What kind of WINE did you drink last night? (3 Viewers)

[Jules Winnfield]

Anyone else intimidated by the idea of sending Jules wine?

Stop that.I love wine. If it is a wine I have never had and it isn't corked then I will enjoy it. That's what wine is meant for. Tasting wines I have never had is why I drink and love wine. Sure, I have enjoyed $300 bottles but I have also loved $6 bottles. Two years ago I could go out and buy so many Spanish wines at $6,7,8,9,and 10 bottles and they were outstanding. Last year I was getting great value in Chile and now I am really finding great values in South Africa.

I have told you of Los Planos. Cost: About $9

Codice. Cost: About $6

Cavas de Chacras Malbec. Cost: $10

Maankloof Cabernet. Cost: $6

Tierra del Fuego Pinot Noir. Cost: $11 (Although I cannot say the same for the latest vintage)

Tierra del Fuego Carmenere. Cost: $11

Arrigoni Le Madie Chianti. Cost: $11

Txakoli Txomin Etxaniz. Cost $14

Not a load of heavy $$$ in those wines and they are all found in my collection. Send me one you like. Tell me why. I'll like it too.

I'm giving you a hard time, mostly since you're just more knowledgable than most folks here. I'll send you a couple of inexpensive wines I enjoy in exchange for a couple of yours? Want to trade?

Sure thing.What kind do you want?

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Anyone else intimidated by the idea of sending Jules wine?

Stop that.I love wine. If it is a wine I have never had and it isn't corked then I will enjoy it. That's what wine is meant for. Tasting wines I have never had is why I drink and love wine. Sure, I have enjoyed $300 bottles but I have also loved $6 bottles. Two years ago I could go out and buy so many Spanish wines at $6,7,8,9,and 10 bottles and they were outstanding. Last year I was getting great value in Chile and now I am really finding great values in South Africa.

I have told you of Los Planos. Cost: About $9

Codice. Cost: About $6

Cavas de Chacras Malbec. Cost: $10

Maankloof Cabernet. Cost: $6

Tierra del Fuego Pinot Noir. Cost: $11 (Although I cannot say the same for the latest vintage)

Tierra del Fuego Carmenere. Cost: $11

Arrigoni Le Madie Chianti. Cost: $11

Txakoli Txomin Etxaniz. Cost $14

Not a load of heavy $$$ in those wines and they are all found in my collection. Send me one you like. Tell me why. I'll like it too.

I'm giving you a hard time, mostly since you're just more knowledgable than most folks here. I'll send you a couple of inexpensive wines I enjoy in exchange for a couple of yours? Want to trade?

Sure thing.What kind do you want?

Surprise me with some reds you enjoy. I'd ask you what you enjoy, but I'm just going to send you what I like because I don't know of that many options.

I'll send you the Cavas de Chacras Malbec if you promise to enjoy it with a nice steak. I suggest a nice Rib-Eye.I'll send you a nice Sutton Table Pinot Noir. This was a $9 bottle of Pinot that was outstanding. Carl Sutton decided not to make it anymore when the price of Pinot grapes went from $1200 a ton to $3500 a ton.

Damn, I am going to miss this wine.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Anyone else intimidated by the idea of sending Jules wine?

i'm actually hoping he'll 'fall' to me, or he sends to me. he's one of the main reasons i got into this 'wine it forward' gig. i'm just starting a serious collection(instead of drinking it all), i've got around 70 bottles now & would like to pump it upwards of 300. going through the 1st level semmoliers exam just whet my appetite for more, it truly expanded my horizons a 1000 times in regards to wine. my business partner & i have a new goal to visit every major wine making region in the world. he was just in argentina, which was what sparked the idea.

anyway, i'm rambling... i hope to have a glass with some of you at some time. if anyone is ever in socal shoot me a pm.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Anyone else intimidated by the idea of sending Jules wine?

