SHOTFIRE Shiraz

2005
BAROSSA BABY!!!!!
Australia

Will so drink again.

Father's Day pick - I knew it would be safe. I find Shiraz goes nicely with grilled anything and I know the Barossa Valley produces distinct, flavorful reds.

Chocolate and vanilla meet smokey plum. Strong finish. Earthy and smokey scent. Great alone and with grilled chicken with garlic, sweet onion, red pepper, and creamy parmesean risotto.

So I hid my soiled hands behind my back
Somewhere along the line I must've gone off track with you
. . .Well, excuse me, guess I've mistaken you for somebody else,
Somebody who gave a damn,
Somebody more like myself. . .
These foolish games are tearing me apart,
And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart.
You're breaking my heart.

JEWEL / FOOLISH GAMES !
8.25 out of 10
14.0% alc. by vol.
$12/750 ml. bottle
www.thornclarkewines.com

Twisted Zin

2005
Old Vine Zinfandel
California

Would drink again . . . if I had to (just kidding). Worth the price.

Very fruit forward with blackberry and cherry too and then a little bitter olive. Has a medium finish that turns a little bittery. The Guy liked it quite a bit. I liked it better on its own than with turkey meatballs and spaghetti with roasted garlic tomato sauce.

Thoughts damage,
memories fade and
the deep bones within feel

Eyes brim,
heart aches and
just won't heal

Stomach churns,
as words break
that were never real

7.25 out of 10
$9 / 750 ml bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.
twistedwine.com

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay 2006 AND Nebilo Sauvignon Blanc

2006?
Nebilo Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zealand
$10?/750 ml bottle(or more)
7.50 out of 10

2006
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
California
$15 / 750 bottle
8.0 out of 10

Yes, yes, yes I know that I have a pic here of Clos Du Bois 2006 Chardonnay with my Kendall Jackson and Nebilo reviews. I am not crazy . . .yet.

Friday night I went out with a couple of co-workers to catch "Sex and The City" (it ended up being a pretty good movie but at first I wondered what the heck was wrong with the actors - it was like they needed the first 45 minutes to warm up into acting again - they were over-acting initially and I was disappointed. Then it got interesting during the second half -not to mention racey). Anyway, we went to a local pub/restaurant first and I decided to order the Nebilo Sauvignon Blanc as I've not had it before. It's scent was extremely peach-y which I loved though I worried slightly it might be sweet. It wasn't sweet, it's taste however, was very much peachy-citrusy but a little weak in the finish. However, it really accompanied my Shrimp Casino very well. "Welp", my arm got "twisted" and I was treated to another glass of wine and I opted out of the Nebilo and went with what I knew would be better in consistency - Kendall Jackson Chardonnay. I usually order this when I go out for lunch though I'm not sure I've reviewed it here. It's consistently good and I can pretty much count on it being enjoyable with shrimp or chicken or salmon salad. It tasted awesome following the Nebilo. It had vanilla and oak and buttery notes with a hint of mineralness - which I don't pick up on normally in the KJ. Following the Nebilo and shrimp it tasted so much more awesome.

Well, here I am on a Sunday drinking an old standby that I've reviewed before, Clos Du Bois 2006 Chardonnay (purchased in New Hampshire yesterday, TAX-FREE!!!) - wonderful. This will be my summer staple this year - like the KJ, it's got vanilla and butter and an awesome hint of mineralness - all that I long for in my Chardonnays.

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here
Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone
And many times I've cried
Any way you'll never know
The many ways I've tried

But still they lead me back
To the long, winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door

The Beatles, The Long and Winding Road

AUSTRALIA

Beringer Founder's Sauvignon Blanc

2006
NAPA Valley
California

Would drink again.

This is a very simple, refreshing versatile "cheap" wine. On a warm summer day, served with the right appetizer, this is pretty good. A very light, light, golden green / straw in color, it's a mild blend of citrus and slight vanilla. Not too dry, not too sweet. Accompanies cheese and crackers and strawberries well.

I take a figure drawing class at a museum and besides that being the best perk of all to the class - being surrounded by the paintings and sculptures of some great American artists - one of the other very nice perks is that we often stop in the middle of our four hour class, get up and go see the latest exhibit. Often we apply it to what we are doing, other times we just admire it. This past week, we had the luxury of being able to participate in the opening reception for an artist I immediately loved: Angelika Rinnhofer. Angelika exhibited her incredible photographs done in such a way as to resemble Renaissance and Baroque oil paintings. I was awestruck. Her photos were incredibly like fine oil paintings. What I loved most was her symbolism and use of contradiction. She had laptops and watches and modern jewelry very carefully placed in a way that they did not stand out, but felt like part of the natural setting - representing a link between past and present. She used ordinary people posed as Renaissance Upper Class. She used modern ideas like plastic surgery represented in an old fashion pose. Very fascinating work.

