Florida Jim Cowan’s Tasting Notes

All notes, except as otherwise noted, were from bottles that were opened and drunk with a meal over an extended period.  The 2008 archive is divided into the following categories:  Bubbles, Red, White and Rosé – Florida Jim Cowan

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BUBBLES

Crackers and robiola cheese:
2005 Sumarroca, Cava Brut:
Lovely wine with just enough flavor to have a personality but not so much as to diminish the cleansing effect of the bubbles. 11.5% alcohol, imported by Frontier Wines and about $12; I’ll buy it again. Find this wine

N/V Marques de Monistrol, Cava Brut Reserva:
11.5% alcohol and I think this tastes remarkably like a small grower Champagne; regardless, it’s crisp, bright and citric with a fine and persistent bead and a freshness that makes it so easy to drink. $9. Find this wine

N/V Larmandier-Bernier, Blanc de Blanc Champagne:
Maybe a touch sweet but otherwise a flavorful, starter wine witn a good bead and a nice finish. Find this wine (Label in folder)

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ROSÉ

2006 Edmunds St. John, Gamay Rosé Bone Jolly:
I think this is getting darker color as it ages; wonderful strawberry/raspberry scents with a vinous note and some mineral; much the same in the mouth with a juicy snap of acidity. ‘Half way through my second case and loving it.
13.2% alcohol and about $17; charming stuff. Find this wine (Label in folder)

1993 Lopez de Heredia, Rosado Viña Tondonia
Opened to go with saffron pasta with pine nuts and parmesan, this was an ideal match. The wine is good on its own with pomegranate and strawberry scents and flavors, a vinous quality and a slight oxidative note – but with this dish it was spectacular. A match to remember and I bet it would be good with risotto Milanese, too. Find this wine

With a salad of beets, fennel and watermelon:
2007 Lucien Crochet, Sancerre Pinot Rosé:
Only Cotat is on the same level as this producer of fine rosé in France; crisp, fresh, mineral-filled wild strawberry fruit with a clean finish. Superb with the dish. Find this wine

Fresh tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil salad:
2006 Chat. Grande Cassagne, Rosé Costières de Nîmes:
Starting to fall apart and letting a bit of alcohol show; iced it was fine and pretty nice with the dish. Drink now and serve very cold. Find this wine

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