Stop that.I love wine. If it is a wine I have never had and it isn't corked then I will enjoy it. That's what wine is meant for. Tasting wines I have never had is why I drink and love wine. Sure, I have enjoyed $300 bottles but I have also loved $6 bottles. Two years ago I could go out and buy so many Spanish wines at $6,7,8,9,and 10 bottles and they were outstanding. Last year I was getting great value in Chile and now I am really finding great values in South Africa.

I have told you of Los Planos. Cost: About $9

Codice. Cost: About $6

Cavas de Chacras Malbec. Cost: $10

Maankloof Cabernet. Cost: $6

Tierra del Fuego Pinot Noir. Cost: $11 (Although I cannot say the same for the latest vintage)

Tierra del Fuego Carmenere. Cost: $11

Arrigoni Le Madie Chianti. Cost: $11

Txakoli Txomin Etxaniz. Cost $14

Not a load of heavy $$$ in those wines and they are all found in my collection. Send me one you like. Tell me why. I'll like it too.

I'm giving you a hard time, mostly since you're just more knowledgable than most folks here. I'll send you a couple of inexpensive wines I enjoy in exchange for a couple of yours? Want to trade?

Sure thing.What kind do you want?

Surprise me with some reds you enjoy. I'd ask you what you enjoy, but I'm just going to send you what I like because I don't know of that many options.

I'll send you the Cavas de Chacras Malbec if you promise to enjoy it with a nice steak. I suggest a nice Rib-Eye.I'll send you a nice Sutton Table Pinot Noir. This was a $9 bottle of Pinot that was outstanding. Carl Sutton decided not to make it anymore when the price of Pinot grapes went from $1200 a ton to $3500 a ton.

Damn, I am going to miss this wine.

i'd get in on this....a threeway deal? 2 bottles each?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Anyone else intimidated by the idea of sending Jules wine?

i'm actually hoping he'll 'fall' to me, or he sends to me. he's one of the main reasons i got into this 'wine it forward' gig. i'm just starting a serious collection(instead of drinking it all), i've got around 70 bottles now & would like to pump it upwards of 300. going through the 1st level semmoliers exam just whet my appetite for more, it truly expanded my horizons a 1000 times in regards to wine. my business partner & i have a new goal to visit every major wine making region in the world. he was just in argentina, which was what sparked the idea.

anyway, i'm rambling... i hope to have a glass with some of you at some time. if anyone is ever in socal shoot me a pm.

When you visit Washington, let me know.

first kid comes in 2 months, so i'll be home for a few months, we'll see how the whole baby thing unfolds. we hope to have the hang of it after 4 months or so & then take advantage of the time off & travel a bit.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Anyone else intimidated by the idea of sending Jules wine?

i'm actually hoping he'll 'fall' to me, or he sends to me. he's one of the main reasons i got into this 'wine it forward' gig. i'm just starting a serious collection(instead of drinking it all), i've got around 70 bottles now & would like to pump it upwards of 300. going through the 1st level semmoliers exam just whet my appetite for more, it truly expanded my horizons a 1000 times in regards to wine. my business partner & i have a new goal to visit every major wine making region in the world. he was just in argentina, which was what sparked the idea.

anyway, i'm rambling... i hope to have a glass with some of you at some time. if anyone is ever in socal shoot me a pm.

Now see folks. This is a man who knows wine. Sommelier exams? I collect and I drink but to be a Sommelier...Here's the wine guy right here folks.

I get dibs on Da Raiders. I want to send him wine in the Wine it Forward thing.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Anyone else intimidated by the idea of sending Jules wine?

Stop that.I love wine. If it is a wine I have never had and it isn't corked then I will enjoy it. That's what wine is meant for. Tasting wines I have never had is why I drink and love wine. Sure, I have enjoyed $300 bottles but I have also loved $6 bottles. Two years ago I could go out and buy so many Spanish wines at $6,7,8,9,and 10 bottles and they were outstanding. Last year I was getting great value in Chile and now I am really finding great values in South Africa.

