Wine Blogging Wednesday 18: Wine shops that feel the love
I think I should just change the name when I host to Wine Blogging Thursday, as this is my second month in a row of being a day late. Anyway, I stayed away from my normal favorite wine shops and stumbled upon a gem in Albany, namely Odd Lots, a small diverse wine shop that stacks it’s cases high on the brown carpeted room. A small store, but one not small in selection, everything from Italian Rosso to Napa Syrah, this store packs them in. It seems that the owner is fed up with expensive wine, as the majority of wines are priced around $10. This is a little disconcerting to me, as I have never had French wine at that price point that I actually enjoyed, a lot of off aromas and flavors seem to plague that segment. But, I put my trust in the owner, and was steared towards a Viognier from France and a Pinot Noir from New Zealand. I didn’t get a chance to open the Viognier, but I’m hoping for that mellow refined flavor you’d expect from this french offering.
As far as the Pinot Noir goes, this guy has the same feeling as me, New Zealand is on it’s way up with the varietal, and it’s only going to get better in the future, so the $19 screw capped 2004 Lake Challace Pinot Noir Malborough, NZ was a great recommendation. At only 13% alcohol by volume, this wine didn’t taste overdone. As i’ve written in the past, I think this area has the potential to really make some fantastic Pinot Noir, and it’s only a matter of time before the right fruit is in the hands of the right winemaker and a blockbuster is born. Of course, when that happens, prices will probably take a turn for the worst, but so is life.
Odd lots is a cool store to check out, you just might find a few affordable gems. Contact info: Odd Lots, 1025 San Pablo Ave., Albany, 510-526-0522
The Wine: 2004 Lake Challace Pinot Noir Malborough, New Zealand
Price: $19 USD
Notes: A fragrant nose of forest floor, mushroom, and bacon, the palate displays cherry and rock, but had a touch of carbonation when first tasted, possibly from bottle shock / post bottle fermentation. A nice finish that is mild but a little acidic on the back of the throat. A young wine that might benefit from some bottle aging, it’s a very nice effort.
Score: 84pts JAT
February 20th, 2006 at 9:41 am
[...] the reds that suffer, not so much the whites. This Viognier is prrof of that. The Wine: 2004 Domaines Austruc Viognier Price: $7 USD Notes: A bright straw color, hints of fresh pear on the nose with a touch of passionfruit and minerals on the palate, round and crisp, leading into a medium bodied finish, very good. Score: 90pts [...]