Palate-- First impression is slightly acidic with youthful tannins, and tightly wound berry flavors. Structure seems to mellow out quickly with a confused palate and quick finish.
I paid $10 for this today at Trader Joe's. I would pass on this just because there are MANY wines at this price point which are more interesting and better constructed. Eg. Tasted side by side with the Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon I blogged a couple days ago and the Chilean is more interesting and better made. FWIW
Palate--Out of the gate a youthful structure with lots of fruit, a bit of angularity to it (expected for such a youthful wine) with a slightly vegetal finish. There isn't much depth here but then again this is a "table wine" kind of offering at a very reasonable price of around $8.
Casillero Del Diablo has a fond place in my heart as it was one of the earliest wine I could afford back in the mid 70's and was always a value kind of wine. This is not what you would expect from a quality "Cabernet Sauvignon" but remember you didn't pay $50-$150 and up for this bottle...
It is juicy and a good buy for the money so raise a glass!
Palate--spicy hints, balanced ripe berry and cranberry.
I find this every so often for a ridiculous $7 and grab as much as I can handle at the moment. Raise a glass!
Garnet/ruby hue with aromas of lightly charred wood, with dark black cherries and berry.
Palate--First impression youthful foundation needing a bit more time to come around. A nice dark berry and wood mid-palate with a pretty quick finish.
I would call this Coppola's "entry level" cab and for what I paid for it it is a decent start. $18 is overpriced. Unremarkable Cab from Coppola priced at $18 but I found it for $12. Pairing with charcoal grilled "short cut steak." Raise a glass (at $12)
Palate--Acidic foundation, with perky citrus fruit mid palate, and lighter tropical fruit on the end. Finishes quickly and clean.
I paired this with a "seafood" chowder from a very popular local restaurant in central Maine. It cost $41 for a quart out of their refrigerator and while that seems pricey (and it is) it is the BEST seafood chowder I have ever had chocked full of shrimp, lobster, haddock or cod. The acidic back bone of this Portuguese, "off-dry" white wine is a perfect accompaniment to this wonderful dish. I paid $7 for this regularly priced bottle at $15. Raise a glass!
Palate--Pin prick bubbles in good amounts, with a burst of lemon lime on the palate with that elusive tropical "something" finishing quickly.
This is a "go-to" sparkler from Trader Joe's which is a reliable bargain at $8! I am having charcoal grilled chicken thighs with baked cheese curds, and this will be a refreshing palate cleanse. So chill it down well, and enjoy as an aperitif or with appetizers or pool side with nothing but the value joy it brings on a hot summer day. Raise a glass!
*(NV) Means this wine is not a vintage wine meaning the grapes can be sourced from multiple years' harvests.
So I hope you keep checking in and exploring the world of wine. And on a technical note--I have not had a single comment, not even spam (for which I am grateful) which makes me wonder what I have toggled to prohibit your input. Note--I am 73 years old, not a tech. geek for sure, but not utterly ignorant either and while I have checked my settings to allow comments, they all seem to be in order but...
Anyway--RAISE A GLASS!
A luxuriant deep, dark purple hue with aromas of tight blackberry compote with a spring floral bouquet.
Palate--An angular acidic first impression which I wasn't expecting. Fruit forward as one would expect and too immature to really enjoy what's there. Never-the-less this is a well made, inexpensive cabernet which is underpriced, for what's there. If you have the space and the patience, this could yield big rewards with another 2-3 years of aging.
I am pairing with charcoal grilled "bistro steaks" and it will be perfect. Listed at $17, I paid $12 for it which is a bargain so raise a glass!
Palate--"Sweetish" first impression but this is NOT a sweet wine. Nice LODI Zin fruit galore and while it has a quick finish it is what I want in my Zins! Well made, easy to drink, robust fruit and a touch (in this vintage) of a hint of savory spice. This is up there with Zins I have had costing half again as much.
At $10, this is a don't even think about it and just buy it! Raise a glass!
Palate--First impression is a much bigger wine than its hue might indicate. Acidic boldness but not overpowering--give it another couple years perhaps. Finish is quick with not a lot of complexity as I expected but then again the reason I love Grenache is for its fruity simplicity bordering on elegance when well made as Stolpman does to perfection. It is a gorgeous wine in the glass by appearance but a touch disappointing on the palate. Too young--perhaps.
Many years ago whole on a wine trip to Santa Barbara I stopped in Jaffurs and met some of the staff but Craig was in Europe--go figure... :) After a superior contact with these good folks we made our way to town to the tasting room of Stolpman. It was spacious, friendly, elegant but not pretentious, and the staff there was also superb! Great conversation... So when I ran across this at a New Hampshire Liquor store I was stunned and had to buy it. Living in Maine specifically I have never seen a Stolpman production in 4 decades. I was truly excited to find this and while listed at $40 it was on sale for $17. Fresh, clean, mouth watering juiciness I will be pairing it with my Sunday night "Lou Malnatti's" Chicago Deep Dish pizza and I know it will be great so raise a glass!
