Zaca Mesa Syrah

2009 Zaca Mesa Estate grown and bottled Mesa Reserve Syrah Santa Ynez Valley 14.5% ABV

Color: Super inky! (mud) Deep purple-black. Very little rim variation. Staining of the glass. Sheets in the glass/viscous. Very heavy.

Aroma: Vanilla and blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry, graham cracker, dust, pepper.

Palate: Warm! Firm tannins. Tart blackberry, leather, cassis/black currant, anise, BRAMBLY! Medium acidity.

2011 McManis Petite Sirah

McManis Family Vineyards 2011 Petite Sirah California 13.5% ABV

Color: Inky, purple-black. Rim variation--deeper center. Staining of the glass. Medium viscosity.

Aroma: Purple flowers, pepper, boysenberry cobbler, plum, vanilla, caramel, cedar, blackcherry.

Palate: Buttery, medium plus tannins, savory, vanilla, blackberry, cinnamon, cassis/black currant, blueberry.

What I'm pairing it with: Hormel chili with beans

The chili brings forth the sweet caramel and vanilla notes of the wine. The spice of the chili is brought right to the front. The tannins of the wine slice through the fat of the chili.

Opolo Grand Rouge

2010 Opolo Vineyards Grand Rouge Paso Robles 14.5% ABV

Counoise, Grenache, and Syrah

Color: Deep garnet, almost black. Medium viscosity. Lighter in color around the edges. Very slight staining.

Aroma: Blackberry cobbler, purple flowers/perfume, cedar, vanilla, plum, boysenberry, nutmeg, white pepper

Palate: Blackberry, velvety tannins, plum, dragonfruit, savory/meaty, pomegranate, bing cherry. Medium body.

The Franc!

Cosentino Winery "The Franc" 2011 14.3% ABV Lodi Cabernet Franc

Color: Deep beet-like purple. Almost black. Slight staining of the glass. Viscous.

Aroma: Blackcherry, boysenberry, pomegranate, black currant/cassis, anise, raspberry, blackberry, flowers, pepper, vanilla

Palate: Firm vet velvety tannins. Cassis, leather, boysenberry. Reminds me a little bit of petit sirah

 

2009 CigarZin

Cosentino Winery 2009 "CigarZin" California Zinfandel 14.5% ABV

Color: Deep garnet. Brilliant. Slight rim variation. Viscous.

Aroma: Black pepper, oak, JAMMY, blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry, COLA, blueberry, plum, black cherry, raisin, tobacco/tea leaf.

Palate: Medium finish. Medium plus acidity. Medium tannins. Hot! Blackberry, leather, butter, meaty, vanilla, floral.

Domaine Carneros 2006 Brut

This one here is a bubbly produced and bottled in the Napa Valley. Cheers!

Domaine Carneros 2006 Brut by Taittinger Late Disgorged Methode Champenoise 12% ABV vegan

Color- pale gold; tiny streamlined bubbles
Aroma- buttery and biscuity; toasted hazelnut; raisin, vanilla, mineral
Palate- crisp! bitter almond, toast, rainier cherry, green apple, grapefruit, freshly baked bread

What I'm pairing it with- Trader Joe's Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage

The saltiness of the sausage is balanced by the acidity in the wine. The toasty flavor of the wine is brought right to the front

Bernardus 2009 Marinus

Yet another indulgence from my visit to Monterey County. This one is a Bordeaux-style blend.

Bernardus 2009 Marinus Carmel Valley Red wine 14.1% ABV

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec

Color- deep blood red; almost black; mild staining of the glass. Black tears and sediment!

Aroma- mushroom, wet forest floor, blackberry, cedar, nutmeg, plum, vanilla. Rich! Boysenberry, leather, violet, black pepper, cinnamon, nise, perfume.

Palate- LONG finish! Velvety tannins. Dry and leathery. Earthy, flowery, tart blackberry, juicy black cherry, allspice, blueberry, rubber band, chocolate

What I'm pairing it with- Trader Joe's Country Potatoes with Wild Mushrooms and Hericots Verts

The musty quality of the mushrooms complements the savory, earthy quality of the wine. The fruitiness of the wine is brought right to the front. The vanilla of the oak stands out.

Talbott 2010 Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard

Here is a wine that I brought back from my recent trip to Wine Country. It comes out of Monterey County. I just thought that I would share this one and a string of others with the world!

Talbott 2010 Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
Santa Lucia Highlands Estate Grown 14.9% ABV

Color- deep garnet; darker than most pinots; clear and clean
Aroma- dusty sweet earth; black cherry and blackberry; oak/vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon
Palate- silky smooth on the palate; velvety tannins, bright acidity; LONG finish! savory flavor--slightly meaty and earthy mushroom. Allspice; jammy/bramble fruits. Full bodied pinot! Vanilla and rhubarb. Very well balanced!

What I'm pairing it with- Trader Joe's Pizza Margherita

The acidity in the wine cuts through the cheese like a hot knife through butter. The pizza brings the fruit in the wine right to the front of the palate. The savory qualities of the wine come into play as well

What I'm pairing it with- Trader Joe's Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage

The fruitiness of the wine balances the spice in the sausage. The savory quality of the wine complements the hardiness of the sausage