Dragon's Tooth Blend

2008
NAPA Valley Red
56% Malbec, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot

*Please note that this is not a "budget" wine as our title suggests. From time to time I will review more expensive wines when given the opportunity to indulge. This is one of those times.


--Dark berry fruit flavors, smooth, baking spice oak finish--

My brother is here for Christmas - yay! He brought (4) bottles of red blends with him. We went through two bottles of this tonight with family and friends. I made a big pot of chili and we had a mish-mosh of appetizers that my mom brought left over from a gathering she had at her house the night before. As my brother said, pretty much everything we ate with this tasted better. We had spicy chicken wings which, followed by a sip of wine, the pepper really kicked into gear. We had aged Canadian Cheddar, meatballs, Carr's Wheat Crackers and Cheddar Melts, 5-layer Mexican dip, and finally, the chili. It all tasted good together. My favorite was a Hershey's kiss followed by a sip of wine. The milk chocolate flavor popped back into focus following a sip of the wine.

My brother purchased this wine for $44. However, we have since discovered on the internet, that this vintage is sold out. The price to purchase was in the $70's on average. He is thinking he is going to grab a few more bottles when he gets back to his state where he purchased these from.

It has been tough to feel like blogging. It has been tough to feel the Christmas Spirit. It has been tough to feel any seasonal joy. Every day I have the town of Newtown on my mind. There is so much raw emotion right there on the forefront of my thinking every day. I wake up daily feeling like it is a "normal" day for about one millisecond and then I remember that life has changed. I have connections through family and otherwise to (3) of the adults that were killed, and a second cousin is a neighbor to one of the little girls killed. Even if I didn't have any ties to any of the victims, this is a heart-wrenching event. Everywhere I go, I find people need to mention it, or talk about it. I have vendors at work from across the country who ask me when I talk to them how "we" are doing in our neck of the woods. I work two towns over from Newtown and pass through Newtown on my way to work. But many of my vendors do not know that. They just know I am in the same state and want me and others to know that they are thinking of us all.

We will never be able to make sense of what happened. There was really nothing that could have been done to stop it. Dawn Hochsprung had a good security system in place. It just wasn't capable of keeping out someone who really wanted to do harm. I still believe that good WILL triumph over evil in the end and we must not ever lose faith. Those children and teachers must not die in vain. We have to do our best to forge ahead, remembering them always, while paying closer attention to those children who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

I am a traditional Christmas song lover. I don't like anything that sounds like today's pop or has been given a mod  uptempo. I rarely listen to "new" Christmas music, with a few exceptions. Sting's "If on a Winter's Night" CD, Harry Connick Jr.'s song "When My Heart Finds Christmas", and Sarah McLachlan's "Wintersong" CD. I am a Gordon Lightfoot fan, and his 1967 song covered by both Sting and Sarah, "If on a Winter's Night" has always been one of my favorites. This year it has taken on new meaning. I can't help but think of the families who are missing their children when I listen to some of the lyrics.

I do believe that those teachers who perished are with the children who perished too. And I believe families will one day be reunited with their precious little lost loves. And for every act of evil, I believe there are way more acts of good. Wishing you all comfort and peace this Christmas, and hold close those who mean the world to you.

The fire is dying now, my lamp is growing dim
The shades of night are lifting
The morning light steals across my windowpane
Where webs of snow are drifting
If I could only have you near, to breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
And to be once again with you
On this winter night with you 

--If on a Winter's Night by Gordon Lightfoot

This wine was given a rating of 94 by Wine Enthusiast.

8.5 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
*$44 -$76 (depending on where you buy it) / 750 ml. bottle

Joh.Jos.Prum Riesling

1999
Wehlener Sonnenuhr 
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Germany

A few years ago, my uncle Bob turned my dislike of "sweet" Riesling into a quizzical quest to be more open to it. I don't remember what bottle we enjoyed that afternoon in the sun on his patio, as it was before my blogger days where I'd actually pay attention to labels in the hopes of a later review, but he served it with prosciutto wrapped melon and I was sold on that marriage. Yesterday afternoon, Thanksgiving Day, brought me back to the above sweet recollection. 
 
In keeping with tradition, in spite of my uncle's passing, we are still enjoying his wines on Thanksgiving. My aunt brought me Riesling from the Mosel region, as my uncle had done before on previous Thanksgivings to serve with appetizers. I made bacon wrapped scallops specifically to accompany this Riesling and it was outrageously good. This Riesling has wonderful aromas and tastes of pears and apricots. But followed by a bite of bacon-wrapped scallop, the sweetness cut out and a fantastic minerality became known to me. This was an excellent pairing. :)

So, after yesterday, I vowed I would get up this morning and eat healthy and go for a walk. So far, I got up and turned on some old jazz. I made Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls for my girls, with bacon and eggs. Simultaneously I began pulling out ingredients to make turkey soup today. To get to my onions and celery and carrots and shallots, I had to remove piles of leftovers from yesterday's dinner. That meant the chocolate cream pie had to come out. I had a sliver as I placed it on the counter (I figured it would make my coffee taste better). Then as the bacon was draining, I thought about the awesome Riesling and bacon-related pairing from yesterday and thought I should blog about it. To capture a bit more of that experience, I thought I should pour a half glass of Riesling and have it with a piece of bacon (9:30 a.m. mind you). As I continued savoring the two, I pulled pumpkin pie from the fridge and wondered what the Riesling would taste like when paired with the pumpkin pie, so I had a sliver of that. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't the same caliber as the bacon and scallops. Similarly, the bacon also was not as enjoyable alone with the Riesling as when the scallop accompanied it. As I continued pouring through the fridge and gorging myself on morning wine and confections with the occasional piece of bacon, Glenn Miller's Rhapsody in Blue came on and I began to reflect on the ever changing Thanksgiving Table gathering over the years. We had a few good years just a short while back where I could count on a regular crowd and I learned to love the feel of the togetherness with so many who mean so much. I began to rely on all the "regulars" and had such a shock when last year marked the first year that we lost so many and it changed the dynamic greatly.

