Mark West Pinot Noir

2008
Sonoma, California

I reviewed the 2006 awhile back and enjoyed this so much more! :) Pinot Noirs tend to be a little on the lighter side for me, but this one was highly enjoyable. I had a nice big glass last night after work while watching Where the Wild Things Are with my two youngest. Then, tonight, for some reason I just HAD to go buy a jar of olives. I brought home a jar of Greek garlic-stuffed green olives and consumed the whole damn thing, along with another glass of Mark West. Both were SO smooth! In anticipated horror, I decided to read how many servings were in the jar of olives: 12! Well, at least I didn't consume 12 servings of wine. Together, the wine and olives were awesome. I was pretty happy.

Many, many thanks to my "farway" southern friends who magically put this bottle in my mailbox as a "get well" wish last week. You guys definitely made me smile. And I smiled 3 more times too with each glass I poured this last week. THANK YOU. :)

I was feeling stupidly down and out for the last couple of days, in spite of receiving great news that "abnormal" cells removed last week are only pre-cancerous and not cancer. Tim, a co-worker, came up to me with a big sigh and asked how my day was going today. I smiled and said "OK". Then I added that "it could always be worse." He said (not even knowing about my little cancer scare thing): "True. Let's put it in perspective." He then proceeded to tell me about his good friend whose wife just had her first round of chemo today following the diagnosis of advanced metastatic breast cancer. She's in her early 40's with two young children. That zapped me right back to reality. And I am keeping thoughts of her right here with me for constant perspective.

Life is short. Too short. If you feel like buying a jar of olives and consuming the whole thing, just do it.


"Wow. He has a double re-cracker."
Alexander the Goat, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

8.0 out of 10
13.8% alc. by vol.
$12 / 750 ml. bottle

The Velvet Devil

2008
Merlot
Washington State

I am not a huge fan of Washington State wines, though I continue to try to be. Some vintages of Columbia Crest merlots and chardonnays have caught my attention and I have enjoyed a few of them for the price. But every now and then I like to pick up another vineyard whose wine I haven't tried. The Guy brought this one home last night and I liked it enough to go look up the winery and thoroughly enjoyed everything I could find on Charles Smith, and loved his no-nonsense blog. I very much intend to give his 2006 Royal City Syrah a try hopefully one day soon (not current budget friendly, but I am totally intrigued).

Washington State merlots I sometimes feel I could blind taste-test. Though many have potential, I usually find them a bit weak in taste. This one was a little different, however, and I did enjoy it. With its hints of dark chocolate cherry flavor and herbs, I will seek it out again.

"It's just booze - drink it!"
Charles Smith

kvintners.blogspot.com

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

Walker Road Vineyards

Red Table Wine
Woodbury, CT

In addition to tasting this wine, I had the privilege of meeting the demure and unassuming owner of this small vineyard in Connecticut. This full-bodied red wine, made from 70% St. Croix grapes is actually quite delicious and grew on me. I served it with homemade lasagna and it was a fantastic accompaniment. And, two days later, the remainder of the bottle tasted so fine on its own.

Wine making in Connecticut is, to say the least, challenging, given the cool and sometimes wet climate. Jim Frey seems to have worked his way around that fact. This wine has herbal tendencies (thyme) with mushroom earthiness that I happen to love. I highly recommend this as an every day drinking wine.



I don't care if we don't sleep at all tonight
Let's just fix this whole thing now
I swear to God we're gonna get it right
If you lay your weapon down
Red wine and Ambien
You're talking sh*t again, it's heartbreak warfare

-John Mayer, Heartbreak Warfare



8.0 out of 10
12.5% alc. by vol.
$14 / 750 ml. bottle
walkerroadvineyards.com

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay

2008
Vintner's Reserve
California

I haven't had this in a while, probably not even this vintage ever - can't remember. I know I posted something earlier here. My workout partner likes it for her every day summer Chard, so I had the Guy pick it up on his way home this weekend. I had some last night with grilled asparagus and chicken wraps. Then I had more tonight with grilled shrimp, mushrooms, onions and brown rice. I enjoyed it once again. This wine seems to be relatively consistent from vintage to vintage - which is somewhat remarkable. It is very fruit tropical and citrus-filled with a creamy edge. Not bad for an every day wine.

However, tonight the Guy surprised me and brought home Clos Du Bois Chardonnay, 2008, which is more my style and slightly blows the KJ out of the water. I will give it a review in a few days. I know we are having a Malbec with Easter dinner at my mom's tomorrow so that will take precedence over the Clos Du Bois, but I WILL get back to it.

