Palate-- Watery texture, with forward dark cherry-berry fruit, and a touch of savory spice. Finishes better than it starts but is just "meah."
Clos Du Bois (pronounced "Do-Bwah") was one of the early California wineries I cut my teeth on some 45 years ago when beginning this lovely journey through viticulture. Clos du Bois can make some nice wine. This isn't one of them.
Palate--Fruity dark berry with a savory foundation. Mouth feel is a bit clunky and finishes quickly.
Charles Smith can make good wine. But that takes time and selection etc. This is called House Wine I am guessing because it is a generic kind of red wine that you might see on a typical chain restaurant. But in a restaurant a glass of this might cost you as much $10 whereas the whole bottle costs around $10.
It's what you would expect out of a $10 Cabernet. I will have it with charcoal broiled chicken smothered in BBQ sauce.
Pallet-- lovely acidity, A bit of an old world flare, hint of milk chocolate rear pallet and what you taste up front is what lingers on.
*Bricking--A a red wine ages it oxidizes and begins to take on a brownish tint first noticeable at the rim when tilted under good lighting. This is a characteristic of an aging wine is not a flaw. Some people love it, (I happen to be one of them) others do not. It does mean that the wine should be drunk fairly quickly...
I was not familiar with the producer of this very nice Pinot Noir. It is quite different demonstrating "terroir" and the appeal of "single vineyard wines. They also tend to cost a good bit more.
This was served by my daughter on a recent visit and runs around $35.
Palate--Lively structure with a balanced presentation of fruit and body, very nice savory spiced cherry/berry fruit with a fleeting finish.
This Spanish blend of 40% Tempranillo, 25%Syrah, 25% Garnacha, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon is well made and for the money $7, I mean you really cannot pass this up. Raise a glass!
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!
