Sassy Bitch Cabernet Sauvignon

2007
Central Valley
Chile


This medium cherry bomb with ever so slight vanilla and herbal flavors and a slight pepper heated finish was a birthday gift from me dah. Thanks Dah.


With every bubble she sank with a drink
And washed it away down the kitchen sink.
The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are comin' so you better run
Run fast for your mother; run fast for your father
Run for your children all your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind.
You can't carry it with you if you want to survive

Florence and the Machine




7.75 out of 10
14% alc. by vol.
$10/750 ml. bottle

Duck Walk Vineyards Rose

2009
The Hamptons, Long Island (must be said with a Thurston Howell, III-type voice Lovey)

This was part of the Thanksgiving Day lineup. I have made it a mission to find something that this accompanies well, though I did use it mostly in cooking. On Thanksgiving, our appetizers were shrimp cocktail, aged upstate NY Cheddar with rosemary crackers, curried cashews, and prosciutto and fontina pinwheels. The Riesling we had accompanied all very well. The Rose was weakened by the other powerhouse flavors. However, I added it to my turkey soup and it tasted good accompanying the soup as well as with risotto and ginger and garlic sauteed chicken breasts that I made for dinner tonight (I did add 1 cup to the risotto). I would have thought the ginger and garlic were too strong of flavors and would have drowned out the wine, but they tasted surprisingly good together.

I was pleasantly shocked by this wine's dryness. I expected it would be weak and sweet, but it had more flavor and punch than I thought it would. Made from Merlot grapes, it was better than I anticipated. It was somewhere between a sauvignon blanc and a light summer chardonnay. It had a light strawberry like flavor with a crisp, almost floral finish. As it states on the bottle, it is better served with "light fare".

Let the angels sing around us
Christmas time is here
Let our children's love surround us
Laughing and filled with cheer

Harry Connick, Jr.
When My Heart Finds Christmas


7.5 out of 10
12% alc. by vol.
$14 / 750 ml. bottle

THANKSGIVING Line Up

A shot of labels to accompany my Thanksgiving 2010 wine list shown on the right. The zin will be served with the bird and the main course. The Riesling and Rose will accompany appetizers pre-dinner, the challenge of which I am still planning, around the wine of course. The cuvee will hopefully be enjoyed at day's end, with the kitchen cleaned up, relaxing in front of a warm fire. :)

Cakebread Chardonnay

2009

Cakebread Cellars

Chardonnay

NAPA Valley, CA

This one is short and sweet. It was a good wine. It was recommended highly by a friend. It was given to me by another friend. (I have nice friends.) It was big citrus fruit and slight apple, and enjoyable, but just not the heavy body or minerality I look for in a chardonnay.

Given the choice between this $32 bottle and my previously reviewd $19 bottle of Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve chardonnay - I am going with the KJ Grand Reserve ALL THE WAY. The distinct flavor and minerality, as well as the extra body make the KJ a way better deal in my opinion.

I've been doubting yours, baby

I've been doubting mine

I've been out of circulation

Where the sun don't shine

. . .Have to draw the line

David Gray, Draw the Line

8.0 out of 10

$32 / 750 ml. bottle

14.1% alc. by vol.

Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay

2008

Grand Reserve

55% Monterey and 45% Santa Barbara County

California

I've got a real simple description: EXCELLENT. Mineral notes, hint of vanilla, big time pear and oak. My current chardonnay favorite for the year. Reminds me greatly of the 2006 Clos du Bois chardonnay.

Fantastic alone and very good with homemade organic chicken soup. All around total SOUL FOOD evening.

Off to do some yoga. Ciao.

well it wasn't me says the boy with the gun

sure i pulled the trigger but it needed to be done

because life's been killing me ever since it begun

you can't blame me cause I'm too young

you cant blame me sure the killer was my son

but I didn't teach him to pull the trigger of the gun

it's the killing on this TV screen

you can't blame me it's those images he's seen

well you can't blame me says the media man

well I wasn't the one who came up with the plan

and I just point my camera at what the people wanna see

man it's a two way mirror and you can't blame me

you can't blame me says the singer of the song

or the maker of the movie which he based his life on

it's only entertainment and as anyone can see

it's smoke machines and make up man you can't fool me
it was you, it was me, it was every man we've all got the blood on our hands we only receive what we demand and if we want hell then hell's what we'll have

COOKIE JAR, Jack Johnson

8.5 out of 10

13.5% alc. by vol.

