La Sonriente Garnacha 2022

Youthful deep purple with aromas of ripe plum 

Palate--Fruity front with lively acidity which tingles on the tongue, lots of spicy dark fruit of rich plum with a touch of a rustic finish.

Garnacha aka Grenache is one of Spains treasures and is always fruity, lively and fairly uncomplicated making it a nice quaff for appetizers, a main course or all by itself. At $7 ya gotta grab at least 6 of these for the versatility it brings and the economy as well.

Pairing it with charcoal grilled chicken so raise a glass!

SYRAH The Originals (Washington State) 2022

 

Deep purple with aromas of sweet berry pie or jam with gentle pie spicing.

Palate--Fruity first impression, made in a straight-forward manner, yet with big dark berry goodness that is rich and pleasing. Finishes quickly. 

I paid $10 for this at Trader Joe's thinking it was one of Charles Shaw's creations due to the Shaw-like labeling. It is uncomplicated and will pair well with a great variety of cheeses and cuisine. Tonight I am pairing it with a beef stir fry and it will work quite well.  Raise a glass!

NDP Red Blend (Vin de Pays d'Oc) 2012

 

Fairly intense *brickish red hue with aromas of grapefruit peel, subdued red berry fruit, slightest note of forest floor...

Palate--Big first impression with a blast of vibrant, lively fruit on a bold structure, with mid-palate of slightly sweet and savory spice albeit very gentle. Finishes quickly yet leaving a reminder that you might want another sip.

This is a non-vintage blend of I don't know what grapes. Which means it is a hodge podge of grape varieties as well as may be a hodge-podge of grapes or grape juice from one or more vintages. I think I paid about $8 for this at Trader Joe's and it is tasty enough and made well.  In general wines from the Pays d'Oc (region of France) tend to be value wines and tasty. I reviewed this wine back in Feb. of 2023 so you can see how the wine has fared over that time.  At $8 it's not a bad quaff at all so raise a glass.

Wine geek stuff:          *Brickish red hue--"Bricking" in wine terms refers to a brick red colored rim on the bowl of the wine indicative of a wine that is [potentially beginning] to show its age. However a grape like Nebiolo will show an appearance of bricking when in fact it is simply the color of the grape juice even when it is young.

Patôn-Clemente Tempranillo (La Mancha) 2021

Deep garnet hue with nice aromas of balanced cherry-berry fruit with gentle spices and other cherry berry notes.

Palate-Lively structure with youthful mouth feel and plenty of berry goodness but needs some time to ease up on the angularity of the it all.  Finishes abruptly.

This is a crazy $7 Trader Joe's wine and is worth the money for sure.  Should be a nice food wine so pairing it with homemade lasagna this evening.

"B" by Fonbadet 2019

Deep dark black cherry hue with amazing aromas of plum, black cherry, licorice, eucalyptus and probably more to emerge.

Palate-  Favorable first impression with rigid acidity, tannic backbone, steely front palate, impressive dark berry and plum fruit, with a lively finish that keeps on giving. 

OK this is somewhat surreal. I see this wine listed on line as high as $35 but I paid 
$8 for it from Trader Joe's.  What the heck is going on???  This is a hefty wine that will pair well with a large variety of foods but I am putting with charcoal grilled chuck eye steaks. I will also be hoping to grab a lot more of this fro TJ's as it has the gusto to age well for another decade so raise many glasses!!!

1000 Stories (Bourbon barrel aged) Zinfandel 2021

 

This sourced Zin presents with a slightly bricked red hue with aromas of blackberry fruit.    

Palate-- Gives a "sweet" first impression but of course it is NOT sweet but fruity!  Decently structured with big Zinfandel plum and berry flavors and to me not a hint of the "bourbon barrel aging" which for my taste is a good thing! 

This runs around $16 which is about 20% to high just for reference. 

Four Vines Zinfandel 2021 (Lodi)

 

Garnet hue with what seems to be a slight bricking at the rim with aromas of touch of blueberry, espresso.

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.

Dr. Fischer Steinbeck Riesling 2021

 

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!

Belhara Estates Single Vineyard Malbec 2021

 

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!

Reserve des Chastelles Tavel Rosé 2023

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!

Joseph Handler Riesling 2023

Pale Straw hue with aromas of green apple, melon, powder, sweet lemon

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!

Val Delle Rose Morellino DI Scansano 2021

 

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!

Wild Thing 2021 Old Vine Zinfandel (Mendocino County)

 

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.

Navesu 2022 Verdejo (Rueda)

 

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! 

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (California)

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!

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2021

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!