At this point, we know each other pretty well, right?
So…
What would you say if I told you that I just tasted one of my favorite wines of the year (so far)… and it was only SEVEN DOLLARS?!?!?!?!
First, let me show you what I made for dinner…
Rosemary Chicken, Mushroom & Bell Pepper Skewers, and Grilled Cabbage Slaw
Now…
After Kara and I picked up most of our ingredients from our local farm stand, we swung by Trader Joe’s to get some organic, free-range chicken breasts. While browsing the wine aisle to find the perfect pairing, I came across this bad boy…
Pontificis 2011 Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre
Now…
You know that I am a big fan of Rhone-style wines.
You also know that I’ve been loving the value and quality of wines coming from the Languedoc-Roussillon in Southern France.
So…
When I see a seven dollar Languedoc composed of the popular GSM Rhone blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (30%), and Mourvedre (20%), you know I’m going to be all over it.
But…
Does it deliver?
Hells to the yeahs, it does!
Note: I opened, and poured, this wine a good 45 minutes before tasting it.
Color: A dense, and inky, deep ruby red.
Nose: Beautiful notes of dusty chocolate with fresh strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruits.
Taste: Though young, this wine has a medium body of very soft, and approachable tannins. The front palate starts off strong with dense and brambly fruits of blackberry and dark cherry, which transition nicely to a mid-palate of cranberries and orange zest. On the finish, these fruits begin to raisinate, and show off a wonderfully long, acidic finish.
Score: Wow! This wine is a strong 91+… And I almost feel bad scoring it that low. My only reservation is that this wine appears to lack the ageability of a truly fine wine… But… C’mon guys… This wine is what it is. This is a fantastic wine that is ready to be consumed right, the F, now… And the great part is that you can find this at your local Trader Joe’s… Right. The F. Now. Of course, if you shop at my local TJ’s, you’re gonna have some trouble finding it. I’m buying them all up. Right. The. F. Now.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s the best seven dollar wine you’ve ever had? Leave a comment, and let us know.
Tags: 2011, Bell Pepper, Chicken, Food and Wine, Grenache, GSM, Languedoc, Mourvedre, Mushroom, Pnotificis, Rhone, Slaw, Syrah, Trader Joe's, Value, Wine Pairing, Wine Tasting
Stay Rad 
July 12, 2013 at 5:52 pm |
I bought two bottles. HOORAY FOR SEVEN DOLLAR WINE!
July 12, 2013 at 6:14 pm |
Thanks for taking a chance, Evan.
I won’t let you down.
July 12, 2013 at 7:38 pm
It’s pairing well with my plate of wild boar salami and gouda.
July 12, 2013 at 10:32 pm
Nice!
July 15, 2013 at 4:07 pm |
First of all, thank you. Second, I’ll tell you the truth and this wine has a little too much of that black-licorice-leather bitterness for me. But! It was much better with food (grilled chipotle chicken sausage, kale salad with lemon and avo, and grilled bread with butter & tarragon) and for the price, it’s a great find. I suspect there may be a good deal of bottle variation because your description didn’t have any of those characters but maybe what you interpreted as dusty chocolate was the same… Who knows? But I’m really sensitive to those leathery characteristics. I usually do not like Syrah for that very reason. Embarrassingly I prefer an Aussie Shiraz over any complex/meaty Syrah from anywhere else. I do favor those GSMs though! Love Grenache and Mourvedre. =)
July 15, 2013 at 5:57 pm |
Thank you, Marci.
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I’m always happy to read other folks’ take on the same wine.