jasons wine blog

Can’t believe it is already March, unfortunately I’m not all that surprised that I have yet to close out my “2009 Year in Wine” series. I have a few resolutions but want to focus on one here: start spending more time writing about wines (or topics) I enjoy. Upon reflection I realized there were many wines I would have liked to dedicate more time to in the year that passed. Given that I was inspired by @TommyTablas post on All Things Consumed to use the alphabet to memorialize those that I enjoyed and those that deserved more of my time and attention…

A is for unexplored, for me, Amador County and the surrounding Sierra Foothills. I paid my first visit to the area when I stopped by Sobon Estate whose wines I enjoyed throughout the year, particularly the Zins. In the sub $15 range wines like the Rocky Top deliver well beyond their price point. A family friend has also shared a number of Obscurity Cellars who finely demonstrate the unique grapes being produced in this region.

B is for 2006 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah which I was lucky enough to taste as part of the Hospice Du Rhone Ready, Set, Syrah! Taste Live event which featured 3 Shiraz offerings from Australia and 3 Syrahs from South Africa. This was my favorite of the bunch; my notes: “Bottle looks of quality, worried it won’t deliver but it does. Nice herbs on top of cherries delivered on a smooth, dry, chalky backbone. Shame to drink this now, would have loved to lay it down for 3 years or so”. Recently learned they are behind the Wolftrap label as well, need to try those. With World Cup 2010 on the horizon this is a region that is going to get a lot of attention soon.

C is for Wines of Chile. Not once, but twice I had the pleasure of joining their fantastic online tasting events. The first was covered here. The second, consisting of 8 Carmeneres, still languishes on the pages of my tasting notebook. Of the 8, the 2007 Cono Sur Vision Carmenere was my standout wine. My notes: “Beautiful nose of tobacco and chocolate. Silky smooth in the mouth with bursts of blackberry. A meaty, smoky component emerges on the mid palate leading to a tart, lasting finish”. The most important learning of the year? Carmenère is pronounced Car-men-YAIR not Car-men-are-a like I have been saying for years…

D is for 2006 Don David Cabernet Sauvignon which is made by Michel Torino and was tasted as part of a series of wine during the Salta, Argentina Taste Live event. My notes: “Nose like a cigar shop, loaded with cedar and cherries. The same cherries start the palate. This one is perfectly balanced and finishes with a tart, spicy backbone that lasts & lasts. Still seems a bit young but there are a multitude of layers here. Could taste this one all night and not “figure” it out. At $14 retail this represents a superb value”. I meant to get more of this one and never did, just added it to the to-do list!

E is a shout-out to the Trader Joe’s Epicuro offerings which deliver a series of unique Italian varietal offerings that have been on my value list for years. That said, hoping in 2010 E is for Tablas Creek’s Esprit de Beaucastel.

F is for the master of disaster in the wine world; Fred Franzia of Bronco Winery fame. 2009 saw him unleash the Blue Fin label, which included a $4 Pinot Noir and the $3 Crane Lake Down Under Chardonnay. Given the economic environment I am expecting a lot of activity from Fred in 2010, it will be interesting to see what he comes up with!

G is for Greece. My single, biggest regret of the year is not continuing my series of posts on my visit to Greece last year. I had wonderful visits with Apostolos at Domaine Spiropoulos and Petros at Gentilini Wines that are still stuck on paper (actually in ¾ done Microsoft word form). This is one thing I still hope to rectify in 2010, I’ve refused to drink any of their wines I brought back home until I do so. I have some tremendous experiences to share.

H is for Paul Hobbs and his Viña Cobos label. You can pay ~$100 for his California offerings (which, for the record, I’ve never had) or <$20 for the Cocodrilo Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. I stocked a case of the ’06 in the cellar. As a young’en this one was big and it has only ever so slightly smoothed out. Looking forward to watching how this wine continues to evolve over the next few years…

I is for Irsai Oliver, a Hungarian grape that calls Gewurztraminer and Muscat Mom & Dad. At the recommendation of Blue Danube Wine I gave the 2008 Szöke Irsai Oliver a try. Here’s my notes: “Nose of mineral/oils. Showed ripe, pollinated floral notes on a tight acidic, mineral, stony backbone. This one started off challenging but look forward to giving this varietal another go”. I love trying new grapes and look forward to getting introduced to many more in 2010. So bummed I’ll be missing the 25 grapes tasting at Solano Cellars!

