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NEVERENDING ♾️ The Richmond Jake's NEVERENDING Wine Thread

We decided not to go out for dinner -- too cold. Opened a 2003 Franciscan, cabernet sauvignon, Napa Valley, Oakville Estate. Worthy of attention, in my humble view.
 
We drank a 2005 Sausal, Alexander Valley, zinfandel last night. If you can find it, buy as much of it as you can afford.


I received an email from one of my favorite wineries this week (Dry Creek Vineyards--no financial connection--), offering 40% off on some of their cellar selections. Needless to say, I took advantage of that offer. I also forwarded the email to my boss and he's taking advantage of my membership :-D The order ships Monday.


donk, I'm headed to Publix this morning and I'll pick up a bottle of the Cardinal Zin. PM me your address and I'll send you the (empty) bottle with label (if you're still interested).
 
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Tonight a bottle of Mollydooker (left handed in Oz terms), The Boxer, 2007, shiraz from our friends in the southern hemisphere. A perfect compliment to BBQ'd baby back ribs and French onion soup.

We don't drink much wine from downunder, but I liked it. Rich, deep, fruity flavors. RJ says find it and drink it. Drink it with a spicy dish (I'm referring to food, you perverts). You will not be disappointed.
 
RichmondJake said:
Tonight a bottle of Mollydooker (left handed in Oz terms), The Boxer, 2007, shiraz from our friends in the southern hemisphere. A perfect compliment to BBQ'd baby back ribs and French onion soup.

We don't drink much wine from downunder, but I liked it. Rich, deep, fruity flavors. RJ says find it and drink it. Drink it with a spicy dish (I'm referring to food, you perverts). You will not be disappointed.
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It was OK. Kind of acidic to me. But then, I don't know what I'm talking about.:r:

And here I was hoping to stay sober tonight. But he had to give me a refill.....
 
Morellino di Scansano 2006 Suberli

I have had the 2005. Pretty darn good. I would imagine the 2006 is a little bit more pushy with the fruit.

Depending on what you are eating, I would say that this is a good pick.

(Although the price is crazy... you can get a bottle for maybe $25 bucks)
 
I have noting to offer the thread as my wine drinking has substantially declined due to work and other commitments. However, please let me sincerely apologize to everyone who enjoys good wine or starting this thread with praises for cheap and awful Yellow Tail. I know the errors of my ways and the only excuse I can offer is that inexperience and an empty wallet are terrible for one's taste.

Again, my apologies. Now carry on. ;-)
 
Had a hess small block pinoit noir last night, it was nice. It got better as it aired out in the glass.

I hate that I then looked on the liquor store web site and can't find it, I think I'd buy it again, and not in a restaurant at a 200% mark up.

I think next time I go to this restaurant I may take one of my special bottles and pay the corkage fee.
 
On the way back from golfing this afternoon (I came down with the swine flu this morning but made a miraculous recovery by tee time, oh and we played in about 3-hours--don't ask about my score :-{), I stopped at Sam's Club and bought a mini-barrel of Red Truck. When I got home, I took a dip in the pool and popped it open. It's not bad. I put it on the recommended list.


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Poor ZG. She actually has come down with the flu. Or a prolonged hot flash.
 
At the food lion...

Came across two of my favorites at $5 per bottle!!!

HMS Rex Goliath 47# Chicken (piniot grigio AND Chardonnay)

AND

Bohemian Highway (piniot grigio AND Chardonnay)

That's 4 bottles for $20 -- AND they don't taste like paint remover either...

RES
 
Schramsberg. 2000. Blanc de Noirs. Picked it up a couple of weeks ago on close-out at Publix.
You can't find it, but I did. A great Mother's Day sparkler. This dead soldier goes out on the bottle tree.


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Happy Mother's Day all you mothers.
 
As ya'll know, I'm partial to domestic wines. Tonight, we drank a 2007, Cotes du Roussillon, made by the surrender monkeys.

