Peter Lehmann Shiraz

2005
Barossa
Australia


It calmed my frazzled state in one swallow with a hint of oak and a wee bit of smoke, and a lasting finish.

I loved this wine. It was rich in color and big in cherry flavor with a soothing warm sensation going down. I would highly recommend it, especially for the price. Cellar recommendations are now through 2015.

Accompaniment to beef, poultry, curry dishes and chocolate! I had it alone and with semi-sweet dark chocolate and LOVED it both ways.

(Wine Spectator gave it a 91.)

8.25 out of 10
$14 / 750 ml bottle (have seen it for $12)
14.5% alc. by vol.

GPD09

No wine blog tonight, in honor of GPD09:

On Twitter, I just came across Gary Vaynerchuk's Good People Day just in time to post before April 3rd ends. I love his idea of posting GOOD things about GOOD people in lieu of all the bad news out there in media land. I don't know if my blog follows the rules exactly, as this kid seems to be doing all right with positive media attention, but I wanted to write about him anyway. I first heard about McKay Hatch on National Public Radio. He is a young boy who believes in no swearing. I was SO happy and proud of him for not only choosing the high road in his own life, but encouraging others to do the same. He is a real inspiration for positive change. Please see the link below about the club he started and has successfully launched and grown.

I have 3 children and am trying to raise them to act respectfully and classey in a really disrespectful, unclassey world of late. I can't take them to the movies or even the grocery store without profanity being overheard or blatantly used. I am so sick of the "F" bomb being dropped like it's the word "and". It's disheartening and offensive. So, on a positive note, I want to do my part to bring even more attention to McKay. And, what an awesome idea Gary started. May next year be the biggest Good People Day ever.

http://www.nocussing.com/aboutncc.html


For a link to Gary's idea:

garyvaynerchuk.com/post/92643534/good-people-day-2009

Newman's Own Cabernet Sauvignon

2006
NAPA, CA

Might drink again, but would probably not seek it out.

My boss gave me a bottle of this to try. Although I've been curious to try it for awhile, I wasn't in a big hurry. But it was handed to me so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I have loved Paul Newman from the day I watched him in "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid". I was pretty young then, but he had an effect on me. I have enjoyed many of his products and am in awe of the money his line has earned for charity over the years. I cried the day he died because he was just one of the few actors who managed to stay classy (and still very sexy) and devoted to his wife and family. He never gave in to the "Hollywood" way of life. He stayed true to himself, and kept his privacy. So, I hate to say anything even slightly negative about his label.

However, the wine was OK. A bit on the "grapey" side, it had an ever so slight hint of woodsey vanilla (something I usually do like), but just not enough to carry it. It completely disappeared into what I thought to be a weak, watery "finish". But, I must say, I did like it better the next day - it took on a licorice and Kalamata Olive taste, and seemed to have a bit of that flavor lingering for a brief finish.

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

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Wine.com is running a special through midnight 3/18/09 only - buck a bottle shipping. If interested, click on the link on the left. Cheers!

I just ordered Clos de la Siete 2007 Super Red and Peter Lehman 2005 Shiraz - check back for the reviews over the next week.

Carmenere

2007
Root 1
Colchagua Valley, Chile

For the price, this is a good buy.

Carmenere = "The lost grape of Bordeaux" - part of the original six red grapes of Bordeaux, it is more commonly found now in Chile.


Nice crimson color with a spicey blackberry flavor and a sort of herb-like beef bouillion finish. An all-over pleasant tasting wine. I am a fan of Root 1's Cabernet Sauvignon as well. This is more "merlot-like" and, as a merlot fan, I like it very much.

"But it feels like losing when someone you love throws you away . . . "
Ryan Adams, "Fix It"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si14rmNJcvA

8.25 of out 10
14% alc. by vol.
$10 / 750 bottle
root1wine.com

PHANTOM

2005
Bogle Vineyards
Petite Sirah, Old Vine Zinafandel & Old Vine Mourvedre Blend

The 2004 Phantom was one of my absolute favorites. I've been wanting to try the 2005 since October. On a whim, and hoping for a little uplift, I went right for purchasing it this evening. The clerk told me with boastful confidence that I'd made a wise choice. I told him I was extremely partial to the smokiness of the 2004. He told me I wouldn't be disappointed with the 2005. Well, unfortunately, I was. Although it had decent flavor, it had lost its fantastic individuality that the 2004 owned. It was a good wine, slightly peppery, a fairly good finish, but tasted a bit too much like any other, and no real smoky punch. The 2004 was a much better buy. Hopefully, you bought some and stashed it. Cause that's all folks.