Yesterday was a good day, though we did miss my brother who was unable to make it for the first time in years. That said, we gained my aunt back after being unable to make it the last two years. My mom and step-dad joined as they usually do, and of course my grandmother whose presence I have greatly appreciated over the years and I have found I don't ever want to not be at my Thanksgiving table, though sadly I know that too will change as everything must in this life. I lost my other grandmother last year and we had our first Thanksgiving last year without her being still here on earth. At the same time, last year was our first Thanksgiving after having lost my uncle and step-grandfather as well. So as we gathered this year, we were very cognizant of those we have loved and lost who used to adorn my table with their presence, and those who couldn't be with us for other means. But their presence was greatly felt among us I couldn't help but feel. We ate off of plates my deceased grandmother brought back from a trip to Japan years ago. We enjoyed my uncle's wine as we have continuously for so many years (even when he couldn't make it, he would still forward to me a case of wine that he picked out for each various phase of dinner from appetizers to dessert). And my grandmother brought her late husband's recipe of Rum Tiddlies she'd made in a big bottle of Mount Gay Rum, complete with fresh nutmeg grated into each glass. I reflected last night after all company had long gone, as I sat in my kitchen remembering (and missing greatly) the Thanksgiving nights when my late grandmother would stay and help me pull apart the turkey for making soup, on how the Thanksgiving Table is a metaphor for life itself. Life is ever changing, nothing stays the same for long, and the trick for us as humans is to learn to adapt to those changes, go with it, create new memories while savoring the old, all the time realizing that while change can bring emptiness and sadness or a longing for days gone by, at any given moment, change can also bring a new happiness or new wonderful memory to lighten our heart and can very much bring about those long lost good feelings from good days gone by. And in this way, it is as if past meets present, making the future brighter with hope.

When this doesn't happen again
We'll have this moment forever
But never, never again 

--Doris Day, "Again"


8.5 out of 10
8% alc. by vol.
$20/750 ml. bottle

Thanksgiving Day 2012 Wine Lineup

Joh.Jos. Prum Riesling, 1999, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
Clos Fourtet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 1999, France
Turley Howell Mountain Zinfandel, 2008, Rattlesnake Ridge, St. Helena, California
Warre's Vintage Porto, 1994, Portugal

It is incredibly awesome to me that my uncle continues to provide me with exceptional wine experiences even though he no longer walks the earth. I miss him so very much at Thanksgiving especially, so it is bittersweet-wonderful to be able to continue to savor the delicacies from his cellar.

No matter where you are at in this life, richer or the poorest of the poor, happy or the saddest of sad, surrounded by loved ones or all alone or far away, look in your heart and find just one thing to be thankful for, even if it is just as simple as the sun is shining wherever you are. Bask in it, feel it's warmth on your weary bones and realize, even if on the slightest level, that that is something.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Rutherglen Rare Tokay

Calliope
RL Buller & Son
Australia

This was the dessert wine my aunt brought the night we enjoyed "The Problem Child". My aunt, who isn't necessarily a wine "fan", does enjoy ice wines and/or sweeter dessert wines. This treat was from my uncle's wine cellar. BIG flavors of: fig, caramel, baking spices.

Technically, this is a "muscadelle", unrelated to the "Muscat" family, but similar in that it is from a white wine grape with grape juice and raisin nuances.

I am NOT a fan of sweet or dessert wines. This particular evening, we were having snickerdoodle cookies for our dessert (a vanilla drop cookie with lots of cinnamon). Well, my aunt, my mother and I enjoyed our first sip of the Tokay prior to bringing dessert to the table. We each said "mmmm" in varying degrees, but definitely "mmmm" in general. I then picked up a snickerdoodle and took a bite. Uh-oh, I thought. I absolutely knew the next sip of Tokay was going to send me over the edge. It totally did - it was a match made in heaven. I informed my mother and my aunt that they were going to need to stop their conversation and bite into a snickerdoodle and then have a sip of the Tokay. There just were no words being produced from the three of us. We could only pronounce grunts like cave men.

Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.
--I'm Looking Through You, Lennon-McCartney--


8.5 out of 10
18.0 % alc. by vol.
$40 / 375 ML

phantom

2009
Clarksburg, California
Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, & Old Vine Mourvedre

What a difference a year makes. I had the 2009 last year and reviewed it. This is a year later, with the 2009 having remained bottled, and the smokiness that I so love is ALL there in the very first sip, and it lasts to the end. YES! Thanks to the Guy for a much needed surprise tonight.

This is my Halloween go-to. After the chaos of which child is going where and with who, and organizing pickups and sleepovers and trips to see grandma, this is my trick-or-treat upon my final return home.

