The monthly "Sneak Preview" tastings that happen on the first Wednesday of each month at Vin Chicago have been a staple on my calendar for years. It's a great shop, with a smart staff skilled at finding quality bottles at price points that are usually easy on the wallet. The tasting focuses on that month's new arrivals to the shelves (it doesn't cover all of them, but usually about 30 wines) These were my favorites from this month's tasting.
Best Reds: I can't pick just one.
Felsina "Berardenga" Chianti Classico Riserva 2010 ($26)
If you want to sound like a wine geek (snob? loser?), "2010 was fantastic in Italy", "this drinks like baby Brunello", and "I'd love to try this in 10 years" are some things you could say about this bottle. Red cherries, dry leaves, and herbs are all over this. It's mid-weight, drinking pretty well at this point, but the acidic backbone toward the end tells us it can hang out for many years. Or open the bottle a few hours before eating with any Italian red sauce or roasted beast.
Broc Cellars Central Coast Cabernet Franc 2012 ($19)
The Cab Franc may be the best US Cab Franc I've had. Smells like pepper cloves, bell pepper, and wet earth with a hint of cherries. Not at all heavy or sweet, it's easy to drink and delivers all the elements of the nose when tasting. If Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec make up most of your red wine consumption around this price point, this could be a new experience you end up loving.
Best White: Ghiomo "Inprimis" Langhe Arneis 2013 ($17)
Lot of interesting stuff here. Many layers of white: fruit, flowers, white nuts (ish. Hazelnuts/Almonds), white grapes even thanks to the skin contact. Viscous body that feels weighty but tastes crisp, then shows zesty acid & lots of delicious white fruits at the finish. Fish, lemony chicken, crabcakes, hummus & hanging out will be great with this.
Low Price Red: Bodegas Casa Castillo Monastrell Jumilla 2013 ($10)
This had enough fruit & body to be an easy party wine, but also enough structure to work with most red meats. Monastrell ("Mourvedre" anywhere outside of Spain) always shows great dark fruit, and this also had a nice touch of spice & black licorice.
Low Price White: 90+ Cellars "Lot 118" Coteaux du Giennois Sauvignon Blanc 2013 ($11)
There were a few good Sauvignon Blancs this week, but this won me over with the interesting green streak to the finish. Imagine if someone put celery in a fruit salad full of apples, melons, and grapefruit. That person was probably just attempting to clean out the fridge, but it works in this wine. Like the wallet-friendly Monastrell, this is easy enough to drink on its own but could also go well with shrimp, lemony chicken, or--the nerd play--a "grassy, earthy Brie". Go to Pastoral, they'll help.
Last note: The Paul Cluver Elgin Chardonnay 2013 from South Africa was also an interesting wine. If you drink a lot of Chardonnay, try it as a change of pace. Bonus points if you take it to a Korean restaurant & drink it alongside funky (but not too spicy) food.
That does it for February, more to come next month. Enjoy!
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