Back to the reason for mentioning this - we got to partake in the opening reception food and wine (no cost involved). Very nice way to spend a Sunday. I immediately got my glass of Beringer Sauvignon Blanc (that was what was being poured) and a prosciutto and cream cheese and spinach pinwheel rollup and planted myself in front of this artist's amazing work.

I shall close with Angelika's quote about her current series she's completing (suicides of famous Americans):

"I show our society's elite inhabitants, immersed in their wealth and power with myriad possessions and exquisite taste, but nonetheless, miserable and unhappy . . . Here is where publicity's promise of happiness through envy and glamour is proven wrong."

Angelika Rinnhofer, Artist
http://www.angelikarinnhofer.com/


7.5 out of 10 alone, easily could be an 8.0 out of 10 with the right accompaniment
$10 / 750 ml bottle

Peachy Canyon Zinfandel

2005
Paso Robles
California



Might drink again with a well-paired food match.

By scent alone, I thought I would enjoy this wine. It had a sort of dusty cherry scent. But upon tasting, it was "thin" and more light bodied than I care for. There was a slight finish, but it was high alcohol more than flavor.

That was prior to food and, as it was The Guy's B'Day, I was grilling one of the better parts of a poor cow :( for his B'Day dinner. I thought perhaps the Zin would blossom with the steak. NOT. :( Just disappointing.

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are how fragile we are

Fragile, Sting

7.5 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml bottle
13.9% alc. by vol.

Tiz Red Red Wine

2004

Red Table Wine

Santa Rosa, California

Would drink again.

This is a simple, berry flavored red wine. Slight finish. Not bad. Wasn't too bad alone or with lasagna. Cheap.

Can't get no rest, don't know how I work all day

When will I learn? Memories get in the way

I walk around, I can't hear a sound, folks talkin' loud

But I don't see at all, I gotta get away, gotta get away
I don't know where to go

It's hopeless so I guess I'll leave it alone

Games people play, night or day, they're just not matchin'

What they should do keeps me feelin' blue

The Spinners, Games People Play

7.50 out of 10

$7.99 / 750 ml. bottle

13.5% alc. by vol.

http://www.tizwinery.com/

Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz

2005
McLaren Vale
Australia

Would definitely drink again if given the opportunity -not a budget wine.

This was leftover from the winter - it was a trade for baked goods. It was excellent. I highly recommend it if you've got nothing better to do with $50.

I was honestly extremely worried as I accidentally put this in the garage back in January thinking it was empty :0 It must have been out there for a few weeks before I was going through empties and discovered it was full (and very cold). Apparently, no harm was done! (whew!)

I had it alone as we were only having black beans and brown rice and salad for dinner. However, after dinner I was making a pasta salad for my daughter's school and popped one penne with sauteed garlic all over it into my mouth. I then had another sip of the Shiraz and found the garlic flavor was wonderfully enhanced. So, who knows? Maybe it would be good with a heavy garlic dish.

Beautiful dark purple hue, strong aroma of rich fruit and spice, taste of blackberry, licorice, slight vanilla, awesome spicy long finish.

It's time for saying goodbye
Cause if I stay here too long
You'd get to know me too well
And find that something was wrong
The time is perfect to go
Before the curtain descends
Right now when both of us know
That everything's got to end
If i don't see you again . . .

. . . Are you gonna be the one to save me
Doesn't look like the future is clearing . . .

Neil Diamond, If I Don't See You Again
(Off the "Home Before Dark" new acoustic release - Awesome - reminiscent of his early 1970's albums that I personally love so much)

Wine Spectator 94
Robert Parker 95

9.0 out of 10
$50 - $60 / 750 ml. bottle
14.8% alc. by vol
http://www.twohandswines.com/

Marquis Philips Shiraz

2005
South Eastern Australia

Will drink again.

I loved this wine - had a very McLaren Vale Shiraz taste to it (which means I really, really liked it). I get excited when I taste a wine that reminds me of a particular region. For Shiraz's, I love the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. This had a distinct flavour to it - slightly smokey, tobacco cherry flavor. It was a drink alone wine. I can't remember at this point what I had for food with it - but it doesn't matter as I remember it took some of the flavour away. But it was good again later on its own - too good. I had too much. I did end up with a nasty headache the following day (which is when I paid attention to the alcohol content). I would not let this deter you from trying this wine - I had far too little to eat the entire day and then too much wine that night.

I don't suppose you'd give it a shot
Knowing all that you've got
Are cigarettes and red vines
Just close your eyes, cause, baby--
You never do know
And I'll be on the sidelines,
With my hands tied,
Watching the show

Aimee Mann, Red Vines


8.25 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml bottle
15.9% alc. by vol. (too much - be careful)

Behrens & Hitchcock Merlot

2003
Napa Valley
California

Would drink again.

