Plonk Patrol Road Trip – Sort Of

It wasn’t much of a road trip really – Google Maps calculated 21.4 miles with a travel time of approximately 28 minutes. But it’s spring and I wanted to be rolling along the highway with the sun roof open, the sun warming my bald pate. Besides, I hadn’t been to Bin Ends since early winter and wanted to go on Plonk Patrol there. So I was off, heading down the highway, on another value wine excursion.

Bin Ends, for the uninitiated, is a warehouse-like space that specializes in selling odd lots of wine at discounted prices. Set in an industrial area of Braintree right off 93 South, it’s a fun place to shop – vivid green and purple walls, wines well-organized by country of origin and a spacious layout. Also, there is plenty of free parking. An added feature is the online inventory – the intrepid shopper can pre-plan their purchases. Additionally, there is also a well-thought out selection of spirits and craft beers – and not so craft, i.e.Pabst Blue Ribbon in cans, the first beer I ever drank many years ago. But a little less reminiscing and on with the shopping.

I came without a shopping list except that the warmer weather was calling for lighter wines. I knew I wanted to try the 2009 Roses and I was able to find two good values. Next up, some lighter reds – wines to accompany spring fare and not the heavy braises of winter. I came away with two. And whatever else might present itself as good value – which were two wines from one of my favorite producers. My purchases -

• The first rose came from the Southern Hemisphere – the Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2009 South Africa. The most salient feature of the wine is the color which the winery describes as ” pomegranate” but which, to me, was a brilliant flamingo pink. Very pretty! This is easily the heartiest rose I’ve ever had – the wine can easily stand up to most grilled items. I’m pretty sure that this is a baller wine.
• From the Northern Hemisphere, I found The Chateau Campuget Tradition Rose 2009 Costieres de Nimes. From the land of rose comes this blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache Noir. The wine is produced on a small family-owned vineyard, which describes the color as “peony pink”. Whatever shade it may be, the hue is more subdued than the Mulderbosch and, as an Old World wine, is more restrainted in the nose and palate.
• My first petit red was The Domaine des 2 Anes Premier Pas 2006 Corbieres. Another family-owned operation with a biodynamic orientation, there is a cuteness factor to this bottle. The name translates as “The Domaine of the two Donkeys” – and it is run by a husband and wife that make natural wines. The wine is principally Carignan with  added – and much needed – Grenache. Carignan is not usually vinified as a varietal wine, but used as blending grape. With the addition of Grenache, the wine has more body and interest. This is a simple country quaff.
• My next red was not so petit, The Wolf Trap Syrah Mourvedre Viognier 2009, another South African wine. The wine is the third label of this winery – their entree selection. The Bin Ends sales person said it was one of their most popular wines. At less than $10 a bottle, I could see why – big, fruity and uncomplicated – a simple week night pleasure. The wine is 65% Syrah, 32%Mourvedre and 3%Viognier. Like Cote Rotie, but not quite………
• And finally my two most exciting finds came from Charles Smith, wild child rock ’n'roller and Winemaker of the year (Food and Wine 2009). His current enterprise, Charles Smith Wines : The Modernist Project, produces wine for ” the modern wine drinker” by which he means the wines are readily accessible and as such don’t need to be cellared. I’d mentioned these wines in my Thanksgiving post, Holiday Dither, and here they were at $12 a bottle. Accordingly, I snatched up a bottle of Kungfu Girl Reisling 2009 Washington State and The Velvet Devil Merlot 2008 Washington State. The Reisling comes from a single vineyard whereas the merlot grapes are sourced from various locales.

And now, proceeding to the checkout. Tired of being undone by an impulsively bought bottle of Cotes du Rhone or that pesky sales tax, I had scrupulously paid attention to my spending. And my total for the patrol – $67.20! So, in the end, my ersatz road trip had certainly paid off.

Tagged as: Charles Smith