Mascaro Cava Brut Sparkling Wine: Review

12% abv
Product of Spain
$15.00 at The Fine Wine Source

This sparkling wine has some fresh fruit and a spicy note to tingle the nose. There is fresh apple and pear on the taste and plenty of effervescence to enjoy any celebration. This is a tasty sparkling wine. 

5 Vegas Miami Double Nickle: Review

Wrapper: Corojo Nicaraguan
Fillers: Nicaraguan ligero long-fillers
Size: 5.5 x 50 box press Double Nickel
My Strength Rating: 8

This cigar is spicy on the opening and throughout the smoking experience. This cigar has a solid black pepper profile. There is a good mixture of moss, mushroom, and hardwood earthy notes. This is what I expect out of a ligero tobacco filled cigar. The texture is coarse from the bold black pepper notes and the smoking experience if fairly intense. This was a good ligero filled cigar.

I am glad I have a few more of these cigars for this will have to be paired with a good stout or porter.

Korbel California Champagne Brut: Review

12 % abv
F. Korbel & Bros. Inc.
Guerneville, California, USA
Sonoma County
$14.00

I have always liked the Korbel’s Brut Champagne for the under $20.00 selection. I like its dry yet crisp texture and there is a good supply of bubbles. Let’s take a look.

A nice bright straw color with some fine bubbles. The overall bouquet is light with a dash of spice. The texture is crisp and the mouthfeel is dry – wow, I could remember! Have not lost it yet! The flavor is like spiced pears and I get a slight peppery feel. There is a fresh citrus twang on the palate. I think I’ll call it pink peppercorn to cover the sweetness in the taste.

While, the effervescence is firm on the start, it does fade when I get to the bottom of the glass. Even though the bubbles take a dive the taste is still interesting enough to finish the last sip or two.

If I was faced with the Barefoot or the Korbel Choice - I would go with the Korbel. The Barefoot was one dimensional: tart apple.  The Korbel had an overall better taste: a zip of citrus, spiced pear, and pink peppercorn.  It also had a better 'last' sip when the bubbles all ran dry.

Read: Korbel Sweet Cuvee Review

Barefoot Bubbly: Review

Brut Cuvee
Sparkling Chardonnay
$12.49 at Kroger Grocery Store

Nothing special on the nose and I mean nothing. The taste is tart green apple, which I like, but it ends there. Overall, there is a fizzy feel on the texture.

When I poured the first glass it was really bubbly looking and the effervescence was good. By the time I got to the mid-point in the glass it was just fizzy. By the bottom of the glass it seemed a little flat and boring. Let’s try a second glass – research is tough.

The second glass started off with a firm fizzy style and by the second sip it was just fizzy and it was downhill from there.

A very simple bubbly that would be good for those who don’t know the difference between a 10 dollar bottle or a 50dy bucker. This would be good to mix with orange juice, strawberry, pomegranate juice, or other mixers.

I just mixed it with a 100% cranberry juice concentrate. That was okay. The nose seemed tart and musty. The taste was still tart.

Now, let’s give the 100% Pomegranate juice concentrate a try. The sweet pomegranate comes through as a good mixer. The tart apple is now an undertone and the sweet pomegranate adds some needed flavor.  If I was ever going to buy this bubbly again (I won't) I'd mix it with Pomegranate juice concentrate. 

Lucente 2007: Wine Review

La Vite Lucente Toscana
Lucewines.com
Montalcino,Italia
50% Merlot, 35% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

I purchased this bottle at the restaurant I go to regularly. It was suggested to me over a year ago and I have purchased it several times since. I really like this bottle and at $50.00 (restaurant price) it better be tasty.

The color is a pretty purple with ruby edges around the rim. Nice berries and a hint of cocoa-coffee greet the nose. The dark berries are present along with a plum taste to smooth things out. The cocoa-coffee note carries over to the taste. All the flavors are smooth just like the texture. The body is a solid medium style.

Terra Andina Reserva 2007 Carmenere: Wine Review

For me it has a nice black cherry and dark berry taste without the bite of a blackberry. There is a solid spice presence without being peppery. Definitely dry on the palate and comes across chewy and meaty. That means this wine has some body. This is yummy. The wine just coats the mouth with its grapey goodness.

This is a must buy.

Pairing this wine up with a cigar should be easy. One thing I don’t want to do is go too full bodied. I don’t want too strong of spice and pepper from the cigar. I want to work with the fruit profile of the wine. I am going to select a Por Larranaga Maduro Cigar. This cigar is mild to mild-medium in body.

