tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81371264548504740092024-03-21T12:52:16.307-05:00What To Drink TonightA quest for tasteful wines on a low budgetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-73458673257291066612016-03-05T20:51:00.000-05:002016-03-06T11:57:57.998-05:00Kistler Durell Vineyard Chardonnay<b>2006</b><br />
<b>Sonoma Coast</b><br />
<b>No. 09774</b><br />
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So - I'm at it again. It is not another "budget" wine being reviewed here. It is another pick from my late Uncle's cellar. This one I brought home for my dear friend & walking partner ("M") who is a Chardonnay Freak like me. :)<br />
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Kistler is never a disappointment, but what is so interesting about this particular bottle (& indeed it <i>is</i> a particular bottle, as it is <i>numbered</i>) is that it's drinkability supposedly expired in 2013. I am very happy to report that it's flavor continues to be absolutely full-bodied-delicious with butter & toast nuances mingled with lemon & beautiful minerality - my favorite attribute. <br />
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M always puts out an AMAZING spread in seconds flat & this night was no exception. My personal opinion is that she should be a chef instead of a Real Estate mogul. LOL. She presents delicious & colorful presentations - very creative & tasty. She was concerned about what we should have to accompany our Kistler, & yet, as I told her, Kistler just IS. It is amazing on its own & can be even more enjoyable with food. And it was. Especially with the thyme chevre she served. It alone was the perfect accompaniment.<br />
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Spent the day today with one of my two art student college children. One of her charcoal portraits was chosen to hang in the campus Art Gallery. She happened to mention it to me only in passing as we returned from getting some groceries. She is so silly. She just doesn't understand how very proud I am of her & how I love to see her work, though I do tell her often. I try to tell all three of my children how much their hard work & determination mean to me. We do seem to get a lot of flack about our older two children being in Art schools & it really gets very tiring. I want them to choose paths that give them joy & allow them to express themselves creatively. I think that being able to express one's creativity is the ultimate key to open doors, even if the majority of the world doesn't agree. I know only too well how the rest of one's abilities suffer, falter & can ultimately extinguish altogether if the creative fire within is not allowed to flourish. <br />
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<i>The stones from my enemies<br />These wounds will mend<br />But I cannot survive<br />The roses from my friends<br /><br />When the last word has been spoken<br />And we've bared witness to the final setting sun<br />All that shall remain is a token<br />Of what we've said and done</i><br />
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Roses from My Friend<br />
--Ben Harper<br />
(Just an aside, I am in love with Ben Harper)<br />
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BTW - If you're looking for one heck of a Book Ride, read <i>Paul Hawkins "The Girl on the Train".</i> I took it out of the library Friday night after work & I finished it in 24 hours. COULD NOT put it down!<br />
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<b>$80 - $107/750 ml. bottle with $92 being the average current going rate if you can find it</b><br />
<b>9.5 out of 10</b><br />
<b>14.1% alc. by vol.</b><br />
<br />merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-81305750533938450272016-02-15T20:48:00.000-05:002016-02-15T21:08:59.434-05:00Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin<b>2013</b><br />
<b>Lodi Zinfandel</b><br />
<b>Manteca, CA</b><br />
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The opposite of my last post, this wine is definitely budget material. <i>Wine Enthusiast</i> supposedly gave this a 90 point review for its flavor versus price. I have to agree based on what I paid locally for this wine. It had dark fruit flavors with a hint of smoke, oak & vanilla. Pretty good on its own, I did enjoy it more added to a Paleo-friendly stew I made & with the meal (recipe follows below).<br />
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I went North to Vermont this weekend with my youngest, as if -12 degrees predicted for my hometown wasn't cold enough. On Saturday night, with the wind chill, we reached -35 degrees. A new record was set. It was a nice weekend spent indoors reading books & playing board games & watching movies & finishing a challenging puzzle that was begun last year!!! All with breath-taking mountain views.<br />
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Driving home today, we plugged in my daughter's I-pod Nano & she chose the musical format. There was a lot of Cold Play during our 2-1/2 hour journey as she knows I am a Chris Martin fan. We had a nice time together & now we are watching the Grammy's!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;">Honey you are a rock</span></b><br />
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;">Upon which I stand</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;">And I came here to talk</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;">I hope you understand </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;">Green eyes, yeah the spotlight, shines upon you</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;">And how could, anybody, deny you</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;" /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;">I came here with a load</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px; text-align: center;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">And it feels so much lighter now I met you</span></b></span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Green Eyes, Cold Play</i><br />
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*Side note: my all-time favorite line I think: "I came here with a load and it feels so much lighter now I met you".<br />
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<b>Paleo-Friendly Chicken & Cauliflower Stew (adapted from Robb Wolf's <i>the Paleo Solution</i>)</b><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
3 T Olive Oil<br />
2-1/2 lbs. Chicken Breasts (boneless) or Thighs<br />
2 heads of Cauliflower, chopped<br />
32 oz. Crushed Tomatoes (San Marzano are the best!)<br />
1 or 2 Red Peppers, chopped<br />
3 t Cumin<br />
3 t Thyme<br />
1-1/2 t Garlic Powder<br />
1/2 c Red wine or to taste<br />
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Heat olive oil over medium heat in large skillet or big soup pot. Add chicken & brown on all sides. Add chopped Cauliflower & then add all remaining ingredients & reduce heat to low & simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until everything is tender. Serve with an old vine zin!<br />
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<b>8.0 out of 10.0</b><br />
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<b>14.5% alc. by vol.</b></div>
<b>$9/750 ml. bottle locally, but $12.99 on various internet wine stores</b><br />
<br />merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-58446303983910343452016-02-07T20:30:00.002-05:002016-02-15T21:08:48.326-05:00Pahlmeyer 2007<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Pahlmeyer 2007</b></div>
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<b>Napa Valley Red Wine</b></div>
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Wow. I can't believe it's been over two years since I've posted here. And I apologize that the wine I am about to review is not at all a budget one.</div>