I have told you of Los Planos. Cost: About $9

Codice. Cost: About $6

Cavas de Chacras Malbec. Cost: $10

Maankloof Cabernet. Cost: $6

Tierra del Fuego Pinot Noir. Cost: $11 (Although I cannot say the same for the latest vintage)

Tierra del Fuego Carmenere. Cost: $11

Arrigoni Le Madie Chianti. Cost: $11

Txakoli Txomin Etxaniz. Cost $14

Not a load of heavy $$$ in those wines and they are all found in my collection. Send me one you like. Tell me why. I'll like it too.

I'm giving you a hard time, mostly since you're just more knowledgable than most folks here. I'll send you a couple of inexpensive wines I enjoy in exchange for a couple of yours? Want to trade?

Sure thing.What kind do you want?

Surprise me with some reds you enjoy. I'd ask you what you enjoy, but I'm just going to send you what I like because I don't know of that many options.

I'll send you the Cavas de Chacras Malbec if you promise to enjoy it with a nice steak. I suggest a nice Rib-Eye.I'll send you a nice Sutton Table Pinot Noir. This was a $9 bottle of Pinot that was outstanding. Carl Sutton decided not to make it anymore when the price of Pinot grapes went from $1200 a ton to $3500 a ton.

Damn, I am going to miss this wine.

i'd get in on this....a threeway deal? 2 bottles each?

I'm in

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Anybody here ever drink David Frost wines?

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Anybody here ever drink David Frost wines?

the golfer?

That's him.I'm having lunch with him tomorrow and some reps from a wine distribution group that deals mainly with South African wines.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

jules,

where are you getting your south african wines? i'd like to try some of the ones you mentioned because for the most part, as mentioned before, i have completely struck out with south africa.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

Know anything about "D cubed" 2002 Zinfandel from Napa? My accountant just dropped off a bottle for us to try (we were talking about zins a month ago). She says it is kickin'......what say you?

I zins so any recommendations would be great. Picked up a 2003 Seghesio Alexander Valley Home Ranch for about $28 tonight. Supposedly it is good stuff. Like their Old Vines wines.

Murphy-Goode Liar's Dice - Easy on the pocketbookFrog's Leap

Chateau Soverain

Hartford

Inspiration Vineyards (One of my favorites)

Preston of Dry Creek

Howell

Hendry

Neyers

Also a big fan of the Frog's Leap. The Chateau Souverain was pretty good as was the Dry Creek mentioned above. I can't find any of the Howell Mountain Vineyards around here though.

I will see what else I can find out of that list.

I forgot about another one that I have recently been drinking. Citizen Zinfandel. I have had their Cabernet many time and find it to be a really good value in the Cab world so I tried the Zinfandel. Zinfandel grapes from the Alexander Valley and a touch of Petit Syrah to create a easy drinking, mighty tasty, and full body red.

The Cabernet is a Tuscan style with a little Merlot and Sangiovese tossed in.

Btw: That zin was really nice. She said she will get me 3 more bottles of it next week.

Of what? The Citizen?Tonight some friends decided to invite me over for wine. There are 10 of us and then his wife says "I just got these new Shiraz wines in that I want you to try. I just love them" She then pulls out Earthworks Shiraz and Los Planos Syrah. I didn't have the heart to tell her that I just did a tasting of Earthworks a while ago and that I have been drinking the Los Planos for a long time now.

I brought over a Ermita de Tices-Tinto Crianza which is a Tempranillo/Cab/Merlot blend (60/30/10)

Earthworks is a good Shiraz though.

The D cubed.

 

[DPRugby]

Drank a bottle of Thomas Fogarty '03 Chard last night. $19.99 at Bevmo. Was a pretty kick fanny wine that compared well to Chards like an '04 Far Niente.

Tasty stuff for a Santa Cruz Mountain wine.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

currently enjoying a 00 jessup cellars napa cab. nice dark fruits, cassis, with a hint of smoky earth to it. the tannins are light. i have one more of them, & i think i'll let it sit a while to see if the earthiness comes out a little more. it's also drinking surprisingly hot for 14.1%

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

Thought I was going to get off easy tonight (got very twisted yesterday at lunch and then again at poker).....

