In Vino Veritas

Jade Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

2009-12-05T19:49:00.003-05:00

Price: $9.99 at Macy's Liquors
Recommended by: Wine tasting at store
Comments: This is an exceptional wine for the price. It is a big, bold cabernet with delicious, round flavors of blueberry, cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate. The nose is equally bold. In fact, nothing is subtle about this one. Plus, the flavors last in a long finish that suggests you are drinking a $25 bottle of wine. We will be getting a few more bottles of this one soon!
Rating: 8/10

Michel Leon Gewurztraminer 2008

2009-08-24T19:44:00.004-04:00

Price: $11.99 at Trader Joe's
Recommended by: We're fans of Gewurztraminers
Comments: We've been drinking more Chardonnay lately. Why, since other white varietals are so good? Particularly Gewurztraminer, and this one reminded us why we're such big fans. Michel Leon is fairly dry, but with some really nice fruit. It has some floral notes and a bit of spice. It was a perfect complement to the Indian food we had for dinner, and we look forward to having this wine again. Chardonnay, as we noted some years ago, kinda sucks (OK, OK ... with the exception of a few).
Rating: 7.5/10

J. Lohr Arroyo Vista Chardonnay 2006

2009-06-05T19:45:00.005-04:00

Price: $15.95 @ Macy's (W. Roxbury, MA)

Recommended by: Curiosity

Comments: We don't drink a lot of Chardonnay, and when we do, we typically talk about how much we don't like it. But lately, we've been trying more and enjoying it (at least the oaky ones). This wine exhibited some of the traits we've been looking for lately. It is rich, smooth, and oaked. The nose is apple, lime, and pineapple. The flavor is dominated by apple and caramel with a little spice and a long smooth finish. If we're in the mood for an oaky chardonnay in the future, this is one we'll seriously consider (along with the Matua Judd Estate).

Rating: 7/10

Pairing Wine with Brodetto

2009-04-26T10:55:00.004-04:00

One dish we've been really enjoying lately is brodetto, a seafood stew native of Italy. The Italian version is called Brodetto di Pesce, but since we cannot use ingredients from the Adriatic Sea, we've enjoyed our own New England version. The broth is a delicious blend of tomatoes, onions, seafood broth, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, wine, garlic, saffron, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Throw in some little neck clams, fresh mussels, and a white fish (halibut is great), and serve with fresh bread, and you have an amazing dinner.

So, what wine do enjoy with this delicious dish? The authentic Italian version screams for a dry Verdicchio, which is produced in the Marches region of Italy, where Brodetto di Pesce is one of the most popular dishes. The French Marsanne is also another great pairing with brodetto. Marsanne is often blended with Viognier, which would also be an excellent choice to enjoy with the dish. You can't go wrong with a nice American Chardonnay, and we've even enjoyed a nice, floral Chilean Carmenere Blanc (Viña Tierra y Fuego).

The one wine we highly recommend is a Dry Riesling, particularly Chateau Ste Michelle's. They're a bit citrusy with a nice spice. We think you'll love it with brodetto, particularly if you're looking for something other than a Chardonnay.

Rietvallei Estate "John B." Sauvignon Blanc/Colombar 2008

2009-04-03T19:24:00.006-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Wine Gallery, Brookline
Recommended by: Saleswoman
Comments: This South African blend (60% Sauvignon Blanc and 40% Colombar) is a nice, basic wine. Floral aromas meet the nose. The taste is dominated by a strong, crisp lemon flavor. We don't like it as much as we do the New Zealand (Marlborough) Sauvignon Blancs we often drink, but it is enjoyable and went well with the sushi we had for dinner.
Rating: 6.25/10

Chateau Ste Michelle Cold Creek Merlot 1999

2009-03-27T21:32:00.005-04:00

Price: about $25
Recommended by: the wonderful folks at Chateau Ste Michelle winery, Woodinville, WA (go visit!)
Comments: What an evening! We polished off a bottle of white Italian Vermentino (Rocca di Montemassi) while making a fabulous batch of mushroom risotto. The wine was exceptional, but we can't blog about it because we finished it so damn quickly! With the actual risotto (did we mention it was amazing?!?) we drank this Merlot, which is quite dear to us. Back in September 2007, we visited the winery and purchased this bottle for a special occasion. Rob has been hard at work for the past few weeks, finishing up his first book, and while it's not quite done yet we're celebrating the near end of many years of hard work. This wine was an appropriate celebratory libation. Wine Spectator gave it 90 points back in the day, and it's only gotten better with time. Rich, earthy flavors dominated by plum, vanilla, and mocha, with hints of chocolate. YUM! We wish we had another bottle!
Rating: 8/10

Jim Barry Lodge Hill Shiraz 2006

2009-01-01T22:54:00.003-05:00

Price: $15.99 @ Vinnin Square Liquors (Swampscott, MA)
Recommended by: Wine Spectator gave this a 91
Comments: We do not usually buy a Shiraz that's over, say, $12, but this one was worth the extra couple of dollars. It is very smooth, with flavors of black cherry, plum, vanilla, and chocolate. It is a tad high in alcohol (15%), but you couldn't tell in the flavor. If you want to move past your basic Shiraz, this is a great one to consider. We think it's the best one we've had (perhaps even better than Wolf Blass Gold Label).
Rating: 8/10

Bodegas Tomas Cusine El Vilosell 2005

2008-12-18T19:33:00.003-05:00

Price: $15.99 @ Vinnin Square Liquors (Swampscott, MA)
Recommended by: salesman at store
Comments: This is a really good Spanish blend. It is 50% Tempranillo, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Garnacha, and 5% Syrah aged for 9 months in new French oak. It has a nice taste of pepper, cherry, and some blueberry. The flavor is long-lasting and the wine is quite smooth. The only drawback is the price. The wine is good, but we've had a lot of good Spanish wines in the $10 range. Spanish wines are a great bargain in general. Perhaps we would get this wine again for a special occasion, but we wouldn't have it again with pizza!
Rating: 7/10

Longball SauvignYoouuk Blanc 2006

2008-10-07T15:37:00.004-04:00

Price: $15.99
Recommended by: Red Sox fans everywhere
Comments: Perhaps Youk should have tried this wine before slapping his name on the label! (At least the $$ goes to charity.)
Rating: N/A

Mahi Twin Valleys Gewurztraminer 2006

2008-09-21T19:14:00.003-04:00

Price: $22.49 @ Blanchards
Recommended by: Our love of the Gewurztraminer grape
Comments: This is the first Gewurztraminer we have tried from New Zealand. We love the Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough region and were eager to give this wine a chance. Like the other wines we have tried from this region, Mahi is bold. Not much subtle here. However, it wasn't so much citrusy as it was flowery. It had a really strong rose flavor. I almost didn't believe Rob when he took his first sip and said, "rose petal." I thought he pulled that out his rear end. But it is indeed very rosy. If you're not into flowery wines, we would skip this one. You can taste the spicy side of this wine when pairing it with spicy food (it went well with the ethnic spices we rubbed on the swordfish). Otherwise, it's mainly rosy with a bit of citrus. We probably won't buy this one again, especially given the price. We'll take our Chateau Ste Michelle over this any day.
Rating: 6.5/10

Stephen Vincent Crimson 2005

2008-08-25T22:47:00.003-04:00

Price: $11.99 @ Blanchard's (J.P.)
Recommended by: store advertisement
Comments: We're generally fans of domestic red blends, and this wine's blend of Syrah (75%) and Cabernet (25%) was too enticing to pass up . . . especially after drinking two orders of sake with dinner. :) It was a good call. This wine started out very fruity (mostly cherry and plum) and peppery with a strong alcohol flavor (it IS 14.5% alcohol after all). It closed with a smooth cinnamon and licorice finish. Nice. It's worth noting that this wine got better as we drank it. Next time we might decant it for a bit before partaking. However, having finished the bottle, we have no regrets and feel no pain. Cheers.
Rating: 7.25/10

Dona Paula Shiraz-Malbec 2006

2008-08-16T20:08:00.002-04:00

Price: $12.99
Recommended by: gift from Mike
Comments: We were delighted when our friend Mike brought this wine over, but we chose poorly when we ordered Chinese food to accompany it. The Chinese food was great, the wine was great, but the pairing didn't quite work. This wine, with 60% Shiraz and 40% Malbec, will go better with other foods, particularly grilled meats. It has a nice, earthy, cherry flavor with hints of cocoa and tobacco, and it exhibits a long smooth, happy finish. For the price, this is a great wine, and we look forward to trying it again soon!
Rating: 7.5/10