I made a shocking discovery this evening: my text library does not recognize the word "Chardonnay" - I need to somehow make that more regular! :)













8.0 out of 10
13.5 % alc. by vol.
$13/750 ml. bottle

The Chocolate Block

2008
South Africa
69% Syrah /12% Grenache / 10% Cabernet Sauvignon / 7% Cinsault / 2% Viognier

I have posted previously on The Chocolate Block - in December. However, I posted on the 2007.
BIG DIFFERENCE between the 2007 and 2008. I am not too fond of this one. Needs more time I guess.
It is AMAZING to me the difference a year makes. It just goes to show you how volatile wine-making
can be. Each year provides a different taste. It's really intriguing. And sometimes disappointing.
My brother bought a bottle of 2007 in December and we enjoyed it while watching the movie Bottle Shock.
BIG difference in price (almost $20 more for the 2007), but a BIG difference in taste too.

I came home from a SOAKING wet walk with my Gfriend to find The Guy had purchased a bottle of this
and left it on the counter. I was pretty happy to see it. Until I saw the vintage. However, I have not
previously yet tried the 2008 so I tried to have an open mind. :( I am sorry to report that it just wasn't
near as good as the 2007. This one was extremely dry with little distinguishing flavor. It packed a punch,
and wasn't bad, it just wasn't what I was expecting.


There's indecision when you
Know you ain't got nothing left
when the good times never stay
And the cheap thrills always
seem to fade away
When will we
When will we fall down
Jump back, got to get out of here
been too long this time

--Toad the Wet Sprocket--


7.50 out of 10
$17 / 750 ml. bottle
(I was unable to find the alcohol content!!)

Columbia Cabernet Sauvignon

2006
Columbia Valley
Washington State

This vintage actually got some good reviews. For me, it was OK. A little "grape-y" at first taste. The scent was of dark berries and green olives. It was recommended to serve with red meat, especially steak. I don't do that. I actually had it with rice pasta, white beans, roasted asparagus and roasted sweet onion, mixed with olive oil and balsamic and it tasted better than on its own. This is one of those freaky things where it did seem to improve with being exposed to air for an hour. And it seemed to be a good match with the balsamic. The taste was very Spanish olive like. It tasted quite better on its own the next night - smokey. Tonight. I am tempted to change my rating below, but I won't.

Which brings me to a discussion I previously had recently with a friend with regard to decanting. He believes, and was told, that decanting a young wine is necessary. I was always under the impression that you did not need to decant young wines. But older wines, especially ports, should be decanted to separate out the sediment mostly. The idea of airing a young wine didn't seem necessary. But I have to say I've recently found a few younger wines seemed to taste better upon opening up for a bit. I loved the fact that some of their scents filled the room and made my mouth water.

I consulted my Kevin Zraly book to find that he feels there is NO difference whether a young wine is decanted or not. Old wines should only be decanted to separate sediment. However, if you've got a pricey old wine, DO NOT decant for any more than 15 minutes as you may actually miss the best moments of tasting for that particular wine. The longer it sits, the more its taste evaporates. He does state that he's had a few students swear to him that they notice a younger wine tasting better upon decanting for an hour. So, his suggestion is to decant for an hour if you wish, though he doesn't feel it's necessary. At best, it will fill the room with the wine's aroma for the arrival of any guests for the evening. If you have an old wine, with possible sediment, let it sit for 10 minutes, light a candle, and hold the bottle and decanter up to the candle and pour slowly, watching for any sediment arriving at the bottle neck. Then put it down again and let rest for 5 more minutes to let remaining sediment settle again, and do again.

--Men are like wine, some turn to vinegar - the best improve with age.--
Pope John XXIII (was this Pope fond of wine, or fond of men???????? Regardless, I find this statement to be fantastically true)

7.75 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% acl. by vol.

HJ Fabre Malbec

2008
Mendoza - Argentina




I think it needs more time. Then I might drink it again.


Initially disappointing for me. The Guy liked it. It was high alcohol taste for me, and quite bitter. It was definitely better after air time, and rather enjoyable a couple of days later with chicken and sweet potatoes.


Once I got past the alcohol, I got a black fruit flavor and a bit of licorice and warm spice.





Something about the bitterness of the wine and the sweetness of the roasted potatoes made a positive difference. It is recommended to serve with red meats and fine cheese.

I think a re-visit is necessary in the future with some of my brother's NY State sharp, aged cheddar and the decanter.




The rain is like an orchestra to me
Little gifts from above meant to say
Girl, you're falling at his feet
Isn't lovely or stunning today

The rain'll bring me down

--Rachel Yamagata--



8.0 out of 10 (from The Guy)
7.5 out of 10 (from The Gal)
$12 / 750 ml. bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.

