May 16th, 2012 The Tasters
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
2011 Sweet White
Price: $7.99
Received from Folsom & Associates for review
Bottle Notes:
“Our Sweet Wine showcases floral aromas with flavors of ripe citrus and tropical fruit and a finish that is delicately sweet and refreshing, making it food-friendly and delightful for sipping. Believing that wine should be an integral part of life, Robert Mondavi founded Woodbridge Winery in 1979 to make fine wines for every occasion. He returned to his childhood roots in historic Lodi, California to craft wines using his signature techniques that combinerich tradition with state-of-the-art innovation.”
Our Tasting Notes:
Summer is approaching and that means one thing – time to bust out the summer wines. This semi-sweet white wine, produced by Woodbridge, is the perfect treat for a warm summer evening. This wine wasn’t overly sweet which was quite a nice surprise for me. I was expecting an over-the-top, syrup-like quality but am happy to report quite the opposite.
This blend of Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Verdelho worked quite nicely together to create a full bodied wine with notes of pineapple, green apple, lemon zest, and tangerine. A fabulously refreshing drink.
For more info check out: www.woodbridgewines.com
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White Blend |
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April 26th, 2012 The Tasters
ONEHOPE Wine
2010 Petite Sirah
Price: $18.99
Purchased from OneHopeWine.com
Bottle Notes:
“The grapes for our ONEHOPE California Petite Sirah are from the finest growing regions of California, where cool breezes keep the acidity levels high, and the warm sunshine ripens the grape to full complexity. Our wine is a deep crimson full of ripe blackberry and prune flavors. It is framed by aromas of sweet spice and mocha that carry through the palate and linger on the finish. Recommended pairing with rich pasta dishes and roasted meats.
ONEHOPE Foundation has partnered with GO, a charity working to create a world beyond poverty, to create this Petite Sirah. GO works by investing in groundbreaking ideas, empowering local leaders, and engaging communities. GO identifies and partners with local leaders in developing countries who have designed sustainable programs to address community-based issues, and then provides them with the start-up capital and guidance needed to turn their visions into reality.”
Our Tasting Notes:
Once again ONEHOPE Wine delivers an outstanding product. This time it’s a delicious Petite Sirah. It was beautifully inky and jam-packed with flavors of blackberries, blueberries, and plum. This bold wine was flawless from start to finish. There was great structure, some fresh acidity, and an enjoyable smokiness that made this wine so savory and yummy. I’m so happy that ONEHOPE Wine is more than just a great charitable organization but also has amazing quality wines to stand behind.
For more info check out: www.onehopewine.com
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Petite Sirah |
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April 15th, 2012 The Tasters
Big House Wines
2011 Big House Red
ALC: 13.5% Price: $22 for 3L box
Received from Underdog Wine & Spirits
Bottle Notes:
“The 2011 Big House Red is an eclectic mix of over 15 different grape varieties, including Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo, and other esoteric reds such as Sagrantino. Often referred to as a “fruit bomb,” this wine bursts with blackberries and raspberries on the nose leading to a clean palate exhibiting flavors of cranberries, roses, and a touch of rhubarb. The lingering finish leaves you with flavors of vanilla and a touch of dark cherries. The wine is the perfect companion to grilled meats, lasagna Bolognese or grilled vegetables. I bet it also pairs well with filing out your Federal Tax returns – but in moderation, of course!”
Our Tasting Notes:
I bet when you saw that this was a “boxed wine” you immediately dismissed it. To be honest, when I received this wine it was not on the top of my “excited to drink list.” Last night I finally decided to give it a try. Before I knew anything about this wine I tasted it and tried to see if I could guess the varietals in it. After my first drink I was pleasantly surprised by the quality. It was big, bold, and surprisingly dynamic. I was unable to guess the most prominent grape in this blend which is Grenache, but I did pick up on the Syrah and Merlot.