8.0 out of 10
$21 / 750 ml. bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.
boglewinery.com

FAVORITE WINES OF 2008

Frederick Cooper's "A Glass of Wine Waiting"

A few days turn into a few weeks, but here, finally, is my list of top wines The Guy and I enjoyed throughout 2008. I must say, the majority are not budget material so I do apologize. But at least, if you find you've got some extra to spend, you know you're not wasting it (although I do realize your opinion may not be the same as mine).

I couldn't limit my top choices to only (5). A few more deserved mention for really grabbing my interest. No surprise that Australia kept me coming back.

PINOT GRIGIO
Terre di Tufi, San Gimignano, Italy, 2003
Thank You to The Bro for yet another wonderful wine experience and visit.
(you can find this review in my September 2008 post)

CHARDONNAY
Kistler, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley, CA #18222, 2005 (Exp. over $50)
Yet another Thank You to Uncle Bob for making it possible for us to experience the finer side of wine.
(you can find this review in my February 2008 post)

Clos du Bois, Sonoma County, CA 2006
(I couldn't find where I'd reviewed the 2006, but I think it may have actually been back in my 2007 posts. This is a wine that I go back to year to year {especially in summer, or with creamy, garlic pasta dishes and shrimp or lemon sole or creamy chicken dishes}. The 2006 is not so readily available now and I find I have to ask for it if I really want it. It's funny how I am always told proudly by the wine merchant that they do have the 2007. HUGE difference, to me, in taste and quality - what a difference a year can make in a vineyard. I don't bother with the 2007 - cherished mineral notes found in the 2006 are missing in the 2007)

CABERNET
Justin Vineyards, Paso Robles, CA 2006
(you can find this in my November 2008 post)
This was especially good at Christmas with prosciutto and fontina cheese phyllo appetizers.

SHIRAZ
Two Hands Bella's Garden, Barossa Valley, Australia 2005 (Exp. over $40)
(you can find this review in my February 2008 post)

Angel's Share, McLaren Vale, Australia 2004
(you can find this review in my October 2008 post)

A Thank You to Pasa Robles for providing the opportunity for us to experience the above two wines.

MOST PROMISING FOR FUTURE ENJOYMENT (2010 - 2012) - Buy Now
Passing Clouds, Reserve Shiraz, Bendigo, Australia 2004
(you can find this review in my December 2008 post)

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir

2007
California

No pictures as my camera is, once again, broken. It got dropped and it's not worth the cost of fixing. :(


Christmas was a bit of a bust as The Bro had to leave rather than stay the weekend. Unfortunately, his pipes froze and burst back home in upstate NY and, as a result, the entire place where he lives was knocked out of water on Christmas Eve. So we had all this wine we shopped for and thought we could take our time enjoying, and he had to leave. :( He left me with much of the wine and I intend to comment on a few soon.

In addition, I will be posting my top five wines for 2008 in the next few days.

Tonight I went to a cozy little tavern for a church meeting with two other church members. Only they both didn't show, and when I called I got answering machines. At this point, the waitress had already poured (3) glasses of water and brought out olives and olive oil and bread. So, I felt I needed to order and stay anyway. Luckily, I had paper and pen and kept myself occupied.

I had difficulty deciding on scallops with portabella mushroom, fried breaded tomato and spinach, and a rich Chardonnay, or Ahi pan-seared sesame-encrusted tuna over a bed of seaweed salad, and Mr. Mondavi's Private Selection Pinot Noir. I chose the latter based on my diet lately (no meat, dairy, fried foods, sugar, white flour, etc.).

I am not a fan of Mondavi wines. I don't even give them a second glance. However, I thought the Private Selection might not be so ordinary, and I thought a Pinot would accompany my tuna better than a heavier Merlot or Cab. I chose wisely. The tuna tasted like a steak following a swallow of wine. It was a nice pairing. On it's own, the wine probably would have been passable. But it worked up to the dimension of "good" with the tuna.

Big cherry scent and flavor, with a hint of vanilla. A bit weak in taste on its own, but I didn't expect a big flavor from a Pinot Noir. Good match with tuna.

For another take on this wine, visit:

mikethewineguy.blogspot.com/2007/01/tn-robert-mondavi-private-selection.html


7.75 out of 10
$10 / 750 ml. bottle
Alcohol content unknown

EARTHQUAKE CAB

2003
LODI Appellation
California

Not a budget wine - Holiday SPLURGE.

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS - OR AT LEAST A MOVING REVELATION

Check out my Christmas wine list on the left. My dear brother is home for Christmas and we went wine shopping tonight. It was so incredibly fun to go into a wine store and, each of us with our baskets, load up. We perused each aisle carefully, commenting to one another from across the room, occasionally asking advice of the "salesman", weighing our options, the menu, the days ahead and selecting. A cherished memory for the back of my mind. :)

The Bro purchased Earthquake Cab for tonight and we decided, as it was late, to just buy hors d'oeuvres for dinner. We had spanakopita (spinach and feta cheese in phyllo), beef wrapped in bacon and scallops wrapped in bacon. I tried each, but stuck with the spanakopita as the scallops were not good accompanied by the wine, and beef isn't my thing, and bacon is just TROUBLE. The Earthquake was good with the beef, and the spanakopita. As may have been guessed, the scallops were not good with the wine.

