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NEVERENDING ♾️ The Richmond Jake's NEVERENDING Wine Thread

RichmondJake said:
A strange one tonight...2008, Starkey's Court, zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, Pedrazzini Family Vineyard (produced by Keverson wines). Strange because I expected a big, heavy wine. On the contrary, given this varietal, it's light, soft, and slightly on the sweet side. Intriguing wine; I've never drank a zinfandel made in this style. We drank it with barbecued pork ribs cooked with a spicy dry rub.

I liked it. You make your own call.
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Are you drinking more Sonoma wines lately? It seems like you are. Any reason?

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2009 Chemistry Willamette Valley. Great price ($15), great flavors, great wine. It is a white blend with pinot gris, pinot blanc, riesling, and chardonnay. Good stone fruit and grassy notes with just a hint of acidity. Very light and creamy. Had it with Shrimp Diablo...
 
Yes!

Hink_Planner said:
Have you enjoyed the quality? I have been talking to a lot of people who feel that the quality of Sonoma is rising.
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Sonoma wines are far superior to those snob wines in the next valley;)

If you get a chance to visit the Deerfield Ranch Winery, do it. You taste the wine inside a mountain.
 
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2007, Frei Bothers, Dry Creek valley, merlot. Pass on this one. Merlot should not be grown in the Dry Creek valley. What were they thinking? Fail.



EDIT: I'm going to miss the posts of leo huang.
 
The One said:
I need a recommendation for the best Pinot Noir for under $30.
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If you can find a local distributor, Vox Populi is an excellent, inexpensive Pinot Noir. It is grown in Romania I believe, and usually retails for about $15-$20. Some years are better than others- dramatically better. I had an '06 that nearly knocked my socks off!!! I went back and purchased the remaining 6 bottles they had in the store. Talk about fruit forward, robust, and full bodied. The next year was not so hot. I purchased a few bottles and was really disappointed. Either way, if you find a bottle, I highly recommend giving it a taste.
 
Help.

Champagne/sparkling wine decisions for the reception:


Domaine Chandon Brut (1052)
J Cuvée 20 (1054)
Korbel Natural (1059)
Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial (1021)
G. H. Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut (1001)
G. H. Mumm Cuvée Napa (1051)
Taittinger La Française Brut (1003)
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut (1005)
 
The One said:
I need a recommendation for the best Pinot Noir for under $30.
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TO, here it is!! The wine ZG's son gave me for my birthday. This is an all shook up wine.

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Wednesday (birthday): Arrowood, 2001, cabernet sauvignon (unfined and unfiltered), Sonoma County. Price tag shows I paid almost $40 for that one. :-c Worth every penny.
This morning: Scharffenberger, NV, brut, sparkling wine. A Mendocino County effort.

Two thumbs up. In my opinion.
 
Buying wine for Christmas, just like previous years. Went to my local wine merchant. He's weird, but has yet to steer either of us wrong. Last year he recommended the Mad Hatter Shiraz :wine:out of Australia, I bought it for $40, and my husband loved it! So I thought I'd get some more.
Turns out the distributor has issues, so there won't be any more. I snagged the last two bottles for less than I paid for the one bottle last year! Since I saved so much, I also picked up two bottles of Pinot Grigio :wine:for Christmas dinner (don't remember the name, but it's Italian and the Papa's family of restaurants use it as their house white), and it was $10/bottle - sale price.
A very successful trip to the weird wine merchant! I am ready for Christmas now!!
 
We're sipping a bottle of Roederer Estate, NV, Anderson Valley Brut, sparkling wine.
Stay away from this one unless you like a bone dry wine without any fruit flavor. Way over priced.
 
Havens Black and Blue 2006. Extremely smooth. I liked it a lot. Unfortunately I didn't buy more at the time... Havens was liquidated in 2009...
 
Over the weekend, ZG and I had a bottle of 2001, Jordan, cabernet sauvignon, Sonoma County. Very good stuff. The tag says I paid $35.49 for the bottle. Worth every penny in my view.

Tonight, I'm sucking on a bottle of 2008, Cardwell Hill, pinot noir, Willamette Valley. Nice wine; not great, but good for watching The Pleiadies and other celestial bodies from the hot tub.
 
As alluded to in the Random Thoughts Thread I am a complete newbie when it comes to wine. I am thinking that as I get older I should explore this wonderful world of wine I have heard about.

I tend to stick with white wines as most of my meals are pretty light, no meat being vegetarian, and not liking the flavor of the red wines I have tried, although I am not opposed to expanding my wine tastes. I have no clue what makes a good wine good or a bad wine bad. I have read through all 19 pages of this thread but a lot of the descriptions is lost on me. What is the best way for a budding wine enthusiast to began down the path to wine happiness? I have tried some of the Barefoot Whites and have found them to be pretty good, especially for under $7.00 at my local Kroger.
 
rcgplanner said:
As alluded to in the Random Thoughts Thread I am a complete newbie when it comes to wine. I am thinking that as I get older I should explore this wonderful world of wine I have heard about.