This is a good pairing. The cigar lets me enjoy the full grapiness of the wine and the wine actually helps this cigar out some. The Por Larranaga Maduro is a good break from the bold and fuller bodied smokes but, it can be a little uneventful. The wine seems to transfer some of it flavors to the cigar.

Calluna Vineyards 2008 Red Wine: Review

Calluna Vineyards
Santa Rosa, California, USA
$29.00 at The Fine Wine Source

I am going to have to ask an expert in the wine industry but, I believe that a winery has to pay for the name ‘Meritage.” And, that brings up the point that so many bottles today have the name ‘Red Wine’ on the bottle instead of ‘Meritage.’ Is it the sign of the economy? These bottles are usually from 2007 or 2008. Maybe it is just me or maybe wineries are not paying for the name Meritage.

Any who, Calluna Vineyards Cuvee has a great ‘blend’ here: 44% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cab Sauvignon, 7% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. The five classic grapes used in a Bordeaux and could use the name Meritage.

Aroma:
Some nice ruby highlights shine through this plum colored body. The nose is soft earth and soft dark berry with a hint of smokiness. Nothing special on the nose but, it is only a 2008 bottle it may mature into something good.

Personally, I like these blends when they have four or five of the grapes involved and when they have a higher percentage of Cab Franc in the blend. This is just my personal preference but, I like the earthiness and the tart red fruits that a Franc grape brings to the game. I like to see 20% or more of Franc in the blend and especially when there is a higher percentage of Merlot in the mix like this wine. Just a personal thing.

Body:
The first thing I notice when drinking the first glass is the texture of this wine. It is medium-mild, smooth, with an almost crisp like feel. There is a nice lingering aftertaste that helps to maintain that medium body profile. The acidity seems low to moderate as well with the tannins.

This coming summer when you attend your local farmers markets you will have to look for some currants to buy. This past summer I found a vendor who had some and this was a good experience to taste some fresh red and black currants.

Taste:
Speaking of currants, this wine has a nice black currant profile. There is a soft red raspberry note, some mossy earth, a little tobacco, an undertone of oak, and a little watery edge on the palate. I cannot think of the last time I noticed a watery edge on a good red wine but, here it is.

I personally think this wine is just showing its immaturity. From what I taste here today I am thinking that it will be really good in 2013.

And with that thought, I just sold myself on a few bottles to put in the 2013 section of the cellar.

Next Day Tasting:
The black currants are a little fuller, the earthiness is a little thicker, and I don’t notice that watery edge today.

Wow, four days after opening:
Smelled safe.  Quick sip - not bad, ok, I'll ty another sip - uhm, it is better tasting today than the other days.  I have one glass left in this bottle I guess i'll finish it.  I thought this was going on the plants outside - I don't remember the last time I had a bottle make it past two days. 


I still think this is a wine you buy today to keep for a couple of years.

Tex Mex Tilapia

Tex Mex Tilapia

This is one colorful dish

I cooked up some Bamboo Rice to make the bed that the fish will sit upon. Bamboo Rice is a light green color as you can see in the picture and has a white rice taste.

I place the tilapia fish in a baking dish and pour some Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies on top of the fish.

When there were 2 minutes left on the fish I crumble up some purple corn chips on top of the Diced Tomatoes and turn on the broiler to toast up the chips. This makes a very attractive dish to serve.

Fess Parker 2007 Viognier Santa Barbara County

Viognier is pronounced: Vee-on-yay

Fess Parker Winery
Santa Maria, California, USA
14.9% abv
$24.00 a bottle
Fessparker.com

On the bottle notes: ‘Our full-bodied Viognier exhibits flavors of honeydew, white peach, mango and light butter, finishes with citrus and mineral notes.’

This is a fuller bodied white. Their description is as close as it gets. I really enjoyed this white wine and I am looking forward to drinking some more. Rumor is that the 08 is not as good as the 07. When I find it I’ll try it and let you know

Wine Enthusiast gives it a 93 rating.

I have had 5 different wines from the Fess Parker Winery and I have been more than satisfied with each one.

Click on the wine to view the posting
Fess Parker Pinot Noir 07
Chardonnay 08
Syrah 05 SBC
Syrah 04 Rodney’s Vineyard

Want to learn more about this grape visit – enjoyingviognier.com

Please leave a comment.