J is for Jim Neal, the winemaker responsible for the one and only (in my mind) Trader Joe’s cult wine the Chariot Gypsy. As matter of fact I am sipping some as I write this post. That said, let’s move on as the post on the ‘08 vintage is next in the queue…

K is for 2005 Kaesler Stonehorse GSM which I brought home from my trip to Australia a few years back. I loved that trip and this wine. Here were my notes: “Deep purple in color, nose shows dark fruit. The palate shows loads of blackberry that are restrained and balanced by a firm tannic, acidic backbone which leads to a long, rich, dusty chocolate finish”. Wish I could get more!

L is for Lang & Reed and Cabernet Franc too! Vinography turned me on to the 2007 North Coast Cabernet Franc which solidified my connection with Viva la Wino! who drinks loads of Chinon. I’ve been stocking up on some of his recommendations and can’t wait to dive in and starting tasting those.

M is for Mendocino and Navarro Vineyards my long-time favorite winery. I drink their wines much more often then I review them, Just got the mailer that my Spring shipment will be here soon. Can’t wait!

N is for 2007 Bodega Norton Malbec the reigning champion of the controversy filled 2009 Grape Madness Tournament. By the way, the 2010 version is right around the corner, you in? Stay tuned for more details soon…

O is for Owen Roe. I have long been a fan of their Abbot’s Table red blend. Realized two things over the previous year; 1) didn’t taste/buy the latest version and 2) only had one bottle all year long. What a shame! While I look to make up for that in 2010 please check out RJ’s series of post to learn more about Owen Roe.

P is for Pinot Noir. Specifically, a multitude of value offerings under $15 highlighted by the Davis Bynum. It started with the Castle Rock, then the Caretaker followed by the Sebastopol Hills and MacMurray Ranch. Guessing there are more headed are way in 2010, can’t wait to see what is on offer!

Q is for QPR. From K&L Wines to the treasure hunt that is the Trader Joe’s wine aisle there is nothing I love more than finding a QPR gem. My favorite gem of 2009? The 2007 Trentatre Rosso.

R is for Riesling. Last year I was lucky enough to both visit the Mosel and partake in the Riesling Wold Tour 2009 tasting. This is a region and varietal that I became much better educated on. From recognizing the extremely low alcohol percentages (7.5-9.5%) of these well made wines to learning about Silvaner and Scheurebe it was a “fruitful” year.

S is for samples, the first of which I received this year. Some good, some bad but best of all the doors have opened up to many tremendous tasting experiences. Not only have I immensely enjoyed these events but I have grown as a wine drinker because of them. In 2010 I am hoping to find a way to share these more directly with you my readers. Be on the lookout for my first attempt here very shortly!

T is for Taste Live. Craig Drollett and crew have put together a great platform that has attracted top notch wineries. Beyond the great wines I’ve met and engaged with a number of great people. Look forward to watching the platform evolve and participating in more events in the year ahead…

U is for Urbano Cellars. Urbano Cellars is a small local winery that reached out and offered to send me some samples. With expectations low, I drank one after another and was more impressed each time. Then I checked their price sheet and was blown away. Here are my notes on their Petite Verdot: “Violet notes and stewed plums on the nose, delicious fruit on the palate that shows both restraint and elegance. Rich and velvety throughout with hints of cedar on a nice, soft tannic finish. Some heavy sediment in the bottle.” And thus I present my 2nd biggest regret of the year. The good news is they are local, I need to swing by and grab some more of their wine. And this time I need to be sure to share that experience with you all!

V is for Veramonte, specifically their Sauvignon Blanc which has been my summer wine of choice for years. Haven’t had it yet? Wait for the mercury to rise and grab a bottle! Can’t wait for the seasons to turn…

W is for my son William and my continual search for his birth year wine. He was born in 2006 and I have long been seeking a few cases to stash away for him until he reaches legal drinking age (or at least close). That said, haven’t pulled the trigger yet, I guess I’m having commitment issues. Thinking 2010 is the year, the favorite heading in? The Chateau Cantemerle Bordeaux. My notes: “restrained, showing great structure. Nice acidity & cranberry notes on the palate lead to a dry, lingering finish.” This one showed some promise, need to get another bottle soon! Anyone out there have any other recommendations?

