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Woman on Wine

By Amy Reiley

It has been said that the scent of a fleshy, full-bodied red wine closely replicates male pheromones, (those little love bugs in our nasal cavities that transmit messages of attraction.) Whether your romantic life needs a boost or you just like to play the best odds, sexy, manly reds make a recipe for seduction.

2001 Bonaccorsi Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir $$$
1999 Chateau Ducru Beaucailloux $$$$
2001 J. Garcia Zinfandel $$
2001 Joel Gott Zinfandel $-$$
1999 Louis Jadot Vosne-Romanee $$
2000 Quintessa $$$$
1999 St Francis Anthem $$$$
2000 Rupert & Rothschild Classique $$
200 Swanson Alexis $$$$
2000 Viader $$$$

BONACCORSI
2001 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley CA
Although Cabernet is the varietal best linked with lust, there is nothing more romantic than a finely crafted Pinot Noir. It is a bittersweet moment as we recommend one of America’s dreamiest styles of Pinot. Last month, the wine world lost a great treasure in Master Sommelier and Winemaker Michael Bonaccorsi. In life, Bonaccorsi celebrated the lusty qualities of his favorite drink. In the same way, he created his Pinot, a luscious exploration in the cocoa and generous red fruit flavors the varietal possesses. Although any celebration marked with this luscious bottling is likely to be touched with sadness, it is the wine’s romantic side that will surely override. And we feel sure that Bonaccorsi would have wanted it this way. $$$

CHATEAU DUCRU BEAUCAILLOUX
1999, St Julien France
An overwhelmingly sexy Bordeaux blend, this masculine bottling combines all the best scents and flavors associated with men. From tobacco to suede it is a study in sensuality with a gorgeously silky mouthfeel and endless finesse. $$$$

J. GARCIA
2001 Zinfandel, Sonoma County CA
A wine not dissimilar from the legendary musician himself, the Zinfandel produced by the Jerry Garcia Estate may be a little rough around the edges, but its finish, laden with cherries and vanilla, offers great finesse. $$

JOEL GOTT
2001 Zinfandel, California
An absolute California original, the Joel Gott Zin represents the Zinfandel grape at its finest value. Its rich aromas and flavors resemble the lusty scent of a rugged, Western man with notes of tobacco, leather, black cherry and spice. A sensual, sweaty wine, its sweet aftertaste lingers long after the bottle is drained. $-$$

LOUIS JADOT
1999 Vosne-Romanee, Burgundy
Floral on first taste, when its underlying gaminess comes to consciousness, this fragile Pinot transforms into a little tiger. $$

QUINTESSA
2000, Napa Valley CA
A Bordeaux-style blend made to reflect the flavors of Napa, this inky black extraction showcases grape juice at its finest. A lusty combination of black fruits and dusty soil, it is a rich mouthful perfect for this Valentine but promises to evolve in the bottle for many Valentine's Days to come. $$$$

ST. FRANCIS
1999 Anthem Meritage, Sonoma County, CA
A Malbec-driven Bordeaux-style blend, the Anthem is a pledge to fine winemaking. Concentrated with scents and aromas of dark berries and game meat it offers both angularity and polish. $$$$

RUPERT & ROTHSCHILD
2000 Classique, South Africa
Probably the finest wine to come out of Mouton Rothschild’s South African collaboration, Classique is the essence of steak in a glass. Not an over-the top, burly bottling, this Bordeaux-style blend balances body and acid made immensely intriguing by a distinct red meat rawness. $$

SWANSON
2000 Alexis, Napa Vally CA
One of the sexiest wines around, this combination of Cabernet and Syrah could be labeled, “sure thing” in a bottle. Ripe with black cherry flavors and hints of caramel on the finish, its tannins are as fine as designer suede. $$$$

VIADER
2000, Napa Valley CA
A lustful drink created under the guide of Napa Valley leading lady, Delia Viader, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc offers an intense taste experience. Rich with leather, cocoa and all the great scents and flavors associated with raw masculinity, it’s the kind of wine to make you want to skip dessert. $$$$

$ under 15USD
$$ 15-25USD
$$$ 25-50USD
$$$$ over 50USD

Woman on Wine is the syndicated wine column from Amy Reiley’s monthly enewsletter, Life of Reiley, www.lifeofreiley.com.

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