Light. Approach with caution.
 
donk, we're struggling to find the Cardinal Zin. These two bottles are available if you'd like them.

I have a shipping container.

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oops, that was almost the image of ZG in the raw....:wine:
 
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Thanks for the offer, I am most interested in the ralph steadman label.

I appreciate that you are keeping your eyes open for me.
 
So this summer is finally my time. I am building a wine cellar in the basement. I have been thinking about it for a couple years, and I am finally getting it off the ground (assuming the Mrs.Hink_Planner will allow the funds to be diverted....).

Anyone have any experience with this? I have three good books, and have read as much as possible online, but I want to do this myself (and not pay someone $10,000 to do it). I am looking to build a 70 s.f. room. I have built walls before, but any suggestions on lumber type or vapor barrier types? R-24/R-30 insulation? Does it matter? Anyone have a whisperkool...does it work for you? My basement varies from 56-64 depending on the time of year. Which is obviously way too much variation.

I will update with pictures (hopefully) if I am approved for the project by the boss....
 
Just want to thank RJ for hooking me up with a Cardinal Zin bottle. As a fan of ralph steadman, the bottle makes a great addition to my collection of oddities and conversation starters..
 
HEADLINE: 'Banned in Bama' a boon for winery
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hUAak_-AaOJ4PVA_nAEs0_01b1-QD99P0H5G0

HIGHLIGHTS:
Alabama's ban on a wine that features a nude nymph on the label became a business opportunity for a California vintner who is preparing a marketing campaign to capitalize on being "Banned in Bama."

... a social psychologist at the University of Alabama, said a ban often increases people's interest in a product.
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Over 320+ news websites had picked up this story.
Winery Website: http://www.cyclesgladiator.com//index.cfm
 
At chez geobandito last night a 2004 bottle of duckhorn napa merlot was consumed. The longer it breathed the better it got.
 
Served at Chateau Jake this evening: an estate bottled, Paradigm, 1996, Napa Valley, cabernet sauvignon, Oakville.
Don't look for it because you can't find it.

Very possibly the best bottle of wine I've ever drunk. The best news? There's another bottle in the cellar.



:8:Dreams of earthquakes
dreams of hurricanes
dreams of pouring rains
dreams of tidal waves :8:
 
So I had a 2006 Kistler - Chardonnay last night to celebrate the start of construction for my wine cellar, and it was excellent. If you are not familiar with Kistler, you should try it. They are a Russian River Valley winery.
 
We're drinking a bottle of 2007 Mad Housewife cabernet sauvignon as I watch the Cal vs. OUS game (ZG is in the bedroom watching UF vs. Vandy :-| ).
Anyway, don't buy this wine. Too light and does not display varitial qualities. You are warned.

That's my opinion. And you can take that to the bank.
 
This is the season, when there is a chill in the night air, to curl up in front of a fire with a glass of port. Unfortunately, Mrs. Cardinal does not drink. The Trentadeu will remain another year in the cellar.
 
I taught him too well. My eldest called to wish me a Merry Christmas. He had just left the beach in Sana Cruz after drinking a bottle of sparkling wine. Smart ass.

The youngest called too. A bum.

Christmas wine at Casa RJ. A magnum of 2001 Ferrari-Carono, Sienna, Sonoma County. Don't look for it, you can't find it. Good one. Five thumbs up.
 
The cork screw has disappeared from my abode. It was almost a tragedy until I remembered the half a case of Stella Artois I had stashed. Will get another one tomorrow.
 
Hubby gave me an all-white-wine Christmas, with 6 bottles of different whites from Wine.com. Yum!

I gave him a bottle of The Mad Hatter Shiraz. Once he tries it, I will report back if it was worth the price I paid.
 
This Bear is not a wine drinker. Katie is, though. For the holiday season she has a bottle of Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2006. Comments? I looked it up on some wine site and it gave it 3.5 out of 5.