8.5 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$19.99 / 750 ml. bottle

2007 Problem Child

2007
Linne Calodo
Red Zinfandel Blend
Paso Robles, CA

It has been a long time. I am sorry this is not a budget wine, though it is way better than the pricing on my last review. I do like to mix it up in case there are others who happen upon this site that partake in more expensive wines. And this is one of the last, more recent wines I've had. I have taken a hiatus lately and for awhile was drinking Rum Tiddlies and Margaritas only, when I felt like having a cocktail.

Several years ago, a co-worker mentioned how much he enjoyed this wine. I never came across it in any stores at the time. Toward the end of August, during a fabulous family gathering, my aunt brought this to our table. My daughter's beau (who we have all grown fond of) was leaving for college fairly far away. And my aunt and I were leaving the next day for Maine for a weekend memorial. My mother had us all over for dinner and it was one of those spectacular pivotal times when the stars aligned and a great time was had by all. It was bittersweet for my daughter and her beau and for me as I watched them laughing together and holding each other's gaze as they knew the morning's light would bring his absence after a summer spent together in the sun, and rain, and with family over dinners (and spent with Mom at the CAKE concert! YES!). It is one of my best recent dinner memories, and reminded me so much of a classic Thanksgiving gathering.

Back to the wine. My dear uncle had this in his wine cellar. I was SO excited to have it. It did not let me down. As a matter of fact, it probably tasted way better than when my co-worker had it originally, though I confess I don't recall the vintage of his. I am a blend fanatic. This is 72% red zin, 16% syrah, and 12% mourvedre (one of my favorite words to say and taste!). I tasted dark berry fruits, smoke, and some dark chocolate orange on the finish. It was awesome on its own. And it was very good with chocolate. I am beginning to wonder if it isn't mourvedre that adds the wonderful smokiness I pick up on in wine blends that contain it. Regardless, I would like more.  :)

One more thought: The alcohol content on this wine is quite high - I honestly didn't notice. Usually I am not a fan of high alcohol wines. This was just so very smooth it didn't matter.

9.25 out of 10
$55/750 ml. bottle
16% alc. by vol.

Kistler Sonoma

2006
No. 04585
California

Not a budget wine. Sorry about that. I required this. As the suggested drink time is from 2009-2015 I figured I was safe being 3 years out on either end.

I categorized this delicacy immediately upon first sip as "flowery" with intense minerality. Minerality is one of my favorites in a Chardonnay. In this particular wine, there is no oak flavor. There is no vanilla. Those are my other personal white wine go-to favorite flavors. Yet this was most excellent. As I rarely experience floweriness, I can't decipher what particular flower we are talking about here. Maybe a bit of honeysuckle?

I remember tasting honeysuckle as a kid with my friend Darren who lived across the street. He had a bunch of it in his yard. We used to shoot hoops together. We were like 6. His brothers were all much older and used to tease me for spending time with him. But we really got along well and I find myself wondering whatever happened to him. We moved away and I never saw him again. I remember Darren and I shooting hoops one morning and then we sat underneath his picnic table listening to my parents argue from across the street. They were really screaming at each other. Darren held a piece of grass between his fingers. He could blow through the blade and make that high-pitched sound. I never could. But I'd try. I told him I was scared and sad. He listened and felt sad with me. I felt really connected to him. We were just kids.

I am headed to Maine next weekend. I am speaking at my grandmother's husband's memorial service. He passed away last September and his service was held right away in CT. However, he led a whole other life in Maine. The island he lived at is holding a special memorial for him. I needed a little help from my uncle in my writing endeavors. So I opened a bottle of Kistler for the occasion. Life is short. Whatever will be, will be. Have FAITH that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. If it sounds like I am trying to explain that to myself, I am. Let it be.


When the truth is
I miss you
Yeah the truth is
That I miss you so

A warning sign
It came back to haunt me, and I realized
That you were an island and I passed you by

--Chris Martin, COLDPLAY, "The Warning Sign"

9.5 out of 10
$119/750 ml. bottle
14.1% alc. by vol.

Hopkins Heritage Pinot Noir

Hopkins Heritage Pinot Noir
2010
Western Connecticut Highlands (nonetheless! Makes me feel like I could quite possibly be in the Scottish Moors or something - Dont'cha Know Lad and Lass?)

Many thanks to my buddy Guy for giving this to me to try. He handed it to me and said "Eh, it's okay." He got it for free. No worries, Mate. I don't expect a lot from the Highlands of Connecticut! But it is always welcome to try a different wine.

Not a lot of flavor here, but I didn't expect much. It is a slightly pale, see-through amber-red color. Rather weak, but when served with grilled pork loin marinated in balsamic, olive oil, garlic and freshly ground black pepper, I was able to taste some slight cherry-vanilla flavors that made it more enjoyable.


Some days I'm struck with sorrow
Need a place to hide
There's nowhere else you can put life
But way down deep inside

Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand when you're alone
Take my hand and let me guide you
Take my hand to lead you home

The GREAT Ben Harper (*sigh), "Take My Hand"


7.25 out of 10
12.5% alc. by vol.
 Price Unknown (Sorry - special edition freebie at their festival - probably $10-15)

Vitiano 2009

Cabernet Sauvignon - Sangiovese - Merlot Blend
Montecchio
Italia

I reviewed a Vitiano blend way back in 2008 (it was a 2005), from Umbria. I gave it a (gulp) 7.0. This 2009 Motecchio blend is an improvement. While it was fairly good alone, it tasted much better with dinner - roasted green beans with garlic and olive oil and organic ground turkey sauteed with garlic, thyme, olive oil and a little tomato-basil sauce.

