As the saying goes, what a difference a year makes. Jonathan and I first sampled this wine last September. As I re-read what I wrote about the wine the first time, a few things stood out. First, we chose this wine because we were preparing to go to France and were drinking more French wines. The bin for this wine was nearly empty so we figured others liked it. Secondly, I originally found this wine “interesting, mainly with the way the addition of food changed the entire complexity of the wine.” Jonathan did not have such favorable reviews the first time. He thought, “the wine almost tasted bitter and didn’t taste the fruit flavors

This time, we chose the wine because we thought it “looked interesting” and thought we hadn’t tried it before. Our thoughts on the wine were rather similar this time. In the glass, the center showed dark puple with thinning edges. On the nose, we picked up dark fruits such as black cherries and cassis, toast, licorice and oak. On the palate, the tannins provided good structure for the wine, but it wasn’t overpowering. The wine had a nice medium-long finish. I didn’t notice the changes in the wine when food was added to the equation like I wrote about in my first post.

Château Laronde Desormes is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. This wine is made from densely planted vineyards, showing nice depth and concentration. I believe I can easily say, we enjoyed this wine more on the second tasting than the first.

On the first Valentine’s Day I spent with my husband (boyfriend at the time), he prepared a fancy dinner and selected a bottle of wine for us to enjoy. Being poor college students, we hadn’t yet developed our appreciation for wine, but this bottle of wine piqued my interest. The thought, effort and love behind the selection helped me realize winemakers put those same qualities into every bottle of wine they produce. Just as my husband put a little of himself into the selection, winemakers put a little of themselves into each bottle of wine.

I started blogging about wine simply because I’m inspired by it – the hopes and dreams carried by every bottle of wine. With each growing season, winemakers toil for hours in the vineyard seeking perfection. Harvest brings the possibility of something good or even great. And tasting showcases the thought, effort and love of the winemaker. I’m not an expert, but I love the journey I’m taken on with each bottle of wine.

Opening a bottle of wine gives me the opportunity to travel across the world without leaving the comfort of my own home. This is the beauty of wine. As a wine blogger, I experience the far corners of the globe, and taste the characteristics that make each region unique. I share these experiences with family, friends and people around the world as a wine blogger. Such is the case with Satori, a merlot from Sula, a selection by my husband on a recent business trip to India.

India is not your typical wine region, and I must admit I didn’t hold high hopes for this wine. But I was intrigued by the adventure I’d experience with Satori. I’ve never been to India, and I can’t tell you what grapes are grown or how many wineries operate within the country. I didn’t choose the type of barrel used for aging, or the yeast for fermentation. That’s not my job as a wine blogger. I provide opinions and analysis of what’s in the bottle.

Opening this bottle of wine provided a channel for my journey. Satori’s vibrant, cherry color lit up the glass, evoking the enthusiasm I have as a wine blogger to explore new destinations. Aromas of sweet cherry and raspberry dominated the nose, but subtle nuances of oak, smokiness and toast made their presences known. The aromas carried over to the palate, leaving with a quick finish. This wasn’t the best wine I ever tasted, but it was far from the worst. It was a little rough around the edges and needed a some direction, just like wine bloggers at points in their careers.

Satori is a Zen term meaning “sudden enlightenment.” This perfectly describes my relationship with Satori. Winemaker Rajeev Samant took me on a trip across the Indian terroir, highlighting the thought, effort and love that goes into each bottle of wine Sula produces. As a wine blogger, I hope my writings and wine journeys allow readers the experience their own “satori.”

*Note: I entered this post in the “1K for 1Post” sponsored by The Pinot Blogger.

 Wine giant Château Lafite Rothschild is out to put China on the winemaking map. Recently, Château Lafite Rothschild partnered with a Chinese company to secure 60 acres of land to grow grapes. Wine production is several years away, but soil testing and determining which grape varietals will grow best starts soon.

 Bordeaux 2008: First Growths tipped for €100 a bottle as market takes control

With the economic crisis being felt around the world, now may be the time to buy a few outstanding wines. Bordeaux first growths, some of the most respected wines in the world, are slashing their prices in response to market conditions. Château Latour was the first to announce its price at 110 Euros or about $145 U.S. dollars. Check out these links for more information.

Decanter Magazine

Bordeaux 2008

 Merlot Makes a Comeback: After greedy vinters largely ruined the popular varietal, a tasting of inexpensive wines shows new promise

After becoming an overnight success and planted in every nook and cranny that would grow grapes, the quality of Merlot wines severely declined. The wines were sweet, simple, dripping with vanilla and overly alcoholic. However, recent vintages appear to have placed more of an emphasis on quality over quantity. Merlot producers seem to be moving in the right direction.

Every Friday, our local wine store hosts “Friday at Five.” It’s their version of happy hour. They provide several wines by the glass for $5 and a special $10 premium pour. Jonathan and I had never been to a Friday at Five, we usually go to the tastings on Saturday. However, this week’s e-mail stated they would have an ultra premium pour. Wine Spectator’s 2008 wine of the year, Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2005, by the glass for $15. I was sold – I had to taste!

The Corkscrew only had two bottles left so I knew I’d better arrive early. Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2005 is a blend of 42% Carmenère, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. This vintage was the first time Petit Verdot was added to the blend. The grapes were harvested from Colchagua Valley in Chile. The 2005 vintage featured a long, warm and dry growing season. These produced a rich, dense red wine, one of the best vintages in the country’s modern wine history. Harvest produced small, concentrated berries with pickers working well into April.

