D’Autrefois, 2010 Pinot Noir

White or Red: Red

Grape(s): PN

Origin: Somewhere in France

Vintage: 2010

Price: 12 bucks

Happy holidays!  Only a few weeks left in the life of Semi-Pro but we’ll be going strong up to Christmas. 

I don’t claim to be a pairing expert but what I can tell you is that as you think about wine for the holidays remember the food element.  Many of the wines reviewed here are consumed sans fare; after all, we never claimed food pairing in our credo.  I’m bringing you this wine because it would be amazing with traditional holiday proteins. 

I stumbled upon Total Wines (amazing wine store) in West Palm Beach this week and I pulled this bottle based on staff descriptions – elegant, sophisticated, wholly French, fresh, light in color and stature with elements of strawberry, plum and other darker fruits.  If someone asked me, I’d say “pleasant and smart."  It’s simply excellent.

Google this wine and it gets poor reviews from the major reviewers.  I can only attribute this to the fact that, more than any other wine on Semi-Pro, D’Autrefois is meant to be served as an enhancement to something bigger and heavier- like an indulgent holiday meal.

By the way, I really like bacon- just had some.  As my friend Matt says, "it's the candy of all meat."

Santa Julia Reserva, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009

White or Red: Red

Grape(s): Cab-Sav

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina

Vintage: 2009

Price: Stupid Low, $9.98

Overall: 

Smells like the ripe dark red fruits with vanilla and a hint of smokey fire in the background.  I get a taste of ripe blueberry and cherry that balance so well together.  What's more is the feeling you get when you have it in your mouth for a second; it's velvety, soft and sophisticated.


In addition to making great wine, the winery is committed to sustainable farming methods and social welfare programs.  


If you have paid attention to Semi Pro with any regularity, you've probably noted the amount of wine we've reviewed from Argentina.  This region is making great wines at a price that really makes sense for a lot of people.  In wine lingo, the QPR (Quality Price Ratio) for wines from Mendoza or Argentina, in general, is absolutely in your favor.  Behind the Luigi Bosca from the same region, this one is top dog.

Ramona Singer, Pinot Grigio, 2010

White or Red: White

Grape(s): Pinot Grigio

Origin: Italy

Vintage: 2010

Price: $13.98

I'm belong to the camp that believes shows like "Real Housewives from Who Cares" are actually meant to make fun of those who participate- it's literally the only way I can justify their existence.  What I can say is, the participants likely have issues- that's why I chose this Italian lip smacker.  Someone from that culture, who likely depends on alcohol daily and has unlimited money, probably doesn't drink rot gut.  Enter Ramona Singer Pinot Grigio from stage left.


Light, crisp, hints of hazelnuts, lemon, citrus (grapefruit) all with a mineral quality.  The wine has great balance and long finish.


Ramona, I hate your show but I dig your wine.

La Serena, Italy, 2009

White or Red: Red

Grape(s): Cab-Sav, Merlot, Sangiovese

Origin: Italy

Vintage: 2009

Price: Naturally below $15

Overall: 

Italy.  Wine.  Serena. In my world those all add up to things I'm fond of.  I'll admit the label caught my eye here but when the wino who rung me up said, "nice grab", I felt vindicated.  Admittedly, my wife's name is also in the title so I was compelled.  And you should be too...

Big fruit but balanced in a way that only the Italians do.  No one grape is dominant(maybe the cab slightly, if you're searching) but there are attributes of all of them in the taste.  I get this scent of garden ripe vine tomatoes, dark fruit, cherry cola and tobacco.  The taste is compiled of all those mentioned but with this natural undertone that is hard to place but really intriguing - call it organicness.  There is a richness yet refinement here that is so beautiful I wish it came in the Poland Spring office water cooler size.

Totally in love with this girl - she's an absolute knockout.   On par with the Luigi Bosca I reviewed.

Thought this was a dud during the first glass but I let it breathe for 45 minutes and then it was game on.  Should be a $40 bottle.

Greg Norman, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009

White or Red: Red

Grape(s): Cab-Sav

Origin: Paso Robles, CA

Vintage: 2009

Price: $11.98 in the barber shop

Overall: 

"The Shark", as he is known in golf circles, is in the wine game.  My radar goes off when I see celebs delving off into other interests because they can - with rare exceptions, there are only a few that are legit.  Examples like Shula's steak house, Dan Aykroyd's Vodka or Beyonce's perfume are no-gos just based on principle.  In contrast, I gave this one a try because I read that 12 of Norman's wines are rated 90 or better by fancy reviewer types; I figured it was worth a try.

Absolutely fruit forward with dark cherry, blackberry and a tad of blueberry, all of those flavors overlay on top of a herbal undertone.  What's more is the velvet, soft feel it delivers despite the big flavors.  The finish is medium-bodied with a nice touch of dried dark chocolate at the end.  

While it is not the best wine on Semi-pro, I can see this wine having its place.  Big steaks, BBQ pulled pork, cigars, golf, typical man talk including the over exageration how big the last fish you caught and the like.  You get the picture.

As per usual, let it breathe- this one especially.  30 minutes minimum.

Irony, 2008 Pinot Noir

White or Red: Red

Grape(s): Pinot Noir

Origin: Russian River Valley

Vintage: 2008

Price: Squarely $14.98 where I shop

Overall: 

Light in color, a beautiful smell comprised of strawberries, cherries, dark chocolate and plum, this is awesome grape.  Wonderful balance between the fruit and alcohol.  Tons of ripe fruit upfront and then it finishes dry and subtle.  Very satisfying and grand for a Pinot Noir.  I'm in love.

The charateristics of this wine present a profile of quality rarely seen at this price-point.  While I'm only a Semi-Pro, something tells me that if this wine spent a year or two more on the shelf it may reach rockstar status.  Those flavors, if given more time to co-mingle, may put on a show that could rival Bon Jovi playing somewhere in NJ.  Oh, the irony of it all.

Buy this.

Agustinos, Pinot Noir, 2009

White or Red: Red

Grape(s): Pinot Noir

Origin: Chile

Vintage: 2009

Price: Squarely $15.00

Overall: 

In several reviews, reds mostly, I mention letting the wine breathe before drinking it.  I usually crack a joke about enticing you to do so.  It is with good intentions that I make the suggestion because too often I make a judgment before it is warranted.  You likely have encountered this along your journey and by the third glass your like, “Wow, am I buzzed or is this just tasting better?”  Your senses are not fooling you-the wine has just opened up.  Many of you know this concept but do not bother to exploit it: your loss.

Agustinos is my finest example of the aforementioned.  I tasted it right out of the bottle, 30 minutes later, and then after 90 minutes.  Like a chameleon changing colors, the wine went through several transformations.  The latter being the most appealing point, was ultimately the reason why I consumed 95.2% of the bottle (I spilled the rest).

Light in color and body, with a scent of cherry cola, a little vanilla, and mesquite smoke, this pinot is top shelf.  I would add there is a slight floral component flanked by strawberries here that ultimately leads to a light finish.  It is super easy to drink and is touted in the world of environmentally sensitive vineyards.  What’s not to like?


Semi-Pro Tip – Invest in a Vinturi Wine aerator.  It’s like $20.00 and will accelerate the speed in which the wine opens up.  You can pour the wine right through it and into a glass or decanter.