Vitiano Umbria

2009
Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese & Merlot Blend


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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

Markham Merlot

2007
NAPA


Vanilla oak, heat, blackberry, pepper ~ worth it


THANKSGIVING 2011

The room was so quiet

Not like when you were in it

The walls weren’t echoing your laughter

The wine glasses emptied

Without you here to refill them

We go on because we must

But life just isn’t at the level you brought it to

Your grandson is just learning to walk, he was lucky, though he may never remember

You held him, you spoke to him

You’ve got a grand-daughter on the way

She should have heard your voice, your laugh, your off-key notes, your poems, your songs

Still, we must be thankful for the times we had

For you rarely turned down an opportunity

You made the most of the life you had

You knew how to live and embrace life

You were a burning star to be followed

And though we can no longer see your brightness burning

We can remember the light of your presence and bask in the remnants of its warmth

$24 / 750 ml. bottle
8.25 out of 10
14.2 % alc. by vol.

Clos Du Bois Merlot

2006
North Coast
California

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

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


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

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


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

Opolo Merlot Reserve

2006
Paso Robles, CA

The scent of this reminded me very much of Tawny Port meets Kalamata Olive. The taste was like a Robitussin cherry mushroom with a bit of earth mixed in. I do not wish to insinuate that this wine tasted like cough medicine with my reference to Robitussin. As a child, I very much enjoyed the taste of Robitussin and therefore, the slight reminder this wine brought forth was a characteristic I liked.

The finish was dry yet had a smooth, lingering, warm, slight spice flavor. This was very good. It was a nice and welcome change from the usual.

Oh Lover, hold on
'till I come back again
For these arms are growin' tired,
And my tales are wearing thin

If you're patient I will surprise,
When you wake up i'll have come

All the anger will settle down
And we'll go do all the things we should have done

Rachael Yamagata / Duet (with Ray LaMontagne)

8.5 out of 10
Approx. $24 / 750 ml. bottle? (can't buy easily)
14.8% alc. by vol.

Night Harvest Merlot

2005
Woodbridge, California
RH Phillips

Will drink again.

I have passed this label by many a time. The Guy brought it home tonight and I wasn't going to have any but it smelled so good from across the room that I had to have a sip. That led to a glass. Then one more. Not bad at all for the price. Rasberry and lots of oak with a hint of earth. It even tasted pretty good with a Cesear Salad and Newman's Cesear Dressing.

When my bed get empty, make me feel awful mean and blue
My springs are gettin' rusty sleepin' single like I do

Besssie Smith, 1928, Empty Bed Blues

8.0 out of 10

$15 / 1.5 L (the BIGGER bottle)
13.5 alc.by vol.
http://www.nightharvestwines.com/

McManis Merlot

2006
Ripon, California

Will probably drink again.

As an aside for a moment, I am having the Cab tonight with chili (and the Cab is in the Chili and the two together are fantastic). I will be posting my organic, vegetarian recipe on http://www.cheznathalie.com/ if interested.

OK. I know, this is not a shoe blog. I am just so excited about my new shoes for my cousin's wedding next week. I mean, look at them. Black satin, pointed toes, V-straps connected to Diamond O-rings (o.k. so MAYBE there's a chance they are zirconia O-rings - whatever). And my matching "O" necklace. How many women can actually say that their necklace matches their shoes? (Yes, my shoes are on the dinner table, however, they are brand new, fresh out of the box and never worn.) By the way, doesn't my necklace make my wine bottle look like a bad-ass rapper? I can't help it, that's what I see when I look at it - it will definitely look much different on me. I'm really excited. The Guy and The Bro are wearing their top-o-the-line Tuxes and I've got my own shindig going (thank you once again MOM) and we are going to look good. I will probably not be able to keep up with the wines we will have over the course of the two days, but I hope to catch a couple of bottle shots and review a few.

I don't believe The Guy or I ever reviewed the McManis Merlot. I did, however, state the other day that the Merlot was not nearly as good as the Cab. I stand by the Cab being better, but for $9.99, the Merlot is decent. The Guy purposely brought it home tonight so we could taste-test it officially.

It had a very berry / grapey scent, had slight oak in the taste, and ended with a slight creosote finish (like the Cab, but the Cab is loaded with oak which I like). For the price, the finish is fairly decent. I think all in all, the Merlot is a good buy and the Cab is a great buy (for the price ranges).

