Happy Holidays from the baldwinegeek

postings will be a bit scarce during this time surrounded by family, friends and good wine. i am tasting some good wine during this holiday season and will be posting some time during the coming week. to all who have supported me by reading the blog, have a happy holiday and a safe and prosperous new year!
cheers!
the bald wine geek

Justin 2003 Syrah Paso Robles

i have had this bottle lying for a while and had an occasion that deserved a decent wine. this is the second bottle i have had but the first time i had an opportunity to write about it. the folks at justin are well known for producing some very nice wines. how did this one stack up? the nose had plenty of black cherry, blackberry and pepper notes. also got some nice leather and earth notes. if this was anything like the last bottle i had, it was going to be well worth leaving it lay for a few years. the palate was smooth and very soft, with blackberry, subtle spice notes of pepper, and toasted oak. but the real interesting flavor to come through was the earthy, gamey flavor that i really enjoy in a red. excellent wine with beef stew, pasta, or a hearty barley soup. sells for about $24.

Maipe Malbec 2008

i follow ratings on wines to a point. i am always amazed at wines that get rated very high that i may not particularly find as spell-binding as the reviewer. this malbec falls into that class. selling for about $11, it got 90 points from robert parker. i tried it at a tasting and we either had a bad bottle or maybe the taste buds were off this night. or maybe parker was off. the nose was decent enough with plums and some spice and violet coming through. but the palate seemed a bit weak with flavors of blackberry and black pepper. the wine was a bit thin, green and tight. it opened up a little with time in the glass, but wasn't as bold as i would have hoped for. i will revisit this at some time in the future to see if it was me that was off that night or the wine.

A to Z 2008 Pinot Blanc

a little white wine during the colder months can cleanse the palate and prepare you for more good red wine. gave this offering from A to Z a try recently. i have enjoyed some of their other varietals so i was hoping this one would be on par with the fine work they have previously produced. the nose was full of citrus, melon, and minerals. good start! the palate was an initial explosion of pineapple, followed by peaches and floral flavors, finishing in crisp mineral notes. a nice, well balanced white wine that sells for about $12-14 and will pair with tomato based pasta dishes or seafood.

Hardy's 2008 Shiraz

after a nice leap to the higher end side it is back to reality and the less expensive wine. i needed a red that i could enjoy and had not tried anything from the hardy's line of boxed wines. i read a few decent reviews in wine magazines about their wines and decided to give it a try. the nose was immediately full of fruit, with red raspberry and black cherry coming through. after a bit i started to get a little more spice notes, mostly cinnamon. on the palate, a very balanced fruit forward, jammy wine, with flavors of plums and black cherries, followed by pepper and after opening up, i got some really nice chocolate notes on the finish. this is not a complex wine. very easy drinking slightly tannic red. good wine for your friday night pizza or winter stew. sells for about $16 (that's the equivalent of $4 a bottle. a bargain you may not want to pass up for an every day red).

Erath Estate Selection Dundee Hills 2006 Pinot Noir

every once in a while i have to go above my budget and pick up something a little different, maybe a little nicer than the typical grocery store wine. i went to my local wine store and asked them to recommend a sexy pinot noir. something that would really knock me out and i gave them a max price point of about $30-35. erath from oregon was their choice. they said i wouldn't be disappointed. for that price you don't want to be wasting your money. the results? a nose of cherry, lavender and a smokey, earthy note. on the palate, a delicate, well balanced wine with flavors of plums, vanilla, some interesting meat notes and a little anise. very silky in the mouth. the comely brunette and i drank this without pairing with food, but a nice salmon dinner would be a welcome companion. and i was not disappointed.

Edmeades 2007 Zinfandel

this was my wine of choice last week for thanksgiving. never tried it before but read some descriptors at my local wine store and thought it would work well with the thanksgiving foods. the nose was full of berries, but it also had some really nice earthy notes as well. the palate was full in the mouth with plums and and blackberries coming through. i also got some real nice earth and meat flavors, followed by smokey spice notes. it held its own throughout the meal, blending quite well with all the foods that were offered. this will be a go to bottle going forward. sells for about $20.