$18.99 / 750 ml. bottle

Conundrum White Table Wine

2008
Muscat Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Conundrum Wines, California

Yes, sometimes I AM a complete idiot. THIS is NOT the wine I intended to buy. Only I didn't know it. I didn't realize there was more than one Conundrum. I wanted to try Caymus Conundrum and purchased instead Conundrum Winery's Conundrum. :( I saw it and grabbed it without reading the label!!! Do not do this faux pas - READ your labels.

Although a little sweeter than my preferences, this was good, especially with curried butternut squash and pear soup. The scent was all pear for me and that's what made me crazy with anticipation to pair it with my soup I'd been brewing a few hours. The two were very good together. The wine's flavor was more tropical with slight pear and vanilla.

. . .and theres always been laughing, crying, birth, and dying
boys and girls with hearts that take and give and break and heal and grow and recreate and raise and nurture
but then hurt from time to times like these
and times like those
what will be will be
and so it goes

and there will always be stop and go and fast and slow
action, reaction, sticks and stones and broken bones
those for peace and those for war
and god bless these ones
not those ones
but these ones made times like these
and times like those
what will be will be
and so it goes . . .

Jack Johnson, Times Like These

8.0 out of 10
$20 / 750 ml. bottle
Didn't catch the alcohol content because my idiocracy continued and I chucked the bottle :0

NAPA RIDGE Zinfandel

2005
NAPA Valley

I wasn't sure at first that I liked this. It had a scent that was reminiscent of another wine which I couldn't quite place. It was a kalamata olive scent with some slight smoke. The flavor was right on with the first tip-of-the- tongue taste, then it seemed a bit watery or weak. But THEN with subsequent sips, the finish lasted much longer. With a hint of oak, and smoke, and olive, I really enjoyed this. It is recommended to serve with red meat or cedar-planked salmon (which I would have LOVED to have it with). However, I made pizza this evening.

I came across my favorite cookbook by Susan Branch, Vineyard Seasons, that my mother gave me at the hospital on the day of my first daughter's birth. I found my old favorite pizza dough recipe in there and was so happy! The wine was good on its own, not bad with the pizza, and fantastic with dark chocolate brownies.

One of my favorite magazine advertisements (which I haven't seen in quite awhile) was the old Jim Beam ad which stated: "You always come back to the basics." That saying kept going through my head today especially after working my pizza dough and letting it rise. My daughter popped in my Frank Sinatra "I've Got a Crush on You" CD and life came to a nice, slow relaxing pace for a bit. Add to it the note my mom wrote in the cookbook: " . . .This has wonderful ideas for special family times. Now that you are a family I hope you will find it as special as I do! And enjoy it together - " The best part of this note was that she spelled my daugher's name wrong. When she learned the true spelling of her name she wanted to change it in the book, but I told her to leave it. It showed how "new" my daughter was, that her own grandmother didn't know how to spell her name yet. It's so awesome! :)

8.0 out of 10
$12? / 750 ml. bottle
14.1% alc. by vol.

Bogle phantom

2007
Petite Sirah, Old Vine Zin, Old Vine Mourvedre
California

There's that word I love to say over and over: "Mourvedre". It is indeed time again for "phantom". If you've never tried it, buy some. It is only released in the fall and its usual distinct flavor I await with anticipation.

I wish I could say I am a sophisticated taster. However, upon first heady smokey "sniff", I declared in my head "Yes!". I then tasted and the first words that totally popped into my head were (in the accent and bass of "Austin Powers"): "YEAH, Baby!" I then proceeded to thank God out loud for his blessings over the vines and allowing the conditions needed to present this awesome flavor. The Guy was put off by my outward devotion to a being who did not actually physically purchase the bottle.

I am indeed thankful tonight for a nice wine experience that I haven't enjoyed in awhile. Smoke, creosote and BIG stone fruit flavor and my personal favorite "warm rocks in the sun" taste enveloped my tongue in ecstasy. :)


He, amid his figs and wine
Cried, "Oh, loving friends of mine
Pleasures come but not to stay
Even this shall pass away"

Theodore Tilton, 1866 poem, resurrected in Robert Plant's, "Even This Shall Pass Away"


8.50 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$20/750 ml. bottle
boglewinery.com

Clos Du Bois Merlot

2006
North Coast
California

It's been awhile. This wasn't my first choice for a review following such a long absence. However, it is what it is. For the price, I expected more. It's a good wine, just didn't knock my socks off. Not a lot of big flavor. Smooth with some subtle berry and oak, but not enough wham to catch my attention. About the same with food. However, I didn't have it with red meat as suggested. I had it with grilled chicken. The Guy really liked it. A lot more than I did.

I am forever looking for a repeat of the year 1993 and it just never happens. Interestingly metaphoric.