X is for Xinomavro which is another new grape I tried in 2009. Markus Stolz just wrote this great article describing Xinomavro. I tried the 2000 Hatzimichalis Xinomavro Naoussa, here were my notes: “An offering from Macedonia, this one was super dry and light (12%) and slightly on the thin side. Showed some earthy components with a green aspect as well. Coats the palate nice on the finish.” Looking forward to drinking more Greek wine soon!

Y is for You! More than anything I look forward to sharing another year of adventures with all of you. We have a great community here and I appreciate all your comments, recommendations and support. Looking forward to more of the same in 2010.

Z is for Zinfandel, specifically Ridge. I still remember the 2003 York Creek that ignited my passion for field blended wines. I’ve since appreciate many more but never as much as the Ridge offerings. It so happens they are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Eric Asimov penned a great retrospective on the half century that has passed. Let’s hope the next half century delivers more of the same!

So there you have it! Have you had any of these? If so, would love to hear your thoughts. If not, let me know what wines you enjoyed over the past year that you would like to see get a little more attention…

Price: $4.99 @ Trader Joe’s

What They Said:

Per Vinum Cellars “Clarksburg might be called the Chenin Blanc capital of California, and this polished wine shows why. It’s completely dry and mouthwateringly crisp in acidity, with interesting flavors of citrus fruits, ripe fresh green beans, spices and vanilla. Try as an alternative to Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.” – 88 Points – S.H. Wine Enthusiast Magazine, October 1, 2009

“Fragrant lemongrass and lemon-lime flavors are light-bodied, crisp and refreshing, with fresh-cut grass and herb notes echoing on the finish. Drink now. 4,500 cases made.” – 86 Points – MW
Wine Spectator, June 15, 2009

What I Think:

What does CNW stand for? Chard-No-Way! A wine after my own heart and I agree it is nothing like a chardonnay. This one is very clean in color and on the nose as well as the palate. Lemon prevalent throughout, in a curdish, custard like manner. It has a solid structure with racy acidity. Maybe some food could tease out more flavor? Still quite refreshing, would be great in the summer heat on its own. It’s good but I really wanted it to be better than that. Almost like a Sauvignon Blanc without the tangy finish. I bought three bottles on sight and am likely to grab a few more for the summer. Feel free to consider doing the same…

Rating: Buy It

With my review of the ‘08 vintage still a few days away (I wanted to give it 3 weeks in the bottle first) I thought it would be fun to highlight some of tasting notes that you all from the community have shared over the last few weeks. Many of those mentioned below are long time contributors whose opinions I value. You will see they all are fans to a large extent, that said there have been a few naysayers (two to be exact) but none left any detailed notes to include. My opinion, as it stands, is that this is a juicy, straight forward, enjoyable wine and at this point worth $5. My hope is that with some rest it becomes something more. Now let’s see what you all think…

Mike Kauzer: If you didn’t know, you might think it’s a Pinot. Not at all like the 07. Light, not sweet. Subtle mid palate. I like it …. maybe 3-4 cases, but it’s not the wine I was expecting.

UCLA92: Picked up 2 case last night in Irvine (Woodbury location). Nice wine. As others have stated, it is different than the ‘07. You can almost see your hand through the glass. Nose of red fruit, white pepper and menthol. Fruit forward wine with some pepper and oak. Medium body with some structure. Not sweet like the ‘07. Great everyday wine.

Danny: Wow! Are you kidding me? This winner has a QPR which is off the chart, in a good way. The 2008 Chariot Gypsy is an excellent multi-purpose quaffer that offers enticing aromas of bright, wild, red berries, smokey toast and spice leading to fresh, red fruit flavors with a white pepper core and a zesty finish of orange peel and dark chocolate. Easy, smooth and delightful. My rating, as converted in conformance with Jason’s Wine Blog ratings, is “Bulk Buy.” I think this wine would be great with pizza, burgers, BBQ, steak, lamb, meat stew or by itself. I’m told that the Irvine Trader Joe’s has an allocation of 90 cases and no more. When they’re gone, they’re gone.

