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