Dragon's Tooth Blend

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thanksgiving Day 2012 Wine Lineup

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

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

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

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Honig Cabernet Sauvignon

2008
NAPA Valley
Can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2016


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

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

For DD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

2008
Red Dry Wine
Italia

This is a highly enjoyable wine to have with Italian fare. Great with pizza and/or such Italiano spices as oregano and garlic. This was my birthday bottle at a restaurant. It was enjoyed with prosciutto and arugula pizza. I liked it so much I gave it as Christmas gifts. Word is that the wooden piece that comes attached to each bottle (not seen in this image) is attached by students at a deaf school near the vineyard.

Tonight we had it with spaghetti with oregano and sauteed garlic and organic turkey and roasted garlic crushed tomatoes topped with a four-cheese combo of fontina, provolone, asiago, and parmesan. It was just as good as it was the night of my birthday with the pizza.

Nothing like beginning your day with a speculum and an anal probe. My doc laughed at me and told me he wished he had a camera so he could take a picture of my face. Good thing I happen to like him. I even thanked him after it was all over - isn't that worse than thanking a police officer for giving you a speeding ticket??? Anyway, that's how my day started and it never got much better. So I decided to purchase a bottle of this after leaving the doctor's office. It was a no-brainer. Hmmmm, how do I erase the bad memories of this morning's wake-up call? I fantasized about wine as I drove away and decided: Lets just end the day with a vanilla-cherry chocolate bomb the likes of a full-bodied red zin.

I sat in the waiting room surrounded by pregnant women. I waited in line to check out with pregnant women in front of me and pregnant women behind me. I should have been happy for them all. But I selfishly felt old and sad that my own were growing up and I have had my day. I am menstruating again for the third time this month. That is after having not menstruated at all for two and a half months. And that is following a month of feeling extremely warm when I am always cold and a month of extreme emotions. Yes, I am losing my child-bearing years. I am also being gross for any male readers out there. But this is my reality. I am beginning a new phase of life and it is not easy to grasp. I miss the spit up, and drool, and gummy smiles, and beautiful-smelling bald heads of yesteryear and I wish I could spend my life surrounded by them. Life goes incredibly fast. That's why we all need our own personal cantina!















I count the cars out on the highway
I think about you now and then
The stars are out and no one knows me
Til I'm home again

The sun breaks across the water
A warm reminder on the wind
The days are sweet but what I want is to be home again
To be home again

HEM -Home Again


8.0 out of 10
13% alc. by vol.
$12 - $15 / 750 bottle

Meiomi Pinot Noir

2008
Pinot Noir
Belle Glos

Sonoma County 65%
Monterey County 20%
Santa Barbara County 15%

A Christmas gift to the Guy from his boss, this Pinot Noir was finally enjoyed tonight.

I have previous Belle Glos Pinot Noir memories - my brother bought a Belle Glos pinot noir for Christmas in 2007? Awesome. I think I have it at a "higher" rating (8.75). Well, the Meiomi was a pretty darn good runner up. Hints of the same - earth, berry, and herb (thyme) make this a phenomenal wine for the price. People: If you want to impress any wine aficionados, buy this (usually less than $20) wine. It tastes more expensive. I've heard it's good with pizza. I made organic chicken soup and added a wee bit to the broth and found it terrific as an accompaniment to the soup.


They say time will make all this go away
But it's time that has taken my tomorrows
And turned them into yesterdays
And once again that rising sun
Is droppin' on down
And once again you my friend
Are nowhere to be found
And it's so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes
Sometimes you just have to walk away
Walk away
And head for the door

Ben Harper, Walk Away


8.25 out of 10
$19.99
13.9% alc. by vol.

Schild Estate Shiraz

2008
Barossa
Australia


Wow. 94 points from Wine Spectator. Really?? I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong. This is a good wine. Dark berry, vanilla flavor with a hint of smokiness. Flavors that I normally would be totally in love with. I expected this would be so much more.

I still believe it WILL indeed be so much more in a couple of years. I think it has fantastic potential. It was just a little too early just yet.


Had a great time with family during a too short beach vacation. Misquamicut was fantastic fun with my eldest and I riding waves together and laughing. No jellyfish. A lot of fun in the sun.