Charlie: The 2008 Chariot Gypsy is in at the Clovis CA TJ’s!! Bought a bottle this morning and had a lunchtime tasting with the wife. Another winner from Jim Neal, the 2008 is a solid value at $4.99. A young fruity 13.5 wine that should benefit from more time in the bottle. The missus says it’s less sweet than the 2007 and I have to agree. We aerated ours and it still needed time in the glass to open up. Still, we liked it and plan on buying more tomorrow!

Jerry Klein: YES the 2008 version of Gypsy may be the best yet. At $4.99 this wine drinks like a $12-15 bottle. Agreed it does need more time in the bottle. (Only in 3 weeks b4 release. Did have 12 months ageing b4 release. 72% Zin/Petite sirah; Cab & Sanjo 24% balance 2% each merlot & Syrah. After another six months in the bottle should be even better. !! Hurry and grab this one now!

Jesse Porter: I just poured my first bottle of the ‘08 to a group of friends following a Sauv Blanc tasting. After all that tart acidity, the Gypsy came on really strong and jammy, but once our palates had acclimated to the fruit, it proved a big winner. Doesn’t change in the glass or “open up” as much as previous vintages did, probably because it’s a bit less full in body and intensity, but the flavors are definitely still there. I agree with what’s been said… this is a more versatile wine than the ‘07, if slightly less uninhibited.

joshiemac: Had my first bottle over 2 nights. Not much nose. Softer than the ‘07, showing supple berry fruit and a splash of acidity. Doesn’t have the jamminess of the ‘07, either. Has the mouth feel of a Merlot. Somewhat weak in the mid-palate, but gained more density here on night 2. Drank this right off the truck so I look forward to seeing where it goes in the next few months. Glad I have a case to track its development. Enjoyable right now, if somewhat simple, it could become another QPR superstar with some time in the bottle!

Price: $13.99 @ Trader Joe’s

What They Said:

90 points Wine Enthusiast: Currently hard and tart in acids and tannins, but loaded with sweet, ripe fruit, this Pinot is silky enough to drink now, which most consumers probably will. But if you give it until sometime in 2010, the cherries, cola, sandalwood and spices will mesh and improve.” (12/09)

89 points Wine Spectator Review: Ripe, floral, perfumed aromas of black cherry and raspberry are pure and zesty. Full-bodied, balanced and delicate, showing just the right touch of acidity and tannins, with pleasant mineral and earth notes. Drink now through 2012.

What I Think:

As you know Trader Joe’s has been flush in reasonably priced, well made Pinot. It started with the Castle Rock, then the Caretaker to the Davis Bynum followed by the Sebastopol Hills…you get the idea. And I haven’t even tried the Lane Tanner offerings yet! Next on that list is this MacMurray Ranch which is part of the Gallo brand portfolio. Suggested retail price on this bottle is $24 and it primarily sourced from the Olson Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands. What about the juice inside you say…

This one is like sticking your nose in a berry patch, complete with leaf and brambly accents. Very inviting begs you to dive in and delivers loads of juiciness when you do. Nice acidity emerges towards the mid-palate and is balanced by a nice cranberry component that is present throughout. The finish is tart but pleasant (reminded me exactly of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice) and has a spicy (clove) kick that lingers on long after you have put the glass down. A nice wine that delivers on the price point. That said I would go lower than the 90 from Wine Enthusiast and maybe even the 89 from Wine Spectator on this one. My ultimate gauge, would I buy it again? For $10 I would. At $14 I’m on the fence, we will see next time I hit the store!