I wasn’t shocked when I saw this wine in the glass and found it nearly black. It was like velvet sheets wrapping the inside of the glass, thick, rich and smooth. The aromas offered flavors or licorice, currant, figs and slight hints of pepper and spice. There seemed to be an overall thickness and intensity to this wine that just pulled at the drinker. Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2005 showcased passion and a few notes of spice on the front, but finished softer on the palate than I expected. It was a delightful wine with excellent balance and smoothness.

As I savored this wine over the next few minutes and continued to swirl. It softened up and the flavors became a little more subdued. This wine should cellar well over the next decade.

Photo Credit: Persimmon Creek Vineyards

A few years ago, Merlot wine received national attention when the movie Sideways hit the big screen. The main character, played by Paul Giamatti, refused to drink Merlot. He was a Pinot Noir drinker.

The earliest mention of the Merlot grape appears in the notes from a Bordeaux winemaker in 1784. The wine, made from a grape in the Libournais region, comes from the French regional word “merlot”, which means “young blackbird.” The naming came either because of the grape’s dark-blue color or because of the blackbird’s fondness for grapes. Researchers at the University of California at Davis believe that the Merlot grape is an offspring of Cabernet Franc and a sibling of Carménère.

Merlot grapes appear to be a close cousin of Cabernet Sauvignon, and some of its greatest success has been blended with Cabernet Sauvignon. However, they are lower in tannins and mature faster in cooler regions. Merlot grapes are a bit harder to grow due to the fact they are susceptible to fungus and mold. It is a very thin-skinned grape, and its popularity is due in part to its softer, fruitier flavors. Typically, Merlot displays many of the same flavors and aromas: black cherry, currant, cedar, mint, tobacco, plums and mocha.

Merlot grapes grow in loose bunches of large berries. The berries have a blue-purple color, with few tannins. Merlot grapes thrive in cold, clay soils, but they are susceptible to an early frost. Another key element to successfully growing Merlot grapes includes well drained soil. They also have a propensity to quickly over ripen in a matter of a few days. Main growing areas for Merlot grapes include Bordeaux, California, Washington state, Australia, Chile and Long Island.

Cabernet Sauvignon is thought to be “the red grape” from Bordeaux. However, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are actually second in total acreage to Merlot grapes. Merlot wines are known for being soft, round and extremely drinkable. These wines typically pair well with beef, lamb, grilled seafood and spicy ethnic dishes. Merlot is a great wine for new wine drinkers due to its soft flavors and drinkability.

Winery:  Château Laronde Desormes

Wine: Red Bordeaux 2005

Location: Bordeaux Supérieur, France

Purchased: Friar Tuck

Price: 15.99

This was an interesting pick for us. We’re trying to drink more Bordeaux style wines in an effort to broaden our palate before a trip to France and Spain next year. I say it was interesting because the method we used for choosing the wine was unconventional. We set a price range at the store, and then looked to see which wine had the emptiest bin. We thought this meant that most people liked this wine. For us, we were half right.

This is a true Bordeaux wine. The French are fond of saying Bordeaux style wines made in America are excessively fruity, making the wines more for sipping alone. While French Bordeaux wines are meant to be enjoyed with food. This wine fit that profile to a tee. There was nothing surprising or unusual about the appearance of this Bordeaux. Dark center and bright around the edges in the glass. The nose lacked almost any hints of fruit. I picked up a slight smell of cherry, but mainly received an oaky, smokey and musty smell. I started picturing dark, old French wine cellars.

The blend of grapes surprised both Jonathan and I. He thought it was predominantly Merlot, while I was leaning towards a heavy blend of Cabernet Franc. As it turned out, the blend was not that unusual at 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Again, the fruit seems lacking on the taste, but the wine does carry a long lasting, mild finish. The flavors of this wine came alive when food was added to the equation. The difference in taste was remarkable. Now, the fruit flavors were lively and prevalent. The finish also seemed to gain a little strength.

I found this wine extremely interesting, mainly with the way the addition of food changed the entire complexity of the wine. On the other hand, Jonathan was not such a fan. After a glass, he thought the wine almost tasted bitter and didn’t taste the added fruit flavors.

Winery:  Château Saint-Paul

Wine: Red Bordeaux wine

Location: Haut – Médoc, France

Purchased: wine.com

Price: 14.99

This wine remained in our wine refrigerator for some time. No particular reason, we just kept passing it by for other choices. Two nights ago, it became the bottle of choice, and a quite impressive choice for the value.

This Bordeaux blend features 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Although, on first sip Jonathan thought the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was much higher. The wine showcases deep intensity with red and purples hues filling the glass. At first, the nose is reserved in its showing. Then after aeration, the wine opens up and hints of tobacco, cherries, oak, raspberries and smoke fill the nose. This blend ages for 18 months in French oak barrels, with 25 percent new oak.

The first taste the palate experiences is a rich, luscious fruity flavor leading to a dry, acidic structure. The fruits and spices experienced on the nose find their way to the palate as well. The Bordeaux offers a medium finish, which will evolve nicely after cellaring for a few years. This wine makes an excellent pairing with red meats, lamb and veal.

Château Saint-Paul is an up-and-coming winery producing many well respected Bordeaux wines. The wine comes from 25-year-old vines with 100% gravel soil and subsoil. Château Saint Paul vineyard is pieced together from parcels previously owned by two Saint-Estèphe châteaux.