MÄHLER-BESSE Jumilla Taja Reserva 2003

2008-08-02T20:58:00.003-04:00

Price: $10.99 @ Gary's Liquors, W. Roxbury, MA
Recommended by: 90 points by Wine Spectator
Comments: We have been drinking mostly whites this summer, but decided to switch to red tonight. We normally enjoy Spanish red blends, and this one is no exception. It was very good! It is a blend of 50% Monastrell (Mourvèdre), 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Tempranillo, and 10% Merlot. It is a dry wine but has a nice, bold fruity flavor; the variety of grapes integrate with the tannins quite nicely. We would really enjoy this with pizza!
Rating: 7/10

Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc 2007

2008-06-30T20:06:00.002-04:00

Price: $10.99
Recommended by: manager's selection at Macy's Liquors (W. Roxbury, MA)
Comments: We usually drink Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand (and some from Napa) and love them, but this wine will force us to think about other regions. Petit Bourgeois is a bright, tangy wine that has no shortage of flavor, yet finishes very smooth. Flavors of pineapple loom large along with a pleasant, forward grassiness. It was a great complement to our yummy veggie sandwiches on a hot summer day. Not our favorite, but we would buy this again.
Rating: 7.5/10

Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Stellenbosch 2007

2008-06-03T19:40:00.003-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Gary's Liquors (W. Roxbury, MA)
Recommended by: Boston Globe
Comments: This wine was listed in the Boston Globe as one of the best wines you can find for under $10. We agree! It is similar to Gruner Veltliner on the nose but exhibits flavors of both Gewurztraminer (spice) and Sauvignon Blanc (fruit) on the palate. Flavors of lime are most present, tempered with a buttery smoothness and a nice spicy finish. We had it with sushi (surprise!) and it was a fantastic pairing. It went particularly well with the sweetness of the unagi (eel). We'll be looking forward to this one again soon.
Rating: 7.5/10

Chateau Bianca Gewurztraminer 2006

2008-05-31T20:09:00.003-04:00

Price: $13.99 @ liquor store in Porter Square
Recommended by: just a domestic Gewurz we have not tried
Comments: We were not impressed by this. It doesn't even really taste like a Gewurz. There is no real exotic spice flavor that you would expect; instead it's a bouquet of flowers. A strong bouquet. There are also subtle flavors of pineapple, lime, and honey, but it's mostly a bouquet. Not terrible, but not our favorite, and we won't likely be picking this one up again soon.
Rating: 5.5/10

Hogue Genesis Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

2008-05-02T23:35:00.004-04:00

Price: ~$15.00
Recommended by: This was a gift, but we've had this on our wish list for a while. We think it was recommended by Sunset Magazine.
Comments: Yum. It was yum from the first sniff. Very flowery on the nose and the palate. We also smelled Fruit Loops (honest!) and tasted plum, cherry, and oak. The flavor lasted a long time, and the finish was very smooth. Lots of flavors going on in this wine. It's rather different from the California (in-yer-face-with-fruit) Cabs, but this was excellent. We're becoming huge fans of Washington State wines.
Ratings: 7.75/10

La Uve Toro 2006

2008-04-16T22:33:00.002-04:00

Price: $12.99 @ Blanchard's (W. Roxbury, MA)
Recommended by: wine tasting
Comments: At a wine tasting event that included many good wines, this inexpensive Spanish red stood out as a super value. It has bold flavors of bright red berries as well as blueberries (particularly in the finish). The wine consists of a "tempranillo clone" called "Tinta de Toro," and it would be a good wine at nearly twice the price. The smooth, long finish on this happy wine guarantees that we'll be getting another bottle soon! Viva la Espana!
Rating: 7.5/10

Chateau Jean de Pey Bordeaux 2005

2008-04-11T23:01:00.002-04:00

Price: $11.99 @ Blanchard's (Jamaica Plain, MA)
Recommended by: sucked in by store advertising
Comments: We totally shouldn't have opened a second bottle of wine tonight. And yet, we're so glad we did! We so rarely drink old world wine, and yet this one is really good, and a fantastic deal for the money. We found strong flavors of plum along with chocolate and black cherry, and perhaps a hint of black licorice at the end. The wine consists of 70% Merlot and the rest is Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The finish is quite long and smooth. We've never been happier to succumb to good advertising!
Rating: 7.75/10

Hess Lake County Sauvignon Blanc 2006

2008-04-11T21:19:00.003-04:00

Price: $12.99 @ Luke's Liquors (Rockland, MA)
Recommended by: we love Hess wines
Comments: Given that we're huge fans of Hess's reds, we wanted to try their Sauvignon Blanc. What a perfect evening to try it ... with sushi! It has a wonderful pineapple, peach flavor with a bit of a grassy finish. It had a bold citrus flavor but in a different way than our beloved Marlboroughs (New Zealand). And it might not be as smooth as the NZ wines, but we enjoyed it (and it got better the more we drank it). I don't think you can go wrong with Sauvignon Blancs with sushi -- it's really a perfect match. And it does have 14.5% alcohol, so it will add to your happiness, especially on a Friday evening ... with sushi.
Rating: 7/10

Chateau Ste Michelle Orphelin 2004

2008-04-08T22:17:00.005-04:00

Price: $15.00 @ Luke's Liquors (Rockland, MA)
Recommended by: we love CSM wines!
Comments: After visiting their winery last fall and enjoying just about every Chateau Ste Michelle wine we've tried, we were excited to find one that we have not tried. This red blend has 9, yes 9, varietals -- Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Souzão, and Touriga -- and was tasty to the last drop. It got better as we drank it (not with food but just as a "hard-day-at-work-and-now-chilling-out" wine). It has flavors of cherry, chocolate, and spicy pepper with hints of raspberry and vanilla and a smooth, long finish. It still is not as tasty as our favorite domestic red blend (Artesa Elements), but we'd definitely get this one again.
Rating: 7.5/10

The Spanish Quarter Cabernet Sauvignon-Tempranillo 2006

2008-04-01T19:04:00.004-04:00

Price: $8.99 @ Gary's Liquors
Recommended by: We like Spanish wines!
Comments: This inexpensive red is a tasty mix of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%) and Tempranillo (45%). Flavors of berries (mainly cherry) and chocolate dominate the palate with a bit of spiciness, and the wine has a longer finish than you typically find at this price range. We enjoyed it tonight with pizza with mushrooms and spinach and it was tasty. Not too fancy but very good.
Rating: 6.75/10

d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne 2006

2008-01-18T19:56:00.000-05:00

Price: $15.99 @ Gary's Liquors (West Roxbury, MA)

Recommended by: Wine Spectator (90 points)

Comments: Frickin' Almond Husks. That's right. Almond husks. Who the hell knows what almond husks taste like??? I'll tell you who. A pretentious idiot whose opinion about wine you definately do not want to trust. And yet, it's the winemaker that lists among this wine's flavors . . . almond husks. Also (and not surprisingly), the winemaker finds an array of tropical fruits with quince, ginger, and lees. Speaking of which, what the hell does a lee taste like? Denim? But nevermind, we're here to review a wine. And it's a good one, although we're not sure it deserves its place in the top 100 wines of 2007 by Wine Spectator. Although we didn't note almond husk, we did enjoy its pear and grapefruit flavors. The smell is "minerally" apparently, although Rob isn't sure it doesn't have a faint scent of cat pee (but in a good way!). The finish is fairly long and buttery, and a tad bitter, but also in a good way. We would get this one again but we're not sure it's worth the price when some really fantastic Sauvignon Blancs cost less and would pair equally well with similar food (seafood, particularly shellfish).

