Woop Woop

2006
Shiraz
McLaren Vale, South Eastern Australia

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Will definitely drink again for the price - good value.

I'd sort of been avoiding this wine for many months because I don't know why. I think I thought the name was too silly nilly for the wine to be any good. I picked it up and really looked at it and saw it was from McLaren Vale and I took it more seriously and bought it. Another little positive: Woop Woop Winery is a supporter of Trees For Life. (http://www.treesforlife.org/)

Full-bodied, blackberry and licorice flavors, deep plum color and a decent finish make this wine a pretty good value. Good on its own and good with fresh parmesean and apricots and later, pizza.

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?

-Khalil Gibran

8.25 out of 10
$11 / 750 ml. bottle
15% alc. by vol.
http://www.woopwoop.com.au/

Altos de Luzon

2004

Jumilla

Spain

Another gem brought by The Bro this Christmas. A dark plum in color, Altos de Luzon is a smooth, full bodied, well balanced blend of 50% Monastrell, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Tempranillo. An ever so slightly bitter blackberry flavor with granite earthiness, this wine lost the slight bitterness and became more smoky with air. I liked it much more the second night than the first (though it was very good the first night as well - it was just better after it had been opened).

Wine Enthusiast gave this a 91 rating; Robert Parker gave it a 90 rating.

From one of my favorite singer-songwriters, one of my favorite songs - because my diamonds are on the inside:

A candle throws its light into the darkness

In a nasty world so shines a good deed

Make sure the fortune that you seek

Is the fortune that you need

Tell me why the first to ask

Is the last to give every time

What you say and do not mean

Follows you close behind

She had diamonds on the inside . . .

Ben Harper, "Diamonds on the Inside"

8.25 out of 10 (The Guy says he'd give it a whopping 9.0)

14.5% alc. by vol.

$15 / 750 ml bottle

Dynamite Cabernet Sauvignon

2003
North Coast
Sonoma County, California

Mikey D. - I do like your Dynamite. We do have similar taste. This is a little drier than I normally go for, but the flavor is very good. It's woodsey, smokey and blackberry. It is my wedding anniversary tonight and we never have red meat. But The Guy loves steak, so I bought the good stuff - no antibiotics, no hormone-fed cattle. Top Round steak it was and the Dynamite accompanied it well. Nice pairing. The Guy felt it tasted more expensive than its price.

I have no photo available, but the label by Stephen Ward is of Lake County's "Diamonds" - an Indian Chieftain is illustrated grieving over volcanic stones. The story on the back of the label goes like this: "According to folklore, the Moon wept when she could not be with her love, a Pomo Indian Chieftan. Her tears fell to earth, forming glistening shards. These semi-precious volcanic stones, found nowhere else, remind us that our home is unique." (Personally, having always had a feverous preoccupation for Chief CrazyHorse, this Civil War buff can identify with the moon. I am a white woman thrown over the back of a stallion by one of Crazy Horse's tribesmen and brought back to camp - Crazy Horse comes out to find me, hands tied, by the fire. He scolds his tribesmen for being so rough, unties my hands and takes me to his teepee - OK, wrong blog, sorry.)

And so, I raise my glass to the shards.

8.0 out of 10
13.9% by volume
$17.99 / 750 ml bottle
http://www.dynamitevineyards.com/

The Guy: As we go through the list of wines that The Gal and I have so enthusiastically sampled, I find a few "good" wines that deserve being set on a "I'd Drink that again" list, (note to self, make a short list). The Dynamite was one of those.

Say what you will about being able to find good wines under $10, or even $15. If I had the money and I had to choose between the Dynamite compared to a South Australia Red like Yellowtail Shiraz or Little Penguin Merlot, I'd go for the Dynamite. Much like Red, or The TURK ( A personal favorite of mine), Dynamite tasted like a more expensive wine.

Before starting this blog, the Gal and I routinely spent over $20 on a bottle of wine without thinking twice. We believed that the more expensive the wine, the better it should be. While that is true in a number of cases, I'd be hard pressed to tell you some of the $40 bottles we've had with friends are that much better than the $15/$16/$17 we continue to discover.

The same night we had Dynamite, we had another bottle of Gnarly Head Old Vine Zine ($10.99). A taste test comparison between the two wasn't even close. Yes, on it' s own, we liked Gnarly Head. But after sampling the Dynamite, the Gnarly just didn't measure up.

