Wine Thread

[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.

[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).

[WinstonSpencer]

Cupcake Cab. Sav. 2009 California.

Kinda girly but not bad at all. I'd probably get this again. About $9.

[WinstonSpencer]

Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa Valley

High acidity. Meant for food. Benefits from decanting.

[CoventryCat86]

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

Same here, a fine bottle of Mogen David blackberry wine. Man this stuff was good. Paired it with a couple of Munniemaker Longs and made for a nice spring afternoon.

[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.

[ggiese]

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).

Now you're talkin'...

I got momma hooked on old vine zins - nice and rich with a bit of a peppery taste.

My favorite (boy does it let out a bouquet when you open the bottle) - T-Vine. I was lucky enough to pick it up at $35/bottle during a local sale. Definitely one of those wines I like to reserve for a special occasion.

But - I wholeheartedly agree with the under $20 philosophy.

Old Vine Zins in that category which are quite nice...

Seven Deadly Zins - 15ish.
Gnarly Head Zin - 12ish.


Lately - momma and I have been drinking the Kendall Jackson Vitner's Reserve "Summation". A very nice red blend (they do have a white, but I've not yet tried it). Around 12 bucks a bottle.


And I really like the Bogle Cabernet's. Very nice!

Also - I'm partial to Montes Alpha Cabernet! It might be a turn off for some because it's Chilean, but is one of the best I've tasted for the price (under $20). As a matter of fact - I've not been disappointed with any Montes Alpha I've had.

[mrtr33]

Also - I'm partial to Montes Alpha Cabernet! It might be a turn off for some because it's Chilean, but is one of the best I've tasted for the price (under $20). As a matter of fact - I've not been disappointed with any Montes Alpha I've had.

X 2. World Market had the cabs for $8 a week or so ago, and we gave some away as Mother's Day presents. It's a fabulous wine. They also have a different 'Reserve' blend or something like that for twice the price, and while it's good, I think the cheaper stuff is just as good.

I like the old vines Zins as well - check out Cline and Four Vines. The former is a staple at our house - in my opinion, everything a zinfandel should be, but not incredibly complex. The latter is a newer wine, I've only noticed it around in the last year or so, but it's very good. Try it out!

[WinstonSpencer]

Beso de Vino (85% syrah 15% garnacha) 2009 Cariñena

[mrtr33]

Torlasco Pinot Noir - 2005: fabulous. decant.
Honey Moon : meh.

[WinstonSpencer]

Went out last night for a buddy's birthday dinner. We got a bottle of 14 Hands cabernet (California) and would've followed up with a bottle of Alamos malbec (Argentina) but the wine steward took too long to bring it to the table so we sent it back. She even had the capsule pre-cut when she reached the table. Tacky!

The 14 Hands was a good wine. It was served too warm...about what I expect at your average restaurant.

[WIP]

Last night I drank a 2005 Texas Tempranillo desert wine (port style) that I have been working on and followed it with a 2006 Texas Meritage.

[WinstonSpencer]

Last night I drank a 2005 Texas Tempranillo desert wine (port style) that I have been working on and followed it with a 2006 Texas Meritage.

Interesting. How sweet is it? What is the alcohol content?

[WIP]

It is sweet and sitting at 19% alc.

I haven't seen the lab test (sugar content) yet.