Wine Thread

[mrtr33]

I know there are other threads that talk about wine, but they seem to be more concerned about pairing wine with cigars. That's not the purpose of this thread. Much like it's cousin, the "Beer Thread", the purpose of this thread is to share great bottles/vintages of wine we've enjoyed lately.

We drink probably 2-3 bottles of wine a week. In the past few months, a few notable wines come to mind.....

B.R. Cohn Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag's Leap Merlot 2008
4 Vines Zinfandel
Duck Duck Goose Shiraz/Cab

[Eville]

Had a great Mogen David 2010 a couple of weeks ago.

[WinstonSpencer]

Yesterday, after being on a waiting list since 2008 I was finally offered an allocation of Kosta Browne's appelation wines. Late next month I should receive some 2009 Sonoma Coast and some 2009 Russian River Valley. I am pumped!

For those not in the loop or too lazy to google, Kosta Browne produces only pinot noir. IMO they make some of the best non-Burgundian pinot in the world.

[mrtr33]

For those not in the loop or too lazy to google, Kosta Browne produces only pinot noir. IMO they make some of the best non-Burgundian pinot in the world.

I am unfamiliar with Kosta Browne - it's a bit out of my price range, judging from a quick google search. One of my favorite, er, "economical" Pinot's is from Mark West. I do know the Willamette Valley in central/western Oregon produces some great Pinot's as well.

[WinstonSpencer]

Wheelhouse 2007 Cabernet (Napa)

Medium to full body, tannins not too harsh, smokey oak. Not bad at all.

[mrtr33]

Michael-David Petite Petit 2008

85% Petite Syrah
15% Petit Verdot

Fruity. Dark and rich. Full body. Look out - 15% alcohol by volume!

[cinda]

What I can not believe is CC has not added to this thread. I am not much of a drinker period but I had a few glasses of a Riesling called feet.
I know it's a cheap wine, but at least I can drink it. I do not like most wines.

[mrtr33]

Schmitt Söhne Reisling

This would be a great wine if you don't care what the wine, or your food, taste like.

But it does comes in a cool blue bottle.

[WinstonSpencer]

Schmitt Söhne Reisling

This would be a great wine if you don't care what the wine, or your food, taste like.

But it does comes in a cool blue bottle.

Riesling is real hit-or-miss with me as I can't stand sweet wines but my go-to riesling is Chateau Ste Michelle. The current vintage, 2009, is off-dry IMO but it's a damn good value and easy to drink. This is the white wine that I buy for my friends who aren't alcohol snobs.

[WinstonSpencer]

Caymus 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Intense flavors. Not as sweet as previous vintages. An incredible wine.

[mrtr33]

Bloom Pinot Noir 2005

At first, I was skeptical. 2005? This wasn't in the section of the wine rack with the nicer bottles, so I thought it had just been forgotten about, and we were about to enjoy a large bottle of vinegar.

Not bad. It's a light red wine. Not very strong, only 12.5%.

[mrtr33]

Lindeman's Bin 65 Chardonnay

Very floral. Fruity but not sweet. Best white I've had in a while. Didn't like it when it was it's coldest, better once it was just chilled slightly.

[WinstonSpencer]

Lately:

Andeluna Cabernet 2007 Mendoza
14 Hands Cabernet 2008? Washington
Caymus Cabernet 2008 Napa
Col D'Orcia 2003 Brunello Di Montalcino
Baqueano Pinot Noir 2007 Argentina

[WinstonSpencer]

Trefethen Cabernet 2006 Napa

[WinstonSpencer]

Fetzer Merlot 2008 California - Shit

Spring Valley Vineyards Frederick Cab. Sav. Blend 2006 Walla Walla Valley - This one was pretty good. 15.4 percent alcohol is a little much for regular drinking. The nose had port/whiskey notes to it and the tannins were super smooth. A unique wine.

[WinstonSpencer]

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough
Prima Mano 2003 Brunello Di Montalcino
Norton Privada (Malbec Blend) 2007 Mendoza

[mrtr33]

We had this great French Syrah the other night from World Market - black label, white lettering. Have to pick up another bottle.....

ETA: Just remembered! It's called JaJa de Jau. I really liked it!

Also tried a 2007 Caviste Pinot Noir.......just okay. Would buy again.

[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.