Domaine de L'Herbe Sainte Chardonnay

2008
Famille Greuzard
France


I couldn't stand it anymore. I broke down. I've been on an elminiation diet for 8 weeks now to try to determine if I've got food allergies. It's a strict diet with no dairy, no wheat, no sugar, no chocolate, no alcohol (NO WINE!), no garlic, no peppers. All vegetables and fruit and poultry are to be organic, salmon should be wild, and only well-treated, grass-fed beef (if I were to eat beef). I have done 85% well as I have been eating mostly organic fruits, vegetables and poultry (and wild salmon) for quite some time now. I was allowed a couple of times to go off for one special meal or invitation, but I was to not have it be two days in a row. Except for two wine tasting events, and my mother's birthday, (oh and a Fashion Show I just remembered - SHOOT!) I have followed it completely . But tonight, I broke down and opened a bottle of French Chardonnay I've had chilling since Christmas.

All I wanted to do was add a bit to my California Basmati brown rice along with some organic chicken broth to give it a more gourmet flavor. I opened this bottle, and the tropical aromas made me salivate. I told myself I'd have just one glass and ended up having almost two. Nice pear and citrus flavors with a hint of thyme and ever so slight mineral notes and a creamy finish. It was really good.




She's just the way she is, but no ones told her that's OK.

And she would change everything, everything just ask her.
Caught in the in-between, a beautiful disaster,

And she would change everything for happy ever after.
Caught in the in-between, a beautiful disaster.

--Jon Mclaughlin--




8.25 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$15 / 750 ml. bottle

Tobin James Fat Boy Zinfandel

2007
Zinfandel
Paso Robles, CA

We had the pleasure of attending another super fun wine tasting over the weekend. We actually started the event with an AWESOME daquiri that was the favorite of John and Jacqueline Kennedy. This is totally going to be a summer 2010 patio cocktail for me - it was so unbelievably smooth and drinkable. It was made with Oronoco rum and fresh lime and it was fantastic.

Anyway, we also drank Seghesio Vineyards 2006 Old Vine Zin which I have had in the past, but totally loved recently with the lavender chocolate we had later. We were served Cockburn's 2000 Vintage Port with our chocolate, which was enjoyable, but I preferred to revisit the Seghesio with the chocolate.

After the wine tasting, we went back to our friends' for wine in the cellar and we had more Tobin James. This time we had two TJ zins, and an Opolo zin. I really liked the Fat Boy which had been decanting a couple of hours. It was really jammy, with mushroom & oak nuances, and slight thyme which made me very happy. I love hints of herbs in wine.

I had invited the Guy's college friend Patty for dinner and she came with us to the wine tasting. It was really good to see her again and be around her intelligence and wit. It was a great night and I felt blessed to have laughed and drank in happiness.




















I know a man of healthy girth,
He's been a lover of beer, quite possibly since birth.
Pleasantly surprised was I to find,
He's let the ale go in favor of fine wine.
Salty chips and M&M's in the past we were sharing,
Have been replaced with fine chocolates and cheeses worthy of wine pairing.
And, I've witnessed an accomplishment most stellar,
He's invested not in a keg house, but a fantastic little wine cellar.





















8.5 out of 10
15.4% alc. by vol.
$55 / 750 ml. bottle (I know, not buget material either)

The Reunion

2006
Mourvedre, Shiraz & Grenache Blend
Rutherglen, Victoria
Australia





Hints of cherry, herb, and vanilla encompass this Australian blend. Although good on its own, it moves up a few notches when paired with aged Gouda. It especially tasted fantastic with gemelli pasta, vegetable tapenade, and shredded Gouda.




Twisted words
Falsified assumptions
A master retreat

Silence
Mind games
A cracked heart

A friendship severed and bleeding out

8.0 out of 10 (8.5 out of 10 with the Oakvale Aged Gouda cheese pairing)
14.5% alc. by vol.
$20 / 750 ml. bottle

Favorite Wines of Late

November 2009
Turley Zinfandel
Howell Mountain
Dragon Vineyard
California
2004


December 2009
Kistler Cuvee Natalie
Pinot Noir
Silver Belt Region
California
2007

Cesari Amarone
Classico
Italy
2005


January 2010
Tobin James
Blue Moon Reserve
Syrah
Paso Robles
California
2006


No surprise to me, but I tend to be a California Girl :)


And as we drank our wine and let the world fade away, the sunrise tried to end it while we tried to stay.

--Joshua Radin--

Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all
It's a quarter after one I'm all alone and I need you now
And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without

-Lady Antebellum-