Justin 2007 Obtuse: Review

This is an American style port wine.

18%abv
375ml bottle
$17.00 a bottle
Justin Vineyards and Winery
Paso Robles, California, USA
JustinWine.com
I have never had this wine from Justin before so, when I saw this bottle I had to have it of course. This dark ruby colored port wine is attractive. Not only is it attractive but, smells good and taste wonderful. I think it is a date.

First Day - First 2 ounces
The aroma is cherry like with other berries and a touch of chocolate.
The dark 70% like chocolate taste with the ripe cherries and dark berry notes make this a luscious treat.

A few days later - another 2 ounces
Oh boy, this is even better. Yes, you can open this port wine and you have up to six months till you have to consume it (stored under proper conditions). The aroma still has the cherry-berry like nose but, I think the chocolate note is richer and there is a pleasing sent of alcohol spice on the nose as well.

The taste is much better. There is definitely a tawny port character to the taste now. There is a terrific nutty and cherry-chocolate like taste. I like the development of the nutty characteristic.

I think when I open another bottle of the Obtuse I will open it a day ahead of time.

Must buy.

Villa Antinori 2006: Wine Review

13.5% abv
Tuscany, Italy
Sangiovese 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%, Merlot 15%, Syrah 5%
12 months in oak casks – then 8 months in the bottle
My Strength Rating: 3.5

Nice red berries on the nose. Followed by a smooth delivery of red berry, blueberry, and a soft mossy and mushroom like note. This is a very good ‘mild to medium’ bodied wine to be enjoyed with lighter fare like veal or creamy pastas. A mild or mild to medium bodied cigar would be nice with this wine.

Justin Isosceles 2006: Wine Review

Justin Vineyards and Winery
15% abv
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Merlot – (unfiltered).
Justinwine.com
Sug. Retail: $62.00
6 months barrel aged before blending and then an additional 16 – 18 months oak barrel aging.

After opening you may need to take your pinky finger and wipe the sediment out of the top of the bottle. This bottle has loads of sediment and this is a good thing because it is an unfiltered wine. If it was a filtered wine then I may have a problem. See the sediment pictures at the bottom of this post.

Appearance: deep purple
Aroma: a variety of notes abound, currants, dark cherry, dark berry and fruit along with mocha and a nice smoky note.

Taste: This is yummy and why it is one of my favorite Justin wines. Not only is this a very good bold wine but, it has a soft side that gives it some elegance. Dark cherry, red and black currants, a soft blackberry note, an undertone of tasty vanilla-mocha with a touch of sweet caramel. Oh, that is it I am going to grab a piece of dark chocolate covered caramel. Okay, this is wonderful ... a piece of Kilwin’s dark caramel and a glass of Isosceles. Either take small bites off the piece of caramel or put the whole damn thing in your mouth and either way savor it with each sip of wine. Back to the wine notes. There is a pleasing charred oak and earthiness that brings this all together for one fabulous wine.

Mouthfeel: as I stated above, it has a bold style with a soft side that comes across in an elegant way.

sediment is a good thing here

Oh boy do I love this wine.

Buy, buy, buy.

This wine will age up to 2025 according to justinwine.com. And, I have 4 bottles left that I plan to store till 2016. Wow, this tasted so good it is going to be hard to keep my hands and cork screw off them bottles.

 
 
 

sediment from the bottle

Triple Overtime 2005 Cabernet Franc and La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 6 Maduro

The Wine
Triple Overtime 2005 Cabernet Franc

14.5% abv
Iltripleovertime.com
Napa Valley, California, USA
Igor Larionov Select Wines
My Strength Rating: 4.5

Igor Larionov is a former Detroit Red Wing hockey player and being from the Detroit area as well as a hockey fan I just had to buy this bottle. As it states on the bottle about Igor, “…being the oldest player in NHL history to score a triple overtime goal in the Stanley Cup Finals on the way to winning his 3rd Stanley Cup Championship.” Oh, how great that moment was and how great it was to see him skating for the Red Wings. I did not make it to the Fine Wine Source when Igor visited (about a year ago) and signed bottles of his wines but, Jim Lufty got me a few bottles of his fine wine with Igor’s signatures.

Here is the description from the bottle, “…bouquet of cedar, spice and black fruits. In the mouth there is an abundance of sweet cherry, blackberry and vanilla…”

On the opening of the bottle there is plenty of sediment on the cork and within the neck of the bottle. Oh, this is good stuff.

