Atlas Peak Sangiovese

[Innkeeper]

Had a nice weekend. The whole family was invited to one daughter's new home in Northwood, NH for a typical Labor Day BBQ. All four daughters, and all seven grandkids were there, for the first whole family gettogether in a few years. One son-in-law, one friend, and we chugged through a Chianti Classico, a Ripasso, and a Bogle PS during the festivities. Hick.

Coming home yesterday we tried to stop at ten different restaurants from Portland to Augusta, and found all either closed, having very long lines, and in one case unfindable! We had some nice Italian sausage in the cooler from a stop on the way down, so we went by the super and picked up some pasta, jarred pasta sauce, and fresh lettuce. Our first large red tomato of the season!, an "Early" Girl, completed the salad. This is where the Atlas Peak came in.

2000 Atlas Peak, Napa Valley, Sangiovese ($12.99 Costco). It showed red berries and spice on the nose and upfront. Plums, a little dirt, some coffee, and smooth tannin crossed the palate, and the finish was easy. Probably the best quality value in an American Sangiovese, but there is heap of great Chianti Classico out there for $12.99!



[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 09-01-2003).]

[tandkvd]

Glad to hear you had a good weekend IK.
Sounds like a good time with the family.

[Kcwhippet]

You know it's been a bad summer when your first big ripe tomato doesn't get picked until Labor Day!

[winedope1]

don't feel bad, IK. Just picked my first this week as well. I love the Atlas Peak myself- the combo of berries and pepper is yummy! This is a "bring to a casual dinner" wine for me. WD

[Kcwhippet]

More than half the staff at the doctors' office I went to today for tests all said this has been the worst summer in many years for growing veggies. Also, I've never seen so many slugs as this year. I don't know if it's been a factor of the weather, but there have been next to no Japanese beetles. Strange days.

[winedope1]

darned slugs got all over my watermelons- which by the way only got to cantalope size and stopped growing. Oh well, there's always next season. : )

[Innkeeper]

WD & KC you need to get one of those traps made in England called Slugx. They cost $15 and are available in garden centers throughout New England and probably elsewhere. And, get this, you bait them with beer! They work wonderfully.

[Kcwhippet]

I put my cukes, cantaloupes and watermelons on tripods this year because of the sh***y weather (how's that Georgie?) to keep them up off the colder ground. I have plenty of cukes, a bunch of raquetball sized cantaloupes and one softball sized watermelon. I have no zucchini (totally unheard of)!!! The slugs killed them all when we were off sailing for three days... only three crummy days. I'd move back to California if it wasn't for ...... well you know.

[winedope1]

thanks for the tip IK. I'll look for it for next season. WD

[winoweenie]

" Shoddy"?. Nebber heered of Shoddy weather. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/eek.gif[/img]

[Georgie]

Good job, KC! I think the wet weather ruined the peaches this year. I went picking several times and the peaches were beautiful-looking, with perfect texture and lots of juice, but with no taste. I don't know much about these things, but I'm betting they got waterlogged. I've picked from this same orchard other years and the fruit was outstanding.