SPHERE (Paso Robles) [California AVA] "RED WINE" 2021

SPHERE  (Paso Robles) [California AVA]  "RED WINE"  2021Garnet hue with what looks like "bricking" already. A pleasant fruity bouquet of mixed fruit, consisting of red berries, cherry, and warm mulled wine.

Palate--Lively acidity, a confusing of a melange of red fruits and spices with a touch of a bitter finish.

OK--First this is the objective review regardless of price etc. It is not a great wine to be sure and it is not in some ways even a good wine. BUT--There are a zillion wines "out there" (many which have an animal on the label (because animals sell...) which are twice the price of this wine and are absolutely "manufactured" plonk. This is a genuine effort made from an amalgam of fruit from all over the region og the Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area) which has some gravitas!

So here is the get a grip factor: This wine is $5!  Read that again 5 bucks! and for that you get an honest wine, that will be fine with crackers and a host of stronger cheeses and a tomato based pasta dish and on and on.  Serve it with a bit of a chill on it and it will be even better.  For $5, at Trader Joe's RAISE A GLASS!

Josh Zinfandel Reserve (Bourbon Barrel Aged) 2021

Gorgeous deep purple hue with aromas of spicy Zin fruit and goodness of well made joy.

Palate--Robust, perky first impression with loads of fruit forward joy in a well made and integrated Zinfandel. 

The perfect pizza wine in my opinion and many other comestibles for sure. It was a bargain buy when I bought it on close out at about $7 which is less than half what it might normally run.  If you see it, grab a few bottles.  This will only get better and better for the next 5 years.  Raise a glass!

Porto Morgado LBV 2021

 

Deep deep aubergine hue with aromas of a tightly wound bouquet full of dark ripe berries, but needs to open up and come to room temp.

Palate--Intensely rich with massive ripe black berry on a silky foundation that sits "thick"in the mouth. It is wondrously textured, sweet but simple in that it is not complex never-the-less begs to be drunk.

I have been drinking bottles and bottle of Porto Morgado ports for years because they are offered routinely at Trader joes for an absurd price of $7 several years ago, to a still ultra value price of $9.  This *LBV (Late Bottled Vintage Port) is again offered at a ridiculous price of $15.  I have NEVER seen this wine at Trader Joe's for the many years I have been shopping there. I was giddy as a school boy seeing this for the first time and at such a TJ's value price.  See it; grab it, drink it; buy more! Raise a glass!

*The respected Wine Enthusiast explains Late Bottled Vintage Port thusly: Let’s start with the definition. LBV = late, bottled, vintage.

Late means that, unlike true vintage Port (aged two years before bottling and released to be aged much longer), producers release LBV four to six years after the vintage.

Once bottled, LBV should be ready to drink, not several years down the road. LBV that is true to its name should have some of the character of a vintage—balanced fruit and tannin from a single year and good depth of flavor.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir (California) 2024 *(label not exact...)

 

Pretty garnet hue with a spicy front, and strawberry/raspberry body. 

Palate--There's not a lot here and even though $10 it is palatable. Please note however that Castle Rock makes some really nice Pinots for only a couple bucks more. 

This is labeled "California" which means it is a blend of Pinot Noir grapes from all over the state. These always tend to be of lesser quality but still very drinkable.  Try their Central Coast Pinot Noir or their Mendocino Pinot's and raise a glass!

St-Francis "Old Vines" Zinfandel (Sonoma) 2021

 

Intensely deep, nearly black, hue with wonderful "Zinny" aromas of savory spice, maple on the edge, spicy raspberry. 

Palate--Vibrant first impression with lip smacking acidity and intensity with bold, full bodied structure. Fruit is gargantuan--raspberry/cranberry--even if still immature needing a couple more years. Lingering finish that has more berries saying, drink me!

I splurged (for me) and it did not disappoint. I departed from my typical $10 price point paying around $18 (I think) and I am glad I did.  I will be pairing it with charcoal grilled sirloin on the grill even at 7 degrees outside. Raise a glass!

Famille Perrin Côtes Du Rhône Reserve 2022

Deep Purple hue with aromas of subdued perfumy luscious berry fruit, with gentle spicing with???

