Lighter golden hue with aromas of vanilla pudding mixed citrus, and a melange of tropical fruit.
Palate--Ample fruit forward goodness with loads of exotic fruit from sunny climes; lemon, lime, ripe pineapple and ripe green melon.
Bought on sale for around $8 this is a really well made Chard that is structured nicely with a nice acidic foundation. I paired it with baked chicken thighs, in a savory rub. Raise a glass!
Deep garnet purple hue with aromas of light red berries with a gentle baking spice nose
Palate--A lively sparkle sets off a subdued but celebratory front palate with a cherry mid palate and a quick finish. A very FUN wine!
This is just a simple, casual wine with lots of delicious if simple freshness that will do well with anything pool side, lighter fare and lighter cheese and crackers. I am going to serve this with grilled salmon for my wife and a grilled bratwurst for myself. Not the class pairing for sure but I believe it will work. I think I paid perhaps $6 for this fun inid of party wine so raise a glass!
Palate--Mouth watering acidity with a silky texture and a big fruit filled presentation of ripe dark berry. On the rear there is another blast of big dark brooding berry which is again very nice! Finishes a bit quickly.
I saw this today at the local grocery store on sale for $10. James Suckling scored this $10 Malbec 90 points but I hadn't noticed that until I got home. I was doubly glad I grabbed it as Mr. Suckling is one of my reliable palates from my many years as a Wine Spectator devotee.
I am grilling Bratwurst right now and this will be very nice with it. Of course beer is another great pairing with Brats but ya like what ya like so raise a glass!
Palate--Striking first impression of steely red berry cherry fruit with notes of strawberry, with lip smacking structure and a finish that is quick but tasty.
Previously reviewed recently, I grabbed a bunch of these on close out at Walmart for $7!
C'mon, at this price you cannot NOT want to try this and even at the normal $10 price point Bogle just tends to be reliable regardless the varietal so raise a glass!
Lovely darker purple hue with aromas of understated black berry fruit, sweet black cherry/berry fruit on top, youthful fruit nuances with a hint of savory spice that will probably be accentuated as this wine matures.
Palate--Nice first impression with balanced structure of loads of luscious mouth watering fruit, silky tannins, youthful acidity, but overall a very drinkable wine right now! Finishes a bit quickly but c'mon, see below!
I found this wine today at Sam's club and since it was a Cab from an actual *"AVA" called LODI, for $10 I had to give it a try. See * below; it will help you be a smarter shopper for inexpensive wines!
*I have explained numerous times but it bears repeating. An AVA is an "American Viticultural Area" which means it is a particular (relatively small area of a locale that has achieved a certain reputation/standards that put it above a wine that is generically from a large geography like a state! So a wine that says simply "California" on the label means that the grapes came from somewhere/ anywhere in California. But jhis says "LODI" which is a relatively small area in California from which the grapes came. Rule of thumb--and it is a GOOD rule, a wine from a smaller region eg. the State of California vs. this particular locale in California will be better quality overall. (There are exceptions but...)
I paid $10 for this Cab from Lodi and it is a nice value wine for the price so raise a glass!
This fine wine is from the "Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Madeira. I opened it today as today is "Patriot's Day" in America for those who live in New England where the Revolutionary War began.
Madeira was one of the common wines enjoyed by the Founding Fathers and this is a special one given to me by my wife a while back. It is unique!
Beautiful Brown crystalline tint with orange hues in the mix.
The Bouquet: A glorious melange of sweet burnt orange peel, toffee, baked molasses and more!
Palate--Powerful yet elegant flavors of brown sugar, baked orange, baking spices on a foundation of acidity which carries it all superbly! Finishes with a lingering, beauty of roasted almonds and more baked orange peel.
A special wine that comes at a price of $75 more or less! A real treat so raise a glass! And may the Lord forgive America for it's wretched godlessness today.
Palate--Big first impression loaded with dark berry fruit, savory spices, bold structure, with a cherry berry finish with more ash.
