As my friend Todd with the large head would say, "More sweet than bitter, bitter than sweet." This is an even-keel wine to please the masses. At $10, it's great for a casual Memorial Day BBQ and would pair well with burgers or steaks. It has some dryness, but not too much to the point where it's not enjoyable as a sippin' wine.
The Aramis hails from Aydie in South West France. It's made from three grapes: 20% Tannat, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 40% Cabernet Franc. I can only assume the namesake of this wine is Aramis, one of the Three Musketeers (it's a good marketing story, why wouldn't the bottle mention it?). Overall a good combo for the $10 price tag @ Sam's. 5.5/10 rating. Nothing amazing, but a good, enjoyable standby.
May 24, 2008
May 22, 2008
Georges Duboeuf Morgon - Red Beaujolais
The "Morgon" is from the Jean Descombes estate in the Beaujolais Provence of France. It's made from the Gamay grape, typical for wines from that area. Immediately out of the bottle, the initial mouthfull was watery with a BANG of a finish. We let this one sit a bit on the first night and were thinking it was around a 4.5. Tonight (night 2), it's improved up to a 5 or 5.5 as it's mellowed out quite a bit. Found her at Costco for $11.
This 2005 is a medium-light bodied red, with some lighter berries (strawberry) quickly on the tongue followed by darker berries on the finish. A very dark ruby, almost purple color. To simplify it: sweet & fruity, like me. Some interesting minerals in the tail end of the finish. Since this is my first experience with Beaujolias wine, I can't say for sure if that's standard for the region, but would assume so for now. Went well with our pasta with three cheese marinara tonight. Cheers to no work for the next 4 days!
This 2005 is a medium-light bodied red, with some lighter berries (strawberry) quickly on the tongue followed by darker berries on the finish. A very dark ruby, almost purple color. To simplify it: sweet & fruity, like me. Some interesting minerals in the tail end of the finish. Since this is my first experience with Beaujolias wine, I can't say for sure if that's standard for the region, but would assume so for now. Went well with our pasta with three cheese marinara tonight. Cheers to no work for the next 4 days!
May 18, 2008
Heath Wines Lizard Flat 2004 Shiraz
I think Mr. Heath took a page out of the Yellow Tail marketing book by making an affordable wine for the masses. The vibrant bottle colors and pictures jump off the shelf at you, the back of the bottles tells a creative story, and it even comes in a sassy box. The screw top makes it easy for the casual drinker to access the 14% of alcohol. Younger demographics, this wine's for you...
Way too sweet and fruity for me. Very cherry with blackberry flavors. Vanilla on the nose. Headache in a bottle - dropping the remainder of this bottle at DePaul University. 1/10 rating. $8 @ Costco.
May 16, 2008
Shannon Ridge 2006 Barbera
Smooth start with a full-bodied finish. Drinks like a cabernet with some of the zing of a zin. Floral on the nose. Excellent 8.5 rating out of 10 against other $10-$20 bottles. This winner comes from the "High Valley" in the northern California mountains. At $17 bucks, it's more of a special occasion wine, but it will impress. Looks like it's now $18 at SamsWine.com, but still worth it.
May 14, 2008
Via Terra Garnacha Blanca 2006
This is the lightest wine I've ever had in my life. This $10 Spanish gem from Sam's Wine was lighter than water. The Garnacha Blanca, or Grenache Blanc to most, was very similar (and good alternative) to a Pinot Grigio with the mild sweetness, but didn't share the strong flavors. The initial sweetness immediately drys up on your tongue. We sipped this wine without food and it received many compliments from our guests. I'm guessing shrimp on the barbie or a good whitefish such as halibut with a fruity/summer topping would help bring out the flavors even more. 6.5/10 rating from the group - definitely worth a try this summer on a hot night.
May 12, 2008
2006 Heartland Stickleback - Southern Australia
The "Stickleback" not only has a cool name and logo...you get 3 types of grape in one bottle. It's 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Shiraz, & 15% Grenache in this Red Blend from South Australia. Very bold on the nose and tongue. In fact, let this bad boy cool out in a decanter for an hour or two. The first sip was strong, but two days later it's perfect. Smells of tobacco and very peppery, big flavors. Rich and juicy fruit in this one from Ben Glaetzer. Coffee flavors in the finish. I'm a big fan, but it's not for the faint of heart. 7/10 rating. $9 at Costco.
May 9, 2008
Altos Las Hormigas 2006 Malbec
The translated name is "The High Ants"...mmmm, sounds lovely. Bold fruit in this one. Oak and tannins on the nose. Not overly spicy, but a hint of pepper with the dark cherry and plum flavors. For $9 (at sam's wine), a very good value and a 6.5/10 rating in the under $10 category.
You'll want to pair this with a bold dish, read meat or pasta. Has gone well with my grilled meats the last two nights (burgers & those delicious new Johnsonville Turkey Cheddar Sausages (only 100 calories each)). A good intro to Malbecs, if you haven't had the purple pleasure.
You'll want to pair this with a bold dish, read meat or pasta. Has gone well with my grilled meats the last two nights (burgers & those delicious new Johnsonville Turkey Cheddar Sausages (only 100 calories each)). A good intro to Malbecs, if you haven't had the purple pleasure.
May 8, 2008
Marraso 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Ordered this one at an Italian restaurant in Portland last week - had to cork it and trunk the remaining half because I was driving. I enjoyed another glass of this while I devoured my Beef N Cheddar from Arby's the next day at lunch. The Marraso really brought out the onions on the bun. Classy, I know. Chicago doesn't have any Arby's anymore and I fill that gap in my heart with that tasty gray roast beef whenever I can.
It was $20 at the restaurant and $9-10 online, with many sites notating it as a best buy. It was too grapey for us and there wasn't a finish to blog about. Vanilla and cedar on the nose. 4/10 rating. And I just have to mention the back of the bottle contained two of the longest run on sentences I've ever read...Babel Fish can't do it all my Argentinian friends.
It was $20 at the restaurant and $9-10 online, with many sites notating it as a best buy. It was too grapey for us and there wasn't a finish to blog about. Vanilla and cedar on the nose. 4/10 rating. And I just have to mention the back of the bottle contained two of the longest run on sentences I've ever read...Babel Fish can't do it all my Argentinian friends.
May 6, 2008
Edgefield Winery: 2006 Umbrella Jimmy Rose
We stayed at the McMenamins resort at the Edgefield Winery while visiting the Portland area over the last weekend. I wasn't impressed with many/any of the wines I tasted there, but the overall experience was great...and I stuck to the excellent microbrews.
After a long afternoon hike up Multnomah Falls, the Umbrella Jimmy Rose was a decent choice for a cool down. It wasn't too sweet and had a nice strawberry flavor. The story about Umbrella Jimmy was the best part - as Edgefield had been a poor farm in the early/mid 1900s, Umbrella Jimmy was a boxer who received his nickname from mending umbrellas around town. Unfortunately, this wine is no knockout. 3.5/10 rating @ $20 at the winery.
After a long afternoon hike up Multnomah Falls, the Umbrella Jimmy Rose was a decent choice for a cool down. It wasn't too sweet and had a nice strawberry flavor. The story about Umbrella Jimmy was the best part - as Edgefield had been a poor farm in the early/mid 1900s, Umbrella Jimmy was a boxer who received his nickname from mending umbrellas around town. Unfortunately, this wine is no knockout. 3.5/10 rating @ $20 at the winery.
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