Friday night we had a small dinner party, one rule: Bring your own lobster tail. A few friends joined us for butter-poached lobster, spring greens salad, sauteed asparagus, Portobello mushroom risotto, pecan-encrusted lamb, and of course, wine. Which brings us to our Wine of the Week: Wallace.
THE STATS:Vineyard: Wallace
Vintage: 2006
Region: Borossa Valley, Australia
Kind: Red
Varietal: Shiraz 80%, Grenache 20%
Web site: Glaetzer.com
Price: 17.99 at Crush Wine Cellar
THE BOUQUET:
Everything you could want from a $17 bottle. The rich, dark aroma is tobacco and leather underscored by the beautiful jamminess and black cherry cola that is Barossa Shiraz. It is brightened ever so slightly by the addition of Grenache.
THE PALETTE:
Once on the tongue it doesn't disappoint, the addition of Grenache subtly turns down the volume of a typically full bodied Shiraz, to a more toned down medium bodied blend. The cherry cola and tobacco carry all the way to the long glorious finish. The tannins are light so keep this in mind with the pairing decisions.
PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Any pasta with red sauce, sausage and any smokey cheese (Gouda or cheddar are my favs).
Portobello risotto and pecan-encrusted rack of lamb with port wine sauce.
