Spice Route Viognier 2004

The Spice Route Swartland Viognier 2004 is a Vineyard Brands (Birmingham) import and those are usually pretty good; the winery also makes Goats Do Roam. The golden straw color was unexpected as was the richer taste than I'm used to from French Viognier. Wine Spectator gave it an 86 but says it's past maturity (it didn't bother me!) Later vintages are rated even higher. Winery site. Recommended, available at Overton & Vine. Goes for about $17.

Ordinary Wine Co., Lot 21 Boneshaker Red, NV

38% Zinfandel, 34% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah, 2% mix red varietals – 100% California fruit with 42% from Lodi. About 15% of this blend was barrel aged for approximately 6 months in a mix of new and old French and American oak barrels. The wine displays aromas of ripe red and dark berry fruits layered with notes of slight white and black pepper and crème de cassis. The aromas carry into the palate with red fruit flavor notes on the entry and full fruit in the middle. The finish is lush and fruit flavors linger through the aftertaste. Made by Harry Parducci at his custom-crush facility in Santa Rosa, CA. $9.99 at Whole Foods

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.

Liberty School Cabernet Sauv. Paso Robles 2006

Marietta Old Vine Red (Lot 48)

I can't believe we never posted this because we have had it many times and it's consistently good.

Released in August 2008, Old Vine Red Lot 48 is predominantly Zinfandel. Lot 48 coats the palate with luscious blackberry fruit and is balanced by peppery spice both on the palate and aromatically. Aged in French and American oak, this wine should drink well over the next few years (best in 1-3). The dominant varieties in Lot 48 are Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Cabernet.

About $12-13.

Wal-Mart wine

Wal-Mart announced that, sometime in 2009, it will begin offering customers a new discount item ... Wal-Mart's own brand of wine.

The world's largest retail chain is rumored to be teaming up with Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery of California to produce the spirits at an affordable price -- in the $2 to $5 range.

Wine connoisseurs may not be inclined to put a bottle of the Wal-Mart brand into their shopping carts, but "There is a market for inexpensive wine." said Kathy Micken, professor of marketing at University of Arkansas, Bentonville. "However, branding will be very important."

Customer surveys were conducted to determine the most attractive name for the Wal-Mart wine brand.

The top surveyed names in order of popularity were:

- Chateau Traileur Parc
- White Trashfindel
- Big Red Gulp
- World Championship Riesling
- NASCARbernet
- Chef Boyardeaux
- Peanut Noir
- I Can't Believe it's not Vinegar
- Grape Expectations
- Nasti Spumante

The beauty of Wal-Mart wine is that it can be served with either whitemeat (Possum) or red meat (Squirrel).

By the way: Wal-Mart is evil - www.walmartmoveie.com

Mouton Cadet 2005 Bordeaux

In the mouth this wine is tannic with tight fruit and bread. Lots of potential in this 65% Merlot 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc; your basic Bordeaux blend.

The palate is smooth and full-bodied, with full tannins enhancing ripe berry flavors. Fruit is still stingy but it is there. This is actually a very nice wine at this price point and a typical old world wine in all the great ways. This is a far superior wine than what you normally get for this price from any country.

Garnacha de Fuego 2007

I bought this recently at Overton and Vine to serve at book club. I thought it was very good both in taste and value.

The 2007 Garnacha de Fuego is 100% old-vine Garnacha sourced from 60-80 year old vineyards offering tiny yields. Dark ruby/purple-colored the nose exhibits spice box, earth notes, and wild cherry. On the palate it is slightly compact albeit with excellent flavors and good length. It is a steal at the asking price. Drink it over the next two years. -Robert Parker

Snoqualmie Sauvignon Blanc 2007

This was my Thanksgiving wine for 2008 and it turned out to be a good pairing. From the winemaker: "Bold and bright aromas fill the nose followed by a rich mouthful of citrus and melon which linger on the palate. This is a very crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc that will pair well with a variety of foods."

From the Columbia Valley in Washington State. $10 at Western.

Liberty School Chardonnay Central Coast 2006

Nuances of Bartlett pear, pineapple and green apples in the nose. The finish is long, balanced and never cloying, due to its healthy acidity.

Parducci Petite Sirah 2005

It's medium to full-bodied with nice peppery spice. From the grower: "This wine has aromas of black cherry, plum and black pepper, with hints of leather and oak spice. The lush flavors on the palate are of black fruits, smoke and chocolate, complemented by supple tannins. This is the perfect full-bodied wine for summer barbecues, blue cheeses, and blackened anything."

