Fiat Vino

This is Bridlewood's Santa Ynez bottle (their cheap stuff) and it is awesome! They make a small handfull of botique ones but this is the bottle you can find at wine stores, grocery stores, etc. Killer Syrah, pick one up if you see it.

Ahhh, the Ridge Syrah/Grenache.  This was one of the best wines I've had in months! Since Christmas at least. I was not expecting something so rich and chocolatey and this blew me away. I'm going to have to get more of this, much more.

From Lodi CA, this Barbera was produced and bottled by L'Uvaggio Di Giacomo. I thought it was quite good but my wife totally adored it. We picked it up at The Wine Garage in Calistoga CA. She's been looking for it closer to home to no avail. We may have to either drive back up, or have them send us some more.

From Jean-Francios Merieau in the Loire Valley in France this Gamay was bigger and fuller than many I've had before that I've liked. It was brought over to our apartment, thanks Michaw!

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.