You'll find that experience to be common around the holidays as you spent time with friends and family sharing wines you bought, or they brought. It's part of the adventure. Just be sure to make Dynamite part of your adventure.

Thanksgiving Update: The following is my wine menu (Chardonnay to accompany appetizers of shrimp and "Bombay" cream cheese, curry, cranberry, coconut dip with stoned wheat crackers), Red Zin for the main meal and turkey (or Chardonnay for those guests who prefer white). I am hoping to also serve a Port with dessert (too many in my new favorite wine store - I was getting dizzy reading labels). Will keep you posted.

2005 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, NAPA
2006 Roux Pere & Fils Macon-Villages Chardonnay, France
2002 Turley Red Zin, Juvenile
2005 Klinker Brick Old Vine Zin, LODI

J.Lohr Seven Oaks 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

2005
Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles, CA

Will drink again.

I love "blends" and this is a good one: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petite Sirah, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Mer, 2% Sy, 1% Mal, 1% Cab Fr, & 2% "Other". This dark purple concoction smelled like cherries and coke. It was on the drier side with mild fruit flavor, stronger spice, a hint of oak, and a pretty good earthy finish. It's flavor was accentuated when paired with a beef casserole I made - very nice accompaniment. It also paired very nicely with chocolate for dessert - it brought out a tobacco-like flavor in either the wine or the chocolate I'm not sure which. There are not a lot of red wines out there that do pair well with chocolate, so that was a nice bonus.

Spathiphyllum, strong in its erectness,
soft in its curves.
A yin-yang blend,
where strength and beauty meet.
For admiration by all,
and the likes of Georgia O'Keefe.
Quietly existing in its gorgeous simplicity,
a lily-reminiscent symbol of Peace.

8.0 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$15.99 / 750 ml
http://www.jlohr.com/

Los Cardos 2006 Malbec

Malbec
Dona Paula
2006
Argentina

Will drink again.

Thank you, HRChick for your comments - you wouldn't be biased would you? :)


Contradiction. That's what the word of the day seems to be - and my life today has played out that way:

After a very stressful week, and financial disarray, I debated spending any money at all on a bottle of wine. As I am having a family gathering tomorrow, I knew I had to buy something at least for then. I decided to just see what there was and go with the flow. My little one has turned six, and we are celebrating her birthday. But my mother-in-law just lost her mother (Great Granny Dot) this morning following a very brief illness.

I am grilling chicken kabobs for lunch tomorrow and am excited about a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc that was wicked cheap. I will report on that at some point this weekend. For myself this evening, I considered purchasing the very cheap "Yellowtail Shiraz" because it tastes halfway decent and I have no money, yet I haven't enjoyed any wine since Monday, I'm feeling the stress of the week, and, I need something new to review. I chose Los Cardos.

"Los Cardos" means "the thistles" - flowers known for their intense, surprisingly vivid color and their sharp thorns. A contradiction. Like this week for me. My children returning to school - new teachers, new schedules. The promise of a set routine at the cost of initial chaos and uncertainty. My work schedule has returned to "normal" hours following a summer schedule of going in early, but leaving early to be home with my children for the last half of the day. Now I'm back to 5:00 p.m. yet there is some comfort in a set routine. My children are busy and working during the day like me. Yet we meet again for dinner and each discuss the highlights, and lowlights, of our day. The topic tonight turned from birthdays to death.

Great Granny Dot. She lived her life the way she wanted. She didn't care what anyone else thought. She did what made her happy. She was strong in her conviction. An admirable trait indeed. Something I've been unable to do, yet long to do. So, as my youngest turns six and we celebrate her life just beginning, we remember Dot, and remember her life as it comes to an end.
I teach our children that death is not to be feared. It is a relief to pain, a relief to suffering. It is not an end, but a new beginning. Life is amazing. Death being a part of that life. Life is indeed a gift. But there is a whole universe out there and behind it a supreme being to be met in awe. Life is a part of so much more that is all interconnected, I can feel it.

Life and Death. Do not fear the prickly flower, and its sharp thorns. Beyond them an intense, beautiful, lively color awaits.

