The Wishing Tree 2005 Cab/Merlot

Good value wine, what we call a weekday wine of 55% Cabernet / 45% Merlot.  And it has a screw top for Shawn!   Should be about $10-12. ($10 @ Whole Foods this week)

Joel Gott Zinfandel 2007

This one was served at a dinner gathering last weekend.  The hosts got it at Vintage Wine on 280.

According to the winery "Dry-farmed, old-head-trained vines in Lodi and Amador produce intense, structured fruit while the Napa Valley harvest adds power, depth and complexity. Fruit from the cooler climate of Sonoma County offers classic Zinfandel aromatics of pepper and anise. Together, these diverse regions produce a Zinfandel packed with flavors of licorice, plums, Bing cherries and blackberries with a deep, long finish."

We thought it was very good and a nice pairing with the jambalaya.  Not sure what Vintage has it at but online it appears to be in the $13-15 range; if so it's a great value.  3 stars

New purchases

Bogle Zinfandel - WF - 12.99
Rayun Syrah - WF - 9.99
Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin 2007 - Pig -10.99

Rush Cab -  Pig - 9.99
We cracked open the Rush on 2/6.  It is smooth and not overly fruity but I'm still trying to put my finger on one of the flavors.  More to come.  See Shawn's post from 11/2005.

Tommyknocker Alpine Glacier Lager - "the whoosh factor"

From Idaho Springs, CO.  

2004 NABA Silver Medal, 2003 & 2005 CO State Fair Silver, 2007 CO State Fair Gold. "

4.5% ABV, available at Overton & Vine

Liberty School Cabernet Paso Robles 2007

From: Astor Wines and Spirits
"Pure, straightforward Cabernet character: flavors of dark berries, cassis, and milk chocolate. This is well-balanced in the mouth and carries itself with considerable elegance. A firm structure makes it perfect with grilled meats."

From: Winethropology
"Liberty School is the entry level brand in the Hope Family Wines portfolio.  The Hopes are long-time growers is Paso Robles and at one time supplied Caymus with grapes for their then second label, Liberty School.  Some years ago Caymus sold the brand to the Hopes to focus on their core wines.

Since then, this Cabernet has become the best selling (and highest production) wine in the Hope portfolio yielding 250,000 cases for the 07 vintage.  Grapes come from a network of over 50 family-owned vineyards in Paso Robles.

This Cab is a bit lean and green on opening, but better than the cheap-looking label would have you expect.  Surprising since we expected the hot weather to yield overripe fruit and high alcohol.  Not so.  The alcohol in this wine is a mere 13.5%, baby stuff for California these days."

Note that Treana, Candor and Austin Hope are also part of Hope Family Wines.

About $15 - 3 stars.

Valley of the Moon Syrah

I recently had a glass of this at Village Tavern; it was quite good. I'm trying to locate some locally.

The 2006 Sonoma County Syrah is described by the winemakers as having "complex aromas of blueberries and lavender accented by chanterelle mushrooms, blackberry and cedar.