And if that's not good enough for you they are the first winery in the USA to be carbon neutral!

2 stars, 9.99 at Western

McManis Petite Sirah 2006

We have enjoyed other McManis products in the past (although I was surprised I never blogged them). However, this one is an over the top fruit bomb. Fruit can be good but this is too much. I expect some body and spice in a Syrah.

So, this is not bad, it's just not what you want. One star.

Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel 2004

Good Zin at a good price. If there was some left and I could think about it I might say something like "Ripe and a trifle on the jammy side with evident, slightly dry but focused varietal aromas of blackberries and a hint of spicy peppercorns, this one is full on the palate and slightly fleshy in feel at entry before its tannins kick in and rough up the latter going. Its tilt to gruffness suggests service with savory meats." Note this is the Sonoma Heritage Vines. $8 at Whole Foods.

2006 Costa de Oro Pinot Noir

A Toast! 

On the penultimate eve of the birth of my second son Ethan, I wish to toast those who came before him in 2008. To Sarah Grace Ervin, a toast. To Sam Eagan, a toast. To Jackson Oliver, a toast. And to all of their parents, a toast.

I toast you all with a bottle of Costa de Oro Pinot Noir that was recommended highly by Village Wines. It runs in the $20 range but is well worth it. I tend to like the bigger reds such as zinfandel but I want to drink more Pinot Noir this summer. I wish I could compare it to another but I can't you will have to take my word for it. It's Great! And besides I am in a much more reflective mood about family than to think if it smells like berries or licorice. My future will smell of much more exotic things. 

A toast to the adventure we are all on!

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.

Kermit Lynch

I mentioned this in an earlier post but I was once told that if you see that the importer was Kermit Lynch then buy it. It has served me well over the years. I just bought a few bottles with my birthday gift certificate. We'll see if that holds up.

Editors Note: The white wine Graves Chateau Gravile-Lacoste 2006 doesn't live up to Kermit Lynch quality in my opinion. The vineyard has an aol.com email address. That should have tipped me off.

In Praise Of: Bogle Vineyards

As I am posting about wines I had at Hot and Hot I am drinking a bottle of Bogle Old Vine Zinfindel. I have posted about this before and I really like this wine. It is in the $10 or so range and is one of those wines I grab when I want something cheap. And there is nothing cheap tasting about it. It has been over a year but I have had their whites and all have been very good.

I suggest that the next time you are looking for a bottle of white or red. Try something from Bogle Vineyards.

45th Birthday Wines: Vincent Delaporte’s 2004 Sancerre & 2005 Maysara Pinot Noir, Oregon and

Luckily my birthday was not missed by family members seeing as how we have so many March birthdays and with the new baby just making it to April (we hope). Leigh took me to Hot and Hot fish club where I had the Fudge Farms Pork Trio: Seared Loin on Collard Greens, Crispy Belly on Homemade Sauerkraut and Grilled Leg with Mashed Sweet Potatoes. The crispy belly was like a crispy bacon meatball. Yumm!


Going in I didn't know if I was going to have the red or white so I got both. I started the evening with a glass of the ’04 Sancerre, Delaporte, France. A very nice glass of wine. Sancerre is new to me but I have thrown myself into it. The waiter quickly showed me the bottle so I am not sure this label is correct but I believe it is from Domain Vincent Delaporte. The Wine Advocate wrote that the Vincent Delaporte’s 2005 Sancerre is juicy and engaging on the palate, not especially gripping, but instead discrete and well-balanced, with succulent melon, apple and herbs carrying into a gentle finish (Score: 88). I would agree with that. The importer is Birminghams own Vineyard Brands.


After deciding on the pork I was directed to the ’05 Maysara Pinot Noir, Oregon. What a great wine. I have made it a point to drink more Pinot Noirs this summer and this was a good place to start. The waiter opened a new bottle and I could tell that the wine was opening up more with every sip. It was very good by itself and held its own with the strong crispy belly. I never saw the label but i am assuming it may be the less expensive of the two that Maysara vineyards bottles.

This was a nice way to start out my new year and with the Village Wine gift certificate given to me by Miles and Amy I now have the money to try more Sancerres and Pinots. But after Ethan comes I am going to have to share the bottle with Leigh.