Fiat Vino

This was crazy good and paired with a braised lamb like peanut butter and jelly. We popped this for a second Thanksgiving dinner and it hit the spot just as everyone got seated. There are big fruits here with plenty of oak, and 10 years seemed to be just the right amount of time for this one. Since we've been dipping into out cellar lately, I think we've been doing a fine job of timing. This could have gone a few more years possibly but last night was a great opportunity.

This was wonderful and although it didn't have that musky Tuscan nuance to it, I love me a good California Sangiovese. This was just the right ago too I think, the tannins were mellowed and the fruit had an opportunity to shine. It is a shame we don't produce more Sangiovese here, the Italians have been making wine for thousands of years and they seem to have stuck with it. It is a great, we'll balanced grape when done with care.

Like adult candy, I love a jammy zin as long as it has a backbone. This satisfies like a Snickers. This Sonoma County gem has 4% Petite Syrah that likely helps hold up much of the fruit and keeps it from being a complete bomb. In any case, it packs 14.2 percent alcohol too but it isn't hot or overbearing at all. Many people complain about California wines getting out of control with their tannins and booziness but this is a great example of how far you can take it and still keep it approachable. And classy. Keep it classy Ridge.

Yes, yes. Another Grocery Outlet grab; this may have been my $10 white wine splurge. Amy didn't like this much, she's way into Marlboro Sav Blancs right now, so who's to fault her? Regardless, this has some musk, that I enjoy, because it is 6 years old; and this has held up well for a white. Although I'm going to try new and different things, I'm better acquainted with the wacky world of Spanish Whites, which is a feat unto itself. Hello Ribeirto. Goodbye Ribeirto.

At 14.9%, this lighter Pinot Noir should have a mouthfeel much hotter than it does. Although a little cloudy, this has great cherry and stone fruit notes and was a great grab, again, from the Grocery Outlet.

This is a bold Pinot. J does such a great job with their Pinots but I've only found their Russian River Valley Pinot outside of the tasting room. We were members for years with them so that we could cellar a bottle like this. What an amazing bottle to celebrate our anniversary.

You don't see too many Grenache Blancs and if they are all like this, that's a shame. This hails from the world famous Thompson Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. At 14.4% alcohol, this is also a whopper of a wine especially for a white. I don't have any other Grenache Blancs to compare it to but I really like this one. The next time you are in Santa Barbara, stop by Jaffurs, they are downtown, just a few blocks from State Street.