Peachy Canyon Zinfandel

2005
Paso Robles
California



Might drink again with a well-paired food match.

By scent alone, I thought I would enjoy this wine. It had a sort of dusty cherry scent. But upon tasting, it was "thin" and more light bodied than I care for. There was a slight finish, but it was high alcohol more than flavor.

That was prior to food and, as it was The Guy's B'Day, I was grilling one of the better parts of a poor cow :( for his B'Day dinner. I thought perhaps the Zin would blossom with the steak. NOT. :( Just disappointing.

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are how fragile we are

Fragile, Sting

7.5 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml bottle
13.9% alc. by vol.

Tiz Red Red Wine

2004

Red Table Wine

Santa Rosa, California

Would drink again.

This is a simple, berry flavored red wine. Slight finish. Not bad. Wasn't too bad alone or with lasagna. Cheap.

Can't get no rest, don't know how I work all day

When will I learn? Memories get in the way

I walk around, I can't hear a sound, folks talkin' loud

But I don't see at all, I gotta get away, gotta get away
I don't know where to go

It's hopeless so I guess I'll leave it alone

Games people play, night or day, they're just not matchin'

What they should do keeps me feelin' blue

The Spinners, Games People Play

7.50 out of 10

$7.99 / 750 ml. bottle

13.5% alc. by vol.

http://www.tizwinery.com/

Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz

2005
McLaren Vale
Australia

Would definitely drink again if given the opportunity -not a budget wine.

This was leftover from the winter - it was a trade for baked goods. It was excellent. I highly recommend it if you've got nothing better to do with $50.

I was honestly extremely worried as I accidentally put this in the garage back in January thinking it was empty :0 It must have been out there for a few weeks before I was going through empties and discovered it was full (and very cold). Apparently, no harm was done! (whew!)

I had it alone as we were only having black beans and brown rice and salad for dinner. However, after dinner I was making a pasta salad for my daughter's school and popped one penne with sauteed garlic all over it into my mouth. I then had another sip of the Shiraz and found the garlic flavor was wonderfully enhanced. So, who knows? Maybe it would be good with a heavy garlic dish.

Beautiful dark purple hue, strong aroma of rich fruit and spice, taste of blackberry, licorice, slight vanilla, awesome spicy long finish.

It's time for saying goodbye
Cause if I stay here too long
You'd get to know me too well
And find that something was wrong
The time is perfect to go
Before the curtain descends
Right now when both of us know
That everything's got to end
If i don't see you again . . .

. . . Are you gonna be the one to save me
Doesn't look like the future is clearing . . .

Neil Diamond, If I Don't See You Again
(Off the "Home Before Dark" new acoustic release - Awesome - reminiscent of his early 1970's albums that I personally love so much)

Wine Spectator 94
Robert Parker 95

9.0 out of 10
$50 - $60 / 750 ml. bottle
14.8% alc. by vol
http://www.twohandswines.com/

Marquis Philips Shiraz

2005
South Eastern Australia

Will drink again.

I loved this wine - had a very McLaren Vale Shiraz taste to it (which means I really, really liked it). I get excited when I taste a wine that reminds me of a particular region. For Shiraz's, I love the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. This had a distinct flavour to it - slightly smokey, tobacco cherry flavor. It was a drink alone wine. I can't remember at this point what I had for food with it - but it doesn't matter as I remember it took some of the flavour away. But it was good again later on its own - too good. I had too much. I did end up with a nasty headache the following day (which is when I paid attention to the alcohol content). I would not let this deter you from trying this wine - I had far too little to eat the entire day and then too much wine that night.

I don't suppose you'd give it a shot
Knowing all that you've got
Are cigarettes and red vines
Just close your eyes, cause, baby--
You never do know
And I'll be on the sidelines,
With my hands tied,
Watching the show

Aimee Mann, Red Vines


8.25 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml bottle
15.9% alc. by vol. (too much - be careful)

Behrens & Hitchcock Merlot

2003
Napa Valley
California

Would drink again.

This is not a budget wine. My aunt stopped by over the weekend on her way home from her high school reunion (while I was shuffling children to birthday parties so I'm sorry that I missed her) . She came bearing a Mother's Day gift for me - this wonderful bottle of wine. I shared it with my own mom, following a day of hiking. It was a nice way to end the day.

With a rich smokey scent, this full-bodied wine tasted more dry than sweet, with a nice smooth flavor balance of smokey cherries/plum and very little oak. The only slightly negative for me was the high alcohol content (15.2%). I think it would have been better if it was lower. But still, definitely enjoyable.

Every night that goes between
I feel a little less
As you slowly go away from me
This is only another test . . .

. . .So I try to say Goodbye my friend
I'd like to leave you with something warm
But never have I been a blue calm sea
I have always been a storm . . .

Fleetwood Mac, Storms

8.25 out of 10
$41.99 - $55 / 750 ml. bottle (cheapest to most expensive I found on-line)
15.2% alc. by vol.
Behrens & Hitchcock Winery, St. Helena, California

Chateau Andriet

2003
Bordeaux Superieur
France
75% Merlot / 25% Cabernet Franc

Will drink again.

I really enjoyed this full-bodied wine, though I don't remember much about it as it's been a week since I had it! I know it had a distinct flavor and I liked it on its own as well as with food. It was slightly earthy, but more herb-like (thyme especially).


At the age of 13, I don't believe I had quite the maturity level, nor vocabulary, as my first born child does at the same age. I am in awe of her abilities and wisdom. We struggle, she and I, but I love her so VERY much. The world is totally her oyster and I wish I had the power in myself at that age that she has.

This is hers:

"ROSE"

Bud opening its eyes for the very first time
Crimson petals soft as silk,
A beauty so rare.

Roots stretching their legs
Growing and spreading; never-ending,
Reaching down to the earth's fiery core.

Thorns jutting out in every direction
Screaming bone-chilling agony,
A disease spreading up and down its stem.

Dewdrops resting silently in its dark radiance
Crying for its magnificence,
A mystery within.




8.0 out of 10
$13 / 750 ml bottle

Torre di Monte Pinot Grigio

Torre di Monte

2006

Umbria

Italy

Will drink again.

I had a glass of this at a restaurant recently and it was very good. It had a very distinctive taste for a Pinot Grigio. I want to say it tasted like cedar to me (though I've never tasted cedar). Very interesting. I had it with Ravioli and scallops and it accompanied both very well. The flavors of the food were enhanced following a sip of the wine.

I don't know if it's readily available. I couldn't find anyone selling it but I didn't look that hard. What I did find puts it at $10 / bottle. Great for the price.

8.0 out of 10

$10 / 750 ml. bottle