Casillero del Diablo Cab Sauv Syrah 2006

Fruity, sweet, aromatic, this one comes with both the reassurance of faith in Chilean wines as well as surprise in the flavours that the Maipo Valley delivers. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes, this wine is sweeter than you would expect, but has the smooth, fullsome, all-consuming experience that a lot of Chilean wines have come to be known for. Not one to mess around with Indian food, this one is best to have by itself. I think it's safe to say that this belongs to the "see you again soon" category.

"Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada is an assemblage of selected grapes from Pirque and Peumo vineyards. Essentially Cabernet Sauvignon from Pirque, the origin of Casillero del Diablo, in the Maipo Valley, the wine also contains Syrah from Peumo hillside vines in the Rapel Valley. Casillero del Diablo has been aged in French oak for 14 months."

Piccini Chianti Superiore 2006

Few years ago, if someone had told me that one of the wines that will not only be good accompaniment to Indian spicy food, but will also lift the flavours of the meal is an Italian one, I would have probably laughed.

And yet this Tuscan beauty is just that. Chianti is possibly the second most popular thing about Tuscany (the first being the views) and it delivers flavours of the food like no other. On the bottle it says "Chianti Superiore is an exceptionally well balanced wine of great structure with a pleasant dry, smooth and elegant flavour with complex aromas on the nose of sweet plum, black cherry & spices resulting in an iconic wine from the Tuscany region of Italy. Serve at 18 degrees, with grilled read meat or game". I would add "enjoy with a nice helping of some really flavourful spicy Indian biryani, making sure you take a sip with every bite"

On it's own, the wine may not make much of an impression, feeling smooth, slightly dry though quite light & aromatic. But, along with food, it transforms into a whole other experience.

Jacob's Creek Grenache Shiraz

Australian Shiraz... and Australian Grenache... this has to be one of the most unique grape blends that the New World has produced. And for all the promise that the grapes have, something is amiss in this wine... a tad too sour, a tad too light, a tad too mild.

The winemaker writes "Winemaking at our place has been a tradition since 1847 when Johann Gramp planted his first vineyard on the banks of Jacob's Creek. This lively blend of Grenache & Shiraz grapes produces a medium weight wine boasting aromas of juicy raspberries and lots of fruit on the palate. At our place we enjoy it with red & white meat, pasta and cheese"

Medium weight, yes. Aromas of raspberries and fruit, yes. And that's what makes the experience. But, what's missing is the taste. Even after the second glass, the wine doesn't feel like it wants to open up. It feels like it's not taking the moment seriously and is interacting with me on a very superficial level. High alcohol content (14% volume) still makes a good evening out of it, but feels like "I'll call you sometime" is where we will leave it for now...