Rating: 6.75/10

Bloom Gewurztraminer 2006

2007-12-30T20:55:00.000-05:00

Price: $7.99 (regularly $9.99) @ Whole Foods (Columbus, OH)
Recommended by: the great price
Comments: OK, we have to brag. This photo was taken from our new iPhone. Why did we have to take it on our iPhone? For some reason, no one has provided a label of this wine, not even the official Bloom website! And that's a crime, because this is an excellent wine! Fantastic, when considering the price. This wine from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany provides flavors of pineapple, lemon, and a hint of pear. It finishes with some spice that came to the fore when paired (perfectly) with Moroccan swordfish. This inexpensive wine can compete with some of the best Gewurz's that we've enjoyed (and Whole Foods named it a Top 10 wine for holiday entertaining). We would definitely buy this again.
Rating: 7.5/10

Hanna Sauvignon Blanc 2006

2007-12-08T21:01:00.001-05:00

Price: $11.99 @ Gary's Liquors (West Roxbury, MA)
Recommended by: the description at the store
Comments: This is a great Sauvignon Blanc! Today we ventured down to the Haymarket in Boston and grabbed some amazing fish (tilapia) and fresh asparagus, which turned out to be a great pairing with this wine. This Russian River Valley wine had some of the potent grassiness that we've come to enjoy in Marlborough SB along with flavors of lime and a touch of basil, but it finished with a creamy woodiness that differed from the flinty culmination typical of New Zealand varieties. We really enjoyed this one and look forward to having it again very soon.
Rating: 8/10

Contrada Sauvignon Blanc 2006

2007-11-08T20:52:00.000-05:00

Price: $10.99 @ Blanchard's
Recommended by: Rob's palate
Comments: Rob came back from a wine tasting with sushi and wine -- woohoo! He picked up this Napa sauvignon blanc that he had tried at the tasting. It was quite a nice surprise! It has nice grassy and lemon flavors with a smooth, slightly tangy finish. It's not exactly a winter wine, but we love sauvignon blancs with sushi! We would definitely pick this one up again.
Rating: 7.25/10

Snoqualmie Nearly Naked Gewurztraminer 2006

2007-11-02T19:54:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: We wanted to compare this with Chateau Ste. Michelle's Gewurz.
Comments: We have to brag. We made an EXCELLENT meal tonight. We cooked some Moroccan-spiced swordfish (with yogurt-mint sauce), couscous, and Brussels sprouts. And this wine was a perfect complement to the meal. It's an almost-organic Gewurz (organic grapes but a non-organic process), with a nice orange/grapefruit and spicy taste. The finish is long, a bit steely, and very smooth. We liked it better with the food, but it is also enjoyable on its own. Rob noted that this wine might be slightly "creamier" than and not as spicy as the Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurz, but it is just about as good (CSM now owns Snoqualmie Vineyard). We can understand how Wine Enthusiast gave it a respectable 88 and "Best Buy" designation. We will be buying this wine again soon! Did we tell you about the amazing meal? :)
Rating: 7.75/10

Clean Slate Riesling 2006

2007-10-14T20:00:00.000-04:00

Price: $11-12 @ Spagio Cellars, Columbus, OH (we think)
Recommended by: in-store tasting
Comments: Considering the cost, this is a very nice wine. We've learned from our friends at Wine-O-Rama to keep our eyes open for German Rieslings, particularly those from the Rheingau region. This one isn't from that specific region (it's from Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, the other major Riesling-producing region), but it is very tasty. We particularly liked how dry it was and how nicely it accompanied the salmon we had for dinner. Flavors of peach dominate the palate along with flowers and mineral notes. We would definitely have this one again, particularly with any fish dish.
Rating: 7.75/10

Chalone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006

2007-10-11T21:50:00.000-04:00

Price: 12.98 @ Gary's Liquors
Recommended by: a "best value" wine at Gary's
Comments: Karie was in the mood for a Pinot tonight, so we picked up this relatively inexpensive Monterey County one. We knew nothing about except the sign at Gary's said that it was a "best value" wine. It has a nice cherry flavor, but it doesn't have a ton of depth. It's not one that stands out but will do in a pinch.
Rating: 6/10

2 Brothers Big Tattoo Red 2005

2007-10-04T21:39:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Gary's Liquors (W. Roxbury, MA)
Recommended by: display at store and charitable cause
Comments: Our wine rack has been empty lately (oh, the horror!), so we stopped by the local wine store tonight to stock up. We probably went overboard, but our wallets' loss is our blog's gain, right?!? Among our purchase is this interesting Cabernet/Syrah blend (50% each). We weren't expected to be blown away, and we really weren't, but it's a great value wine. It is a deep, fruity wine with a heavy cocoa flavor and very dry finish. We wish we would have tried it with food, because it would go very well with meat or pasta dish. Some of the proceeds (50 cents per bottle) are donated to the Hospice of Arlington, Va., and other breast cancer research foundations in the name of the vintners' mother. We look forward to trying this one again.
Rating: 7/10

Chateau Ste. Michelle

2007-10-04T21:05:00.000-04:00

We apologize for our extended absence from Bloggerland, but we've been traveling for the past three weeks. However, on our travels, we were lucky enough to find time to visit the wonderful winery Chateau Ste. Michelle (in Woodinville, WA), a longtime favorite wine producer of ours. The visit did NOT disappoint! We started by doing the standard tour, which was fine. Then we got to taste some of their basic wines, which was also fine. But when we started asking specific questions about their higher-end Merlots, things got really fun. Rather than simply talk to us about the different wines, our wonderful tour guide (and new best friend) Joan ran off for a moment, only to return with her hands full of glasses of the various Merlots that CSM makes. And they were goooood. There are some older vintages at the winery that you just can't get anywhere else. And lovely, lovely Joan made sure we got to try them. We walked out with a 1999 Cold Creek Merlot and a 2004 Canoe Ridge Merlot (and a bottle of their Whidbey's Port Chocolate Sauce . . . mmmmmm). Sadly there were no remaining bottles of Whidbey's Loganberry Liquor to be found, which is Karie's mother's favorite beverage ever (she used to live on Whidbey Island), although the nice employees at CSM looked long and hard for it. To all the folks there, and particularly to Joan, thanks for a wonderful visit!

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

2007-09-10T22:36:00.000-04:00

Price: $10.99 @ Blanchards (JP)
Recommended by: Sunset Magazine's Steal of the Year ($15 and under)
Comments: I don't know if we agree that this is a "steal of the year," but this wine was very enjoyable. Listed as a Cabernet, Louis M. Martini Sonoma County is actually 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, 8% Merlot and some other stuff for the rest. Flavors of cherry, plum, currant, and spicy pepper conclude with a smooth, if short finish. We have had better red wines in this price range (Columbia Crest Merlot, Michael Pozzan Cabernet, Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz), but it was pretty yummy with pizza tonight. Our review might be a bit more upbeat if the Red Sox hadn't sucked tonight.
Rating: 7/10

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2006

2007-09-01T21:43:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: Sunset Magazine's Steal of the Year ($15 and under)
Comments: This wine came highly recommended by one of our favorite magazines, and it's one California Sauvignon Blancs that we have not tried. We thought maybe it would be bland, considering it's under $10, but we really enjoyed it. It's a well-balanced wine--not in-your-face with fruit and grass and has a nice acidity. It's bright and crisp-- a bit lemony and grapefruity, with some gooseberry. We had it with homemade tacos, but it would be wonderful with seafood. We would probably get it again if we were in the mood for a SB lighter than a Marlborough.
Rating: 7/10

Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 2003

2007-08-23T20:00:00.000-04:00

Price: $10.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: #64 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2006
Comments: Blah, blah, blah, 91 points by Wine Spectator. Blah, blah, blah, best value, blah, blah HOLY SHIT! This is a frickin' good wine!!! Damn! Big, round, smooth and delicious, the 2003 Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz is one of the best buys we've had. Be careful. The year on this one matters. We tried the 2004 and it was good, but not spectacular. But then, recently, we found a bottle of 2003 hiding amongst the rest at Trader Joe's and brought it home, and wow! Big flavors of cherry and vanilla with pepper linger with a much longer finish than you'd expect for a wine this inexpensive. We're going back tomorrow to see if there are any more hidden bottles of this stuff because it is so damn good!
Rating: 8.5/10

Long Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

2007-08-22T21:24:00.000-04:00

Price: $3.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: TJ's large display reeled us in
Comments: We didn't expect much from this inexpensive South African wine, but it's quite enjoyable. It's nothin' fancy, and it benefited from some decanting. The tannins were a bit strong at first, but with some time to breathe, it smoothed out a bit. It's not as bold as a Cali Cab, but it's earthy and well-rounded with flavors of cherry and blackberry. It doesn't have much of a finish, but the taste overall is quite nice. We recommend it over Charles Shaw (3 Buck Chuck). For those on a strict budget, pick up a few bottles.
Rating: 6.5/10

Russell Orchards Blueberry Wine

2007-08-21T22:16:00.000-04:00

Price: a gift
Recommended by: our neighbors (fellow Buckeyes)
Comments: You never know what you're gonna get with a fruit wine, but we were pleasantly surprised! This wine from Russell Orchards (Ipswich, Mass.) has a really tasty blueberry flavor with a nice cinnamon finish. It's made with wild Maine blueberries, and the orchard's website recommends that you try it with roast beef or leg of lamb. (We had it as a dessert, after our first bottle of wine!) If you're in the Boston area, pay them a visit! (and partake of the amazing Ipswich clams, too!)
Rating: 6.75/10

