I was off to Waltham to the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University for an afternoon of culture. The Rose had mounted a show from its own collection, a survey of the art of the last 100 years.For a small private museum, the permanent collection of the Rose is somewhat legendary – a trove of key works from the 20Th and 21st centuries. Last year, there had been quite a dust-up at the museum when the governing board and president of the university decided to close the museum and sell off the art to raise some money. This didn’t go over well with those donors who didn’t think their gifts of artwork were a rainy day cash cow. To some extent, the university backed down – the museum remains opens – the university avers that it will remain open – though they still may sell some of the museum’s holdings. The whole situation is now the subject of several lawsuits making their way through the courts. And since I was in Waltham, home of Gordon’s Fine Wine and Liquors, what better way to end an art outing than with a little wine shopping – art and plonk in the same afternoon.
Gordon’s is one of New England’s premier wine shops – a source for the casual wine drinker and the serious aficionado and collector. In fact, this is where most wines for SNSC have been purchased. Shopping here can be a bit intimidating – there’s a lot of wine all over the place!Yet while it may be difficult maneuvering through the aisles with a cart, customer service is outstanding. While I was shopping, four sales assistants asked if I needed any help. Very nice. In the end, I was pleased with the patrol - two whites, a rose and three reds.
- I first came upon a display for 90+Cellars. Rodney had done an in-store tasting of these recently and had been favorably impressed as had Katrin when she sampled them at the Wine Riot. My first selection was the 90+Cellars Chardonnay Barossa Australia 2007. 90+ Cellars buys lots of wine from producers who for some economic reason want to unload them. In some sense, these are “fire sale” wines. The shtick here is the all these wines have a “pedigree” of 90 points or more conferred by a noted publication or wine reviewer.Through the lot number on the bottle, the wine can be traced to its original producer; in this case, Trevor Jones. This was my most problematic purchase – I’m not a fan of New World chardonnay. I don’t enjoy a tropical fruit salad of a wine – make my chard lean and mean. So, with trepidation, I swirled – canned corn – oh no! I slurped – a mouthful of caramel – yikes! But then the smooth full body and a good dose of acidity took over. I took another sip – and another. Now this was a chardonnay I could enjoy. Buy it if you can find it. When a lot sells out, there is no more.
- My second selection was the 90+Cellars Malbec Mendoza Argentina 2008. This wine was not so easily traced nor had it been rated, though the 2006 vintage from the same producer had. Again, a winner. When first opened, there was a bit of animal in the nose and a vegetal quality on the palate. However, after the bottle had been opened for a day, these receded.
- My second white was a world apart from the lush chardonnay. Chateau du Champ des Treilles Vin Passion Sainte-Foy Bordeaux 2008 is a biodynamic wine of equal parts Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle from a small family producer. Sainte-Foy is part of Bourdeaux; however, since it lies on the outskirts of the region, it can be a source of good bargains. This wine can be drunk as an aperitif or an accompaniment to light food.
- My springtime rose was A to Z Oregon Rose Wine 2008. The wine is a rose of Sangiovese and grown in Southern Oregon; hot days, cool nights equals lots of ripe fruit. Like the Mulderbosh Cabernet Sauvignon Rose I purchased on a previous patrol, this is a hearty rose. Is that good or bad? You be the judge. I’m questioning my supposed fondness for pink.
- My next wine came from Italy, Martilde Bonarda Oltrepo Pavese 2007. I’d had this producer’s Barbaresco before, so I thought this would be a sure bet – and it was. This is a lighter red that went well with the red sauced pasta I paired it with. Nice and zippy. The wine is made from the Italian varietal Croatina – and is called Bonarda in the Oltrepo Bonarda DOC. The owners’ two cats, Martina and Matilde, the combination of whose names gave the winery its name, are drawn – quite well - on the label. Again, art and plonk.
- And what patrol would be complete without a selection from France? M. Chapoutier Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2008 is a biodynamicwine from the star of the Rhone, Michel Chapoutier, who has expanded his area of operations into Languedoc and is now producing this blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan. And speaking of pedigree, this wine was #75 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines for 2009. A simple sunny red for the warmer weather.
At the cash register, my total was $74.31, missing my goal of $72, but – hey! – I got plonk with pedigree.