This was much better than the last Vitiano I had a few years back. As it is in the 90's temp-wise, I was really hoping for a chilled white when the Guy called from the road and asked if I wanted any wine tonight. However, I knew the dinner I was making had some Italiano influences and I also knew he prefers red to a chilled white, so I told him to look for a dry Italian red if possible. This really did not disappoint, especially with dinner. There was some vanilla (which of course I am very partial to in my wine, whether red or white) and dark berry flavor. I initially found it to be dry but with a slight "grapey" flavor (which I don't like), but with the food it took on a more intense flavor with herb nuances. I LOVE herb flavor in my wine and it does indeed tend to sway my preferences.

So today I was happy to have the house to myself for the first time in a LONG time (way too long BTW). I was doing laundry and sorting through all the "clutter" for a good portion of my day. At around 4:00 I decided to take a break, grab an unsweetened iced tea (my fav drink next to a good wine), and made some guacamole. I went out into the heat and sat under my umbrella - there was a really nice breeze if you sat still. 

I called my grandmother who happens to be my last remaining grandparent (for a very important reason I believe). She didn't answer. I called her cell and her home phone. Then I just sat in silence. Then I thought about my Uncle Bob. Tomorrow is his birthday. He died last year, on the day of my deceased grandmother's memorial service, July 8th, 2011.  That made me think of her, my Nana. The day of her memorial service I received the devastating news of my uncle's passing. So I found myself out on my patio today having these feelings for my grandmother who passed because I never really "properly" mourned her at her service as it was only my much younger uncle I could think of (and for good reason as my grandmother was in her 90's and hadn't been herself in the good portion of a year and my uncle was so full of life who had two children just beginning their own family lives and careers). 

Anyway, I found myself feeling really sad and missing my grandmother - so much so that I was emotional and said out loud how much I wish I could call her and talk to her one more time. At that very  moment, my other grandmother called. It was like a divine intervention for me. Okay, call it silly if you are not open-minded. I happen to be very open-minded and am proud of it! For you see, my grandmother that passed I called "The Artist" (she was an undiscovered water color talent who put family first). My grandmother that I am blessed enough to still have here at 91 years old I (fondly) called "The Aristocrat" (she was wealthier and had more opportunities in life). They lived extremely different lives. And each responded to me as a child in very different ways. One was very demonstrative of her love (the Artist) and one was very matter-of-fact and seemed to be uncomfortable with feelings (the Aristocrat) - whether that was imagined by me or not will never truly be known. In a twist of wonderful irony  my "Aristocrat" called me within minutes of my breaking down in remembrance of my "Artist"and told me she loved me - not something she would have done years ago. But it is something I was always used to hearing from my "Artist" who passed and I was missing and always miss in my life as the years continue to pass. So, yes it was ironic, but it also was a testament to my dear "Aristocrat" grandmother who has lived long enough to know what truly is important, and therefore I find it so much more meaningful that she be the one who remains here in my life - giving me what I so longed to hear from her ages ago as a child.

Many thanks to my buddy Rich at work who burned me 34 of  the very retro-sounding The Black Keys songs and made them jump to one of my fav driving CD's.

See the moonlight shinin',
On your window pane,
See it leave you,
As faithful as it came,
Please yourself,

So you don't have to,
Be afraid,
Make amends,
Or carry on another way,
Another way,
Oh~oh,

The Lengths - by the Black Keys



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

RED Splash

2007
Sonoma County
St. Francis Winery
Santa Rosa, California

It's been a long time.

PAY ATTENTION PLEASE. If you would like a sure thing wine to bring to a friend's house who may have slightly discerning tastes when it comes to red wine, bring this. It will cost you $11, but it will easily taste like you spent $20.

This beautiful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel was so worth the smaller amount spent. This is my new favorite red wine for the buck. In the past, my cheap go-to has been given to McManis,Cupcake, and Root: 1. This outweighs those.

It has heat. It is peppery. But it also has a warm, lasting finish with earth tones and wood spices. The finish really lingers and the flavor stays with it.

I have always gravitated towards blends. I absolutely prefer them in general.


I devote this post to my grandmother. I realized this week, as I sat in a hospital recovery room with her, how much she means to me. She is my last surviving grandparent. But, more than that, she is so very endearing. She has changed much over the years - all for the better. She is gentler, kinder, more compassionate, emotional, and filled with gratefulness. She is also VERY beautiful. She is 91 years old and I don't think I could ever say that about any other 91 year old woman.


I walked into that recovery room and spotted her immediately. She was still somewhat out, with her head bandaged fully and wrapped under her chin (she had skin cancer removed from her scalp, and leg too). She insisted on going in with her lipstick on. I saw this beautiful, bandaged woman with the rose petal lipstick lying with a peaceful, childlike look on her face, eyes closed, and my heart just melted. It melted because I immediately saw my great-grandmother (her mother) and all my old memories of my great-grandmother GGB collided with my more recent memories of her daughter, my grandmother lying in recovery. I could never fully explain to someone who doesn't know her just how special she is. She speaks her mind. She is resilient. She insists on being independent. She is classy. She is flirtatious. She is a cat lover. She is life-educated. She knows how precious life is. She is respectful of those who are in return respectful. She has Skype and answers E-mails. She never stops learning. In short, she is truly amazing.

