NV Barefoot Merlot

Founded in 1986 by Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey, Barefoot Cellars produces wines that claims to be "affordable, varietally correct, soft and approachable and are immediately ready to drink off the shelf." Introduced to the public in 1997, Barefoot wines are sold in supermarkets and wine shops across the nation.

Tasting Notes:

Color: light ruby.

Nose: Initially very closed. After short air time, it shows candied fruit and notes of Chinese 'five-flower-tea'.

Palate: One dimensional. Weak berry with streaks of green notes. Light tannins exhibited with more air.

Body: Light.

Finish: almost non-existent.

Comments:
For those who doesn't know Chinese five-flower-tea, it is a herbal beverage usually based on these ingredients: Chrysanthemum morifolii, Lonicera japonica, Bombax malabaricum, Sophora japonica, and Plumeria rubra.
This tea is used to treat mild symptoms of "Hot Qi" : eye discharge, sore throat, halitosis and constipation.

This wine is what it is, a quaffable plonk. Bought at Costco for $4. Consumed over 2 days. Actually on day 2, the five-flower-tea aroma has blown off quite a bit. On the palate, there is even a hint of mocha and leather.

St. Emilion vs. Lalande de Pomerol

I took advantage of the recent Wine Library free shipping sale and tasted these two wines from the right bank of Bordeaux, Château Sansonnet Grand Cru and Château La Fleur de Boüard, both from the 2003 vintage. Drinking these two young wines side by side was an interesting experiment, being that although Michel Rolland is the consultant oenologist for both of these 2 estates, Sansonnet is considered a modern wine while La Fleur de Boüard belongs to the old school Bordeaux.

Some background information about these 2 producers:

Château Sansonnet is situated to the east of the town of Saint-Emilion, entirely upon the highest part of the slope consisting of clayey-limestone soil over a rock subsoil. It was bought by Prosper Robin in 1982 from Viscountess de Montaudon, the daughter of General de Coutard. Château Sansonnet is currently owned by Patrick d’Aulan and family who runs Edonia wines. Sansonnet produces a wine which has body and a lovely ruby color, it is aged in oak barrels for 2 years before being bottled at the château.

Château La Fleur de Boüard is owned by Hubert and Corinne de Boüard de Laforest, a husband and wife team, who are also the co-owner of Château Angélus. The grapes are source from 2 vineyards at Néac and Lalande de Pomerol. Both blocks contain clay-sand topsoil, and gravelly subsoil. This wine is aged in 80 to 90% new French oak barrels for 18-24 months before bottling. Château Sansonnet tasting notes: Color: Dark ruby. Nose: Upon opening, a pleasant whiff of black berry and earth. As it airs out after 1-2 hours, it turns very floral combined with strong showing of oak and red fruit. Palate: Smooth! Supported by the continuous delivery of black and red berries and medium tannins. As wine warms, there is also a hint of chocolate. Body: Medium. Actually it is leaner compared to the La Fleur de Boüard.

Château Sansonnet tasting notes:

Color: Dark ruby.

Nose: Upon opening, a pleasant whiff of black berry and earth. As it airs out after 1-2 hours, it turns very floral combined with strong showing of oak and red fruit.

Palate: Smooth! Supported by the continuous delivery of black and red berries and medium tannins. As wine warms, there is also a hint of chocolate.

Body: Medium. Actually it is leaner compared to the La Fleur de Boüard.

Finish: About 20-30 seconds. Nice berries and chocolate finish.

Château La Fleur de Boüard tasting notes:
Color: Dark Ruby

Nose: Strong espresso, oak and muted fruited upon opening. As wine airs out, roasted meat and plum begin to show.

Palate: Lush dark fruit coats the mouth, interlaced with sweet oak and tobacco. Tight tannins throughout.

Body: Medium to full.

Finish: About 30-40 second. Fine tannins supported by coffee and dark fruit notes.

Comments:

For under $25, both wines are a steal! The Sansonnet is slightly more approachable at time of drinking than the La Fleur de Boüard. Mid term cellaring will definitely benefit both of them. As far as food pairing goes, the la Fleur de Boüard definitely needs food more than the Sansonnet. All in all, these 2 wines are too young to drink at 2007 but the are delicious indeed. Standing side-by-side, Sansonnet is more elegant and subtle while La Fleur de Boüard is inviting and expressive.

Paired with grilled lamp chop and mint jelly, what a delicious combination