2006
Tupungato - Mendoza
Argentina

Will drink again.

This was a very good deal for the price. It was on the dry side, but the finish was fairly long and good. Blackberry with slight smoke and mushroom, it had a dark purplish-black ink color and heavy fruit scent.

We had a simple meal tonight of black beans in red wine and garlic sauce over brown rice made in organic chicken broth. I added avocado and Greek plain yogurt to mine and this wine took on a spicier, more flavorful taste than when alone - although it was enjoyable alone too.

I sing alone,
while I watch the ocean,
my lover's gone,
no earthly ships will ever bring him home again,
bring him home again

DIDO

8.0 out of 10
$9 / 750 ml bottle
13.5% alc.by vol.
www.sophenia.com.ar

La Segreta
2005
Sicilian White Wine

I recently reviewed this wine, however, I wanted to check back to write of it's deliciousness with Parmesean risotto and grilled chicken and peppers. As it was my mother who treated me to dinner out when I first tasted this wine, I ordered a few bottles and had she and my stepdad over for dinner recently to enjoy the wine again with a slightly different menu. I made risotto and we grilled chicken and peppers (and zucchini too) and the wine accompanied it well. In addition, it went well with Cabot Sharp Cheddar and Carr's crackers (mixed variety).












Liberty School
2005
Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon


I reviewed this back on March 11th, but just wanted to add how good it tasted recently again with shrimp, bowties, fresh parmesean, and spinach. Also, it accompanied mushroom pizza very well a few nights later.












If you want it
Come and get it
Crying out loud
The love that I was
Giving you was
Never in doubt
Let go your heart
Let go your head
And feel it now

-David Gray, Babylonoubt
el it now

2005
Bianco
Sicily, Italia


Will drink again. Very enjoyable.

A blend of Grecanico, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Fiano, I loved this wine that I had at one of my favorite local area restaurants. It very nicely accompanied a ricotta olive appetizer spread on crostini bread, as well as my walnut, gorgonzola salad and my main entree of salmon, risotto cake and asparagus. Full and dry, the flavor was very distinct with a fruitful combo of pineapple meets peach. It had a wonderful, slight mineral finish for a white wine.

Although it is not a staple in local wine shops, I've requested it and hope to get my own bottle soon.

Softly in her sleep
Pictures of the life she's longing
For slowly appear
She's seen them all before
But somehow never quite this clear
She just smiles, she don't want the world

The open wound she hides
She just keeps it bundled up
And never lets it show
She can't take much more of this
But she can't let it go
And that's ok, she don't want the world

All the things she says
While he's just lying there
Without someone to hear her cry
She slips off into a dream
About a place to hide
And that's ok, she don't want the world

3 Doors Down, She Don't Want the World

8.25 out of 10
$14 / 750 ml bottle

2003
Barbera
California

Might drink again.

This was pretty good I guess :# - The Guy really liked it. It was good, just too weak for my liking - more on the lighter side than medium. I thought it accompanied turkey meatballs and spinach well. The Guy liked it all the way around - alone, with food, in front of the computer, upside down with a spoonful of Italian Ice.

A spicy, hot cherry scent, it was slightly peppery, subtle fruit and a slight olive finish.

You don't know about my past, and
I don't have a future figured out.
And maybe this is going too fast.
And maybe it's not meant to last,

But what do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

Celine Dion, "Taking Chances"

7.5 out of 10
$10 / 750 ml. bottle
13.5% alc. by vol.
www.redwood.com

2006
California

Will drink again.

Good on its own and good with simple bow tie pasta, EV olive oil, sauteed garlic, broccoli and parmesean cheese. Scent was hot granite, black cherry and spice. Taste was similar with slight tobacco. Very good for the price range.

I’m one of the chosen few
Who went ahead and fell for you
I’m out of vogue, I’m out of touch
I fell too fast, I feel too much
I thought that you might have
Some advice to give on how to be
Insensitive

Jann Arden, "Insensitive"

7.75 out of 10
$11.99 / 750 ml. bottle
14.8% alc.by vol

2006
NAPA
California

Would drink again.

Badger fan - thank you for sticking with me and checking back. Glad I could help. I hope you will come back once you've been where you're going to get that Champagne! (If you do get your hands on it, come back and give your own review of it.)

This was enjoyable on it's own and with chicken and rice. Medium bodied with light oak and a bit of pineapple in the taste, I would recommend this as a summer accompaniment to lighter fare - grilled chicken, creamy risotto, lighter cheeses. What I don't like is any zip to my white wines - I like them smooth. This wasn't as smooth as my favorite Clos Du Bois 2006 Chardonnay, but it had very little noticeable zip, making me happy.

