I know it would be appropriate for me to pick a wine of the month that would be compatible with the Thanksgiving meal. However, if most of you are like me, (and I believe you are), we drink wine all month, and Thanksgiving is just one day for crying out loud. Here is a wine that might, and I repeat MIGHT fit in to the holiday meal, but I would not put it in the top ten. I chose this wine because it ROCKS for eight bucks and that is what I am looking for.
2008 Los Ailos Syrah-Tannat (San Juan, Argentina) … $7.99
I am a huge fan of syrah, and I have this thing right now for Tannat. Tannat is most famous in Madiran, France. It produces deeply colored wines of great longevity. The wines that come from the Madiran region can be very tannic and need time in the bottle before they are approachable. However, I have discovered wines from Argentina that use Tannat as a blending grape, and the result is a deeper more complex wine.
That is what I discovered with the 2008 Los Ailos. Dense aromas of black currants, bacon and blackberries. Dark, intense fruits on the front of the palate. Notes of spice and bacon come through on the mid-palate that flow into a fresh finish. Tiny hits of black tea, vanilla and chocolate on the back end. Nice flow across the palate with good complexity. I’m telling you right now that this is a boatload of wine for eight bucks. My hope is that you will give this a try, and seek out more wines with tannat as a blending grape. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man 89 points
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