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Both are inexpensive California merlots, which are overall quite drinkable values- much like Australian shiraz. Just a ton of decent grapes in the regions that make reliable, inexpensive wine. with the best of the vintages being reserved for the higher-priced, world-class bottlings.
Stag's Leap or Stags' Leap?
The merlot is good also and with the under $10 bucks price point it is going to be a favorite of mine for awhile.
haven't had that, will check it outI've had lots of the other Stag's Leap cabs (SLV, Fay, Cask 23)
Can't believe I missed this last year. Glad you liked the Noblesse. It's a great bargain. Also, if you like inexpensive, acidic summer sippers, we've a Spanish Godello for $14 that became my house white once we got it in. Too cold to drink it this time of year, but we pounded it this spring/summer/fall. And I realize it's a year later, but if you're still going region to region, I cannot recommend Germany any more strongly. While the Italians obviously make a lot of world class wines, I think it's also the hardest country in the world to get a grasp on the grapes/regions/wine makers/labeling. Also, German wines are vastly, vastly underrated IMHO. There are far fewer grapes and varietals and regions in Germany. Once you understand the Pradikat, the labels are much less intimidating. And if you've never had a big bratwurst with an Auslese Reisling, you really owe it to yourself to do so. As for wines we've had recently, our Christmas party was earlier this week. We poured a white Chateauneuf du Pape along with a Spanish Cabernet Sauvignon that is amazing. We actually talked the Spanish wine making into bottling a barrel of his Cab for us - he didn't think it would sell and he was planning on using it to blend. We told him we'd buy every bottle he could bottle of it and we'd have no problem selling it. It's not only a great wine but a fun story. It's a beautifully balanced wine, plenty of fruit and oak while not being obnoxious, not to alcoholic, and finished out with perfectly soft tannins. Pretty sure we're going to have to add a few magnums of this to our personal cellar before we sell out of them.A post Christmas bump for any interesting reports. I entertained 30 yesterday. We got the entire famdamily in one place for a change. Ouch. There was a monumental breakthrough in my decades long struggle to break my 3 sisters addiction to Santa Marg Pinot Grigio (gak). It was done with a $12 dollar bottle. Las Huertas Sauvignon Blanc. I don't drink much white anymore, but this will be regularly stocked around here and I think it will make a great summer sipper. If it had just a touch more minerality it would drink like a very expensive French white, imo. Also, I don't care for oaky whites, and if you do, especially chards, this is a really cheap introduction to why I don't.
And, Genedoc came through with a dessert wine that rivals any of the far more expensive botrytis wines I've tried. "Exotic" belongs in the description. Awesome stuff with a slice of not too sweet cheesecake at the end of the meal. Noblesse. I love to share wine and get other opinions, but this bottle made me greedy. Mine mine mine. Bond Street willl be shipping more to SoCal, no doubt.
I hesitate to recommend wine sometimes because my education level is still pretty low comparatively, even after all these years of enthusiastic effort, but I cannot imagine anyone not fawning over the two above -- regardless of price. Two white wine winners on Christmas day from someone who is very fussy about whites nonetheless.
The Oregon Pinots, I've been collecting all year were pored profusely during dinner and seemed to go well. St. Innocent stood above a half dozen others during an unorganized 'tasting', imo.
I'm also seeking ideas for a region to explore. This past year started off with CA central coast and switched to Oregon. I'm enjoying educating myself by region. Spain and Australia are done. France has been done for years, same with Napa and Sonoma. South America has been hit hard, but not with any focus, as have Italy and Germany. I'm considering focusing on a region within one of those three, but wide open to ideas.
Cheers.
4 Frontenac Gris (white)
3 Marquette (red)
2009 and 2010 were spent pruning the extra growth and training the vines to the trellis system.I should be harvesting grapes Fall 2011 and producing my first bottles of Wine by this time next year.
of the process so far. Snogger's Vineyard
This is great Snogger. I'll keep an eye on your blog for sure.My wife and I went to a bed and breakfast in North/West Illinois in November. I couldn't believe all the wineries in the area. We hit a few and found some great wine. And the climate and landscape reminded me very much of southwest Wisconsin.Well, this is as good of a thread as any to share that I have started my own Vineyard..
