Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
It looks as tho the RSVP sight is having some issues. To RSVP to the Cousino Macul free consumer tasting email me at jamesbarlow25@hotmail.com
I apologize for any confusion!
Thank you,
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have a unique opportunity to try some dynamic Chilean wines and learn from a Wine Professional at Spec’s Oak Ridge North.
When: Thursday, May 19th from 6:30-8:00 PM
What: Free Consumer Wine Tasting and Educational Seminar
Wines to be Poured: Cousino Macul Estate Cabernet and Chardonnay
Antiguas Cabernet, Merlot, and Chardonnay
We have 40 seats available: RSVP to Houston@specsonline.com
Feel free to contact me with any questions. jamesbarlow25@hotmail.com
A Bio on the Speaker:
Tomas Alejandro Mc Donough
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 3rd of June 1986. Moved to Santiago de Chile with his family in 1996, finishing his studies in Craighouse School (British School) and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile getting the professional degree of Agronomical Engineer specialized in Winemaking and Viticulture.
Tomas has been working in the Wine Industry since 2009 in Chile and other countries aiming to obtain experience from every area in different positions.
Summary of professional experience provided below.
2009 Lab analyst and Vineyard Inspector Viña Carmen, Chile. 2010 Assistant in Viticulture and Enology courses Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile. 2011 Viticulturist and Lab analyst Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile. 2012 Cellar Internship Yealands Estate Winery. Marlborough, New Zealand. 2012 Cellar Internship Ravenswood Winery. Sonoma Valley, USA 2013 Viticulturist, Vintage supervisor and Assistant Winemaker Viña Koyle, Chile. 2013 Investigation about Viticulture and Wine production in Chile ODEPA, Agriculture Department of Chilean Government, Chile. 2014 Cellar Supervisor Willow Bridge Estate Winery, Ferguson Valley, Western Australia. Since Feb. 2015 Export Manager Viña Cousiño Macul, Chile.
Tomas learned from several colleagues and supervisors during these professional experiences keeping excellent long lasting personal/professional relationships with each of them.
Thank You
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have completed my Part 2 in the Barlow in Bordeaux series. As you all know, I had to cancel the 101 classes recently. I am available to do these classes at private locations if any of you are interested.
BARLOW IN BORDEAUX PART 2
THE 2015 VINTAGE
The weather was rainy on and off when we traveled through Bordeaux. Pretty much every other day was drizzling while the other days were picture perfect sunshine. Weather can actually affect the young wines when one is tasting. Lower barometric pressure can mute the fruits and bring the acids to the forefront of the wine, while adversely high barometric pressure can cause the alcohol to come forward in the wine and make the wines taste flat and flabby. The 2015 vintage wines that we tasted were spectacular across the board, no matter what the pressure, so I believe that this will attest to the high quality of the vintage. The Right Bank vignerons were extremely pleased with the crop and ensuing wines while giving a nod and a wink saying that the Left Bank had issues with late rain, so the wines weren’t shining as well. I would disagree with this notion. The quality on both sides were extremely high. In fact, the best wine that I tasted on the trip was a Left Bank wine (I will get to that gem shortly). I was completely enamored with the proximity of the vineyards and how a Chateau on one side of the street could be a 1st Growth (Chateau Margaux) and its next door Chateau (Pontac Lynch) was not even in the classification system. Does this mean that the system is flawed? Well, I don’t believe that a classification system that has only had two changes since 1855 can be infallible. That being said, for the most part the Grand Cru Classe classification system did speak for the quality of the wine produced from the prospective Chateau.
THE WEATHER
The summer really shined for the 2015 vintage. There was minimal rain for four straight months, which led to intense grapes with plenty of fruit and tannin. Vignerons were slightly worried until the rain showed up in early August to give the vines some relief. This led to a cool September which allowed for the Chateaus to pick perfectly ripe grapes in late September into early October. The only hiccup was the spotty rain that hit the Left Bank, particularly in the Northern communes of St. Estephe and Medoc.
THE VINTAGE
I enjoyed some of the best wines in my entire career with the 2015 vintage. I am quite fond of Bordeaux, as most of you know, but was trying to come into this trip with an open mind about the vintage. I wanted the wines to tell me how good the vintage was, not my bias for the region. What I can say about this vintage is that the acids and tannins are spot on. The wines are full bodied but with a richness of fruit that I rarely get from Bordeaux. These wines are ‘pretty’ but show plenty of power and depth. They have the richness of fruit that the 2009 vintage offered. They also have the full tannin and acid structure that the 2010’s showed. I believe this vintage may have the ability to outshine both the 2009 and 2010’s because the wines of 2015 offer the best of both worlds.
RATING SYSTEM
I know that the 100 point scale is very subjective, which is why I shied away from it for so long. I do believe that it does give the customer an accurate feel of quality from the wine critic. In essence, if you have liked my picks in the past then following this system will give you a more in depth feel for my pleasure scale of any given wine. This is why I have finally decided to implement this system. At the end of the day, wine is very subjective and given to a wide variation of opinion and pontification.
TOP SIX WINES
Our group tasted over 400 wines and many were of good to spectacular quality. I did taste several wines that were exceptional to ethereal. Here are those wines.
Thank You,
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have a rare delight available to my blog subscribers! I have the representative of Caymus (YEAH THAT CAYMUS!) wines in the area and she wants to pour and talk about her wines with you all! Oh, and the event is FREE!
DATE: Monday, April 25th
TIME: 6:30-8:00 PM
WHO: Elizabeth Authenreith of Caymus Family Wines
WINES:
We have 40 seats available. Please RSVP to Kylieb@specsonline.com.
Thank You,
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am ,unfortunately, going to have to cancel the 101 wine classes at the Spec’s Oak Ridge North location due to unforeseen circumstances. I apologize for any scheduling issues this may cause. Hopefully, I will be able to find a dedicated spot to hold these classes in the future. I will definitely keep you all in the loop with this blog and already have Part. 2 ‘Barlow in Bordeaux’ almost completed. Thank you for your support as always! Thank you for your understanding in the cancellation of the classes. Feel free to contact me at jamesbarlow25@hotmail.com with any questions.
Thank You,
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
BEAR DALTON
“A person couldn’t recreate this trip with a million dollars.”
I just quoted a person that was on this trip with me. He stole it from another person that had previously been on the same trip that we were currently on. I sat back in my chair on the balcony of my hotel room overlooking Bordeaux-Lac (Bordeaux Lake) pondering this very flamboyant statement. Could one not lavish tons of money and easily have the time of their life in Bordeaux. Yes, I thought but one thing, or should I say person, made this trip worth more than a seven figure salary. Bear Dalton. This trip made Bear’s 20th straight year to visit Bordeaux during ‘En Primeur’. Combine all the trips over the years and he has spent one full year in Bordeaux. That is quite impressive. But, more impressive than that is the amount of people that show true respect to the man in the cowboy hat. Our group had the unfortunate occurrence of falling ill during the second week of our trip, Bear being the last to do so. While he was sick, he sent us on our way knowing that this was a trip of a life time and he didn’t want to slow down our schedule. Our new guide, Francois Thienpont, took us to numerous stops on the right bank that day. There was a common theme to the rest of the day without Bear. At every stop from Ch. Lafleur in Pomerol to Ch. Angelus in St. Emilion, the French director or winemaker or Chateau owner asked one thing: Homme au chapeau? The man with the hat? Where is Bear? This theme resonated with me through the day. I came to realize that day the answer to the question I had pondered earlier. The answer was a resounding, NO. One cannot recreate 20 years worth of relationship building. One cannot throw tons of money at a singular trip and be able to open doors that we walked through, talk to chateau owners with candor, shake hands with royalty such as Robert of Luxembourg, or be invited to a dinner at Chateau Batailley where a history of wines ranging from 1881 to 2010 were opened with a 3 star Michelin chef’s courses on the table. These special occurrences must be earned. Earned through years of hard work and friendship development. Earned through buying Bordeaux for 20 straight years in good vintages and….not so good vintages. A Chateau owner told me during this trip that ‘Bear Dalton has become a beacon for Bordeaux wines in the world. He is a rock star, even maybe more than most wine critics such as Robert Parker or James Suckling.’ I absolutely believe this statement to be true. Driving in a car with the ‘mad hatter’ (I say this because he is somewhat of a crazy driver who started off his day with a proper cup of tea), I would randomly point at a vineyard and he would instantly begin to spout out facts about the vineyard, region and terroir of the land surveyed while painting vivid stories of the Chateau owners and their history. The drives down the back roads to the famed Growth vineyards became not only a tutorial but a true wine geeks delight each morning. On the last night of the trip, I sat on the same balcony with another member of the group and he asked a simple question: What was the biggest thing that you learned from this trip? I took a minute to think it through and came up with an answer: To do things the right way year in, year out and garner the respect of the people around you….no matter what country you are in. Thank you Bear. Homme de chapeau. The man with the hat.
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am back in Houston after spending the past two weeks traveling through Bordeaux trying the new 2015’s at the best chateaus to test the quality level of the vintage. I am extremely excited to report that the 2015 vintage is SPECTACULAR! This is some of the best young Bordeaux wines that I have ever tasted. The wines have the delicious fruits of the 2009 vintage, but also the structure of the 2010 vintage. The balance and purity of this vintage completely stunned our entire group (including our Fine Wine buyer Bear Dalton). I am forming a series entitled ‘Barlow in Bordeaux’ that I will be periodically posting about my time, experiences, and the wines over the last two weeks. Enjoy!
The Brand New Mega Store on Rayford Sawdust should be open sometime next week and I couldn’t be more excited.
As some of you have heard, my role will be changing in the new Mega Store. I have accepted the position of Regional Sales Trainer for Spec’s Liquors and Fine Wines. This means that my floor time at the new store will be severely limited. You will still see me at the new store, but mostly on the weekends. That being said, I will ALWAYS be available through email and WILL CONTINUE to help and serve my customers for years to come.
I will continue this blog in regular fashion. It will hopefully continue to grow exponentially in the years to come. The Wine Epicure has allowed me to give you all personal experience from a Wine Professional with a few key strokes and I plan to cultivate this personal experience. Nothing pleases me more than seeing the blossoming palates of my customers expand.
Thank You,
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I hope everyone saved some room for wine to go with your pints and whiskeys today! Here are three little jewels that are sure to be stellar daily drinkers for you.
Honoro Vera Garnacha 2014
Calatayud, Spain
Cash Price $9.49
Spanish Garnacha is the latest ‘craze’ varietal in the wine world for its delicious accessibility. Flavors of sweet red cherries and plum zoom into Asian spices with touches of raspberry and mocha. James Score: 90 Points
La Noble Chardonnay 2013
Pays D’Oc, France
Cash Price $9.99
Noble Chardonnay is completely unoaked and pleasing to the palate. Flavors of pear and melon frolic through the palate with touches of white peach, fresh meadow flowers and hazelnuts. James Score: 89 Points
Pins Du Pyla Rose 2014
Bordeaux, France
Cash Price $8.99
Rose season is here! The 90 degree weather is back. This delicious Dry Rose is made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet, and Merlot. Flavors of wild berries and strawberry sing through zesty medium plus acidity. Touches of cream play in the mid palate and the finish is quite clean. James Score: 89 Points
Thank You,
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
The next couple of months will be a very exciting time for me! I am taking a trip to Bordeaux for ‘En Primeur’ at the end of the month and April will most likely see the opening of our Mega store in The Woodlands. If you have not seen me lately, I apologize, it’s because I have been tasked with educating for my company. This task has kept me quite busy. Always feel free to ask for me if you don’t see me and if all else fails…..I am just a couple of keyboard strokes away! I know tax season is upon us, so I typically find great VALUE wines to review for the next couple of months. Enjoy!
Del Dotto ‘Ca’Nani’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Napa Valley, California
Cash Price $44.99
Ca’Nani, meaning House of Dwarves, is the newest adventure by the Cult Classic Del Dotto winery. This will be the only vintage of this label as it was quickly renamed in the next vintage as Piazza Del Dotto. The 2012 vintage is pure gold for Cabernet Sauvignon lovers in Napa Valley. Perfect weather led to a bountiful harvest and spectacular fruit which led to brilliance in the bottle. I have found Del Dotto to be one of the finest producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in all of California. This 2nd label offering is absolutely stunning. Thick and dense flavors of jet black currant and black cherry flow into a wall of brawny tannins and medium acidity. The mid palate offers notes of herbs with cigar box and leather. The finish is pure and hedonistic with integrated alcohol and kisses of hazelnuts, vanilla bean and smoked cedar. James Score: 94 Points
Chateau Fourcas Borie Red Blend 2008
Haut Medoc, France
Cash Price $19.94
Chateau Fourcas Borie originated from the union of the estates of Clos du Fourcas and Moulin du Bourg which are amongst the oldest vineyards of the village. It is located on the north of Listrac-Médoc. They strive to produce elegant, long lived Bordeaux without a jaw dropping price point. The average age of their Merlot, Cabernet and Petite Verdot vineyards is 30 years. Bruno Borie, owner of famed Ducru Beaucaillou, is the wine maker of this little gem. Deliciously smooth flavors of red cherries and raspberry flow seamlessly through mellowed tannins and medium acids. Notes of currant sink into the mid palate with touches of ripe red berries. The finish is integrated with licks of sweet tobacco and new French oak. This wine is drinking perfectly right now! James Score: 91 Points
Block 012 Red Blend 2012
Napa Valley, California
Cash Price $19.94
The newest release from the Block Vineyard Estates is a dynamite red blend that is a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon based wine from the Oak Knoll district in Napa Valley. The climate is cooler in Oak Knoll and the valley floor produces wines with intense dark fruits. Flavors of blackberry and currant race through medium plus tannins and medium acids. Secondary notes of plum and fig play smoothly through the rich mouth feel. The finish offers touches of vanilla and oak with hints of kitchen spices. James Score: 90 Points
Blue Rock ‘Baby Blue’ Blanc 2014
Sonoma Coast, California
Cash Price $18.99
Blue Rock produces luxury wines on their 100 acres nestled in the hillsides of Alexander Valley. Baby Blue Blanc is the first non estate wine that Blue Rock has produced. The grapes come from the Fort Ross-Seaview and Russian River Valley AVA’s respectively. This is their 1st adventure into producing white wine as they are well known for Cabernet Sauvignon. They have absolutely knocked this wine out of the ball park with their first swing! I was stunned at the complexity in the glass with this Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, Viognier blend. This wine layers itself beautifully. Flavors of crisp lemon citrus leap into the palate with medium acidity that is layered into a soft, round viscosity that coats the palate. Notes of apricot and peach seep inot the mid palate with touches of meyer lemon and hay. The finish is stunning with a pop of Viognier that adds hints of wild flowers and bees wax. Wow! James Score: 93 Points
Trig Point ‘Diamond Dust’ Merlot 2013
Alexander Valley, California
Cash Price $15.99
Nick Goldschmidt is one of my favorite wine makers. He consistently crafts wines of high quality in different climates and even hemispheres. His father was a land surveyor and a ‘Trig’ is used to establish boundary lines. Goldschmidt’s Trig Point wines show the unique soils of the area he gets the grapes from, namely Alexander Valley. The vineyard is located on the southern (and cooler) end of Alexander Valley which makes it prime territory for producing low yield, high quality Merlot. Flavors of intense black cherry and blackberry jump into zesty acids and well rounded tannins. Notes of raspberry and freshly picked plum meld into the core of the wine with touches of graphite and dusty minerality. The finish is dangerously long with 12 months of French oak aging in 20% new barrels and just a touch of new American oak which gives hints of creamy vanilla bean, cinnamon, and cedar. The finish smacks of blueberry pie! James Score: 91 Points
Osso Anna Chardonnay 2013
Napa Valley, California
Cash Price $19.94
Osso Anna is a label created by the Buoncristiani Family Winery. Jay Buoncristiani, winemaker of the critically acclaimed wines that bear his name, makes the Osso Anna wines with fruit from Napa Valley. I have long been a fan of the wines produced by Buoncristiani and am ecstatic that they are making wine for an every day price point. This 100% Chardonnay is a sleeper in the wine department. Silky flavors of ripe pear and green apples sinew softly through medium acids. Notes of caramel and hazelnuts lay easily on the mid palate. The finish is deliciously smooth with touches of creamy vanilla and butterscotch. James Score: 89 Points
Marchesi Fumanelli Valpolicella Classico Red Blend 2012
Veneto, Italy
Cash Price $17.29
Marchesi Fumanelli is located in the heart of Valpolicella in the northern stretches of Italy near Lake Garda. The grapes are all picked exclusively from the Squarano Estate and wines aged in their 17th century wine cellars. This Corvina blend is quite a mouthful. Flavors of stewed currant and blue berry are surrounded by medium tannins and acids. The mid palate offers a medley of spices with cinnamon and clove with ripe red fruits that sing melodically to the core. The finish is layered with touches of French Barrique, tar, and hints of molasses. James Score: 89 Points
Jean Baptiste Adam Pinot Gris Reserve 2014
Alsace, France
Cash Price $16.19
I wrote an article for the Society of Wine Educators a couple of years ago titled: Alsace, The Unheralded King of White Wines. I am still a firm believer and, in fact, have become as staunch as ever on the subject. This region makes some of the best white wines in the world! I am stoked to be able to offer this winery at such a spectacular price. This family just celebrated the 400th anniversary of their family being grape growers and winemakers in Alsace. Pinot Gris from Alsace could not be more different than its Italian counterparts. Alsatian Pinot Gris is much rounder, softer and typically has just a kiss of sweetness. Adam has produced a classic style of Pinot Gris with this wine. Voluptuous flavors of fresh meadow flowers and jasmine waft hauntingly through medium acids. The mid palate shows exotic stone fruits of peach and nectarine with tinges of orange blossom. The finish is tickling with hints of stony minerality and licks of honeyed beeswax. James Score: 92 Points
Marramiero ‘Dama’ Montepulciano 2013
Abruzzo, Italy
Cash Price $14.99
Marramiero is a darling winery that produces extremely high quality Montepulciano at value prices. Located between the Adriatic Sea and The Gran Sasso Mountains on the hills around Pescara, the Marramiero family has grown vines since the beginning of last century. Dama is the daily drinker release that really exceeds expectations. I akin the Montepulciano as somewhat similar to Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine offers flavors of ripe red cherries and framboise with medium tannins and acids. The mid palate offers hints of roasted tomato and iron that burst into red berries and red roses. The finish is long and lingering with scant oak but plenty of fruit. James Score: 88 Points
Longboard Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Russian River, California
Cash Price $15.99
Longboard was born from the passion of Oded Shakked, surfer first, winemaker later, who brings a unique perspective to winemaking, or rather winegrowing as he prefers to call it. A key Oded insight: Surfing and winemaking are essentially solo activities that can reach across gender, social, economic and age boundaries, creating communities of passionate apostles who know a good wave — and a good wine — when they experience one. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with energy. Flavors of sticky pear and lemon lime citrus sing through medium acidity. The core of this wine has a soft roundness that is enveloped by notes of white flowers and lychee. The finish is clean with touches of green apple and crushed wet rocks. James Score: 89 Points
Bliss Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Mendocino, California
Cash Price $11.49
The Bliss Family Vineyards has quickly become one of Spec’s fastest selling brands in a very short amount of time. Why? Quality vs. price point. They produce wonderfully balanced wine at a very wallet friendly prices. They are a 4th generation of farmers that make estate wines with care. Smooth flavors of blackberry and currant flow easily into medium tannins and acids. The mid palate shows notes of roasted nuts and mocha. The finish is easy and accessible with hints of cedar, vanilla and graham crackers. James Score: 90 Points
Fog Bank Pinot Noir 2013
California
Cash Price $10.69
Fog Bank Vineyards selects quality grapes from the premier coastal regions to produce this user friendly Pinot Noir. It is almost impossible to find quality Pinot Noir for under $20 from California, but I have struck gold with this tasty Pinot. Flavors of lush red cherries and strawberry lean into round, light tannins and medium acidity. The mid palate shows touches of raspberry jam and cola. The finish offers touches of cinnamon and rhubarb that sink into the palate playfully. James Score: 89 Points
Francois Labet Red Blend 2014
Cotes du Rhone, France
Cash Price $9.99
The Grenache/Syrah based wines of the Rhone Valley represent some of the best value that the world of wine has to offer. Francois Labet is a negociant that Spec’s has had the unique pleasure of doing business with for many years. The quality has always been particularly high from Labet. This CDR is ridiculously easy drinking. Flavors of wild strawberry and bramble flow into medium tannins and acids with no oak. The mid palate and finish offers touches of garrigue and black pepper with plenty of juicy red fruits. James Score: 90 Points
Thank You,
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have firmed up the dates of the 101 classes. Please email me @ jamesbarlow25@hotmail.com to RSVP. Please specify which class (or all) that you would like to attend. I have 40 seats available per class. I have decided to set the price per class at $60 per person. You will learn all the basics of the most famous wine regions of the world. I will be pouring classic examples of wine from the regions and offer finger foods (cheese, crackers, etc…). I will be fresh back from Bordeaux when I teach the 1st class on Bordeaux, so I will have an in depth analysis and plenty of stories to share! All classes will be held at the Spec’s Oak Ridge North Location. Please email me if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing you all there!
101 Class dates:
Bordeaux 101: Tuesday, April 19th from 6:00-8:00pm
Tuscany 101: Tuesday, May 17th from 6:00-8:00pm
Burgundy 101: Tuesday, June 14th from 6:00-8:00pm
Napa Valley 101: Tuesday, July 12th from 6:00-8:00pm
Thank You,
James C. Barlow
Certified Wine Educator
Certified Sommelier
The Wine Epicure by James Barlow 