Blackwing Shiraz 2002


 

Opaque dark red color. Really nice nose of black raspberries, black
currant, smoke, bacon and oak. Tons of dark fruit and earth. Full bodied
with a really nice mouthfeel. Has a decent finish with some sweet tannins.
- 91 points.

 

La Yunta Torrentes 2005

 

This wine is made from the Torrontés Riojana varietal, one of three
variations of the Torrontés grape variety (the other two being Torrontés
Sanjuanino and Torrontés Mendocino) found in Argentina, and is named after
the region in which it grows. No one knows for sure the origins of this
varietal, though some have theorized that it is a cross between Muscat and
a local Argentinean varietal Criolla Chica. This would certainly fit in
with the flavors of this wine, which have a little bit of Muscat's cool
melon-like aspect.

The wine is fermented in stainless steel, though 10% of it is aged in
French Oak for some time before being blended back in to the final wine.
10,000 cases are produced.

Near colorless in the glass with a slight straw tinge, this wine has a
spring-like nose of fresh pears, green apple, green melon and minerals. In
the mouth it is crisp with a moderate acidity and bright primary flavors
of pears, apple, star fruit, and rainwater. It also seems to have just a
touch of residual sugar as it finishes crisp but a little sweet.

 

 

The beer is Pilner Urquell, and if you're interested in white, ask for the
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc.