This past Friday though, the four of us were finally able to settle down into our familiar festivities.  And on this warm summer evening, we also welcomed two new faces to the mix.  The first was an energetic and electrifying pre-dinner visit made by our newest Fancy Dinner Friday Mascot – “Spaceman Storm Trooper”.

Spaceman Storm Trooper got things off with a bang – that’s for sure!  But for some reason, our 6 year-old son was nowhere to be found…hmmm?!

Our other special appearance was made by a bottle of 2007 Boeri “Martinette” Barbera d’Asti DOC Superiore that I received as a sample.

“Martinette” is the name for one of Boeri’s oldest Barbera vineyards.  Both the location and microclimate are very conducive for the production of Barbera grapes.  The Boeri estate uses several steps in making their Barbera d’ Asti.  In July, they first start with the “thinning” of the grapes. Harvest then begins at the end of September where clusters of grape bunches are selected and collected into small wooden crates.  Next, the grapes are then gently pressed. Afterwards fermentation (with the grape skins still on) occurs for about 7-8 days in barriques, where the wine is ultimately allowed to rest for the next 12 months before bottling occurs.

The result is a tantalizing, Super-poli grip of a wine. 

Right out of the gate, this wine absolutely fills your mouth, adhering to your teeth and gums, giving your taste buds a vigorous workout.  This is definitely not the kind of wine that you want to drink prior to your six-month dental exam if you hope to get out in less than 15 minutes.

The 2007 Boeri “Martinette” Barbera d’Asti DOC Superiore delivers an impressive jab of bright red fruit, accompanied by sweet spices through its finish.  I was also picking up a violets vibe and a very interesting slate & stone mineral-like finish.  All in all, it worked absolutely fantastico with a plate of thin spaghetti topped with a mixture of meatballs, grilled Italian hot sausage, and marinara sauce.

3 Stars out 4.  The 2007 Boeri “Martinette” Barbera d’Asti DOC Superiore is a distinctive and  gripping red that can moonwalk alone, but will really have your taste buds pulsating when paired with a variety of Italian foods!

(MSRP $10)

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I can see it has a really bad medieval thing going on with the label – reminiscent of a middle-schooler’s Dungeons & Dragons artwork.  And it’s definitely got an earthy smell – dare I say the smell of the slow release fertilizer, otherwise known as manure.   But does it taste bad too?

Amazingly, it doesn’t.  It actually tastes pretty darn good! 

It’s 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah and for 10 smackers this Rhone red is not half bad!  The vibrant red berry flavors that mingle with fresh ground black pepper make this wine a solid value, even if you need a clothes pin over your nose in order to enjoy it!

3 Stars out of 4.  Air out before consumption.

($10)

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However, there was one in particular that stood out from the others.  It was the 2007 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve.  The tasting notes on the label of the 2007 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve describe this wine as “rounded and unctuous”.

Unctuous…huh? 

Unctuous – 1. (adj.) buttery, fulsome, oily, oleaginous, smarmy, soapy, unctuous
Unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech.
“buttery praise”; “gave him a fulsome introduction”; “an oily sycophantic press agent”; “oleaginous hypocrisy”; “smarmy self-importance”; “the unctuous Uriah Heep”; “soapy compliments” ~definitions.net 

I’m not sure I would want to drink something based on that definition, but in “wine-speak” it sounds much better:

“Rich, lush, intense wines with layers of concentrated, soft, velvety fruit are said to be unctuous.” ~erobertparker.com

Composed of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah grapes, the 2007 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve was thumping with vibrant and youthful red fruit, florally violet notes, and a punch of black pepper on the finish.  It was a naughty-good nightcap with some pita bread and a tub of roasted red pepper hummus.  I bet it would also be right at home with a variety of different meats and cheeses as well.

3 Stars out of 4.  The 2007 Chateau Beauchene Grand Reserve Cotes Du Rhone Red earned the right to call itself ‘unctuous’ or anything else in the dictionary that means, “really good”…and that’s not just buttery praise!

($11.99)

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I was given the opportunity to sample the newly released 2007 Concannon “Conservancy” Petite Sirah, and by the third sip of this Petite Sirah I thought that my mind was made up.  I was leaning more in the direction of “Nope…”  My reasoning was pretty simple – it didn’t Wow my taste buds.  It seemed a bit soft, unconvincing, and way too short on the finish.  I personally thought that this “stand alone” juice was better suited in a blended wine and not bold enough to stand on its own two feet.  So I stuck the cork back in it and moved onto another wine that evening.

Two nights went by and as I was getting ready to make dinner, I spotted the bottle of Concannon Petite Sirah on my kitchen counter.  As I glanced at the label, I noticed that it read: 

“Pairs as well with barbequed chicken as your favorite lamb recipe.” 

MMM…lamb!  Ok, so I didn’t have any lamb in the house, but I did have chicken and decided to fire up the grill.  While grilling up dinner, I thought…maybe this wine just needs some food to go with it.

Guess what?  Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

On this night, the 2007 Concannon “Conservancy” Petite Sirah was expressing big black cherry flavors and nice spice that I didn’t pick up on night #1.  Yup…the folks at Concannon know their Petite Sirah.   I only wished that I’d taken notice of this nice little tip on the first night.  The third night, along with a little extra breathing time, and some barbecue chicken proved to me that it was much better than “just ok.”  I just needed to follow the directions provided on the back label!

3 Stars out of 4.
(SRP $15 US)

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Life in the box is emerging and growing for lots of reasons:

• “The box” system reduces packaging waste by 92% and carbon emissions by 55%.
• By eliminating glass bottles, corks and closures – it reduces packaging and shipping costs.  In turn, this savings can then be passed along to customers.
• Consumers can receive the equivalent of four bottles of wine for the price of three in a nifty little 3L wine cask (i.e. bag–in-box).
• This packaging also allows your vino to stay fresh for up 6 weeks after opening.

Sounds great, right?  There’s only one little problem standing in the way of progress:  Too many wine drinkers are still of the mindset that wine that comes in a box is pure plonk!

I have to admit, I have been on the fence with my thoughts on box wine.  My box wine tasting experiences have been rather hit or miss.  While doing my best to keep an open mind, I recently had the opportunity to sample the 2008 Monthaven Winery Chardonnay from California’s Monterey County Central Coast.  Admittedly, I’m not the biggest fan of California Chardonnay.  Uh oh – do you see where this might be going?  However, to my pleasure and surprise, Monthaven Winery winemaker, Jeff Yamamoto did a fabulous job of allowing the natural tropical fruit flavors of this wine to shine through, while keeping that all too familiar Big California Oak trademark in check, to make a very pleasing and agreeable everyday wine.

This particular Chardonnay and all of the wines in this collection, come in a convenient 3 liter box system that’s called the Octavin Home Wine Bar.  This wine bar stores (20) five-ounce glasses of wine and keeps it fresh for up to six weeks after opening.   The 2008 Monthaven Winery Chardonnay is being distributed nationally with a SRP of $23.99. 

It’s a no-brainer folks – for what works out to be about 6 bucks a bottle, there’s plenty to like here.  If you’re an everyday white wine drinker that prefers a Chardonnay with a little less oak, often found in comparable or pricier offerings, then this is the box for you!

3 Stars out of 4. 

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