I love Zinfandel and while I prefer Sonoma Zins, I love Lodi for all its expressions and value Zins which abound. This Bogle I pay any where from $7/bottle as what I paid for this one on a closeout at Walmart to $12 in the local grocery stores. It is always well made, reliable and a nice value for the price so raise a glass!
Yes, I review this a bunch for reasons explained in a previous post(s). CF. if interested...
Palate--Bright, lively acidity with lush stone fruit, slight vanilla nuance and steely finish on a creamy rear palate.
It was a lifetime ago that I visited St. Michelle with my wife as we were living in the Seattle -Tacoma area well before the silicon valley migration. It is a spectacular winery located in a spectacular, scenic topography and perfect for the outdoor sportsman who loved fishing, back-packing and mountain climbing. (My name is in the registry on the summit of Mt. Rainier at "Columbia Crest" the very peak of the 14,410 foot glaciated behemoth.)
At a bargain price of $10, this is a must buy Chardonnay which I will be pairing tonight with my wife's Kale, white bean and parmesan soup. Raise a glass!
Medium garnet hue with aromas of cherry pie crust, lots of fresh cherries, light cigar ash
Palate--Heftier first impression than expected with big fruity flavors of black cherry, very nice structure with surprisingly balanced tannins and acid with a palate cleansing freshness at the end.
This "Meritage" (pronounced like "heritage") is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. The blend can differ. I have never had an affinity for Meritage but I honestly LOVE this one especially at the $8 bargain basement price I paid.
If you happen onto the is wine buy it and enjoy it!vI am pairing it with Cuban sandwiches and mac and cheese so raise a glass!
Pale gold hue with aromas of slight citrus note on the front with sweet fresh summer fruit in the middle with a subtle vanilla edge.
Palate-- *Solid structure with nice acidity an a bone dry fruitiness with lime mid palate. Finishes quickly and is showing the beginnings of losing it's youthfulness but still drinking well.
This often quaffed Chard from a great AVA (Russian River) is always a nice California Chardonnay. This one--marked at $25-- which is high for this Chard, was a special buy selling at $8 which is a steal! Normal price for this --pre-Biden inflation was $12-$15. Pair it with all kinds of lighter far. I am having Chicken and rice tonight and it will be perfect so raise a glass!
*Compare to my review of this wine back in 2022
Palate--Classic acidity supporting an off-dry creation that seems not to be quite as potent as previous vintages. Never-the-less it is lovely, drinking qwell in its youth, full of tropical fruit and a nice palate cleansing acidity.
This Trader Joe's regular was on special at $8 which is a bargain! Put a bit of a chill on this and it should pair well with buttery dishes, seafood, possibly even some Asian cuisine. Chill it down a lot and serve it all by itself pool side and raise a glass!
Lovely golden hue with aromas of sweet tropical fruits, the slightest twinge of citrus, a honeyed hint and ripe cantaloupe.
Palate--Wonderfully off dry big fruity palate with tremendous acidity to carry the *sweet profile, all kinds of wonderful fruits I can't even relate to in this quaff.
*Sweet in this case means the sensual experience of sweetness when in fact this wine is quite dry. But fruitiness gives the sensation of sweetness.
This wine from the cape of S. Africa is comprised of Viognier (pronounced VEE-oh--nyay) and Chenin Blanc, one of the cape's great growths. This is a lovely wine (Trader Joe's) which will pair with many varieties of foods and cheeses so experiment and at $6? Raise a glass!
Deep garnet hue with aromas of tart raspberry pie, with sweet and savory spice.
Palate--Nice Zin first impression with fruit forward goodness and sweet/savory spice. Relaxed structure but fully Zinfandel.
This Sam's Club offering is a quality production for Walmart and because of their huge buying power they get great wine for a bargain price. I think I paid $8 for this and it is a great buy so raise a glass!
Palate--Thickish texture with intense fruit forward dark berry presentation with luxuriant structure, tannins and acid melding together with a lingering finish of more dark berry fruit!