Quotes on my mind this evening (fresh from watching a fabulous movie - I don't care what the majority out there says about it, and, by the way, it's not that "Real men don't eat quiche", it's that "Real men watch chick flicks and actually learn something from them" - other than not to watch one again. I don't know any such "real men" personally but I'm still hopeful as I know you guys are out there).

"We are mysterious creatures, aren't we? And at the end, so much of the mystery turns out to not matter."
-Meryl Streep as "Lilah" in the movie "Evening"

And, this, my absolute favorite, from an old woman on her death bed:

"I thought there'd be so many chances"
-Lynn Redgrave as "Ann" in the movie "Evening"

8.0 out of 10
$9.99 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% alc. by vol
http://www.mcmanisfamilyvineyards.com/

Pride Merlot

Posting 2 and 3 of 4 Related:

2004
Vintner Select Cuvee
Sonoma County
California

First, eatingplum.blogspot.com, your snowmen cake is so sweet! Nice job. I am so excited about Fondant. I should probably take a class too as I got so much from the informal shower lesson. I appreciate your comments - thank you. Your recipes look good too, especially the Tagliatelle - I will try to pair with wine. I'm thinking right off the cuff that the budget-friendly The Third Bottle white wine would probably accompany it well. However, I have a bottle of 2005 Kistler Chardonnay my uncle gave me that I am already thinking about what menu options to serve it with (however, not exactly budget-friendly).

On to my current review(s): I guess I have (2) wines to review here but I don't have enough info on the second bottle. After we had our Chardonnay but prior to dinner, Uncle Bob, knowing I'm a Merlot lover, brought out a bottle of Pride (incidentally, he sent one home with me too). This wine was excellent on it's own AND with our dinner. My aunt made a delicious Hearts of Palm salad (with Hearts of Palm, grape tomatoes, avocado, Feta cheese, and other delicious ingredients that escape me at the moment, served with a rasberry vinagrette) and we ordered a phenomenal pizza - pesto sauce, pignolia nuts, and Feta cheese.

The scent was "warm"and very inviting. Lots of oak, vanilla, and berry flavor with a "warm stone" finish were the main flavors I was hit with. I worried what the taste of dinner would do to the wine, but it stood up nicely to the various flavors and I thoroughly LOVED this wine.

I mentioned to Uncle Bob my disappointment in not finding a French Merlot that I was yet impressed with. I told him how I find most of the French reds "watered down" and I seem to definitely be more of a California girl. That prompted him to offer a taste test. Although I was completely happy with the Pride, I took part in the 1995 Pomerol Uncle Bob brought up from the wine cellar. It was very good. The immediate taste for me was definitely Earth. It's extremely different from the California. As Uncle Bob and I discussed, the California is all about the berry, and the French is all about the earth. Very interesting and fun. I still preferred the California.





















Looking for the right one unread
Needing to lighten the freight in my head
Here comes that sinking feeling again
Throw me a lifeline with no end
For time is robbing me blind
And gravity is not being kind
Sia's "Breathe Me" comes on the radio
And I think oh how appropos:

"Ouch I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found,
Yeah I think that I might break
I've lost myself again and I feel unsafe

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I'm needy
Warm me up
And breathe me"

9.0 out of 10
$56 - $63 / 750 ml bottle
14.6% alc. by vol.
Mountain Top Vineyard

I would have to give the Pomerol an 8.5 out of 10 (I'm sorry I can't recall the Chateau and my picture is too small to get further info off of).

Carmen Reserve 2005 Merlot

Valle De Casablanca
Chile

Paso Robles, I am SO glad you found the Phantom as alluring as myself. You are a lucky dog that you've got yourself a case.

Might drink again.

Note: I have posted two reviews tonight. Please see my review below of Clos du Bois 2004 Chardonnay.

OK - This is very funny to me. With regard to the Phantom wine that I reviewed a few nights ago (the same wine I also refer to above in my comment to Paso Robles) I read an on-line review while looking where I might purchase it. The person loved Phantom, but one of their "tastes" they picked up was "Creosote". I made all kinds of comments to The Guy about whether or not he thought that person climbed into their fireplace and licked the back wall to actually know what creosote tastes like. Now, I know fully well in the back of my head that I have smelled weird things in wine that I have not actually tasted in real life (cat pee comes to mind for instance). So I really do know better than to poke fun at a strange taste. But I did it anyhow.

