For this week's wine tasting, I wanted to make dishes substantial enough to stand up to Pinot Noir or Merlot, but not too heavy to overpower the wine. So, I made beef carpaccio, grilled rare tuna with fresh pesto, mushroom quiche, truffle oil crostinis, pasta with grape tomatoes and basil, and served gruyere cheese.
Pinot Noir(Grands Vins de Bourgogne), 2010, Cote D'Or(Burgundy, France)
Price: $26.00
I don't remember too much about this one. It fell in about the middle of the pack.
Pinor Noir, 2011, Willamette Valley(Oregon)
Price: $26.99
Very light at first taste. After it was opened and aired out for 30 minutes, the complexion of the wine changed. It developed it into a bolder wine, which was very smooth, not dry, with a touch of fruit flavor and a long spicy finish. Went from one of my least favorites to one of my favorites after airing out.
Pinor Noir, 2011, Napa Valley(California)
Price: $18.99
This one was very good. Easy drinking and some fruitiness on the front end. One of the crowd favorites and a good buy for the price.
75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Savuginon(Grand Vin de Bordeaux), 2007, Haut-Medoc(Bordeuax)
Price: $17.50
Not much fruitiness, a little dryer and earthier than the Napa Cellars.
Merlot, 2007, Sonoma County(California)
Price: $24.00
This on packed a punch and was probably my favorite. It was robust, and at almost 15% alcohol, it carried some weight and full body. It displayed some rich dark and red fruit on the front end, with a smooth dry finish. I normally don't drink Merlot, but I'd buy this one again. Paired well with the beef carpaccio.
Nero d'Avola Blend, 2011, Sicily
Price: $12.99
Bright and fruity. Not much dryness and very smooth. This was also a crowd favorite, and sells at a price that is very affordable for an everyday wine.
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