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I've just spent a wonderful weekend with my aunt, reminding me of the ultimate importance of just being with family, and I was therefore inspired to write again. She and I walked at the <i>awesome</i> Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex in Short Hills, NJ, went to Giorgio's Ristorante in South Orange, and saw the really moving, emotionally-wrought, at times raw, "Motherhood Out Loud" play put on by <i>interACT Theatre Productions, </i>which really hit home for me. With virtually no props, this play was amazing. There was a line toward the end that really struck me and I can't recall it verbatim now. But it had to do with your child thinking you're a pain in the ass because you are always right there checking and double-checking that they are on the right path and yet you see it as just caring so much for the life you brought into this world, knowing it can be taken out of this world at any time. You were there as they took their first breath and you want so much to be sure they keep on breathing, well beyond the baby years. If you have not seen this production, go see it if it comes to a town near you. </div>
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So, we went to Giorgio's Ristorante and the food was fantastic and the atmosphere likewise, peaceful, calmly-lit with soothing music playing as we gazed out the window by our table to the large, white-light lit tree in front. It was BYOB. My aunt gave me free reign to choose whatever wine I wanted from my late uncle's wine cellar to bring to dinner. Her only wish was this it be red as she was having veal. With hundreds of bottles to choose from, it was overwhelming for me to try to decide. She eventually came downstairs to check on me because I was taking so long! I ultimately chose a Pahlmeyer proprietary red because my uncle had <i>many</i> bottles and vintages of this label. I figured it must be good for him to have stockpiled so many.</div>
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This wonderful wine was big on heated vanilla, toasted oak and dark berry flavors that were lush and heavy bodied. The flavor was enunciated when I ate my capellini with salmon, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and portabella mushrooms. I savored the flavor for two days as we only ate half of our dinners, saving the remainder for lunch the next day. We each had two small glasses with dinner and I brought the rest of the bottle home to revel in today. After having been opened last night, I felt the taste the next day was even more flavorful without any added food.</div>
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After I got home, I looked up the recommended drinking period of this vintage and found it is from 2012 through 2032! Had I known, I would have grabbed a 2005 or 2003 which my uncle had several of. Those vintages are up sooner. The vintage I chose will continue to just taste better and better with each passing year. So if you can splurge and get your hands on a bottle, grab it and cellar it for the next decade. It won't disappoint <i>whenever </i>you choose to enjoy it.</div>
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<i>For the crown you've placed upon my head feels too heavy now<br />
and I don't know what to say to you but I'll smile anyhow<br />
and all the time I'm thinking, thinking</i>
<i><br />
I want to be a hunter again<br />
want to see the world alone again<br />
to take a chance on life again<br />
so let me go. </i><br />
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<i>-HUNTER, DIDO </i><br />
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<b>9.0 out of 10 (with 10 being "del-ish")</b><br />
<b>15.2% alc. by vol.</b><br />
<b>$160/750 ml. (YIKES!)</b><br />
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<br />merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-52977821570572362472013-10-11T23:18:00.003-05:002013-10-11T23:30:36.575-05:00Clos du Bois de Menge Gigondas<b>2009 </b><br />
<b>Red Wine </b><br />
<b>Southern Rhone of France
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<b>I bought this to give a French red yet another go. It was also given a "90" rating by I-don't-remember-who. I would not agree with the 90 rating unless drinking it with the Castello Sage Blue Brie I eventually shared it with. With the cheese, it was really, really flavorful & vice versa. Alone, it was good but I was disappointed with the "eh" finish. I found the wine bordered more on the herbal side than a berry side of flavor, which I tend to prefer in as much as it is a not-so-typical wine flavor. It also had a touch of minerality - another preferred characteristic of wine for me. I grilled organic turkey burgers with organic fire-roasted tomatoes, sea salt & pepper, & crumbled Saga Blue Brie cheese. Again, with the burgers, the wine was great. I didn't notice the weaker finish when had with the cheese alone or with the burgers. </b><br />
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I think a lot about the "right attitude" and how it can (or can't) affect one's life. Take, for instance, the person who is given a poor health diagnosis. You hear of people who pack it in with such a diagnosis & you hear of people who persevere with a positive attitude. Yet some of those with the "I will beat this" attitude don't end up making it. I've always wondered what happened there. Lately I have been thinking about this in my own life. I feel like I've been down more than I've been up. Always on the brink of finally making it. Not making it big, mind you - just being able to provide for our needs without stressing so much. The truth is, if I am being honest with myself, behind my attempts to have faith & believe that everything is going to work out, there is actually doubt that it ever really will. And I sit & contemplate, is that the real problem here? As much as I try my best to believe & trust & have faith, down deep I just don't have enough of it to make it fly?<br />
<br />
I read a book last year by Don Miguel Ruiz called "The Four Agreements". Don is a surgeon turned Shaman (who returned to his familial roots by becoming a Shaman - Toltec). I read his little book front to back & vowed to implement it in my life. The basic premises of the <i>Four Agreements </i>are as follows:<br />
<br />
Always be impeccable with your words<br />
Don't take things personally<br />
Do not assume anything<br />
Always do your best<br />
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What struck me most is that the first (3) things I felt I am in definite need of conquering. And the 4th also to a certain degree. Let me tell you, it is HARD to follow these (4) agreements daily. I can't help but feel if I can make it through a week of following all four, I should be given a PhD. Truly. I don't think I've made it through just (1) day mastering all (4).<br />
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I find myself, like yesterday when I was cut off by a Subaru Sedan (from my own State nonetheless), saying or thinking bad things. I was in the left lane of a main road coming out of a stop light. I know, from living here for a long time, that the right lane merges into the left a short distance later. I always stay in the left lane & I try to give anyone in the right the benefit of the doubt of possibly not knowing the area (i.e., out of Staters especially) & therefore, let them in. Yesterday, this IDIOT in the Subaru ran right up alongside me as the lane was ending. There was NO ONE behind me. Rather than back off & move behind me, he moved up right along side me when it was now (1) lane only. He was forcing me over to the middle line of the road. I backed off & let him in. But I called him an as*hole out loud in my car. I then proceeded to tell myself (out loud in a super kind voice) that I wasn't being "impeccable with my words". AND, what's worse, upon deeper introspection, was that I found I was assuming this guy just wanted to dominate the situation & felt some sort of power in forcing me to back off. These were the thoughts actually controlling my mind for the next 10 minutes home until I took a left & was no longer following the idiot. For a moment, it was totally scary as I found a rage building in me that wanted to run him off the road! Whoa! What is up with THAT??????<br />
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<i>Whenever I look back</i><br />
<i>On the best days of my life</i><br />
<i>I think I saw them all on TV</i><br />
<i>I am so homesick now for</i><br />
<i>Someone that I never knew</i><br />
<i>I am so homesick for</i><br />
<i>Someplace I will never be</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Time Won't Let Me Go, The Bravery</i><br />
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<b>8.0 out of 10</b><br />
<b>13.5% alc. by vol.</b><br />
