Burgans Albarino

2007
Rias Baixas
Spain

Will drink again.

Having been craving an Albarino for a few weeks, I purchased the only one a local wine shop had a lot of. This was it. I enjoyed it, though not quite as much as the Nora Albarino I reviewed here in November 2007. But I would still recommend this.

A friend from another planet recommended Albarino to me last year following a business-related trip he'd made. He loved it. I'd never heard of it. Months later, in 2007, I tried a Nora Albarino at a restaurant with my tuna entree and loved it. I haven't had one since, though I've read it is THE wine to have with shell fish and/or paella. So, tonight I was stir-frying shrimp and figured I'd try to locate one. We had shrimp with ginger, garlic risotto and spinach and this Albarino accompanied it perfectly. I am in love with the lemon and mineral notes I seem to pick up in the only two Albarinos I've ever had.

Though this one was more floral and citrus-y, and much lighter in color than the Nora, I still enjoyed it. It reminds me of a cross between a lemony Sauvignon Blanc and a woodsy Chardonnay. Nice. I may not be a connoisseur, or have big bucks to spend, so you may choose to believe I'm just blowing words out my ass, but this wine goes especially well with sea fish and shell fish. Trust me.

Josiah
Seven years old
AK-47 forced into your little hands
The weight of it causing you to lose balance and fall over
Forced into battle against the "rebels"
You never survived your first RPG experience
Your one and only day in battle
Crying out for your long ago separated mother
Your life ends
And my faith once again mocks me
Where was the God I trust?

(I've been reading the true and heart-wrenching Ishmael Beah's "a long way gone - Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" of his life in Sierra Leone. Josiah's story struck me especially hard as he was the same age as my youngest and I can't imagine a child having to experience these horrors at any age, yet so many have, are, and still will until the hatred and violence ends. But first, help must come from elsewhere. UNICEF saved Ishmael.) PAIX / سَلام / paz / 平和 / pace / ειρήνη / 和平 / 평화(의) / damai / мир / rahu / der Frieden / friður / PEACE

http://www.unicef.org/

Robert Parker gave this Albarino a 90.

$13 / 750ml. bottle
8.0 out of 10
12.5% alc. by vol.

Terre di tufi

2003
Super White Tuscan
San Gimignano, Italia

Will definitely drink again.

A wonderful blend of:
Vernaccia - 80%
Chardonnay - 7%
Malvasia - 7%
Vermentino - 6%

Sad to say, but I can't for the life of me remember what I served with this deletable little number Labor Day weekend. All I know is, The Bro and I really loved it. The Guy doesn't remember it. :0 Doh! He must have enjoyed it a little too much.

Called a "cult wine", this wonderful Tuscan white had a really nice texture and finish, and a wonderful taste combo of creamy, vanilla spice with a nice acid balance.







8.0 out of 10
13% alc. by vol.
$22 / 750 ml bottle

Hayman Hill

2005
Cabernet Sauvignon
NAPA VALLEY
Reserve Selection No. 27

Would love to drink again, and again.

9/20/08 - Update: Had again with lunch - tostadas with black beans, kidney beans, garlic, tomato sauce, Greek plain yogurt and Chipotle topping. Very, very good together.

I still have (3) wines that The Bro brought Labor Day weekend to review, and (3) new reds from a picnic yesterday. But tonight, we had one of our own and this was it. I enjoyed it a LOT. It was good alone and with turkey meatballs, roasted garlic marinara and fresh basil from my kitchen garden, spinach and fresh parmesean. Especially excellent following a bite of the meatball. Scent of a meaty olive, the taste was pleasant blackberry with a little oak and vanilla with a lingering finish.

Quote of the Day - I told The Guy (who, in case you didn't know, writes for Comcast and Scout on the internet about the New England Patriots) with regard to the Patriots' Tom Brady replacement: "He makes me wish I was twenty years old again, and a New England Patriot cheerleader."

He quoted me, wryly, on his report: newengland.comcastsportsnet.com/wickedgoodsports/patriots/week-2-cassel-vs-the-hated-jets/


8.25 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$12.00 / 750 ml. bottle

Valckenberg Gewurztraminer

2006
Germany

Would drink again.

The Bro was here for Labor Day weekend and birthday celebrations. He came with (4) reds and (4) whites. He is not a white wine lover, but he went out on a limb and gave them his best attention. He did not leave a white wine lover, but we did have fun.

I really enjoyed this Gewurztraminer though he did not, nor did The Guy. The Bro's biggest complaint was that he likes a wine he can enjoy on its own without requiring food to enhance the flavor. This wine was on the sweeter side, which was no surprise to me, but it didn't go over well with The Bro or The Guy. We had it with grilled marinated chicken breast, roasted garlic and pecan grains, and broccoli and carrot slaw. I thought it accompanied the tangy flavors of the meal well. And I felt the meal brought out the best in the wine.

Nutmeg, peach and an undisclosed floral scent and flavor. This was my first floral wine experience and I liked it. This wine is flavorful and right on with the budget. Low in alcohol content, it's enjoyable well-chilled on a warm summer day, especially following a LONG hike and you won't get hammered after a couple of glasses.


8.0 out of 10
$10 / 750 ml bottle
10.5% alc. by vol.


Rain it on down.
What else can you throw at me I haven't heard before?
And tear me on down.
I am unforgivable.

So why don't you just tell me
What you really think of me?
And scream me on down
I am so forgettable
Yes, I know.

And shoot me on down
Don't you think this isn't killing me?
But it's no more than I deserve.

I don't care what you call me.
Because it won't hurt any more.

David Ford / I Don't Care What You Call Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybt26QmzZ6U