Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Wine Blogging Wednesday #33 - Entry #2

For my second entry into Wine Blogging Wednesday (WBW) #33, I tried out a "vin doux naturel" from the Banyuls region of Languedoc- Roussillon, France. As I described in my first WBW#33 entry, the theme for this month was "Mid-Priced wines from the Midi" (i.e., $15-$30 bottles of wine from the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, also known as the Midi. You can read all about it at the WBW#33 host's blog, Doktor Weingolb.

The wine I selected for Entry #2 was a 2003 Banyuls Rimage Les Clos de Paulilles, purchased for $16 (for a 500 mL bottle) at Total Wine in McLean, VA. The Banyuls region is located in the far south of France near to the border with Spain/Catalonia. "Rimage" is a Catalan word meaning vintage, so much like a vintage Port all grapes for this wine came from a single declared year (2003, in this case). Also like a vintage Port, this wine has been fortified: neutral grape alcohol is added in a process known as mutage to halt fermentation, allowing some of the natural sugars to remain in the wine. The Clos de Paulilles Banyuls was made from 100% Grenache (noir) grapes.

Tasting Notes
Rusted red in color, this Banyuls had a bit of an astringent nose (not too surprising given its 16% alcohol; this is less than many Ports however, which can be in the 20% alcohol range). You'd think this may make the wine "hot" on the tongue, but it was quite smooth. On the palate were flavors of dried cherries and dried cranberries (my wife wasn't so sure about the cranberries) - the point here is "dried" since this was a rich, intense wine, almost syrupy sweet due to the concentration of fruit flavor. I also detected a hint of berries and chocolate.

Overall Recommendation
I'm a big fan of tawny Ports, so I was interested in trying something a little different, which the 2003 Banyuls Rimage Les Clos de Paulilles most certainly was. When judged on it's own however, I would only give this Good Quality-to-price Ratio (QPR). I was definitely enjoying the wine, but for the $16 price tag I can get a 750 mL bottle of a nice tawny that I would enjoy as much or more.

But then I broke out some Green & Black's 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate. YUM!! I frequently attempt to match red wine and chocolate, but I have to say I think this is one of the most perfect matches I have yet tasted. Once the dark chocolate entered the picture, the QPR shot up to "Great". If you're interested in trying Banyuls, do yourself a favor and make sure you've got a good bar of dark chocolate in the house!

I also think the 2003 Banyuls Rimage Les Clos de Paulilles would make an interesting choice for someone looking for a red dessert wine that hasn't found what they were looking for in a Port. The slightly lower alcohol level helps ease the burn, which is what I think turns a lot of people off of Port initially. So consider this a Port Alternative for non-Port drinkers.

8 comments:

winedeb said...

Nate - these are great entries! Don't forget to leave your comment on Marcus' site to reference your site!

Anonymous said...

This is great info to know.

Anonymous said...

|
Suppose For the moment that you experienceF in no way seen oF the matter known as "Cola". You go [url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]louis vuitton knolckoffs[/url]
your mailbox anF have your mail only [url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]Louis Vuitton Outlet[/url]
FinF a postcarF that claims "New Fizzy Consume! You may AFore it! A Flavor Like Absolutely nothing You might have HaF Right beFore!" You coulF possibly operate suitable out anF take a look at it, but a lot more than possible, not. Many people will likely not..
|

Anonymous said...

Hello. Facebook takes a [url=http://www.casinobonus.gd]no deposit bonus[/url] move on on 888 casino apportion: Facebook is expanding its efforts to tip real-money gaming to millions of British users after announcing a wrestle with with the online gambling retinue 888 Holdings.And Bye.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.saclongchamparefamous.sitew.us/#Page_1.A]sac longchamp[/url] As long as you've left room in your main thing to also hold your day pack, you'll have it made. Unfortunately I have spent some time walking around with my Follow the fashion Mulberry Men Classic Tote Bag Brown,Attractive Mulberry Factory Shop sale mulberry Handbag online. back pack on my back and my day pack slung over my shoulder. Quite inconvenient and uncomfortable for any amount of time at all.
[url=http://longchampbagsd.urbanblog.dk/]sac longchamp moins cher[/url] I decided Mulberry bag outlet has become the world's most well-known brand, Buy soft leather Mulberry Zip Around Travel Wallet Light Coffee for Women outlet sale to challenge myself to walk in a 5K, so in July 2008 I completed a 5K Road Race for the Bluegrass State Games and finished dead last, with my wife, in just under an hour. I also met Jared Fogle that day-- the Subway spokesperson on Oprah and the Subway commercials (Subway sponsors the BGSG and paid him to come and host the event and give out the awards). I bought a scale in October 2008 that would go to 350 and expected to break it.
[url=http://longchampmoinse.blog4u.pl/]longchamp soldes[/url] The airport is air conditioned and the waiting area is non-smoking. The ceiling is high and the decoration is full of tropical characters. There is Wi-Fi network, but it's only available for VIP passengers.. If we ask a small child as to what his or her favorite accessory is, he will only say one thing-a hand bag. This may be because he has not had chances to see any more of them. If we ask them again as to what their favorite adventure story book is, the only name you will find Vogue Mulberry Women's Smaller Bayswater Leather Shoulder Black Bag sale well, Shop Our New Autumn/Winter Styles to get the latest look is The Jungle Book. However, as the most active economy of the world, the Chinese has contributed a lot to the growth of the world economy. And during world finance crisis, the China economy is stainable than other nation, and this is undoubted that because itâEUR(TM)s strong purchasing power from the Chinese government at all levels and its citizens. When we evaluate the Chinese, we should take a comprehensive look at it, which is an old sense of worth and visual angle towards the eastern world..

Anonymous said...

Hello. Facebook takes a [url=http://www.casino-casino.gd/]online casino[/url] stake on 888 casino apportion: Facebook is expanding its efforts to put further real-money gaming to millions of British users after announcing a grab with with the online gambling associates 888 Holdings.And Bye.

Anonymous said...

Hello to everybody on this large forum. Meet me start myself. I am doktor and i am running this site :
fue ile sac ekimi
Waiting benefit of all these friends.
Best regards

Anonymous said...

I recommend to you to visit a site, with a large quantity of articles on a theme interesting you.
It is a pity, that now I can not express - I am late for a meeting. But I will return - I will necessarily write that I think.
Bravo, your phrase simply excellent
It is remarkable, it is the valuable information
What good luck!

[url=http://shenenmaoyitt.futblog.com.br/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://shenenmaoyitt.novelablog.com.br/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://cheapoutletbag2.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-2.html][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://shenenmaoyif.tumblr.com/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://shenenmaoyif.loveblog.com.br/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]