July 1, 1945 - July 8, 2011


The whole room was alive with joy when he was in it. For he was either laughing, singing, telling a story, or pouring wine. There is now such a big hole in this world for me and so many others who loved him, and our lives as normal are no more. There are no further words to express the shock, incredible sorrow, and heavy heart I feel.

Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay

2008
Sonoma, CA

This is one of my stand-by favorites. I am surprised that the ratings aren't higher than they are. Wine Spectator only gives this an 87, Wine Enthusiast, however, gives this a 91. I, being a Chardonnay FREAK, agree with WE. The minerality and creaminess of this Chardonnay are capable of transforming me to a more enjoyable place, if only temporarily.

Last weekend, following weeks of end-of-year stress (8th grade graduation, confirmation, dance, town tornado, death of my grandmother) I looked for solace and peace overlooking the ocean at my MIL's summer place. However, my middle child fell off the see-saw on the beach playground and broke her arm in less than 24 hours of being there and the weekend turned into a bust financially, stress-wise, and everything inbetween. Resigned to all I can't control, I went out and splurged on one of my favorite Chardonnay stand-bys: the Sonoma-Cutrer 2008 Chardonnay. I went back to the cottage, sat on the deck in the late afternoon sun overlooking Fisher's Island Sound, and opened my Keith Richards book and sipped for all of 30 minutes before something else needed my attention. But it was a blissful 30 minutes.

My grandmother is forever on my mind. I realize my last post was hardly a budget wine (and this one isn't particularly ""budget" either)- it was the day she died and I turned to my uncle's gifts for a wee bit of solace in remembrance of a truly lovely lady. Her memorial service and burial is next week and I am to speak. I am feeling nervous and sad and anxious and am beginning to doubt my capabilities. As usual. I miss her terribly, and the way of life she provided me. I feel I am blindly wandering through my life lately. Time goes by too fast. Friends who were, disappear. Loved ones move on. I am still searching . . . for what I don't know.




Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see
No one knows this more than me
As I come clean

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave
Hold me 'till I die
Meet you on the other side

Pearl Jam, Just Breathe

8.25 out of 10
$24 / 750 ml. bottle

Kistler Cuvee Natalie Pinot Noir

2008
Pinot Noir
Silver Belt Vineyard
Sonoma County



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

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





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

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

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

I have become comfortably numb.

Pink Floyd, Comfortably Numb


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

Wrangler Red

REVISIT (See my April 12, 2011 review as paired with chicken pot pie.)
Shannon Ridge
2008
Lake County, CA

I have already reviewed this wine and was going to review Monte Oton Garnacha but had to comment on the Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red when paired with a curried dish. My rating goes up .25 points with a change of food.

I went in to the wine shop last night to purchase another (cheap) bottle of Montepulciano D'Abruzzo which I really wanted to try with my home made pizza. I previously had it with good company, a warm fire, and Spanish dark chocolate. As it is an Italian wine, I thought I would mesh it with some oregano and crushed tomatoes and basil and fresh mozzarella and Italian bread crust. However, upon entering the wine shop and telling the owner that I didn't see the Montepulciano I was looking for (I could only find the $13.99 bottle), he told me I needed to look to the "cheap" table. At that same time, my hand danced across a bottle of Tres Picos Garnacha. As he pulled the $5.99 bottle of Motepulciano and went to hand it to me, I bit my lip and gave him an apologetic look and told him my desire was quickly focusing on the Tres Picos. He told me that he and his wife had just recently had the wine located to the left of my Tres Picos at a local favorite restaurant of mine. And it was half of the price of the Tres Picos, but it was also a Garnacha and he had been very impressed with its taste. So, I decided to try something new and grabbed the Monte Oton in lieu of the cheap Italian, and took it home to sample. The Monte Oton review is to follow in a day or two.

However, tonight, I made brown rice and sauteed tofu, organic sweet onions, garlic, Curry and Turmeric Root. I topped the dish with fresh organic avocado. I finished the Monte Oton as I cooked. Meanwhile, the CS Guy decided to finish the Shannon Ridge he brought home again the other night. He offered me a sip just after I had a bite of my brown rice concoction. The wine was SO GOOD - it took on a silky spiciness and the curry in the dish totally came flying to the front of all other flavors. I just had to re-review the Shannon Ridge Wranger Red as an accompaniment to curry flavored meals - I highly recommend it.

