2015 Alba De Domus – A Very Smooth “Bordeaux Style” Blend
Background
Another story of my “non-California wines” for the month. This vintage is from old vines in the renowned Maipo Valley that surrounds Santiago, Chile. The area is similar to Napa Valley or Russian River in California, allowing the cooling winds from the Pacific Ocean to come up the river or San Francisco Bay. The area is known for their full bodied red wines with strong flavors of black cherry and beautiful tannins.
The Wine
First on the eyes, a deep crimson with purple hues snap out of the glass with a medium heavy viscosity. On the nose, cherries are predominate with a tinge of smoke and leather. On the palate, oak, tobacco, plum and blackberries swirl about the mouth. On the finish, soft tannins (most likely calmed down from the Merlot mix) with a simple structure. This dry and balanced wine finish allows you to drink by itself or with food. It is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 11% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Pricing is varied from mid-$30’s to low-$40’s. The alcohol percent is 14.9. Parker rated it 91 points! Current vintage, the 2017 is available but with an entirely different percentage of grapes varietals.
The Food and Wine Pairing
One of the things I enjoy about fall season is the many comfort food dishes. Paired this evening with pot roast cooked all day in a crock pot. Ingredients included water, packaged gravy mix, package of zesty Italian dressing, ranch dressing, kosher salt and black pepper slow cooked for 8 hours. Accompanying the meal were mashed potatoes, baby asparagus and a fresh garden salad. The added Tobasco sauce on the beef was perfect and calmed down with the soft and embracing wine. A very good food and wine pairing.
Sláinte,
Michael
California Wines & Wineries 