We had no power, but we didn't need it. Beach by day, kayaking, candelight on the deck at night overlooking the moonlight and water. My children and their beautiful cousin, my brother-in-law with his guitar, a visitor from Barcelona, and a sister-in-law with a bottle of red. Just what I needed. :)






Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead
You know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised in a summer haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days

Adele, Someone Like You






8.25 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$20 / 750 ml. bottle (but I received a $3 discount so it cost me $17) :)

7 Deadly Zins

Old Vine Zinfandel
2008
LODI Appellation, CA

I believe I have reviewed this wine before. However, tonight it was really good. I served it with lasagna. I make an Americanized verison of lasagna that includes provolone, mozzarella and parmesean in lieu of the traditional ricotta and egg, etc. The provolone gives it a "smoked" flavor. The 7 Deadly Zins added to that smokiness. It was a fab combo that I enjoyed immensely.

Tonight is a very special night. I have just learned of the impending birth of a baby for my dear cousin, whose father, my uncle, just recently passed.

In addition, today I feel I was given a gift to forward. I went in search of vacuum cleaner bags that I purchased a couple of months ago, but cannot find. While looking for them, I found a postcard from my dear uncle from last year's Thanksgiving. As you may know, this is the uncle who always made Thanksgiving extra special with his presence, as well as his wine.

One thing I was reflecting on, upon learning of his death, was, while I truly believe and know he was bringing GOOD wine, his presence alone made the wine so much better. I kept wondering, was it the wine, or was it Uncle Bob? It was definitely the man that made the experience better. It was a bit like Pavlov's dog. Had my uncle been feeding me sour milk every Thanksgiving, I truly believe I would have learned to love sour milk. It was the man who made the difference.

Well, tonight I sent my postcard findings along to my aunt and cousins. Last year, he did not come to my house (and I thought confidently that there will be many more Thanksgivings ahead) because my cousin had his first baby and they all spent Thanksgiving together, understandably so. As per usual, he sent a case of his wine ahead for us to enjoy on the day despite his absence. But, honestly, it just wasn't the same without him.

Anyway, today I found his postcard written to my girls during Thanksgiving of last year. The postcard was a botanical photo of one of my favorite plants: the Bleeding Heart. In it he wrote how sorry he was that he wasn't with us and that he hoped the picture on the front conveyed that. In addition, he told them how he added a verse to his favorite Thanksgiving blessing (he would sing the hymn "We Gather Together" for grace). He shared his altered version with us to include a beautiful verse about the birth of his first grandchild. That being the "grace" he sang at the Thanksgiving table he shared with his "new" family last year. I forgot about all he wrote in that card because I obviously didn't know he was going to die before our next Thanksgiving. So, to me, it was a gift that I found that card tonight. I shared its contents with my aunt and cousins in an Email so that they would have the exact blessing he sang at their last Thanksgiving together.

Approximately 10 minutes later, I received a phone call from my aunt who is visiting one of my cousins down South. This was a trip she and my uncle had set in motion weeks before he died. She carried on alone. She called me to tell me that they got my Email and to let me know that my cousin had just shared with her on this trip that she too is expecting a baby. Her brother had a most beautiful baby last year, and now she too will have a baby. To me, everything has come full circle. It is bittersweet, as I wish my uncle could have seen BOTH of his children's first child, but I know, as I said to my cousin, that he already knows this baby. I am totally blessed that I found his postcard and I forwarded it this particular weekend. I truly believe it was his doing.

This wine was fantastic with lasagna and garlic bread. A smokey cherry bomb with a bit of leather nuances.

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap of faith
It's the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle, the circle of life

Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

Elton John, The Circle of Life


8.0 out of 10 (with food / lasagna)
$15.99 / 750 ml. bottle
15.0 % alc. by vol.

6th Sense Syrah

2008
Lodi Appellation

This wine was all chocolate, leather, rasberries and smoke.

I have not felt like posting or even writing much of anything since the untimely passing of my uncle. Everything just feels . . . different. More importantly, wine isn't so great anymore. I used to taste zealously and with anticipation and fun. I just don't feel the same. I go about my days as usual, but now with less zeal when I remember he's gone (which is several times a day). When I catch myself laughing, I feel bad. But I do remember how important laughter was to him and how much joy he brought others and I know he would want me to laugh as much as I can.

