What's the Best Wine for Superbowl Sunday?

 

BEER!   Go Pats!

SPHERE (Paso Robles) [California AVA] "RED WINE" 2021

SPHERE  (Paso Robles) [California AVA]  "RED WINE"  2021Garnet hue with what looks like "bricking" already. A pleasant fruity bouquet of mixed fruit, consisting of red berries, cherry, and warm mulled wine.

Palate--Lively acidity, a confusing of a melange of red fruits and spices with a touch of a bitter finish.

OK--First this is the objective review regardless of price etc. It is not a great wine to be sure and it is not in some ways even a good wine. BUT--There are a zillion wines "out there" (many which have an animal on the label (because animals sell...) which are twice the price of this wine and are absolutely "manufactured" plonk. This is a genuine effort made from an amalgam of fruit from all over the region og the Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area) which has some gravitas!

So here is the get a grip factor: This wine is $5!  Read that again 5 bucks! and for that you get an honest wine, that will be fine with crackers and a host of stronger cheeses and a tomato based pasta dish and on and on.  Serve it with a bit of a chill on it and it will be even better.  For $5, at Trader Joe's RAISE A GLASS!

Josh Zinfandel Reserve (Bourbon Barrel Aged) 2021

Gorgeous deep purple hue with aromas of spicy Zin fruit and goodness of well made joy.

Palate--Robust, perky first impression with loads of fruit forward joy in a well made and integrated Zinfandel. 

The perfect pizza wine in my opinion and many other comestibles for sure. It was a bargain buy when I bought it on close out at about $7 which is less than half what it might normally run.  If you see it, grab a few bottles.  This will only get better and better for the next 5 years.  Raise a glass!

Porto Morgado LBV 2021

 

Deep deep aubergine hue with aromas of a tightly wound bouquet full of dark ripe berries, but needs to open up and come to room temp.

Palate--Intensely rich with massive ripe black berry on a silky foundation that sits "thick"in the mouth. It is wondrously textured, sweet but simple in that it is not complex never-the-less begs to be drunk.

I have been drinking bottles and bottle of Porto Morgado ports for years because they are offered routinely at Trader joes for an absurd price of $7 several years ago, to a still ultra value price of $9.  This *LBV (Late Bottled Vintage Port) is again offered at a ridiculous price of $15.  I have NEVER seen this wine at Trader Joe's for the many years I have been shopping there. I was giddy as a school boy seeing this for the first time and at such a TJ's value price.  See it; grab it, drink it; buy more! Raise a glass!

*The respected Wine Enthusiast explains Late Bottled Vintage Port thusly: Let’s start with the definition. LBV = late, bottled, vintage.

Late means that, unlike true vintage Port (aged two years before bottling and released to be aged much longer), producers release LBV four to six years after the vintage.

Once bottled, LBV should be ready to drink, not several years down the road. LBV that is true to its name should have some of the character of a vintage—balanced fruit and tannin from a single year and good depth of flavor.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir (California) 2024 *(label not exact...)

 

Pretty garnet hue with a spicy front, and strawberry/raspberry body. 

Palate--There's not a lot here and even though $10 it is palatable. Please note however that Castle Rock makes some really nice Pinots for only a couple bucks more. 

This is labeled "California" which means it is a blend of Pinot Noir grapes from all over the state. These always tend to be of lesser quality but still very drinkable.  Try their Central Coast Pinot Noir or their Mendocino Pinot's and raise a glass!

St-Francis "Old Vines" Zinfandel (Sonoma) 2021

 

Intensely deep, nearly black, hue with wonderful "Zinny" aromas of savory spice, maple on the edge, spicy raspberry. 

Palate--Vibrant first impression with lip smacking acidity and intensity with bold, full bodied structure. Fruit is gargantuan--raspberry/cranberry--even if still immature needing a couple more years. Lingering finish that has more berries saying, drink me!

I splurged (for me) and it did not disappoint. I departed from my typical $10 price point paying around $18 (I think) and I am glad I did.  I will be pairing it with charcoal grilled sirloin on the grill even at 7 degrees outside. Raise a glass!

Famille Perrin Côtes Du Rhône Reserve 2022

Deep Purple hue with aromas of subdued perfumy luscious berry fruit, with gentle spicing with???

Palate--First impression is a lusciously textured elegant presentation with everything presenting in a balanced and non-ostentatious way. It is ready to go out of the bottle but will benefit from an hour or two of breathing. The finish is surprisingly quick...

I am pairing this seductive GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) blend with my wife's dinner of what is called, "Marry Me! Chicken..." IDK!  Never had it but we'll see how it goes. Check my previous reviews of a different vintage.  Pretty similar. 

This is a Trader Joe's value offering for around $12 and it's a winner so raise a glass!

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel 2022 (LODI)

Lovely deep eggplant hue with big aromas of spicy dark berry and a deeper darkl floral note that mimics strawberry cream bon bons.

Palate--Clean presentation on the palate with intense flavors of all that is in the nose. It is supple, vibrantly spicy and delicious! 

Yes I have reviewed this recently and I always re-review my wines because the simplest change in the room where you are reviewing, the simplest change in your health (on coming cold) cooking odors, you never know. 

This Lodi California AVA produces lots of Zinfandels and honestly, while Sonoma was always my favorite AVA, what I am tasting out of Lodi is winning me over and often times they are close to half the price of a Sonoma Zin. 

I just ground some marginal beef to make bacon cheese burgers with mac N cheese. This will be perfect! At under $8 raise a glass!

Lobster Reef Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) 2023

Straw hue with aromas of grassy goodness, lemon/lime, and wet stones.

Palate--Classic S. Blanc profile (New World) with racy acidity, loads of grass, lemon, and lime with palate cleansing freshness.

