Abbaye des Monges “Augustine” La Clape Coteaux de Languedoc 2007

A mouthful of a name for an interesting red wine.

The nose is a mix of blueberries, grilled meat and smoky or gamy nuances.  The palate is fresh and medium-bodied with bright acidity.  The fruit  is  a teaser, never quite coming through on palate.

On one level, this is bright and fresh for a five year old wine, but falls a bit short on palate.  The great bouquet doesn’t quite follow through to the palate.  I can’t wholeheartedly recommend it.  Best bet: try it and decide for yourself.

Varietal composition: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan: 30% each; Mourvedre 10%.

Retail price:  $10.99.  Imported by Wines and Beyond, Rhinebeck NY

Azienda Vinicola Palama Arcangelo Salice Salentino DOC 2008

Back in the day, Dr. Cosimo Taurino’s wonderful Salice Salentino Riserva  introduced me to the pleasures of southern Italian wines.  Mea culpa: I sold Taurino products to make my living, but they’re truly wonderful wines.

Palamá’s Arcangelo Salice Salentino reminded me how much I enjoy wines from this part of the world.  I do have some quabbles:  while the percentages vary, depending on what one reads, DOC regulations require the classic Negroamaro to be blended with Malvasia Nera.  What’s up with 20% Primitivo in the blend, and not a drop of Malvasia Nera?

My other issue – and Palamá isn’t the only offender here, by far – is the vintage date hidden on the back label, in small print.  It’s like there’s something to hide.  I’m old school on this:  put the vintage date on the front where it belongs, please.

OK, I’m done with venting.  This wine is a really good value for the money.  The bouquet is a classic combination of roasted plums, blackberries and toasted spices like cloves.  The palate is classic southern Italian:  full, classic roasted fruit flavorsw with a good lashing of acidity.  This is well worth seeking out.

Imported by Small Vineyards LLC, Seattle WA.  Retail: $9.99

Spicy Stir-Fried Tofu With Vegetables

I’ve always been intimidated by Chinese cooking.  We grew up with the occasional meal in a Chinese restaurant, and the meals always looked complicated to prepare.  This meal can be ready in under an hour – great if you come home from work late and need to get dinner on the table quickly.

Petit Grealo 2004 Costers del Segre “Sero Subzona Artesa”

The label is a mouthful, and varietally oriented consumers may be put off by it.  More’s the pity. Situated north of Priorat and Montsant in Catalonia, there are good wines coming from Costers del Segre at reasonable prices.  If you find it, this is a great opportunity to taste a good, mature red wine with some character.

A great opportunity to sample a mature red wine, Petit Greal (“Little Grail”) is produced by Vinya l’Hereu.  Their website describes Petit Greal as an organically farmed blend of Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot, aged in stainless steel.  I can’t say whether 2004 is the current vintage or not.

My notes call this “California style from Spain.”  Even at seven years old, it started with a good lashing of alcohol and tannin.  Over 30 minutes in the glass, the heat dropped away and the wine changed markedly.  This will benefit from decanting.

Is this label easy to understand or confusing? Please leave a comment with your opinion.

My notes read, mature nose with a California vibe, earthy, stewed red fruit, tobacco and leather.  On the palate, mature, rounded and balanced fruit flavors framed by smooth tannins.

Pricing:  in my local store it was priced at $10.99, on sale from $19.99.  If you find this at $10.99, it’s a steal.  Buy up and enjoy it.  Imported by C & P Wines, NYC.

Chateau de Pena Cuvée de Pena 2009

This stylish red wine is from the Rousillon district in the eastern French Pyrenees, near the city of Perpignan.  Cuvee de Peña’s designation is VDP des Pyrenees Orientales rather than Cotes de Rousillon.  Co-op wine.

The dusty red fruit and garrigue nose leads to a medium-bodied palate, with cherries, tobacco and soft tannins.  Balanced, decent finish,  At $7.99 retail, this is a great value.

Imported by Hand Picked Selections, Warrenton VA.