Oh the rain is falling (blow blow down)
And the wild wind roars (blow blow down)
It'll shake your windows (blow blow down)
And rattle your doors (blow blow down)
Ah blow down this house of cards
Blow down this house of cards

(Written by Richard Thompson, sung by Robert Plant and Patty Griffin)


7.5 out of 10
$18 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% alc. by vol

Edna Valley Pinot Noir

2007
PARAGON
San Luis Obispo County, CA

First, I must apologize for the earlier post that follows this one (Dancing Bear by Cakebread Cellars) - once again, I was supremely lucky enough to not have it be a budget wine (or one that I paid for!). But I apologize to any readers truly looking for a "real" budget wine. As I've mentioned earlier, if we are gifted or fall into the throes of a more expensive wine, we ARE going to review it, even if it's not budget. Just like, if you readers were out visiting friends, or were invited to a function where you didn't have to pay for, but received a glass of expensive but truly magnificent wine, you would rave about it. So, that said, I move on to more budget-friendly material. Thank you for your patience. :)

This was a Pinot Noir with some substance. This tastes bigger than it is. I was impressed. It was a nice surprise from a co-worker, MC, who has been telling me about this "great Pinot Noir" he's been having for several months. As we don't see each other very much anymore (he has been relocated to our other building), I was SO very happy when our QA girlfriend brought it back for me following her inspection time up at P2. Meanwhile, MC had called me and told me it was coming back with her. As it is recommended to serve with grilled seafood (as well as lamb chops, game hens & rich pastas), I waited for Thursday when I knew our "Fish Man" would be in town and grabbed some salmon.

I enjoyed this on it's own, but it was really enjoyable with the salmon too. I made out pretty well this week - wine from one co-worker and fresh, Swiss Chard from another. Salmon and sauteed Swiss Chard accompanied this wine nicely.

Interestingly enough, I couldn't quite place the fruit I was tasting. It was a bit cherry like in addition to black pepper, but there was something else I couldn't quite describe. I try to find my own likes prior to reading the label descriptions, but after giving up guessing, it came in handy to turn the bottle over and read the label. The label mentions pomegranate and that's what the missing flavor was that I couldn't quite place (I am a "POM" juice freak).

The Guy was totally impressed with the substance of this Pinot Noir. He felt it tasted more like a Cab. Interestingly enough, I had an Edna Valley Chardonnay last month that was good, but I didn't write about it. I got it through the WSJ Wine Club. We have previously received very obscure run-of-the-mill wines from them. A few catch our attention, but nothing that I am usually inspired enough to write about. I find it pretty cool that this was bought at a local store and recommended to me and it's from the same vineyard as the Chardonnay I had a ways back. I can't wait to tell MC that it's a winery I was unknowingly familiar with!

8.0 out of 10
$14 / 750 ml. bottle
13.9% alc. by vol.

Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

2006
Dancing Bear Ranch
Howell Mountain
NAPA Valley, CA

79% Cabernet Sauvignon
4% Cabernet Franc
17% Merlot

The first 3 words to come to mind upon first sip: "Oh My God". The next 3 words that followed: "Yes! Yes! Yes!" This wine blew the sandals right off my feet and into LI Sound. I have not had a wine that tasted SO good in SO long. The flavor was AMAZING. The finish was SILKY. The scent prior to tasting was buttery lobster. I don't like lobster. But I used to. The scent of of this wine was how lobster tasted to me at the height of my actually really liking lobster. The flavor was super dark fruit with herbs and oak and a bit of wonderful minerality. The flavor just lasted and lasted. It has a fairly high alcohol content - but I never even knew it - it was so incredibly smooth.

What was amazing to me was it tasted just as phenomenal with food as it was on its own. And we had food that was more conducive to white wine. I actually was drinking a Pinot Grigio prior to this wine being introduced. I made chicken sauteed in olive oil, garlic and basil. I made a brown rice dish with spices. We had regular summer salad with cukes and tomatoes. ANY of which I was sure would ruin the flavor of the wine for me. NONE of it did. This wine just stood right up and dominated!! It MADE me come home tonight and finally post something again. I am its slave.


9.5 out of 10
14.8% alc. by vol.
$100 / 750 ml. bottle

Jada

2005
Mirror
Pasa Robles, CA

A blend of 47% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 23% Merlot, I liked this wine. Although the alcohol content was higher than I like, it had a wonderful, warm black cherry scent followed by similar flavor, mixed with peppery heat and slight oak with a little kalamata olive thrown in. I have absolutely NO idea if I ate food with this. I think I did not!

