| Last week's wine came from a groundbreaking | | | | Vegetarian lasagna, roast pork and grilled salmon or |
| California winemaker, Robert Mondavi. This review is | | | | burgers. And now for my review. |
| devoted to a wine made by a famous French | | | | At the first sips the wine was earthy with nice, |
| winemaker, Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Prior to their | | | | round tannins. Its first pairing was with a commercial |
| death, these two giants collaborated; their most | | | | honey and garlic chicken breast accompanied by rice |
| famous joint effort is the very pricey and probably | | | | and a Moroccan-style tomato and garlic salsa. The |
| overpriced Opus One, a Cabernet Sauvignon. Today's | | | | wine showed soft acidity and tobacco. With the salsa |
| wine is a Pinot Noir from the up and coming | | | | the wine's earthiness intensified but it became |
| Languedoc region of southwestern France. While | | | | harsher. |
| Pinot Noir is a common and often prized red grape | | | | The next meal consisted of a slow-cooked beef |
| variety grown in many parts of France it is | | | | stew. The Pinot Noir was nicely acidic but the earth |
| somewhat of a newcomer to this major, but not | | | | taste was almost completely gone and there wasn't |
| prestigious wine growing region. So let's see what | | | | much fruit. I added some powerful green jalapeno |
| happens when we combine a great grape, an | | | | pepper sauce the wine grew marginally stronger. |
| up-and-coming wine region, and a famous wine house | | | | My final meal involved a boxed eggplant parmagiana |
| in a low-priced bottle. | | | | slathered with parmesan cheese. While the nice |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste | | | | acidity of the wine met the acidity of the tomato |
| and review are purchased at the full retail price. | | | | sauce, there was not a lot of fruit. |
| Wine Reviewed | | | | I ended the bottle with two local cheeses. With a |
| Philippe de Rothschild Pinot Noir 2008 12.5% alcohol | | | | yellow cheddar the Pinot Noir was fairly muted. It |
| about $10 | | | | was a bit sweet with a taste of cherries. With a |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. | | | | stronger tasting asiago cheese the wine picked up a |
| Tasting Note: Medium red violet; aromas and flavours | | | | bit of intensity but not really enough. |
| of dried red berries, sour cherry, cranberry and spice, | | | | Final verdict. I don't plan to buy this wine again. Even |
| with a hint of vanilla; dry, medium bodied, soft yet | | | | at this price it wasn't really up to snuff. |
| balanced palate; good length. Serving Suggestion: | | | | |