Palate--a touch thin texturally, with solid Zinfandel fruit but with a surprising metallic mid palate, with more dark berry fruit and a hint of tomato juice at the finish.
Previously reviewed, I haven't had this in a few months so I grabbed one to see what was happening with it. Served a bit too warm but at the right temp it's still a good quaff so raise a glass! $12 will do it for ya.
Pale straw hue with aromas of Lemon, lime, tropical fruit, and oil.
Palate--The slightest spritzig present with enticing flavors of wonderful fruity fruit salad, (that's right I said it) and sufficient acidity to make it quite nice!
Pairing with Asian take-out tonight and it will be prefect. Marked down from $15 to $7 it is a steal so raise a glass!
Deep rich, eggplant hue with aromas of "thick" ripe blackberry fruit, maybe a hint of blueberry, pie crust, spices, and more.
Palate--Finessed first impression with silky tannins, bold dark berry fruit flavors, spice, rich rear palate with a lingering finish of more blackberry fruit.
This previously reviewed wine just a couple months ago is a very nice expression of the Malbec grape, the signature grape of Argentina. A "Single Vineyard" wine is generally significantly higher in price because of limited production and consistency of quality and care over a particular parcel of grapes. To think of finding a single vineyard wine of any strip for around the $10 price point is foolhardy and yet here it is.
Another Trader Joe's super value wine is worth buying in a case lot as it will only get better for the next 5-7 years so raise a glass! I am pairing it with BBQ'd chicken thighs and it will be perfect!
Beautiful pink hue with bigtime strawberry nose.
Palate--An acidic beam is front and center, with sharp strawberry, raspberry notes and biting citrus in the background with an apple finish at the end.
Rosé fell out of fashion in the 70's being peddled as a crappy, cheap quaff kind of made for people who don't like wine. It was virtually all "plonk!" Then years later something happened and wineries started taking rosés seriously and made some very nice ones. During those year Tavel (France) was one of the rare standouts who took pride in making something of a work of art and for some reason a global change took place as global wineries took it seriously and the Rosé revolution took hold.
This is a $10 Trader Joe's offering that is quite a genuine wine with character and place so raise a glass!
Palate--Slight sparkle with tropical fruit compote, ripe melon, green apple.
Reviewed in June I still review wines I have had even recently. I do this to test myself and keep myself on track, (consistency) but also to look for bottle variation, and or a wine beginning to fail.
Another Trader Joe's value at $6 and while not head turning, it is a sound enough wine at $6 to recommend it so raise a glass!
Dark aubergine hue with aromas of dried cherries, roasted bread,
Palate--Watery first impression but big robust, Tuscan fruit, spices, rigid acidity, wood, and a lingering finish that has staying power.
This is a gripping Tuscan creation, with vibrant structure and will reward one with the ability to age this wine for several more years. There's a lot going on here that just hasn't had time to reveal its power.
I will be pairing this tonight with my wife's homemade Italian soup and it should be a perfect pairing. It was listed at $25 but I found it for $15. Raise a glass!
Dark cherry hue with aromas of big bold black cherry with plenty of 'Zinny" spice.
Palate--Tart first impression with an austere structure, "hot" with watery texture and fleeting Zin fruit.
My wife picked this up while traveling and paid $22 for it. I would not have purchased this wine as I am familiar with it and it isn't a $20 wine... But the love of my life thought she was getting a "treat" for her husband so I will drink it with delight and being reminded (though I don't need a reminder) of why we have been married for over 50 years.
This will be OK with my grilled bratwurst so it will be a good meal! For what it's worth, the Wine Enthusiast gave this wine 93 points and a vigorously complex bouquet and palate. I would give it an 86...maybe.
Straw hue with a distinctive bouquet of citrus, and a hard to pin down basket of wonderful aromas.
Palate--Tart first impression with rigid acidity, citrus galore, unripe peach, and a melange of exotic spices.
The Verdejo grape is a Spanish concoction with an interesting profile. The Rueda region of Spain is the home of this pungent grape. It is a novel treat with an exciting palate with nice acidity to cleanse the palate of anything buttery or fat laden. I paid $7 for this mark down from $15 and it's a nice experience so raise a glass!
Nearly clear but slight straw hue with aromas of lime, white summer melon, and stones.
Palate--Super minerally first impression a tad "flabby" for my preference, (meaning lacking acidity) nice fruity lime and melon with wet stones, and a clean finish that is quick.
I paid $6 for this marked down from $15 at an out of state liquor store. Geyser Peak is one of the many wines that takes me back in time my early days of wine exploration. We're talking late 70's...
I live in Maine so on this Labor Day my wife of 51 years took in a portion of the coastline with a spectacular day in Rockland, Camden and Belfast. After coming home I ordered 2 soft shell lobsters, and a pound of steamer clams. They are cooked for you and you just pick them up. Total cost excluding the wine--$30. Raise a glass!
Dark purple/garnet hue with zesty blackberry pie, oak and spice.
Palate--Concentrated blackberry, with a note of blueberry, and wood.
This oft reviewed wine is a go to when I find it on sale ($9) and it pairs well with such a variety of foods and drinks well all by itself. Tonight it will be served with our Sunday night tradition of pizza; Lou Malnatti's imported from Chicago by the case and the pair never disappoints so raise a glass!