We went to Johnny Bravo's (a.k.a. the Guy) cousin's house for a wine party. We had a good time and got home WAY too late. I proclaimed repeatedly the whole next day that I did not ever want to consume another glass of wine, or anything with alcohol, again. I somehow made it to church and back, then plopped down on the couch for many hours. My brother came and stood over me and said: "So, I guess this means you're not making margaritas tonight?" Ooohhhh - just the thought of smelling Tequila made my head pound with dizziness. I am MUCH better today. But I had to pound three bottles of Naked's "Green Machine" into myself over the last 24 hours. (Nothing like a litte spirulina and chlorella to "fix" me on bad days - my "mowed grass juice" as everyone at work likes to say.)

We had many delicious wines that night, including Halter Ranch Rose which was excellent with an arugula and salami salad. As I am partial to blends, Jada's Mirror stood out, surpassed only by just one glass of Halter Ranch GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend). I could have stayed with the GSM all night and probably should have. I am positive I didn't have food with my glass of Jada. However, I did have vegetable tapenade and melted smoked gouda on crostini with the Halter Ranch and it was pretty darn awesome.

We also enjoyed taking a blind taste test by a California guest whose conversation and wine savvy I enjoyed very much. He had us try 4 different red wines and try to guess which varietal each was. I believe no one got it right. However, I was pretty proud of Johnny Bravo for exclaiming to me that he believed, whatever varietal we were tasting, they were all the same. He was right. They were all Syrah. The point of the tasting being all the same was to prove that each individual person has their own way of tasting, and each wine tastes different to each person. It was, to say the least, California Cool.


I'll be a flame burning in the darkness
And I will light what's in your heart
I'll be a flame in the dark
But I can't light what's not in your heart
-Beth Orton-


8.25 out of 10
16.3% alc. by vol.
$39 / 750 ml. bottle

Sangre de Toro

2007
Rose
Spain

I wanted something chilled, but not beer, and I didn't want my usual summer Chardonnay. I was making black bean and guacamole tacos. So I wanted something that could stand up to strong flavors without canceling each other out. I decided on a cheap Spanish Rose.

I brought it home and chilled it and then had a glass while cooking dinner. It was OK. Not bad. Just not great. No knocking off of the socks. As I mashed avocados for my guacamole, I ate a slice of avocado. I then had a sip of the wine, and THEN I smiled. NICE combo. I put sliced fresh hot red peppers in the guacamole and found a sip of the wine really brought out the pepper in the meal as well. Later, way after the tacos, when cleaning up the kitchen, I had a spoonful of organic ground turkey that had been sauteed in olive oil and red onion and had another sip of wine and had another smile. Really good accompaniment.

The really nice part is you get your own little plastic toy BULL (Toro) attached to each bottle of Sangre de Toro! It was like when I was a kid and I chose the box of cereal by the prize inside. Oh, but THIS wine has a bull attached to it! Every girls dream come true.


7.75 out of 10
13% alc. by vol.
$9 / 750 ml. bottle

ETIM Seleccion

2006
Spain

I really enjoyed this wine. Tremendously. Our friends gave it to us to try. They thoroughly enjoyed their first experience with this wine, but not their next one. They thought their first experience involved food and their second one didn't. But they really couldn't recall. And they weren't sure if they had two different vintages - what a difference a year can make :)

They found the wine "dry". And I agree. It is dry. But there was a LOT of wonderful flavor there. And a lingering finish that I just loved. Dark berry, slight smoke, slight earth, and mushrooms. It especially tasted well with our meal. I tried to make a "Spanish" oriented meal and made spinach with roasted pignolia nuts, Spanish olive oil, and garlic. I marinated shrimp in olive oil and garlic and grilled it. And we had the wine with it. It was all very good and I was happy.


"Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more."
- Proverbs 31:6-7:

For those of you who prefer a rating from a higher authority: Robert Parker gave this wine 91 pts.

8.25 out of 10
$14/750 ml. bottle
14% alc. by vol.
www.etim.es

Mark West Pinot Noir

2008
Sonoma, California

I reviewed the 2006 awhile back and enjoyed this so much more! :) Pinot Noirs tend to be a little on the lighter side for me, but this one was highly enjoyable. I had a nice big glass last night after work while watching Where the Wild Things Are with my two youngest. Then, tonight, for some reason I just HAD to go buy a jar of olives. I brought home a jar of Greek garlic-stuffed green olives and consumed the whole damn thing, along with another glass of Mark West. Both were SO smooth! In anticipated horror, I decided to read how many servings were in the jar of olives: 12! Well, at least I didn't consume 12 servings of wine. Together, the wine and olives were awesome. I was pretty happy.