The wine: Rich, smooth and a deep velvet hue. A nice balanced bouquet of contradiction. Herb meets berry. Hint of vanilla intermingled with subtle spice. A tiny bit of sweet, a tiny bit of acid. Mild yet pungent.

8.25 out of 10
14% alc. by vol.
$11.99 / bottle

Lujan de Cuyo
Mendoza, Argentina
http://www.donapaula.com.ar/

Red

2004
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel BLEND
Sonoma County

Would buy again.

I absolutely love a good blend. For the skinny on the wine skip below to the end.

So, my friends, The Guy thinks my poetry sucks and I should take it the hell off of here (OK, maybe he didn't say it "sucked", but he told me to find a new home for it - like Chez Nathalie). Here's my response to that:

The highlight: from Brady to Donte, a 37 yard bomb!
Jarvis blocks another Kasay field goal, and the crowd is not calm.
Final points reign as the Patriots-Panthers game is scored,
And Evans takes Cassel's handoff and rumbles in from the 2.
Had I watched, my excitement probably could not be contained - how was it for you?
Cassel bobbles the snap, snatching it out of the air and gets it to Evans who continues the play,
And the poor Panthers succumbed to the Patriots last Friday.
Yes, friends, the Panthers were indeed dead,
But I'm, like totally, over it as I partake in a glass or two of "Red".

(Excerpts adpated from: http://patriots.scout.com/2/672316.html)

Put that under your Patriots hat which (still) needs to be washed. Ha!

OK, wine review:

I like this wine. I was a little hesitant at first, but liked it even more with a strange combo of pseudo lame leftovers. Mashed parmesean potatoes, grilled turkey burgers, and Romaine, celery and tomato salad (with Newman's Own Olive Oil & Vinegar dressing). I was completely shocked that it actually tasted great and different following each separate otherwise blase forkful.

The initial bouquet was of dry, tart rasberry. The color was a beautiful deep burgundy. The first taste was dry, followed by rasberry, then a little bitter, then a nice new saddle taste. (I can't remember the last time I ate a good saddle.) I guess it was a kind of leather taste I'm trying to explain.

Enter, a bite of mashed potatoes. A sip of Red. Vanilla hits the tongue! Then slowly dissipates. A bite of salad (with red wine? - yuck!) and a wonderful cream-of-mushroom beef burgundy flavor hits. Really, really fun. Very versatile wine.

I took the liberty of posting it on my last entry below ("The 3rd Bottle" from earlier today) as one of the recommended "stock" wines.

8.25 out of 10 (for its ability to food pair with less than exemplary dish flair)
$12.99 / bottle
http://www.stfrancisred.com/

The Third Bottle

Red Table Wine
St. Helena, California

There is a tavern in the town,
And there my true love sits him down,
And drinks his wine with laughter and with glee,
And never, never thinks of me.

Anonymous

Would buy again.

This is a really good, basic red wine to have on hand. It would probably accompany most things well. I had it with organic bowtie pasta, olive oil, crushed tomatoes with roasted garlic and turkey meatballs, parmesean and whole green beans, and a crusty Tuscan Boule. I actually enjoyed the wine's flavor more on its own prior to eating. The alcohol came out with the meal. (And what is up with wines having higher and higher alcohol content? I don't like to sacrifice taste for more oomph. If I want oomph I'll shoot Jose Cuervo 1800.) The intial taste for me had slight vanilla followed by a very so slight smokey earthiness. It reminded me very much of "Old Vine Red Lot Number Forty-Two" which I previously reviewed at 8 out of 10. The Guy said it reminded him a lot of Martin Ray's Red (the little jug we previously reviewed though I failed to assign a number to - I would give it also an 8 out of 10).

Looking back, I would recommend the following to stock up on:

Cheap ($10.99 and below):
Yellowtail Shiraz 2006
Old Vine Red Lot Number Forty-Two (if you can still get it)
Luna di Luna Chardonnay Pinot Grigio 2005

Not as Cheap, but Reasonable ($10.99 - $15)
Red 2004 (St. Francis Winery)
The 3rd Bottle
Red 2002 (Martin Ray Winery jug)
Museum Royale Crianza (Spain) 2002
Yalumba Barossa Shiraz, 2004
Duck Pond Syrah 2003
Clos de los Siete (Argentina) 2005

More Expensive - but worth a special evening ($20 - $25)
Museum Real Reserva Cigales (Spain) 2001
Yangarra Vineyard Shiraz 2004


8 out of 10
13.8% alc. by vol.
$13.99
http://www.gustavothrace.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/

2002 Museum Royale Crianza and 2001 Museum Real Reserva

Please post your own experiences with either of these wines in the "comments" section below (or any of the other wines listed on this site). I welcome hearing what others out there have to say.