Based on the first glass; to me I get the spice and black fruits and berries on the nose along with a sweet vanilla-cherry note. I am not picking up the vanilla on the taste but, the sweet cherry and blackberry along with black currant fills the palate. A pretty straight forward wine. The tannins and acidity are moderate making it approachable for most palates. The mouthfeel is smooth overall.

Decanted second glass; the black fruits are a little richer and there is a little more earthiness on the nose while the sweet vanilla-cherry notes become more of an undertone.

Now, this is what I like about Cab Franc wines - the earthy style is showing up. While, the earthy notes are showing up it still is smooth in texture. The sweet cherry, blackberry, and black currants are still on board for a very tasty wine.

The medium body of this wine and its smooth texture will give it some good range for pairing with food and cigars. This is a nice Cabernet Franc.

The Cigar
La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 6 Maduro
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Filler: Mexican, Dominican, Brazilian, and Nicaraguan
Size: 5-7/8” x 60
My Strength Rating: 6

This is one smooth and rich tasting cigar. I have always enjoyed the Serie R line-up from La Gloria. The key to a tasty cigar with the maduro is to get a jet black stick and not the ruddy blackish-brown stick. Back when I use to buy these by the box I would have the tobacconist open the box up before I would purchase the box to make sure I was buying the jet black ones.

Now, this is not a complex cigar. Just like the Triple Overtime wine this cigar is pretty straight forward. This cigar has a very rich and tasty earthy-coffee style. The earthiness is like the rich soil that the plants are grown in. The coffee is a rich and thick Espresso style. On the second half of the smoke there is a green peppery spice that builds to add some character. The earthy style becomes thicker as you near the end of the cigar.

I think the earthy style of this cigar will go well with the wines cherry and blackberry taste.

The Pairing
I would like to sit back with Igor and enjoy this pairing. The earthy profiles are working with each other for a good medium bodied experience. The moderate spice and espresso like notes of the cigar are nice with the berries from the wine. This is a good pairing to just sit back and enjoy.

Justin Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Justin Vineyards and Winery
Paso Robles, California, USA
Visit their web site for tasting notes
JUSTINwine.com

I was out to dinner and I saw the Justin Cab 2008 on the wine list and I had to give it a try. Justin has to be one of my favorite Cabernets and well, favorite wineries.

This Cabernet was aged in oak barrels for 17 months.

The nose has a nice berry aroma that leans toward the red berries.

The taste is very nice but, not complex. The red notes are at play: red cherries and red currant. The texture comes across velvety smooth. While it comes across as a pretty simple wine it will be interesting to see how it ages. I think I’ll be buying some pretty soon and I’ll wait till the end of 2011 to see how it is aging.

CEV Merlot 2005 by: Colio Estate Vineyards: Wine Review

12.7% abv
Colio Estate Vineyards
Harrow, Ontario, Canada
coliowines.com

Colio Winery started back in 1980 off the north shores of Lake Erie. I discovered this winery about 7 or 8 years ago. They have wine for every palate; from the newbie to the experienced wine drinker. If you are in driving distance of this winery it would be worth a day trip to visit and pick up a few bottles. With the December holidays coming up I’ll be visiting to pick up some Lily’s Sparkling Wine.

Back to The Wine

Here are the tasting notes from their web site: coliowines.com
Colour: Dark garnet
Bouquet: Chocolate, blueberry and dark toast…
Taste: Chocolate, white pepper and ripe blueberries with a longstanding fruit finish

This is one deep color and that should be a good thing. To me the lighter the color on a Merlot wine usually means less body, less texture, and just less everything. Okay, I am giving my attitude away toward Merlot wines. Yes, it’s true that Merlot wines were made to get Americans to drink more wine. But, that is old stuff. Today, you can find some good quality Merlot wines. So, I digress.

Back to The Wine Again

If I didn’t already know that this was a Merlot – I would not guess it was a Merlot. The deep rich color and the nose is so Cabernet like. There are some dark berries on the nose. I know they have blueberry listed but I get a black current note as well. This is followed by a nice smoky style, a touch of spice, and a hint of white pepper.

The taste is just yummy. Blackberry, blueberry, black currant along with a good dark chocolate presence (80% like), and a solid earthy profile. To me there is a nice blackberry tart bite that mingles with a good earthy-soil note to make for an almost chewy mouthfeel. This wine does coat the palate and for a Merlot it comes across thick. I really like this wine. The aftertaste is long, with the berries and earthy notes just covering the tongue, for a lasting impression. The white pepper and spice is nice on the back of the palate.