Many, many thanks to my "farway" southern friends who magically put this bottle in my mailbox as a "get well" wish last week. You guys definitely made me smile. And I smiled 3 more times too with each glass I poured this last week. THANK YOU. :)

I was feeling stupidly down and out for the last couple of days, in spite of receiving great news that "abnormal" cells removed last week are only pre-cancerous and not cancer. Tim, a co-worker, came up to me with a big sigh and asked how my day was going today. I smiled and said "OK". Then I added that "it could always be worse." He said (not even knowing about my little cancer scare thing): "True. Let's put it in perspective." He then proceeded to tell me about his good friend whose wife just had her first round of chemo today following the diagnosis of advanced metastatic breast cancer. She's in her early 40's with two young children. That zapped me right back to reality. And I am keeping thoughts of her right here with me for constant perspective.

Life is short. Too short. If you feel like buying a jar of olives and consuming the whole thing, just do it.


"Wow. He has a double re-cracker."
Alexander the Goat, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

8.0 out of 10
13.8% alc. by vol.
$12 / 750 ml. bottle

The Velvet Devil

2008
Merlot
Washington State

I am not a huge fan of Washington State wines, though I continue to try to be. Some vintages of Columbia Crest merlots and chardonnays have caught my attention and I have enjoyed a few of them for the price. But every now and then I like to pick up another vineyard whose wine I haven't tried. The Guy brought this one home last night and I liked it enough to go look up the winery and thoroughly enjoyed everything I could find on Charles Smith, and loved his no-nonsense blog. I very much intend to give his 2006 Royal City Syrah a try hopefully one day soon (not current budget friendly, but I am totally intrigued).

Washington State merlots I sometimes feel I could blind taste-test. Though many have potential, I usually find them a bit weak in taste. This one was a little different, however, and I did enjoy it. With its hints of dark chocolate cherry flavor and herbs, I will seek it out again.

"It's just booze - drink it!"
Charles Smith

kvintners.blogspot.com

8.0 out of 10
$11 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% alc. by vol.

Walker Road Vineyards

Red Table Wine
Woodbury, CT

In addition to tasting this wine, I had the privilege of meeting the demure and unassuming owner of this small vineyard in Connecticut. This full-bodied red wine, made from 70% St. Croix grapes is actually quite delicious and grew on me. I served it with homemade lasagna and it was a fantastic accompaniment. And, two days later, the remainder of the bottle tasted so fine on its own.

Wine making in Connecticut is, to say the least, challenging, given the cool and sometimes wet climate. Jim Frey seems to have worked his way around that fact. This wine has herbal tendencies (thyme) with mushroom earthiness that I happen to love. I highly recommend this as an every day drinking wine.



I don't care if we don't sleep at all tonight
Let's just fix this whole thing now
I swear to God we're gonna get it right
If you lay your weapon down
Red wine and Ambien
You're talking sh*t again, it's heartbreak warfare

-John Mayer, Heartbreak Warfare



8.0 out of 10
12.5% alc. by vol.
$14 / 750 ml. bottle
walkerroadvineyards.com

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay

2008
Vintner's Reserve
California

I haven't had this in a while, probably not even this vintage ever - can't remember. I know I posted something earlier here. My workout partner likes it for her every day summer Chard, so I had the Guy pick it up on his way home this weekend. I had some last night with grilled asparagus and chicken wraps. Then I had more tonight with grilled shrimp, mushrooms, onions and brown rice. I enjoyed it once again. This wine seems to be relatively consistent from vintage to vintage - which is somewhat remarkable. It is very fruit tropical and citrus-filled with a creamy edge. Not bad for an every day wine.

However, tonight the Guy surprised me and brought home Clos Du Bois Chardonnay, 2008, which is more my style and slightly blows the KJ out of the water. I will give it a review in a few days. I know we are having a Malbec with Easter dinner at my mom's tomorrow so that will take precedence over the Clos Du Bois, but I WILL get back to it.

I made a shocking discovery this evening: my text library does not recognize the word "Chardonnay" - I need to somehow make that more regular! :)













8.0 out of 10
13.5 % alc. by vol.
$13/750 ml. bottle

The Chocolate Block

2008
South Africa
69% Syrah /12% Grenache / 10% Cabernet Sauvignon / 7% Cinsault / 2% Viognier

I have posted previously on The Chocolate Block - in December. However, I posted on the 2007.
BIG DIFFERENCE between the 2007 and 2008. I am not too fond of this one. Needs more time I guess.
It is AMAZING to me the difference a year makes. It just goes to show you how volatile wine-making
can be. Each year provides a different taste. It's really intriguing. And sometimes disappointing.
My brother bought a bottle of 2007 in December and we enjoyed it while watching the movie Bottle Shock.
BIG difference in price (almost $20 more for the 2007), but a BIG difference in taste too.