Bear
 
Salmissra said:
Hubby gave me an all-white-wine Christmas, with 6 bottles of different whites from Wine.com. Yum!

I gave him a bottle of The Mad Hatter Shiraz. Once he tries it, I will report back if it was worth the price I paid.
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Great gifts! Our wine supply was low, so we went out yesterday to restock. We splurged a bit on a bottle of Pinor Noir from a Hudson Valley winery whose product I have always wanted to try. I guess you might say it was a gift to ourselves. :D
 
Salmissra said:
Hubby gave me an all-white-wine Christmas, with 6 bottles of different whites from Wine.com. Yum!

I gave him a bottle of The Mad Hatter Shiraz. Once he tries it, I will report back if it was worth the price I paid.
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Wine.com is a good site especially if you get a deal involving free shipping. Give us a review of the wines as they are consumed. I'm always up for recommendations.

Bear Up North said:
This Bear is not a wine drinker. Katie is, though. For the holiday season she has a bottle of Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2006. Comments? I looked it up on some wine site and it gave it 3.5 out of 5.

Bear
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Drink the Beaujolais now. It's a light, fruity wine that will not age--it will not improve with age. It's to be enjoyed young...kinda like me. :not: :-x
 
Your PSA from RJ on New Year's Day

Last night, I broiled a lobster tail and matched it with a bottle of 2005, Domaine Chandon, Carneros region, chardonnay. If you can find the wine, pick one up. Great balance of oak and fruit. If you're attracted to big chardonnays, you'll love this one. Don't let the price or screw top packaging discourage you. This is the best chardonnay I've drunk in a very long time. Drink it on a special occasion.
 
On local new tonight they had a story about harvest for ice wine.

Is ice wine flavor really that intense and sweet ? :wine:
 
JNA said:
Is ice wine flavor really that intense and sweet ? :wine:
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Generally speaking, yes. The grapes are harvested late in the season, most times after the first frost. The reduced volume of juice from the grapes are highly concentrated producing a wine that is intense and high in sugar.

That reminds me, I have a late-harvest zinfandel in the cellar (a 2000 Hop Kiln). So you see, it's not limited to white wines.
 
The eldest, who is the seed from my loins, called today. With a certified sommelier, he opened a bottle of 1986 Jordan Vineyard & Winery, cabernet sauvignon. This was from the case I gave him to commemorate the year he was born. The sommelier described it as one of the best wine he had ever tasted. He went on to say, that in a blind tasting, he would have thought the wine to be a French Premier cru and will last another 10 years. Alex has 7 bottles remaining.

Last night, ZG and I drank a bottle of 1989, Far Niente, cabernet sauvignon, Napa Valley with BBQ'd steaks. Good stuff. Good eating.
 
Rather than drinking the obligatory champagne for New Years Mrs. P and I decided to try a Prosecco for the toast. It was much drier than I anticipated, but generally good. I can't remember the winery, but it had a green label (there was alot going on that night).
 
We drank a Robert Rue, 2006, Russian River Valley, zinfanel (century old vines) with BBQ pork ribs tonight. The wine got a 4 star gold medal from the Orange County (CA) Fair. Spicy, bold, deep, but ready to drink now. If I can find it, I'll buy more.

Recommended by our palates.

The ribs, with a dry rub, were good, too.
 
The Mad Hatter Shiraz:wine:, 2006, that I gave my hubby for Christmas was a hit! He reports that the flavor was strong, yet smooth, and that he wanted more! First he waited a bit to drink it, and then was upset with himself for waiting, because it was that good!
First night he drank it with a red meat casserole I threw together. The second night was pork ribs. He said it went well with both.
The wine was on sale when I bought it. I will have to look again when I go back, see how much it is full price. I may not be able to stock up at full price! :wine:
 
RJ you ever go for Italian wines? I tried a Valpolicella with Italian fare last weekend and was pleasantly surprised. I had a Tommasi Rafael 2005. For $15 I thought it was right in line with what I would have had from California with a medium body that is fruity and not too thin. I had eggplant parm, and it went superbly.

