Jason’s Wine Blog

As mentioned, in my twitter feed I pulled in a nice 26 bottle haul, the details are below. Just another example of me backing up my talk with my wallet. The two I noticed as missing were the Chariot Gypsy and the Gravity Hills Syrah. Hoping the Chariot at least offers me one more buying opportunity but looks like I am out of luck. That is why I wanted to make sure I don’t get caught short of the Franc Merlot.

The haul:

12 - 2006 The California Wine Party Franc Merlot ($5, Bulk Buy)
2 - 2007 Chateau des Cleons Muscadet Sevre et Maine “Sur Lie” ($6, Buy It)
1 - 2007 Handley Vineyard Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc ($6, Buy It)
1 - 2007 Novella Synergy Blanc ($5, Buy It)
1 - 2005 Epicuro Aglianico ($5, Bulk Buy) - review for the ‘05
1 - 2003 Epicuro Salice Salentino Riserva ($5, Buy It) - review for the ‘03
1 - 2006 Chiusa Grande Tommolo Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo ($5, Buy It)
1 - 2006 Rabbit Ridge Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($6, 12th bottle) review for the previous version of the NV (I call this the ‘07)
2 - 2003 Raimat Tempranillo ($6, TBD)
1 - 2007 Condesa de Sarabella Viura ($5, TBD)
1 - 2005 Capolan Sonoma Merlot ($4, TBD)
1 - 2005 Trellis Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon ($4, TBD)
1 - 2005 Trellis Sonoma Chardonnay ($4, TBD)

Stay tuned for details on these soon!

*photo by Matthew Oliphant

Hit the stores trying to scrounge up more of the Franc Merlot. I scored 6 more bottles. Unfortunately I cleaned out the Trader Joe’s on 9th and Brannan so if you want some head elsewhere.

I also grabbed 2 bottles of the Gravity Hills Syrah which has been marked down from $6 to $3. Get yourself some. Also picked up a bottle of the NV Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles. Presumably this is a different barreling than the one I last posted.

Finally, I added three new wines to my portfolio. The first was a reader recommendation ($5) from Oeanist (opened it tonight, very promising). The other two were impulse buys the Handley Dry Creek Sauvignon Blanc ($6) and the Raimat Tempranillo ($6).

Stay tuned for my thoughts. In the mean time let me know your thoughts on any of these.

Happy Drinking!
Jason

I wanted to see if I could track down any of this Red Flyer but again struck out. Little did I care as I found the 2006 version of this Santa Ynez Cabernet Franc which I ranked as my #2 wine of 2007. I bought three bottles on sight. You all should probably wait to get some until I stock up. Just kidding of course, get yours now!

Went to Trader Joe’s this weekend and true to my Top 10 was looking to stock up. I grabbed ½ a case each of the XS Red Cab and the Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc. I am still well stocked on the Epicuro Aglianico and alas the Red Flyer was nowhere to be found. I picked up six new bottles as well so stay tuned for more about those.

It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed the Geyser Peak was no longer the 2006 but now instead the ’07. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it is just as good….

UPDATE: The ‘07 Geyser Peak delivered…

Got a tip on a new Trader Joe’s wine, the 2005 XS Red California Cabernet Sauvignon (to which the Hess Family is rumored to be linked), I heard mentioned in a post that ended up in my RSS feed so went out to hunt it down today. I came back with yet another Trader Joe’s bargain hunting story on that one plus 4 additional wines, 3 of which are again repeat buys. Backing up my mouth with my wallet! The three repeats were these:

- 2005 Archero Nero d’ Avola Ruggero di Tasso - I have been meaning to grab a $10 or $15 bottle of Nero d’ Avola to sample the quality difference for the price increase. As I had yet to get around to it decided to grab another one of these.

- 2003 Red Flyer California Red - Because it is good and $3, ‘nuff said.

- 2005 Gravity Hills Base Camp Syrah - This one seemed nice on the first go round just want to be reconvinced!

Also grabbed one new one, the 2003 Gaetano D’Aquino Chianti Riserva (which I snagged for a $5 spot here in CA), based off a recommendation from the Wine Oaf.

Look for new reviews soon and as always let me know if you have any recommendations of your own to share!

Picked up a case plus as I was scouting for the best of April posting at Trader Joe’s. Again wanted to tell Parker and the rest of the critics I am still backing up my rankings with my wallet. I grabbed these 8 that I had previously reviewed here.

2004 Evans & Tate Cabernet Sauvignon Underground Series
2006 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere
2005 Les Moirets Cotes du Rhone
2005 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve
2006 Callaway California Chardonnay
2004 Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon grabbed the Grand Estates too…
2003 Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot
And the Santa Ynez Gewurtz which I will publish soon…….

Look for write-ups on the 6 new ones over the coming weeks. Some interesting bottles for sure. I already opened the Red Flyer and at $3 it could be promising…

Picked up a case of wine at Trader Joe’s today and wanted to tell Parker and the rest of the critics I am still backing up my rankings with my wallet. I grabbed these 5 that I had previously reviewed here. The top 3 are regulars in our household now:

2006 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere
2003 Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot
2006 Geyser Peak California Sauvignon Blanc
2005 Santa Ynez Valley Winery Gewurztraminer - but the ‘06
2006 Dr. Beckermann Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese

Look for write-ups on the 7 new ones over the coming weeks. Some interesting bottles for sure. Perhaps I’ll try the No Man’s Land from Bulgaria first…

Just when I had given up hope on ever finding this aglianico it finally appeared. I had searched 5+ stores multiple times with no success. Being as persistent as I am it finally paid off this weekend down in Daly City where I found it in abundance on the shelves. I grabbed a case! Get it while the getting is good….

First off apologies on the lack of entries lately. That damn job has gotten rather busy lately resulting in a list of, count’em, 20 wines queued waiting to be posted. Still trying to stick to posting everything I drink but may have to adjust that strategy soon.

Along with a lack of time to post I have had the same issues with shopping. I did sneak over to The Wine Club to pick up a case early last week. I was specifically after the 2005 Mark West California Pinot Noir ($9.99) and the 2005 Senorio de Barahonda Carro Tinto ($7.99) so I picked up four bottles of each and another random four to round out the lot.  Once again backing up my ratings with my wallet…

I have been meaning to get over there and grab a case of this 2005 Amaicha Bonarda for almost a week.  Luckily my wife snagged this one yesterday in Daly City, she said it was the last one. I may try to grab another, this wine is that great of a deal.