Wine maker from Opolo Vineyards (Sales manager actually) & Peachy Canyon Winery. They brought 12 bottles between them

Peachy Canyon Rose up first. I'm not a huge white fan to begin with, and rose has never really been my cup of tea until the last couple of years when it gets as hot as it is now down here. It is a great food wine generally. This one is 90% zin and 10% syrah. Bone dry. The zin is just too much for this style, IMHO.

Opolo Syrah has just been decanted. I'm already a huge fan of their Pinot Noir, but he tells me their Zin is fantastic...which we'll probably taste last.

So much for going home early tonight. :( Oh well

Edited to say I think Peachy Canyon is a horrible name for a winery.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

The Opolo Syrah is freaking huge & a bit jammy. Not what I was expecting, but it is really good.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

Holy moly 16.6% on the Opolo Mountain Zin. Way too big without food...It was really good & surprisingly not hot. I do feel like I just ate a jar of currants, raisins, and a plum.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

I have the name of that wine I had at Dante's but it is at work. I also have a care package I'm sending to you to say thanks for the gracious service, yes 2 to 3 months late but on its way soon.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

I have the name of that wine I had at Dante's but it is at work. I also have a care package I'm sending to you to say thanks for the gracious service, yes 2 to 3 months late but on its way soon.

I hope it involves ham, a midget, and some C4.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Thought I was going to get off easy tonight (got very twisted yesterday at lunch and then again at poker).....

Wine maker from Opolo Vineyards (Sales manager actually) & Peachy Canyon Winery. They brought 12 bottles between them

Peachy Canyon Rose up first. I'm not a huge white fan to begin with, and rose has never really been my cup of tea until the last couple of years when it gets as hot as it is now down here. It is a great food wine generally. This one is 90% zin and 10% syrah. Bone dry. The zin is just too much for this style, IMHO.

Opolo Syrah has just been decanted. I'm already a huge fan of their Pinot Noir, but he tells me their Zin is fantastic...which we'll probably taste last.

So much for going home early tonight. :( Oh well

Edited to say I think Peachy Canyon is a horrible name for a winery.

I have my Rose tasting on Wednesday. We will be tasting about 10 of them.For the weekend I was given a '03 Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel and a '01 Foris Maple Ranch Pinot Noir.

I have had Dry Creek but I haven't ever had a Foris.

Anyone?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

jules,

where are you getting your south african wines? i'd like to try some of the ones you mentioned because for the most part, as mentioned before, i have completely struck out with south africa.

bumps0r& where are you doing these tastings jules? you're in LA right? i'm just down the road in the OC(can't believe i live here, grew up in LA) if they're open to the public i'd come up for a few.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

jules,

where are you getting your south african wines? i'd like to try some of the ones you mentioned because for the most part, as mentioned before, i have completely struck out with south africa.

bumps0r& where are you doing these tastings jules? you're in LA right? i'm just down the road in the OC(can't believe i live here, grew up in LA) if they're open to the public i'd come up for a few.

Not LAI'm in the midwest

 

[DA RAIDERS]

so where are you getting these south african wines?

 

[Jules Winnfield]

so where are you getting these south african wines?

I know a lot of people in the wine world. I know of two groups that travel all over the world finding small vineyards, many that haven't ever imported their wines outside of their country. No liquor stores, no chain restaurants, no grocery stores, etc...MT Global is one of them. They deal big time with the South African trade. Ever since the vineyards over there started making wine in the New World style as opposed to Old World style the South African wines have gotten better.

SCD Trading is another group I know. They deal with some really small vineyards and they also deal with a lot of vineyards overseas that never released their wines to the U.S. before.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

so where are you getting these south african wines?

I know a lot of people in the wine world. I know of two groups that travel all over the world finding small vineyards, many that haven't ever imported their wines outside of their country. No liquor stores, no chain restaurants, no grocery stores, etc...MT Global is one of them. They deal big time with the South African trade. Ever since the vineyards over there started making wine in the New World style as opposed to Old World style the South African wines have gotten better.

SCD Trading is another group I know. They deal with some really small vineyards and they also deal with a lot of vineyards overseas that never released their wines to the U.S. before.

how does one go about connecting with them??