2002
Museum Royale
Crianza
Spain

2001
Museum Real
Reserva
Cigales
Spain

(See reviews at end below)

SOLITARY

A photo capturing
A sorta feeling
Leaves gone, stark black in the foreground
Backdrop to
Gray skies, white earth, blinding snow
Boughs bend to the point of breaking
Fighting alone under the weight of wind

A life living
A sorta feeling
Comes and goes, right or wrong, confusing foreground
Backdrop to
A long history
Heart bends to the point of breaking
Fighting alone under the weight of need

I am acutely aware that whomever is visiting this site is looking just for a quick review for a particular wine and to move on. I appreciate your misery as you sift through my poetic rantings that haunt me until I write them down. If you wish to be on your way, skip to the bottom of this intro to find the quick rating scale for each of the above wines - which are by the way, both very good.

I need to start with my dinner last night at my favorite restaurant. Unfortunately, it was an "off" night mealwise, but I was introduced to a good Spanish wine that lead me today to a fine Spanish wine. It is the 2002 Museum Royale that I had last night. Although I have the name and vintage, as well as the taste, I have no more info. I was unable to find much further info in the last 24 hours. On my way home from work however, I did find the better 2001 Museum Real. Both of these wines have a fabulous finish, with the 2002 Museum Royale being more light bodied, similar to a Pinot Noir but more flavorful. The 2001 Museum Real was more full and had a finish that, for me, was slightly reminiscent of my favorite 1993 Clos du Bois Merlot. I know many people are not fond of "oakiness", but I do tend to gravitate toward it. The 2001 had a smokey oak to it with vanilla and coffee-like spice. Both the 2001 and 2002 had an interesting bouquet that I can't quite explain other than it was different for me. The taste did not really match the bouquet.

I had Paella last night (for a whopping $35 - if The Guy reads this I hope he didn't hurt himself too much when he hit the floor) and couldn't wait to pair a fine Spanish wine with it. I was actually hoping to try an Alberino but the Spanish red was recommended. I had a few sips prior to my entree and totally enjoyed the wine. My wicked expensive paella I believe was overloaded with saffron and the flavor was compensated. I had mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp and sausage and all of the shellfish tasted like they had been soaked in Ivory soap. The flavor of the wine was ruined by this unpleasant experience, and the soapiness to the meal was accentuated by the wine. I am lucky to have had the wine on its own first so that I knew it would be worth finding to have again.

I enjoyed the 2001 Museum Real tonight totally without food. It stands alone nicely.

My guess is the 2002 Museum Royale sells for around $15 a bottle (the restaurant charged $10 / glass).

2002
Museum Royale
Crianza
8 out of 10

2001
Museum Real Reserva
Cigales, Spain
Tempranillo vines
14% alc. by vol.
$20.99 / bottle
8.5 out of 10

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.

Clos du Bois Zinfandel 2004

Clos du Bois
2004 Zinfandel
North Coast

Geyersville, CA
closdubois.com
$11.99 / bottle

Rating: Would most likely drink again with the right cuisine.
7 out of 10 (I hate my weak rating system but it's quick and best for now though I'm consuming way too many 7's)

Not bad on its own, just doesn't knock my socks off either though. A little on the dryer and bitter side for me, slightly more pepper yet enough fruit to make me take another sip. This wine would probably taste great with the right food pairing - the bottle recommends an Italian Sausage or Grilled Lamb Chop pairing (neither of which are currently part of my diet).


*California Wine Fact: Early California winemakers sent their children to study oenology at Geisenheim (Germany) or Bordeaux (France). Today, many European winemakers send their children to the University of California at Davis and to Fresno State University.

*(Taken from Kevin Zraly's "Windows On The World Complete Wine Course")

From the Clos du Bois website on their Zindfandel:

Zinfandel at its best is full-bodied and brimming with ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors, followed by a long, peppery finish. Fantastic with all sorts of foods - red-sauced pasta, roasted meats or pizza. Look for blackberry, raspberry, jam, black pepper, cherries, plum with notes of nutmeg, smoke, black tea and cloves.