Alamos 2007 Viognier

i don't buy very much white wine during colder weather months, keeping a bottle or two in the fridge for that occasional glass of wine. i have always been a fan of alamos, especially their malbec, so i decided to try their viognier. the nose is pears and a little citrus, with some nice floral aromas as well. on the palate, a crisp peach and mineral combination, with a little floral note at the finish. very light, easy drinking wine that will work well with seafood and spicy asian food. sells for about $12.

Castillo de Monseran Garnacha 2007

tried this grenache at my local wine shop recently. very fruit forward wine. the nose was strawberries and raspberries, with some spice notes thrown in. got a little anise note as well. the palate was very fruit forward with lots of raspberry and strawberry, and a little plum. not as much of the earth and peppery spice as i would like, this one was a little short in overall depth. light tannins and a medium finish, this wine sells for about $10. i was just a little disappointed with this one. not a bad wine, just left me wanting a little more from it.

Lonen 2008 Chardonnay

here is another possible white for thanksgiving. not a big, oaky, buttery chard that can overpower the food, but a nice fruity crisp chard that will work well with your meal. the nose is full of tropical fruit notes, with some floral, honeysuckle, and white peach as well. the palate has more tropical fruit, with lemon and pineapple flavors leading the way. i also got some nice floral and spice flavors and a nice full mouth feel. this wine has some viognier added to the mix, giving it the floral notes. sells for about $12.

Las Rocas de San Alejandro 2007 Garnacha

thinking of something different for a thanksgiving wine? try this grenache from spain. value priced at about $12 (although you may be able to find it under $10), this wine has enough fruit and body to stand up to the turkey and dressing. the nose is loaded with dark fruits like black raspberry and black cherry. i also got some real nice spice notes, followed by some dark chocolate. the palate had many of the same characteristics as the nose, with raspberry and cherry flavors coming through. i also got an interesting red licorice note, as well as dark chocolate and some spicy pepper. very interesting wine that had fairly heavy tannins at the start, softening as the wine opened up. well worth a try.

Thanksgiving Wine

choosing the right wine for thanksgiving dinner is not really as difficult as some people think it is. you can never do wrong gravitating towards one of two wines. red wine lovers can pick out a good zinfandel. personal preferences depend on how much you want to spend. several nice ones would include McManis Zinfandel 2007, Gnarly Head Old Vines 2006 Zinfandel, and my personal favorite, Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2005. variety of price ranges here. if you are a white wine drinker, try a nice chardonnay, which has the boldness and body to stand up to rich thanksgiving meals. try something from these; A to Z 2006 Chardonnay (which is unoaked), recently blogged Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2007 , and my personal choice, Francis Coppola 2008 Chardonnay Sonoma County Director's Cut. if you are having a meal that tends to feature mushrooms and other earthy flavors without heavy spices, try a pinot noir in the red category or a viognier or sauvignon blanc in the white wine family. cheers!

Foppiano 2004 Petit Sirah

i was at a local restaurant recently with the comely brunette and we both in the mood for red wine. we ordered this bottle to go with her filet mignon and my ahi tuna steak. we were not disappointed. the nose was full of black cherry, black currant, dark chocolate, and spice. the palate was full and fruity with fairly heavy tannins that eased a bit after the wine opened up. flavors of blackberry, blueberry, more dark chocolate, and some nice black pepper notes. it worked very well with both of our meals. i would also try this with some nice pasta dishes as well. sells for about $20.
coming this weekend, thanksgiving wine recommendations.

Geyser Peak 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

good budget wines are always a nice find, and this red is no exception. i tried the suav blanc a while back and it was not bad. the cab is better, with a little more character. the nose is full of fruit with blueberries leading the way. i got some nice plum and leather notes as well as tobacco. on the palate, black cherry, blackberry and vanilla. spice notes and a little dark chocolate as well. not a lot of tannins which was okay with me. this wine didn't need them. sells for about $10-12 and will go with most beef dishes and some good, hearty cheese also.

Small Gully Robert's Shiraz 2004

tried this interesting shiraz from australia. pretty wine. aromas of blueberries, pepper, and some interesting pencil shaving notes that also carried over into the palate. flavors of blueberry, black raspberry, the pencil shavings, leather and spicy pepper all in a well balanced, long finish. very full mouth feel, but not so bold and overpowering that your taste buds are overwhelmed. try this with a nice steak or stew, or just sit back in front of a fire place and enjoy it on its own. sells for about $16…but two and lay one for a few years, you won't be disappointed.

Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2007

i was in massachusetts recently and had some excellent clam chowder and scallops and enjoyed this white wine with the meal. the nose was full of apples, toast and vanilla. nice full palate with flavors of ripe tropical fruit and buttered popcorn. i also got some floral notes as well. the finish was not very long but very clean. retails for about $9 and is a nice go to white. it worked very nicely with the rich flavors of the chowder and scallops.

Beaulieu Vineyards Reserve Tapestry 2005

sorry for the lack of a post recently, but i was traveling and didn't have computer access. hope to make up for it right away with this post. i shared this bottle with the comely brunette at a restaurant in new york called the travelers rest, which i highly recommend by the way. we both enjoyed hearty red meat dishes which worked very well with this hearty red blend of these five grapes; cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot. the nose was full of black cherry, earth, leather and spice. the flavor was big, bold and complex with black cherry, plum, anise, earth and chewy tannins. some nice cocoa and tobacco notes as well. very impressive with our meal. retails for about $40 and worth every penny. and worth laying for a while also.

Le Lapin Paso Robles Multiplicity (NV)

the final rabbit ridge le lapin entry and i will move on to some other wines. multiplicity is a blend of grapes that rabbit ridge is keeping under wraps for now. i would guess that it has zinfandel and syrah and some petite sirah in it based on the nose and the palate. the nose is black cherry, blackberry, a little plum and some spice. i get a little earth note, like forest floor as well. the palate is full of fruit and spice, with flavors of black cherry and a slight cranberry note. nice firm tannins and a medium finish. not the least bit disappointed in any of these four wines from rabbit ridge and at this $7-8 price point, good every day reds.

Le Lapin Paso Robles Petite Sirah (NV)

wine number three from rabbit ridge. the petite sirah is another nice find and sells at the same $7-8 price. the nose is full of plum, blackberry, spice and earthy notes. the flavor is fruity and tannic, with plum flavors, followed by lots of spice notes. i got some really nice earth notes as well. this is an easy drinking red that will work well with a wide variety of foods, including hearty cold weather meals like stews and roasts.

Le Lapin Paso Robles Zinfandel (NV)

as promised, more of the rabbit ridge le lapin (the rabbit) line. the zinfandel is not the biggest, boldest zin you will find, but for the price ($7-8) it is quite nice. paso robles is known for some nice syrah's and zins, and this one is no exception. the nose was fruity and complex with black cherry, blackberry, spice and anise notes coming through. on the palate, ripe blackberry and bramble fruits in a full mouth feel. this was followed by some nice black pepper notes and finished with some tobacco flavors as the wine opened up. medium tannins and a medium finish. get a nice steak or stew, or spicy italian meal together and serve this with your meal and you will be very satisfied. this wine will also lay for a bit but at this price, drink it now.

Le Lapin Paso Robles Merlot (NV)

rabbit ridge has decided to go after the two buck (now about $4) chucks of the world with their entry level le lapin (the rabbit) label. they have just released four wines which i recently tried. these wines are all blends of various vintages from the rabbit. the first under the microscope is the merlot. the nose was very interesting, with blackberry, plum, leather, earth and some spice notes all coming through. this could be real fun if the nose was any indication. on the palate, plums and berries bursting forth, followed by some nice earth flavors. i then got some licorice notes and medium tannins. the finish was medium and i was not disappointed. the wine sells for about $7-8 ($6 in the rabbit ridge tasting room) and easily tops the above mentioned chuck. spend the couple extra dollars and go after this one. great with a beef stew or burger. and look for the other three varietals which i will blog the rest of this week. all the same price. all worth buying.

Domaine Valdernier 2005 Coteaux d'Aix en Provence

french wines always seem to fascinate me. some times they are so subtle that i don't really appreciate them. this one was not so subtle and i guess that is why i was drawn to it. nose of raspberry and a nice licorice note. i also got a little dark chocolate and a very interesting herbal aroma as well. good start. the palate was at first very tannic, so i let the glass sit for a while. i was rewarded with some really nice flavors of raspberry and tart cherry. got some spice notes and herbal flavors also. the finish was medium and the price was nice at about $10. try this with a red meat dish or possibly pasta dishes.