On it's own, the wine's scent was intoxicating for me. I could have hovered over it forever in bliss. Upon initial tasting, I immediately tasted eucalyptus. It later tasted smokey, jammy and peppery (more peppery with the beef). I enjoyed it immensely.



$32 / 750 bottle
8.25 out of 10
15.5% alc. by vol.

Passing Clouds

2004
Reserve Shiraz
Bendigo
Australia

This is just a real quick recommendation based on this wine I brought home tonight. It was really, really good. But I think it will be awesome with some brief cellar time. It is recommended to drink now through 2010-2012, with it most likely being magnificent in the latter range.

I was very excited to taste my first mint experience in a red. Passing Clouds has a wonderful smoky scent. It is a full-bodied multi-berry, woodsy-oak, with hints of vanilla and mint. It's a bit tart on the finish, which is where I think the most improvement will be with a couple more years. I think its potential finish will be velvet.

Although it is not a budget wine, the flavor is there and I truly believe if you purchase it now and save it a bit, it will be a great buy in the short-term long run (when the price goes up and you've already got it unopened and only improving with age).

Very good on its own, it is recommended as an accompaniment to red meat.

Robert Parker gave this a 91 rating.

I end with a favorite song excerpt from one of my very favorite adult alternative voices, Joshua Radin.

. . . But I look at you, warm in your dream
While your mobile dances above
And I think to myself
It's a beautiful night
And I know everything
Is gonna be alright
Yes now I know
It'll be alright

Joshua Radin
Everything'll Be Alright (Will's Lullaby)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0cSev4R5rs&feature=related

8.5 out of 10
15% alc. by vol.
$24 / 750 ml bottle

Turley Zinfandel

2003
LODI
California

I am shocked to learn that I never reviewed this wine last year! Uncle Bob has brought it for Thanksgiving for the last few years and I thought I'd reviewed it previously. I LOVE it with turkey and the vast other accompaniments we have with our main course. It is rich in flavor and deep in color and rather distinct in its smokey cherry-ness.

We have a varying menu that breaks all starch rules - we have rice, and potatoes and stuffing, AND bread! This year's menu was a wonderfully roasted organic turkey (gift from my boss), mashed sweet potatoes, mashed white potatoes, wild rice salad with cranberries and walnuts, sauteed green beans with garlic, butter lettuce with pignolia nuts and cranberries and celery, pumpkin muffins, sausage stuffing, parsnips and carrots, and pumpkin, apple, chocolate cream and peanut butter pies, and organic vanilla bean ice cream!!!!! Quite a varying degree of flavors.

However, for the main menu flavors, I just love the Turley Zin. Thank you so much to my beloved uncle. :)

Last night was a night well-spent at a local craft center, surrounded by creativity, at yet another wine and food pairing event put on by my favorite artisan food shoppe! The Guy and I accompanied my boss and his wife to yet another fun event. I've got pics and notes to post in a few days.

"We are all unique.
Special.
One of a kind.

With your light, pure soul
Eyes bluer than the sea.
Hair richer than the finest chocolate.

Kind.
Gentle.
Compassionate,
beautiful in every way.

Like an angel,
born of stardust.
Heaven sent.
One of a kind."

(Written by my eldest for me.)

8.5 out of 10
15.6% alc. by vol
$59 / 750 ml

Field Stone Vintage Port

2000
Field Stone
Staten Family Reserve
Alexander Valley
California

It is a thoroughly enjoyable, deeply tasty berry port and I love it. It is not as sweet as other ports I’ve had. Uncle Bob brought it for Thanksgiving and it of course tastes best with his leftover pumpkin pie - which, by the way, is the best (Bon Appetite, 1970!!!!!!).


Tonight I reflect on Thanksgiving and Uncle Bob. He loves to sing. We now have a “new” tradition at the end of our Thanksgiving meal where we all go into the living room and my middle child plays Christmas Carols on the piano. Uncle Bob sings to her music (and the rest of us sing along less zealously). This year was no exception. But also this year, Uncle Bob sang our Thanksgiving meal blessing. I can’t fit everyone around the dining room table, so I inevitably have to place six others in the kitchen. But before the meal we all gather in the dining room and say grace or some sort of Thanksgiving blessing. This year, Uncle Bob broke into song – “We Gather Together” was the song he sang. We all did our best with the words of the first verse, but half of us dropped off with the second. And my aunt and cousin tried to tell my uncle one verse was good enough. He kept going. At the end of the second verse they tried to say “Thank You” and “That was good” “OK now”, etc. Bob kept going for verse three. I love to hear him sing and he gets much joy from it and it really warms my soul. Well, I didn’t mind him continuing and was laughing a bit at the others trying to coax him to stop. But then, I looked at my beloved grandmother.