I reviewed this Paso Robles Cab back in October. This one has a bottle variation that is rather distinct. That this wine sell for $10 at Traders Joes is remarkable and is a definite more now kind of wine! Raise a glass!
Lighter crystalline purple/garnet hue with aromas of fresh and dried crushed red berries, ash and some spice. Pretty nice!
Palate--First impression is tantalizing, with bolder presentation than I expected, with solid berry mid beam; loads of savory spice and ash. Finishes quickly but for the money -- $6 at Trader Joe's ya cannot pass this up.
Blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo (the signature grape of Spain) although it doesn't present like Shiraz (lighter) but this is an amazing value and will go well burgers on or off the grill, pizza, and pretty much all kinds of middle of the road cheeses. Raise a glass!
Nearly invisible pale straw hue with aromas of summery melon, sweet nuanced fresh summer fruit.
Palate--Lovely tiny bubbles on the palate dancing through the melony fruit even if tight on the presentation.
This is uncomplicated but fresh and crisp and for the price $8 chill it down a bit and serve it up before, during or after dinner. Raise a glass!
Depending on what your Easter Sunday dinner might be you don't need to go expensive to go well!
Let's make this short and sweet!
Having a traditional ham or ham based dinner you'll want something to offset the saltiness inherent with a smoked ham in particular. A "sweet" wine is the perfect foil to the saltiness of the smoked delight.
Speaking in broad categories sparkling wines (the sweeter variety) are great. I have a personal aversion to Prosecco but it is wildly popular. You can find decent enough ones around $10-$15.
Spanish "Cava's" are one of my favorite inexpensive sparklers of which there are a myriad of choices. Freixenet is one of my "go to" favorites and will run you these days around $12.
If you live near a Trader Joe's they have bargain sparklers for $6 and up! M. Chevallier Carte Noir Brut Cava is a nice bargain and drinks easily. (see my reviews of this wine previously posted.)
If sparklers are not your thin, try a Riesling or Gewurztraminer both domestic and German/Alsatian are all quite nice but vary in styles and price. Washington State Ste. Michelle makes some nice ones at the great price of $12.
Whatever you are planning the most important thing is to remember the occasion! Easter--better called "Resurrection Sunday" is not about bunny rabbits, or Spring. It is solely about the Savior of mankind coming to Earth to bring about the redemption of the soles of all those who have put their trust in Him.
"“For our sake God the Father made Him--Jesus-- to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
His empty grave sealed the deal and He is returning one day to usher in the end of all things. Be on the right side of it all! :)
Palate--Sweetness out of the gate, yet an acidic foundation that allows such intense sweetness without it being nauseating. Hints of the aging of this wine heading into its latter days of life are abounding but this is still **drinkable. It finishes quickly to which some may say, Yippee" but for those who say "I don't like red wine" just might take a liking to this.
Chill it down for a Summer refresher and enjoy with some lighter cheeses and even Bleu cheese. The saltiness of the cheese will be lovely with the sweetness of this not so great wine.
Visiting this historic winery in Los Angeles is a nice easy trip reliving the days of communion preparation for the Catholic Church at its beginnings.
* Bricking= a reddish brown hue which develops at the rims of wine that is headin south pretty quickly. It's perfectly fine to drink but has a very distinct profile you will either like or not.
**Drinkable meaning "safe" but necessarily a "good" wine but to each his own! At $4 at Walmart on closeout, I am glad a bought 1.
Palate--Thickish texture with loads of immature fruit, savory spices, decent structure but needs a couple years to integrate to achieve its potential.
Drinking well though and will be great with my Winter-charcoal grilled strip steak! Sam's Club buy at $8 so raise a glass!
Deep purple hue with aromas of gentle blackberry with a cigar ash touch at the rim. Sweet berry fruit with a soapy bouquet that is actually pretty nice.
Palate-- watery texture with slightly, tart first impression, tannic nuances out of balance, finishes with a crappy mouth feel and tannic fatigue.
I bought this at Walmart out of curiosity for $8. It reminds me of what I call "kit wine" meaning the kind of wine a do it yourselfer makes from a kit purchased on line.