Tonight I eat crow. The Carmen Reserve had a strong bouquet of fruit and earthiness. The flavor was very dry fruit with a hint of vanilla, then pepper, followed by a slight smokiness and then . . .creosote!! I actually tasted what I think creosote would taste like. We had a fire in our chimney a couple of years ago (due to a buildup of creosote) and the smell that resonated that night was what I tasted in this wine. Therefore, I didn't particularly like it. But then the finish turned earthy and the creosote went away and it was slightly long. Even though it was a really weird experience, I am glad I had it. I like a wine that has the ability to make one taste strange things.

Take me to the vineyard.
Is it wrong, is it a sin?
I want to press the grapes into my hair,
rub their juices on my skin.
I want to bathe in moonlight,
pour the wine over my head.
Let it run until it finds my mouth.
I long to fall asleep in a vine-filled bed.

7.75 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$11.99 / 750 ml.
www.carmen.com

The Little Penguin 2005 Merlot

2005
Merlot
South Eastern Australia

Will drink again. I'm continually pleased with the continent of Australia's ability to produce wine.

If you are looking for an easy, drinkable, slightly sweeter than dry red table wine, for less than $10, this wine is where it's at. It's on the lighter side, so I wouldn't serve it on a "serious" night, but it's highly drinkable and pleasant. It would go well I would think with either grilled chicken or pizza in general. I drank it alone (no food, and like George Thorogood too).

Interestingly enough, its bouquet was butter and sugar corn on the cob for me followed by a sweet cherry (think candied like Maraschino, not an all natural cherry). Although I'm not sure how I feel about the whole "breathing" thing, I found this wine slightly more enjoyable after it sat open in my glass for an hour by accident while I tucked little ones in to bed to dream of butterflies and flowers and hearts, and one bigger one in to bed - the gothic princess, to dream of Halloween.

Although it's on the lighter side, it still throws some heat and has a slight finish.

"From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the point that must be reached."

Franz Kafka

I didn't have any poem going in my head today. When that happens, I like to throw in a quote relating to wine or a quote somehow poignantly related to my thoughts for the day. Today was the latter. (You should see me walk to my car at the end of a work day - I literally have yellow sticky notes full of quotes, pieces of thoughts, or recommended wine labels all popping out of my purse, and usually falling to the ground like breadcrumbs for Hansel and Gretel.)

7.75 out of 10
$5.99 / 750 ml (but could pass for a $10 - 12 wine in my opinion)
13.0% alc. by vol.
http://www.thelittlepenguin.com/

Sebastiani Merlot

2002
Sonoma County
California

First, thank you to "PasaRobles" for your comments and personal experience. Your wine worthy recommendations are noted. But I must say that the wine pricing is NOT the same - $10.99-$13.99 for a 1.5 L bottle - almost double the amount of wine for at least $6 less per bottle. So if it is a budget constraint, Yellowtail probably isn't that bad for the buck.

I might actually try the Chenin Blanc when I have fresh scallops next week.


There it is!!! I saw it! "Spike's Sexiest Bartenders" being advertised on my site by Google - not by me. I tried to visit Spike's and leave my comments but couldn't. I want to know where the hell the male bartenders are.


Whose Opportunity?

Renovations, BMWs, reservations at dining establishments so fine,
Darfur, Somalia, AIDs, orphans, no clean water supply.
Electricity run amuck, closets full of clothes, clean water flowing freely to beautify the lawn.
Amidst violence, oppression, hatred and the list goes on,
barefoot women and children walk for miles to reach a bacteria-filled water hole.
Helpless elders watch their offspring of blank stares and protruding empty bellies,
feeling far beyond shocked to either cry or console.
A well-meaning friend tells me "There's nothing you can do. You're born where you're born, get over it and move on."
In some ways she's right - feeling bad's not good enough in this messed up world of extremes gone wrong.
Blackberries, flat screen TVs, rooms full of toys, everything bigger, better, faster is the norm it seems,
Half a world away from both, drinking Sebastiani by candlelight, children safely within reach, and a roof over their heads, I am fortunate enough to know not either extreme.

Nice wine. As a merlot lover, it was very welcome for a change. Beautiful, velvety deep crimson color - you can see the warmth - makes me want to wrap myself in it and go to sleep. Cherry, dark chocolate, smoked mushroom-earthy taste with spicy heat. Long finish. This would probably be fabulous with a beef dish or stew. I enjoyed it with my pen and paper only.

8.5 out of 10
$16.99 / 750 ml bottle
13.5% alc. by vol.
http://www.sebastiani.com/

Calina Reserva Merlot

2005
Valle Del Maule
Chile

The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently and rouses him up to dance and brings forth words which were better unspoken.

