Teira Zinfandel

I think Jeff Porter's description is right on and I excerpted it below. See more of his reviews at www.drinkeatlove.com.

Tasting Notes for Zinfandel: This wine is a home run. [... It] really changed my perspective of what ZIN can been when it is picked at the right time (not too late so it becomes like blueberry syrup) and is not so high in alcohol I feel like I'm doing shots at the frat house. I imagine this is what ZIN was like prior to the "monsterization" of wine in California. Teira Zin has aromas of crushed red raspberries, plump cherries, dried currants, sweet and savory spices. The nose is so appealing that I bury my face in my glass and just take deep breaths. The palate has all the same fruit profiles but where you might think it would be gushing with sweetness it is well balanced and has a structure that you might find out of a Primitivo from Puglia not a Sonoma County Zin under $20. We enjoyed the wine so much we polished it off and were sorry we did not have any more. ZIN's in general are good with BBQ and similar foods but Teira ZIN has more than just one trick in its pairing arsenal. While great with BBQ, Italian dishes make a great pairing as would Mexican cuisine that tends to earthier flavors versus super spicy (think chicken mole). We enjoyed the wine with a flank steak that was seared with wasabi, hoisin, and miso, it was good. The wasabi's heat is subdued by the sweetness of the hoisin and miso.

I brought to a friend's house when they made ribs and it was a hit.

Tyler says it is on sale at Whole Foods right now for $13 (down $3). GET IT!

Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 2008

"Abundant citrus and tropical fruit aromas follow through on the lively palate of this elegant Chenin Blanc. It’s packed with intense, zippy flavors of pineapple, lychee, lemon, and lime as well as delicate floral and spice nuances resulting from the light oak treatment. A touch of late harvest Chenin Blanc adds considerable richness and complexity." -Importer

Serve with steamed mussels, crab cakes, grilled fish, roasted chicken.

Charles Krug Chardonnay Carneros 2005

Fragrant peach, pineapple and banana aromas give way to apple and pear flavors with a long and refreshing finish.

2005 Steele Shooting Star Barbera

Smooth. That was the first thing that went through my mind when I took my first sip. I have really enjoyed Steele wine before and if I am correct the Shooting Star label is their reasonably priced wine. This one cost about $12. This is a great wine to just drink or have with food. One blogger said this was a good version of the wine you would get at a pizza parlor. I believe it is much better than that but it would be mighty tasty with a pizza. I recommend you give this a try.

Château Saint Martin De La Garrigue Bronzinelle (2004)

I am still looking for the Cave Des Papes Coted du Rhone Heritage and ask for it at the wine shops I visit. They did not have it at Village Wines but it was suggested I try this Château Saint Martin de la Garrigue Bronzinelle from the Languedoc region of France. The wine is a blend of 34% Syrah, 27% Mourvèdre, 22% Grenache, and 17% Carignan. The blend is somewhat similar to the Cave Des Papes.

This wine was very good and it only cost $12.99. This is a Kermit Lynch wine so my streak of really good KL wines continues.

What I Did On My Winter Vacation

It's been awhile since I have posted to this blog. Not because I gave up drinking, far from it! It is because I have been drinking the same wines listed here. I have not gone out and tried something new and instead went for the familiar and the inexpensive. You see I have been living with a pregnant woman during my winter vacation and while she is a very pleasant and beautiful mommy to be, she's not much of a drinker. So logic tells me not to buy an expensive wine that I may not finish or a new wine that she will not enjoy with me. Just stay with the tried and true. Here are some of the wines that I have been enjoying.

My every day wine (just a figure of speech, not a drinking problem) is in that $10 and less sweet spot. It has to be an easy drink and cheap so if it goes back in the fridge and goes bad before I can get to it, so be it. I'll just open up another bottle of cheap wine. The wines in my bandoleer are:

Big House Red -- a long time favorite with a screw top for longevity in the fridge.
Ten Mile -- I think this has a screw top.
Cellar No. 8 Zinfandel
Castono Hecula Monastrelli -- I like to think of this as my Spanish Big House Red.
Casono Monastrelli -- same place, cheaper wine. David and Rachel gave this to us as hosts gift and I am drinking this as I type. A lovely bottle even if it makes me sound gay. Happy gay not, um, you know, oh never mind.