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2006

2007-08-21T20:46:00.001-04:00

Price: $9.99 at Trader Joes
Recommended by: It was a gift! Thanks, neighbors!
Comments: Well, the end of the summer is near, but it's not too late to partake of this happy, summery wine. Oyster Bay exhibits many of the traits that make Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs some of our very favorite wines (Matua, Villa Maria, Nobilo, Drylands). It has a bright, bold nose of citrus and grass, followed by crisp flavors of lime, grass, citrus, and kiwi. It is a bold wine, as New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs tend to be, and was a pretty yummy pairing with our spicy Chinese food tonight.
Rating: 7.25/10

Jewell Towne Traminette NV

2007-07-19T21:05:00.000-04:00

Price: $15.00
Recommended by: curiosity and our appreciation for Gewurztraminers
Comments: Who woulda thunk it? We wouldn't. I mean we did, but that's not the point. A good Gewurztraminer from a New Hampshire winery? Unlikely. And yet, we enjoyed this bottle very much, particularly with the seafood stew we had for dinner. While visiting three wineries in New Hampshire (Jewell Towne, Flag Hill, and Zorvino) we decided to pick up this bottle since it was made with one of our favorite grapes. Happily, this wine demonstrates juicy flavors of lemon, lime, and green apple along with a bit of spice. The finish isn't as smooth as it might be, but we were impressed by this wine and would certainly get it again. Viva New Hampshire -- Live Free or ... Drink Wine! (By the way, if you are in the New England area and want to try some good wine, check out Jewell Towne in South Hampton, NH. The folks there are very friendly, and they had the best wines by far of the three wineries. However, Flag Hill in Lee, NH, has a yummy Maple Syrup Liqueur, and their vodka made from apples is worth a try. Also, check out the Boston Globe's article on New England wineries.)
Rating: 6.5/10

Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling 2006

2007-07-17T22:06:00.000-04:00

Price: $10.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: We've loved everything we've tasted from this winery.
Comments: We just got back from a wonderful week-long vacation in Colorado, and after a long, tiring day of traveling we enjoyed some sushi and this great find from our friends at Chateau Ste. Michelle. We are fans of dry Rieslings (especially Kabinetts), and this one is wonderful. We tasted lime and peach -- a crisp and refreshing summer wine. We found it very similar to CSM's Gewurztraminer, which is probably our favorite domestic Gewurz. The two wines differ in that the Gewurz has a bit more spice to it, and the dry riesling has a bit more citrus taste. However, they both rock!
Rating: 7.75/10

Big Red Monster Red Wine

2007-07-08T18:52:00.000-04:00

Price: $9,99 @ Gary's Liquors (W. Roxbury, MA)
Recommended by: the cheesy B-movie label and price
Comments: We fell for the advertising and had no idea what we were getting with this non-vintage mystery bottle. Actually, we were surprised. This wine (a syrah, zinfandel, and petite sirah blend) will remind you that you don't need to spend a lot of $$ to get a decent wine. After decanting it for about 30 minutes (which the label recommends), it has a nice, fruity flavor (black cherry and plum) with some spice and a longish finish. And at 14.8% alcohol, it packs a punch. It's not an over-the-top wine, but if you are looking for a good wine to bring to a casual party, this would be a good one. It's also a nice pizza or burger wine.
Rating: 7/10

Dry Creek Fume Blanc 2005

2007-07-07T20:09:00.000-04:00

Price: $11.99 @ Luke's Liquors (Rockland, MA)
Recommended by: considered a "Best Value" wine by Luke's
Comments: This is our first Sonoma sauvignon blanc, but it's a good 'un. It has a very nice citrusy (grapefruit and lemon) and grassy flavor. It isn't as in-yer-face as Villa Maria, but it can compete with the Marlborough sauvignon blancs (our usual favorites) and has a smoother finish than many of them. We'd certainly get this one again, particularly on a night like tonight when we're having summer sammiches made with brie, avocado, tomato, and sprouts.
Rating: 7.5/10

Terrazas Reserva Malbec 2005

2007-06-28T23:25:00.000-04:00

Price: free--it was a gift!
Recommended by: Chloe's mom
Comments: After watching Chloe, the black lab, this week for some friends, we received this lovely bottle as thanks. This is the first Malbec we've reviewed, and after tasting it, we realized how reticent we have been. They are super-groovy. This one exhibits wonderful flavors of plum, raspberry, and licorice (and hints of vanilla and chocolate). It has a great, long finish that lasts and lasts. The only quasi-negative we can say about this wine is that it has a high alcohol content (14%), which was noticeable in the first sip. Of course, high alcohol wines are not necessarily bad (wink, wink). We're both looking forward to drinking more Malbecs, and this was a great one to start with.
Rating: 7.5/10

The Nose Knows ... or Doesn't

2007-06-21T13:26:00.000-04:00

Slate.com is running a three-part series on the science (or crapshoot) of wine tasting (the second part appeared today, and the final section will be published tomorrow (6/22).

Our take: Barley, our dog will be taking over this blog from now on. :) He can smell a tennis ball from a mile away. Meanwhile, Rob and I need to brush up on our study of "gustatory pleasure."

Best line:

Admittedly, this kind of superheavy metaphysical question is perhaps better pondered over a bong than a bottle of wine.

Enate Tinto Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2002

2007-06-18T21:40:00.000-04:00

Price: $10.00 @ Solera (Roslindale, MA)
Recommended by: It just sounded good!
Comments: We enjoyed the Enate Gewurztraminer, and we have had some great Cab-Merlot blends in the past, so we decided to give this one a try. It did not disappoint. This Spanish wine is smooth, fruity, peppery -- everything you expect in a solid, balanced blend. It will not blow you away, but for the price it's very tasty and probably a great pizza or burger wine.
Rating: 6.5/10

Three Knights Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

2007-06-09T22:45:00.000-04:00

Price: $5.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: the price and the region (Knights Valley produces some great Cabs)
Comments: There's not a whole lot to say about this wine other than it's pretty good for the price. (This is produced by the folks who make Two Buck Chuck.) It has a nice taste, and the tannins and finish are smooth, but there's not a lot of depth to it. However, with a slice of pizza or a juicy burger, this is a nice, cheap, enjoyable accompaniment.
Rating: 6.5/10

Fratelli Perata Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

2007-06-06T00:12:00.000-04:00

Price: $13.50 @ Solera (Roslindale, MA)
Recommended by: helpful wine dude at Solera
Comments: (We're a bit tired, so pardon the lame review.) This Cab (also 12% Merlot) from Paso Robles is smooth and very enjoyable. It is fruit-forward, has a nice finish, and would be great with anything other than the ice cream we ate shortly before drinking it (Ben & Jerry's AmeriCone Dream rocks! Oh, this is a wine review -- sorry!). We suspect that a nice meaty dinner would really bring out the great flavor of this wine. We recommend it, but we still prefer Michael Pozzan's Knights Valley Cab, which is virtually the same price.
Rating: 7.25/10

Raymond R Collection Merlot 2004

2007-05-29T20:06:00.000-04:00

Price: $13.50 @ Solera (Roslindale, MA)
Recommended by: wine seller at Solera
Comments: This here is a big, round, juicy Merlot. You wanna go out and get yourself a bottle. Honest. For the price, it's hard to find a wine this good. R Collection is 84% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc. This blend lends itself to a complexity that belies the sub-$15 price. Flavors of plum, blueberry, and raspberry explode on the palate, followed by pepper, vanilla, and chocolate for a long finish. We had this with eel and the pairing was ideal, although it would go great with any meat for you carnivores. Rob can't wait to get another bottle and not share it with Karie! Sideways be damned, we loves us some good Merlot.
Rating: 8/10

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2004

2007-05-21T19:27:00.002-04:00

Price: $8.99 @ Gary's Liquors
Recommended by: a Wine Spectator "Best Value" wine
Comments: Can we agree with Wine Spectator two nights in a row? Say it isn't so! This wine is fantastic -- it earned every one of its 90 points. We had tried the Grand Estates Merlot before and enjoyed it, but this year's vintage is much better. Flavors of cherry and chocolate dominate the palate along with a healthy dose of blueberry, all brought together by a surprisingly long, smooth finish. For the price, this wine can't be beat. We'll be getting another bottle or two for the shelf soon!
Rating: 7.75/10

Paringa Shiraz 2005

2007-05-20T20:27:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Derby Street Wine & Spirits, Hingham, MA
Recommended by: We love the Paringa Sparkling Shiraz, so we wanted to give this one a try.
Comments: For once we agree with Wine Spectator! This 87-rated wine was a nice surprise. For the price, it's smooth, complex, and delicious. It's not as fruit-forward as many other Australian Shirazes; instead it has an enjoyable earthiness and balance. Additionally, the wine's long finish is unexpected for a Shiraz in this price range. We look forward to enjoying this one again soon!
Rating: 7.75/10

Corks Galore

2007-05-11T13:56:00.000-04:00

Looking to put those used corks to practical use and don't need another bulletin board? Well, make a chair! According to BoingBoing,

Crazy for Corks: an impressive pictorial catalog of projects you can undertake with your collection of Champagne corks.