HomerThe Odyssey, bk. XIV, l. 463

I have learned my lesson: 1. Limit myself to one glass (unless it is a wine I myself rate greater than an 8, or greater than a Robert Parker or Wine Spectator 90 or 91 in which case, provided I am not responsible for any children or driving anywhere, I will just continue to drink as long as I am still revelling in the flavor - EVEN if I am alone, talking to the dog, belting out tunes, and getting jiggy with it.) 2. Don't buy wine without having Windows on the World Complete Wine Course easily accessible - like out in the car. I don't care if I need to leave the wine shop 3 or 4 times to go consult. Hell, from now on I will just bring the book in with me.

I bought a Chilean Merlot, 2005 Calina Reserva, imported by Santa Rosa, CA. But I was remembering (ineffectively) Kevin Zraly mentioning Chilean 2005 red being exceptional, especially Caliterra Reserve (not exactly Calina Reserva) and Santa Rita - Casa Real (not quite Santa Rosa, CA import) being two of the best wineries. Well, I did get the 2005 red right on.

I taste-tested this last night with corn on the cob and Chairman's Reserve Pork Loin. NOT a good pairing. However, Yellowtail Chardonnay was GREAT with the corn. Tonight, I had half of a leftover spinach, ricotta, mozarella, mushroom and fresh garlic calzone, and the glass of Calina
Reserva was better.

The initial tasting the previous night was that it was very dry for me. It had a fairly decent bouquet, and I thought it might be pretty good. But when I tasted it, my mouth immediately was dried out, there was a hint of cherry, followed by . . .nothing. It went flat and tasteless. However, having it again tonight with the calzone, there was a slight finish, though not as long as even the shorter version of what I like to experience. But I tasted a hint of vanilla. HERE IS THE COOL THING: Much later tonight, I ate a piece of dark chocolate and, as I am forever looking to find the perfect red with chocolate, I had another sip of the Calina. I tasted tobacco and it was really awesome. I am not particularly fond of tobacco, though I am sure there may be an instance where I might be interested in tasting it, I know both red wine and chocolate can let such flavor loose. I don't know if it was the wine bringing out the tobacco-ness of the chocolate, or the chocolate bringing out the tobacco-ness of the wine, but I liked it.

7.25 out of 10 (with the recommended food pairing of pizza, pasta or cheese and I might add chocolate)
$9.99 / bottle
13.5% alc. by vol.

Trinchero Family Merlot 2003

"I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to food."
- W. C. Fields







Trinchero Family
2003 Merlot
Monterey County
Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $11.99
Rating: 6.5 out of 10


When the bottle was first opened, the room filled with an immediate grapey aroma and I thought "Oh, this is going to be good." But it wasn't for me. It was disappointing. I think the "Two Buck Chuck" Shiraz might have had a little more going for it. It first tasted strong, then really dry and bitter, followed by a thin grapiness which then turned into a metallic (think aluminum can) taste - YUCK! I hate that. All right, it was probably on par with the Two Buck Chuck due to its stronger immediate taste.


http://www.trincherowinery.com/

[The Guy's take]

7 out of 10
Would try a different year

This wine was not as bad as the first impression The Gal wrote... at least that's what I keep telling myself. When I bought it, I thought, Hmmm... nice label, Montery Country Merlot, 2003 vintage... It should be ok.

Contrary to the "Yuck" adjective used earlier, I'll say the wine was a bit musty, giving you that earthen smell in the glass. When you take a sip and let it sink in, the fruit is palpable, but the mustiness and the woody aroma is hard to get past.

While I generally prefer wines with this deep earthen smell to go along with the "tannins" most wines are supposed to have, I have to say the thing that stands out about this wine is it was very drinkable with a smooth finish. It didn't have a long finish, but it did have the same "bite" for me like it did for the Gal.

It's easy to see that this wine could be overpowered by spicey food, but you would think it would be complimentary to that type of meal.

From an online description of the Trinchero winery:

In 1948, Mario Trinchero brought his wife, two sons and daughter across America from New York City to the small town of St. Helena in California's Napa Valley. The year before, Mario and his brother John, emigrants from Italy in the 1920s, had purchased a long-abandoned winery called Sutter Home. As the Trincheros begin their second 50 years in the California wine business, they have set themselves a new challenge: to use their sizeable resources to produce wines that rival the finest made in Napa Valley, wines that will honor the memory of their father. The name of this new brand is M. Trinchero.

When I was hunting around for more info on this wine, there were a number of good things said about the reserve and the 2004. So it probably makes sense to try another from this vintner.