Rating: Pricey

Oops! That is what I told my wife. I ran down to Trader Joe’s to grab my latest haul of the Gypsy and meant to stock up on some white. Turns out I accidentally came home with 5 cases. Thought I would take the time to share with you what was in my haul and take the chance to remind you all that I am backing up my ratings with my very own wallet. 6 of the Top 10 and five from the “others of interest” list were amongst them. Here’s the gory details:

The Gypsy:

2008 Chariot Gypsy (30) – $4.99 – See my initial thoughts here. For less than 2 weeks in the bottle it is very drinkable right now! Look forward to how it comes together over the next couple months and beyond…

A handful of new ones…

2007 Vinum Cellars Chenin Blanc (3) – $4.99 – Was excited and surprised to see this one. I love Chenin Blanc so I grabbed a handful of this one. First glass says it was a good decision. I’ll use my next one to determine if I need to go back and buy more, don’t tell the wife!

2007 Trinchero Family Riesling (3) – $4.99 – The ‘99 Trinchero Cabernet was my wedding wine, given that I had to give this one ago (though perhaps one would have done the trick). Given it was Valentine’s Day and I am the romantic I chilled it down to serve with the roasted chicken I had brined overnight. On the first sip I knew that wasn’t a pairing meant for success, too sweet. The other two bottles will be paired with spicy Asian foods. That is my only play for this one…

2007 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Pinot Noir (1) – $6.99 – This one is made by Hahn family (the Red Flyer was their previous TJ’s effort!) and from Monterey. Couple those with a $6.99 price tag and I thought maybe this one could defy logic. Stay tuned to see if that is the case.

2008 Trader Joe’s Growers Reserve Petite Sirah (1) – $4.99 – Grabbed this one as I had heard some positive rumblings about it. 76% organic seems random. This one is made by ASV Wines who I believe makes the entire “Growers Reserve” line. Not expecting much but hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

A load of whites…

2007 Now & Zen Wasabi White (3) – $4.99 – My favorite sipping white right now. Ranked #5 in the latest Top 10

2007 Dr. Beckermann Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese (1) – $4.99 – My go to Riesling (#10 in the Top 10) for spicy Asian food, much prefer this to the Trinchero mentioned above. Here is a review of the 2005

2008 Down Under Chardonnay (1) – $2.99 – Figured I would give this one another try as I enjoyed it, relatively speaking, the first time around.

2009 Zarafa Sauvignon Blanc (1) – $3.99 – Definitely wanted to get some more of this new bargain find. Not sure if I should be concerned but this one is now called Zafrika now and comes complete with a new zebra striped label. Same importer and pretty certain it is the same juice but only bought one bottle until I confirmed.

2008 King Shag Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (1) – $6.99 – Long time fan of this one and happy to have it back in the house. Here is a review of the 2007.

2008 Honey Moon Viognier (1) – $4.99 – A very distinctive wine, almost slightly syrupy at times, that goes perfect with salmon.

A ½ case of Italian…

2007 Trentatre Rosso (3) – $5.99 – #1 in the latest Top 10 list, ’nuff said

2008 Il Valore Sangiovese (1) – $2.99 – A perfect cooking (and sipping) wine, this is a bottle I always want to have at my disposal.

2007 Epicuro Aglianico (1) – $4.99 – Another long time fave, I fear this one is falling off. Hopefully this bottle proves otherwise. Here is a link to the 2005.

2008 Chiusa Grande Tommolo Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo (1) – $4.99 – Haven’t had this one (#8 in Top 10) in a while as I’ve been enjoying the Trentatre, wanted to get it back in the mix. Here is a review of the 2006.

And a few others…

2007 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve (1) – $6.99 – Not sure how I managed to run out of this one, it is too good to be without. I ranked it #6 in my latest Top 10. Here’s a post on the 2005.

2008 La Granja Tempranillo (1) – $3.99 – Another recent fave (#9 in latest Top 10), wanted to add another bottle to my stash.

NV Porto Morgado Tawny Port (1) – $5.99 – We have lots of dinner parties and more often than not the port if fueling conversation as sipped and not often tasted, that’s when I am happy I have this one around.

That’s it! Any of your faves I missed?