I came home from a SOAKING wet walk with my Gfriend to find The Guy had purchased a bottle of this
and left it on the counter. I was pretty happy to see it. Until I saw the vintage. However, I have not
previously yet tried the 2008 so I tried to have an open mind. :( I am sorry to report that it just wasn't
near as good as the 2007. This one was extremely dry with little distinguishing flavor. It packed a punch,
and wasn't bad, it just wasn't what I was expecting.


There's indecision when you
Know you ain't got nothing left
when the good times never stay
And the cheap thrills always
seem to fade away
When will we
When will we fall down
Jump back, got to get out of here
been too long this time

--Toad the Wet Sprocket--


7.50 out of 10
$17 / 750 ml. bottle
(I was unable to find the alcohol content!!)

Columbia Cabernet Sauvignon

2006
Columbia Valley
Washington State

This vintage actually got some good reviews. For me, it was OK. A little "grape-y" at first taste. The scent was of dark berries and green olives. It was recommended to serve with red meat, especially steak. I don't do that. I actually had it with rice pasta, white beans, roasted asparagus and roasted sweet onion, mixed with olive oil and balsamic and it tasted better than on its own. This is one of those freaky things where it did seem to improve with being exposed to air for an hour. And it seemed to be a good match with the balsamic. The taste was very Spanish olive like. It tasted quite better on its own the next night - smokey. Tonight. I am tempted to change my rating below, but I won't.

Which brings me to a discussion I previously had recently with a friend with regard to decanting. He believes, and was told, that decanting a young wine is necessary. I was always under the impression that you did not need to decant young wines. But older wines, especially ports, should be decanted to separate out the sediment mostly. The idea of airing a young wine didn't seem necessary. But I have to say I've recently found a few younger wines seemed to taste better upon opening up for a bit. I loved the fact that some of their scents filled the room and made my mouth water.

I consulted my Kevin Zraly book to find that he feels there is NO difference whether a young wine is decanted or not. Old wines should only be decanted to separate sediment. However, if you've got a pricey old wine, DO NOT decant for any more than 15 minutes as you may actually miss the best moments of tasting for that particular wine. The longer it sits, the more its taste evaporates. He does state that he's had a few students swear to him that they notice a younger wine tasting better upon decanting for an hour. So, his suggestion is to decant for an hour if you wish, though he doesn't feel it's necessary. At best, it will fill the room with the wine's aroma for the arrival of any guests for the evening. If you have an old wine, with possible sediment, let it sit for 10 minutes, light a candle, and hold the bottle and decanter up to the candle and pour slowly, watching for any sediment arriving at the bottle neck. Then put it down again and let rest for 5 more minutes to let remaining sediment settle again, and do again.

--Men are like wine, some turn to vinegar - the best improve with age.--
Pope John XXIII (was this Pope fond of wine, or fond of men???????? Regardless, I find this statement to be fantastically true)

7.75 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% acl. by vol.

HJ Fabre Malbec

2008
Mendoza - Argentina




I think it needs more time. Then I might drink it again.


Initially disappointing for me. The Guy liked it. It was high alcohol taste for me, and quite bitter. It was definitely better after air time, and rather enjoyable a couple of days later with chicken and sweet potatoes.


Once I got past the alcohol, I got a black fruit flavor and a bit of licorice and warm spice.





Something about the bitterness of the wine and the sweetness of the roasted potatoes made a positive difference. It is recommended to serve with red meats and fine cheese.

I think a re-visit is necessary in the future with some of my brother's NY State sharp, aged cheddar and the decanter.




The rain is like an orchestra to me
Little gifts from above meant to say
Girl, you're falling at his feet
Isn't lovely or stunning today

The rain'll bring me down

--Rachel Yamagata--



8.0 out of 10 (from The Guy)
7.5 out of 10 (from The Gal)
$12 / 750 ml. bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.

Domaine de L'Herbe Sainte Chardonnay

2008
Famille Greuzard
France


I couldn't stand it anymore. I broke down. I've been on an elminiation diet for 8 weeks now to try to determine if I've got food allergies. It's a strict diet with no dairy, no wheat, no sugar, no chocolate, no alcohol (NO WINE!), no garlic, no peppers. All vegetables and fruit and poultry are to be organic, salmon should be wild, and only well-treated, grass-fed beef (if I were to eat beef). I have done 85% well as I have been eating mostly organic fruits, vegetables and poultry (and wild salmon) for quite some time now. I was allowed a couple of times to go off for one special meal or invitation, but I was to not have it be two days in a row. Except for two wine tasting events, and my mother's birthday, (oh and a Fashion Show I just remembered - SHOOT!) I have followed it completely . But tonight, I broke down and opened a bottle of French Chardonnay I've had chilling since Christmas.