She talked candidly with me the night before surgery as we sat in her living room. I arrived just before nine and she should have been in bed, but she wanted to wait up for me and see if she could make me something to eat. Always the hostess. I just wanted water and we sat on the couch. She told me she figures she's got about 3 years left to her life. She is not emotional as she speaks of this. And I am sad as I sit and listen and realize how incredibly courageous she is. She is matter-of-fact. Yet she acts so young and still has her wits about her that it is difficult to comprehend her not being here for at least 10 more years (and if anyone can do so, she can). 

She is not sad, she is grateful - for the life she has had. She was married to my grandfather for over 50 years and she spent 10 years as a widow upon his death in 1995. Then she met her wonderful second husband who I loved so much. They were perfect together. She was 89 and he was 90-something when they married a few years ago. He died last year after a brief encounter with skin cancer that had metastasized to his brain. So both my grandmother and I were once again cognizant of his struggles as she followed somewhat the same path of skin cancer removal and testing at the same hospital he had been at. Her news is good - they got it all and it was Squamous, not Melanoma. 

The hospital we were at, besides being the hospital that cared for her recently deceased husband, was also the hospital my grandfather (her first husband) had an office in. He was an OBGYN there and spent many years in those halls. I went down to the cafe at the front entrance during my grandmother's surgery and sipped an iced tea and just stared at the lobby and thought of my grandfather coming through those doors for so many years. I walked the same halls he walked. And now his wife lay upstairs on an operating table. I found myself praying to him, and her second husband, and God as well. 


Initially, as we went through all of the pre-op questions and visits from nurses and the doctor and then the anesthesiologist, she would ask each new employee we encountered: "Did you know my first husband?" (It wasn't that long ago that most people in the medical field affiliated with the hospital did indeed recognize his name.) Sadly, everyone said no. But then, the anesthesiologist surprised us. He did not work with my grandfather at the hospital, but he did know him, and he knew her. He lived in a house with an apartment that housed my great-grandmother (my grandmother's mother) for a bit. Not only that, but he was the one who called my grandparents one day when my great-grandmother fell, over 40 years ago. Finally - a connection! Her whole face lit up as she remembered that day, and him, and I felt as if it was a visit from my great-grandmother herself and I just knew that everything was going to be all right.  

And, indeed, I knew she was a-okay when, as I was feeding her ice chips she exclaimed in a raspy, tired voice: "I'd feel a lot better if you'd give me a Rum Tiddly instead"!!!! :) 

But seeing her bandaged and coming out of surgical fog, was emotional for me. For so many reasons. Mostly, I realized how in awe of her I am and how much I hope I can be as strong and determined as she is if I should live to see that age. She is inspiring to say the least.

It's been a long time,
Since you wore your pillbox hat
It's been a long time
Since we drove your Po-o-o-o-o-ontiac

--It's Been A Long Time--    CAKE!

8.25 out of 10
$11 / 750 ml. bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.

Altos de luzon Red

2007
Bodegas Luzon
Jumilla
Spain

It never ceases to amaze me how often someone gives me a bottle of wine. Friends and co-workers are amazing. They know I enjoy wine. They find one they like and the next time they see me they give me a bottle to try and ask what I think. It is really so much fun. Many thanks to my friend Cheryl for this one. If you read this blog from time to time you probably know I love blends. This one is 50% Monastrell (Mourvedre - my favorite word!), 25% Cab and 25% Tempranillo.

This initially began with a slight smoky dark berry flavor and ended with a vanilla-wood meets earth finish. I really enjoyed it. As I had many women friends for dinner, and we had quite an array of foods and wines, I never really expected this to go with anything. However, it went with a sun-dried tomato, chicken, garlic and basil dish. This surprised me because of the basil. Although I do think of basil as being a Mediterranean herb, I would have never thought a red would accompany a basil dish so well due to the strong flavor. I think the sun-dried tomatoes and chicken and garlic flavors were probably stronger and brought out the smokiness in the wine. Regardless, they tasted great together.

I am not a Country Music fan, but I am a Keith Urban fan. I would say the reasoning is because I am very much a lyrics person and his more heartfelt songs usually have some serious lyrics. Oh, all right - and maybe I have a crush on him. There is a fantastic quote on his BE HERE album: "Life is a Balance of Holding On and Letting Go".

YOU REMEMBER WHISKEY ON YOUR DADDY'S BREATH
SO YOU ALWAYS STICK TO WINE
AND YOU SCARED YOUR LITTLE BROTHER HALF TO DEATH
YOU JUST KEPT IT ALL INSIDE
YOU CAN HEAR YOUR MAMA CRYIN'
ONLY NOW SHE CRIES FOR YOU
AND DON'T YOU KNOW
NOBODY DRINKS ALONE
EVERY DEMON
EVERY GHOST
FROM YOUR PAST
AND EVERY MEMORY YOU'VE HELD BACK
FOLLOWS YOU HOME

-NOBODY DRINKS ALONE / written by Matraca Berg & Jim Collins on BE HERE by Keith Urban


8.25 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$19 / 750 ml. bottle

Camelot Charonnday

2009
Santa Rosa, CA

Wow. Ok. This wine was very good. It reminded me very much of one of my all-time favorite chardonnays: Sonoma-Cutrer. That said, it is 1/3 of the price! I consider this the best buy of the year so far.

Today was very warm. I am not used to jumping into summer from a mild winter. We had no real winter, and we are apparently headed for no spring either. We are going right into warm, hot weather. Our usual temps for March are low 30's. Today it was 80 degrees +. I was in the mood for a chilled white with my moroccan chicken recipe given to me yesterday by my friend Cheryl. I am not a chicken leg person, however, this recipe cooks the chicken so well it falls off of the bone. The flavor is insanely good with healthy spices like turmeric, ginger and cinnamon.