<b>$18/750 ml. bottle</b>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-52482529683240779422013-10-06T19:51:00.000-05:002013-10-07T05:35:34.720-05:00Cupido Takes on Terrilogio<b>Cupido</b><br />
<b>Toscana, Sensi family</b><br />
<b>2010 </b><br />
<b>Sangiovese</b><br />
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<b>8.5 out of 10</b><br />
<b>$9.99 / 750 ml. bottle</b><br />
<b>13% alc. by vol.</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Terrilogio</b><br />
<b>Toscana</b><br />
<b>2009</b><br />
<b>Sangiovese (85%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), Merlot Blend (5%)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>7.5%</b><b> out of 10</b><br />
<b>$12.99/750 ml. bottle</b><br />
<b>12.5% alc. by bol.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>I previously reviewed the 2004 Terrilogio. There is a difference. The 2004 was better. The 2009 was a bit watery in flavor. This is supposed to be a "Supertuscan" which, I would think, would come with a super flavor. Not so. My point here is that the $3 less Cupido Toscana Sangiovese was better.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>There was a slight smokiness & greater lasting finish with the Cupido. The Terrilogio was weaker in flavor & had less of a finish. The Cupido tasted better alone & with food. We had the Cupido with home-made pizza & the Terrilogio with turkey meatball grinders - similar spices & tomato sauces in each meal, but better quality of taste from Cupido. Terrilogio was better with food, but not alone. The Cupido could stand up alone.</b><br />
<br />
I've had too much to drink today. It's been a weird, sad day & I came home from church thirsty & chugged a couple of Sam Adam's Octoberfest beers, one of the few beers I truly like. This had a greater impact on me due to the fact that I had no water or any other liquid upon awakening today.<br />
<br />
I went to church with my youngest & we said goodbye to our minister of six years who is leaving. It was an hour & a half long service which culminated in an "Order for Godspeed & Farewell" ceremony, which was beautiful. I couldn't stop crying. I am happy for his future endeavors, but sad that he is actually leaving the church ministry. He is going to work for hospice, which I think he will be great for. But he is young, & was so great for our kids at church.<br />
<br />
In addition, last week we had a church "head" come to speak who spoke of decreasing church attendance in the United States since the 1950's. The numbers were depressing. He spoke of it as if it weren't such a bad thing because people were speaking of feeling "spiritual", just not religious. This to me doesn't really make me feel better.<br />
<br />
I see the difference in the people around me & especially in my children's lives. When I was in college, I would go with my Catholic friends to mass because it was the only church on campus. I am Protestant. I still got something out of just being in the building. My eldest who left for college two weeks ago I am pretty sure will not attend any religious services. I brought her up in the church & had her confirmed, but she never held onto any faith other than there is a darker side to this life we live. I must have failed somewhere in spite of my perseverance. So now I pray for her to find faith on her own. But how can I blame her when she was picked on in middle school, & also picked on in church by the middle school kids there (who were from a different town than the one she went to school in)? It is no wonder just "being in the building" didn't bring her comfort. In addition, most of her friends don't attend church, or never did, & some are even from Atheist families. Where the heck is the Hope in that?<br />
<br />
I have been thinking today of her, she is over 15 hours away & not so city-smart. And I have been thinking of our minister who I will miss. And I have been thinking of how I have been unable to do the things I always wanted to do for my children & always thought I'd be able to do by now. I have worked hard since I was 16. But I don't have a lot to show for it. It has just all culminated into one big "feeling sorry for oneself" day. I do know that things could always be worse & that is what I think of MOST of the time, but sometimes life can just get you down in spite of it all.<br />
<br />
At some point in the midst of my "sorrows", my girlfriend contacted me to come over. She is missing her son who is also away at college. He is her only child. She was feeling out of sorts herself today. So we decided to visit & just be out of sorts together. Unfortunately, she also took out a bottle of cab & it went down too easy on a weird day. But sometimes, it just feels good to wallow together before moving on. We got a little hammered & felt bad for each other & laughed & moved on. Now I feel better. :)<br />
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For Jess:<br />
House is run down<br />
In need of repair<br />
Days go by<br />
Years do too<br />
But pumpkins adorn the front stairs<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />Every October<br />To be sure<br />One for each girl<br />Whether they are here, or away</span></div>
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<br />merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-33829340127611076482013-09-06T21:19:00.000-05:002013-09-06T21:21:44.945-05:00Primal Roots<b>2011 </b><br />
<b>Red Blend (Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel) </b><br />
<b>California</b>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
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<br />
Maria - This post is for you. Because I'm tired & I can't motivate myself to write. Because I'm worried about my "Big Trip" coming up next week to take my first born off to her new life. Because I'm emotional about EVERYTHING. Because I'm downtrodden. Because I have to be at work at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday to prepare for my "time off" next week while still making my youngest daughter's soccer game. Because I'm uncertain. Because I never got to go to my favorite escape this summer overlooking the Sound. Because I still hope to go before it turns too cold - I long to look over the ocean, & read, & kayak.<br />
<br />
So, the joke is that this wine has been kicking around since May. My husband received it as a gift with another slightly more expensive wine. He kept telling me we could not open either unless I made a "special meal", which I never got around to having the time or means for this summer. He finally opened the other more expensive wine on his own with an unworthy meal of something the likes of hot dogs! I did not have a glass. He drank a glass or two then left it on the counter during the most humid, hot week of the year. I placed it in the fridge, he went away to "football camp" & I enjoyed a thawed glass one evening on my own, but never reviewed it. Though I did enjoy it, I didn't recall anything specific enough to sit down & write about.<br />
<br />
This wine, Primal Roots, sat around all summer. It was finally opened by me last week with my husband's permission. After it not being opened all summer, waiting for an extremely "special meal" per my husband's directions, I finally ran across it in a liquor store. It was $8.99. I went home & stated that we were not going to be saving this wine for any special meal. We would drink it whenever we next felt like it, food or not!<br />
<br />
<b>So, weeks went by & I kept making statements like: "Should we serve my $15 wine tonight, or your $9 wine with our 'occasion'?" It became a joke. Finally, we opened it this past week & the joke was on me as I really enjoyed this wine. I think this is a great buy for the $. I am going to purchase another bottle this weekend to "be sure"! This was really good alone & with food - chicken (organic) & melted Swiss cheese, mashed potatoes & green beans (both organic). I love a good BLEND. This is one of those. It is full-bodied (my preferred choice!) with slight vanilla notes, some wood & earth & baking spice. This is a CHEAP wine that tastes more expensive. Buy it with confidence. Give it to a friend. Bring it to a party.</b><br />
<br />