I was driving in a bit of a fog yesterday to visit my grandmother who has been in failing health and mental capacity for a little over a year now and, this time, they say it is for real that she is on her way out. She has pneumonia, she is on O2, and she is receiving regular doses of Morphine. My little one and I haven't seen her since Easter due to severe time constraints, and I must confess on my part, also due to a sadness that she has no twinkle in her eye anymore upon seeing us. When I received the call from my mother that the nursing staff feel "this is it", I decided not to go into work. I stayed home long enough to get my little one on the bus and then I was going to leave. However, upon learning where I was headed, my daughter insisted on accompanying me. She was "torn" she said as she knew she shouldn't miss school, but she didn't want to miss seeing her "nana" maybe one more time. And I couldn't argue with that sentiment. So, with my 9 year old in the back seat silently thinking, and me driving in the front deep in my own thoughts, and the radio playing quietly on a station I don't remember putting on, this song came up and I just cried because it immediately made me think of Nana.

I am not a Lionel Ritchie fan by any means. And the following lyrics are to a "silly love song" I actually never did like. That said, as I was on my way to see my wonderful, beautiful grandmother for possibly the last time, and the darn song came on the radio, tears welled up in my eyes and I could only think of one lady:

Thanks for the times
That you've given me
The memories are all in my mind
And now that we've come
To the end of our rainbow
There's something
I must say out loud
You're once, twice
Three times a lady . . .

Lionel Ritchie, Three Times A Lady

I love you forever and ever, Nana.




8.25 out of 10 (as paired with CURRY!!!!!!!!! YUM.)
14.2% alc. by vol.
$19.99? / 750 ml. bottle

Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

2008
Italian Red Wine


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

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

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


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

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

Cold Play, "Green Eyes"

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

LAN Rioja

2006 Crianza
Spain

Wine Spectator gave this a 90.

I have not been a fan of Rioja and just figure it's because I haven't found a good one yet. But once I saw the higher WS rating, and the cheaper price, I thought I'd give this a try.

It's good, just not standout. Dry, heavy cherry flavor, medium-bodied, it is recommended with pasta and cheese, or alone. I enjoyed it alone. But I did have a headache a couple of hours later. It wasn't like I overindulged - I only had two small glasses. The headache adversely affected my rating, although I DO realize a plethura of environmental or other influences could have caused the headache.

Look at all my trials and tribulations
Sinking in a gentle pool of wine
Don't disturb me now, I can see the answers
Til this evening is this morning, life is fine

The Last Supper, Jesus Christ Superstar


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

Barbaresco Valgrande

2003
CA' Del Baio
Treiso - Italy

As this was enjoyed over Easter, and I am just now getting around to its review, all I can say is plain and simple: it was really good. It had full flavor and a nice, soft finish. It tasted good on its own and good with pork roast and potatoes. I would definitely love to have it again.

My brother took me wine shopping and asked me to pick. I so LOVE when that happens!

I must say, part of a "past" life that I miss the most is the fantastic food and accompanying wine. Along with the likes of Billie Holiday playing while we ate dinner. Some of my most favorite things came from a relationship that is now in the past that sometimes makes me sad to reminisce about, mostly because my children do not remember a side of their family. That said, I have come a long way on my own, with a limited income, in deciding what I like. I enjoy cooking and deciding what wine will accompany the meal. However, my mother has filled a huge void that was left from the past with her fantastic gourmet meals. Coupled with my brother's shared love of wine, and no-strings-attached-paycheck, I get to sometimes revisit some of my favorite memories. All that is missing on those occasions, is the fantastic jazz-blues greats of years gone by. Unless of course we are entertaining at my house. :)

OH! This song! It is amazing. It is me, sadly.

I've lost my sense of right and wrong
Well-justified my soul to carry on
It feels so damn good to write off the rules
But when a new day breaks
I'm left a fool
I'm such a fool.
Pain takes my heart's place . . .

Erin McCarley, Pitter Pat




8.25 out of 10
14% alc. by vol.
$29 / 750 ml. bottle

Shannon Ridge

2008
Wrangler Red
Lake County, CA

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

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

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

Santa Rita Reserva

Merlot
2008
Chile

This SUCKED. That is, until I paired it with dinner. I am sorry. It's just not great on its own. The Guy brought it home tonight, excited because it was something different. He said it had rave reviews. I asked if it was the 2008 he was sure had the rave reviews. He wasn't sure. Yup, that's what I was afraid of.