 

[Super Hogs]

Had a good inexpensive Pinot Noir last night....

Twin Fin 2004 (screw cap)

 

[Raylove]

Havent had the time to read through all the pages yet, so if this is duplicated I apologize in advance...

I recommend a white wine called Evolution. It is from an Oregon region & is made from 9 different grapes. I think it is excellent & havent had any of my friends dislike it yet either. It runs $15 over here on the east coast.

Here is a webpage discussing: Evolution Wine

 

[Loomba]

2004 Sterling Vineyards Shiraz.  I really like the Sterling reds good stuff

A good friend of mine gave me a 1983 Sterling Cab Sauv. I am afraid to open it and waste it on myself! After his baby is born this summer, I will invite them over to pull the cork and share.

You should open that asap. Probably close to going down hill if you wait too much longer.

I contacted the Sterling Concierge about this wine and they said it was probably undrinkable now. So we pulled the cork a couple of weeks ago. It was heavily covered in sediment on the end. The wine was toast. You could detect that something good had been in the bottle at one time, but there was absolutely no body to it. Very thin and flat. I drank maybe half a glass trying to coax something out of it onto my palette and then gave up and dumped the remainder down the drain.The sad part is my friend probably paid a pretty penny for it a couple of years ago when he was in Napa. A follow up email to the Sterling Concierge said their better reserves generally age well for around 10 years. So there is a good chance this wine was toast when he bought it. I don't know how to break that news to him, so probably won't unless he asks about the wine one day....

On a better note, had very nice Petit Verdot from the Sandhill winery in the Okanagan at a local Earl's a couple of weeks ago. Can't recall the year, probably a 2003 or 2004. Very nice and distinct flavor and will be buying a couple of bottles next time I wake up in a wine store. Sandhill is another Okanagan winery that everyone should check out. They like to create single varietal wines from their small lots program. I like to give these more obscure varietals a try so I better understand some of the flavors and structures one detects in more complex blends.

cheers

 

[Jules Winnfield]

2004 Sterling Vineyards Shiraz. I really like the Sterling reds good stuff

A good friend of mine gave me a 1983 Sterling Cab Sauv. I am afraid to open it and waste it on myself! After his baby is born this summer, I will invite them over to pull the cork and share.

You should open that asap. Probably close to going down hill if you wait too much longer.

I contacted the Sterling Concierge about this wine and they said it was probably undrinkable now. So we pulled the cork a couple of weeks ago. It was heavily covered in sediment on the end. The wine was toast. You could detect that something good had been in the bottle at one time, but there was absolutely no body to it. Very thin and flat. I drank maybe half a glass trying to coax something out of it onto my palette and then gave up and dumped the remainder down the drain.The sad part is my friend probably paid a pretty penny for it a couple of years ago when he was in Napa. A follow up email to the Sterling Concierge said their better reserves generally age well for around 10 years. So there is a good chance this wine was toast when he bought it. I don't know how to break that news to him, so probably won't unless he asks about the wine one day....

On a better note, had very nice Petit Verdot from the Sandhill winery in the Okanagan at a local Earl's a couple of weeks ago. Can't recall the year, probably a 2003 or 2004. Very nice and distinct flavor and will be buying a couple of bottles next time I wake up in a wine store. Sandhill is another Okanagan winery that everyone should check out. They like to create single varietal wines from their small lots program. I like to give these more obscure varietals a try so I better understand some of the flavors and structures one detects in more complex blends.

cheers

Okanogan? Where are you from?

Canada?

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Havent had the time to read through all the pages yet, so if this is duplicated I apologize in advance...

I recommend a white wine called Evolution. It is from an Oregon region & is made from 9 differnt white grapes. I think it is excellent & havent had any of my friends dislike it yet either. It runs $15 over here on the east coast.

Here is a webpage discussing: Evolution Wine

nice wine easy drinker for everyone.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Jules and Raiders - we still up for our cheap wine trade?

Had some Writer's Block Grenache today.

for sure! i'm headed to the wine store later this week.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

drank some good wine tonight.

veuve rose

schllieser reisling kabinett, QMP mosel--$15 bucks at costco.