I’m sure many of you are already read my post on the return of the Gypsy. Also guessing those interested are well aware of the multitude of comments confirming sightings of this wine all across California (I have asked my insiders to look into potential arrival in Phoenix and beyond). Michael Rodgers was the first one to break the release date which was indeed yesterday, February 9th. So after work I headed over to my local store. Once inside I was expecting a big end cap display but found nothing. Checking the shelves I found it and grabbed a bottle. One you say? Indeed! You see, I had a corkscrew and glass waiting in the car. So I headed out to the parking lot to do some tasting. For those interested in my first, and perhaps last, attempt at video blogging here was my initial take…

To recap, thinking this one was juicy, fruit forward and a nice easy quaffer. What have I learned sampling it over the last 24 hours? The fruit on this one softer and rounder which at first led me to believe this was a lighter version. Night #2 I’m thinking that is not the case. The wine added some depth over night. Overall, early perceptions are that this one is “very pleasant” and is likely to improve as it settles into the bottle. Easily as good as 1/2 the $12 bottles I drink. A perfect red table wine for any house.

Given the change in the first 24 hours, I’m going to give it another 48 hours or so before doing a more thorough review. In the meantime feel free to share your thoughts!

For those that know this blog the introduction above serves aplenty. For those that don’t, the Gypsy is as close as it gets to a Trader Joe’s cult wine. That’s right, a $5 cult wine. What’s that? A cult wine has to be expensive? I disagree, it only has to inspire wide spread passion! And trust me this one does. I’ve written three posts on this wine and those compose my top three commented post, generating almost 200 responses. Over the weekend, the buzz over this one kicked into full gear. RMS first tipped me off after noticing the ‘08 vintage mentioned on the Chariot Wines website. Angela, my Trader Joe’s insider, added shortly thereafter that the new vintage is scheduled to appear in the next Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer. At almost the same time Jerry, who tipped me off to the ’07, checked in to let me know he had the scoop that this one will be appearing in stores before the end of February. Since you are all my friends I’ll be more forthcoming, Angela let me know that the next Fearless Flyer is scheduled for February 16th. Given that we can expect to see this bottle in stores within the next two weeks…

So what can we expect from the wine? I think the big question is can they maintain the quality as they expand the production. For the ‘07 vintage the demand was so high that I am all but certain they produced two different versions of this wine. I have seen many old Trader Joe’s favorites journey this road to mediocrity which leaves me plenty skeptical. Hopefully my angst is for not. We will know shortly! I’ll look forward to hearing all your thoughts once this one hits the shelves. Until then, here is what the winery has to say about the latest vintage:

“The Chariot Gypsy 2008 is a delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Sangiovese from great vineyards in the Napa Valley, Sonoma, San Joaquin, and Monterey counties.

Winemakers Jeff Hunsaker, Marco DiGiulio and Nancy Walker describe the wine like this: “The 2008 ‘Gypsy’ displays a dark garnet color with a clear violet edge. It shows mixed fresh berry aromas — raspberry and strawberry, with hints of white pepper and pastry. Very clean and lively with juicy berry fruit, firm acidity and a touch of smooth tannin. Excellent and versatile food wine particularly well suited for pork chops and poultry”.

We think it is the perfect everyday red wine!”

Price: $12.00 @ Friend/Gift

What They Said:

Cameron Confidential: Lot 112 Napa County Merlot represents exceptional value. Sourced from the un-appellated Coombsville and Jamieson Canyon regions (which is why it has the Napa County designation), this wines has the beautiful, supple structure and classic fruit profile of great Napa Merlot (which requires a few minutes of swirling in the glass to get going). Sourced from one of the most-respected wineries in the Napa Valley (where it is sold for $24/bottle), this wine is sure to please those of you who crave Merlot or those of you looking for a supple wine with harmonious mouth feel and great character.

Taste: Dark, almost blackened crimson color; Aromas of cherry, spice, and chocolate spring from the glass underpinned by bright fruit notes of strawberries and plums. A supple, rich mouth feel coupled with well-integrated oak presents a complex, yet smooth Merlot, perfect for that wintertime cocktail party.

