Wine Thread

[WinstonSpencer]

Last Friday:

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2009 Sonoma Coast
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2009 Russian River Valley
Caduceus Sancha Tempranillo 2008 Arizona
Caduceus Primer Paso Syrah 2008 Arizona
Caduceus Nagual de la Naga Sangiovese/Cabernet 2008 California

The Kosta Brownes were phenominal. I like to believe I'd feel that way even if I didn't just wait three years to drink these wines. Hell, the RRV was worth what I paid just for the mouthfeel alone. It was like pouring silk sheets into your mouth.

Anyone familiar with the band Tool might know that Maynard makes wine in Arizona. I watched a documentary not long ago, Blood into Wine, and was instantly intrigued. Maynard makes his wine at Merkin Vineyards in Jerome, Arizona, under the name Caduceus. His wines are only available at the tasting room or via the internet. I had the priviledge of tasting three of his offerings and IMO all were excellent wines. You'd never know this red wine was from the desert. Well, with the exception of Nagual de la Naga which was made from grapes from California.

Overall, this was one of those "fuck it" nights. As close to an epiphany wine experience as I've had in a while.

[mrtr33]

Last Friday:

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2009 Sonoma Coast
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2009 Russian River Valley
Caduceus Sancha Tempranillo 2008 Arizona
Caduceus Primer Paso Syrah 2008 Arizona
Caduceus Nagual de la Naga Sangiovese/Cabernet 2008 California

The Kosta Brownes were phenominal. I like to believe I'd feel that way even if I didn't just wait three years to drink these wines. Hell, the RRV was worth what I paid just for the mouthfeel alone. It was like pouring silk sheets into your mouth.

Anyone familiar with the band Tool might know that Maynard makes wine in Arizona. I watched a documentary not long ago, Blood into Wine, and was instantly intrigued. Maynard makes his wine at Merkin Vineyards in Jerome, Arizona, under the name Caduceus. His wines are only available at the tasting room or via the internet. I had the priviledge of tasting three of his offerings and IMO all were excellent wines. You'd never know this red wine was from the desert. Well, with the exception of Nagual de la Naga which was made from grapes from California.

Overall, this was one of those "fuck it" nights. As close to an epiphany wine experience as I've had in a while.

I guess. It's been a long time since I've drank through 5 bottles of wine in an evening. Of course, that was also with lots of company. Last night we went through 3:

2008 Ménage à Trois Red
2005 Egri Bikavér Bull's Blood of Eger - I absolutely love this stuff. Very cheap. I don't care.
some other red I didn't care for very much

This past weekend, we enjoyed a bottle of:

2008 Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap - best bottle of wine I've had in a while, in it's price range.

Winston, I think we're on different ends of the wine spectrum. But I appreciate the input, none the less.

[heftysmokes]

I generally don't spend any more than $20 on a bottle of wine. I don't know that I have the experience or the palette to appreciate spending any more than that.

Last night I had a bottle of Ghost Pines Cabernet. I like to try different wines but I always go back to the Ghost Pines.

[mrtr33]

I generally don't spend any more than $20 on a bottle of wine. I don't know that I have the experience or the palette to appreciate spending any more than that.

Last night I had a bottle of Ghost Pines Cabernet. I like to try different wines but I always go back to the Ghost Pines.

Generally speaking, I'm right there with you. There are occasions, or circumstances, that dictate otherwise. But generally, all the wines I mention in this thread fall in that price range.

For example, that Bull's Blood of Eger is about $3. Maybe $4, I'm not sure. It's definitely my go-to wine, though my wife doesn't like it all that much.

[JarvisAmadio]

Some weeks ago, my good friend came from England and he brought a bottle of the French wine - J. Vidal-Fleury Muscat de Beaumes de Venise,2008...I'm not an expert in wine or its lover, but this muscat was really good =)

[WinstonSpencer]

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2003
2x Darioush Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
and a glass of Paso de Piedra Malbec

[mrtr33]

Cupcake Cab Sauv. - it had been opened a few hours prior to drinking, so it had calmed down considerably - very light, but not bad

Some crazy Cabernet Franc I wasn't excited about

Brazin Old Vine Zinfandel - 2006 from Lodi. Absolutely amazing. A little on the higher side for me (~18), but fabulous.

[mrtr33]

Charles Shaw Shiraz

[WinstonSpencer]

I guess. It's been a long time since I've drank through 5 bottles of wine in an evening. Of course, that was also with lots of company. Last night we went through 3:

2008 Ménage à Trois Red
2005 Egri Bikavér Bull's Blood of Eger - I absolutely love this stuff. Very cheap. I don't care.
some other red I didn't care for very much

This past weekend, we enjoyed a bottle of:

2008 Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap - best bottle of wine I've had in a while, in it's price range.

Winston, I think we're on different ends of the wine spectrum. But I appreciate the input, none the less.

I'm really not as much of a wine snob as I'm leading you to believe. I have some generous friends and my wine budget exceeds my cigar budget as my wife would rather pop a cork than cut a cap. Only after a few hundred bottles from the grocery store have I begun to develop a palate and the patience to place quality over quantity. Not to say that quality and price are directly related. On the other hand, I really like Columbia Crest Merlot from Washington. About 6 bucks at Wal-Mart.

[ashauler]

I never could get into wine, gives me heartburn. The wife drinks some, but I don't even pay attention to what she picks up. The wine section is too far from the scotch.

[buzz]

Yesterday was the wifey's birthday so last night we opened one of the "special" bottles of wine we got on our honeymoon trip to Sonoma. It was a 2001 Blackstone Cab and it was really good - cranberry and chocolate tastes.

[WinstonSpencer]

Yesterday was the wifey's birthday so last night we opened one of the "special" bottles of wine we got on our honeymoon trip to Sonoma. It was a 2001 Blackstone Cab and it was really good - cranberry and chocolate tastes.

Nice! My wife and I honeymooned in Napa.

Tonight, Newman's Own 2009 Cabernet. I could tell by the look on Newman's face he wasn't gonna do me wrong.

[mrtr33]

2003 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel. Not bad, but not great. I'd have a hard time picking up another bottle of this.

We also opened a new bottle of port. Review to follow later in my port review thread (shameless plug).

[Paddy]

I never could get into wine, gives me heartburn. The wife drinks some, but I don't even pay attention to what she picks up. The wine section is too far from the scotch.

And a pounding headache

[mrtr33]

This past week or so:

Sin Zin Zinfandel 2007 - not worth the price point, but a good wine. Probably won't buy again.
Alexander Valley Sangiovese/Rose - I have no idea how we even ended up with this bottle. Slightly carbonated, very sweet. The wifey gave it more credit than I did, and she's usually the bigger wine snob. I couldn't stand it.
Green Fin Chardonnay - freaking fabulous. I'm quite particular about my white wines, and this one knocks it out of the park. My tastes prefer a bit more buttery Chardonnays, but for $3.99 a bottle, I won't complain.
The Monterey Vineyards Pinot Noir (2007). Good wine. Probably would pick up again. I think it needs a bit more aging. Flavor profile pronounced in the beginning, but then it dies quickly. A bit unfair in this assertion because this is my impression after 'first opening', and I've found wine can taste different the following evening.

[denver24]

Green Fin Chardonnay - freaking fabulous. I'm quite particular about my white wines, and this one knocks it out of the park. My tastes prefer a bit more buttery Chardonnays, but for $3.99 a bottle, I won't complain.

Ahhhh!!! We don't have Trader Joe's in CO so I can't get any of these cheap, tastey wines. We bought some 2 buck chuck when we were in AZ and enjoyed it while we were there.