So, I am back to review the first wine I've had in awhile that inspired me and that I thoroughly enjoyed. But, more importantly, I felt compelled to write again due to re-connecting with my husband's younger brother. He is at an age finally where he realizes what is truly important. He has been out of our lives for too many years. He came for dinner and we talked, played wiffle ball, rode around in a golf cart, drank wine and toasted life, and ate birthday cake in celebration of his recent birthday. It was the best I've felt since Uncle Bob died, and I am thankful.



Chocolate and rasberries . . .



The hardest day awaits me this year - Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday and it was the one I totally enjoyed sharing with Uncle Bob. He truly was the best. I said some words at the burial of his ashes, and I ended with this poem by the great Emily Dickinson. Life is, truly, too short.

You will not see me, so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again, both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest and when you need me, just whisper my name in your heart, I will be there.

--Emily Dickinson--


8.25 out of 10
$16 /750 ml. bottle
15.5% alc. by vol.

Kistler Cuvee Natalie Pinot Noir

2008
Pinot Noir
Silver Belt Vineyard
Sonoma County



Many thanks to my dear uncle for providing me with the ammo I would need tonight a couple of years ago. It is most likely advisable that I should have saved this wine a couple more years. However, today was one of those days that call for something out of the ordinary. The world looks different tonight. A light has gone out in my corner of the planet. My wonderful, supportive, unconditional-love-giving grandmother died today.

This velvety, silky, heavy-bodied cherry in the woods wearing a leather jacket was just what the doctor ordered. I've no regrets. Life is too short. I've enjoyed every last drop and am . . . comfortably numb.





Come on, come on down,
I hear you’re feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain,
Get you on your feet again.

Relax, relax, relax
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts.
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move, but I can’t hear what you’re saying.

I have become comfortably numb.

Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb


9.0 out of 10
14.1% alc. by vol.
$145 / 750 ml. bottle

Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

2008
Italian Red Wine


My friends invited me to their house to sit by the fire pit and drink some wine with dark chocolate from Spain. They brought out this CHEAP wine and wanted to know my opinion. It was actually pretty good. I mean, it is $6.00. $6.00!

It wasn't heavy bodied like I prefer, but I really had no expectations. It had a mini kick of fruity dryness. I enjoyed saying the name over and over. I even recorded it, but can't get any help from the CS Guy other than to get an audio widget, which I tried but failed to embed.

Maybe it was the company, or the music, or the flames dancing before my eyes and warming my bare feet, or perhaps, the dark chocolate flown home from Spain, I may never know, but it was good for the price.


Your the one that I wanted to find
And anyone who tried to deny you
Must be out of their minds

Honey you are the sea
Upon which I float
And I came here to talk
I think you should know

Cold Play, "Green Eyes"

7.75 out of 8.0
$6 / 750 ml. bottle (that is not a typo)
12.5% alc. by vol.

Shannon Ridge

2008
Wrangler Red
Lake County, CA

A wonderful blend of many: Zin, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre and Tempranillo. This was very smooth - creamy for a red. It had slight vanilla and herb flavors with light toasted oak. I really liked this wine. For $10 this was a good deal. It tasted good on its own and accompanied chicken pot pie nicely. In addition, it even tasted good following a bite of SALAD with olive oil and vinegar dressing!!! There was a creamy authentic Feta (my favorite - Mt. Vikos) in the salad and I wonder if it was possibly the cheese that made the wine good even with salad.

So today was one of those quirky days where I was thinking of a memory, which involved a friend and a song, and on the way home, right as I hit the highway and turned on the radio, the song came on. Later tonight I went to a school meeting and that friend was there, even though its been a long time and I don't see much of her around town. We used to dance together years ago at a local bar to a local band. They were a bunch of guys, but they sang a song Michelle and I liked, by a bunch of girls - 4 Non-Blondes. We would dance and sing the song out loud on the dance floor. So tonight's music meanderings are for Michelle:

And I try, oh my God do I try
I try all the time
In this institution
And I pray, oh my God do I pray I pray every single day For a revolution
And so I cry sometimes when I'm lying in bed
Just to get it all out what's in my head
And I'm, I am feeling a little peculiar
So I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
What's goin'on
4 Non-Blondes, What's Going On
8.o out of 10
$10 / 750 ml. bottle
14.2% alc. by vol.