Maria - I know you said you were thinking about dropping a bottle of wine off in my mailbox to "make me write again", but, seriously, if you try a wine you like, send me a note & I will buy it too & try it & review it. I LOVE getting recommendations from people (I may not like it the same - but everybody's tastes are very different). Meanwhile, get back to writing yourself! You are someone I admire & you are very smart & talented. Keep it going. Even when you don't feel like it. Like me! Fake it 'til you make it. Smile when you feel like crying. All that jazz. :)<br />
<br />
<i>Well, I watched your black tied family</i><br />
<i>Rise up from graves near cemeteries</i><br />
<i>That I have not been to since your goodbye</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And I drank another simile . . .</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
"I Can Feel Your Pain" by <i>Manchester Orchestra</i><br />
<br />
<b>8.25 out of 10</b><br />
<b>$8.99/750 ml. bottle</b><br />
<b>13.5% alc. by vol.</b>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-69035487890626059502013-08-23T22:00:00.000-05:002013-08-24T11:29:18.228-05:00J. Lohr Merlot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>2010</b><br />
<b>Paso Robles, CA</b><br />
<b>Los Osos</b><br />
<br />
Yeah, so, it's been quite awhile. Not sure what possessed me to attempt to write even tonight. Just wanted to post something more recent then what? April? Too lazy to take my own picture (hey, my camera needs to be recharged), I resorted to the internet for a few photos.<br />
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<b>In the summer, I tend to gravitate to very chilled, headier whites, mostly Chardonnay. But the more recent (slight) heat spell broke today & there's a hint of fall in the air. So I went back to a recent favorite standby red that I haven't covered recently. J Lohr's Merlot. I can count on it tasting good when I am looking for some flavor without spending a lot. This is a classic spicy, woodsy, berry bomb. Good on its own, this also went well with my organic turkey burger smothered in Saga Blue Brie, sauteed Baby Bella mushrooms and Vidalia onion, and chopped fresh avocado.</b><br />
<br />
So I've been away from it all for at least a bit. Writer's block, nothing spectacular to drink, children beginning to flee the nest. My eldest is getting ready to head off to college; far, far away. :( She is determined. She is confident. I admire her. I pray for her. I am mixed up with crazy feelings. Missing babies so very bad (wishing so much that I could adopt), I can't believe my first little baby is heading off to college - long distance nevertheless. But my gut tells me I think she has made the right choice for herself. She is so much more mature than I was at her age. I was still attached to the apron's strings. She longs for independence and her future life. We are not well-traveled and she is willing to bust forward, no holds barred. And that is so incredibly awesome. I am envious.<br />
<br />
I look in the mirror. I see "the lines on my face getting clearer" to quote Steven Tyler (Aerosmith). I feel so much, from positive, to negative, then back to positive again. Sometimes, back to negative. I can't believe I am officially middle-aged now. And my babies are growing up and moving out. Even my little one has suddenly sprung up this summer. She's gone from still looking like my "little one" to looking on the verge of a teen. I am shocked. I wonder where the time went. I struggle. I celebrate.<br />
<br />
I watched my middle one tonight as I pumped gas at a local grocery store. The same kid who maturely discussed with me her upcoming challenging school schedule and her own plans for her eventual Senior year's (rather impressive) schedule, as well as her hopes for college in Quebec, just days ago (I know what she's doing. I have always been interested in Canada. I do believe my middle one is going to go to school there, graduate, & become a citizen, opening the door for me/us to follow). So, she hung out of my car with cell phone in the air looking for service in the boondocks. In frustration, she got out of the car to get a signal. Meanwhile, I was in conversation with the cute, young kid at the window about how the grocery store was now up for sale after so many years. Then, as my daughter clung to her cell phone, I pumped gas. Suddenly I hear her squeal in delight and scream: "Matt!!!!" And she runs to the window to talk to the same cute, young kid I was just conversing with. I smile to myself as I see this new side to my middle child. She rests her chin on her hands in the little payment window & bats her eyelashes and talks up a storm. I finish pumping gas & get in the car and look busy to buy them more time. She eventually comes bouncing back to the car. She knows him from school. He's a year older. It's no big deal. And yet, the scenario portrays so much of the future to her mother. Geez! Like I didn't just go through this with her older sister! I thought I was going to get a break inbetween! :0<br />
<br />
I went out a few weeks ago with my husband's cousin. We discussed how his kids just want to stick around. I was admiring that. He said he thinks it's due to the "purse strings". I was jealous. My kids (at least my two older ones) talk about getting out and away. It makes me sad, but I know I need to be proud. It would not make me happy to have the alternative - to have them not want to go. I guess I should be happy that they have the confidence to look forward to branching out on their own.<br />
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<b><i>The selfish, they're all standing in line</i></b><br />
<b><i>Faithing and hoping to buy themselves time</i></b><br />
<b><i>Me, I figure as each breath goes by</i></b><br />
<b><i>I only own my mind</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>North is to South what the clock is to time</i></b><br />
<b><i>There's East and there's West and there's everywhere life</i></b><br />
<b><i>I know that I was born and I know that I'll die</i></b><br />
<b><i>In between is mine</i></b><br />
<b><i>I am mine</i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i>I Am Mine</i>, Pearl Jam</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Yes - see the fellow below? This just cracks me up. I was looking for J Lohr 2010 Merlot images & this random guy came up in my search. I have no idea who <i>Mr. Comfortably Numb </i>is, but this pic just made me smile so I had to include it here.<br />
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<br />
<b>8.0 out of 10</b><br />
<b>$14 / 750 ml. bottle </b><br />
<b>13.5% alc. by vol.</b>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-30972573766148949042013-04-28T15:31:00.000-05:002013-04-28T15:33:15.302-05:00Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red<b>2010</b><br />
<b>Lake County California</b><br />
<b>High Elevation Edition</b><br />
<b>Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre & Grenache</b><br />
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<b>Vanilla, oak, pepper spice, & dark cherry flavors were the main flavor players in this medium bodied multi-varied blend. I was pretty happy about the blend layers. This wine is very good. I just don't know that I would pay $19 for it. Maybe $14. I was hoping for a longer finish and more depth. I would like to try it again with grilled steak and mushrooms. It is recommended to serve with red meat and barbecued pork. </b><b>I had it with Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage & Kale & Spinach Ravioli sauteed with garlic. I preferred it with the meal more than on its own.</b></div>
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Today I was driving in the beautiful sunshine with the sun roof completely open listening to Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" and thinking about the associations I have with almost every piece of music I hear. I can remember hearing this song for the very first time as it came on the radio and my brother and I were riding in the backseat of our old black Dodge Rambler going to get our Christmas tree. My mom was driving and my dad was riding shotgun which was unusual as he usually drove. This song came on and I just loved the beginning where Carly whispers: "Son of a Gun" before she begins singing. My mom told my dad about some couple they knew who was getting divorced and how the wife played this song for the husband and had told her husband how it reminded her of him. </div>