Rex-Goliath Shiraz

looking for a nice everyday red? try this fruit forward shiraz from california. i previously tried the pinot noir and enjoyed it. so i decided to give the shiraz a try. the nose was full of fruit, with plums and blackberries. also picked up hints of spice and a little earth. the taste was very fruit forward, with black cherry leading the way. got some nice bramble fruit notes as well, followed by subtle black pepper and anise notes. this wine sells for about $7 at my local grocer and i enjoyed it with pizza, which it complemented quite well. i could see this as a go to red when you are on a tight budget as it would work with many different foods. nothing pretentious. just a nice drinkable red.

Debonné Vineyards Pinot Noir / Syrah

ohio does make good wine. don't believe me? try this 50/50 blend from madison, oh in the grand river valley appellation near lake erie. the nose was blackberry, vanilla, earthy wet forest floor and tobacco. everything you would expect from these two grapes. on the palate, strawberry, cherry, vanilla and more earthy flavors. but this is not a big, bold overpowering wine. it is very delicate with just enough tannins to let you know they are there. this wine grew on me as i tasted and it opened up. very nice wine. sells for about $14 and will pair well with many foods, especially chicken dishes.

Wyndham Estate Bin 444 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

bargain shoppers looking for decent reds to enjoy can turn to wyndham estates for good wines at around $10 like this cab. blackberries, black currant, chocolate and minty spice on the nose. on the palate, a full bodied red that had flavors of black currant and plums, followed by some very nice smokey notes. this is a very easy drinking cab that will work well with red meat or pasta dishes, or enjoy it by itself on the deck watching the leaves change.

Maryhill Winemaker's White 2007

this white blend from washington was something i tried recently and i was very pleased. nice table wine that works with a wide variety of food and it is also inexpensive at about $10-12. the blend is chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, semillon, and viognier. interesting blend of grapes. the nose was melon and citrus and some apricot. the palate was crisp and full of citrus and some melon, with some nice floral notes as well. very well balanced white wine. like i said before, this one will work with a wide variety of foods and is well worth a try at this price.

Corbett Canyon Pinot Grigio Chenin Blanc

boxed wines are making a splash on the market with people being more value conscious. i have tried and blogged on several varieties and makers and have found some really nice wines. first time for this one from italy. selling for about $12 for 3L, this white blend had a nose of pears and apples. the flavor was a bit too mineral for me. pear and melon flavors with stone/mineral notes weighing a bit too heavy on the palate. finished clean and dry, but just not pleasant in the aftertaste. not my favorite white boxed wine at all.

Francis Coppola 2008 Chardonnay Sonoma County Director's Cut

the comely brunette and i recently enjoyed this bottle of chardonnay. we don't drink very much chard, tending to gravitate towards lesser known grapes, but we had this recommended to us. the nose was full of nice citrus and floral notes. the palate was full and lush with flavors of honeysuckle and melon. i also got some very nice spicy clove notes and some vanilla. this is not a buttery chard. it is a little sweeter than i usually like, but was not cloying. it opened up nicely as we drank, and finished very nicely. this wine sells for about $16 and will pair well with seafood, chicken or a nice salad with feta cheese.

Petite Petit 2007

wine tasting sample again. this one a blend of 85% pitite sirah and 15% petit verdot from lodi, ca. very fun label for a nice red wine. the nose is loaded with fruit and floral notes, most notably plums and violets. got a little spice note as well. the flavor was full in the mouth with blackberry and blueberry, followed by some floral flavors and vanilla as well. medium tannins and a shorter finish than i like, but still nice. decent food wine for barbecue or other slightly spicy dishes or with a nice red sauced pasta dish. sells for about $15-18.

Domaine De Rugusse Pinot Noir 2008

i tried this pinot noir from france at a recent wine tasting. the nose was fruit forward but was not as expressive as other pinots i have tried. very subtle, with some slightly green notes. on the palate, plenty of cherry and raspberry fruit, but it was a bit thin. not much substance. subtle hints of spice and maybe a little earth. i was a bit disappointed as a pinot noir lover. it sells for about $12. i have had other pinot noirs in this price range that i have liked more. could be this one just needs more bottle time and may be worth a revisit in a year.