This blend is made up of 19% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 16% Tempranillo, 14% Petite Verdot, 6% Mourvedre, and a bit more of various other varietals. It had great dark fruit flavors of blackberries and blueberries. It even had some soft tannins and a pretty decent finish. It was a well-rounded wine that drank very smoothly.
Now lets move on to the frugal aspects of this boxed wine. This 3 Liter box of wine is equivalent to 4 bottles of wine. At a suggested retail price of $22 and available for less than that, this wine is a steal. To top it all off, it has a unique octagon shape and an easy to use pour spout. What more could you want!? Perhaps it’s not a wine you would pull out for nice dinner parties but it is the perfect thing for a casual evening at home. Give it a try!
For more info check out: www.bighousewines.com
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Red Blend |
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April 5th, 2012 The Tasters
Thee Creek Vineyard
2009 Cilla’s Blend
ALC: 14.5% Price: $17.99
Received from Cimarone Wines for review
Bottle Notes:
“This wine is made from exceptional estate grown hillside hand-sorted fruit. Fermentation is performed in open-top barriques using classic manual punchdown. The wine is then brought up for 20 months in a combination of new and neutral French Oak barrels in the cold Cimarone cellar. The full bodied and classically structured wine made from the Cabernet is blended with the ripe Syrah to yield a wine of beauty and elegance – just like Cilla.”
Our Tasting Notes:
Cilla’s Blend is made up of 69% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 4% Petite Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. This bold, savory blend was the perfect end to a long day. The Syrah definitely stands out in this wine, and happily so. There are great dark plum flavors, along with some smokiness and spice. Impeccable balance and beautiful harmony among the blended varietals. Looking forward to enjoying this wine again in the future.
For more info check out: www.cimarone.com
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Red Blend, Uncategorized |
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April 1st, 2012 The Tasters
Cupcake Vineyards
2011 Riesling
ALC: 10% Price: $13.99
Received from Underdog Wine & Spirits for review
Bottle Notes:
“This Riesling starts with a nose that shows hints of lemon chiffon and ripe honeydew. The wine fills the palate with flavors of citrus, lemons and just a hint of sweetness. Creamy and full bodied, it finished with a zesty thirst quaffing zing that leaves the imbiber wanting another glass. It is reminiscent of a lemon cream cupcake. Enjoy with grilled halibut, Indian butter chicken, or simply as an aperitif.”
Our Tasting Notes:
This Riesling reminded me of a lemon tart in liquid form. Lots of bright acidity and zesty-ness in this wine. Although the bottle notes suggest a hint of sweetness, I did not pick up on any sweetness; just lots of tartness from the citrus characteristics. This citrus-centered Riesling is screaming out for a yummy pairing of fish tacos. It would be a perfect summer wine.
For more info check out: www.cupcakevineyard.com
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Riesling |
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March 26th, 2012 The Tasters
Three Creek Vineyard
2009 Syrah
ALC: 14.5% Price: $15.99
Received from Cimarone Wines for review
Bottle Notes:
“3CV is named for our Three Creek Vineyard. Our estate Syrah is made with grapes from clones 877, 383 and Noir. We select the most approachable grapes which are then aged 10 months in neutral oak to produce a wine for earlier drinkability. Very dark in color with old world aromas of pepper, earth, licorice, cola and plums which are generous in the mouth while the supple tannins and zesty fruit present finesse.”
Our Tasting Notes:
I’m excited to present yet another great find from Three Creek Vineyards. This time it is a 2009 Syrah that is available for just $15.99. This definitely falls into our “frugal” category. Three Creek Vineyards offers a number of everyday, yet impressive wines.
This Syrah started nicely with a deep and luscious berry aroma that followed with some bright acidity and flavors of cola, raspberry, and a little bit of cocoa; almost like a raspberry chocolate truffle. Definitely some yummy flavors going on with this Syrah. There was great focus, structure and depth to this wine. So happy to come across an elegant Syrah at a killer price.