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For quite awhile after that Christmas I would hear the song. It became my favorite that year. I remember telling my neighborhood friend about it and asking her if she knew it. She said: "Is that the song about the clouds in the coffee cup?" I said it was and she said: "I hate that song. It's so stupid. What does it even mean to have clouds in your coffee?" Mind you, we were both like 7 or 8 as we sat evaluating its meaning. I remember shrugging and thinking it was her loss that she didn't get it. What's funny is I knew at my young age that it was just a metaphor, but I didn't truly grasp it other than I figured it was adult speak for describing something deeper. I couldn't make my friend get it. Listening to it today, those memories came back and I smiled. Especially as, since growing up, I love getting to know meanings behind songs and reading autobiographies of artists, etc. </div>
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Long before Adele wrote about her first love gone bad, or Taylor Swift hung John Mayer, Carly Simon wrote about her previous beau, Warren Beatty. In classic self-assured pride, Beatty reportedly thanked her for writing the song. Carly has said it was actually about a combination of men. The apricot scarf was reportedly for Nick Nolte. The cheating boyfriend was reportedly about Mick Jagger's preoccupation with David Bowie's wife. I just love how much she set the entertainment world abuzz with vain speculation with that piece of music! </div>
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Anyway, I have always loved the lyrics, and the "clouds in the coffee" reference I interpret now as foreshadowing in an otherwise simple, happy life - like finding that the morning comfort of drinking warm, soul-filling coffee while sitting in the sun suddenly portrays the presence of clouds overhead as if providing warning to an unseen emotional storm dead set ahead. It's one of those awesome self-discovery items like poetry, open to great self-interpretation. </div>
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<i>You had me several years ago,</i></div>
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<i>when I was still quite naive.</i></div>
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<i>Well you said that we made such a pretty pair,</i></div>
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<i>and that you would never leave.</i></div>
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<i>But you gave away the things you loved,</i></div>
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<i>and one of them was me . . .</i></div>
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<i>I've had some dreams there were clouds in my coffee,</i></div>
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<i>clouds in my coffee and . . .</i></div>
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<i>You're so vain . . .</i></div>
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--Carly Simon (with, incidentally, Mick Jagger on backup!)</div>
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<b>8.0 out of 10</b></div>
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<b>$19 / 750 ml. bottle</b></div>
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<b>14.5% alc. by vol.</b></div>
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merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-36815742986604223032013-04-07T20:24:00.000-05:002013-04-07T20:32:06.629-05:00Hill Family Estate Merlot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong>2010</strong><br />
<strong>Beau Terre Vineyard</strong><br />
<strong>NAPA</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Sylfaen;"> 83% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot</span><br />
I should have maybe kept this a bit longer. It was good, but it was young. I bet it would be a big jump better a year from now. Still, it was enjoyable. I just don't think it equalled it's price yet. It tastes like a $20-something wine.<br />
<br />
It had dark fruit flavor and quite a bit of oak flavor. I made Stead Au Poivre and found the oak to become hot, peppery oak following a bite of the tenderloin.<br />
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Quite a bit of time has passed I see since posting last. I had a few great wines at Easter when my brother visited and we went shopping. I also was given a wine as a gift that was awesome with our Easter pork loin and garlic chutney. My husband was slightly efficient and immediately removed all empty bottles to the dump. I can no longer tell you of my two favorites from last weekend. Well, we take the bitter with the sweet.<br />
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<br />
<em>Be this sunset soon forgotten</em><br />
<em>Your brothers left here shaved and crazy</em><br />
<em>We've learned to hide our bottles in the well</em><br />
<em>And what's worth keeping, sun still sinking</em><br />
<em>Down and down</em><br />
<em>Once again</em><br />
<em>Down and down</em><br />
<em>Gone again</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>Iron & Wine, Sunset Soon Forgotten</em><br />
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<strong>8.25 out of 10</strong><br />
<strong>14.5% alc. by vol.</strong><br />
<strong>$35 / 750 ml. bottle</strong>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-34804155465556006842013-02-08T21:34:00.000-05:002013-02-19T20:22:48.713-05:00Ravens Wood Zinfandel<strong>2009</strong><br />
<strong>Vintner's Blend</strong><br />
<strong>Woodbridge,CA</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
We have had Ravens Wood Zin (probably <em>Old Vine</em> Zin more often) several times over the years, but drinking this vintage now made all the difference. I was amazed at the price for the flavor. The scent was wonderfully heady and the flavor rich with blackberry vanilla spice. Unfortunately, this was the last bottle on the shelf. Otherwise, this would be one to buy a case of in my opinion. Cheap, but delicious. We are calling this the <strong><em>Wine for a Blizzard.</em></strong> Tastes GREAT alone or with tomato sauce and garlic and oregano.<br />
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Due to a series of unfortunate events, I feel I have started 2013 off wrong. I am hoping it corrects itself soon. A few of my misfortunes just in the first few weeks of 2013 include losing my bank card in the Stop & Shop parking lot, getting into an accident that wasn't my fault with my beautiful hand-me-down car and having their insurance company continue to drag their feet on paying for the damage, and having my garage door break and the heavy, rusty spring and pulley clock me in the head as I tried to unlock the door to my kitchen. Now tonight I am experiencing my first blizzard as an adult (having to worry about things like wind damage to the house and outside vehicles). I pretty much slept and played through the Blizzard of '78 (you really don't realize how great it is to live with people much older than you who take care of things until you become one).<br />
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All of my <em>winey </em>complaining aside, I have an amazing friend who has struggled <strong>once again</strong> with breast cancer. She learned of her newfound diagnosis around Thanksgiving and lived with it through the holidays and through the most sad day of many of our lives, December 14, while being a wife, daughter, sister, friend to many and, most importantly, a mom of two small children. She underwent a double mastectomy and is truly someone to admire. Her blog is listed somewhere to the right of this page, <em>Mom is Always Write</em>. She is an amazingly strong and beautiful person who continues to inspire me and who never loses her wonderful sense of humor. <br />
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<span class="line line-s" id="line_25"><em>When you say it's gonna happen now</em></span><br />
<span class="line line-s"></span><span class="line line-s" id="line_26"><em>Well, when exactly do you mean?</em></span><br />
<span class="line line-s"></span><span class="line line-s" id="line_27"><em>See, I've already waited too long</em></span><br />
<span class="line line-s"></span><em><span class="line line-s hover" id="line_28">And all my hope is gone</span><br /><br />~The Smiths; </em><em>How Soon Is Now?~</em><br />
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<strong>8.25 out of 10</strong><br />
<strong>13.5 % alc. by vol.</strong><br />