Tres Picos Garnacha

2008
Borsao

First, I wish to extend my prayers to the people of Japan to overcome and rebuild and move beyond the heartbreaking conditions. I see pictures of such young children being scanned for radiation as they willingly lift up their little chins, the lonely elders, the hungry, the cold and the grief stricken and my heart goes out to them. To one day have your home and the next day have nothing but your life - humbling, painful, devastating. And to have children you need to be strong for and create a whole new future for. I know how truly blessed I am at this moment and will NOT take it for granted.


Dark berry, leather, earth, vanilla - the makings of a great wine experience for me. This was a warm welcome. When I added two squares of Hershey's Dark I was wonderfully propelled into a bit of bliss for a short time.

I was so excited to bring this home. I had the 2007 last summer in Vermont in good company and breathtaking views, accompanied by some seriously good organic dark chocolate. The 2008, I believe, was just a tad bit better. This is a good buy. $16 is not exactly cheap, but I think it easily tastes like a $20+ wine. I am eagerly awaiting a Spanish friend's opinion. :)

Get your hands on the 2008, it is selling out in various places. I don't know how the 2009 is.

I've got a feeling, it's hard to explain
Feels like the devil rents a room in my brain
The things I'm ashamed of feel like dear old St. Paul
The things that I wanna do I don't do at all . . .

...Wake me when its springtime in Heaven
When I'm strong enough to walk in that place

Blanket of Ghosts, Dustin Kensrue


8.5 out of 10
$16 / 750 ml. bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.

Four Vines Zinfandel

The Sophisticate
Paso Robles
2008
Sonoma County, CA

The first night we had this, which I believe was on Christmas Eve, I SO loved it that I couldn't stop commenting on it. My brother brought a couple of bottles along with many others. As we had only so many days and so many wines to try, we didn't get to the second bottle. He, very kindly, left the second unopened bottle with me upon his departure.

I kept it to have with a roast turkey on New Years Day. It just WASN"T the same - I HATE that!!!! I raved about the first bottle. Over the years I have found that red zins accompany turkey nicely so I couldn't wait to open the second bottle with our New Year's Day dinner. And it was good. It just wasn't as good as the first night. I don't know why. The food was different for sure. However, I had a glass prior to food BOTH times and the first time surpassed the second. Reason unknown.

Now, on New Years Day, I did open a bottle of Bogle's Phantom which we enjoyed while I was preparing dinner. I must say, The Sohpisticate then paled in comparison following in the footsteps of the smokey smooth flavors of Phantom. THAT said, I had another bottle of Phantom tonight that was just as disappointing the second time around as The Sophisticate was the second time around. Both Phantoms were the SAME vintage. I had both with no food at first. Totally perplexing!!!

As this review is for The Sophisticate I am going to go with my first impression with the first bottle. It was delicious. It was very smooth, with a lingering vanilla and oak finish.

You don't look at Daddy the way I look at Noah. You don't touch or laugh. You don't play. You don't know anything about love.

---character of Allie in The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

8.25 out of 10
14.8% alc. by vol.
$20 / 750 ml. bottle

Kendall Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay

2008

Grand Reserve

55% Monterey and 45% Santa Barbara County

California

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

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

Off to do some yoga. Ciao.

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

sure i pulled the trigger but it needed to be done

because life's been killing me ever since it begun

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

you cant blame me sure the killer was my son

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

it's the killing on this TV screen

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

well you can't blame me says the media man

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

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

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

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

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

it's only entertainment and as anyone can see

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

COOKIE JAR, Jack Johnson

8.5 out of 10

13.5% alc. by vol.

$18.99 / 750 ml. bottle

Conundrum White Table Wine

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

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

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

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

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

Jack Johnson, Times Like These

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

Mark West Pinot Noir

2008
Sonoma, California

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

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

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

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


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

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

The Velvet Devil

2008
Merlot
Washington State

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

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

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

kvintners.blogspot.com

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

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay

2008
Vintner's Reserve
California

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

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

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













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

HJ Fabre Malbec

2008
Mendoza - Argentina




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


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


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





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

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




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

The rain'll bring me down

--Rachel Yamagata--



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

Domaine de L'Herbe Sainte Chardonnay

2008
Famille Greuzard
France


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

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




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

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

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

--Jon Mclaughlin--




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