This Merlot may not be for the average or occasional wine drinker. This Merlot has some structure, body, strength, texture, and power. No wonder it has won a Gold Medal at the Great Lakes Wine Judging and a Silver Medal at the Ontario Wine Awards: both in 2009.

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Horse Play Rollicking Red 2005: Wine Review

The blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 44%, Merlot 39%, Syrah 17%
Three of the grapes of Meritage Red Wine
13.8% abv
Vinted and bottled by: Horse Play
Santa Rosa, California, USA
Horseplaywines.com

I picked this bottle up at the local grocery store for only $7.50 a bottle – half off its regular price. I only bought one bottle and got home and tasted it and then went back to buy the remaining bottles. This is a tasty red wine. The aroma has a rich dark berry nose. The taste will not disappoint you. The blackberry and currants are flavorful. The red cherry and plum notes help to balance the lush texture of this wine. The mossy earth, tobacco, and delicate spice undertones help to bring this flavorful wine together.

This is what they have to say on their web site:

“Our debut 2005 vintage was produced from choice grapes grown in Sonoma County and the Central Coast regions of Paso Robles and San Benito County. The outstanding 2005 growing season fostered intense, concentrated flavors in our grapes, greatly enhancing the quality of this robust, yet graceful red, which gained further complexity from five months’ aging in French and American oak.”

Pick up a bottle of this wine if you find it.

Fess Parker 2007 Pinot Noir: Wine Review

Santa Barbara County
fessparker.com
Visit their web site and buy yourself a raccoon skin cap

This is one tasty wine with notes of bing cherry, raspberry, pomegranate?, and just plain loads of berries. This would be fun to wine to play the game, “what berry am I tasting?”

There is just the right touch of mocha, just a touch.

The aroma is just super special.

This is a terrific Pinot Noir. Pick up a bottle and give it a try.

Cigarzin 2007 Zinfandel and 5 Vegas Gold Maduro The Brick Cigar

Wrapper: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Honduran and Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 55 box-pressed
My Strength Rating: 6

Dryness abounds in this smoking experience. The earthy quality comes across as dry soil and this dominates the profile. There is coffee bean and a dry powdery cocoa note present. The spicy notes are firm with a nice level of white peppercorn to tingle the palate. Besides the dryness the texture it also delivers a semi-smooth yet robust smoking experience. This cigar does need a quality beverage or it could get a little harsh on its own. While this stick is billed as a mild-medium bodied smoke – I give it a 6 on my strength scale because of the texture (the dryness).

I have enjoyed a few of these since I bought a box of them about a month ago. They seem to burn well with little or no correction needed. The ash holds on for an inch or so before you have to remove it. The ash is salt and pepper in color and a little rugged in appearance. I have smoked each one down to the nub with no bitterness to the finish.

I enjoyed this cigar yesterday on the way home from Grindstone City, Michigan. No wife or dogs in the car with me and a three hour drive, what is a man to do? I had it paired with my Bigby Best Coffee which is a medium roast. Tonight, I have it paired with a red wine named CIGARZIN.

The Wine
Cigarzin 2007 Zinfandel
Bottled by: Cosentino Winery, Woodbridge, California, USA.

This 15.4% abv zin has a wonderful bouquet of dark fruits, spice, and mild pepper. The taste follows the nose. Layers of dark fruit: blackberry, cherries, boysenberry, and more. The nice spice mingles with the mushroom-earthy style and the green peppercorn note is just right for me. My Strength Rating: 6. The mouthfeel is smooth and elegant. This Zin leaves a pleasing aftertaste of dark berries on the palate.

Since this wine does not have a big earthy, thick, jammy style it should have a good range to handle most cigars in the mild-medium to medium-full range. Going to the full range, on the cigar, may override the elegant style of this wine.

The Pairing
This cigar brings out the earthy quality in this wine, making the mouthfeel of the wine a little thicker. The dark berries seem a little fuller in the wine during this pairing as well. The wine does control the dryness of this cigar. This is a pretty good pairing. The A Fuente Anejo was the better pairing for this wine (see posting).