<strong>$9.99 / 750 ml. bottle</strong>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-63536227892048727882012-12-24T00:20:00.001-05:002012-12-24T22:34:33.693-05:00Dragon's Tooth Blend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>2008</b><br />
<b>NAPA Valley Red</b><br />
<b>56% Malbec, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot</b><br />
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*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.<br />
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<b>--Dark berry fruit flavors, smooth, baking spice oak finish--</b><br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<pre> </pre>
<pre>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
</pre>
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<i>--If on a Winter's Night</i> by Gordon Lightfoot<br />
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<b>This wine was given a rating of 94 by <i>Wine Enthusiast.</i></b><br />
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<b>8.5 out of 10</b><br />
<b>14.5% alc. by vol.</b><br />
<b>*$44 -$76 (depending on where you buy it) / 750 ml. bottle</b>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-57564020530126454812012-11-23T11:57:00.001-05:002012-11-23T15:26:02.705-05:00Joh.Jos.Prum Riesling<b><b>1999</b> </b><br />
<b>Wehlener Sonnenuhr </b><br />
<b>Mosel-Saar-Ruwer </b><br />
<b>Germany</b><br />
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<b>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. </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>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. :)</b><br />
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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 <i>Rhapsody in Blue</i> 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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<i>When this doesn't happen again<br />
We'll have this moment forever<br />
But never, never again </i><br />
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--Doris Day, "Again" <br />
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<b>8.5 out of 10</b><br />
<b>8% alc. by vol.</b><br />
<b>$20/750 ml. bottle</b><br />
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<br />merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-60355001626446748332012-11-19T19:54:00.001-05:002012-11-21T22:18:19.889-05:00Thanksgiving Day 2012 Wine Lineup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TYC_hWLTuMALCJH-WWvV6HF8M6Ve-Xi-l2xbfNp24r506VDMXPIluDMvTa7Y752wLl86yCiGb9VYv4ojr4Xni69ZDnXNfETmI30SRFCIh-fKAnEMDsm0Qd05tfemkpT8tfk2SEczPrVa/s1600/Thanksgiving2+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TYC_hWLTuMALCJH-WWvV6HF8M6Ve-Xi-l2xbfNp24r506VDMXPIluDMvTa7Y752wLl86yCiGb9VYv4ojr4Xni69ZDnXNfETmI30SRFCIh-fKAnEMDsm0Qd05tfemkpT8tfk2SEczPrVa/s320/Thanksgiving2+2012.JPG" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Joh.Jos. Prum Riesling</b>, 1999, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany<br />
<b>Clos Fourtet Saint-Emilion Grand Cru,</b> 1999, France<br />
<b>Turley Howell Mountain Zinfandel,</b> 2008, Rattlesnake Ridge, St. Helena, California<br />
<b>Warre's Vintage Porto</b>, 1994, Portugal<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
HAPPY THANKSGIVING merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-55724026066503791732012-11-01T18:28:00.003-05:002012-11-02T14:16:23.431-05:00Rutherglen Rare Tokay<b>Calliope</b><br />
<b>RL Buller & Son</b><br />
<b>Australia</b><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzwPkAm6Y1U5ijO6kYmVIwHus2Dhmi-lkyfRXcWYwNcQPqlwhrosX1-p3l_jBlvqAeib5ekLkAXEolvc0rmYFH1x31oYpURJbZtd8FlQpiat7AzUCvc3-MS6Vzqzt93e4edczCUl-oT4U/s1600/Rutherglen+Tokay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzwPkAm6Y1U5ijO6kYmVIwHus2Dhmi-lkyfRXcWYwNcQPqlwhrosX1-p3l_jBlvqAeib5ekLkAXEolvc0rmYFH1x31oYpURJbZtd8FlQpiat7AzUCvc3-MS6Vzqzt93e4edczCUl-oT4U/s320/Rutherglen+Tokay.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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. <br />
<br />
<i>Love has a nasty habit of disappearing overnight.</i><br />
<i>--I'm Looking Through You, Lennon-McCartney-- </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>8.5 out of 10</b><br />
<b>18.0 % alc. by vol. </b><br />
<b>$40 / 375 ML</b>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-4670962264892387702012-10-05T19:47:00.000-05:002012-11-01T17:06:03.550-05:00phantom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpKbu7JzfiwGq3I2wSrotTBS2YW9MXlPbZzZPFowb7Wm4TBxI3Ld7k-PWs_YD1tuP-drstoIuRk0SR0DlyGik_BX34szWNou9Z_2SHX4QSC_-gyRQcN78f2fgcmJd2TzqKd6Z9AjfyGD3/s1600/Phantom+09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWpKbu7JzfiwGq3I2wSrotTBS2YW9MXlPbZzZPFowb7Wm4TBxI3Ld7k-PWs_YD1tuP-drstoIuRk0SR0DlyGik_BX34szWNou9Z_2SHX4QSC_-gyRQcN78f2fgcmJd2TzqKd6Z9AjfyGD3/s320/Phantom+09.JPG" width="269" /></a></div>
<b>2009</b><br />
<b>Clarksburg, California</b><br />
<b>Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, & Old Vine Mourvedre</b><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<b>8.5 out of 10</b><br />
<b>14.5% alc. by vol.</b><br />
<b>$19.99 / 750 ml. bottle</b><br />
<br />merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-43749050752671568952012-09-29T19:23:00.004-05:002012-10-01T20:32:40.388-05:002007 Problem Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTzo073Qt2c_MSWcQjCtzgVyJDwngeep9lMna_W5Vsyl2tmu2oOivEmRLVpansNR050XYzf9elWHeWB4OWdENso10lbuzWJGMUzkUGqGYozab8Ssd-HALjg9Qfdh3ns49Bm7gkm_a5wBA/s1600/Problem+Child.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTzo073Qt2c_MSWcQjCtzgVyJDwngeep9lMna_W5Vsyl2tmu2oOivEmRLVpansNR050XYzf9elWHeWB4OWdENso10lbuzWJGMUzkUGqGYozab8Ssd-HALjg9Qfdh3ns49Bm7gkm_a5wBA/s320/Problem+Child.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<b>2007 </b><br />
<b>Linne Calodo</b><br />
<b>Red Zinfandel Blend </b><br />
<b>Paso Robles, CA</b><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<b>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. :)</b><br />
<br />
<b>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.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mty0ALNbvMiVl8JjzY3grCP_4FqmkLK-zf3CuSI98RnBHzxSxGT4QZ6dwH-q3AUdyfCM7NL28u3gs_mFRLxtRnly_d_NMt_LXbx4VWuj_BcXYqkaJh1E_2mmk4rt9VeFDiBr13PAAgAL/s1600/Jess+&+Greg+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mty0ALNbvMiVl8JjzY3grCP_4FqmkLK-zf3CuSI98RnBHzxSxGT4QZ6dwH-q3AUdyfCM7NL28u3gs_mFRLxtRnly_d_NMt_LXbx4VWuj_BcXYqkaJh1E_2mmk4rt9VeFDiBr13PAAgAL/s320/Jess+&+Greg+3.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>9.25 out of 10</b><br />
<b>$55/750 ml. bottle</b><br />
<b>16% alc. by vol.</b>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-52001780570805878752012-07-29T21:28:00.005-05:002012-09-30T07:39:54.062-05:00Kistler Sonoma<b>2006</b><br />
<b>No. 04585</b><br />
<b>California</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNmCf72nzLw_fS0Qr7cpXvUP1OSzFZArOT7QmwSKujfN8fJWhGrDSZbmbi_ewJuBL3MhJMlsHAjMrCrCrtxFJPXkblYHyrqRWz8veNliAljs0-3GYHsGcpJT9cKPBkvdFwMZokFvOPSfl/s1600/Kistler+Sonoma+2006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNmCf72nzLw_fS0Qr7cpXvUP1OSzFZArOT7QmwSKujfN8fJWhGrDSZbmbi_ewJuBL3MhJMlsHAjMrCrCrtxFJPXkblYHyrqRWz8veNliAljs0-3GYHsGcpJT9cKPBkvdFwMZokFvOPSfl/s320/Kistler+Sonoma+2006.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
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?<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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. <br />
<br />
<br />
<i>When the truth is<br />
I miss you<br />
Yeah the truth is<br />
That I miss you so<br /><br />
A warning sign</i>
<i><br />
It came back to haunt me, and I realized<br />
That you were an island and I passed you by</i><br />
<br />
<i>--Chris Martin, COLDPLAY, "The Warning Sign"</i><br />
<br />
<i>9.5 out of 10</i><br />
<i>$119/750 ml. bottle</i><br />
<i>14.1% alc. by vol.</i><br />
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<br /></div>
merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-78796579021211366082012-07-14T20:31:00.001-05:002012-07-14T20:37:32.186-05:00Hopkins Heritage Pinot Noir<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuyIHrdfKA_xXXTUgCoAmHVTLp2D9tmQhW0jUNHbJvC6XmiBTJVbZe3eERawQlIC1WHs7xGNjcd6dFfCE6wCtBKNEURx07gcWsJ6OS96dilJeCEtqlmKunfYsYy8WoH7Bmq3SGQLy0YWZ/s1600/HOPKINS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuyIHrdfKA_xXXTUgCoAmHVTLp2D9tmQhW0jUNHbJvC6XmiBTJVbZe3eERawQlIC1WHs7xGNjcd6dFfCE6wCtBKNEURx07gcWsJ6OS96dilJeCEtqlmKunfYsYy8WoH7Bmq3SGQLy0YWZ/s320/HOPKINS.JPG" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Hopkins Heritage Pinot Noir</b><br />