[The Guy's Take]

I rate the Clos du Bois higher usually because it's the type of wine I enjoy either in a glass by itself for sipping on the porch or with a meal.

For this one I'm inclined to give it 8 out of 10

The legs on the Zin were a lot better than some of the other wine we've been trying.

Cellar No. 8 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

Cellar No. 8
Asti Winery
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Cost: $10.99 / bottle

Rating: 7.5/10
likely would buy again

The name of the wine is what attracted me to it in the wine shop. What I thought was a unique naming convention in my early days of discovering wine -- naming a wine after a bin or a lot -- is actually more common than I knew. Still, something about this No. 8 drew me to it. Maybe it was the price, maybe it was the label, maybe it was the idea that I had to try No. 8 because I wondered if the first seven were any good. Who knows. Regardless, I brought it home for the Gal and I to try as we wind our way though the wonderful world of wine blogging.

The initial impression of No. 8 wasn't what I had hoped for. It was a deep maroon color with hints of spice and a bit of fruit, but my initial taste wasn't a deep rich satisfying moment, it was more of a tart fruity sensation that left my mouth feeling a bit chalky after I swallowed. Of course I did the whole "Smell it three times in a deep wine glass" to get the wine's aroma down. I took a sip holding it in my mouth for the recommend 3-5 seconds (See Kevin Zraly's Windows On The World Complete Wine Course), and still something didn't feel right. I think I was trying to put too much thought into drinking the wine, and not just enjoying it.

So, to hell with the "how to drink" wine guidelines, I filled the glass and took in a mouthful of the deep red Cab to see if it was what I wanted to drink with dinner. As I swallowed, I felt the warm sensation follow the wine down my throat opening my senses to the peppery, fairly rich sensations the wine offered. Still though, it wasn't what I had hoped for. At least, not until I had it with something to eat.

The Gal brought home a fresh baked flax seed 9" round loaf from the bakery -- a treat we only rarely afford ourselves (fresh bread) as it's completely against every known diet recommendation, and we're actually trying to be good. The bread, dipped in virgin olive oil, was an excellent compliment to the wine. Add in a little pasta with red marinara sauce and the wine came to life. [What?!!! This, my friends, is "The Gal" proofing "The Guy's" grammar, etc. and he is SO not sure of what's going on with the bread I brought home - bought at my favorite "New Morning Country Store" literally taken off the truck from "Bantam Bread Company" - it is 100% completely organic wheat flour with flax seeds and oat and canola oil, etc., etc. , etc. NOT bad for you at all!!!!!! Of course, if you consume 3/4 of the loaf like he did, along with a half pound of pasta, it is bound to pack on the pounds]

When drinking the rest of my glass during dinner, I no longer noticed the unflattering dryness of the wine, nor the overabundant berry aroma. What I noticed was that it went well with dinner. Heavy foods like bread and a pasta with red sauce, put this wine firmly into the "will buy again" category after it's initial placement there was in doubt.

An interesting fact about the wine, aside being available under $15, is that it comes from a cellar founded by some old country Italians who settled in California and started a winery ... the Asti Winery. Now of course, what I've learned about the winery is that it was bought out by Beringer, and more recently by Fosters (yes the beer company). Not that that should turn you away from picking a wine, but it lost a little of it's personality, at least in my opinion, even though it still hails from a highly respected section of wine country in Sonoma County California.

From the label:
Cellar No. 8 wines are crafted at the historic Asti Winery in Somona County. Applying time-honored methods and expertise, founder Andrea Sbarboro[sic] and a group of Italian immigrants formed an entire community around the art of winemaking. Cellar No. 8 makes only red wines -- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel -- which deliver rich flavors of cigar, spice, leather, earth and chocolate. Whether relaxing in your favorite leather chair or barbecuing with your friends, Cellar No. 8 is a great discovery which just might become your next tradition.