03 isosoles

03 whitehall lane cab

 

[ditka311]

Over the weekend drank a 2002 Ridge Geyserville zinfandel. Very very good.

Also drank a 2000 Antinori Peppoli Chianti which was pretty good and a 2003 Seghesio Home Ranch Alexander Valley zinfandel. IMO, the Ridge was better than both of the others but the Seghesio was also very good.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Over the weekend drank a 2002 Ridge Geyserville zinfandel. Very very good.

2003 Seghesio Home Ranch Alexander Valley zinfandel.

IMO, the Ridge was better than both of the others but the Seghesio was also very good.

I'm a big fan of both of these wines, although I'd agree on the Ridge being better than the Ranch Home. Actually, despite the positive press it receives, the Ranch Home is probably one of my least favorite of the Seghesio Zins. For the money, I'd just as soon pick up 2 bottles of the Sonoma or spend the same for the San Lorenzo, which I think is the class of their Zinfandels.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Today at 1 PM I am tasting 4 Tuscan wines. 1 white and 3 red. Will report back.

 

[Loomba]

Canada?

Possibly, but the okanogan valley extends into Washington, only an hour or two from where I was tasting last weekend.

Yes, I am from Canada -- Calgary to be exact. The Okanagan Valley is Canada's premier wine producing area, nestled between some mountain ranges. It is very hot and dry there in the summer, kind of like Napa. Some excellent stuff coming out of that region in the last 10 years or so. The valley extends into the US.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

I talked about adding some new wines a while back, and how we decided to go International again. I have tasted about 40 wines in the last week, and these are the ones that made it based on how I liked it vs. Price point...so far anyway.

Burgundy

Latour Macon-Lugny Les Genievres 2003

Jean Marc Boillot Montagny 1er Cru 2003

Bordeaux

Chateau Haut Carles Fronsac 2003

Chateau Charmail Haut Medoc 2003

Côtes du Rhône

Perrin Côtes du Rhône Villages 2004

Spain

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja 2002....I don't like this nearly as much as the 2000 or even the 01, but it will still sell itself for me.

New Zealand

Rowland “Wild Thyme” 2004

Central Otago, New Zealand

 

[DA RAIDERS]

I talked about adding some new wines a while back, and how we decided to go International again. I have tasted about 40 wines in the last week, and these are the ones that made it based on how I liked it vs. Price point...so far anyway.

Burgundy

Latour Macon-Lugny Les Genievres 2003

Jean Marc Boillot Montagny 1er Cru 2003

Bordeaux

Chateau Haut Carles Fronsac 2003

Chateau Charmail Haut Medoc 2003

Côtes du Rhône

Perrin Côtes du Rhône Villages 2004

Spain

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja 2002....I don't like this nearly as much as the 2000 or even the 01, but it will still sell itself for me.

New Zealand

Rowland “Wild Thyme” 2004

Central Otago, New Zealand

is the central otago one a pinot?

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

Yes...pretty good too. Gerry Rowland is one of my favorite winemakers I've met, which always make the wines a lil better.

 

[ditka311]

I was at a place in Door County, WI called The Mission Grille. It is a Wine Spectator award winner for their wine list (more like a catalog).

I wanted to get the 2004 Buehler zin for $24 but I was driving and my girlfriend was drinking white wine so I would have had the bottle to myself. Not a good combo.

After I drank the half bottle of Ridge I went back to the room and cracked open the Seghesio. I was thinking...this thing is a highly rated wine and it's nothing spectacular. Just good.

Tonight is a 2002 Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It's their mass produced wine. It's nothing spectacular either but it was only $15. Might go back and grab the rest of their 2001 CSM Merlot for $14...I think it's pretty good for a mass produced wine.

 

[ditka311]

My favorite Seghesio that I have tried was their 2002 Old Vine. Their regular Sonoma zin is a better value but I really enjoyed the Old Vine.