All I wanted to do was add a bit to my California Basmati brown rice along with some organic chicken broth to give it a more gourmet flavor. I opened this bottle, and the tropical aromas made me salivate. I told myself I'd have just one glass and ended up having almost two. Nice pear and citrus flavors with a hint of thyme and ever so slight mineral notes and a creamy finish. It was really good.




She's just the way she is, but no ones told her that's OK.

And she would change everything, everything just ask her.
Caught in the in-between, a beautiful disaster,

And she would change everything for happy ever after.
Caught in the in-between, a beautiful disaster.

--Jon Mclaughlin--




8.25 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$15 / 750 ml. bottle

Tobin James Fat Boy Zinfandel

2007
Zinfandel
Paso Robles, CA

We had the pleasure of attending another super fun wine tasting over the weekend. We actually started the event with an AWESOME daquiri that was the favorite of John and Jacqueline Kennedy. This is totally going to be a summer 2010 patio cocktail for me - it was so unbelievably smooth and drinkable. It was made with Oronoco rum and fresh lime and it was fantastic.

Anyway, we also drank Seghesio Vineyards 2006 Old Vine Zin which I have had in the past, but totally loved recently with the lavender chocolate we had later. We were served Cockburn's 2000 Vintage Port with our chocolate, which was enjoyable, but I preferred to revisit the Seghesio with the chocolate.

After the wine tasting, we went back to our friends' for wine in the cellar and we had more Tobin James. This time we had two TJ zins, and an Opolo zin. I really liked the Fat Boy which had been decanting a couple of hours. It was really jammy, with mushroom & oak nuances, and slight thyme which made me very happy. I love hints of herbs in wine.

I had invited the Guy's college friend Patty for dinner and she came with us to the wine tasting. It was really good to see her again and be around her intelligence and wit. It was a great night and I felt blessed to have laughed and drank in happiness.




















I know a man of healthy girth,
He's been a lover of beer, quite possibly since birth.
Pleasantly surprised was I to find,
He's let the ale go in favor of fine wine.
Salty chips and M&M's in the past we were sharing,
Have been replaced with fine chocolates and cheeses worthy of wine pairing.
And, I've witnessed an accomplishment most stellar,
He's invested not in a keg house, but a fantastic little wine cellar.





















8.5 out of 10
15.4% alc. by vol.
$55 / 750 ml. bottle (I know, not buget material either)

The Reunion

2006
Mourvedre, Shiraz & Grenache Blend
Rutherglen, Victoria
Australia





Hints of cherry, herb, and vanilla encompass this Australian blend. Although good on its own, it moves up a few notches when paired with aged Gouda. It especially tasted fantastic with gemelli pasta, vegetable tapenade, and shredded Gouda.




Twisted words
Falsified assumptions
A master retreat

Silence
Mind games
A cracked heart

A friendship severed and bleeding out

8.0 out of 10 (8.5 out of 10 with the Oakvale Aged Gouda cheese pairing)
14.5% alc. by vol.
$20 / 750 ml. bottle

Favorite Wines of Late

November 2009
Turley Zinfandel
Howell Mountain
Dragon Vineyard
California
2004


December 2009
Kistler Cuvee Natalie
Pinot Noir
Silver Belt Region
California
2007

Cesari Amarone
Classico
Italy
2005


January 2010
Tobin James
Blue Moon Reserve
Syrah
Paso Robles
California
2006


No surprise to me, but I tend to be a California Girl :)


And as we drank our wine and let the world fade away, the sunrise tried to end it while we tried to stay.

--Joshua Radin--

Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all
It's a quarter after one I'm all alone and I need you now
And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without

-Lady Antebellum-

Twomey Merlot

2001
NAPA Valley
Oakville, CA


This was a highly enjoyable wine. A Christmas gift from my partner in crime during the work week, we drank this with my mom's birthday dinner. Terrific on its own, it accompanied my Rioja Chicken with prunes and olives nicely. It also tasted great with our chocolate cake dessert.

Herb and earth scents opened upon pouring. The taste was on par with the bouquet, with a little of cocoa and black berry mixed in. This was delicious overall.

I'm sorry, again :( Not a budget wine.






Rioja Chicken called for Rioja wine. As I didn't have any, I turned it into Merlot chicken just as well. I made long grain brown rice, caramelized carrots and fresh popovers to accompany it.





This Devil's Food chocolate cake recipe of my grandmothers tasted good with the wine as well.








