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 Louis Benton Steakhouse

September 21, 2005 - Mediterranean Adventure

This week we sailed around the perimeter of the Mediterranean Ocean and visited the countries of Lebanon, Greece, France and Italy. We did two whites and four reds - everyone loved the wines. They were affordable and all had one thing in common; no one had ever tasted anything like them but still found most aspects of them very enjoyable.

Haggipavlu 2002 Moschofilero Peloponessos, Greece $15.50
This Greek white was bone dry and pale green-gold. Redolent of green peaches, pear, smoky mineral and honey, this also had a whiff of chamomile on the nose. No one besides Bradford and I had had this varietal before and everyone was nodding along as we discussed it saying, “hmmm . . . this is pretty good.” Did I say it was dry? It was, but the bright and floral aromatics made this wine seem very fruity and accessible. Everyone was excited about the Moshofilero and its potential to pair with light seafood, and the night was under way.

Chateau Kefraya 2003 “Le Dame Blanche” Bekka Valley, Lebanon $14.75
Bekka Valley wines generally follow the traditions of Bordeaux, but this wine boasts two lesser Rhone varietals: Ugni Blanc and Bourboulenc. Much deeper in color, looking like it should be five years old, this fresh and vibrant white boasted pretty aromatics of red apples, pineapple and mineral. It was different than anyone had had before, and as such, delighted many of the crowd. It had weight and body and reminded me of a Cotes du Ventoux blanc with a few years age. I can recommend this wine and would pair it with a nice tarragon-mustard grilled chicken breast.

Vatistas 1999 Red Peloponessos, Greece $20.50
This Greek red blends both Cabernet Sauvignon and the indigenous Agiorgitiko, (the “A” varietal) in a very Bordeaux-style wine, with a twist. Everyone initially recognized the red cherry, red currant and cedar of your classic Cabernet Sauvignon, both there was some earth and spice and plummy notes that made this wine seem new and different. With moderate tannins and a nice, long finish, this wine was surprising in its quality and elegance and will pair beautifully with any steak or chop you grill.

Vall Dell’Acate 2002 “Cerasuolo” Sicily $16.00
My personal favorite from the night, this Sicilian blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato was gorgeous and drop-dead inexpensive for what it delivered. Boasting lovely and expansive aromas of dried cherry, violet, spice box and raspberry, this was dark and handsome in the glass and I literally spent five minutes smelling it before I tasted it. Gorgeous! On the palate it’s bright and complex with similar notes from above as well as wet earth and licorice. Its finish is long and lovely and I can’t say enough about this wine.

Chateau Kefraya 1999 Bekka Valley, Lebanon $28.00
The crowd favorite of the night, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Syrah from Lebanon was thick, intense and rich. On the nose it was almost jammy, despite being six years old. It has ripe red plum, red cherry, black fig and leather aromas and flavors, with notes of bacon and cardamom and a touch of milk chocolate on the finish. It seemed young in the glass, I would have guessed 2-3 years old. A supple and voluptuous wine, there were several who compared it to Mat Garretson’s style of winemaking. Yummy!

Rene Rostaing 2002 Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge $29.50
The final wine was as always, very special. Bradford only had a few bottles of this small-production gem left. A blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah, I could have mistaken this for Chateauneuf du Pape. On the nose it showcased typical aromatics of black cherry, wet earth, leather, tar and smoky bacon with a discernable note of garrigue, or Provencal roasted herbs. On the palate this was again lovely, with similar notes as above, but with very integrated flavors and soft, supple tannins gave this wine incredible elegance and charm. I could drink this wine every other day as it’s so beautiful and nuanced, with every sip there was a new discovery for me.

Another awesome tasting, this one was memorable for its surprising new varietals from around the Mediterranean. Many who were skeptical about Greek and Lebanese wines also concurred that even if they weren’t familiar with the grapes, the wines could be world class and often very affordable.

*All of the wines we taste, no matter what night we tried them…even if it was over a year ago…are available either on our shelf or to special order. We are always very happy to special order a bottle of anything you’re looking for. If you are interested in trying some of these, please email or call us anytime and we will include it on our next order – almost always delivered within two to three days!
 
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