Camelot has an awesome slight minerality, creamy vanilla with pear flavor. Highly enjoyable. I can't get over the price for the flavor. It was good on its own and with the chicken, cauliflower, asparagus, and spinach.

I highly recommend it.

Recipe for Moroccan Braised Chicken:

Ingredients
- 4 T olive oil
- 6 whole chicken legs (drumsticks & thighs attached, skin removed)
- coarse salt & ground pepper
- 1 lrg. onion, halved & thinly sliced
- 1 t. Turmeric
- 1 t. ground Ginger
- 1/2 t. Cinnamon
- 1-1/2 c lrg. pitted prunes (dried plums)

1. In a lrg. (5 qt.) heavy pot, heat 2 T olive oil over medium-high. Generously salt & pepper chicken. Place 3 chicken legs in pot & cook, turning once, until browned, about 10 minutes total. Transfer browned chicken to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken and oil.

2. Add onion and 1/4 c water to pot. Cook, stirring to loosen browned bits in pot. Add turmeric, ginger & cinnamon and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Return chicken to pot. Add 2 c. water and half of prunes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat & partially cover. Simmer until chicken is cooked through and very tender, about 45 - 50 minutes - stir throughout from time to time while sipping on a glass of wine. :)

3. Transfer chicken to a platter & cover tightly to keep warm, or place on warming burner. Add remaining prunes to pot & raise heat to high. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes more. Divide chicken among plates and top with sauce.


Well I've been here before
Sat on a floor in a grey grey mood
Where I stay up all night
And all that I write is a grey grey tune

So pray for me child, just for a while
That I might break out yeah
Pray for me child
Even a smile would do for now

'Cause I'm all alone again
Crawling back home again
Stuck by the phone again

Have I still got you to be my open door
Have I still got you to be my sandy shore
Have I still got you to cross my bridge in this storm
Have I still got you to keep me warm

If I squeeze my grape then I drink my wine
'Cause if I squeeze my grape and I drink my wine
'cause nothing is lost, it's just frozen in frost,
And it's opening time, there's no-one in line

Damien Rice, Grey Room


8.0 out of 10
13.5 alc. by vol.
$6.99!!! / 750 ml. bottle (Go For It)

Autry Cellars Zinfandel

2007
Paso Robles

This wine was elusive and really, really good. It fooled me at first. The scent and flavor initially were like a leather mushroom with a little vanilla. Then it ALL went away. There was nothing - and I was disappointed immensely. Then, just as quickly as the flavor vanished, it came back with a force. It was earthy and dark berry and totally lingered. I love a wine that surprises.

Many thanks to the Guy's cousin for this experience.

I woke this morning
To the sound of breaking hearts
Mine is full of questions
And it's tearing yours apart...

--Sheryl Crow, HOME--

8.25 out of 10
16.1% alc. by vol.
$28/750 ml. bottle

Opolo Mountain Zinfandel

2010
Paso Robles


Valentines Day is not about love and romance - it is about . . . wine and chocolate. :) The Guy brought home this gift. It was a welcome relief from some of the few and far betweens we've had more recently. It smelled of strawberries and olives. The initial taste was actually grapey before I swallowed it. I have only had unimpressive wines that tasted like grapes so I was very worried. But as I held it and rolled it (do not go there - this is truly innocent) it began to warm and an intense, full-bodied, heavy weighted minerality took over. By the time I swallowed the first sip, it had taken on a Blackberry Shnapps flavor but with great intensity and peppery heat. It ended with a lasting, spice finish. It was very good. I have frequently heard of Red Zins being called "jammy" and I've got to say this is the actual first time I've experienced such an incredible, wonderful jamminess.


It's empty in the valley of your heart
The sun, it rises slowly as you walk
Away from all the fears and faults
You've left behind

Mumford & Sons, The Cave


***ON DECK: BREMERTON SELKIRK SHIRAZ, 2006****


8.5 out of 10
16.7 alc. by vol.
$18.99 - 24.99 / 750 ml. bottle

Honig Cabernet Sauvignon

2008
NAPA Valley
Can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2016


The day we opened the Honig was a GREAT day. It was just one of those pivotal "happy" days. My brother David was here and we had no where to go, Christmas had just been the day before, we were both off from work and enjoying the Christmas tree and the fireplace and cheese and crackers and wine and music. We had some great wines that week, but the Honig Cabernet was by far our favorite. It just made us smile on first sip and we had a really nice quiet time just sipping and smiling. This had milk chocolate silkiness and flavor intermingled with black fruits and vanilla and wood spice with a lingering, great finish.

Of course, after we had enjoyed a glass or two, we were in such a good mood we decided on some mischief. The Guy was out and the girls were shopping with my mother-in-law. David decided we needed to go get one of the old big stuffed lions my girls had given me to discard of upon cleaning out their rooms. The animals were all in the garage in a bag waiting for removal. David saw the lion and decided we should go put it in a tree in the backyard so that either one of the girls and/or The Guy would be surprised when taking the dog out to do his duty. We went to great lengths. I dragged out the big ladder and we propped it up against the tree and David strategically placed "Goliath" in the branches overhead the dog's "walking" area. We were in absolute hysterics the entire time imitating what we thought The Guy would be like, or one of the girls, out waiting for the dog to do his business just standing there looking around.