Lord give me the clarity to see through this smoke,
And salvage the woman comin’ down.
Lord make me an arrow to pierce through the lies
(comin’ down, comin’ down),
Lord make me a lens to better see my life
(comin’ down, comin’ down),
Lord make me an instrument to sing away the pain,
This rushing river, comin’ down.
I’m free, here in the mountains of peace may I be.
I see the greatness above and the smallness of me. . .

. . .So free, here in garden awake consciously,
I see the greatness within; the greatness in me.
Lord I’m your instrument, I’ll shoulder the weight,
Of feeling emotions in a deeper shade.
I’ll be the one who puts them to song,
And liberate the heartache comin’ down.


Paula Cole, Comin' Down

8.0 out of 10
13.5% alc. by vol.
$10 /750 ml bottle
www.cartlidgeandbrowne.com

2005
BAROSSA BABY!!!!!
Australia

Will so drink again.

Father's Day pick - I knew it would be safe. I find Shiraz goes nicely with grilled anything and I know the Barossa Valley produces distinct, flavorful reds.

Chocolate and vanilla meet smokey plum. Strong finish. Earthy and smokey scent. Great alone and with grilled chicken with garlic, sweet onion, red pepper, and creamy parmesean risotto.

So I hid my soiled hands behind my back
Somewhere along the line I must've gone off track with you
. . .Well, excuse me, guess I've mistaken you for somebody else,
Somebody who gave a damn,
Somebody more like myself. . .
These foolish games are tearing me apart,
And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart.
You're breaking my heart.

JEWEL / FOOLISH GAMES !
8.25 out of 10
14.0% alc. by vol.
$12/750 ml. bottle
www.thornclarkewines.com

2005
Old Vine Zinfandel
California

Would drink again . . . if I had to (just kidding). Worth the price.

Very fruit forward with blackberry and cherry too and then a little bitter olive. Has a medium finish that turns a little bittery. The Guy liked it quite a bit. I liked it better on its own than with turkey meatballs and spaghetti with roasted garlic tomato sauce.

Thoughts damage,
memories fade and
the deep bones within feel

Eyes brim,
heart aches and
just won't heal

Stomach churns,
as words break
that were never real

7.25 out of 10
$9 / 750 ml bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.
twistedwine.com

2006?
Nebilo Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough, New Zealand
$10?/750 ml bottle(or more)
7.50 out of 10

2006
Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
California
$15 / 750 bottle
8.0 out of 10

Yes, yes, yes I know that I have a pic here of Clos Du Bois 2006 Chardonnay with my Kendall Jackson and Nebilo reviews. I am not crazy . . .yet.

Friday night I went out with a couple of co-workers to catch "Sex and The City" (it ended up being a pretty good movie but at first I wondered what the heck was wrong with the actors - it was like they needed the first 45 minutes to warm up into acting again - they were over-acting initially and I was disappointed. Then it got interesting during the second half -not to mention racey). Anyway, we went to a local pub/restaurant first and I decided to order the Nebilo Sauvignon Blanc as I've not had it before. It's scent was extremely peach-y which I loved though I worried slightly it might be sweet. It wasn't sweet, it's taste however, was very much peachy-citrusy but a little weak in the finish. However, it really accompanied my Shrimp Casino very well. "Welp", my arm got "twisted" and I was treated to another glass of wine and I opted out of the Nebilo and went with what I knew would be better in consistency - Kendall Jackson Chardonnay. I usually order this when I go out for lunch though I'm not sure I've reviewed it here. It's consistently good and I can pretty much count on it being enjoyable with shrimp or chicken or salmon salad. It tasted awesome following the Nebilo. It had vanilla and oak and buttery notes with a hint of mineralness - which I don't pick up on normally in the KJ. Following the Nebilo and shrimp it tasted so much more awesome.

Well, here I am on a Sunday drinking an old standby that I've reviewed before, Clos Du Bois 2006 Chardonnay (purchased in New Hampshire yesterday, TAX-FREE!!!) - wonderful. This will be my summer staple this year - like the KJ, it's got vanilla and butter and an awesome hint of mineralness - all that I long for in my Chardonnays.

The wild and windy night
That the rain washed away
Has left a pool of tears
Crying for the day
Why leave me standing here
Let me know the way

Many times I've been alone
And many times I've cried
Any way you'll never know
The many ways I've tried

But still they lead me back
To the long, winding road
You left me standing here
A long long time ago
Don't leave me waiting here
Lead me to your door

The Beatles, The Long and Winding Road

AUSTRALIA

2006
NAPA Valley
California

Would drink again.