Uppercut 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Dark Berry Lamb Chops

Vinted and Bottled by: Uppercut
Sonoma, California, USA
14.2% abv
UppercutWine.com

The description on the bottle sounds wonderful, “…an elegant, dark-fruit character and velvety texture. The rich, expansive flavors abound with lush blackberry, black cherry and cocoa expressions, while hints of caramel and spice from barrel aging linger on the fruit-imbued finish.”

I sure hope this wine lives up to its description.

I am opening this bottle long before dinner to see how it tastes. On the nose there are dark berry fruits with some spice. The taste has a good blackberry and dark cherry taste but, the alcohol gives a bit of a burn. So, this wine needs to be decanted to help it to open up. I am going to let the bottle sit for 20 minutes before decanting and then it should be ready while I cook dinner.

Lamb chops are on the menu for dinner tonight. Here is how I am preparing them. I am using Fustini’s oils and vinegars (Fustinis.com). I coat the baking dish with Chipotle Extra Virgin Olive Oil and then add the chops. I then pour on some Pomegranate Balsamic and Black Currant Balsamic Vinegar. Then I add a ½ teaspoon of Cranberry Juice Concentrate on to each lamb chop with a dusting of white pepper. During the final five minute I will pour a Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce over the chops.

The side is Camargue French Red Rice which has a wonderful aroma and taste that is earthy and nutty. This should be a fine pairing with the lamb.  I will make a bed of this rice on the plate then place the chops on top of the rice.

It is time to start cooking. Let’s check in with the wine first. Oh yes, the alcohol burn is not as noticeable. The nose is now mainly dark berries and the spice has settled. The taste is even better now. The blackberry, currant, and dark cherry profile is yummy, the alcohol burn is gone, and I get that cocoa expression that they described. I am not finding the hint caramel but the spice note is like a green peppercorn and pink peppercorn blend. The texture is lush and rich. The aftertaste carries a lingering black currant, 65% dark chocolate, and a touch of oak. I am sure happy it takes 50 minutes to prepare the rice.

Now it is show time. I sure hope the food taste good now.

The flavor on the lamb chops is just wonderful and the Camargue French Red Rice is the perfect fit for this meal.  As for the wine, I don't think I could have planned any better than this Cabernet.  As this wine opened up there was this great mocha flavor that was just terrific.
This wine is a must buy.  I believe the bottle cost $29.00 at the Fine Wine Source.

Hannah Nicole 2006 Meritage: Wine Review

This wine has the five classic Bordeaux grapes.
35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec.
Hnvwines.com - a good web site to visit

Here is what it says on the bottle, “…fills the mouth with distinct flavors of black cherry, plum and cola. Firm tannins, exhibiting a softness from the Cabernet Franc, hints of mocha and currants, followed by the classic Brentwood Terroir note of cocoa dust the linger on in the finish.”

I purchased this bottle from the Fine Wine Source in Livonia, Michigan for $11.00. This bottle needs some time to open up, so decant for a half an hour. It still seemed a bit thin on the taste.

There are nice notes of dark berries and black currant. While it has the five classic Bordeaux grapes it is still an average Meritage. I did not find the mocha-cocoa notes they describe. The best I could come up with was a light earthy quality. A simple wine overall and nothing that special.

Vision Cellars 2007 Red Wine: Review

The Wine

Vision Cellars 2007 Red Wine
Vinted & Bottled by: Vision Cellars
Rutherford, California, USA
Visioncellars.com

The nose of this wine has a dark berry aroma that is just yummy. And, that yummy nose follows to the taste. This is one delicious wine. A mixture of red and black berries leaning toward the red, just swarm the palate. There is a hint of sweet raspberry with a touch of oak that is oh so tasty. The mouthfeel is very smooth and elegant. If you are a Cabernet Sauvignon fan, pick this up. If you are not – still pick this bottle up because, you will fall in love with this tasty Cab.

In Michigan, the only store you will find it is the Fine Wine Source in Livonia. The store is located on Middlebelt near Six Mile Road. The bottle will run you $39.00 a bottle. Believe me – it is worth every penny and more. It has been a few years since I have had a bottle of Quintessa but, this reminds me of that and it costs around $110.00 a bottle.

Broke Ass Red Wine 2009: Wine Review

This red wine is from Argentina and is a blend of 50% Malbec and 50% of Syrah. The taste is not all that bad. There is a tart blackberry and black currant profile mixing in with a smoky earth quality. The mouthfeel is a little jammy. It is nothing special of course – as it says on the bottle, ‘no frills great value wine.’ While it is only ??? Damn I don’t remember how much I paid – it may have been $8.00, I don’t know if I would call it a great value. Great value has to have the right price and good taste. The taste here is ‘not bad,’ which is not good but not poor either.