I tend to stick with white wines as most of my meals are pretty light, no meat being vegetarian, and not liking the flavor of the red wines I have tried, although I am not opposed to expanding my wine tastes. I have no clue what makes a good wine good or a bad wine bad. I have read through all 19 pages of this thread but a lot of the descriptions is lost on me. What is the best way for a budding wine enthusiast to began down the path to wine happiness? I have tried some of the Barefoot Whites and have found them to be pretty good, especially for under $7.00 at my local Kroger.
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I am not a huge fan of Barefoot, but they do a pretty good job of making a simple wine at a good price.

A wine is good or bad because it tastes good to you. Personally, my palette has changed maybe 5 times since I started seriously getting into wine 5 years ago. The wine world has its snobs (I know that I am one sometimes), but wine doesn't have to be inaccessible. Check out winelibrary.com . The owner Gary Vaynerchuk is an amazing advocate for unsnoby wine. He has a show where he goes through different wines. He uses lots of words that the wine world doesn't like "it tastes like rocks", but makes you understand what he is saying.

I think that the best way to get into wine is to try lots of it. Try the Cab Sauv, try the Merlot, try the Reisling, try the Blend. Find out what you like. I think the progression of wine usually goes white zinfindel (blush), white wines, red wines. Tannins, depth, and other nuances are what make wine interesting. The more you drink the more you realize what you like, and what you don't. Is it too dry, is it too tannic (bitter?). Do you like the grassy flavor, do you want it sweeter? You will find your sweet spot. Once you find that - you can search the globe for wines that fit your palette.

Welcome to the world of wine. It is fun and a great addition to any meal!!
 
I agree with Hink, getting out and trying stuff is the best way to explore wine and discover what you like rcgplanner.
Go to wine tastings! Make a point to do 1 per week if you can. By the end of 6 months you will know a ton and will have discovered some concrete attributes that you love or hate about wine. Look in your local paper for wine events or just drop by your local wine stores and ask about when they do tastings. Informal tastings are just as good as formal tastings. A lot of wine stores that I have frequented do free wine tastings, an excellent way to get some exposure without breaking the bank!

If you can sucker a friend or lover into signing up for the 6 month challenge with you, then do it! Nothing beats having someone to chat with about your tasting experiences. Also, keep a journal of the tastings. Write down the label, maker, region, and year of each wine you are tasting and what your impressions were of it. Do not worry about wine-snob jargon. Use your own language.

Oooo... if I lived near you, I would so be your tasting buddy! Nothing I enjoy more than a good wine tasting marathon!
 
Thank you for the excellent suggestions Hink and Terra. I took a look at the winelibrary.com site, a bit intimidating but very interesting and exciting. I have signed up for the local beer/wine emporium e-newsletter, as they oftentimes host tastings on Saturday afternoons. To further my research, I am reading the book WineWise. This is going to be fun! Next step is to get my girlfriend to get interested in wine! :D
 
Excellent wine. In total character of the varietal. Thanks Raf. It's now a dead bottle that will be posted on my desk with the other great bottles I've drunk.

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It hurts me in my brain and in my heart. I can't fathom the cost of that wine. I would imagine that it wasn't the best stuff because of where it was in the store, but still... even average wine shouldn't die like that. And it hurts me to see such good wine to to waste...sad.
 
Last night's Valentine's Day dinner wine. Charles Krug, 1980, cabernet sauvignon, Napa Valley, 150th anniversary bottling. I purchased this at auction about 20 years ago. It stood the test of time and doesn't get any better than this. Classic!!

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I am definitely a newbie when it comes to wine, but I am beginning to see how wines and food pair together. Last night I made Valentines Dinner for my girlfriend and myself. We had a nice spicy pasta and I paired it with a shiraz. Now it wasn't anything fancy, just a wine from Walmart, but I thought it was very good, especially since I didn't think I was a red wine fan. :)
 
I just finished off a bottle of 2006 Tallulah, syrah, Bald Mountain Ranch, Napa Valley we opened last night. I rarely drink the varietal but this was very good. Dark color, super rich and dense flavors. A big wine.
Purchase this one, folks. Highly recommended.
 
A 1999 Grove Street cabernet sauvignon, Alexander Valley last night. My mom bought it for me about 7 or 8 years ago for my birthday. (I was born and raised on Grove Street in Ft. Bragg CA. Hence, the connection.) A raspy and rough on the edges wine. Past its prime. Nothing to write home about but I'll give a better report to my mom when I call her later today.
 
During my cleaning today, I tossed these bottles out. In no special order, the best bottles of wine I've drunk since my move to Florida.