Tedeschi Monte Tenda Soave Classico 2007

wine tastings are fun because you get to try wines that you have not had before. such was the case with this white from italy. the grape was garganega, which i had not heard of. the nose was not overpowering, with subtle aromas of almond and apple, which carried over into the palate. refreshing tastes of green apples, mineral notes and almonds, with a very clean finish. a good patio pounder that will go well with seafood or lighter dishes or spicy asian dishes. priced at about $16.

Beaulieu Vineyards Reserve Dulcet 2004

my local wine merchant had this red blend from napa valley in a sale bin. it was nearly half the original price, selling for $20. was there something wrong with the wine? this is a napa cab bordeaux blend! how can it be priced so low? i had to get a bottle to find out. if the wine was bad i could get a refund at the wine store. the blend was 74% cabernet sauvignon and 26% syrah. the results? a nose of black cherry and black currants, with a large amount of black pepper and some nice floral notes of violets. on the palate blackberry, anise and some tobacco notes. smooth and silky on the tongue with well balanced tannins. a beautiful finish with hints of dark chocolate made this one very worth while purchase. i was very fortunate to pay $20 for this. i have seen it elsewhere for as low as $30 and as high as $40. get a bottle, throw a nice steak on the grill and enjoy the experience.

Hook & Ladder "The Tillerman" 2006

at me favorite wine merchant recently i tasted this red blend from the russian river valley in california. the blend is 52% cabernet sauvignon, 15% cabernet franc, 16% merlot and 17% sangiovese. i love good blends and this one is very nice, and worth a try if you like red blends. the nose was raspberry and chocolate and spice, especially clove and a little pepper. the palate was loaded with fruit, with black raspberry and blackberry, followed by a really nice spice note of cloves. i then got the chocolate flavor. very nice, well balanced tannins and a nice, long juicy finish. all for about $15-17. a good wine for anything slightly spicy like barbecue, or for that grilled steak.

Banrock Station Merlot 2007

always one to look for a good bargain wine, i found this one from australia at the local grocer for $5. it even had a sticker touting how a wine magazine is giving it rave reviews. so why not give it a try. i was not disappointed. the nose was fruit forward with blackberry and plum, anise and leather notes. good start. the palate was more black cherry and some raspberry, with some nice leather and earth as well. medium tannins and a nice full finish. impressive for only $5. good grilled meat or chicken wine. i enjoyed this with a stir fry of pork and asian vegetable medley.

Zaca Mesa 2006 Viognier

i would like to apologize for the lack of posts lately. the baldwinegeek has been traveling a bit lately and i have not been very good bout writing. i have however tried some nice wines and will be a bit more diligent in getting things on-line for you to read and taste and hopefully give me feedback. the most recent white i tasted was from a vineyard i have blogged on before…zaca mesa, which is in santa barbara california and they are known for their wonderful red blends. i tried this white while in new york with the comely brunette. the nose was peaches and a nice floral note of white flowers. very fruit forward aroma. i was planning white fish for dinner and hoped this would work with it. the palate was a drier viognier than i expected, which was a pleasant surprise. the flavors were green apple, some melon, and a nice mineral finish. very crisp, very food friendly with the fish. very soft mouth feel based on the wine spending just a little time in french oak after the initial stainless aging. priced at about $18, a worthy white. and their 08 scored a 90 in wine enthusiast!

Alice White 2008 Pinot Noir

australian pinots can be interesting and fun wines. and you can find nice bargains also, like this one for $8. the nose is strawberry and raspberry with some vanilla notes as well. the palate was not bad with flavors of cherry and toasted oak. i also picked up a little tobacco as well. tannins were medium and the finish was medium in length. a drinkable every day pinot noir that will pair well with many foods. if you are trying to impress someone, this would not be the wine i would buy. just want an easy drinking red on a budget, this is worth a look.

Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

california is cabernet country and this one is very interesting. 77% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit syrah, 5% petit verdot, and 3% syrah, this wine offers up a really nice mix that is worth the $18 that it sells for. the nose is loaded with berries. blackberry, strawberry, and black cherry, with some nice caramel aromas as well. the flavor is very fruit forward, with black cherry and currants, hints of cranberry tart and some raspberry. i also got some nice pepper notes and cocoa flavors. the wine has a beautiful, long finish and the tannins were not too overpowering, but decant this and you will appreciate it even more. grilling season is still here so try it with that steak or ribs you have waiting for you in the freezer.

