Robert Foley Charbono 2006

Are you looking for something new and different? An obscure grape variety called Charbono may be the wine for you. Charbono is better known in Argentina as Bonarda where it is the most widely planted red grape variety. Why would well known Napa proprietor Robert Foley give up any of his prime California land for this oddball grape? To follow a passion for making fine wine and sharing great varieties with those willing to explore them. Let’s see where this passion has led.

Tasting Notes:
This wine is dark in the glass with a scent of sweet grapes and no alcohol. Spice notes yield to a juiciness that travels the length of the tongue with waves of fine tannins, providing a nice balance of dryness to the fruit. This wine seems well crafted, does not taste young, and is nicely balanced-there is no heat of alcohol. Both of us pegged raspberry liqueur as one of the apparent flavors in this complex wine along with a hint of leather. It is medium bodied but not soft.

The wine paired nicely with a plate of Glazed Chicken with Porcini and Crispy Potatoes (post coming on Friday). In fact, we tasted this Charbono before buying it at a small wine store and thought it would go well with a mushroom dish as it was distinctly flavored with a slight earthy funk. I think the wine goes well with this chicken dish and also could pair well with an earthy approach to lamb or beef. At a retail price of about $35 this wine is on the more expensive side but will really shine if matched with a dish that enhances the unique characteristics of Charbono.
Cheers!
Mr. B

Related Posts with Thumbnails