr Selection Syrah Purisma $29.99 California
This will be the last vintage of Parr Selection for Raja Parr (renowned Michael Mina Sommelier), and it may be his best. Full throttle Syrah from the famed Purisima Mountain vineyard. Pretty aromatics of rose petal, violet, blueberry and pepper; ripe verging on sappy fruit; soft tannins and silky texture. A very impressive wine in that it manages to be California in expression but Northern Rhone in spirit.

And the meats...

To Obscure or Not Too Obscure: that is the Question

 There has been a recent kerfuffle between between Steve Cuozzo, a NY Post food writer and Eric Asimov, a NY Times wine writer, on the idea of an obscure restaurant wine list. The concept of a wine list and these articles got me to thinking...

My feeling on the subject is as follows; in the 6+ years of selling obscure wines (and 20 years drinking them), I like them, but I don't always choose to drink them. I have also learned that the majority of the "wine public" definitely do not drink them. But that most assuredly does not stop me from seeking them out and getting excited when I come across good ones. And I am all for a challenging wine list...

but I do also believe that some of the Sommeliers that take this obscure concept too far are playing "wine pocket pool," if anyone remembers that expression. Yes, a mainstream and unthoughtful wine list is status quo and a dull list also shows a certain laziness that I find deplorable (read: do the work), but a 100 SKU list with nothing recognizable to the average drinker can also be lame.

Ultimately I know both of these guys are looking to sell papers and/or garner online hits but come on, there is a happy medium. 

My belief is that there can be a captivating wine list with both obscure and known; some Saint Pourcain as well as a little Bordeaux. Just be thoughtful and do your homework, and then most importantly, train your staff.

What say you?

Here are the two article links for those of you that missed them:

Steve Cuozzo, on wine lists that are so avante garde that no one knows any of the wines, here: NY Post

Eric Asimov, rebuttle of sorts saying you must fearful of wine unless you fill your list with obscure, here: NY Times

Best Vintage of Gourgonnier, 2010

 

We have been drinking this wine for 15+ years and we have to say the 2010 vintage, now in stock, is one of the best. There is a balance and appeal with this vintage that will drive you to want more.

2010 Mas de Gourgonnier Les Baux de Provence Rouge

Organic fruit. A saturated black ruby in the glass. Aromas suggest Provencal lavender, thyme and rosemary, with plums and black raspberries enlivened with a pinch of white pepper. The mouth delivers spiced cherries and plums, with hints of ginger and bass notes of dark chocolate. Deliciously complex. A Provencal style blend of Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Carignan; all tank made.

Our price: $19.99

Try a bottle for yourself and imagine you are here:

Rosso Wine Shop Testimonials

There are many reasons to support a local business.

It has been said that spending your hard-earned money in your own neighborhood guarantees at least 70% of that money stays in the neighborhood. And it supports things like the actual people that live in your community, rather than stockholders at a large company in some other place.

But maybe one of the best reasons to shop at a local business is that you become part of a community. And in that community, you get special treatment. You develop a relationship with that business. And in turn, you can be part something that is self-sustaining.

Read what some our favorite customers have said about Rosso Wine Shop.

“Since shopping at Rosso our ratio of successful wine picks has gone up dramatically.”

“Who needs a spiritual advisor when we have Jeff to be our wine advisor?”

“Rosso has become the social center of the neighborhood.”

“Rosso is the perfect the kind of neighborhood wine store.”

“My favorite wine store.”

“Great People. Great Wine Selection. Great Air Conditioning. Perfect Location.”

“I can’t think of a better way to end my week than at the Rosso wine bar and stocking up.”

“We fully support letting some other customers become as addicted to Rosso as we are!”

Rosso Wine Shop

3459 1/2 N Verdugo Road

Glendale, CA 91208

Ph: (818) 330-9130

Echezeaux at Drago Centro in Downtown

First, the food and service are excellent at Drago Centro (downtown L.A.). Spencer Cruse, their "newish" Wine Director, is great.

Much thanks to the Burgundy group that made this dinner possible and a special thanks to Michael for arranging, per usual, the superb flight and tasting menu. I look forward to the next one.

All the wines showed well overall. The first red flight to the second red flight were a major step up in quality, in my opinion. And not having tasted the Rouget wines before, I must say, I was impressed. Great class, balance and density with impeccable texture.

First flight, the Champagne warm-up with passed apps
1996 R.L. Legras Saint-Vincent
Excellent blanc de blanc, vibrant, tight, minerals, citrus, airy and fresh, excellent brightness and brisk feel, my preferred style.
1996 Henriot Cuvee des Enchanteleurs
Smooth, lemon vibilia, biscotti, toast, with nice bright fruit, some butterscotch, round body, plump but refined. Lush.

