Interesting orange hue with aromas primarily of sweet Chinese 5 spice, and gentle raspberry.
Palate--Vibrant acidity, a light citrus note in the mid palate, tart raspberry, a lighter finish but nice.
This rosé, made from the pride of Spain (the Tempranillo grape), is a well made food worthy rosé. Tonight I will have it with Brats, four cheese tortellini, salad and fresh garden string beans sauteed in butter.
I found this for $9 marked down from $18. Raise a glass at $9!
Deep purple as expected from this grape with aromas Slight hint of ruby red grapefruit, gentle fruit above the rim not characteristic of the grape, subdued but very nice ripe berry fruits, plum and savory yet sweet spices.
Palate--Absolutely silky texture, with seductive tannins that grow while on the palate. Lots of dark and mixed berries fighting to get out; needs time to come around and open up. Fleeting finish but c'mon, read below...
Mclaren Vale is one of Australia's great wine regions and they produce gazillions of tons of grapes which means BIG production which is why they can offer this wine for the ridiculous price of $6 at Trader Joes. It is not classic Shiraz but it's a great price so...
Should improve over the next 2 years and be a value wine to be grabbed. Raise a glass!
Beautiful crystalline magenta hue with lovely aromas of sweet red berry, then more mature darker red fruit with plum and a hint of mocha and cinnamon.
Palate--Bold presentation with loads of minerality on the first impression, rigid acidity, ample plum and pie cherry underneath.
This is from the Castillon a sub region of Bordeaux and is really well made and should be holding for a number of years beyond In fact it will only improve for the next 3-5 years, If you have the discipline buy several and lay a couple down for the future and I believe you will be rewarded.
Pairing this tonight with strip steak grilled with charcoal. At $45 retail, found it on sale for $15 and it is a bargain so raise a glass.
Bright tart cherry with an nice citrus beam even if a bit unusual, with a note of mandarin orange!
Palate--Steely front with the same citrusy mid palate with cherry notes and citrusy finish that lingers.
Tavel is the only area in the Rhone Valley of France which has made a quality Rosé for decades. When the world was producing nothing but "Plonk" in many countries Teval made a lovely wine which iit is to this day. It has Character, finesse, structure and is well worth seeking out. At the $10 price point at Trader Joe's.
I will pair it with my chinese dinner and it will be great so raise a glass!
Palate--Relaxed tannins with nice fruit forward rich berry presence, ripe plum in the middle and a lasting finish that keeps on giving.
Columbia Crest is the highest point on the breathtaking glaciated Mt. Rainier. My name happens to be recorded in the book at the summit having been as climber back in the 80's. Living there for about 3 years we loved the majestic vista, Rainier Nat'l Park and this was all before the Silicon Valley migration to seattle.
Columbia Crest Wines have established themselves as reliable value producing wines that you can buy without hesitation. This is no exception. At the $12 price point raise a glass!
Bouquet is rather lighter than usual with pronounced strawberry bouquet, with chilled tomato juice notes, and spices.
Palate--Nice fruity front withagain strawberry notes with savory spices, a twinge of dark cocoa in the finish.
It's been a while since I have had Four Vines Zinfandel and I always enjoy them. At the $12 price point it's a no brainer! Raise a glass...
Purple deep hue in center of bowl with a tinge of bricking at the rim. Aromas of raw beef, in the bowl with unique minced meat nuances, and more but needs to open. Smoked mushrooms,...
Palate--Mature structure with sophisticated tannins, nice balance with acid and structured, around fruit that eludes me!
This will be a nice pairing with my strip steak (charcoal grilled) for my bride and our 51st anniversary. Funny thing is I bought this recently at a Sam's Club and thought it was $10. It was in the wrong bin and I was surprised to see my receipt at home for $25. But even at that, this is a very nice wine, and worth every bit of qhat I paid for it so "Raise a glass!"
Lighter golden hue with aromas of Cantaloupe, musk melon with a squeeze of lime juice on top with sweet vanilla pudding on the edge.
Palate--Vibrant mouth feel, nice acidity with loads of zesty fruit, lovely structured wine with a nice mouth feel and finish that lingers.
The Languedoc region of France is a reliable producer of all manner of the wines they ship and they are always a very nice value. This is no exception.
Serve this chilled at pool side, with cheeses and crackers, or pair it with a variety of seafoods and French onion soup as I am having tonight. At $13, this is a definite raise a glass!
Opaque, garnet hue with aromas of subtle milk chocolate, cherry berry, strawberry licorice.
Palate--Clean cherry and berry flavors with rigid acidity, mid-palate savory spices and cocoa, finishing with a black licorice ending.
This is one of my favorite budget Montepulciano D'Abruzzos and never disappoints. It goes with all kinds of Italian themed dishes but I served it with my wife's special dinner of boneless rib eyes on the charcoal and hardwood grill. It was perfect. I grabbed this for $9 at my favorite wine shop in Portland, Maine and will return tomorrow to see if I can score any more. Raise a glass!
Purple/garnet hue with aromas of nice sweetish red/purple flowers, violets, with a savory yet sweet spice note overlying it all.
Palate--Decent first impression, with relaxed tannins and structure. Notes of Berry beams down the middle, with nuances that remind of numerous fruity, Italian wines, but honestly not much of *Zinfandel.
I am having this with indoor pan grilled Bratwurst--due to heavy rains, sauteed onions and green peppers on top and it will be great!
*Primitivo is the genetic "parent" of what we know as Zinfandel. Zinfandel was unique to the United States although S. Africa and Australia now produce Zinfandel as I understand. I have never seen one however.
My wife bought this for me for Father's Day and I believe it runs around $16. Raise a glass!
Palate--Cranberry driven first impression with a sweet tartness, andsome stern minerality.
I'm not sure about this wine as a matter of preference. It is a decent enough summery kind of wine chilled down well, and reminds me of Beaujolais Nouveau in the sense that it can be quaffed without having to parse every nuance of the grape but rather just enjoy it with friends.
I am going to have it with charcoal grilled venison burgers and we'll see what happens. For around $9 its worth a try.