<b>2010</b><br />
<b>Western Connecticut Highlands</b> (nonetheless! Makes me feel like I could quite possibly be in the Scottish Moors or something - Dont'cha Know Lad and Lass?) <br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Some days I'm struck with sorrow<br />
Need a place to hide<br />
There's nowhere else you can put life<br />
But way down deep inside<br /><br />
Take my hand and let me guide you</i>
<i><br />
Take my hand when you're alone<br />
Take my hand and let me guide you<br />
Take my hand to lead you home </i><br />
<br />
The GREAT Ben Harper (*sigh), "Take My Hand" <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>7.25 out of 10 </b><br />
<b>12.5% alc. by vol.</b><br />
<b> Price Unknown</b> (Sorry - special edition freebie at their festival - probably $10-15)merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-39629237840102591472012-06-30T21:00:00.000-05:002012-07-01T11:47:18.278-05:00Vitiano 2009<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_PjvOoFQkWXWRwSAHXsmkume9jOZInMj0WRwhUiId0oS2UyfZ6pzvr9YSZ4DmTJQ2RLyeWHK8emvnwI24_vJTA7aW01JosN3t-X_rJ3hqa8VMJQO4a0PoFJVYufdsVadqEzhS8wz6dGe/s1600/Vitiano+2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_PjvOoFQkWXWRwSAHXsmkume9jOZInMj0WRwhUiId0oS2UyfZ6pzvr9YSZ4DmTJQ2RLyeWHK8emvnwI24_vJTA7aW01JosN3t-X_rJ3hqa8VMJQO4a0PoFJVYufdsVadqEzhS8wz6dGe/s320/Vitiano+2009.JPG" width="229" /></a></div>
<b>Cabernet Sauvignon - Sangiovese - Merlot Blend</b><br />
<b>Montecchio</b><br />
<b>Italia</b><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>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></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>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 "</i><i>properly"</i><i> 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). </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>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 </i></span><i><span style="font-size: small;">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 <b>seemed</b> 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</span>.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">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. </span><br />
<br />
See the moonlight shinin',<br />
On your window pane,<br />
See it leave you,<br />
As faithful as it came,<br />
Please yourself,<br />
<div class="content_1">
So you don't have to,<br />
Be afraid,<br />
Make amends,<br />
Or carry on another way,<br />
Another way,<br />
Oh~oh,</div>
<br />
The Lengths - by the Black Keys<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>8.0 out of 10</b><br />
<b>13.5% alc. by vol. </b><br />
<b>$10 / 750 ml.</b><br />
<br />
<br />merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-52003575689586886102012-06-16T21:17:00.003-05:002012-06-16T21:25:04.266-05:00RED Splash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_cpWSu9E_dLuMJ0myoMTHlh23uTxhRZxhyYxJNC16nqZDVE3vuxP1R_MwoSReTpPEQyRrR8LVVTQSa5sG6zINIQeLKERuqWIjlvI543USEnrWtV6NV1VZW5Cp4ZvrF8Ogx-PLpWu70cB/s1600/RED+Splash.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_cpWSu9E_dLuMJ0myoMTHlh23uTxhRZxhyYxJNC16nqZDVE3vuxP1R_MwoSReTpPEQyRrR8LVVTQSa5sG6zINIQeLKERuqWIjlvI543USEnrWtV6NV1VZW5Cp4ZvrF8Ogx-PLpWu70cB/s320/RED+Splash.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<b>2007</b><br />
<b>Sonoma County</b><br />
<b>St. Francis Winery</b><br />
<b>Santa Rosa, California</b><br />
<br />
It's been a long time.<b> </b><br />
<br />
PAY ATTENTION PLEASE. If you would like a <i>sure thing</i> 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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
I have always gravitated towards blends. I absolutely prefer them in general.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>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><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>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.</i><br />
<br />
<i>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). </i><br />
<br />
<i>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. </i><br />
<br />
<i>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. </i><i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<i>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. </i><br />
<br />
<i>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"!!!! :) </i><br />
<br />
<i>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.</i><br />
<br />
It's been a long time,<br />
Since you wore your pillbox hat<br />
It's been a long time<br />
Since we drove your Po-o-o-o-o-ontiac<br />
<br />
--It's Been A Long Time-- CAKE!<br />
<br />
<b>8.25 out of 10</b><br />
<b>$11 / 750 ml. bottle</b><br />
<b>14.5% alc. by vol. </b><br />
<br />merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-65845937515955602532012-05-06T18:28:00.000-05:002012-07-14T21:17:19.638-05:00Altos de luzon Red<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobxAGqZdtCtwMNaN9HCf0nGqpDYcrQHTg550OQuUF8YHSYjv3BnwGgZh9wD69Bi8I2PmDwlC4hBWfpNshuptr9AQHYj_swwjnf87GGKVzPIODK05Dj0xmYmtHDMU9i79ZVyxT4HtNnTrU/s1600/Altos+de+luzon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobxAGqZdtCtwMNaN9HCf0nGqpDYcrQHTg550OQuUF8YHSYjv3BnwGgZh9wD69Bi8I2PmDwlC4hBWfpNshuptr9AQHYj_swwjnf87GGKVzPIODK05Dj0xmYmtHDMU9i79ZVyxT4HtNnTrU/s320/Altos+de+luzon.JPG" width="186" /></a> </div>
<b>2007</b><br />
<b>Bodegas Luzon</b><br />
<b>Jumilla</b><br />
<b>Spain</b><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>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:</i> <b>"Life is a Balance of Holding On and Letting Go".</b></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">YOU REMEMBER WHISKEY ON YOUR DADDY'S BREATH</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">SO YOU ALWAYS STICK TO WINE</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">AND YOU SCARED YOUR LITTLE BROTHER HALF TO DEATH</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">YOU JUST KEPT IT ALL INSIDE</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">YOU CAN HEAR YOUR MAMA CRYIN'</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">ONLY NOW SHE CRIES FOR YOU</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">AND DON'T YOU KNOW</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">NOBODY DRINKS ALONE</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">EVERY DEMON</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">EVERY GHOST</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">FROM YOUR PAST</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">AND EVERY MEMORY YOU'VE HELD BACK</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">FOLLOWS YOU HOME </span></i><br />
<br />
-<span style="font-size: x-small;">NOBODY DRINKS ALONE / written by Matraca Berg & Jim Collins on BE HERE by Keith Urban</span><br />
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<b>8.25 out of 10</b><br />
<b>14.5% alc. by vol. </b><br />
<b>$19 / 750 ml. bottle</b>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-55276912277548181072012-03-19T19:38:00.009-05:002012-03-19T20:37:57.239-05:00Camelot Charonnday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVnOdvhhBOoqD9X-fZbpRDSGj1F5JKiSV9xSg7lDhf9rthVUx9C6hb3VJF-dzGf85ultv1J2KZqqRBxdb7QBKcuvKRPKr0HKRpMhTf9XLTOco8s__2aUii3IGL6i7t22HXTbSWZkKrK6c/s1600/Camelot.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVnOdvhhBOoqD9X-fZbpRDSGj1F5JKiSV9xSg7lDhf9rthVUx9C6hb3VJF-dzGf85ultv1J2KZqqRBxdb7QBKcuvKRPKr0HKRpMhTf9XLTOco8s__2aUii3IGL6i7t22HXTbSWZkKrK6c/s320/Camelot.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721774120756989106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">2009</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santa Rosa, CA</span><br /><br />Wow. Ok. This wine was very good. It reminded me very much of one of my all-time favorite chardonnays: <span style="font-style: italic;">Sonoma-Cutrer</span>. That said, it is <span style="font-weight: bold;">1/3 of the price</span>! I consider this the best buy of the year so far.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Camelot</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">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.