TN: Surprise! I like a Shiraz more than a Burg

Dale, I had the '03 Tres Picos in CA: classic, cherryish Grenache and not overripe at all. Jean and I both agreed that we preferred it to the '02 Brunier Telegramme that we'd had a few weeks earlier (and another all-Grenache wine).

Blame it on the heat, Dale, and deny everything ;-)

Mark Lipton

Mark Lipton wrote in news:d87jsp$61r$1 @mailhub227.itcs.purdue.edu:

Hi all,

Both Campo de Borja and Calatayud share a characteristic: altitude. The vines are planted quite high and, then, they enjoy low temperatures in summer nights. So, it does not matter how torrid the summer is, the contrast between day and night allows to some acidity to remain in the grapes.

This is why good Grenache wines from both D.O. usually are fresh, even if one is tempted to think that a grenache based wine from the Spanish inland should be characterised by overmaturity.

Best,

Santiago

Nice finish. I'm not sure this is a great food

As always, thanks for the TNs. Regardless of what some say, there are wines that are drinkers, and then some that are meant for food. Most CA Chards fall into the former category for me.

I've not had any of these wines, but will look for the Shiraz. I've seen Bleasdale on the shelves, but have yet to pick up a bottle.

Hunt

Hi Santiago,

I also admit to enjoying the low cost Campo de Borja, and was surprised about the freshness until somebody exlained about the altitude...

Last weekend in the Cinque Terre I tasted the Grenache from my friend Walter De Batte', planted at 400-500m on steep slopes overlooking the sea. This was his first harvest from those vines, and the results were magnificent, tasted from the tank while still on its lees.

Bye

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link

thanks for informative reply, Santiago! Always enjoy your insights on Spanish wine.

Mike, is this wine sold as de Batte?

Mark, ny experience with the Tres Picos (don't think I've had the '03) isn't so much a sur-maturite issue as it being just..too much. I prefer the lighter regular cuvee (which I think is tempranillo and grenache?). Big Grenache isn't a favored style for me.

I plan on getting one, to try and assure myself it wasn't just the fact I was enjoying myself on a nice porch after a LONG day that made me like it!

Will be in a couple of years. For now it is truly the first wine from new vines.

Be aware that the tradition of whites in this region (Eastern Liguria) is so strong that serving a red to someone is considered offensive...

Walter is changing that and approaching the subject with great depth, looking beyond administrative regions to the entire northern mediterranean to find suitable and coherent choices.

Cheers

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link