This is a very simple, refreshing versatile "cheap" wine. On a warm summer day, served with the right appetizer, this is pretty good. A very light, light, golden green / straw in color, it's a mild blend of citrus and slight vanilla. Not too dry, not too sweet. Accompanies cheese and crackers and strawberries well.

I take a figure drawing class at a museum and besides that being the best perk of all to the class - being surrounded by the paintings and sculptures of some great American artists - one of the other very nice perks is that we often stop in the middle of our four hour class, get up and go see the latest exhibit. Often we apply it to what we are doing, other times we just admire it. This past week, we had the luxury of being able to participate in the opening reception for an artist I immediately loved: Angelika Rinnhofer. Angelika exhibited her incredible photographs done in such a way as to resemble Renaissance and Baroque oil paintings. I was awestruck. Her photos were incredibly like fine oil paintings. What I loved most was her symbolism and use of contradiction. She had laptops and watches and modern jewelry very carefully placed in a way that they did not stand out, but felt like part of the natural setting - representing a link between past and present. She used ordinary people posed as Renaissance Upper Class. She used modern ideas like plastic surgery represented in an old fashion pose. Very fascinating work.

Back to the reason for mentioning this - we got to partake in the opening reception food and wine (no cost involved). Very nice way to spend a Sunday. I immediately got my glass of Beringer Sauvignon Blanc (that was what was being poured) and a prosciutto and cream cheese and spinach pinwheel rollup and planted myself in front of this artist's amazing work.

I shall close with Angelika's quote about her current series she's completing (suicides of famous Americans):

"I show our society's elite inhabitants, immersed in their wealth and power with myriad possessions and exquisite taste, but nonetheless, miserable and unhappy . . . Here is where publicity's promise of happiness through envy and glamour is proven wrong."

Angelika Rinnhofer, Artist
http://www.angelikarinnhofer.com/


7.5 out of 10 alone, easily could be an 8.0 out of 10 with the right accompaniment
$10 / 750 ml bottle

2005
Paso Robles
California



Might drink again with a well-paired food match.

By scent alone, I thought I would enjoy this wine. It had a sort of dusty cherry scent. But upon tasting, it was "thin" and more light bodied than I care for. There was a slight finish, but it was high alcohol more than flavor.

That was prior to food and, as it was The Guy's B'Day, I was grilling one of the better parts of a poor cow :( for his B'Day dinner. I thought perhaps the Zin would blossom with the steak. NOT. :( Just disappointing.

On and on the rain will fall
Like tears from a star like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are how fragile we are

Fragile, Sting

7.5 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml bottle
13.9% alc. by vol.

2005
McLaren Vale
Australia

Would definitely drink again if given the opportunity -not a budget wine.

This was leftover from the winter - it was a trade for baked goods. It was excellent. I highly recommend it if you've got nothing better to do with $50.

I was honestly extremely worried as I accidentally put this in the garage back in January thinking it was empty :0 It must have been out there for a few weeks before I was going through empties and discovered it was full (and very cold). Apparently, no harm was done! (whew!)

I had it alone as we were only having black beans and brown rice and salad for dinner. However, after dinner I was making a pasta salad for my daughter's school and popped one penne with sauteed garlic all over it into my mouth. I then had another sip of the Shiraz and found the garlic flavor was wonderfully enhanced. So, who knows? Maybe it would be good with a heavy garlic dish.

Beautiful dark purple hue, strong aroma of rich fruit and spice, taste of blackberry, licorice, slight vanilla, awesome spicy long finish.

It's time for saying goodbye
Cause if I stay here too long
You'd get to know me too well
And find that something was wrong
The time is perfect to go
Before the curtain descends
Right now when both of us know
That everything's got to end
If i don't see you again . . .

. . . Are you gonna be the one to save me
Doesn't look like the future is clearing . . .

Neil Diamond, If I Don't See You Again
(Off the "Home Before Dark" new acoustic release - Awesome - reminiscent of his early 1970's albums that I personally love so much)

Wine Spectator 94
Robert Parker 95

9.0 out of 10
$50 - $60 / 750 ml. bottle
14.8% alc. by vol
http://www.twohandswines.com/

2005
South Eastern Australia

Will drink again.

