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Serves 6 to 8
Total preparation time: About 2 1/2 hours |
INGREDIENTS |
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3 pounds Beef for Stew
1/4 cup olive oil or bacon drippings
3 cups sliced onions
2 tablespoons flour
2 1/4 cups light beer
2 1/4 cups dark beer
2 allspice berries
1 2-inch bay leaf
1/8 teaspoon thyme
3 peppercorns |
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2000 Domaine les Aphillanthes,
Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee
Trois Cepages
Producer:
Domaine les Aphillanthes
Drink Now
through Dec. 2011
Rating: 92
Market Price: $19.99
Tasting Notes:
The 2000 Cotes
du Rhone-Villages Cuvee Trois
Cepages (equal parts Grenache,
Syrah, and Mourvedre) offers
an opaque purple color along
with a gorgeous perfume of
sweet cassis and blackberry
fruit, full body, remarkable
purity, and considerable
power. Given its concentration,
it will easily evolve for a
decade or more, but I suspect
its low acidity will cause
most purchasers to consume
it earlier. It is very impressive!
The wine is bottled without
fining and filtration. As I
wrote last year, this is one
of the discoveries of the southern
Rhone. Although this is an
expensive Cotes du Rhone, it
represents a great value because
it is comparable to the finest
Gigondas and Chateauneuf du
Pape. It is a stunningly concentrated,
brilliant example from owner
Daniel Boulle. |
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2000 Domaine la Soumade,
Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau
Cuvee Confiance
Producer:
Domaine la Soumade
Drink Now through
Dec. 2018
Rating: 92
Market Price: $25.99
Tasting Notes:
The 2000 Rasteau
Cuvee Confiance is comparable
to jam. Its dense purple
color is followed by spectacular
aromas of blueberries/blackberries.
With a boatload of glycerin,
massive body, and noteworthy
purity, symmetry, and length,
it will drink well for 12-15
years. |
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2000 Chateau
Rayas, Fonsalette Cotes du
Rhone Cuvee Syrah
Producer:
Chateau Rayas
Drink from Jan. 2007
to Dec. 2018
Rating: 91
Market Price: $39.95
Tasting Notes:
A monster effort,
the deep purple-colored 2000
Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone
Cuvee Syrah reveals characteristics
of animal fur, licorice,
blackberries, and mushroom/truffle
notes. With superb concentration,
huge body, and a monolithic,
backward personality, it
will be at its best between
2007-2018.
A disclaimer is in order concerning
the following tasting notes.
While the bottled 2000s were
easy to taste, the 2001 barrel
tastings at Rayas were challenging
because there was no electricity
in the cellars. Rayas was one
of many estates where electricity
had been cut off by the floods
of September 8 and 9. Hence,
the tasting was conducted by
flashlight ... a first in my
25 years of experience.
It was hard to get a grasp
of the barrel samples' colors
when viewed by flashlight,
but they appeared to be light
to medium ruby. However, darkly
pigmented wines are rarely
produced at this domaine. There
have been some deep-colored
vintages of Rayas (1995, 1990,
and 1989), but most are surprisingly
weak in color, yet intense
in flavor. |
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2000 Chateau Rayas, Fonsalette Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Syrah
2000 Domaine la Soumade, Cotes du Rhone Villages Rasteau Cuvee Confiance
2000 Domaine les Aphillanthes, Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Trois Cepages
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DIRECTIONS |
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1. Place the olive oil or bacon drippings in a heavy
pot and heat until hot, but not smoking. Add the beef
and brown on all sides, working in batches if necessary
to prevent crowding the pan. As the meat is browned,
remove to a platter.
2. Add the onions to the pot and brown, stirring occasionally.
Sprinkle the onions with the flour, cook for another
3 minutes, stirring. Gradually add the beer. Reduce
heat and cook slowly, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
3. Make an herb bundle by combining the allspice, bay
leaf, thyme, and peppercorns in a piece of washed cheesecloth,
and secure with kitchen twine.
4. Return the beef to the cooking liquid and add the
herb bundle. Simmer for 1 hour, covered, then cook uncovered
for 30 minutes. Remove herb bundle before serving. |
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