Very generous and enjoyable wine offerings on AA First Class flight
Flight 539 from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas/Fort Worth on Saturday, August 3, 2013
Wine tasted at 6:30 PM
I can definitely see some positive changes on American Airlines. Before our flight, we called AA for our upgrade to first class, and the customer service representative was so extremely helpful and nice. When we checked in at the airport, the check-in agent was friendly and willing to help. When we got on the plane, the flight attendant took our drink and dinner orders. He was very friendly and nice. I wondered whether this was really the American Airlines I knew and hated in the past?
The dinner was served with the choice of red or white wine, or both. The red wine was Glass Mountain from Chile and the white was an Esala Chardonay from California. I was not familiar with the names. However, I knew these could not be overly expensive wines, as all airlines are trying to cut costs and save money. For reviews of the wines on offer, please read the individual wine reviews on this site. Both were quite good and offerings were generous. Moreover, I really enjoyed the service and goodwill at AA, a world of difference with the “old” airline. I will fly American Airlines again and again, and the service on this domestic route exceeded my expectations.
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Tempranillo red for under $10
Wine tasted on Saturday, October 19 at 8:10 PM
Faustino VII, Tempranillo, 2010, Oyon, Rioja, Spain. Purchased a bottle at Publix for $8.99. ALC. 13%.
This Tempranillo is poised at the edge between a light and a more hearty red, as would be expected from this early summer grape. It presents a light red, almost transparent color, with relatively little nose, though old oak is quite evident and almost overpowering other more subtle tastes. There are hints of plum, vanilla and other fruits in a nicely balanced light wine. It is smooth and quite easy to drink, with low tannins and it palate is relatively long and pleasant. It pairs well with food, for instance a steak with heavy lefty vegetables and olive oil. This wine is definitely better with food rather than as a stand-alone drinking experience. And for the price, it is undoubtedly worth trying. So go ahead, try it and see if you agree with the foregoing.
by Excellent California stand-by
Wine Tasted on Friday, October 11, 2013, at 10 PM.
Sterling Vintner’s Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010, Sonoma, Central Coast California. Purchased at CVS in Fort Lauderdale, FL for $11.69 (normally priced at $14.99). Alc. 13.5%.
This is a favorite stand-by of mine. Sterling Vineyards manages to somehow keep a consistent good quality over the seasons and years, despite the fact that it sources its grapes from many different vineyards in California’s best wine country. This Cab has a very good nose, with hints of sweetness, possibly from honey, but with a lot of complexity and a spicy feel. It feels very smooth to the palate, and a number of flavors of berries come strongly forward upon first tasting it. Despite a deep red color that portends a certain heaviness as expected from a Cab, it is actually quite light. Its goes down very easily and its low tannins make for a pleasant drinking experience, with or without food. With food, it should be paired with relatively light dishes, such as salads or vegetarian fare.
by A nice French Bordeaux for under $5!
Wine tasted Wednesday, September 25th at 6:25 PM
Augey Bordeaux, Red blend, 2012, Entre-deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France. Purchased Wine at Publix. Augey was on special 2 bottles for the price of one at $9.99. 12.5% ALC
This wine has a clear deep ruby red color. Slightly dry and smooth. Would go nicely with cheese.
by A good, satisfying Cabernet Sauvignon from the Colchagua Valley
Wine tasted: September 19, 2013 at 5:00 PM
De Gras Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile. Bought at Santa Isabel Supermarket, Valdivia, Chile. (CH$4.199, or around US$8.20). Alc. 13.5%
The Mont Gras vineyard has become one of my favorites among Chilean wine producers. Elsewhere in this website, we reviewed a specially produced Mont Gras wine for the hotel/shipping company Australis, which was extraordinary. The Reserva denomination here is meaningful in this regard, and signifies a particularly well balanced wine. It has a very good nose upon opening the bottle, with suggestions of fruit and subtle oakiness. The color is dark red, befitting a Cabernet Sauvignon that is both heavy and subtle at the same time. Strong fruitiness, clean and a strong palate with a long finish makes this an exceptionally well balanced wine with a lot of personality. I am sure it would be great with cheeses, meats and even, dare I suggest it, sweet and light chocolate. A great buy at this price!
by A good, if not great Malbec from Mendoza
Wine tasted: Wednesday, October 4, 2013 at 8:00 PM
Altas Cumbres 2012 Malbec by Lagarde, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina. Gifted. Priced a bottle at $10.14 (www.getwineonline.com). Alc. 13.9%.