I had this tonight with Maine lobster and steamers with my wife of 52 years celebrating her end of her current chemo therapy due to a hideous blood dyscrasia called AML--Acute Myeloid Leukemia... 

We have a long road ahead but we grab all the victories when we can. I found this nice Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand--a powerhouse New World wine region--and this is a great example of the grape which is vastly different from the French version that goes back centuries...

At $12, it was perfect with steamer clams and lobster so raise a glass!

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier (White blend) 2024

Gentle golden touched hue with aromas of Lemon, creme brulee, Granny Smith green apple.

Palate--Lightly dancing on your tongue with a slight sparkle, off dry, with loads of tropical fruit, lovely balanced acidity and a creamy finish.

Chenin Blanc used to be a jug wine back in the 70's and was considered "plonk" a cheap wine barely palatable but enough alcohol to give one a buzz. It was the "Rodney Dangerfield" of wine grapes and got No Respect--rightly so...As time went on this grape which was and is a staple of the Loire Valley of France. It is a beautiful grape making a wonderfully seductive wine. 

Viognier-pronounced Vee-Ohn-YAY, was a blending grape for all kinds of wine. It is in its own right another very nice floral known for its beautiful bouquet. At around the $12 price point you cannot beat it!  I am pairing it with baked chicken legs with root vegetables and I know from experience it will be GREAT--so raise a glass!

Sin Zin Sonoma 2020. (Sonoma)

Purple with garnet tint hue and aromas of red berries, dried cranberries.

Palate--Balanced first impression with prominent berry goodness and  Zin spice with a finish of darker berries.

Previously reviewed I do not remember what I paid for it but I know it wasn't the listed price of $16-20. It is a decent Zin worth grabbing if you can find it under $16. Pairing it with Sunday night pizza ala the iconic "Lou Malnati's" deep dish pizza.  Living in Maine but being Chicago born and bred, we crave "real" pizza... Raise a glass and a pizza from Lou's aka "A Taste of Chicago."  

Please note--I get NOTHING for this endorsement! :) 

Corvelia Zinfandel (Paso Robles) 2023

 

Deep rich eggplant hue with aromas of saltines, charred wood, and blackberry pie with gentle spice.

Palate-- Rich, spicy, fruit forward with deep dark black berry, lip smacking tannins and a fleeting finish. 

Corvelia has been one of my Trader Joe's faves since it arrived. Their Cabernet is also one of my faves and both at $10 cannot be beaten.  Reviewed before numerous times, I am having this my wife's homemade beef stew so raise a glass!

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel (LODI) 2022

Dense aubergine hue with aromas of dark berry fruit, maybe a note of root beer, red berries, and cherry.

Palate-- Wonderful mouth feel on opening with lovely dark fruit and rich spices galore, well made and a rich textured finish. 

It isn't just a lovely Lodi Zin it is well made and I found it for $7.50 a bottle so I bought a case! It sells for twice that and is a buy at that price! 

Tonya Pitts of the Wine Enthusiast nails the review! A great wine for the price and even nice if twice the price!  Raise a glass!

Conundrum 2022

Nice purple hue with aromas of brooding berries with a gentle spiciness and a more light hearted cherry presence.

Palate--Relaxed structure on first impression with a elange of red fruit, where nothing stands out yet is integrated with a nice mouth feel and flavor profile. 

This is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon which is a popular blend for California. They are always lively, fruit forward and east to drink. 

I am winging a pasta dish with store bought 4 cheese tortellini. I will create some kind of tomato based sauce which will pair well with this fruity wine.

I paid $15 for this and it is a decent value so raise a glass!

Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2019

Inky dark blackish eggplant hue with aromas of sweetly spiced stewed raisins with a sweet above-the-rim punch.

Palate--Silky texture with a lovely bed of seductive, thickish gorgeous, intense, spiced currants with a velvety finish that lingers.  

Roger Voss of the Wine Enthusiast gives this $14 LBV 93 points. I was sceptical until I tasted this. Wowing at this price point so raise a glass and asip this followed by dark semi-sweet chocolate and ENJOY!

Roth Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) 2022

Garnet hue with aromas of Cranberry and red berries with cherry cream bon bon notes.

Palate--Nice first impression with balanced flavors, integrated structure, mouth watering acidity and a tightly wound core that needs age and breathing. 

I see a reference price on this wine for $30 but I found it for $20.  It is unremarkable due ot its age but will improve for at least 5 years and will reward hanging on to one.  I am paring it with charcoal grilled NY Strip and it will be wonderful I am sure.

At $30 I would be disappointed; at $20 It is a raise a glass kind of value from Sonoma.  

Masciarelli Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2022

 

Deep dark purple with aromas of dense brooding dark berry with yeast and touches of cherry! 

Palate--Mouth watering, acidity with stringent structure and nice dense dark fruit mid palate...with a slightly metallic finish.

Masciarelli is a reliable name with a great history and a proven track record over many decades. Thi is a nice food wine and I am serving with a very simple pasta and tomato sauce. At $13 you can't go wrong so raise a glass!

Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2023

 

Light golden hue with aromas of lemon-lime and pineapple, tropical fruit salad and powder.

Palate-Nice first impression with balanced acidity and *off dry structure and fruitiness that is luscious and mouth watering.

Charles Smith has been creating Washington State wine at a bargain level for decades and he does it better than anyone!  I obtain the wine at Trader Joe's for around $10 and it is better than most wines like this at twice the price. 2023 is one of the better vintages so raise a glass!

*Off dry is a description of white wines which people tend to say taste "sweet" and they don't like sweet wines so they have determined NOT to like the wine.  BUT--An "off-dry" wine is a wine like this which gives the impression of tasting sweet but is actually bone dry because the definition of a sweet wine is one which has residual sugar left behind that has not been fermented into alcohol.