Others on my list to try:

Rex Hill "Jacob-Hart" Vineyard Pinot Noir

Howell Mountain Vineyards zin

Tintara Shiraz McClaren Vale

I am also looking for as many 2002 Tintara Cabernets as possible since it was really good for the price (I got it at $12) and the local Binny's sold out.

 

[ditka311]

I was at a place in Door County, WI called The Mission Grille. It is a Wine Spectator award winner for their wine list (more like a catalog).

I wanted to get the 2004 Buehler zin for $24 but I was driving and my girlfriend was drinking white wine so I would have had the bottle to myself. Not a good combo.

After I drank the half bottle of Ridge I went back to the room and cracked open the Seghesio. I was thinking...this thing is a highly rated wine and it's nothing spectacular. Just good.

Tonight is a 2002 Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It's their mass produced wine. It's nothing spectacular either but it was only $15. Might go back and grab the rest of their 2001 CSM Merlot for $14...I think it's pretty good for a mass produced wine.

speaking of CSM, I'm going there for an event this weekend. Here's the lineup.

That's pretty sweet. I live in Chicago so I doubt I can make it.. However my gf got me a membership to their wine club for Xmas. So far they have sent:

2004 UNO Chardonnay (unoaked) which was great

2003 Orphellin - their Rhone blend, also very very good

2003 Cold Creek Cabernet - blah, not impressed. probably too young anyway.

2004 Eroica Riesling - fantastic. I don't drink many rieslings but this one was great. I didn't get to drink much of this since my girlfriend practically inhaled it.

Bought a bunch of wines that were made in Wisconsin this weekend. None of them are estate grown since the few wineries they have are upstart facilities and have just begun to plant their own vines. The wines that I bought are pretty good but would probably be more for people that really don't drink wine that often. I will probably serve them at parties or dinners. They lack depth.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Okay gang. Yesterday I was sampling some wines and as a added bonus we drank a 3,000 bottle production of a very good, no great, Portugese Red.

The wines were from Campania, Italy.

The winery was Fattoria Alois and this winery was founded by Michele Arios, big name in the textile market, who has a wonderful love of wine. The winery does wines from the Casavecchia grapes, Campole from blending Casavecchia and Aglianico grapes, and Caiati from Palagrello Bianco grapes. These wines are organic.

1) Caitai (Pallagrello Bianco) This is an extremely obscure varietal, even less known then, say...a Fiano, Greco di Tufo, or a Falanghina. This Bianco is one of the few Italian grapes that has a black sibling grape (Pallagrello Nero). A great wine and very distingushed wine with a golden yellow color highlighted with a nice green. On the nose we found Apricot and Orange Blossom. The palate was dry with Peach and Pear. (Ordered 1 case of this)

2) Campole (Casavecchia and Aglianico) 30% Casa and 70% Aglianico made a wine with Licorice and Plums very recognized on the nose. The palate was Coffee and Nuts with just a hint of Flowery notes. A full and concentrated wine with a long finish. (Ordered 1 case of this)

3) Trebulanum (Casavecchia) Leathery in the nose and when you first taste it, it seemed very light but some lingering tannins came through to make sure you were drinking a red. A very good wine to drink but this one was the spendy quaffer.

4) Quinta da Carolina (Many grapes indigenous to Portugal such as Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz) The best of the bunch. This wine carries the Tras-Os-Montes appelation. All these grapes combined to make a wonderful red with Cocoa, Cherry, and Plum. A beautiful finish of Black Cherries this baby drinks like a Port. Had to order two cases as it comes in 6-pack cases only.

I would love to include the Campole in my Wine it Forward

 

[Jules Winnfield]

I talked about adding some new wines a while back, and how we decided to go International again. I have tasted about 40 wines in the last week, and these are the ones that made it based on how I liked it vs. Price point...so far anyway.

Burgundy

Latour Macon-Lugny Les Genievres 2003

Jean Marc Boillot Montagny 1er Cru 2003

Bordeaux

Chateau Haut Carles Fronsac 2003

Chateau Charmail Haut Medoc 2003

Côtes du Rhône

Perrin Côtes du Rhône Villages 2004

Spain

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja 2002....I don't like this nearly as much as the 2000 or even the 01, but it will still sell itself for me.

