“Dance with the one who brung ya” reflects my early infatuation with red wine, and though there have been many-a-bump in the "road-less-traveled" I always seem to come back to this "wild and crazy" grape; with so many faces, so many styles and prices (usually reasonable), with just a modicum of effort, Newbie or polished reviewer can find surprise and delight in this varietal.
So, back to the basics with a few Zins to warm you up in the biting cold, with pizza, football, or just because. . .
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Marcarini Clabot Camerano 2007 Barbera d'Alba,
$14.44-$19.99, 90 points, begins bright in the glass, yet dense burgundy to ruby colors with a broad transparent rim and subtle aromas of cinnamon, clove, and cherry, seems to say this wine is perfect right now.
Textually light on a medium body (I'm still trying to understand that) with good acidity, mild tannin, and a moderately long spicy finish, sandwich a fruit filling of boysenberry, blackberry, cherry, with just a hint of earth.
A post-post note on this Barbera: I tasted this wine about three years ago, and I remember thinking just how delicious it was then, but I dare say it is better today! I believe the case price (mix and match) this month at the NHSLS is $12.15, and if the vintage they have now is as good, well, this will be a value today and for many-a-tomorrow.
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The following is my list of reviewed Cava sparkling wines. This list is intended to be convenient and comparative, but it is also an attempt to accommodate smart phones users.
As any work in progress, this list is incomplete.
Availability is a main factor, and variety is hard to come by in New Hampshire.
All wines reviewed were bought at the New Hampshire State Liquor Stores unless otherwise noted.
Cava, unlike Prosecco, is made from three main grapes (Macabeu, Parellada, and Xarello), but many other wines maybe added as well. For more information see Wikipedia (Cava).
Campo Viejo NV Brut Cava Rosé, $9.99-$12.99, 87 points
Codorniu Traditional Brut Cava, $8.99-$10.99, 86 points
Dibon N/V Brut Cava Rosé (Spain), $10.19-$13.99, 90 points
Freixenet Cava, $10.99-$12.99, 87 points
Gramona Gran Cuvee 2008 Cava, $16.99-$18.99, 89 points
Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava, $6.95-$11.99, 87 points
Llopart Reserva Brut 2011 Rose Cava, Spain, $22.99-$24.99, 92 points
Mistingguett Brut Cava, $7.99-$15.99, 90 points
Montsarra Brut Cava, $16.99, 91 points
Naveran Cava, $12.74-$16.99, 92 points
Poema NV Brut Cava, $12.99, 89 points
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, $9.99-$11.99, 90 points
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Gianni Gagliardo 2011 Dolcetto D'Alba, $14.44-$16.99, 86 points, belongs in a make-up studio with lipstick red to ruby colors, and a perfume nose with candy cane and sweet red cherries (don't forget the broad watery rim), some of which trail into the finish, but there you'll find some refreshing spice.
There's an edge to this wine, a wine many say to drink young. This Dolcetto is acidic with mild tannin, and tart red cherry rules here.
I'm guessing this will be a better wine in three or four years.
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Quattro Mani Piemonte 2010 Barbera,
$15.99, 89 points, steps-up the color profile with a deeper cranberry to ruby color with a very broad clear rim.
Aromatic red cherry is sweet, but curbed by earth tones.
Medium bodied, Quattro Mani Piemonte 2010 Barbera carries good acidity and mild tannin that piggybacks with its elegantly smooth texture.
Flavors of red cherry, red currant, and boysenberry are delicious and continue into the juicy finish with just a touch of spice.
I highly recommend this Barbera for those looking for a food friendly, stand alone red wine, that's easy to drink, not too tart, not too affected, and won't break the bank either.
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Scagliola Piemonte 2010 Barbera, $10.99-$12.99, 86 points, has a very light pomegranate red to ruby color with one of the broadest transparent rims around the glass I've ever seen in a red wine.
The slightly floral nose trends sweet red fruit, and a medium body carries good acidity with light tannin, smoothly passing the aroma onto the palate with the slightest hint of petrol.
This Barbera finishes long on the trailing palate and gathers light spice notes with just a hint of mint.
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Naveran 2009 Cava, $12.74-$16.99, 92 points, appears nearly clear with stony gray tints.
Flowery aromatic, yet neutral as a white grape Prosecco wine.
Sparkling and effervesced with an explosive pour, but quickly settling down.
Light-bodied, dry with good acidity, refreshing with with lemon meringue and stony mineral flavors coming through the neutral character of this sparkling wine from Spain.
Finishing long with spritz and ginger seals the deal on the best Cava I've had so far.
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