Until 2009 I had no idea you could grow grapes and produce wines this far north. After I talked to someone who had just planted a couple Vines I started researching.
Imagine my surprise when I not only found that grapes and wine could be produced here, but there were many Vineyards around me.
Since I had an area in my yard that really was going unused due to where it was located this was a perfect way to utilize it.
So I started the process in the summer of 2009 of creating Snogger's Vineyard
I ended up planting 12 Vines thinking 12 bottles of Wine a year would be good.
Only later did I do the math and realize that if everything grows as it should I will be producing 30 to 50 bottles of wine... PER YEAR
Guess what a LOT of people will be getting for birthday/Christmas presents.
Here is what I am growing:
5 Frontenac (red)
4 Frontenac Gris (white)3 Marquette (red)2009 and 2010 were spent pruning the extra growth and training the vines to the trellis system.I should be harvesting grapes Fall 2011 and producing my first bottles of Wine by this time next year.
I have a Blog running with
I haven't had a lot to add since it has just been a lot of "grunt" work so far..
This summer I should be able to update more often since I will be doing more than just pruning and training.
This is great...I will definately be following...Well, this is as good of a thread as any to share that I have started my own Vineyard..
Until 2009 I had no idea you could grow grapes and produce wines this far north. After I talked to someone who had just planted a couple Vines I started researching.
Imagine my surprise when I not only found that grapes and wine could be produced here, but there were many Vineyards around me.
Since I had an area in my yard that really was going unused due to where it was located this was a perfect way to utilize it.
So I started the process in the summer of 2009 of creating Snogger's Vineyard
I ended up planting 12 Vines thinking 12 bottles of Wine a year would be good.
Only later did I do the math and realize that if everything grows as it should I will be producing 30 to 50 bottles of wine... PER YEAR
Guess what a LOT of people will be getting for birthday/Christmas presents.
Here is what I am growing:
5 Frontenac (red)
4 Frontenac Gris (white)3 Marquette (red)2009 and 2010 were spent pruning the extra growth and training the vines to the trellis system.I should be harvesting grapes Fall 2011 and producing my first bottles of Wine by this time next year.
I have a Blog running withof the process so far. Snogger's Vineyard
I haven't had a lot to add since it has just been a lot of "grunt" work so far..
This summer I should be able to update more often since I will be doing more than just pruning and training.
The Louis Jadot was teh wife's choice but I do like light fruity wines with Sauvignon Blanc being my go to.
Saw a bottle of Cask 23 last night at BevMo while looking for another bottle of this wine. $180 clams. Is it worth it?Couple years ago I bought 6 bottles of Cameron Hughes' Lot 100, a Stags Leap District blend. I think it's time to try it.
I took a viticulture class at UC Davis when I was in college. Gave me a great base of knowledge to build on. I would absolutely recommend taking the class but I learn more in a class setting than by reading a book.
Interesting. I missed it wherever else you posted it but thanks for sharing. Best of luck snogger and awesome mustache.
Forgot the there was from when I first created the Blog site.. Oh well, will leave it as is for old time sake 
Had some a few weeks back. I prefer the Syrah from them. I think it was Lot 156. Cheaper too.You can't go wrong with CH. All of their wines are consistently in the 87-92pt range and most are around $15-$25.
When you finished did they screw the cap back on?The beer thread gave me the idea for this thread. Nothing wrong with beer, but I generally find myself reaching for a corkscrew more often than a brewski. No rules for this thread. I am just hoping people will share their thoughts and reviews to help broaden everyone's knowledge and appreciation. Snobs and neophytes welcome! Here goes:Last nightinner with the missus at a Keg restaurant (a steakhouse) in Calgary. I was leaning towards something a little more full bodied to go with the meal but when the waitress said they had the 2004 Quail's Gate Limited Reserve Pinot Noir in stock, I had to give it a try since they have been sold out the other times I have asked for it. Cdn $34.95 for the bottle, which likely translates to about Cdn. $20 or less in a wine store.It's a nice wine. Burnt cherry nose with a slightly spicy, smouldering finish. Soft feel on the palate. Nice colour for a Pinot, but not quite as rich as other QG Pinot offerings. I am not much of a rater, but would give this one a high 80's ranking. Maybe an 88.cheers!