This is a pass...
Light golden hue with aromas of Tropical fruit salad with lemon undertones and minerally vanilla cream with sweet spices at the rim.
Palate--Impressive beginning with nice acidity, and loads of summer fruit, citrus rind, clean and crisp!
This is a lovely Chardonnay from the Willamette Valley AVA from a stellar vintage of record breaking heat which can also kill a wine. But this wine is intense, well made and a bargain at what I found it for which was around $8 when it goes for $20 and up. I reviewed this same wine back in Dec. as well and it seems to be a bit more open and complex. Now I wish I had bought a lot more at $8. If you chance upon it, grab it and enjoy! Raise a glass!
Cherry juice hue with aromas of cherry, pomegranate, raspberry with oak notes.
Palate--Somewhat acidic first impression with woody fruit front and center, oftart raspberry finishing a bit chewy and fleeting.
Bogle is a reliable value winery! Buy with confidence on everything they produce. I found this on closeout at a local box store for $7! I bought 2 bottles. No, this is not complex, exciting, or
"must have" but C'mon, at $7? It's a no brainer. Pairing with my wife's baked chicken thighs and root vegetables. Raise a glass.
Nice garnet hue with aromas of spicy blackberry, licorice, and spicy big fruit.
Palate--Good first impression with a load of rich berries, brooding flavors of more dark berries, and stout structure.
This is a reliable production and if you love Zinfandel it can be found very reasonably for $8.00-$12.00, sometimes less! I buy it when it's at the lower range.
Tonight pairing with leftover homemade lasagna which works very well with this nice wine so raise a glass!
Palate--Nice texture with big fruit front with hefty structure, blueberry pie nuances with a finish that lingers.
Reviewed just this past September, this is drinking very well and at $10 for a Single Vineyard Malbec it is is legal robbery! This is a Trader Joe's super value wine so grab some and raise a glass!
Nice golden hue with big aromas of lemon, vanilla, baby powder, and a sweet fruit salad.
Palate--Tart first impression, with a slightly bitter mid palate, supporting loads of lemon and lip smacking acidity. Finishes with a subtle honey ending.
I paid about *$10 for this Burgundy and it is quite the wine. Acidity is a bit over the top for most palates but I happen to love razor edge acidity. I will be pairing it with my wife's broccoli cheese soup! Raise a glass!
I just ate at a restaurant a couple days ago and this wine was on their limited menu. Restaurant price was $36 for a bottle; $10 for a glass. A restaurant gets 4, 5 ounce pours out of a bottle or 5, 4 ounce pours. Don't get me started on gouging at restaurants when it comes to their liquor sales. I am all for making a profit but 360% markup (bottle price) is gouging. $50 for 5, four ounce glasses is, _________ you fill in the blank.
Palate--Mouth watering structure with savory mid palate on top of deep dark rich cherry berry fruit, earthy,and chewy tannins. It finishes with more lovely, slightly lingering, red cherry happiness.
This pricey Brunello is Sangiovese through and through and crafted for some life. The bricking (slight browning) is a bit surprising in that these should be age worthy for 15 years and beyond. I would drink this NOW to experience the lovely fruitiness still there although it will e a different wine in a couple years, it will be very pleasurable.
This was a gift but I see it at the $60-$70 price point. That's a little overshot for the wine but a nice treat. I will be serving it with my wife's lasagna!
Intense, inky purple with sweet aromas up front, spicy red and bark berry fruit with nicely balanced spices, tar, baker's chocolate.
Palate--Integrated, structured pleasant filling fruit, berry pie filling, savory spice at the end with a lingering finish.
A $10 (reference point $15) this multiple grape blend is delicious and priced below its value. It is drinking lovely and a bargain even if still at $15 so raise a glass!
Very pale straw hue with fruity aromas of spicy pear, apple, chinese five spice.
Palate--Lively spritzig (slight pin prick bubbles) with lovely tropical fruit flavors, subdue green apple and robust spicy pear.
