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.

Clayhouse Adobe Red 2006

"This dark ruby red wine opens with a light raspberry like bouquet with notes of spice. On the palate, this medium bodied wine is a fruit bomb, nicely balanced, and quite smooth. It is loaded with lush blackberry flavors with some notes of black cherry and vanilla that linger. The finish is quite dry with noticeable tannins that stick around from quite some time. This wine is a perfect wine for your summer barbecue whether it is burgers, ribs, or steak tips on the grill. "  - kenswineguide.com

Winemaker Notes: The Adobe Red is a proprietary blend with ripe flavors of cherry, plum and vanilla bean, with rich spicy blueberry and cherry notes. The tannins are supple, and the balanced oak character adds additional vanilla notes.

This delicious blend is available at Village Wines for about $14.  The 2007 is out now as well.  3 stars

Spice Route Viognier 2008

"Gentle oaking and extend lees contact add richness and complexity to the full, fragrant tropical fruit notes an subtle spices." http://www.spiceroutewines.co.za/

Very good / 3 stars / $18

Twenty Rows Merlot 2008

My impressions: this turned out to be a big merlot (but not in a "fruit bomb" way) with a hint of spice. Smooth on the tongue. Delicious.

"The Twenty Rows Merlot is a big dense wine with layers of cherry, blackberry plum & mocha with a hint of tobacco. Well balanced with exceptional length on the finish."

4 stars!

Domain du Crampihl Madiran

Spotted this on the list at Dyron's last weekend. Although not familiar with this grape it turned out very good. It was $38 on the menu so figure $18-20 retail.

Madiran is an appellation from southwest France near the Pyrenees. Excerpted from wine-searcher.com: "The grape varieties which are sanctioned for the creation of Madiran's wines are Cabernet Franc (also known as Bouchy here), Fer Servadou, Cabernet Sauvignon and the all-important Tannat. Tannat must make up between 40% and 60% of the final blend, which is what makes the resulting wine so characterful and distinctive. The Tannat grape, as its name suggests, is very high in tannins, and brings a certain astringency to Madiran wines. Historically the wines have been famous for needed many years' bottle ageing before becoming palatable. The thick skin of the variety, and its numerous pips are the source of these tannins. The stems of all grape varieties naturally contain high levels of tannin, so destemming (or egrappage in French) is required under the Madiran appellation law. This measure is intended to balance out the overall tannin levels in the finished wine."

Another source describes it as rough when young. After a few years in a cellar, it turns into a sensual and tannic wine. So definitely give it a try if you see it or at Dyron's.

Kendall-Jackson to drastically cut water usage

This is a really great initiative, especially for a water-starved state. View story at CNET.com.

Napa Cellars Zinfandel 2007

New Years eve 2009. Good bye to the zeros. I think I found my new favorite zin. About $17 at Whole Foods.

Posted via email from Shawn's posterous

Can Blau 2007

Spanish red wine. Blend of mazuelo 40%, syrah 40% and garnacha 20%. Very tasty at about $16.

Posted via email from Shawn's posterous

Bubbly for the New Year

Winston Churchill famously said of Pol Roger "In defeat I need it, in victory I deserve it".

But in this down economy, what can we reasonably afford? (Inspired by
NBR Morning Edition story "Revelers Choose Sparkling Wines Over Champagne". http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122093332)

Prosecco from Italy - brut (dry) options are available.
- try Zardetto Prosecco Brut, around $13

California sparklings
- try Gloria Ferrer Brut, from California, it is getting great reviews this year. 90 points and under $15

France - Crémant from Burgandy

- This appellation covers France's burgundy region and features dry sparkling wines. These wines are made via méthode champenoise from the principal grapes of aligoté, chardonnay, pinot blanc and pinot noir. Most of the wines produced are white, with a small amount of rosé. Crémant de Bourgogne wines must be aged for a minimum of 9 months. Their quality is much higher than the wines from the region's older appellation Bourgogne Mousseux AC, which is being phased out. Today's Burgundian sparkling wines are viewed very positively and are regarded as good, lower-priced alternatives to the wines of champagne.

Spain - Cava

- Spain makes some very fine sparkling wines called cava. It is made in the "méthode champenoise" or "Champagne method," which is the same method that is used to make Champagne in France

Thorne-Clarke Shotfire 2008 Barossa Shiraz

To complement our Christmas dinner of standing rib roast our guest Pete brought this nice Shiraz.  Despite the delivery comment below don't think this overpowering.  The chocolate and plum fruit tones did well the the roast as well as the yams and green beans.

"The 2007 Shotfire Shiraz was aged for 12-18 months in a mix of new and used French and American oak, 40% new. A saturated purple/black in color, this glass-coating effort has a nose of wood smoke, bacon, mineral, and blueberry that leaps from the glass. Rich and intense on the palate, it has layers of flavor, excellent balance, and a pure finish. It way over-delivers for its humble price. Drink it over the next six years.  92 pts. Jay Miller - The Wine Advocate"

I think it's available and the Vintage Wine Shoppe in Inverness.

Sandeman Founder's Reserve Porto NV

Capping off our Christmas dinner was this modest bottle of port.  It's smooth and clean and not too powerful.  Great pairing with our chocolate fudge type cake.  From the maker: "Selected from the finest "lots" of each vintage and aged for 5 years. Full of the power, fruit and fire that distinguishes classic Porto, Founders Reserve is the culmination of two hundred years of expertise.

Tasting Notes Intense ruby red colour, brilliant and clean. Rich red fruit aromas with a touch of age create an elegant reflection of powerful favours, the fruit and fire characteristic of young classic Porto balanced with the finesse of age.

Excellent on its own served in large glasses, Founders is a perfect match with cheeses or rich chocolate desserts.

Serving - No need to decant. Serve in large glasses to fully appreciate.

Storing - Should be stored standing, in a dry place with constant temperature (10º-20º), avoiding bright light.

Shelf-life - Recommended shelf life is 12 - 18 months.

Open Bottles - Once open Founders can remain fresh for up to 4 weeks."

Looking for hard cider

Have you seen any in Birmingham?  Rumor has it that Overton & Vine (aka Smitty's) has some.  Let us know.

In New England, Hard Cider Stages A Comeback

In New England, the tradition of making and drinking artisan cider goes back to the Founding Fathers. Now, a New Hampshire apple grower is hoping to revive the American cider tradition and provide a lifeline to struggling farmers.  View / listen to story on NPR.org.

LEED-Certified Winery

Hall St. Helena is California's first Gold LEED-certified winery. Organically farmed vines are only the beginning - the buildings rock nearly enough solar paneling to cover a football field, drought-resistant landscaping, and reclaimed cold water running under the floor to regulate barrel room temps (um, wow…). Here's the website: http://www.hallwines.com/hall-st-helena

The Red One 2008

From first Drop Wines a very good inexpensive Austalian blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and barbera. $9.

Tags: red, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, barbera, australia

Posted via email from Shawn's posterous