Just a fun wine to pick up because of the name and since I just paid for a new roof, two new doors, $1,300 on the car, $400 on doggie vet visits, and bought some new clothes here in the past two weeks – I feel broke! So, the wine is fitting.

Double T 2006 Red Wine: Review

The Wine
Double T 2006
Trefethen Family Vineyards
Napa, California, USA
TREFETHEN.com

Here is what they have on the bottle: “…Cabernet Sauvignon gives depth and structure: Merlot adds a lively spiciness, Cabernet Franc floral fruit, Petit Verdot intense color, and Malbec a silky softness.”

This is my last bottle of this wine. I bought a six pack a couple of years ago and I have to say I have always enjoyed this wine. This wine should be paired with game, steak, filet mignon, lamb, and other hearty fare. This wine is also deserving of a bold cigar as an after dinner treat.

Appearance: Deep purple body with deep ruby edges.
Aroma: Big berry, light spice; it is just terrific with each sip.
Taste: Big bold dark berry profile; the blackberry and black currant notes are thick; good spice and earthy notes to fill the palate; the earthy notes to me seem to include a portabella mushroom and forest floor like quality. The dry soil just adds to the texture of this bold red wine. An undertone of floral comes into play; it is just a hint of violet. The dryness of the mouthfeel along with all these wonderful flavors mingle together and make me think of a rich 87% dark chocolate.
Mouthfeel: The feel is full bodied. The berry profile makes it a little jammy; the earthy qualities coats the tongue. There is a long aftertaste of these two on palate.

Tonight I am going to give this wine an 8 on My Strength Rating Scale. Big bold flavors, jammy mouthfeel, dry texture, earthy notes coat the palate for a long aftertaste.

A Wine Review: Schioppettino 2008 Villa Rubini

Colli Orientali del Friuli

The Fruili district is located on Italy’s Northeastern border. The Schioppettino grape is a thick skinned grape that can have some Syrah-like qualities. This grape is very hard to come by because it has been slowly replaced by Merlot and Tocai grapes.
This wine is aged for 12 months in chestnut casks.
Villarubini.net


Aroma: a mixture of red and black berries with a firm herbal-spice nose.
Appearance: with my glass full it has a deep purple body with some good ruby red edges.
Taste: A good dark berry presences blends well with a hint of floral and a touch of herb and a mixture of peppercorns. To me this is that peppermill that is filled with pink, white, and green peppercorns. I really like the pepper profile in this wine.
The mouthfeel is soft. Look at my description, a touch of this and a hint of that, and the pepper style is that of a soft pepper. It is this peppery style that lingers on the palate and the other tasting notes are on the back of the palate. There is a pleasing herbal dryness.
This is one tasty wine.

Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2006 - Wine Review

This 13% abv Italian Red Dry Wine has a deep ruby color. When I first opened the bottle the alcohol aroma was overpowering. Hoping that nothing was wrong here I set the glass of wine to the side to let it breathe a little. Came back to it in 15 minutes and the alcohol level was relaxing. Swirled the glass awhile and then came back to in a few minutes and the aroma was starting to open up. A light earthy note with some fresh dark berry notes. The tasting notes cover black licorice, red and black currant, and some nice dry herbal spice. The dryness of the mouthfeel makes me think of a strong woody-earthy quality and the tart bite of blackberries. The very thick earthiness just coats the palate for a long lasting jammy aftertaste.

Bogle Petite Sirah 2007



This little wine is bold

 This well price bottle of red wine comes from Graton, California. In Michigan it will cost you around $12.00 for a 750ml bottle. Bogle started their business back in 1978 and the Petite Sirah grape is their bread and butter.

The appearance is a very deep purple wine that just looks so delicious when it is poured into the glass. The aroma has a very good dark berry, plum, and spice profile. If you like blackberries well this is your wine. This wine covers all the tasting range of a blackberry. That sweet berry taste is underneath the bold dark and tart blackberry bit that sits on your palate with each sip.

While the nice spice and oak dance across the tongue the smoky-earthy quality just coats the palate with a thick lasting aftertaste. Between the heavy texture, jammy mouthfeel, big blackberry taste along with some nice spice and a solid oak note, I will have to give this wine a 9 on my strength rating.