She is 91 and life has been harder for her. Group gatherings tend to confuse her, especially a lot of people. We so want her to be with us, but we hate to have her feel confused. She does all right for the most part. My brother sat by her side and gave her wine and hors d’ouevres and reminded her who was who. She smiles and does her best to recognize and remember and hear and see. But lately, there’s a bit of a loss of recognition in her eyes and a distant look has begun to emerge. I’ve lived long enough now to know that look and start to recognize it as a sign of the years coming to and end. Each time I am with her is a blessing and I am thankful I got one more visit. I always wonder upon leaving her, was this the last one? When I glanced at her during Uncle Bob’s singing, she had a big smile, eyes were intently focused on him and she was leaning forward to hear every word of the song. She was singing too. She knows the song well. It is one of her favorites. My heart leapt as I saw not just recognition in her face, but joy. I thought: please do not let the song end!!!! My grandmother was back for those wonderful minutes.And being together, all of us, singing that awesome song, was all that mattered at that moment. And it created for me a memory to last forever.

Later, my mom and I drove her home (she has lived in a wonderful community for over the last 20 years where she and my grandfather retired to). She has just recently been moved into the Nursing Home part of the community. This was hard for us to do as she is mentally with it and mobile. But she has fallen too many times lately and shouldn’t be left in her own apartment as a result. It is difficult to bring her back to her room where most of the other people are in wheelchairs and appear catatonic. They are withdrawn into their own little worlds and most seem oblivious to visitors.

I have had an emotional time coming to grips with this phase of my grandmother’s journey. This is the woman who taught me water ballet and how to jackknife off the diving board of her swimming pool. She read me Uncle Rhemus stories under crisp, cool, ironed cotton sheets (Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby was my favorite). She confidently sang hymns as I stood by her side in church. She grew glorious flower beds. She bought me things I needed. She told me I was loveable and capable. She told me I was special, and I believed her.

When my mom and I brought her into her room, we sat her on her bed. The nurse’s aide had laid out her pretty floral PJ’s and my mom and I kissed her and started to say goodbye. With a sleepy look on her face, she raised her arms over her head for us to take her shirt off. In that moment, I saw my littlest child at the end of a long day, just wanting me to help her get ready for bed. So my mom and I undressed her and put her PJ’s on. Then she hugged us both and brought our heads down to her shoulders. As I wrapped my arms around her, she began to cry. And I cried too. We held each other, silently shaking with our sobs. It was all unspoken, but I knew what she was feeling. Life has changed again. A new phase has begun, come what may.

I can’t confide in her anymore. I can’t tell her what worries me or hurts me because it causes her too much pain to not be able to be make things better for me. She loves me so much that divulging my secret troubles to her would cause her strife. And I love her too much to attempt it. So I suppose I am beginning to realize that my days with my eldest unconditional mentor are running out. And I am frightened. And I am looking to friends that I’ve somehow lost. I am wondering who can fill that void for me. I suppose I am being selfish, trying to protect a very fragile psyche that she has always been there to nurture. I am embarking soon on unchartered territory.

On my way home from work last night I felt as if I were driving in a trance. I usually listen intently to NPR. I found myself hearing the words but none of the meaning. I hit traffic on the highway and pulled off to take the back roads - only to get stuck behind a policeman who had stopped his car in the middle of the road. I was vaguely aware of a mess of sorts on the road but hadn’t paid real close attention. Waiting for him to do whatever it was he was doing, I glanced out my window to the road beneath my car. There, to my left, right by my door, was a big, exposed bloody heart. All by itself. It had belonged to a deer. It had been hit hard and fast and was in pieces everywhere. The cop dragged what was left of its head and front legs across the road in front of me to the grass. He then got in his car and drove off. I felt like I stared at that heart forever. I remember thinking: that’s my heart, naked and exposed, out in the cold, separate from my body. I need to get back in touch with it. I need to move on. I need to do the best I can to pick myself up and dust myself off and forge onward. That’s what my grandmother would say to me if she knew how I felt. She’d encourage me not to wallow. She’d encourage me to shine, even if my shine isn’t that new anymore. She’d encourage me to do the best I can with what I’ve got to work with.

As my mom and I left my grandmother's room Thanksgiving night, I noticed just outside her room, hanging on the wall, the song we had sung before dinner. There it was – all that’s important in life: We Gather Together. An affirmation just for me. Awesome.


$40 / 750 ml.
8.25 out of 10
19% alc. by vol.