This is not a budget wine. My aunt stopped by over the weekend on her way home from her high school reunion (while I was shuffling children to birthday parties so I'm sorry that I missed her) . She came bearing a Mother's Day gift for me - this wonderful bottle of wine. I shared it with my own mom, following a day of hiking. It was a nice way to end the day.

With a rich smokey scent, this full-bodied wine tasted more dry than sweet, with a nice smooth flavor balance of smokey cherries/plum and very little oak. The only slightly negative for me was the high alcohol content (15.2%). I think it would have been better if it was lower. But still, definitely enjoyable.

Every night that goes between
I feel a little less
As you slowly go away from me
This is only another test . . .

. . .So I try to say Goodbye my friend
I'd like to leave you with something warm
But never have I been a blue calm sea
I have always been a storm . . .

Fleetwood Mac, Storms

8.25 out of 10
$41.99 - $55 / 750 ml. bottle (cheapest to most expensive I found on-line)
15.2% alc. by vol.
Behrens & Hitchcock Winery, St. Helena, California

Chateau Andriet

2003
Bordeaux Superieur
France
75% Merlot / 25% Cabernet Franc

Will drink again.

I really enjoyed this full-bodied wine, though I don't remember much about it as it's been a week since I had it! I know it had a distinct flavor and I liked it on its own as well as with food. It was slightly earthy, but more herb-like (thyme especially).


At the age of 13, I don't believe I had quite the maturity level, nor vocabulary, as my first born child does at the same age. I am in awe of her abilities and wisdom. We struggle, she and I, but I love her so VERY much. The world is totally her oyster and I wish I had the power in myself at that age that she has.

This is hers:

"ROSE"

Bud opening its eyes for the very first time
Crimson petals soft as silk,
A beauty so rare.

Roots stretching their legs
Growing and spreading; never-ending,
Reaching down to the earth's fiery core.

Thorns jutting out in every direction
Screaming bone-chilling agony,
A disease spreading up and down its stem.

Dewdrops resting silently in its dark radiance
Crying for its magnificence,
A mystery within.




8.0 out of 10
$13 / 750 ml bottle

Torre di Monte Pinot Grigio

Torre di Monte

2006

Umbria

Italy

Will drink again.

I had a glass of this at a restaurant recently and it was very good. It had a very distinctive taste for a Pinot Grigio. I want to say it tasted like cedar to me (though I've never tasted cedar). Very interesting. I had it with Ravioli and scallops and it accompanied both very well. The flavors of the food were enhanced following a sip of the wine.

I don't know if it's readily available. I couldn't find anyone selling it but I didn't look that hard. What I did find puts it at $10 / bottle. Great for the price.

8.0 out of 10

$10 / 750 ml. bottle

High Note Malbec

2007
Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina

Thank you so much to The Bro (who thinks that is such a DORKY name! I know only too well, "Bro", as The Gal was hard for me to swallow too - The Guy is the only one who can wear the cool black shades) and to Marc for your posts. I know The Bro has been telling me about the Don David Malbec for a couple of weeks so I am on a quest to find it and review it. I was really happy to read Marc's opinion of the Monte Antico and glad he found it just as good a deal as myself. And thank you, Marc, for stating your enjoyment of my little blog here. I really appreciate feedback. :)

This was a fairly smooth, blackberry-flavored, decent wine. It was a beautiful dark velvet purple color when poured and smelled richly of blackberry and earth. It had a fairly long finish that was pretty good. It lost some of its flavor when food was introduced, but came back once the meal was over and I had a glass later. So I'd recommend having it alone or find a better food pairing. (I made fresh fettucine with roasted garlic tomato sauce, turkey meatballs, and sauteed spinach with olive oil and garlic - I think it was most likely the garlic that overpowered the wine - personally I find Merlots to be a great match with garlic dishes, but perhaps not a Malbec.)

I have to say, this was $12.99 and wasn't bad for the price, but I think the previous wine, the Tuscan rated below, was a much better buy. (Now that probably would have accompanied the fettucine menu nicely!)

Anyway, give it a try and let me know what YOU think.



Tonight's ramblings are a couple of verses from one of my favorite songs as a young naive girl picking the petals off flowers saying "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not". Grown up life is so very much different than what I'd ever imagined. (I'd imagined grown up life to be much wonderfully simpler). Every time I hear this song it makes me cry. I crank it up, belt it out at the top of my lungs (usually only in my car when I'm alone), and let the tears streak my face. I'm such a sap!

Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup.
Drink it up.
Love her and she'll bring you luck.
And if you find she helps your mind, better take her home.
Don't you live alone.
Try to earn what lovers own.

And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.

-Loggins & Messina / Danny's Song






7.75 out of 10
$12.99 / 750 ml.
13.7% alc. by vol.
www.highnotewine.com

(Posted by The Gal on The Guy's log-in)