New Zealand

Rowland “Wild Thyme” 2004

Central Otago, New Zealand

Yo Tipsy!If you like the Haut Carles then you would love 2003 Chateau Lafleur Mongrion. Probably run you $12-14 a bottle. A very very very GREAT value.

 

[tipsy mcstagger]

I talked about adding some new wines a while back, and how we decided to go International again. I have tasted about 40 wines in the last week, and these are the ones that made it based on how I liked it vs. Price point...so far anyway.

Burgundy

Latour Macon-Lugny Les Genievres 2003

Jean Marc Boillot Montagny 1er Cru 2003

Bordeaux

Chateau Haut Carles Fronsac 2003

Chateau Charmail Haut Medoc 2003

Côtes du Rhône

Perrin Côtes du Rhône Villages 2004

Spain

Marqués de Cáceres Rioja 2002....I don't like this nearly as much as the 2000 or even the 01, but it will still sell itself for me.

New Zealand

Rowland “Wild Thyme” 2004

Central Otago, New Zealand

Yo Tipsy!If you like the Haut Carles then you would love 2003 Chateau Lafleur Mongrion. Probably run you $12-14 a bottle. A very very very GREAT value.

Most of the 03' from Bordeaux has been really good. The Haut Carles is about $30 wholesale, so it is out of my everyday purchasing....I will look for that Lafleur Mongrion today at the wine shop.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

tipsy, look for chateau cruzeau. great price point & great wine to boot.

 

[ditka311]

Continuing WA wine night. Had the Columbia Crest Two Vines Shiraz (2002) for $7.99 and found a 2001 CSM Canoe Ridge Cabernet at a local liquor store covered in dust.

The "shiraz" is tasty, especially for the price. Not an inky or hearty Aussie shiraz but it's a good tasting wine. One of those "daily drinkers" I guess.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

02 george da latour reserve--nice dark inky cab--deep dark fruit-medium tannins

02 sterling reserve cab--tasty, a little bigger than the gdl--slightly more tannic

jayson chard(pahlmeyer producy) heavy ML--not my style but decent

bought a 6 pack of the steingarten reisling i love so much, 2 ferrari carano tresor($20 bucks off @$29) & was given 8 bottles of various swill by one of my wine reps. i'll report any worth mentioning.

 

[ditka311]

anybody here a fan of Buehler Vineyards?

 

[Loomba]

Barbequed a couple of nice ribeyes tonight and was reaching for a Lasendal or an Imagery wine when I stumbled across an dusty bottle of Cab Sauv (2000 Sonoma County) from Gallo, and thought what the hell. And considering my sad experience with the 1983 Sterling Cab Sauv recently, I thought I should pull this cork before it starts waning. Don't recall buying this wine, probably a bottle someone dropped off who we had over for dinner or drinks once upon a time...

Nice bouquet. Smoky cherry and soft fruit nose. Not overpowering or a "big cab" but nice nonetheless. Softer, lighter than most cabs out there. A nice drinkable CS. Probably not best suited for barbequed steak. At least it was still good. The bouquet was a bit deceptive as it hinted at a fuller bodied wine.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Barbequed a couple of nice ribeyes tonight and was reaching for a Lasendal or an Imagery wine when I stumbled across an dusty bottle of Cab Sauv (2000 Sonoma County) from Gallo, and thought what the hell. And considering my sad experience with the 1983 Sterling Cab Sauv recently, I thought I should pull this cork before it starts waning. Don't recall buying this wine, probably a bottle someone dropped off who we had over for dinner or drinks once upon a time...

Nice bouquet. Smoky cherry and soft fruit nose. Not overpowering or a "big cab" but nice nonetheless. Softer, lighter than most cabs out there. A nice drinkable CS. Probably not best suited for barbequed steak. At least it was still good. The bouquet was a bit deceptive as it hinted at a fuller bodied wine.

Whenever I grill ribeyes I always open up a Malbec. I love me a nice Malbec.