Link

I'd love to see my Golden Retriever lying in this bad boy!

Yellowtail Reserve Shiraz 2005

2007-04-29T20:15:00.000-04:00

Price: $10.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: we can't remember
Comments: Australia is the source of many of the Shiraz wines we've enjoyed. This one stands out among the rest for the quality and price. It's flavors are dominated by bold blackberry and some cherry, chocolate, and mocha, with a healthy dose of pepper spice as well. The wine has a fairly long taste, but not so much as the Wolf Blass Gold Label (but this is also much less expensive). We should note, however, that we like it more than the Wolf Blass Yellow Label (which costs a few dollars less).
Rating: 7.5/10

Bohemian Highway Merlot 2004

2007-04-27T23:27:00.000-04:00

Price: $5.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: Robert and Marjorie at Wine-O-Rama
Comments: We saw this wine near the checkout lane at Luke's and remembered that Robert and Marjorie had raved about this wine. For $6, it was definitely worth a try (what's another bottle in our already full shopping basket?)! After spending way too much money at Target and Luke's tonight, we opened this bottle as soon as we got home, and toasted another Red Sox victory over the Evil Empire. We were definitely not disappointed (in the wine or the game)! It has very distinct, bold raspberry and cherry flavors and is a bit sweeter than many Merlots. It's also much smoother than we expected. If you see this in your local wine shop, pick this one up!
Rating: 7.25/10

Conclass Rueda 2005

2007-04-23T20:49:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Gary's Liquors
Recommended by: enticing advertising at Gary's, and we've enjoyed other Spanish whites
Comments: This wine is just another reason to love Spanish wines! It is 70% Verdejo, 20% Viura, and 10% Sauvignon Blanc, and is a lovely pairing with our brie, tomato, avocado, and sprout sandwiches. (It would also go very nicely with seafood.) The citrus (lime and grapefruit), mineral, and acidic flavors blend very well, creating a nice, summery treat. It's probably not as good as Naia or Las Brisas, but we would definitely enjoy this again.
Rating: 7.25/10

J.W. Morris Gewurztraminer 2005

2007-04-15T19:15:00.000-04:00

Price: $3.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: duh, the price!
Comments: Four words. Bang For Your Buck! We're big Gewurz fans, and this is the least expensive one we have found. When we saw it at Trader Joe's we had to give it a shot. And, lo and behold, it's good! Not great, mark you, but what do you expect for the price? We find flavors of apricot and lime dominating the palate with a bit of spice that really came to the fore when we paired this wine with Indian food. It might be a bit too sweet for a Gewurz and tasted more like a Riesling (more spice, please!). We found this wine comparable to Covey Run and better than some of the $10+ Gewurz and Rieslings we've had. So when you're in the mood for a nice white and want to take a step up from 2-Buck-Chuck (without shelling out much more money), this is the wine to reach for.
Rating: 6.5/10

Viña Aljibes Rosado Rosé 2005

2007-04-04T00:13:00.000-04:00

Price: $11.99 @ Wine Gallery
Recommended by: We tried this wine in the jukebox.
Comments: We haven't tasted many Rosés, so not much to compare this to. It is a dry wine, made with Syrah and some Granache, with a nice smell of vanilla with tastes of cherry and other red berries. It reminds us of the sparkling Shiraz we really like, but without the bubbly taste, of course. We're a bit indifferent as to whether we will buy this again, but it was a nice evening treat.
Rating: 6.5/10

Enate Gewurztraminer Somontano 2003

2007-04-02T20:13:00.000-04:00

Price: $13.99 or $14.99 @ Wine and Cheese Cask (?)
Recommended by: We love Gewurz and never had one from Spain
Comments: Tonight we had . . . wait for it . . . SUSHI! Gewurztraminer is among our favorite wines to have with sushi (perhaps only Sauvignon Blanc is better), and this one did not disappoint. It's a dry wine, with a flowery taste (and maybe a hint of honey) and spicy finish. For the price, however, it would be worth buying an Alsacian Gewurz, and still the best value is Chateau Ste. Michelle. This one was definitely worth trying, though!
Rating: 6.75/10

P.S. Go Buckeyes! Beat the Gators!

We want one!

2007-03-27T22:12:00.000-04:00

So, for the past few days we haven't been drinking any wine worth blogging about (mmmm . . . Three Buck Chuck paired with cereal -- the breakfast of champions!). However, I did stumble across this beauty on Neatorama (one of my favorite non-wine-related blogs) today. From bornrich.org:

The unit titled The “Vin au Verre” is a synonym of “wine with glass” in French. The unit features electronic temperature control (15°/19°C for red wines, 6°/10°C for white and rose wines), anti-oxidation system, LED lighting inside and can keep up to 8 opened bottles of wine ready to serve at the perfect temperature. The storage system can preserve the wine for up to three weeks and the dispenser uses inert nitrogen gas under low pressure to push the wine out of the bottle through the spigot and thereby controlling oxidation to keep your wine tasteful.

So, if we place this on our wedding registry, would someone be so kind as to buy it for us? Please? :)

Coopers Creek Riesling 2004

2007-03-22T21:24:00.000-04:00

Price: $12.99 @ Wine shop near Charles/MGH
Recommended by: Wine shop employee
Comments: We typically drink (and love) the Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough region of New Zealand and, oddly enough, this Riesling bears noticable traits of that grape. This wine is crisp, steely, and grassy, exactly as we have grown to expect of the wonderful Sauvignon Blancs of this region. Indeed, I'm not sure I can identify a single aspect of this wine that suggests it is a Riesling! Perhaps one can attribute this to the unique attributes of the terroir from which this grape is taken or perhaps one would attribute this to the fact that I am blogging about it after having consumed most of the bottle by myself (Karie being away with the family). Either way, this is a wine to enjoy with sushi (as I just did) or with spicy foods that similarly highlight the wine's strengths. I personally look forward to getting Karie's more balanced opinion when we share a bottle after she returns. Cheers!
Rating: 7/10

Naia Verdejo 2005

2007-03-16T18:03:00.000-04:00

Price: $13.99 @ Wine and Cheese Cask (Somerville, MA)
Recommended by: Sunset Magazine (we think!)
Comments: Yet another example of why we love Spanish wines! We are munching on chips and guacamole, enjoying the blizzard-like conditions, and watching some March Madness on the tube. This wine pairs well with all of it! It's a heavier wine than Las Brisas, but shares many of the characteristics we love in that wine. It has robust flavors of lemon, lime, honey, and kiwi (and maybe some apple). You notice the crisp steeliness one finds in a Sauvignon Blanc (this wine is 100% Verdejo). We will be getting this one again soon!
Rating: 7.75/10

Estremadura Cerejeiras 2005

2007-03-13T23:13:00.000-04:00

Price: $4.49 @ the Wine and Cheese Cask (Somerville, MA)
Recommended by: the sale rack!
Comments: This Portuguese wine is pretty unimpressive. It reminded us of Three Buck Chuck and is quite acidic. (Well duh, it is under $5! What did we expect!?!) It got a bit better as we drank it, but we still would not recommend it. Perhaps it would be a bit tastier with some food (pizza?). Sadness.
Rating: 5/10

August Kesseler "R" Riesling 2004

2007-03-11T21:12:00.000-04:00

Price: $10.99 @ Wine and Cheese Cask (Somerville, MA)
Recommended by: Our wine blogger friends at Wine-O-Rama recommended Rieslings from the Rheingau region.
Comments: In fairness to the folks at Wine-O-Rama, they recommended Rieslings from the Rheingau region that were over $13. However, this less expensive wine is surprisingly good, particularly for the money. Our first sips revealed flavors of apricot. As we drank it, however, flavors of green apple and lime dominated. It's not too sweet, but it is definitely a Riesling. This wine probably goes great with spicy food, but we're just pairing it with a bad movie on a relaxing Sunday evening!
Rating: 7/10