For more info check out: www.cimarone.com
Posted in
Syrah |
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March 20th, 2012 The Tasters
Lance & Windmill
2006 Petite Syrah
ALC: 14.4% Price: $14.99
Purchased at Trader Joe’s
Bottle Notes:
”Produced & Bottled by Q Cellars, Napa, CA. Stag’s Leap District Napa Valley 2006.”
Our Tasting Notes:
I must give a BIG thank you to Trader Joe’s Wine Notes for posting on our Facebook page about this great find. Apparently this wine is a $60 wine originally bottled by Quixote Winery but relabeled, and is currently on the shelves of most Trader Joe’s for just $14.99. I purchased just one bottle but now after tasting it I realized I should have picked up a few (or a lot) more.
This graceful yet bold Petite Syrah was dark, inky, and full of life. Tons of dark fruit characteristics such as blackberries, blueberries and plum. So many layers to this wine which really kept it interesting. It finished up nicely with some soft tannins and just a little bit of spice.
I will give a purple teeth (and tongue) warning on this one though. Like most dark and inky wines this one will definitely leave its mark. I can’t say enough about this wine though. I would definitely pick up a bottle while they last.
For additional reviews on this fabulous wine, check out:
Trader Joe’s Wine Notes
Jason’s Wine Blog
Posted in
Petite Sirah, Uncategorized |
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March 15th, 2012 The Tasters
Redwood Creek
2010 Chardonnay
ALC: 13.5% Price: $8.99
Purchased at Albertsons Grocery Store
Bottle Notes:
“We are a California winery that is committed to capturing the true spirit of California’s rich winemaking heritage. With our robust wines brimming with flavor, we like to think that every bottle of Redwood Creek holds true to that heritage.
Refreshing notes of ripe apple and citrus are complimented by notes of vanilla and sweet brown spice.”
Our Tasting Notes:
This was a clean and light Chardonnay with flavors of pear and citrus. Not overly buttery or weighty, just simple and enjoyable. The pear flavor is really showcased well in this wine. I would definitely name this as one of my favorite Chardonnays to date. Perfect for a warm afternoon and would probably taste amazing with some blue cheese which is my new favorite cheese to pair with Chardonnay. Give this wine a try!
For more info check out: www.redwoodcreek.com
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Chardonnay |
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March 8th, 2012 The Tasters
Artist and Owner, Becky Suriano creates drinkable art that is customized to reflect every person’s individual style. Becky hand paints each glass using glass paint for long-lasting, beautiful works of art. She even takes custom orders. From wine glasses to beer mugs and martini glasses to sangria pitchers – If it’s glass, she will paint it!
She started Wine Me? in October of 2010 and since then she has really made a name for herself. She is nearing 10,000 fans on Facebook and has been featured in such publications as Winery Patron, Celebrity Wine Review TV, and Wine Spectator. We are proud to say we have been fans of hers for almost a year and have really enjoyed watching the explosive growth of her business. She is definitely going places!
We currently have our very own glasses (pictured above) and we must say that they look even more fabulous in person. You can see the great attention to detail and it is evident that she really puts her passion into each and every glass.
These photos are just a small portion of the amazing works of art she has to offer. Definitely take the time to check out the Wine Me? Facebook Page where you will find an extensive selection of her work.
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Uncategorized |
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March 4th, 2012 The Tasters
Minassian-Young Vineyards
2009 Beyond the Pale (Red Blend)
ALC: 14.8% Price: $6.99
Purchased at Albertsons Grocery Store
Bottle Notes:
”82 % Zinfandel, 12% Petite Sirah, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Mourvedre, 2% Malbec”
Our Tasting Notes:
This tasty red blend was a soft, sweet, easy drinking wine. Flavors of raspberries, ripe cherries, and some spice. I hesitate to say this, but there was a good amount of jammy goodness in this wine. I know typically a “jammy” wine is looked down upon and not always a favorite of many wine lovers but this blend really impressed me. While there was definite sweetness, the spice and structure really made this an interesting wine. At around $7 on sale you can’t get much better than this.
For more info check out: www.minassianyoung.com
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Red Blend |
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