Palate--First impression is a lusciously textured elegant presentation with everything presenting in a balanced and non-ostentatious way. It is ready to go out of the bottle but will benefit from an hour or two of breathing. The finish is surprisingly quick...

I am pairing this seductive GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) blend with my wife's dinner of what is called, "Marry Me! Chicken..." IDK!  Never had it but we'll see how it goes. Check my previous reviews of a different vintage.  Pretty similar. 

This is a Trader Joe's value offering for around $12 and it's a winner so raise a glass!

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel 2022 (LODI)

Lovely deep eggplant hue with big aromas of spicy dark berry and a deeper darkl floral note that mimics strawberry cream bon bons.

Palate--Clean presentation on the palate with intense flavors of all that is in the nose. It is supple, vibrantly spicy and delicious! 

Yes I have reviewed this recently and I always re-review my wines because the simplest change in the room where you are reviewing, the simplest change in your health (on coming cold) cooking odors, you never know. 

This Lodi California AVA produces lots of Zinfandels and honestly, while Sonoma was always my favorite AVA, what I am tasting out of Lodi is winning me over and often times they are close to half the price of a Sonoma Zin. 

I just ground some marginal beef to make bacon cheese burgers with mac N cheese. This will be perfect! At under $8 raise a glass!

Lobster Reef Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) 2023

Straw hue with aromas of grassy goodness, lemon/lime, and wet stones.

Palate--Classic S. Blanc profile (New World) with racy acidity, loads of grass, lemon, and lime with palate cleansing freshness.

I had this tonight with Maine lobster and steamers with my wife of 52 years celebrating her end of her current chemo therapy due to a hideous blood dyscrasia called AML--Acute Myeloid Leukemia... 

We have a long road ahead but we grab all the victories when we can. I found this nice Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand--a powerhouse New World wine region--and this is a great example of the grape which is vastly different from the French version that goes back centuries...

At $12, it was perfect with steamer clams and lobster so raise a glass!

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier (White blend) 2024

Gentle golden touched hue with aromas of Lemon, creme brulee, Granny Smith green apple.

Palate--Lightly dancing on your tongue with a slight sparkle, off dry, with loads of tropical fruit, lovely balanced acidity and a creamy finish.

Chenin Blanc used to be a jug wine back in the 70's and was considered "plonk" a cheap wine barely palatable but enough alcohol to give one a buzz. It was the "Rodney Dangerfield" of wine grapes and got No Respect--rightly so...As time went on this grape which was and is a staple of the Loire Valley of France. It is a beautiful grape making a wonderfully seductive wine. 

Viognier-pronounced Vee-Ohn-YAY, was a blending grape for all kinds of wine. It is in its own right another very nice floral known for its beautiful bouquet. At around the $12 price point you cannot beat it!  I am pairing it with baked chicken legs with root vegetables and I know from experience it will be GREAT--so raise a glass!

Sin Zin Sonoma 2020. (Sonoma)

Purple with garnet tint hue and aromas of red berries, dried cranberries.

Palate--Balanced first impression with prominent berry goodness and  Zin spice with a finish of darker berries.

Previously reviewed I do not remember what I paid for it but I know it wasn't the listed price of $16-20. It is a decent Zin worth grabbing if you can find it under $16. Pairing it with Sunday night pizza ala the iconic "Lou Malnati's" deep dish pizza.  Living in Maine but being Chicago born and bred, we crave "real" pizza... Raise a glass and a pizza from Lou's aka "A Taste of Chicago."  

Please note--I get NOTHING for this endorsement! :) 

Corvelia Zinfandel (Paso Robles) 2023

 

Deep rich eggplant hue with aromas of saltines, charred wood, and blackberry pie with gentle spice.

Palate-- Rich, spicy, fruit forward with deep dark black berry, lip smacking tannins and a fleeting finish. 

Corvelia has been one of my Trader Joe's faves since it arrived. Their Cabernet is also one of my faves and both at $10 cannot be beaten.  Reviewed before numerous times, I am having this my wife's homemade beef stew so raise a glass!