</span><br /><br />I highly recommend it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Recipe for Moroccan Braised Chicken</span>:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ingredients</span><br />- 4 T olive oil<br />- 6 whole chicken legs (drumsticks & thighs attached, skin removed)<br />- coarse salt & ground pepper<br />- 1 lrg. onion, halved & thinly sliced<br />- 1 t. Turmeric<br />- 1 t. ground Ginger<br />- 1/2 t. Cinnamon<br />- 1-1/2 c lrg. pitted prunes (dried plums)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">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.<br /><br />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. :)<br /><br />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.<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Well I've been here before</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Sat on a floor in a grey grey mood</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Where I stay up all night</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> And all that I write is a grey grey tune</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> So pray for me child, just for a while</span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> That I might break out yeah</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Pray for me child</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Even a smile would do for now</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> 'Cause I'm all alone again</span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Crawling back home again</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Stuck by the phone again</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Have I still got you to be my open door</span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Have I still got you to be my sandy shore</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Have I still got you to cross my bridge in this storm</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Have I still got you to keep me warm</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> If I squeeze my grape then I drink my wine</span></span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> 'Cause if I squeeze my grape and I drink my wine</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> 'cause nothing is lost, it's just frozen in frost,</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> And it's opening time, there's no-one in line</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Damien Rice, Grey Room</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8CHP5B-RbxMsDZHpT6Z5AkO5-BKeyJRn0fwdTLxG_l9C_1NJJY7OF644ZRNPdQvV_nPvxTRcx4SAhYGkfENUNRZtqoIZHxO17gkXGGXxrSIAuAwcCVpRrFtt8piYR6YWRRk1hJ0TUSzG/s1600/moroccan+braised+chicken.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8CHP5B-RbxMsDZHpT6Z5AkO5-BKeyJRn0fwdTLxG_l9C_1NJJY7OF644ZRNPdQvV_nPvxTRcx4SAhYGkfENUNRZtqoIZHxO17gkXGGXxrSIAuAwcCVpRrFtt8piYR6YWRRk1hJ0TUSzG/s200/moroccan+braised+chicken.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721773892311716626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8.0 out of 10<br />13.5 alc. by vol.<br />$6.99!!! / 750 ml. bottle (Go For It)<br /></span>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-7917592988188848552012-03-15T18:47:00.004-05:002012-03-15T20:33:27.740-05:00Autry Cellars Zinfandel<span style="font-weight: bold;">2007</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paso Robles</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC1GT_R4li6zmNtO1_nxZCSBd0JX5Fn-YGlouKJ91Q09AJ-UT86DY6DHaEzoxzXeLGw-UIANZlpzLRkwbKj1Oy_gqfB-_ITWRN7gMI5tgbKqofC5svSAPHMiVt8V1jxcfEugJO8NCwh30/s1600/Autry+Cellars.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC1GT_R4li6zmNtO1_nxZCSBd0JX5Fn-YGlouKJ91Q09AJ-UT86DY6DHaEzoxzXeLGw-UIANZlpzLRkwbKj1Oy_gqfB-_ITWRN7gMI5tgbKqofC5svSAPHMiVt8V1jxcfEugJO8NCwh30/s400/Autry+Cellars.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720275112354759218" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />Many thanks to the Guy's cousin for this experience.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I woke this morning </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> To the sound of breaking hearts </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Mine is full of questions </span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> And it's tearing yours apart...</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">--Sheryl Crow, HOME--</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8.25 out of 10</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">16.1% alc. by vol.</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">$28/750 ml. bottle</span>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-23137379682307965112012-02-17T20:23:00.007-05:002012-02-17T21:06:38.602-05:00Opolo Mountain Zinfandel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhb_2V0PXrXW-70WjyI7DWTVA6VcEzAgpD4umw6ETtpUqGiEdcyblnl4whnh47aAI2pftbYp65LZAzQTtjx6NNS7Jx5gUc-PU0VHX7MgfBfpBzWDM63lJ9YMiPxI0Lzm5HxefUd5VwLoy/s1600/OPOLO+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhb_2V0PXrXW-70WjyI7DWTVA6VcEzAgpD4umw6ETtpUqGiEdcyblnl4whnh47aAI2pftbYp65LZAzQTtjx6NNS7Jx5gUc-PU0VHX7MgfBfpBzWDM63lJ9YMiPxI0Lzm5HxefUd5VwLoy/s400/OPOLO+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710280525291352978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2010</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paso Robles</span><br /><br /><br />Valentines Day is not about love and romance - it is about . . . wine and chocolate. :) <span style="font-style: italic;">The Guy</span> 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 <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> 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.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's empty in the valley of your heart</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The sun, it rises slowly as you walk</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Away from all the fears and faults</span><br style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">You've left behind</span><br /><br />Mumford & Sons, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Cave</span><br /><br /><br />***ON DECK: BREMERTON SELKIRK SHIRAZ, 2006****<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8.5 out of 10</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">16.7 alc. by vol.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">$18.99 - 24.99 / 750 ml. bottle</span>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137126454850474009.post-83611537086240649152012-02-04T18:20:00.011-05:002012-02-05T20:51:57.091-05:00Honig Cabernet Sauvignon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGNojWY-fqXpnkiseicvKQXePog81td0XIz3tZUAa3PnJbU01U5RavsyE-kSH2KffTzfRpJ70smmmg4F6NYlNDhdJ5VWz01phxUsRztBao3_nZ5NcDodNBMt6nrIGpg5ZgN6kuHuefC3-/s1600/Christmas+Lineup+3.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGNojWY-fqXpnkiseicvKQXePog81td0XIz3tZUAa3PnJbU01U5RavsyE-kSH2KffTzfRpJ70smmmg4F6NYlNDhdJ5VWz01phxUsRztBao3_nZ5NcDodNBMt6nrIGpg5ZgN6kuHuefC3-/s200/Christmas+Lineup+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705426280868522738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">2008</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">NAPA Valley</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2016</span><br /><br /><br />The day we opened the Honig was a GREAT day. 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mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">For DD<br /></span></p><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">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:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>a pair of well worn black leather slippers, some heavy brown dress shoes.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">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.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">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. </span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><p style="font-style: italic;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8.5 out of 10</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">14.5% alc. by vol.</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">$32/750 ml. bottle</span>merlotsoulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01618967445237543136noreply@blogger.com0