This $7 Riesling from the Pfalz region of Germany is quite juicy and delicious. It is another Trader Joe's offering and is surprisingly good for the money. Chill it down a bit, and serve it with Asian cuisine or Indian or all by itself and raise a glass.
Intense dark black/purple with aromas of pine pitch, spicy black cherry,
Palate--Juicy foundation, lively savory, dark cherry and blackberry, pine, and a touch of mint. Finishes with a slight chewiness, and flavors linger a while telling you to get more!
For such a young cab from this AVA it is drinking quite well. It will be even better and more integrated in another 2-3 years. The Wine Enthusiast gave this a generous 93 points.
This was a gift from a special friend and it is a lovely Cabernet from Sonoma (Dry Creek Valley AVA) and sells for around $30. It will be paired with charcoal grilled short cut steak and it will be perfect.
Raise a glass!
Palate--Nicely made, relaxed profile, lovely Zin variertal fruit, everything in the bouquet shows up on the palate, with a nice finish that hangs on a bit saying "Drink More!"
This Lodi Calif. Zin is a fave of mine and you have seen it reviewed here many times. Trader Joes has a hard time keeping this in stock and the price has gone up from $7 to $10 in the past 3 years....... Still a value so raise a glass!
Nice pigmented dark garnet hue with aromas of leather, spicy currant, cigar ash, with underlayer of fresher red cherry-berry fruit
Palate--Bold presentation with ample fruit, solid structure, mid-palate of ruby red grapefruit, toffee, rear palate of baked, burnt apple, chewy tannins, and a fleeting though fruity finish.
This Chilean Cab from the Colchagua is a nice example of how solid the Chilean Cabernet landscape has developed over the decades into a world class contender. I paid $10 for this nice wine but expect to pay a bit more.
I am pairing it with my wife's homemade beef pot pie and it will be just fine.
*Ruby hue with aromas of spicy prunes, currants, and brighter red fruit above the rim.
Palate--Sweet front palate with a hefty foundation to carry the intense port sweetness without being cloying and the silky texture is alluring. Lovely prune whip, with voluptuous ripe dark berry fruit and more prunes. Finishes quickly but for the price makes you want more.
Pair this with fresh strawberries, or dark chocolate for a wonderful desert.
This Trader Joe's offering for $8 is al always bargain and buy more kind of wine. Our local TJ's has had a tough time keeping it in stock sop buy when you can and raise a glass!
This is as closed to being a "ruby" port as it gets but it is a Tawny. Typically should be a "tawny" or light brownish red due to the way it is made. For more information read my comments on other Tawny and Ruby and Vintage ports.
Palate-thickish texture with brooding dark fruit, cigar ash, bold tannins, good acidity promising aging potential. Fleeting finish, but a nice touch of carraway on the end.
The ridiculous thing here is I paid $6 for this Argentinian beauty which was listed at $16 which would have been a dc cent price at that point even.
Argentina makes spectacular Malbec and their Cabernet has been coming around for decades. This is a wonderful bargain and will only get better over the long haul. I believe this will pay big dividends if you can manage to wait another 5 years but is enjoyable right now. Raise a glass!
Palate--A touch watery texture with flavors of spicy fruit, a touch acidic and tannic. Finishes with a more sedate profile but nothing to write home about.
I paid $13 for this wine although it was marked down from $35. The latter price would have been absurd. At $13, it is "OK" but there are better values out there. This is a pass in my Zin book.
Pale straw hue with big grassy aromas with grapefruit, lemon, and vanilla touches.
Palate--surprisingly off dry with big grassy Sauvignon Blanc character, nice acidity, grapefruit rind, and a grapefruity finish!
This New Zealand S. Blanc is crisp, varietal, and will pair nicely with our seafood chowder tonight.
This will run you around $12 and it is drinks well so raise a glass!
Palate-luscious vibrant summer fruit, nice acidity, fleeting finish but some lingering tropical fruit on the very end.