Anyone else have anything Italian lately? I am on the last phase of building my cellar (the stone back wall) and am trying to find deals to fill 'er up, as it were...

By the way... I have found wine.com to be good, but winelibrary.com and its sister site cinderellawine.com are great if you get the right timing. They have free shipping for lots of wine, and Cinderella wine has free shipping on purchases of three bottles or more...but they only have one wine for sale per day.
 
Hink_Planner said:
RJ you ever go for Italian wines? ....
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We drink a bottle or three per year of Italian wine (I still lean toward domestic wines, mostly California). Valpolicella is my favorite Italian varietal. I'm open to suggestions on wineries that produce Valpolicella.
 
Sipping on a glass of 2008 Stags Leap, Napa Valley, chardonnay. ZG thinks it's "...just okay." I'm taking the rest of the bottle out to the hot tub. This wine is worthy of some attention. (I would recommend holding it as it should improve after a couple of more years in the bottle.)
 
RichmondJake said:
Sipping on a glass of 2008 Stags Leap, Napa Valley, chardonnay. ZG thinks it's "...just okay." I'm taking the rest of the bottle out to the hot tub. This wine is worthy of some attention. (I would recommend holding it as it should improve after a couple of more years in the bottle.)
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My wife bought me a 6 pack for Christmas of assorted Stag's Leap. I had the Chardonnay a couple weeks ago and thought very highly of it. I am not a big oaky Chardonnay fan, and found that Stag's Leap only oaked it for 6mo. with the rest being in stainless, I thought I would give it a try. Very pleased. Have you had the viognier or rose?

Speaking of leap's...The other night I had a Frog's Leap 2005 Zin. I was holding on to it, as I got it for a steal and decided to use it with the Roast I was making. Much better than expected. Full of fruit and a hint of spice. I think most would enjoy.
 
USA Today Headline: Quake puts dent in Chile's wine business
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-03-04-Chile-wineries_N.htm

Has anybody tried any and would some of it be missed for awhile?

Similar devastations struck most of the wineries in this valley and many more along the central-south region of Chile, which is home to 70% of the wine production in this country and which the quake hit hardest.

The nation's largest wine growers association, Vinos de Chile, estimates that 12.5% of current production was destroyed, putting losses at $250 million.
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hit right at harvest time, meaning much of this season's crop will likely rot in the fields.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/world/americas/03chile.html?pagewanted=2
 
JNA said:
Has anybody tried any and would some of it be missed for awhile?
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I have had a bunch of different wines from Chile, but the most notable would be Gato Negro or Concha y Toro as they are fairly available in the U.S. I think that Gato is in the Central Valley, but I am not sure. Chile has started to produce some decent wines. I am sure this will put them back many years....
 
Better than wine in a box

This is something I can really get my head around and is going to be revolutionary. I'm visiting one of these places on our next trip to the coast.

How come I can't come up with these ideas? Oh, because I'm stupid. Never mind.

Keep an eye on your bartender the next time you order a glass of wine at OTD, Charles Phan's new San Francisco outpost. Chances are it won't be coming from a bottle, but a tap.

That's right. A tap.

Doug Washington helped pioneer the trend in San Francisco when he and Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal opened Salt House in August 2006. The space had six beer taps - three too many for Washington's tastes, so he converted half to wine.

Several restaurants followed, including Delfina, Frances, Ironside, OTD, Coda and Annabelle's Bar & Bistro, all in San Francisco; Tavern at Lark Creek in Larkspur; and Chop Bar in Oakland.
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The full story....

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/04/01/DD051CKU43.DTL&type=wine
 
Tonight, a 2006 Meritage by Dry Creek Vineyard paired with grilled rib eye steaks. Great wine from my favorite winery and a nice match with the main course.


ZG's birthday dinner.
 
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