From an article on bay area winemaking covering North Bay communities such as Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties. NorthBayBiz.com, there was a bit more about Andrea Sbarbaro, and his establishment of the Asti Winery community:

Sbarbaro was a successful Italian immigrant in San Francisco. Among other ventures, he organized and managed numerous building and loan associations. Through his business acumen, the various organizations he headed were able to build over 2,500 homes in the Bay Area. Applying his building and loan principles to agriculture, Sbarbaro fashioned a plan for a grape growing and winemaking cooperative, but the families that settled in the villages of Asti and Chianti were not interested in shares of stock and commonly held property. They wanted their own land to farm and they were willing to save their wages to acquire it.

If you're a fan of Sonoma -- and you probably won't know till you try at least a half dozen different wines from the area -- then you may want to check out these other North County wineries or this map (right click to save/view in new window PDF)

After reviewing that list, I can honestly say I'm a fan and I never knew it. We (the gal and I) have had a number of wines from Sonoma including Simi, Ravenswood, Blackstone, Chateau St. Jean, Kendall-Jackson and more. It seems many of the hearty reds we tend to enjoy have their roots in Sonoma.

Back to Cellar No. 8.

Buy it, try it, it's worth the $10-12. You can get it online for under $10.00 and even less if you buy a half case or a case. I paid retail of $10.99. I wouldn't recommend it if it pushes the $15 barrier, there are too many other Cabernet Sauvignons out there at that price.

Francis Coppola ROSSO Classic vs. FISH EYE Cabernet

We held our own wine tasting with family members during our daughter's birthday dinner last night.

Francis Coppola ROSSO Classic
2005
California - 51% Zinfandel, 29% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

FISH EYE
2004
California Cabernet

We blind taste tested these two wines with our family members and then tried to guess which was which and discussed our various tastes. The ROSSO was taste tested by all to be mild and smooth. The FISH EYE had more of a bouquet and was taste tested by all to be slightly more acidic and heavy. Although prior to dinner they were close in flavor, everyone pretty much preferred the FISH EYE with our homemade pizza (chicken, sun-dried tomato, parmesean, fresh mozzarella and oregano and chicken sausage with red peppers, parmesean, shredded mozzarella and oregano). The peppery flavors in the FISH EYE were much more pronounced during dinner. The ROSSO flavor seemed to get lost on the pizza.

ROSSO
www.ffcpresents.com
$8.99 / bottle (750 ml)

FISH EYE
www.fisheyewines.com
$10.99 / bottle (1.5 L)

Speaking of Francis Coppola: Interesting vineyard facts from "Windows On The World Complete Wine Course":

"In 2002, Francis Ford Coppola, owner of Niebaum-Coppola Wine Estate, paid $350,000 an acre for vineyard land in Napa.

In 1970 the average price per acre in Napa was $5,000."

DOGAJOLO Sangiovese

Would not normally try again, but . . .

DOGAJOLO
Dry Red Table Wine of Tuscany
80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabarnet Sauvignon
2005

This was my first Sangiovese (pronounced "san-jo-VAY-zay"). It probably was not the best one to start with. It was way too dry for my tastes. It got me in the gizzards from the first mouthful. But its initial bouquet made my mouth water for beef burgundy (and I do not typically eat red meat). I normally wouldn't try this particular label again, but a Sangiovese is recommended on the "Wine Lover's" diet (we are semi-following) with the "Tuscan Beef Stew" recipe. I will buy Dogajolo again when I make the stew so I can see what a difference the "right" food pairing might make with this label - see if I can raise it from 5.5 out of 10 to anything at all higher. If it's still not good, I will buy a bottle of 2001 Antinoro Sangiovese Santa Cristina to give Sangiovese in general another try.

Carpineto S.N.C.
Greve in Chianti
Italy
$10.99 / bottle
www.carpineto.com

Jacob's Creek Shiraz Reserve - 2004

The world of wine is something that can be intimidating at first when you're not real sure of what you're doing. To be quite frank, the whole world of wine can be a bit snooty. You have the pretentious types who have a bit of wine with their $150 meal then blather on endlessly about the poor service of the restaurant they were at on Friday night, but that's them. They're snobs. Sure they drink wine, but you don't have to have that attitude to enjoy wine.

That's why we looked for a wine from the Outback for a bottle of wine without all the snobbery of a Manhattan eatery. Just a good hearty glass of red and a "G'day mate" was all we wanted.

We found it in the Jacob's Creek 2004 Shiraz Reserve.