Had some Italian Merlot tonight.
Me too...2001 GalatronaWhen you finished did they screw the cap back on?The beer thread gave me the idea for this thread. Nothing wrong with beer, but I generally find myself reaching for a corkscrew more often than a brewski. No rules for this thread. I am just hoping people will share their thoughts and reviews to help broaden everyone's knowledge and appreciation. Snobs and neophytes welcome! Here goes:Last nightHad some Italian Merlot tonight.
Look at the top of the cork. Any sign of leakage? If the wine reached the top of the cork, you're probably in trouble. Otherwise, you're on the right track. Taste it now and taste it in an hour. You'll probably notice quite a difference.
Sediment is the natural separation of color pigment, tannin, and bitartrates and occurs as wine ages and in fact may indicate a superior wine so it isn't a bad thing.Was the wine stored proper by the gift giver and by you? Proper temperature, humidity, non-movement, constant temperature...These needle nose pliers...what have they been used for before cork retrieval?offdee said:
Cork leakage is looking positive. Pretty much like this all the way around the bottom as show in pic below..Sandeman said:
No idea about how it was stored prior to receiving. My wine storage is I'm sure not up to proper standards...here's a visual of where it's been for the past few months.http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk161/o...BG/IMG_2276.jpg
Ouch...Above your fridge puts it high where heat rises (above 80 degrees and the wine will cook) and close to the lighting (Does that door close over the wine)
Oh well, if it's good great, but if not than we'll get over it....been waiting for a decent time to crack it open and NYE seems fitting. All my other wines are $10-$20 and usually drank in a couple of weeks time so no need for a temp. controlled wine cellar for me.It smells good sitting in the decanter if that means anything. Will let you know how it is after first sips.
Thanks GB.Take a gander at my "ETA" line of my last post...any knowledge on that?I really want this to be good for you.
Hard to say...they are now known as Michel-Schlumberger WinesThanks GB.Take a gander at my "ETA" line of my last post...any knowledge on that?I really want this to be good for you.
Hard to say...they are now known as Michel-Schlumberger WinesThanks GB.Take a gander at my "ETA" line of my last post...any knowledge on that?I really want this to be good for you.
This weekend I propose anyone who reads this to find a Cabernet Sauvignon and seek out the bell pepper. Once it hits the nostrils one must bask in its glory. Alternatively, anyone in Sonoma County is welcome to stop by my apartment and try the 1987 Domaine Michel Cabernet Sauvignon, which I picked up a case of for $40 a few nights ago. Mint, bell pepper, and bliss. It doesn’t hurt that it’s my birth year, either.
nice! thanks for the headsup.best to crosscheck with cellartracker before buying. the wine they have right now has no tasting notes so I'd be cautious.
If it is Green Pepper you want then drink some Carmenere.Hard to say...they are now known as Michel-Schlumberger WinesThanks GB.Take a gander at my "ETA" line of my last post...any knowledge on that?I really want this to be good for you.
http://terroirists.net/tag/cabernet-sauvignon/
I was more or less laughing at the "bought a case for $40". Isn't a case 12 bottles? So, this 24 year old bottle I'm unleashing tonight is worth a little over $3?Has to be a typo no?If it is Green Pepper you want then drink some Carmenere.Hard to say...they are now known as Michel-Schlumberger WinesThanks GB.Take a gander at my "ETA" line of my last post...any knowledge on that?I really want this to be good for you.
http://terroirists.net/tag/cabernet-sauvignon/
It was actually very good. Sat in a decanter for about 6 hours....first sip definitely had a bite on the tongue, but seemed to open up quickly. By the third or fourth sip was very smooth and tasty. Paired great with a perfectly prepared filet. Funny that it's basically worth less than my usual $15 bottles, but at the end of the day could care less as long as it tastes good (still cool to drink something thats been in a bottle for a good portion of my lifetime though)
Four Vines (especially Anarchy)
