Tasting Room
French BordeauxWINE OF THE WEEK
Chateau Puy Arnaud Maureze
2003 Cotes de Castillon, France - Other red wines ($22)
An elegant wine with great acidity. Aromas and flavors of cherry, cassis, herbs, coffee and toffee. Integrated tannins. Medium complexity. Balanced.
2003 Saint Emilion, Grand Cru, France - Other red wines ($38)
Smoky, meaty flavors. Aromas and flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, chocolate and toffee. Clean acidity. Vibrant.
2003 Cotes de Castillon, France - Other red wines ($38)
A wine made in a California cab's image. Jammy, with notes of cassis, cherry, blackberry and vanilla. Lush.
2003 Pauillac, Grand Cru Classe, France - Other red wines ($48)
Aromas and flavors of dried fruit, herbs, leather, mineral, oak and toast. Dry, chewy tannins. Spicy. Medium complexity.
2003 Saint Julien, France - Other red wines ($43)
An earthy wine, with restrained black fruit flavors. Notes of blackberry, plum and herbs. Slightly tannic.
2003 Pessac-Leognan, France - Other red wines ($34)
A wine with great structure. Nice acidity. Rich, with notes of cassis, black currant and herbs. Integrated tannins.
2003 Medoc Cru Bordeaux, France - Other red wines ($36)
A lean wine, with deep blackberry, dried plum and blueberry flavors. Notes of vanilla, spice and mineral. Round.
2003 Lalande-de-Pomerol, France - Other red wines ($25)
An earthy, meaty wine. Showy, with notes of strawberry, cherry, chocolate and eucalyptus. Nice Length.
2003 Saint Emilion, Grand Cru, France - Other red wines ($35)
Vibrant. Spicy, with lovely flavors of cranberry, dried berries, herbs and white pepper. A great food wine. Balanced.
2003 Saint Emilion, Grand Cru, France - Other red wines ($50)
A vibrant wine. Notes of black cherry, cassis, herbs, cedar and rose petal. Integrated tannins. Elegant.
TASTING PANEL: Ziggy Eschliman, radio's "Wine Gal:" Stefen Soltysiak, Rodney Strong; Damy Tamburrino, Simi; Bill Traverso, Traverso's; Tom Simoneau, KSRO's "Wine Guy;" and PD wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com