I loved this wine - had a very McLaren Vale Shiraz taste to it (which means I really, really liked it). I get excited when I taste a wine that reminds me of a particular region. For Shiraz's, I love the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. This had a distinct flavour to it - slightly smokey, tobacco cherry flavor. It was a drink alone wine. I can't remember at this point what I had for food with it - but it doesn't matter as I remember it took some of the flavour away. But it was good again later on its own - too good. I had too much. I did end up with a nasty headache the following day (which is when I paid attention to the alcohol content). I would not let this deter you from trying this wine - I had far too little to eat the entire day and then too much wine that night.

I don't suppose you'd give it a shot
Knowing all that you've got
Are cigarettes and red vines
Just close your eyes, cause, baby--
You never do know
And I'll be on the sidelines,
With my hands tied,
Watching the show

Aimee Mann, Red Vines


8.25 out of 10
$12 / 750 ml bottle
15.9% alc. by vol. (too much - be careful)

2003
Napa Valley
California

Would drink again.

This is not a budget wine. My aunt stopped by over the weekend on her way home from her high school reunion (while I was shuffling children to birthday parties so I'm sorry that I missed her) . She came bearing a Mother's Day gift for me - this wonderful bottle of wine. I shared it with my own mom, following a day of hiking. It was a nice way to end the day.

With a rich smokey scent, this full-bodied wine tasted more dry than sweet, with a nice smooth flavor balance of smokey cherries/plum and very little oak. The only slightly negative for me was the high alcohol content (15.2%). I think it would have been better if it was lower. But still, definitely enjoyable.

Every night that goes between
I feel a little less
As you slowly go away from me
This is only another test . . .

. . .So I try to say Goodbye my friend
I'd like to leave you with something warm
But never have I been a blue calm sea
I have always been a storm . . .

Fleetwood Mac, Storms

8.25 out of 10
$41.99 - $55 / 750 ml. bottle (cheapest to most expensive I found on-line)
15.2% alc. by vol.
Behrens & Hitchcock Winery, St. Helena, California

2003
Bordeaux Superieur
France
75% Merlot / 25% Cabernet Franc

Will drink again.

I really enjoyed this full-bodied wine, though I don't remember much about it as it's been a week since I had it! I know it had a distinct flavor and I liked it on its own as well as with food. It was slightly earthy, but more herb-like (thyme especially).


At the age of 13, I don't believe I had quite the maturity level, nor vocabulary, as my first born child does at the same age. I am in awe of her abilities and wisdom. We struggle, she and I, but I love her so VERY much. The world is totally her oyster and I wish I had the power in myself at that age that she has.

This is hers:

"ROSE"

Bud opening its eyes for the very first time
Crimson petals soft as silk,
A beauty so rare.

Roots stretching their legs
Growing and spreading; never-ending,
Reaching down to the earth's fiery core.

Thorns jutting out in every direction
Screaming bone-chilling agony,
A disease spreading up and down its stem.

Dewdrops resting silently in its dark radiance
Crying for its magnificence,
A mystery within.




8.0 out of 10
$13 / 750 ml bottle

2007
Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina

Thank you so much to The Bro (who thinks that is such a DORKY name! I know only too well, "Bro", as The Gal was hard for me to swallow too - The Guy is the only one who can wear the cool black shades) and to Marc for your posts. I know The Bro has been telling me about the Don David Malbec for a couple of weeks so I am on a quest to find it and review it. I was really happy to read Marc's opinion of the Monte Antico and glad he found it just as good a deal as myself. And thank you, Marc, for stating your enjoyment of my little blog here. I really appreciate feedback. :)

This was a fairly smooth, blackberry-flavored, decent wine. It was a beautiful dark velvet purple color when poured and smelled richly of blackberry and earth. It had a fairly long finish that was pretty good. It lost some of its flavor when food was introduced, but came back once the meal was over and I had a glass later. So I'd recommend having it alone or find a better food pairing. (I made fresh fettucine with roasted garlic tomato sauce, turkey meatballs, and sauteed spinach with olive oil and garlic - I think it was most likely the garlic that overpowered the wine - personally I find Merlots to be a great match with garlic dishes, but perhaps not a Malbec.)

I have to say, this was $12.99 and wasn't bad for the price, but I think the previous wine, the Tuscan rated below, was a much better buy. (Now that probably would have accompanied the fettucine menu nicely!)

Anyway, give it a try and let me know what YOU think.



Tonight's ramblings are a couple of verses from one of my favorite songs as a young naive girl picking the petals off flowers saying "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not". Grown up life is so very much different than what I'd ever imagined. (I'd imagined grown up life to be much wonderfully simpler). Every time I hear this song it makes me cry. I crank it up, belt it out at the top of my lungs (usually only in my car when I'm alone), and let the tears streak my face. I'm such a sap!

Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup.
Drink it up.
Love her and she'll bring you luck.
And if you find she helps your mind, better take her home.
Don't you live alone.
Try to earn what lovers own.

And even though we ain't got money,
I'm so in love with you, honey,
And everything will bring a chain of love.
And in the morning, when I rise,
You bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything is gonna be alright.

-Loggins & Messina / Danny's Song






7.75 out of 10
$12.99 / 750 ml.
13.7% alc. by vol.
www.highnotewine.com

(Posted by The Gal on The Guy's log-in)

2004
85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon,
5% Merlot
Tuscany, Italy


I will drink again.


I really enjoyed this wine for the price. It was awesome with a fresh garlic, black olive, ricotta, chicken and spinach pizza. I did not enjoy it as much on it's own - so I recommend it with food (pasta, cheese, or pizza). With flavors of oak and slight vanilla, this full-bodied wine tasted also of cherries. There was a slight finish, but it dissipated too quickly.


I have had a couple of decent Sangiovese wines now. I am looking forward to trying many more different Italian wines.

Am I still breathing;
Does my heart still beat?
I feel I'm suffocating
While everyone watches
Ah! There it is
My heart, pounding in my ears
My blood pulsates
My head pounds, with every beat
I've been reduced to deletion








8.0 out of 10
$10.99 / 750 bottle
12.5% alc. by vol.

Drouin-Marmet Reserve
Champagne
France (Mais Oui!)

Would drink again.

I'm not really a champagne fan except for in a breakfast Mimosa. But this was rather light and had no sweetness. Although there wasn't a whole lot of flavor, I enjoyed it very much as an accompaniment t0 strawberries and chocolate. And I didn't get a headache. :)


Remember gentlemen, it's not just France we are fighting for, it's Champagne!
~ Winston Churchill, WWI

I drink Champagne when I win, to celebrate…and I drink Champagne when I lose, to console myself. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte


7.75 out of 10
12% alc. by vol.
(No further info could be found as far as price, etc.)

2005
Woodbridge, California
RH Phillips

Will drink again.

I have passed this label by many a time. The Guy brought it home tonight and I wasn't going to have any but it smelled so good from across the room that I had to have a sip. That led to a glass. Then one more. Not bad at all for the price. Rasberry and lots of oak with a hint of earth. It even tasted pretty good with a Cesear Salad and Newman's Cesear Dressing.

When my bed get empty, make me feel awful mean and blue
My springs are gettin' rusty sleepin' single like I do

Besssie Smith, 1928, Empty Bed Blues

8.0 out of 10

$15 / 1.5 L (the BIGGER bottle)
13.5 alc.by vol.
http://www.nightharvestwines.com/

2005
Toro
Red Wine
Spain

Might drink again.

I recommend drinking this wine alone. Although it did accompany lasagna well, I enjoyed it a bit more prior to eating. After salad it was "yuck". This is a dry red with a hint of rasberry and heat in the scent. It had an earthy "hot rock" initial taste that I liked very much. That flavor was enhanced for a bit with the lasagna, but then it totally disappeared forever following salad.

My religion makes no sense
and does not help me
therefore I pursue it.

When we see
how simple it would have been
we will thrash ourselves.

I had a vision
of all the people in the world
who are searching for God

massed in a room
on one side
of a partition

that looks
from the other side
(God's side)

transparent
but we are blind.
Our gestures are blind.

Our blind gestures continue
for some time until finally
from somewhere

on the other side of the partition there we are
looking back at them.
It is far too late.

We see how brokenly
how warily
how ill

our blind gestures
parodied
what God really wanted

Anne Carson - "My Religion"

7.75 out of 10
$7.99 / 750 ml bottle
14.5 alc.by vol.

2006
Shiraz Viogner
Langhorne Creek, Australia

Might drink again.

The Shiraz-Viogner combo is something I've thoroughly enjoyed in the past. Tonight's was slightly disappointing.

Berry scent with spice, not a lot of flavor on its own. Sort of a weak finish, except when served with food. I served it with grilled chicken and zucchini and roasted peppers and mushrooms and onions. The flavor accompanied the food very well. Somewhat weak on its own, it definitely tasted better with the food. Both my stepfather-in-law and my step-father enjoyed it, especially with their dinner.

They called me to theirs,
Who controlled me;
Yet every one
Wished to stay, and is gone,
How am I theirs
If they cannot hold me
But I hold them?
-Ralph Waldo Emerson / Earth-Song

7.5 out of 10
$14/750 ml.bottle
14.5% alc. by vol.
www.zontesfootstep.com.au