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Korbel rose sparkling wine with brunch this afternoon. Nothing to write home about. Pass on this one. Very average.
 
2008 Ridge Monte Bello. Second Monte Bello I have had and this was MUCH better. More inky than I expected, but more towards my palettes liking. Going to be great in a couple years.
 
Do not, I repeat, do not purchase a bottle of the Woodbridge, brut, sparkling wine. This is an abomination. If you see this on a shelf at your grocery store, cover your eyes and run away. I can't believe Mondavi would add their name to this wine--even as a second label (I know the family doesn't own the winery--Constellation? ). This is a bulk sparkler.

On the other hand, pick up a bottle of Chandon, blanc de noirs. Crisp, fruity, bold, dry. You'll like this one. Special occasions or just because.
 
Currently drinking Hazlitt Red Cat.

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it is what it is. It's claimed to be New York State's most popular hot tub wine. I'd send some to RJ, but that would be akin to sending me a case of Natty Ice because it's a popular forum administrating beer.
 
I just ordered a case of Robert Mondavi, 2007, Oakville cabernet sauvignon. I'm going to split the case with my boss. Good price, very good reviews, and free shipping.

I have to share one of the reviews written about this wine.

91 Points, Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
"The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc) has deep black currant fruit as well as notes of lead pencil shavings, camphor, and spice. It is medium to full-bodied, elegant, and rich from beginning to end, with outstanding purity, depth, and texture. This beauty can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years."
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Lead pencil shavings? :huh: :wine:
 
RichmondJake said:
Lead pencil shavings? :huh: :wine:
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Who hasn't tasted those? To me that is just another way wine tasters are crazy. Why not go with something we have tasted like tin foil or something. If you are trying to get across the mineral, earth, flavor go with something less out there....
 
My case of Robert Mondavi, 2007, Oakville cabernet sauvignon arrived today. I feel like a kid in a candy shop!!!
I will open one this weekend and report my observations. :wine:
 
RichmondJake said:
My case of Robert Mondavi, 2007, Oakville cabernet sauvignon arrived today. I feel like a kid in a candy shop!!!
I will open one this weekend and report my observations. :wine:
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And??...................................
 
It finally happened, I opened and enjoyed my bottle of Duckhorn, Rector Creek Block 8 (2004). It was incredible. The nose and flavours were so rich and smooth.

I was really scared it was corked as it has sat in a closet for the better part of 4 years.

Thanks for the recommendation RJ and Cardinal.
 
Last night we opened a 1988, Hess Collection, Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon. A disappointment on all aspects. It was old and tired. I should have drunk it a decade ago. More disappointing is the face I have another bottle on the wine rack. :not:
 
RichmondJake said:
Last night we opened a 1988, Hess Collection, Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon. A disappointment on all aspects. It was old and tired. I should have drunk it a decade ago. More disappointing is the face I have another bottle on the wine rack. :not:
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Are you a fan of Hess? I had the Hess 19 Block a couple weeks ago, and wasn't overly happy with it for the price. Their grocery store wine is okay for $7, but I thought the 19 Block would be MUCH better... and it wasn't.

Just wondering if you had luck with them in the past, or if you just bought the bottles years ago.
 
Hink_Planner said:
Are you a fan of Hess? I had the Hess 19 Block a couple weeks ago, and wasn't overly happy with it for the price. Their grocery store wine is okay for $7, but I thought the 19 Block would be MUCH better... and it wasn't.

Just wondering if you had luck with them in the past, or if you just bought the bottles years ago.
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I'm a fan of Hess and have not been disappointed in the past. Maybe I'll stay with their inexpensive reds and their whites and drink them young.

In fact, I really blew it by opening that bottle. It was part of the case I bought my youngest son when him turned 21 yo then bought from him about a year ago (?). He needed some cash. I told myself I'd keep it and give it back to him. 8-!
 
To make up for the Hess failure, tonight we uncorked a bottle of 2003, Dry Creek Vineyard, Mood Hill, cabernet sauvignon. Excellent in all respects. Soft, fruity, dry and a perfect complement to grilled meat. I'm finishing it as I type. :wine:

But you all know I'm partial to Dry Creek Vineyard. One of my favorite wineries.
 
RichmondJake said:
My case of Robert Mondavi, 2007, Oakville cabernet sauvignon arrived today. I feel like a kid in a candy shop!!!
I will open one this weekend and report my observations. :wine:
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Hink_Planner said:
And??...................................
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We drank a second bottle of this last night. It's very good wine for the price; classic Napa Valley style. But not an "oh-my-gawd" type of wine. Clear, great nose, balanced, rich in flavors; unusual for its age. What I find is interesting is the wine was undoubtedly filtered and fined because it is clear and without sediment. Nothing wrong with that, but IMHO, this means it will not age 10-15 years as the review mentions. I'll finish these bottles in the next 5 years. I still think it was a great deal for the price.

Cheers.
 
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