La Vida Viña, LA Radio Nostalgia & Aerator Rules

“This is Shotgun Tom Kelly” said the vintage KRTH 101 announcer as he loaded the Rascals “Lonely Too Long” into the queue. Shotgun followed that with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel and tBoW was smiling wide as he climbed his favorite bike trail – Dirt Mulholland.

wine technology

Listening to radio programming from the 60s/70s cuts two ways like all nostalgia reminding us how old we are and how certain music can make us young again. Shotgun has that radio voice – full throat, between bass and treble, a “hip” knowing and cheery tone. What’s it got to do with wine?

If you do not have an aerator you should get one because it shares many qualities with the radio and 60s or 70s rock music and DJ styles. The aerator takes years off wines that are too young to be properly enjoyed [ed. or does it add several years?]. While we can enjoy wine when it is young, many wines do improve with age. The aerator makes that happen right away. BOOM! We tasted several wines recently that illustrate the benefit. Actually, we went crazy with the aerator!

2005 McKenzie Mueller Carneros Pinot Noir $48: Required disclaimer – we are big fans of Bob Mueller and his wines. Right out of the bottle this wine was funky with a strong spine. Quite masculine. Reminding us why, among domestic Pinot Noir, we probably prefer the Carneros region. Dark, some might say brooding. BOOM! Through the aerator…slurpy slurp…and the dark funk shows more like truffle aromas. The fruit comes forward. The spine becomes more elastic. It is still masculine but no longer looking for an MMA fight. 14.2%

2007 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Reserve Fort Ross Vineyard $45: Fresh and fruity. Rich ripe Russian River-like flavors. Classic like Shotgun Kelly. Full throated. Cola flavor. Middle weight. BOOM! Through the aerator and now the wine has slowed down going from classic to classical. Very pleasant. Removed most of the alcohol heat. This is a relatively unknown winery on top of the hill above the Pacific that is worth trying. Check out the website photos. 14.5%

2005 Fort Ross Chardonnay Reserve Fort Ross Vineyard
$40: Golden color suggests a mature wine. Vanilla flavors, chardonnay fruit, hint of limon. Such a nice wine as is why would anyone want to…BOOM! Aerator takes the wine from mature to wizened. The lime flavor emerges just like butterscotch might in a 20 year old Olivier Leflaive Chassagne Montrachet. Went from lovely to charming. Aerator made this a better and more enjoyable wine. 14.5%

The Fort Ross site looks spectacular. While they do not necessarily receive visitors they are setting up their tasting room. Be sure to check out the vineyard photos.

Maybe the aearator does not always work [ed. IGTY swears by it]. But it sure is fun taking it for a spin. Vinturi makes the original. Not sure if there are knockoffs yet. You can buy the version with the stand shown here or one that goes in the bottle top or just the hand held device.

2010 Domanine Lathuiliere-Gravallon Brouilly Pisse-Vielle $10: From Garagiste. Incredible value that delivers. Did not get the aerator treatment altho’ next time it will! Sharp edgy fruit. Dark purple robe which means it looks viscous in the glass. Mrs. tBoW says it is a little sour. That’s how we like it with discernible acid. Very rare in New World wines. Acid goes very well with many foods. Huge U20 winner. 13%

1 Comment

  1. Wavatar
    Kris-B says:

    The Lathuiliere-Gravallon wines are absolutely delicious!

Got something to add?