We decided the Jacobs Creek would be a good wine to try as it fit our low cost, deep red preference to a “T”. It’s a South Australian wine that made it’s way onto the shelves of our local wine shops in the last couple years since the Anti-French movement began. Something we occasionally observe. It’s not that we have anything against the French people, only the move by their leader who stole a moment in the sun by attacking America. Great way to run a developed country, bash America...

This is not a political blog, so we’ll leave that discussion for other (Why Americans boycott French Products) pundits to debate. What you should know is that we tend to avoid anything French… well … just because. Great culture, crappy attitude, and this blog is about avoiding attitude.

So tonight, the gal prepared a nice baked boneless breast of chicken dish with brown whole grain rice and Parisienne carrots dish. And you thought we avoided everything French. Well it’s just the name, the carrots are actually from Stop and Shop and they were imported by a French Canadian firm out of Quebec from Belgium. Hmm… wait a minute, that’s too much attitude there. Good food though.

After asking the Gal if she got it from our book – you know, the one whose diet we’re following (The Wine Lover’s Healthy Weight Loss Plan by Dr. Tedd Goldfinger and Lynn F. Nicholson ) – the answer was “no, but it’s European”. Well if Carolina rice, chicken from Frank Purdue, Australian wine and some Parisienne carrots means it’s a Mediterranean meal, then I’m in.

Back to the wine.

$11.99 per bottle 750 ml.

Worth it? Well sort of.

You can drink the wine pre dinner, but it’s a bit harsh on an empty pallet. I firmly believe you have to have something to eat to with a wine to know if it’s any good. That’s why you’re buying it in the first place isn’t’ it? If you just wanted to catch a buzz or get drunk, then a bottle of Absolut would be the game plan.

We’ve had a bunch of Australian wine in the past year or so, but haven’t really found one we like. They tend to be a bit harsh, or flat. They start off strong, but when you finish your glass you typically think; “Was that really any good?” Most of the time you would label these as average, or run-of-the-mill. We hoped the Shiraz would be different and it was, for the most part.

If you’re going to buy Australian wine because, it’s less than $12 per bottle almost everywhere, then that’s a reason to save money, but not to buy a wine. The Shiraz, which typically tastes like grape juice at first, slowly warms the insides as it descends down your throat into your belly. This Reserve had none of the “grape juice” quality about it. Strong from the start through the finish, it’s a bold wine you will enjoy if you like strong reds. It went particularly well with the chicken and rice as they were heavier foods that take out the taste of weaker wines. Getting back to those Parisienne carrots, they went perfectly with the wine.

Would I buy it again? Probably. At $11.99 it’s on the high side of it’s Australian counterparts which typically go for $8-$10. I can think of a lot of other reds I’d prefer for $13.00, so the Shiraz is tempting fate with it’s pricing. It’s ok though. You won’t be mad you bought it, and you can certainly serve it to friends.

More about the Wine:

South Australia

Winemaking at our place has been a tradition since 1847 when Johann Gramp planted his first vineyard on the banks of Jacobs Creek

This Premium, full-bodied wine is an outstanding example of South Australian Shiraz, displaying ripe plum flavors with pepper spice, balanced by soft tannins and leading to a lingering smooth finish.

An ideal accompaniment to most red meats, game and cheeses. A wine that will develop further with cellaring.

Cellaring? What the heck is that?

From our friends at Fosters (the beer company) Appropriately Australian:
Cellaring Wine

Jacob’s Creek Winery
Barossa Valley Way, Australia
www.jacobscreek.com

Red. - 2002 Red Table Wine

Thursday, March 29, 2007
Red.
North Coast Red Table Wine
2002
Cost: $14.99/bottle NOTE: 1 liter size

Would Definitely Buy Again

As I peruse my local wine shop, I am lately aware of a small little black jug of wine simply called “Red.” I pass it by each week. Tonight I wanted a wine to accompany a very simple, albeit cheap, supper of rotini with spinach, garlic and tomato sauce.

After reading labels and looking at written reviews and recommendations, I was still undecided. The shop owner asked me if I’d like help. I told him my menu and asked if he had a suggestion. He said “Now, don’t laugh at me, but I’m going to take you over here to this little jug.” There it was. The little black “Red.” jug.