Matteo Braidot Pinot Noir 2007

pinot noirs are a real love and finding a good one at a $10 price point like this is rare. when you take into consideration that this pinot comes from italy, it makes it even more rare. i tried this one at my local wine merchant at a recent tasting. thanks t! nice selection. the nose is black cherry, raspberry, vanilla and a little cocoa. a little floral note at the end after the wine had opened up. the palate was fruit driven with flavors of black cherry, but there was also some nice spice notes leaning towards black pepper mixed in with medium tannins. the finish had some chocolate and tobacco notes. all in a well balanced, beautifully structured wine. very impressive at this price. enjoy this with red meats or a nice dish with mushrooms.

Legado Munoz Merlot 2006

merlot has gotten an unfortunate bad rap since 'sideways', but i have always found it to be an nice food wine. i have heard that it is making a little comeback and this offering from spain is a good reason to try merlot again. the nose is raspberries and cherries and some spice. on the palate, a good burst of black fruit, like black raspberries and a little black cherry. i got some real nice pepper and smoke flavors as well. very smooth with a medium length finish, this wine sells for about $10 and will go with a wide variety of foods, including steaks and even the simple pizza or burgers. cheers!

Columbia Crest Two Vines 2005 Merlot Cabernet

back to the bargain shelf once again brought me in contact with this washington state blend for about $6 a bottle. washington always has really nice merlots so i gave this a try. the blend is 60% merlot, 38% cab franc and 2% cab sauvignon. the nose was full of fruit, with plum, black cherry and blackberry showing through. i also got a little leather aroma as well. the palate was ripe with black cherry and blackberry flavors. i got a little anise and some real nice, subtle smoky notes as well. very well balanced wine with medium tannins and a nice long finish. columbia crest is a great go to wine at this price point. excellent value that will go with many grilled meats and barbecues.

Kings Ridge Pinot Noir 2007

i recently had dinner while traveling with the comely brunette and tried this pinot noir from oregon. the nose was spicy with hints of earth and fruit aromas of strawberry and raspberry. the flavor was an excellent mix of raspberry and spice, with some subtle hints of herbs and earth. this is a bit different than other oregon pinots i have tried, especially in the spice area. more like root beer than most. very tasty with the lobster ravioli i enjoyed for dinner. sells for about $16 and is a very worthy red at that price.

Ventisquero Reserva Pinot Noir 2007

i tried this pinot noir from chile (yes, i said from chile) and i was very impressed. the nose was earthy leather with aromas of strawberry and cherry and a little plum. the palate was very soft with strawberry and cherry flavors and some really nice tobacco and earth notes. i got some nice vanilla and coffee notes as well. this was a complex yet subtle pinot with very nice soft tannins and a long finish. sells for about $13 and is definitely worth a try.

Palliser Sauvignon Blanc 2006

back down under for this sauvignon blanc from new zealand. selling for about $18, this summer time white has a nose of passion fruit, white peach and some nice floral notes. the palate has really nice peach flavors, along with a little citrus and grass notes. this is not a typical grapefruit sauvignon blanc from new zealand, so it is worth a try for that reason alone. nice full finish on this one. good summer food wine or just as a refreshing sipper on the deck.

HRM Rex-Goliath Pinot Noir (NV)

low priced pinot noirs that are worth drinking are hard to come by. i have heard a great deal about this one from friends and fellow wine drinkers and finally bought a bottle for about $7. the nose was red berries, mainly strawberry and a little earthy note. as the wine opened a bit i got some nice licorice and spicy cinnamon aromas as well. so far so good. on the palate, i got an immediate burst of fruit with lush strawberry and cherry flavors coming through. this was followed by some nice vanilla and earthy flavors, along with a hint of spice. silky, smooth tannins and a medium length finish rounded out the whole experience. nothing pretentious about this wine at all. just a nice, every day pinot at a very nice price.