Night and day, you are the one
Only you beneath the moon or under the sun
Whether near to me, or far
It's no matter darling where you are
I think of you
Day and night, night and day, why is it so?

--Cole Porter--


$75 / 750 ml. bottle
8.25 out of 10
14.4% alc. by vol.

Chateau Les Vallees Bordeaux

2005
Grand Vin De Bordeaux
Gironde - France

We got this at Christmastime and decided to open it tonight for my mom's birthday as our opening wine. Although it was disappointing for me on first sip, it tasted much better with roasted cashews. It at first had a watery-musty brief finish but it became much more meaty and enjoyable with the nuts.

Not bad for the price.


$12 / 750 ml. bottle
8.0 out of 10
13% alc. by vol.

Tobin James Syrah

2006
Blue Moon Reserve
Paso Robles, CA




I'm sorry for apologizing yet again for another non-budget wine. I LOVED this wine. But I don't think I would pay the $150 price tag for it on my own. It was oh so fantastically SMOKEY. NICE distinctive flavor and finish. Great with dark chocolate.

I am on an elimination diet and have done well until tonight. My doc told me I could afford one or two nights during my (30) days to go slightly astray. Tonight was the night. But I've had too much. This has been a totally tough week for me. I immersed myself in old movies and LOVED "Night and Day" (the Cole Porter story) with Cary Grant. It helps (sometimes) to go back to a simpler time of romance and life.

Anyway, we had some good wine and food pairings tonight with some friends. And, when I shouldn't have had anymore, the Tobin James Blue Moon Reserve was opened up and I enjoyed it immensely. I would have enojoyed more but my little one (who was at a sleepover) got homesick and needed to be picked up.

This is a distinctive, delicious wine if you've got $ to blow. Mussels are the recommended accompaniment for this wine. I've got a great Gourmet magazine recipe that includes garlic, organic chicken broth, white wine and chicken flavored stuffing mix and fresh parsley that might be awesome with this wine (maybe just replace the recipe's white wine with the red).

Defense is paper thin
Just one touch and I'll be in
Too deep now to ever swim against the current

So let me slip away, so let me slip away
So let me slip away, let me slip against the current
so let me slip away, so let me slip away
so let me slip away, so let me slip away

Vindicated, I am selfish, I am wrong, I am right
I swear I'm right, swearI knew it all along
And I am flawed, but I am cleaning up so well

--Dashboard Confessionals--

$150 / 750 ml. bottle
8.75 out of 10
15.8% alc. by vol.

Chateau Lafite Rothschild

1994
Grancru - Pauillac
France
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

My stepbrother-in-law posted on his Facebook page last night that he wondered what Martin Luther King, Jr. would think today about how far we've come. Sadly, it's no way near far enough in my opinion. I am shocked and dismayed in the last couple of months to witness (or be told of) remarks, comments and actions of blatant prejudice from people who I respect and/or consider friends. The ignorance of those who I deemed educated and/or caring comes as a great surprise. Prejudice makes even beautiful people ugly.

ONTO THE WINE:
I find myself once again feeling the need to apologize for reviewing a big-time expensive wine on a "Budget" wine blog. It really doesn't happen that often, but when I am fortunate enough to have such an experience, I must let you know my thoughts just in case.

My stepfather-in-law held a birthday party for his wife (my mother-in-law) and shared this wine with us for the occasion. It was gifted to him upon his retirement from Merrill Lynch. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and a tiny bit of Petit Verdot, I must say that on first sip I was disappointed. So I let my glass remain out in the open for more air time and it was slightly better, but for the price, disappointing. Although there were some interesting and promising scents and flavors of leather, slight herb, and mushroom with hints of blackcherry, the fullness just wasn't there that I truly expected, and the finish wasn't as long as I anticipated. My mother-in-law commented to me on how surprised she was that it didn't open up like a big juicy cab, which is what she thought it would be like. I don't know how my stepfather-in-law stored it over the last few years, but I don't think it was mistreated, though it definitely wasn't in a temperature-controlled environment. But my gut really doesn't think that was the issue. I would love to know what others' experience with this label have been.


I want to get out of this
I wonder
Is there anything I'm going to miss
I wonder
How it's going to be
When you don't know me
How's it going to be
When you're sure I'm not there
How's it going to be
When there is no one to talk to, between you and me
'Cause I don't care
How's it going to be
How's it going to be
Where we used to laugh
There's a shouting match
Sharp as a thumbnail scratch
A silence I can't ignore

Third Eye Blind


8.0 out of 10
12.5% alc. by vol.
>$275.00 / 750 ML bottle