I must admit my heart sank, especially when I saw the screw-on cap! No way! I’m not buying that! All these thoughts ran through my head. Then I found myself thinking about the curiosity I felt briefly each week as I passed it by. I listened to the shop owner tell me that Martin Ray Winery puts out some decent stuff and he was hesitant when he was first introduced to the little jug himself. He had it with pizza and thought it was perfect. Because I was having a marinara sauce with my pasta, he made a calculated guess and thought it might be a match.

I was told to bring "Red." home, pour a glass and bring it back for my money if I didn’t like it. What did I have to lose? I brought it home. I must admit I thought I probably shouldn’t have a glass until my dinner is ready. I figured it quite possibly wouldn’t taste well on its own. Let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised! You can imagine The Guy’s sarcasm when I introduced him to what I brought home. I told him the wine was on the table. He took one look at the little jug and said “This is the wine? It looks like a bottle of syrup!” THEN, he saw the dreaded screw-on cap! No way! I’m not drinking this!!!!! You can imagine the thoughts he experienced as I did myself. He too was pleasantly surprised. The flavor increased with our dinner and continues following dinner. Good pick for the price.

Martin Ray Winery
Santa Rosa, CA
http://www.martinray-winery.com/

CLINE - Ancient Vines Zinfandel

Monday, March 26, 2007
CLINE
Ancient Vines Zinfandel
Contra Coast County, 2005
Cost: $14.99 / bottle

Would Buy Again

Well, I initially bought this vino to serve with my baked ziti over the weekend. However, my husband (a.k.a. “The Guy”) drank it with his “bestest” college friend, Patricia, the night before my ziti dinner with my family. As a matter of fact, they consumed ALL of my bottles of wine and never went to bed (as well as half a bottle of Limoncello Patricia brought – to partake and/or read up on, visit: http://www.anticadistilleriarusso.com/). I did not mind at all as they had almost five year’s of catching up time to do. I was very happy to have her for dinner and in our company again (please check out her awesome website chronologizing her 3 months in Italy: http://www.pinopower.com/).

On to the amateur wine review: Although I intended to drink this with pasta, I made pizza and felt it was fairly well-paired (I sent The Guy out for another bottle following his overindulgence Friday night). Once again, however, I poured a glass while the pizza baked. I would give it yet another 5 on my 10-scale. Once served with the pizza, I would again apply a 7. Our pizza was just a plain cheese with roasted garlic crushed tomato topping, Sorrento part-skim mozzarella cheese, as well as fresh Parmesean and Pecorino-Reggiano our dear friend Patricia brought with her from an Italian import shop. The wine is “peppery” in taste but its flavor was accentuated with the pizza. I am continuing to enjoy its lingering flavor on the palette as I write here.

As a side note: I drank this wine previously in the fall. I remember thinking how well I thought it might pair at Thanksgiving with the turkey but I never did partake of it at that time (thanks to Uncle Bob’s fabulous “Turley” Zinfandel we had instead).

Cline Cellars
Sonoma, CA
http://www.clinecellars.com/

Merlotsoul

Campus Oaks - LODI 2003 Old Vine Zinfandel

Way back in 1993, my future father-in-law started my introduction to the finer side of wines, especially reds. That was the year of my wedding, and the year of the finest Clos du Bois Merlot. Thus began my appreciation and preference for Merlots. Over the years, unfortunate financial events paired with a separation of sorts from my father-in-law, have led to the demise of my pursuing higher end wines. However, a superb uncle of mine continues to introduce me to the best of the best, and has taught me that one does NOT need to spend a small fortune to enjoy good wine. Although I have yet to encounter a red that effects me like the 1993 Clos du Bois Merlot, I have enjoyed many adventures with various reds, especially when paired with certain foods. I wish to keep a diary of sorts on my experiences with less expensive purchases as I continue to seek out a superb experience. And so I begin:

Saturday, March 24, 2007
Campus Oaks
Old Vine Zinfandel
LODI 2003
Cost: $13.99/bottle

Would Buy Again

The first glass I poured while preparing dinner. It had a nice flavor, and I especially liked the finish. I figured on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being fabulous) it was about a 5. I then poured another glass with dinner and it became a 7. The flavor was enhanced with the menu of baked ziti, rosemary tuscan loaf, and baby green salad with pignolia nuts.

Gnekow Family Winery
Collegeville, CA
http://www.gnekowwinery.com/

Merlotsoul