Chateau d'Oupia Minervois 2005

2007-03-10T00:03:00.000-05:00

Price: $8.99
Recommended by: wine seller at the Wine and Cheese Cask (Somerville, MA)
Comments: Zut alors! This wine is tres mal! But what should we expect from a French wine under $10? It is fruit-forward with strawberry and plum tastes, and a bit of pepper spice, but there is no finish at all. (This wine is a blend of 60% Carignan, 30% Syrah and 10% Grenache.) We will definitely not be partaking of this wine again. If you want a decent red blend under $10, make a run for Espania!
Rating: 5/10

Michael Pozzan Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

2007-02-25T18:56:00.000-05:00

Price: $13.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: We really enjoyed the Beringer Knights Valley Cab, so we wanted to try this one.
Comments: Oh, happiness! This wine was a nice surprise. It's a young wine, but it doesn't taste immature (that sounds pretentious, doesn't it?). This wine exhibits a complex flavor dominated by cherry, blueberry, and plum. It's a fruity wine, but not overly so. Instead, it is very smooth and balanced; really amazing for the price!
Rating: 7.5/10

Smoking Loon Pinot Noir 2005

2007-02-24T23:12:00.000-05:00

Price: $8.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: the price
Comments: Paying less than $10 for a domestic Pinot Noir is a little scary. When Rob poured the wine into the decanter, we were not reassured. It looked a bit watery. The initial taste wasn't bad, however. But that's as good as the wine got. It has light flavors of strawberry and cherry, but there is little spice to give it an extra oomph. We will not be in a hurry to try this again.
Rating: 5/10

Foris Gewurztraminer 2003

2007-02-21T19:46:00.000-05:00

Price: $14.99 @ Luke's Liquors

Recommended by: We wanted to try an Oregon Gewurz

Comments: We had this wine with Indian cuisine, and it was a perfect match. The spiciness of the food really brought out the spice in the Gewurz. The Foris is a bit flowery with a hint of citrus, which together hide the dryness of this wine behind sweet flavors. It's not as spicy as the Chateau Ste. Michelle, but it is definitely worth trying. If you are new to Gewurz, try the Chateau Ste. Michelle, but if you want to try a new American one, we recommend this!

Rating: 6.75/10

Marqués de Cáceres Crianza Rioja 2003

2007-02-17T20:54:00.000-05:00

Price: $9.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: on sale at Luke's!
Comments: We've had a fair number of Spanish reds now, and this one rates in the middle. It has a nice raspberry flavor and a decent, lasting, dry finish, but it lacks some complexity. We prefer Vina Alarba and Cortijo Crianza, to name a few Spanish blends.
Rating: 6.25/10

Meridian Merlot 2004

2007-02-17T19:25:00.000-05:00

Price: $6.98 @ Gary's Liquors
Recommended by: the price
Comments: The best thing we can say about this wine is that it is worth the price! Of course, it didn't cost very much. However, we're stuck on a troubling question: is it any better than 2 buck Chuck? It's a toss up. This wine is your basic merlot. The taste is pleasant and simple, but it certainly won't blow you away. It's a good pizza wine that we'd consider having again, but we're not in a hurry to do so.
Rating: 6/10

Estola Reserva La Mancha 2001

2007-02-14T19:29:00.000-05:00

Price: $5.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: no one!
Comments: Reviews of this wine on other sites offer strikingly different pictures. While some find it mediocre and inoffensive, others find it watery and bad. Of course, in either case, we don't recommend this wine very highly. It has a fairly bearable flavor, but one that doesn't last very long at all. The dry finish is not too bad, but that's the best we can say about it. What a shame--we usually like Spanish wines. For the money, you can do better with Señor Dos Buck Chuck!
Rating: 5/10

Schwarzböck Grüner Veltliner 2002

2007-01-24T19:16:00.000-05:00

Price: $7 @ Blanchard's
Recommended by: We liked the Grüner Veltliner we tried at a restaurant.
Comments: We didn't know much about this wine, but after reading a few sites online, it sounds like this wine is up and coming. Grüner Veltliner is the most produced wine in Austria, and it's a really versatile wine (apparently it can be paired with artichoke and asparagus). We found it to have some characteristics of Sauvignon Blancs and especially Gewurztraminers, with its fruit and spice. This particular Grüner Veltliner is very smooth and dominated by flavors of apple, almost giving it a "cidery" taste. For the price, it's definitely worth trying, and we look forward to trying other Grüner Veltliners.
Rating: 6.5/10

Craftsman Neszmely Gewurztraminer 2005

2007-01-22T20:09:00.000-05:00

Price: $8.99 @ Wine Galley
Recommended by: never had a Hungarian wine before
Comments: This wine is a nice, dry Gewurztraminer. It has subtle floral aromas and honey flavors with a hint of citrus (maybe pineapple?) and a soft acidity. This is a wine to have with food, namely spicy dishes. We enjoyed it with our spicy Indian food, and it was a great pairing. I don't know if we will be in a hurry to get this wine again, however, since we enjoy some other comparably priced Gewurzes more (especially Chateau Ste. Michelle).
Rating: 6.5/10

Cortijo II Crianza 2000

2007-01-20T23:40:00.000-05:00

Price: $11.99 @ Gary's Liquors
Recommended by: We liked the Cortijo III, so we wanted to give this a try.
Comments: This Spanish blend (70% Tempranillo, 20% Grenache, and 10% Mazuelo) is a fabulous wine for the money. When I first tasted it, I thought it was at least a $20 bottle. It's really smooth and complex, with a mixture of fruity, spicy, and tobacco flavors. The fact that it's aged 7 years can't hurt! We will definitely be enjoying this again.
Rating: 7.25/10

Cortijo III Tempranillo 2005

2007-01-17T23:03:00.000-05:00

Price: $5.98 @ Gary's Liquors (W. Roxbury)
Recommended by: enjoyed at a friend's party
Comments: We first tasted this wine at our neighbors' New Year's party. I thought maybe we had just had so much alcohol that everything was good. But, upon the second tasting, this wine is good, especially for the low price. It's nothing to rave about, but it's a great everyday Spanish wine (100% Tempranillo). The flavor is a straightforward cherry and raspberry, with a short but smooth, dry finish.
Rating: 6.25/10

Las Brisas 2005 Rueda

2007-01-17T20:50:00.000-05:00

Price: $13.00 @ Solera
Recommended by: Atlantic Fish Co. (wine flight)
Comments: Dios Mio! Me gusta los vinos de Espana! Here's another Spanish wine we really dig, but this one is white. Without knowing it was from Spain, we would have guessed it was another great Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand. However, this one is only 50% Sauvignon Blanc with the other half consisting of Verdejo. The result is a wine that demonstrates all of the characteristics of a great Sauvignon Blanc: crisp, complex, citrusy, grassy. It has flavors of lemon, grapefruit, peach, and green apple. Yummy! The smell also carries a bit of kiwi. It goes great with seafood and we look forward to having it again soon. Viva la Espana!
Rating: 7.75/10

Moulin De Gassac Le Mazet Red 2005

2007-01-15T21:29:00.000-05:00

Price: $9.00 @ Solera (Roslindale)
Recommended by: Boston Globe
Comments: We enjoyed this wine, but it is very different from the New World wines we typically drink. It is an organic red blend (35% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 10% Cinsault, 5% Alicante, and 70% of the fruit is hand picked) with a nice fruit flavor (mostly strawberry) but it's not overpowering. Its earthy flavor, spicy opening, and dry finish are what make this wine distinct from other fruity reds we've tried. We suspect this wine would be wonderful with a few years' aging.
Rating: 6.5/10

Paringa Sparkling Shiraz 2004

2007-01-12T23:25:00.000-05:00

Price: $10.99 @ Wine Gallery
Recommended by: Wine merchant at Blanchard's (JP)
Comments: So it's just like you'd hope it would be. A rich, flavorful, Australian Shiraz, but with bubbles. Lots of little, happy bubbles. And these bubbles accentuate the fruity Shiraz flavor (raspberry and blueberry), which is anything but subtle to begin with. It rocks. And what could make it better? It's a wicked pairing with dark chocolate. This may not be an everyday wine, but when we're in the mood for this distinctive wine, it is fantastic.
Rating: 7.25/10

McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

2007-01-11T20:18:00.000-05:00

Price: $10 @ Gary's Liquors; this is a very popular wine, so it shouldn't be difficult to find.
Recommended by: Description at the wine store enticed us
Comments: It's finally cold in Boston! And alas, we've broken out a new Cabernet to keep us warm. This one was a really nice surprise, as it does not taste like a $10 bottle of wine. It has a bold cherry, vanilla, and coffee flavor, and for a young Cab wine the tannins are not harsh at all. We should note that it has a very smooth, relatively long finish. Karie did not like it quite as much as the Casa Lapostolle Cabernet, but Rob liked it a bit more. For the price, it really can't be beat.
Rating: 7.5/10

Sunday Night Wine Flights

2007-01-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

Tonight, to celebrate Rob's birthday, we ate at the Atlantic Fish Co. on Boylston St. (close to the Boston Public Library), and with our very excellent meal, we had an opportunity to try six different white wines. (No, we didn't get full glasses of everything, they were part of wine flights, with three wines in each group -- a great idea. We wish more restaurants offered these.) We tried the Aromatic, Spicy Whites and the Dry & Flinty Whites.