What I Think:

Though I am very aware of Cameron Hughes I have rarely tasted his wines. In fact my records show I’ve that this is just the second of his offerings that I’ve sampled (the other being Lot 55 Napa Valley Meritage). For those that need an intro Cameron Hughes is very well known négociant who sources high quality wines from around the world and sells each as a lot in his series. The easiest place to find his wines for those interested is Costco, at least from what I hear…

So let’s get to the wine. On the nose this one shows cherry and oak. When the wine hits your tongue you get a glimpse of soft red fruits that disappear before you can decide if it was strawberry or raspberry. From there the wine becomes dark and rich. This is a very well structured effort that is smooth and balanced throughout. The finish is dusty and chocolaty and leaves your mouth coated with tannins long after the glass is empty. A nice, smooth, easy drinking bottle. I would argue everything you expect for $12 but not more at the same time. If I had to choose whether or not to buy another bottle I’d likely roll the dice on trying something new.

Rating: Pricey

And for those interested in another opinion how about one from the man himself… Check Cameron Hughes in the video below, he start talking about this one around 4:50 into the video. Enjoy!

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Price: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s

What They Said:

My initial Google search returned nothing. The back of the bottle noted that this one is made by DnA Vineyareds which I recognized from two previous offerings; Trader Joe’s Captain’s Catch and the TBD Zinfandel. The DnA Vineyards site hardly exists hasn’t been updated in ages. Failing on that front I decide to give the COLA registry a try and learned that the Mendocino Wine Group is ultimately behind this one. They are responsible for numerous labels with Paraducci being the most widely known offering (and for football fans the Mike Ditka wine label which I didn’t know existed…). Neither Rootstock or DnA Vineyards are mentioned on the site. Looks like yet another TJ’s orphan wine!

So what did the bottle have to say? “Combining four different Lodi Zinfandels and blending in a special lot of Lodi Petite Sirah gives this succulent wine added depth and color. This wine is full bodied and round with very integrated tannins that lead to a long and silky finish. The mouthfeel harbors licorice and cedar with a slight fennel note in the background. Versatility is the key here when considering what food to pair with; burgers, pastas and grilled veggies all work wonderfully.”

What I Think:

Reading my review on the TBD Zin which also was mostly Lodi Zinfandel I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t almost the same juice, with the same winemaking team under a different label. I find myself playing the role of skeptic as I put this on the table to pair with meatloaf.

So, what’s in the bottle? On the nose you are greeted with bright, hot cherry notes. On the palate this one is big & fruity but mostly one dimensional. You think a spice component is going to emerge near the mid palate but it quickly falls apart. The wine then turns hot leading to a slightly chalky finish before the heat once again emerges and lingers on. This one is not to be had on its own (IMHO), much better with food. But then even still it is rough around the edges. I may be being a bit harsh but couple my experience with the $6.99 price tag and I am not likely to buy this one again. By the way to my earlier point on playing the skeptic, my notes on the TBD Zin don’t sound all that different. But then again I do always enjoy a good conspiracy theory…

Rating: Skip It

Price: $3.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Bordeaux Etc.

What They Said:

I was able to track down Mountain River Wines, who is responsible for making this one, on the intrawebs but their site still highlights the ‘08 bottling. They have yet to post any notes on the latest vintage. From previous versions it appear the grapes for this one are sourced from the West Cape. Given we have nothing concrete here is what the bottle has to say: “Mountain River Wines proudly presents the 2009 vintage Sauvignon Blanc. This fresh, crisp white wine has a beautiful nose of figs and melon.”

What I Think:

I’ve had mixed success with the Pinotage from the same maker but had been hearing good things about this one so I decided to give it a go. As I took my first sip I realized that this was likely my first wine from the ’09 vintage. Guess it is true, time does fly when you are having fun. So what was on offer?

The nose was crisp showing lemon notes. The palate started slight tart but not to the point of puckering (which for the record I like). After the initial impression cantaloupe and lemon flavors emerged to dominate the mid palate. Perhaps there were some gooseberry notes as well? I always think so but I just added buying some to mentally record their smell to my list of wine resolutions for 2010 (post coming shortly…) so I’ll be sure next time. The finish shows a balanced acidity with lemon flavors leading to a stony/flinty ending that lasts for some time.

For $3.99 this is a nice, value priced quaffer suitable for any occasion. That said, I think it could really excel when paired with cold shellfish. I know I’ll be buying more. If you decide to grab a bottle, or have previously, please let me know what you think in the comments below…

Rating: Buy It