Rather watery, it smells musty at first, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But while I made dinner, I had sips and it was just weak and unflavorful. However, I will say, once dinner was served - "Japanese Steak House-Style Chicken" from one of my favorite cookbooks "High-Flavor Low-Fat Cooking" by Steven Raichlen, the wine was very good. Herbs and Vanilla came out when paired with dinner, and the The Guy asked if there was ginger in our dinner and he was right. He didn't notice the ginger until he drank the wine following a mouthful of chicken. Difficult to rate, this wine was much better with food.

I'm losing patience now
oh leave me alone (oh leave me alone)
stop asking for more
I'm goin' home on my own
oh leave me alone (oh leave me alone)
I'm walking out of the door
I'll make it on my own
leave me alone
leave me alone
leave me alone
JUST leave me alone

Natalie Imbruglia, Leave Me Alone




7.75 out of 10 (as reviewed WITH food)
13.5% alc. by vol.
$10.99 / 750 ml. bottle

Tres Picos Garnacha

2008
Borsao

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


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

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

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

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

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

Blanket of Ghosts, Dustin Kensrue


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

Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon

2007
Sonoma County, CA


NICE. Finally, a good wine for the first time in awhile. While not quite a "budget" wine, the black fruit flavor with slight vanilla, and bit of herbs and creamy oak on the nice finish make it worth the price. It accompanied very nicely a pork loin roast I made (see recipe below) with mashed, buttered and peppered cauliflower.

Tonight, I am opening the Spanish Tres Picos Borsao (Garnacha) which I have not had in a couple years (since summer's July in Vermont, spent with my brother who introduced me to it). If I recall correctly, it is wonderful; with chocolate especially. I am looking forward to opening it once again. I am trying the 2008. I previously reviewed the 2007, so I will review tonight's bottle soon. Surprisingly, the price remains the same so I am wondering if flavor has been sacrificed with the more recent vintage.


Sage and Rosemary Pork recipe adapted from Arthur Agaston's The South Beach Diet Cookbook.

FILLING:
1-1/2 T chopped fresh sage
1 T chopped fresh rosemary
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 T extra virgin OliveOil
2 t Dijon Mustard
1/4 t salt
1/4 t black pepper

PORK LOIN
1 boneless center loin pork roast (approx. 2 lbs.)
3/4 t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1 T extra virgin Olive Oil
fresh sage leaves for garnish
fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine the sage, rosemary, garlic, oil, mustard salt, and pepper.

Butterfly the pork loin. Spread the filling across the loin and close up again. Rub entire loin with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Place the loin in a small roasting pan and position on center rack in oven. Roast for 1 hour, or until internal temp reaches 155 deg. F and juices run clear. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sage leaves and rosemary sprigs.




Don't forget the time
I wooed him with red wine.
The devil he wore such a fine, fine shirt
and it stayed so clean while he dragged me through the dirt.
--Deb Talan, Rocks and Water--

8.25 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$19.99 / 750 ml. bottle

Oberon

2007

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley

Here it is. One of those wines you pay more for . . and get less. I was really disappointed. And the bottle was so PRETTY! Just kidding - that is SUCH a girl thing. "I don't know, the label looked nice."

Smelled a little French. Earthy dirt meets dark berry. That's not a bad thing. But the flavor just wasn't there. :( Really, really dry with some dark fruit flavor and oak, but not much of a finish.

I made prosciutto and fontina pinwheels and couldn't wait to try this with them. We once had a Justin Cab that was AWESOME with the pinwheels. For $5 more, we could have had the Justin again and it would have been a nice evening. But I wanted to try something we haven't had before. There really wasn't much change in the flavor with or without the pinwheels.







I next set my hopes on chocolate fudge brownies I was making. I was sure the wine's taste would improve with dessert. It didn't. Not even after having been exposed to some air time did things change.

I’m taking a ride off to one side
It is a personal thing.
Where?When I can’t stand
Up in this cage I’m not regretting.

I don’t need a better thing,
I’d settle for less,
It’s another thing for me,
I just have to wander through this world
Alone.

Pete Yorn, "Lose You"

7.50 out of 10
13.7% alc. by vol.
$22 / 750 ml. bottle