-Passed apps-
Swordfish, pistachio pesto
Caprese salad "pinwheels"
Veal sweet breads, caperberry gremolata

The White flight paired with the first course
1996 Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Pucelles
A little sulfurous in the nose, great racey acidity, bright lemon, lime, chalk, slight caramel but very lively, still vibrant and nuanced. Good concentration and precision. My preferred wine.
1996 Domaine Caillot Batard Montrachet
Feels much more aged (but not pre-mox) creme caramel with a slight Madeira-like hint (in a good way), citrus fruit, restrained and opulent at the same time, young olives, dark color, opens more with time.

-1st course-
poached lobster salad, fava beans, fennel, holland white asparagus

The First Red flight paired with the second course
1999 Mugneret Gibourg Echezeaux
Tobacco, olive oil, mint, a little skunk (in a good way), medium weight, cherry fruit, great depth. Silky.
1995 Mongeard Mugneret Grand Echezeaux
A step up in quality from the others. Brighter fruit. Grapefruit, pomegranate, dark cherry fruits, roasted intensity but well balanced, currants, long finish. Excellent wine.
2001 Mongeard Mugneret Echezeaux
Shows some oak, bark notes, earth, bright cherry, excellent texture, some tannins but silky, lively, medium-to-light weight, great feel, developing spice, fresh.

-2nd course-
Seared foie gras, wild mushroom spaghetti

The Second Red flight paired with the third course
1996 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux
The home run wine for me. Loads of class. Silky texture. Classic. Expressive notes of red and black fruits. Detailed. Intense. Deeply impressive. Good acidity. Fresh and vinous. Rich. Plenty of upside.
1999 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux
Still a bit primary in a way. Some Asian spice, cinnamon and toast (but refined), good density. Pure red fruits. Full and brooding. Has many years ahead of it.
2000 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux
A little simpler in a way, nice to drink, excellent fruit, pure brightness, silken texture, good cherry and red fruits, complex aromas of earth and dark fruit.

-3rd course-
Duck breast, lentils, sunchoke puree, garlic scapes

Bonus wine
2004 Fevre Chablis Bougros Grand Cru Cote de Bouguerots
Young but lively. Great acidity. Perfect foil for the cheese course. Lemon, lime, citrus dense, lively, bracing fruit, full texture. Classic clean finish.

-4th course-
Il boschetto cheese, truffle honey, crostini

My favorite reds were 1995 Mongeard Mugneret Grand Echezeaux and the 1996 Domaine Emmanuel Rouget Echezeaux, with the '96 getting the top nod.

A great night.

Wine Buying Strategy

As a wine buyer myself, both for my shop and personally, I am keenly fixated on making the right choices. The best possible advice I can give for wine buying are these three ideas:

1) Buy from a merchant you trust
2) Buy by producer
3) Buy by importer

Now, let us elaborate:

1)  Buy from a merchant you trust

Of course there will be times where you find a great online deal or you buy from a big, impersonal "box store" but the majority of your purchases should come from a local merchant you trust. They may know you by name, or not, but all of them make conscientious purchases and once they get to know your palate, you will learn a lot. One of our regular customers likes to say - "since shopping at Rosso our ratio of successful wine picks has gone up dramatically." Take advantage of this.

2) Buy by producer

Once you discover a producer that you like, continue buying their wines. The best producers make the best possible wine in all conditions. Yes, vintages can matter, but if you buy by producer you will discover wines that you might not have normally tried, and learn along the way about how vintages affect wines.

3) Buy by importer

If you enjoy import wines, find out who the importer is (usually listed on the back label) and continue to buy the wines they import. If you like the style of one of their wines, you will find that they choose similar styles within their portfolio, even though the regions and producers are different. You won't be let down.

Wine buying can be a risk, at times, but that is part of the enjoyment. And as you get further versed in the best ways to achieve your goal of finding the best wines for your palate, you will find that these three ideas will matter more and more.

The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis

It is always a pleasure making an appearance on the Tasting Room with Tom Leykis and last night's session at their new studios in Burbank was highly enjoyable. Tom is a consummate pro and definitely enjoys the good things. I chose to bring some of my favorite current picks in the store; some of them are very limited in supply, some are perfect seasonal wines, and some represent the "best in class."

Visit the Tasting Room with Tom Leykis page to stream the radio segment: Tasting Room March 12th 2012

First up: Excellent Spring time wines
2011 Commanderie Peyrassol Rosé Côtes de Provence $17.99 France
2009 Domaine Du Bagnol Cassis Blanc $25.99 France

Next: Classic European selections
2001 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Rioja $34.99 Spain
2007 Cascina Roccalini Barbaresco $39.99 Italy

 Next: Small Production Artisan California wines
2010 Sandhi Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills $35.99 California
2009 Carlisle Syrah Cardiac Hill Bennett Valley $44.99 California

 Come visit us to buy any of these wines and check out our website rossowineshop.com to sign up for our free e-mail list to find out about special events, tastings and new arrivals.

Rosso Wine Shop
3459 1/2 N. Verdugo Road
Glendale, CA 91208
P: (818) 330-9130