When I want to break out of my cheap bottle and go for something extravagant I have been opening two of my favorites.

Ridge Three Valleys -- a man trip favorite
Seghesio Zinfandel -- a consumer reports favorite

While each of these costs $20+ at the local wine shoppes (note fancy spelling) I can get them for about $16 at Costco. And while I am there I grab a few big house reds and ten miles. And maybe a large jar of Atomic Fire Balls, a 4 family size box of Cheerios and the latest Family Guy season out on DVD. Damn you Costco!

I can't go any further without giving a "shout out" to my new friend, the off-brand 8 bottle wine cooler. Leigh bought this for me at Lowes and I tried to mount it in a cabinet but it never would get cool. So that's why you can't cover up the vents. It now lives on the floor under Leighs sewing table and does a wonderful job of keeping my wine at lovely 58 degrees. There's that word again.

I keep the corks from the wine I drink. Not because I have any hording issues but I know one day I will be able to do something with them all like float down the Cahaba River. It IS a little disturbing that the bowl has been filling up and Leigh has not been drinking for at least 8 months. Oh well, I guess she just needs to catch up.

That's all for now. I'll probably keep up this routine for a few months more and at least until Pinot Grigio season gets here. I might even tone it down because newborns don't care if you drank a bottle two hours ago, they want to be changed, NOW!

So, what did you do on your winter vacation?

Shawn

Qupe Syrah 2005

Gosh, how many times have we quaffed this and it hasn't been blogged. Not officially anyway. The 2004 did make the trip to NC last year but didn't get described. Anyway, this is a delicious and very reliable CA Central Coast Syrah. It is extremely well balanced in fruit, spice (a hint of pepper), and finish.

From the winemakers: "This wine is 93% syrah, 4% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre and 1% Counoise. The grapes come from 16 different vineyards in the Central Coast – 55% from Santa Barbara County; 39% from Paso Robles and 6% from the Arroyo Grande Valley.

2005 was an amazing vintage for both quality and quantity and, in fact, it’s one of the best vintages I’ve seen in my 27 years on the Central Coast. The grapes had impeccable balance and flavor intensity and the perfect weather allowed us to really dial in the harvest sugars."

About $13 at Overton & Vine.

Ol' Red (a California blend)

This one might be a 3 star especially considering it's on sale for $9.99 at Village Wine Market. Enjoyed with steaks Saturday night, this red has nice fruit but doesn't overdo it. I thought it was delicious.

Cosentino in Napa is the winery and they say: A multi-vintage Solera style blend from 1997 to 2005 from California (Napa, Sonoma, Lodi and Solano County areas).

A unique blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Carignane and Zinfandel with small lots of Merlot, Sangiovese, Mouvedre, Petite Sirah and a few other things.

Originally each lot was made separately and barrel aged for one to eight years prior to blending. After blending the master lot a good portion is put back into barrels for further aging until the next cuvee is put together.

Ruby colored with crimson edges. Extremely rich and round with a feel of liquid satin. Baked cherries and berries with sweet baking spices in the nose. A creamy melange of red and black fruits with earthy complexities. Structured and balanced with supple, ripe tannins and a long smooth finish- this is a unique experience.

Note: they say it's out of stock.

Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2004

From our meal at Hot & Hot, 3/10/07 - view wine list. Exceptionally well balanced. Very pale straw color. Leigh had the best flavor ID ... hits of grapefruit. Based on internet prices and the restaurant price I would expect to find it for $15 to $18 in stores. Buy it.

Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2003 Michele Chiarlo

Here's another red that the group enjoyed in Crested Butte, CO ... the venue was Marchitelli's Gourmet Noodle, the mood festive.

I don't have any specific tasting notes but we wanted something light to medium-bodied that would go with a variety of entrees. We hit the mark.

Price: expected retail is $12-15.