Fiat Vino

Crips and effervescent white wine from Portugal. Was not expecting the amount of fizz and was pleasantly surprised! We picked up this Vinho Verde from Trader Joes for less than $10. I will get another one next time I'm there, or two!

Syrah 50%, Mourvedre48%, Viognier 2%, 2006, South Africa. This really needed to open up, the first notes were almost like stale hay but upon decanting cherry, vanilla, and smoke came out. I was quite pleased with my selection from San Francisco's Jug Shop. I found the solitary bottle in the rack and, entrigued by the 2% Viognier, asked about it. When they said, "Ooh, that's good. I didn't know we had any left," I knew that I found what I was seeking. Did you notice the $9.99 price tag? I did. Auf.

From the winery, 10 (out of 10) $24? Holy smokes Batman this is good! Damn good! We have been sitting on this for 6 years or so and decided last night that this, on the eve of the celebration of our nation's independence, was the right time to open it. The tannins seemed to have mellowed and dried fruit nuances showed through. There was a strong presence of plum coming through the typical Curtis Syrah flavors of smoke and cherry. This is the kind of wine I sip very slowly. It is virulent enough to give your senses an assault with each taste, each time you notice something different expressed from the terrior. The finish is long, so long in fact that I woke up this morning with a mouthful of blackberries, chocolate and cedar. I wish I had more of this.

I love wine. Look at all the pretty colors. Sitting at "J" in the Russian River Valley. Although they're known for their Pinot Noir and they're sparkling, I like their Pinotage the best. They do a cheese plate outside (which we are enjoying right now) and a pairing indoors in the Bubble Room.

Holy Rose! Form the Monferrato region, this rose was quite dry; almost too dry, because I expect and enjoy a touch of fruit on my pink. All in all, very average with no distinct notes coming from anywhere. I wonder where we got this bottle...

$6.99 from Paul Marcus Wines, 8 (1-10) Skip to my Lue my darlin' this is is a tasty treat! Another superb example of a stud Nero D'Avola for less than $10, less than $7 even [that's tough to do]. There is a nice amount of oak and spice that walk gently along with nuances of plum, raspberry, and dare I say...persimmon? (I said it) Its incomprehensible to me that someone took the time to grow grapes, harvest them, crush them, send to primary fermentation, store in oak, bottle, label, and ship to another continent. Maybe a greater feat is the fact that they do this not in developing country, but in Italy, and still keep the retail price below 7 very withered American dollars. Ming numbing. They must employ Santa Claus in the summertime, or have a team of Oompah Loompahs working overtime. Those guys have have a serious work ethic. Buy some of this if you see it. You will not be disappointed. Auf.

Dan brought this over, $9.99 (on sale from $17.99) - 5 (1-10) This was a simple shot at an inexpensive Pinot, which are a low yielding grape and an unwieldy wine to make (so they say...I've never tried, and I don't think I ever will). It has some typical Pinot characteristics of cherries and a light, albeit balanced, oak to it. For the price, it is only hoe-hum; nevertheless I've had much [much] worse. I would buy this again or shall I say, I would buy this, since I didn't buy this one. I do prefer 'old standby' - that's what we call Mondavi's Private Selection Pinot 'round here, but I could see myself changing it up now and then with the Gallo Sonoma Reserve. Let me justify the 5 here. Do not pay $17.99 and especially not $19.99 because I've seen it that high too. For $9.99, it is a perfectly acceptable bottle of juice that belongs on any table or at any party. But if there's some Argentinian Malbecs on the wall for the same price...I...