For DD

From the bedroom closet, we lifted shoes; one by one we placed them in a box. She was unbelievably strong, set in her task, as she handed me one pair after the other: a pair of well worn black leather slippers, some heavy brown dress shoes.

Boat shoes, and loafers in many leather shades, I ran my hands over them and looked at your smiling face from one of many pictures on the dresser, Charlie’s picture next to you, and Heath’s bridal portrait hangs on the wall. You and your first bride, and me here on Earth with your other bride, Charlie’s first.

Next came the knitted island shoes, two pairs, one obviously favored more by you than the other; she held those out for a moment and hesitated, smiled dreamily, and quietly said how you loved those shoes.

Then she gave me your wool blazers, and suits, each well-made and classically styled; she handed them off to me to hang on the cart we would use to roll them away. I thought of the many times I’d seen you dressed in them, always with a welcoming, happy smile, accompanied by a kiss.

To the next closet, where we gathered your ties: Lobsters, sailboats, Santa Claus, crabs, Easter eggs, whales, Christmas trees, pastel flowers and red hearts. Your life map unfolded with each one – sailor, beach lover, Christian, sense of humor, a life filled with beauty, adventure and love.

All packed up, we rolled the luggage dollie out of the bedroom and into the hallway, opened the door and out into the main hall we went, down to the elevator and into the basement. It was emotional for me, though unspoken. Your things being rolled away to the basement – there they joined the remnants of the lives of others: crystal chandeliers in storage, dresses from eras gone by, sun hats and record players, and suitcases that have been around the world. But it has to be this way.

I miss you in that place, by my grandmother’s side, surrounded by your needlepoint wall hangings and pillows, sunshine on the porch, where you sat the last day I ever spent with you, determined to beat those cancerous brain lesions that rendered you speechless, as you raised your weights over your head and lifted your legs one by one, demonstrating your strength and your resolve to not give up without a fight. But it was out of your hands - six days later you were gone.

It feels to me like you are still there, you, and my grandfather, and Heath, all watching over your fourth companion – as she sits on the sun porch, quietly waving as I drive away.

8.5 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$32/750 ml. bottle

Markham Merlot

2006
NAPA Valley (St. Helena, CA)




Epiphany: I thoroughly enjoy talking about wine with others.

Well - here I am on a Wednesday, drinking a not-so-everyday wine (for us anyway), eating a not-so-everyday meal. That is what life is like when you have THREE daughters (two who are in high school). You realize you need your weekend "vacation" to come mid-week sometimes.

This is a 2006. The last Markham was 2007. Believe it or not, the 2007 is more expensive and is given a higher rating than the 2006. When I consult my Kevin Zraly Windows on the World book I see that he has an asterisk by the 2007 which denotes it is an especially good year for California Merlot. I think of my brother with happiness as I slurp the wine into my mouth, forming a whistle with my lips, aerating it, and then close my mouth and breathe out through my nose, allowing the flavor and scent to consume my olfactory lobes. My poor brother endured much laughter by the Guy and I for his very serious wine tasting slurp in the past. Now I find it most useful. Screw how silly I may look and sound! My personal reflections are that this wine is JUST AS GOOD as the 2007. Big cherry flavor, heat, slight vanilla, spicy pepper, some herbal notes and a really nice warm finish.

I owe tonight's meal and wine enjoyment to three key people: first, my friend John B. who provided the wine (and his very generous wife who shared yet another bottle from her favorite vineyard because, though she likes it a lot, she and John really prefer beer - lucky me), and second, my Brazilian friend and co-worker RS who tells me every bad day I have to pick my chin up and go home and create a tasty meal and enjoy a glass of good wine and "forget about what's troubling you", and last but not least, my dear brother.

My buttons are constantly being pushed, and the waters always tested by my eldest lately (whom I LOVE with all my heart and soul BTW!!!!) and today was no exception. I ran into my dear Brazilian friend in the hall at work who struck up our normal type conversation and reminder after seeing I was troubled. He, like me, has surrounded his work area with pictures of food and wine - his, very Mediterranean (he has one dreamy pic in particular that I like to visit of an elongated table loaded with fresh seafood and wine, situated outside on a rocky ledge overlooking the Mediterranean), and mine with my own pics from my dining room (ah - no comparison there!). I asked him what his favorite meal was and what his favorite wine was. He told me he just loves a great big steak with shrimp or fish on the side and a nice Pinot Noir. I was surprised that Pinot Noir was his preference. He said that he used to prefer Cabernet Sauvignon but doesn't like the higher sugar content? I haven't looked into that. However, Pinot is his preference. He put the "steak" in my head.

As I drove home I thought about dinner, and how I had nothing great to serve. I started thinking about my earlier conversation and decided on steak, which we rarely have. That made me think about my other Markham Merlot at home from my friend John, but I put it out of my head because I decided I was formulating a "weekend" meal, not a busy, weeknight dish. Regardless, I needed to stop at the market to get whatever I was making. As I sat in the parking lot trying to figure out what I was going to do for sure, my dear brother sent me a text thanking me for his Christmas gift. I had given him a bottle of Kistler Pinot Noir that our FANTASTIC uncle had bestowed upon me. He decided to open it tonight with an aged cheddar he had. He wrote that he was thoroughly happy and that the wine was awesome, and that he was cooking a special, rocking chicken dish while eating the cheese and drinking the wine. THEN he decided he would like to try the wine with chocolate. But the only chocolate he had was dark m & m's he'd received for Christmas, and he added a "LOL" as he knew he was drinking a special wine and considering what m & m's might add or delete from it! I thought at that moment how much I enjoy hearing about others' wine experiences. :) It makes me happy. I also thought: Well, dammit! I am buying a grass-fed piece of juicy beef and some Shitakes and opening John B.'s Merlot!!!!!!! Yay! I decided. Life is good. I know and I am grateful for this day and what I have that makes it even better.