This is the first bottle of this wine that I have ever had, but I will be buy more because this is right up my alley. This would be very good with a lamb dinner and/or a quality cigar.

Visit their web site to learn more about this wine and the winery
Boglewinery.com

Terre di Ger Cabernet Franc 2007

This Italian red wine has a lovely nose of ripe red fruits and spice. The taste profile has a great peppery style. To me it is the pepper mill that has all the different peppercorns: black, green, white, and pink pepper. This wine would be great to pair with a soup or salad and you would not have to add any pepper to the soup just drink the wine. There is also a tasty red currant note swirling around behind that peppery profile.

Pairings: Portabella Mushroom Soup, Portabella Mushroom Cap, Venison Steaks, Porterhouse.

Jackson-Triggs 2006 Meritage

Proprietor’s Grand Reserve
12.7% abv
Has the three classic Bordeaux grapes: Merlot 55%, Cabernet Sauvignon 27%, and Cabernet Franc 18%.

Jackson-Triggs Winery is located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada. The last time I visited the winery had to be around 8 to 10 years ago. This region has some great wineries and this bottle was one of my favorites back then. I did not buy this bottle at the winery; I got it at the duty free store at the border of Canada. I personally don’t like to buy wine from the duty free stores because they have those blazing hot spot light beaming on the wine bottles 24 hours a day. I want to go back to Niagara-on-the-Lake sooo bad.

Back to the wine. On the bottle it reads: “…aromas of black currant, ripe raspberries and plums underscored with vanilla, cedar and spicy black pepper.” “…flavors of berries, chocolate, coffee and clove…”

Back in the 90’s when I use to visit there they had some very good vintages. I am looking forward to trying this wine. I wish I still had my computer from then – I would have my tasting notes about this wine.

The appearance is a deep ruby color. The aroma is of dark fruit with a nice raspberry presence. There is also a good spicy style to the smell as well.

The plum to me is on the taste not the nose to me. When I taste this I think of biting into a plum. There is also a blackberry and black currant bite along with a red berry called raspberry that adds some character to this flavorful wine. The fine black pepper notes are on the aftertaste along with a nice earthy coating on my palate. There is also a dusting of 85% dark chocolate that lingers on the palate. This is a fuller bodied red wine.

Okay, the first weekend of November I am heading to this winery. No I am not - I just put a new roof on and put in two new doors on the house.  Next year!

If you like wine this is a must go to location!!!

Cranberry Maple Pecan Encrusted Veal Chops

In a small frying pan melt about three tablespoons of unsalted butter and add Cranberry Maple rub

then toss in the chopped pecans

Once the pecans are glazed well with the rub cover the veal chops with the pecans. Bake in the oven till ready.

Genesis 2007 Meritage

14.4% abv
The Hogue Cellars
Prosser, Washington, USA

This Meritage covers four different grapes from the Columbia Valley region: Merlot 49%, Cabernet Sauvignon 44%, Malbec 6%, Cabernet Franc 1%

The bottle reads, “…juicy berry, cherry and plum flavors and oak, spice and cocoa on the finish.”

I am opening this bottle of wine tonight (11:00pm) to taste it and see if it will be a good match with my filet mignon dinner that I am planning tomorrow.

The first sip seems to have a bite. Little bigger sample and it seems too astringent. This wine needs to breath before sampling. So, I aerate the next sample and swirl it in the glass a little longer and it is still on the harsh side. Maybe, I should have waited another year before opening this bottle – too late, it’s open.

The wine does have a nice dark purple body with some nice ruby highlights on the edges. The aroma is of tart cherry.

I’ll cork it and test it tomorrow. I am going to open another to be ready.

Next day’s notes:

The hash notes are down but, this is a full tasting Meritage wine. Dark strong fruit flavors dominate. I don’t pick up any particular spice or pepper notes. There is a heavy soil earth taste. Overall I am not impressed.

A Wine Review: Peninsula Cellars 2006 Merlot

12% abv

Peninsulacellars.com

This Merlot is coming from Traverse City, Michigan. The winery describes this wine as, ‘Plums and currants mingle with roasted coffee and distant pipe tobacco.’

Appearance: a bright ruby red color

Aroma: berry and cherry like

Taste: distant pipe tobacco? – Really now – only about 100 different pipe tobacco blends. I don’t even get a tobacco taste but that is me. I’ll call it a mossy earth style that mingles with a red cherry and red currant taste. Nothing complex here but, it is tasty.

My Strength Rating: 4