Aromatic, Spicy

Gruner Veltliner, "Lois" Loimer, Austria -- fresh apple scents and spiciness lead to exotic fruit and crisp acidity (this wine was great -- really dry and paired nicely with the seafood dishes we had)
Riesling, Eroica, Chateau Ste. Michelle/Dr. Loosen, Columbia Valley -- graceful and subtle, with stony green apple and delicate apricot flavor, finishing dry but with a caramel note (this was good, but nothing special -- Rob thought it was too sweet; I reminded him that it was a riesling)
Viognier/Marsanne, "Hermit Crab," d'Arenberg, Australia -- exhibits fresh flower and tropical fruit aromas, palate is immediately fruity, with strong tropical and stone fruit flavors (this had a really nice spice to it -- it was tied with the Austrian wine for our favorite in this flight)

Dry & Flinty

Sauvignon Blanc, Redcliffe, Marlborough -- aromas of citrus, gooseberry and melon with intense flavors of passion fruit and mango followed by racy acidity (this was a good, classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, but not as good as Drylands, Matua, or Villa Maria)
Sauvignon/Verdejo, Las Brisas, Rueda (Spain) -- fruity and grassy aromas with mineral notes and dry flavors of white peach, apricot, lemon, and lime (this wine was surprisingly good; it had pronounced Sauvignon Blanc flavors but with some additional complexity and dryness)
Sancerre, Guy Saget, Loire -- flowery aromas with mineral characters followed by fruit flavors of citrus, golden aple, pear, and a clean, crisp finish (this French wine was different from the Sauvignon Blancs of New Zealand and Napa, but it was steely and flavorful and worth having again)

Red Diamond Merlot 2003

2007-01-04T22:22:00.000-05:00

Price: $8.99 @ Gary's Liquors
Recommended by: great price, and we wanted to try another Washington State merlot.
Comments: For the price, this is a great wine. In fact, we were pleasantly surprised. However, after we found out that this wine is produced by our friends from the Ste Michelle winery, it made perfect sense. We've enjoyed all of their wines that we've tasted. This is not a hugely complex wine, but it has a nice cherry flavor and a smooth, pleasing finish. If you don't usually drink red wine, this might be a good one to start with. Order some pizza and enjoy.
Rating: 6.75/10

Wine Spectator 2006 Top 100

2006-12-20T23:38:00.000-05:00

The Wine Spectator recently published their Top 100 list for this year, and of course most of them are out of our price range, but there are some under $20. We've tried a few of them, including #37, Matua Sauvignon Blanc. Here are a few that we've made a note to try at some point:

16. Langmeil Shiraz Barossa Valley Valley Floor 2004 - $23
43. Yangarra Estate Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre 2004 - $25
52. Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer 2004 - $19
64. Jacob's Creek Shiraz Reserve 2003 - $16 (this is now in our wine rack)
65. Greg Norman Estates Cabernet-Merlot - $15
67. Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Campo de Borja Tres Picos 2004 - $12
79. Johannishoff Riesling Kabinett 2004 - $17
80. Benton-Lane Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2004 - $22
84. Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2003 - $22
91. Chateau Gigault Premieres Cotes de Blaye Cuvee Viva 2003 - $14

So many wines, only one liver!

Beauzeaux Red Wine 2005

2006-11-30T23:30:00.000-05:00

Price: $8.98 @ Gary's Liquors (W. Roxbury)
Recommended by: our curiosity and cheesy advertising at the store
Comments: This wine (pronounced bozo!) is a fun, new California blend of 68% Zinfandel, 21% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah, 3% Charbono, 2% Lagrein, 1% Valdiguie, 1% Grenache, 1% Tempranillo. (Takes a deep breath.) It had bold cherry and raspberry flavor, with a hint of cranberry and a smooth finish. It is quite comparable to several Spanish reds that we've tried recently. For the price, it is very nice. And it would be great for pizza night!
Rating: 6.5/10

Fancy Wine Frenzy

2006-11-30T22:50:00.000-05:00

We're back down to Planet Earth after

enjoying a few really nice, expensive
wines over the past few weeks. First
of all, Karie had an article published,
so we celebrated with our favorite wine
from our trip to Napa Valley -- Artesa
Reserve Merlot. Then, we traveled to
Philly for the Thanksgiving holiday, where
we enjoyed three great Napa Cabernets --
Franciscan, Robert Mondavi, and Hess
Collection. Yummy! We loved all of the
Cabs, but Hess is still our favorite. Then
we returned to Boston and celebrated
our 5-year anniversary with a bottle of
Mount Veeder Cabernet. Since the
winery is near Hess on Mount Veeder
Road, we were curious to taste the
difference between the two. The Mount
Veeder was amazing, with an interesting
chocolatey, earthy, tobaccoey
flavor, with hints of pencil lead. In fact,
we liked it so much that we bought another
bottle to save for another year or two. Let's see
if it will last that long! We're going to have to
kick our habit of drinking expensive wines or
else head to law school.

Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 2006

2006-11-01T19:47:00.000-05:00

Price: $9.98 @ Gary's Liquors (West Roxbury)
Recommended by: hype sign at Gary's
Comments: We were blown away by this wine. Matua and Villa Maria have been our favorite sauvignon blancs for a while, and we didn't think that anything could compete with them at that price range. This might. In fact, this might win. Drylands (Marlborough, NZ) has a wonderful grassy opening, followed by a bold, citrusy flavor. Rob thinks it has a hint of vanilla, but I think he's full of crap. :) However, we both agree that it's fantastic!
Rating: 8/10

Note: The 2005 vintage of this wine is #3 in Wine Spectator's Great Values of 2006.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva

2006-10-28T21:42:00.000-04:00

Price: $6.99 @ Blanchard's Jamaica Plain
Recommended by: wine seller at Blanchard's
Comments: We don't know Jack about champagnes, but we do know that Jack Bauer probably doesn't drink it. Nevertheless, we've been trying champagnes (sparkling wines, whatever) that are mostly Pinot grapes (Chardonnay, blah), but this Spanish one came highly recommended by the wine seller. It is a blend of different grapes, none of them Chardonnay or Pinot, and it is surprisingly tasty. It's a bit citrusy (lemon/lime/orange), and we would definitely get this again. Plus, the price can't be beat. (Rob wants to try it with sushi -- big surprise there!)
Rating: 6.5/10

Veramonte Primus 2003

2006-10-27T22:31:00.000-04:00

Price: $14.99 @ Gary's Liquors (West Roxbury)
Recommended by: our curiosity
Comments: This Chilean blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carmenère is bone dry. The peppery, tobacco flavor is nice, but we don't know if it's worth $15. If you're going to pay this much, you might as well get a Napa Merlot (or J. Lohr). Wine Spectator gave the 2002 Primus an 89 rating, so we might be full of crap.
Rating: 6/10

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2005

2006-10-01T19:59:00.000-04:00

Price: $8.49 @ Blanchard's
Recommended by: the price (plus, we want to try more sauvignon blancs from this region)
Comments: We were worried that this Chilean sauvignon blanc would be as unimpressive as Casa Lapostolle's, but we were pleasantly surprised. This wine has a bold grassy and citrusy flavor, with a nice acidity. We had it with Indian food, and it was a perfect match. Considering the price, this is a wine worth trying!
Rating: 6.75/10