Here is a very sad reality. Check out the picture below. Do you see how much (or how LITTLE) wine is in the glass? THAT is all a woman is allowed to have per day without risking her health!!!!! Men, on the other hand, can enjoy two full glasses of wine. Women are allowed one 4 ounce glass of wine per evening for heart health, more than that is detrimental to the breasts and blood pressure. Well, I have risked my health this evening. My blood pressure must be way up and God only knows what's happening to my breasts. The Markham was worth it.


Once in a while we might pass on the street
We nod and we smile and we shuffle our feet
Making small talk standing face to face
Hands in our pockets 'cause we feel so out of place

Our paths may cross again in some crowded bar
We feel a little lost 'cause we've drifted away so far
Hoping to find the right words to say
We joke a little and then go on our way

We are so out of touch, yeah
We are so out of touch, yeah

--Lucinda Williams, Out of Touch--

8.25 out of 10
13.8% Alc. by Vol.
$15 - $20 / 750 ml. bottle

Dead Canyon

2009
Horse Heaven Hills
Cabernet Sauvignon

I haven't had a really tasty wine in awhile - one that makes me take notice. Tonight we celebrated my mom's birthday and she brought a wine that someone had given her as a gift. It was Dead Canyon and it was extremely good and it made me take notice. Especially for a Washington State wine. Wine Out West. Loved it alot. I liked it best on its own. It had herb undertones, peppery heat, vanilla oak, a healthy dose of earth and a lasting 1 minute finish. As I knew my mother was bringing this wine for before dinner, I went through my recipe books and found an appetizer to accompany a hearty cabernet. It was Ricotta and Mushroom Crostini out of my Food & Wine 2011 Annual Cookbook and the two were a great pairing together. The spiciness and heat of the wine came out with the appetizer, but the more herbal and earthy tones of the wine were more evident prior to any food. Very good either way.

I feel I've lost my creative edge all the way around. I follow the same pattern of: go to work, come home make dinner, help with homework, attend school meetings, go to bed, get up and do it all over again. I have no time to take drawing classes like I was, I am too tired to take pictures, I rarely feel inspired. There just isn't enough time in the day. However, I devoted all of today to making a meal for my mother's special dinner. I made a gourmet meal for the first time in awhile. I haven't put any effort into dinners in a long time for a lot of reasons. But today I felt like making it my mission for the day. So we had the ricotta mushroom crostini for our appetizer and a spicy rosemary lemon marinated pork loin for the main meal, accompanied by Boston lettuce with cranberries, feta and roasted walnuts, roasted rosemary and thyme baby potatoes, homemade organic applesauce (and all three of my children assisted with each phase: washing, peeling, coring and cutting of apples), South Beach Diet Mashed Potatoes (cauliflower mashed with butter and half and half), and a tomato and scallion warm salad with ricotta and lime. Aside from the tomato and scallion salad being warmer than I wanted, the rest was pretty darn good and it felt nice to make a decent meal again.



Water is my eye, most faithful mirror, fearless on my breath
Teardrop on the fire of a confession
Fearless on my breath most faithful mirror
Fearless on my breath

Teardrop on the fire, fearless on my breath
Stumbling a little, stumbling a little

Teardrop
by Massive Attack





8.25 out of 10
13.9% alc. by vol
$18 / 750 ml. bottle

Vitiano Umbria

2009
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese & Merlot Blend


This was an improvement over Big House red, which I am beginning to think I over-rated. I don't like that I have to cool it to keep it - which means I have to pour it an hour or so before I want a sip so that it comes to room temp. And then it tastes so different. It would probably come to room temp sooner if I didn't keep our house temp at only 60 (Brrrrrrr!) to save $$ on oil! However, that said, it never really "warms" up the way I like my reds.

Anyway, this isn't about Big House at all, it is about Vitiano. And Vitiano is a really good vanilla-oak-cherry dry wine with thyme essence.

I enjoyed this on its own, but it was very good with fettucine and broccoli rabe, chicken sausage, mushrooms, Gouda and some crushed red pepper with a little grape seed oil. I highly recommend this "Super Tuscan" category wine.


So, I am a Steve Poltz fan. He played for awhile on the road with Jewel and they have co-written songs together. But my absolute favorite song of his is from the soundtrack of the movie Notting Hill. The song from the actual soundtrack is electrified and has bagpipes, whereas other versions do not. This, for me, is the sexiest song ever written. Word is that he wrote it for Jewel, though they have not been romantically linked, but whoever it was he had in mind, is the luckiest girl in the world to have someone seeing her in this manner.

I love everything about you
I love the way you comb your hair
And I love the way you sachet in the room
Your perfume lingers in the air
I love everything about you, whoa-oh, about you

I love the way you lick your lips, dear
You got fireworks in your head
And I love the way you bring me water
When I'm thirsty in your bed
I love everything about you, whoa-oh, about you

You were surely kissed by angels
Look at the freckles on your face
You got the devil in your eyes
You disappear without a trace

I love sneaking up behind you
When you're looking in the mirror
The way your eyes lock into mine, dear
Without guilt, without fear
I love everything about you, whoa-oh, about you


8.25 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% alc. by vol.