One of my perennial faves this Russian River AVA Chard I found at $8 (down from $24) and should have bought a case. Rats...
Raise a glass!
Sparkling effervescent lightly golden hue on the first pour, with aromas of limes with sweet touch of vanilla.
Palate--Lively pin prick bubbles with fresh, limeade on a dancing platform. Gives an off dry but mostly dry front palate. Quite tasty.
This is a simple, but fun Portuguese Vinho Verde with a decent sense of acidity which will make it go well with any number of lighter fare and cheeses. Tonight I will pair it with my wife's cream of asparagus soup. We'll see how it works--or doesn't. Asparagus is one of the more challenging foods to pair with wine but nothing ventured. nothing gained!
At $8 for this quaff, raise a glass!
Palate--Tart first impression with mouth watering acidity, everything in the bouquet is present in the mouth. It's a tropical paradise of slightly tightly wound fruit but definite and delicious.
Insolia is the signature white grape of Sicily and has a great reputation and now I know why.
Here's the "get a grip factor:" This was $6 at a state liquor store I frequent when I am in the vicinity and they get massive buying power super good buys. I have made the 4 hour round trip several times just to go to these wine stores. Did mention they also have no sales tax so that is another 5.5% savings from what I would pay in my state if I could even them which I can't. So even with roughly $16 in tolls, gas and the time, it is still worth while making the trip. I was not familiar with this wine and I like it and will be pairing it with my wife's stir fry and it will be lovely so Raise a Glass.
Dark purple nearly black hue with big aromas of fruit carrying across the counter to my nose. Elegant ripe blackberry, currant, rich Damson Plum.
Palate--Silky tannins, somewhat austere opening, tightly wound and needs time to open up. Foundationally a solid Cab from a great AVA but right now, too closed to appreciate fully. Another 4 years would do it well but drinking enjoyably nevertheless.
Will be serving with charcoal grilled, prime sirloin steak for my Valentine of over 50 years. This was a gift and at about the $40 price point I expect more out of a wine. This is quite straight forward lacking complexity and muscle. Tasty? Again, yes but over priced by $15 or so.
Nearly crystal clear with aromas of gentle yet sweet citrus, tropical fruit melange deep in the bowl.
Palate--An off dry first impression with a good line of acidity, tightly wound at the moment but with warm, flavors of tropical fruit cocktail. Finishes rather quickly but with satisfying fruit.
A common grape of Alsace but also grown in Northern Italy and Germany. It is a very dry white wine yet its fruitiness can be confused with being "sweet." It is not. Chill it down some and enjoy it with buttery sauces, lighter cheeses and cream sauces with poultry.
I paid a ridiculous $6 for this wine so raise a glass!
*Obviously the label shown is a different vintage!
Palate--Well structured fruit on an intense front palate, all kinds of dark berry and ripe berry pie on opening. Needs to breathe! Even after a few minutes this wine is presenting as a refined, artfully crafted wine.
I am pairing this with charcoal grilled lamb chops and it is going to be spectacular. Raise a glass!
Straw hue with big aromas away from the glass of ripe rich summer fruit,
Palate--Surprisingly tart first impression with auster fruit.
This is a $7 rosé on sale and because of who made it, I grabbed it. Charles Smith is a noted Washington state winery who makes reliably good wine at numerous price points. At this juncture, this is surprisingly "tight." The bouquet is lively but the palate not so much.
If you pair this with the right food it will be ok for the price, but I wouldn't recommend it as an aperitif.
Palate--Slightly tart front palate, with puckery tannins and robust acidity. Tart raspberry and cherry.
Whoa! This is a lip smacking, over-the-top Douro (Portugal) creation that may be beyond mellowing out.
At 4 years of age it is not very approachable but then again I just opened it. I will see how this pairs with my Carbonara as sometimes these wines that are questionable by themselves are great with food. We shall see!
***With our dinner of carbonara, it really was a very nice pairing. For $6 raise a glass!
Palate--Still youthful a bit austere, tightly wound, high acidity, medium tannin structure.
