Restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila says this wine is a 'stunner'

 

Here's an early look at what's coming in this week's Food section: Restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila's pick for Wine of the Week is the 2009 Domaine Faury Saint-Joseph "Vieilles Vignes." What's so special about it? Virbila writes:

The 2009 old-vines Saint-Joseph from Domaine Faury is a stunner. Classic northern Rhone Syrah in all its intricate glory, dark plums overlaid with exotic sweet spices and violet.

Read the rest of her review -- including the price tag.

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What are you drinking this weekend? Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila suggests ...

 

This rich and spicy 2009 Maison Bleue 'Jaja' red. She writes:

Sniff it, swirl it, the 2009 Jaja red (there's also a white version) is a fan letter to the Rhone from Washington state's Yakima Valley. Flavors of plum and dark berries sing. We drank it with a pork roast, but it's going to go well with grilled or roasted lamb with herbs, beef daubes and stews, sandwiches and burgers.

It'll set you back $17. Click here for the full review, plus where you can find it.

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--Rene Lynch
Twitter.com / renelynch

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What are you drinking this weekend? Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila suggests...

This 2008 Holus-Bolus Santa Ynez Valley Syrah:

The texture is velvety, the tannins round. A prime example of Central Coast Syrah that's drinking beautifully right now. Have it with jamón or prosciutto, lamb or pork, paté or meatloaf, or with a cheese plate.

Read the rest of her review here (and find out how much of a dent it will put in your wallet.)

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Photo: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Wine of the Week: 2007 Mayacamas Chardonnay 'Mt. Veeder'

Looking for something delicious to drink with your Oscar dinner? How about a bottle of 2007 Mayacamas Chardonnay 'Mt. Veeder'? It is "quite simply stunning," writes S. Irene Virbila. "It is rare to find a Chardonnay of such quality at this price."

So for $25 to $30 you can impress your date with this crisp, clean wine and win the award for good taste.

Photo: Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times

What are you drinking this weekend?

May we suggest this 2009 Domaine Diochon Moulin-à-Vent 'Cuvée Vieilles Vignes'?

It's our wine of the week.

Our restaurant critic, S. Irene Virbilia, says it tastes of "plum, dark cherries and earth, it's intense and tightly focused, with the tannin to age. ... Grill up some pork sausages or a burger and pour some of this." Click here for details, including price.

-- Rene Lynch
Twitter / renelynch

Wine of the week: 2009 Muga Rioja Rosado

What are you drinking on this hot summer's day? Restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila suggests this 2009 Muga Rioja Rosado:

It's been either muggy and sticky hot, or now just plain hot, and a girl gets thirsty. Come early evening, I'm ready for an apéritif, and this Spanish rosé has become a favorite. Dry and crisp, the Muga rosado carries a scent of wild strawberries and tastes a bit like that too. Graceful and nuanced, this rosé is still gutsy enough to pair with bold flavors.

Even better? It's 12 bucks a bottle. Click here for details:

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Wine of the Week | What to drink with your braised short ribs or pasta with meat ragu

The Wine of the Week: 2007 Produttorio del Barbaresco Nebbiolo delle Langhe.

A classic expression of Nebbiolo from one of the best wine cooperatives in the world, Barbaresco's baby bro carries a taste of black cherries and earth from the Langhe region around Alba. Elegant and chiseled, it's a bit softer than a Barbaresco, just delicious and ready for drinking now. A steal at this price.

Click here to find out where to buy.

Photo credit: Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times

Wine of the Week: 2007 Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino

 

The 2007 Rosso from Azienda Agricola Uccelliera is bright and fresh, with much the same flavor profile of its big brother, just younger and more supple. It’s always great with a salumi platter, some good pecorino or other sheep’s milk cheese, a frittata from the garden or a pasta dish. I’m thinking one with chicken liver sauce or some kind of ragù. It’s a great burger wine too. And about as versatile a red as you can find. Read more here.

Photo: Stefano Paltera / For The Times

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Wine 'liquidation': The deals pour freely online

 

The website winestilsoldout.com does just that: It sells just one wine at a time and at an incredibly steep discount until it’s all gone -- usually within eight hours. You can get in on the action too.

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2007 Nicole Chanrion Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes

Beaujolais — the real stuff, not Beaujolais Nouveau, which is an entirely different animal — makes perfect warm-weather drinking. And this Cote de Brouilly from Nicole Chanrion’s Domaine de la Voûte des Crozes is a fabulous summer wine. It's also our wine of the week.

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