This is a good, very drinkable wine as would be expected from a Malbec, an emblematic Mendoza grape that consistently makes for good and even extraordinary red wines. It presents with an intense, deep ruby color that portends a full bodied wine. It has a nice, interesting bouquet, including a hint of honey, berries and cassis. It has somewhat heavy, but pleasant tannins when swilled around the tongue, and a very long palate. This 100% Malbec is from plantings in 1906 and 1995 in the small but very bohemian and quite wonderful town of Lujan de Cuyo, right next to the city of Mendoza. All around, quite a nice wine and an excellent price/value ratio. I would recommend it highly with meats of any kind, and particularly with pastas and sauces.
by Consistent and Good California Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine tasted Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 1:35 PM
Bogle, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010, Clarksburg, California. Purchased at Shoprite for $9.99. 13.5% ALC.
We were looking for a wine under $10 and the shop we were in had the Bogle on special for $9.99, perfect. We decided to have it for lunch today, with a ham, cheese and avocado sandwich and an arugula and tomato salad. It was a perfect lunch wine, light, but with definite flavor and a slight hint of sweetness; no hint of the flintiness of some Cabs. Very smooth, no bite at all. Bogle, in my experience is very consistent and good, if not remarkable. But for this price, I think it’s very good value.
by What a pleasure to discover another nice Carmenere at 30,000 feet!
Wine Tasted on August 10, 2013 at 5:30 PM
Leyland Creek, Carmenere, 2011, Colchagua Valley, Chile. Served on AA First Class domestic flight, 13.5% ALC. Retail Price unknown.
This was a typical Carmenere, with a dark red, rich plum color. It was very smooth and velvety with medium tannins and hints of oak. However, for a Carmenere it was not as full-bodied as I have come to expect. I would choose to pair it with pasta or a light fish. I liked this wine very much. I could not find any information on prices for Leyland Creek Carmenere 2011. I saw one blog about this wine and that is about it. This must be an AA wine selection policy, that is, not go with popular wines and instead use relatively unknown vineyard willing to sell at moderate prices to serve its First Class customers.
by A summery, intense fruity California Chardonnay called “Esala”
Wine tasted on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 6:25 PM
Esala, California Chardonnay, 2012, Cachuma Vineyards, California
I tried to find this wine producer, but I failed to find any information anywhere on the web. I have no idea how much the retail price might be. This is the first time I have encountered this situation. But based on the red wine price on AA First Class, I assume this wine should be $10 or less. However, if you can find it, buy at least one bottle, because the bottle AA served had a lovely nose, and tasted fresh and intensely fruity, with touches of apricot, green apple and vanilla. This would be a good choice for a nice, cool Summer wine, with a light, almost transparent yellow color and only mild acidity. A very lovely wine to drink alone and without food.
by A complex red from Chile for under $10 featuring strong oak, terroir and some smokiness
Wine tasted on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 6:30 PM
Glass Mountain, 2012, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, 13.5% ALC. AA served this wine on a domestic First Class flight.
Priced a bottle for the California version at $6.99 (www.wespeakwine.com).
There are two origins of this wine: California and Chile. The one I tried was from Chile. The retail price of the Chilean wine is not available, but the California version is. The Chilean version features an earthy and sweet black cherry nose, and presents well with a dark plum color, typical of a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Upon tasting it, intimations of oak, smoke, spices and the terroir mix in a well- balanced Cabernet. Tannins were medium, but generally the wine was smooth, complex and easy to drink.
Drink alone or with a meal.
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