July 1, 2016

EIGHTY FOUR Malbec 2012

(Napa Valley, CA) $50

Where is John Wayne when you need him? He’d love this—a door-slamming, boot-stomping, true-grit sort of wine. It’s got gutsy, bold flavors of tar, dirt and spice—plus enough power to run a Tesla. Malbec, the great red grape of Argentina, makes forceful, muscular wines in California. It’s also considered one of the best matches in the world for hefty cuts of grilled red meat. Sounds like American summer.

89 points

Available at Wine.com

Where is the wine region known as the Great Southern?

A. Along the Pacific Ocean coast in Patagonia, Chile

B. Along the coast of the Cape of Good Hope, in South Africa

C. Along the Indian Ocean coast in southwestern Australia

D. In southern Argentina, about 1,000 miles from Antarctica

At the southwestern tip of the state of Western Australia, lies the wine region known as the Great Southern. The coastline borders the Indian Ocean. Wine grapes were first planted in this remote part of Australia in 1859. But the region only began to draw world attention (and Australian wine awards) as of the 1970s. Today there are about 70 producers—mostly small, family-owned estates—as well as many young innovative winemakers. The Great Southern (which is south of the better-known Margaret River region in Western Australia) specializes in dry Riesling and cool-climate Shiraz.

Prosec-obsession

Maybe it’s just me but doesn’t this pink cheese bring back memories of Hostess Pink Snowballs? It’s actually Wensleydale cheese (a British classic) flavored with raspberries and prosecco (which, sigh, Snowballs didn’t have). But I… Continue reading

EIGHTY FOUR Malbec 2012

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