This wine needs to open up so I will return to this and go at it again.
Single vineyard wines are by definition (sort of) the best quality wine you can buy since all the grapes come from the same source meaning they were all grown and treated and ripened in the same way at the same time. That inherently implies a better quality wine.
As I ams tasting this I am saying to myself, "This is not a very representative Cabernet Sauvignon." LOL That might be because it is NOT Cabernet Sauvignon... :)
There is potential here so I let it open up and see what we get!
Palate--Super sweet with silky texture, caramel or toffee, with a finish of baked caramel with a finish that lingers nicely.
I have not had this particular Tawny port and it is quite a nice wine especially for the price. It was a gift from a friend for whom I repaired their watch (I am a hobbyist watch devotee). Ruby ports are a dark cherry, "ruby" red whereas a tawny port is well, tawny or slightly brown. All ports are fermented as usual but the fermentation is stopped by adding a high alcohol beverage like brandy. The high alcohol kills the yeast and stops fermentation leaving a lot of residual sugar which is why ports are truly "sweet" wines. Because of the addition of alcohol to kill the yeast, ports are higher in alcohol than other red wines. This wine is nearly 20% alcohol.
This price point is around $18 and is a value for this wine so raise a glass.
Truly a beautifully golden hue with aromas floating across the space between me and the glass highlighted by ripe pineapple fragrance, cinnamon,
Palate--First impression is tropical fruit salad, pears, sweet spices, a lively touch of *spritzig (sparkle) and a creamy mid-palate screaming for you to take another quaff!
This is an Alsatian wine from Alsace which is sandwiched between France, Germany and Switzerland. I would call this the signature grape of Alsace (pronounced All-Sahs) although Sylvaner is another grape of the Alsatian wine industry.
This is SO ridiculously delicious I now regret not having bought a case! It was on sale for an absurd $6 when I would have given this wine rave reviews at 3 times the price. If you happen to be fortunate enough to find this in your neck of the woods, BUY it even at $18. It is fabulous example of what the pure Gewurztraminer (which means spicy traminer) grape can be.
I am pairing it with baked pork chops and sauerkraut and I think it will work superbly. Raise a glass!
Rich dark blackish, purple hue with big aromas in a distinctive bouquet that I am having difficulty identifying. Woody cedar? with underlying dark fruit, and black olives which is a first for me!
Palate--Big, angular first impression, with a rich texture, huge berry presence, with rich savory spices, and a mouth feel that is luxuriant. Finish is long and vibrant with those black olives very present. This wine needs another 3-5 years of age to be appreciated.
Chilean Cabernet is a wine worth seeking out and always is a great value. Even the pricey "Don Melchor" from Concha Y Toro is a relative bargain for the price. This is a lesser level of Montes' productions and it well done. It can be enjoyed now but so much MORE will arise later down the road. I found this gem for a ridiculous $6 on a special so Raise a glass!
Palate--Big zesty mouth feel with dense dark, thickish, rich brooding fruit and loads of exciting Zin fruit that lingers on the finish!
I just got this on special and then on sale from the special so I paid $7 for this gem. Lodi is coming around as one of my favorite Zin regions that I have available near me. (Sonoma is still my fave)
I just discovered that I reviewed this wine just back in October 1. Sheesh, I had no idea. At any rate at the end of the day, though a slightly different review, I liked it then and I love it now! Raise a glass!
Light straw hue with aromas of sweet vanilla, orange blossom, tropical fruit and creme brulee.
Palate--Lovely acidic front with loads of mouth watering fruit with tropical fruit, ripe pineapple, mandarin orange, and a fruity finish that lingers a good while.
Riesling is one of the most under appreciated grapes around. It is a lovely aperitif, or a gerat Summer chilled kind of poolside wine all by itself and it is lovely with normally hard to pair wine to go with Asian and Indian cuisine.
King Fu Girl is a Washington State Riesling made by the iconoclastic Charles Smith. His wines are well crafted, and reasonably priced. At $12 it is always a pleaser so raise a glass!