Artesa Elements 2001

2006-09-21T20:40:00.001-04:00

Price: $13.99 @ Gary's Liquors, West Roxbury
Recommended by: Artesa's reputation
Comments: We have been big fans of Artesa since our trip to the winery a few months ago. Their merlot is something to worship, and their merlot reserve may be the best red wine we've ever tasted. Artesa's affordable Elements -- a blend of Bordeaux varietals (cabernet sauvignon 51%, merlot 29%, syrah 15%, others 5%) -- does not disappoint. It starts out tasting like a bright, fruity cab but finishes like a smooth merlot. And it only got better as we drank it. (We recommend decanting it for an hour or so before enjoying.) We're not certain that it's as good as Artesa's merlot, but for the price, this one is a real winner. (And if you make a sojourn to Napa Valley, make sure to visit their amazing winery!)
Rating: 7.75/10

Fleur du Cap Merlot 2001

2006-09-16T19:42:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Blanchard's JP
Recommended by: no one -- we just wanted to try a different Merlot.
Comments: This South African merlot is nothing spectacular. It has a fairly mellow flavor, with your expected berry taste. It's smooth with a decent finish. I don't know if we will be running out to get this again, but it was enjoyable.
Ratings: 6/10

Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo Garnacha 2005

2006-09-06T23:26:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: no one -- we've been wanting to try more tempranillos and grenaches, and this one looked good (and had a pretty label!).
Comments: This Spanish old vine tempranillo/grenache has a really deep taste with smoky, berry flavors. It is smooth with a very dry finish. We drank it by itself, but we suspect it would taste better with a nice food pairing. We have enjoyed some Spanish reds a bit better, namely Vina Alarba, Rojo Mojo, and Panarroz Jumilla, but this one is tasty.
Rating: 6.25/10

Sterling Sauvignon Blanc 2005

2006-09-04T20:07:00.000-04:00

Price: $11.99 on sale at Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: How much we enjoy Sterling's Merlot.
Comments: Among the Napa Valley sauvignon blancs that we've tried, this one does not rate very highly. It has flavors of tangerine and lemon along with a nice oaky finish. However, it is not very rich in flavor and it has a bit too much acidity to it. We enjoyed this wine, but comparably priced Marlborough sauvignon blancs (like Nobilo, Matua, and Villa Maria) are superior.
Rating: 5.5/10

Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

2006-09-03T23:33:00.000-04:00

Price: $8.99 @ Luke's Liquors
Recommended by: reputation of the winery
Comments: This Chilean Cabernet was a bit young, but we let it decant for a few hours; it certainly got better as we drank it. It is a tasty wine, with strong cherry and plum flavors and a nice, oak finish. We did not enjoy it as much as the Casa Lapostolle Cabernet, but we look forward to trying some other Concha y Toro wines!
Rating: 6.75/10

Dr. Hans VanMuller Riesling Kabinett 2005

2006-09-03T19:04:00.000-04:00

Price: $6.99 at Blanchard's
Recommended by: On sale!
Comments: For the price, this wine is pretty good. It is a bit sweet, but not cloying, with flavors dominated by green apple, lemon, and lime. It is not a complex wine, but its flavors last longer than we expected at this price. Also, it finishes with a steely cleaness that is quite nice.
Rating: 6/10

Dr. L (Loosen) Riesling 2005

2006-08-30T22:12:00.000-04:00

Price: $8.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: Loosen's reputation
Comments: This riesling is a really nice everyday German wine. We were surprised by the fruitiness, with hints of pear, lime, and lemon, and a really nice, zippy, sweet finish. For the price, you cannot go wrong; plus, it's really easy to find since it's one of the more popular affordable rieslings.
Rating: 6.5/10

St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc 2005

2006-08-10T21:18:00.000-04:00

Price: $15.99
Recommended by: Food and Wine magazine?
Comments: This is a special Sauvignon Blanc. From Groth and Hess, we've learned how good Napa Sauvignon Blancs can be, but this may be our favorite so far. The wine has strong flavors of grapefruit and lime with hints of kiwi. The taste is long and delicious, and we look forward to having it again. Right now, it is our favorite Sauvignon Blanc. Its flavor reminds us a bit of Matua, and it may be better (although it also costs a few dollars more).
Rating: 7.5/10

Ca La Bionda Valpolicella Ravazzol 2003

2006-08-09T20:39:00.000-04:00

Price: $13.00 @ Blanchard's
Recommended by: Abe, the wine guy
Comments: We were about to pick up another bottle of the Santi Solane ripasso, when Abe, the wine guy recommended that we try this one instead. Thanks, Abe! You da man! This Italian red is delicious in every way that the Santi is, and it might be even better. The black cherry flavor is big, and the taste lingers. We will definitely be getting this one again!
Rating: 7.5/10

Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2005

2006-08-08T20:39:00.000-04:00

Price: $10.99 @ Blanchard's
Recommended by: wine dude at store
Comments: We enjoyed this South African wine, but found ourselves hard pressed to adequately describe it here. So, we went online to see what other people said about it. We quickly found a few reviews, but it turned out that they all said the same thing. EXACTLY the same thing. What a bunch of plagiarists! To show our disgust, we're going to reproduce exactly what they say. This wine is "a delightfully elegant and restrained wine with long flavors of citrus and pear, a bit of mineral and a slightly herbal lemon-butter finish." Well, not exactly. We tasted a bit of pear and it certainly had a mineral element and some butter and spiciness in the finish. But there was little lemon and just a hint of citrus. We also tasted some grassiness. It was a light, enjoyable wine, but we lean toward those in-yer-face New Zealand and Napa Sauvignon Blancs. This wine was different and we enjoyed it. If you find the Matua or Villa Maria overpowering, this one might be just the summer wine for you! (Oh, and some of the profits go towards saving the whales -- just another reason to buy it!)
Rating: 6.5/10

Writer's Block Pinot Noir 2002

2006-07-30T20:45:00.000-04:00

Price: ~$15.00
Recommended by: wine seller at Wine & Spirits in Hingham
Comments: We had this wine a few years ago, and we liked it so much that we bought another bottle and saved it. Tonight, after another chapter of Rob's book has been written, we opened it, wondering whether we would like it as much as we did when we first tried it. We were not disappointed. The wine opens with a burst of cherry and raspberry flavors, along with hints of cinnamon, and the yummy flavor lingers long after you take your initial sip. This is a fantastic, complex wine and our favorite pinot noir to date. It is a bit hard to find, unfortunately. (The photo says syrah -- we could not find a photo of the pinot.)
Rating: 8.5/10

Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2005

2006-07-28T20:36:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.99 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: don't remember
Comments: We've had this Marlborough wine several times. We haven't rated it because we like it so much and know we won't forget it. But we'd like to share it with others. Here's the scoop -- buy this wine! It's just as good as Villa Maria (maybe better), but instead of a fierce grassy, lemon flavor it's more of a grapefruit taste. It's particularly great with ... sushi!
Rating: 7.75/10

Fleur de California Pinot Noir Carneros 2005

2006-07-27T00:11:00.000-04:00

Price: $13.99 (Downeast Beverage Co., Portland, Maine)
Recommended by: wine chick at Downeast Beverage
Comments: This wine came highly recommended for a California pinot, even though the wine chick preferred Oregon/Washington pinots. It has a nice cherry and cranberry flavor with a tart, peppery finish. We found it decent but not exceptional. We haven't had many pinots, so we don't have much with which to compare it. One site recommended to pair it with an appetizer of pate & smoked salmon, with broiled portobello mushrooms with garlic. Maybe we should try that next time!
Rating: 6.25/10

Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón Calatayud Viña Alarba Old Vines Grenache 2005

2006-07-24T22:53:00.000-04:00

Price: $7.99 (in Portland, Maine)
Recommended by: wine shop owner who specialized in Spanish wines
Comments: To the crazy, overly friendly wine shop dude in Portland (he even gave us a free bottle), thank you for introducing us to this wine! We don't know anything about grenaches, and very little about Spanish wines in general, but after this one, we want to try more! This is a tasty, tasty wine. Bursting with flavors of black cherry and raspberry, followed by a peppery finish, this wine is a mouthful of happiness. With the price under $10, we want to go out and buy a few more bottles. Now. (But we'll wait till the effects of this 14% alcohol wine wear off a bit.)
Rating: 7.5/10

Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc 2005

2006-07-22T21:31:00.000-04:00

Price: $9.59 @ Trader Joe's
Recommended by: one of Wine Spectator's 100 Best Buys of 2005
Comments: In our quest to discover great domestic sauvignon blancs, next up is Kenwood (Sonoma). It's a solid "savon blanc" (that was for you, bro!). It is quite lemony with a little bit of grassiness and a smooth, oaky finish. The flavor won't knock you out like a Matua, but we would enjoy drinking this again, and it's fairly easy to find.
Rating: 6.75/10