Walnut Crest 2003 Shiraz

on the low priced search once again, i picked up this bottle of chilean shiraz for about $4.50 at the local grocery store. nice price, but would it pass the taste test? the nose was actually very nice with plums and a nice jammy aroma, hints of pepper and spice and a little blackberry thrown in. good start. i actually let the glass sit for a while, came back and smelled again to see if it had changed. everything was still there so it was time for the tasting. jammy black cherry and plums right away with spicy pepper notes thrown in. i got some slight earthy flavor and hints of leather as well. tannins were a bit light and the finish was medium length. overall this one was pretty good for the price. nothing too complex, but very drinkable. try it with your friday night pizza or grilled burgers.

Seven Terraces Pinot Noir 2007

i tried this nice pinot noir from new zealand that sells for about $20. the nose was earthy with lots of raspberry and a little bell pepper. i also got some earthy notes on the nose as well. the flavor was very nice with cherry and blackberry. i also got some nice spice and vanilla flavors as well as some really interesting wet forest floor notes. delicate and subtle, this is a nice, drinkable pinot.

Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006

sorry for the lack of posts lately. lots of travel happening at the baldwinegeek house, but that does lead to trying some different wines, like this italian red. i enjoyed this with some home-made lasagna. an excellent food wine that sells for about $10 a bottle, this has a nose of black cherry, leather and earth. the palate was young and a bit tight but opened nicely with flavors of cherry and tobacco, with some floral notes of violets and nice, long finish. i would recommend picking up a couple bottles at this price. a nice, every day red.

Riondo Pinot Grigio Spago D'Oro 2007

in new york with the comely brunette and of course drinking a little wine. great places to buy wine here. lots of wine stores around that sell quite a few italian varietals. we tried this nice pinot grigio that sold for about $10. nose of apples, pears and some really nice floral notes. the taste was pears and jasmine with some crisp mineral notes in a medium length finish. very clean, bright pinot grigio, and well worth the price. good food wine. we enjoyed this with chicken, red potatoes and steamed broccoli.

Bay Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon (nv)

i wrote about the chardonnay from this california vintage and was not very impressed. i had purchased the cab at the same time on a whim. same price of about $4. most folks give two buck chuck pretty high marks. i am not a huge fan but the wine is drinkable. how does this compare? the nose was somewhat floral with black cherry and blackberry notes. it was a bit green in the aroma as well. the taste was unfortunately very thin and young. i don't know if time in the bottle would be of much help. blackberry flavors followed by a little oak and spice but not much finish and not much in the way of tannins or complexity. it was drinkable, but i wouldn't serve it with anything but pizza or fast food. not on the top of my list for good low priced reds.

Vevi Rueda 2008

i tried this spanish white at a recent tasting. the blend was mostly verdejo with some viura mixed in as well. at a price of about $10, it fit the budget side of my brain. another possible summer time patio pounder??? the nose was very bright with lemon, melon and grapefruit. the flavor was very citrus with pineapple and a little grapefruit and lemon. i also picked up a little guava. actually a very complex little white. some mineral notes and a nice crisp finish left me wanting more. this would work really well with summer fare like seafood. well worth the price.

I Love This Quote

"The discovery of a good wine is increasingly better for mankind than the discovery of a new star."
—Leonardo Da Vinci

El Dorado Tempranillo Lot #3

i decided to fix a nice sirloin with some red potatoes and steamed veggies and needed a red to go with it. i pulled this bottle out of the cellar which was a gift from a friend (thanks big guy!). turned out to be an excellent choice. the nose was dark fruits, mostly blackberry, with some really nice licorice, leather and wet forest floor notes. the palate was very nice with flavors of black cherry, a little blueberry and some cedar and tobacco notes. as it opened, i got a little pepper and some tar mixed with some soft vanilla flavors as well. very interesting palate that was well balanced. the tannins were not the least bit overpowering and the finish was very long and full. the wine sells for about $15 and is a very nice food companion, especially grilled meats. and yes, the label is just that plain. looks like a piece of masking tape with the name in marker.

Rosenblum 2006 Zinfandel

i am always on the lookout for good zins. i have found a few really nice ones and the price ranges have been all over the place. this california zin is quite nice, not over the top big and bold and the price is nice at $11. the nose was blackberry and maybe a little plum. also got some nice cedar and anise aromas as well. the flavors were black cherry and tobacco, with some grilled meat notes, some earth and leather and a nice pepper spice near the finish. hearty medium tannins and a nice long finish and i was ready for more. got a barbecue coming up? this would go well with those grilled red meats. good zin for the price and worth a second look.