2009 Folie a Deux Menage a Trois California Red

The menage a trois referenced here is the coupling of three grapes, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The actual blend is 46% Zin, 31% Merlot and 23% Cab, the grapes are sourced from vineyards all across California, basically wherever they can get the best grapes for the least amount of money. The wine is aged in French and American oak. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are 2 grapes that dominate most Bordeaux red wines and adding in some Zinfandel is a California twist on the Bordeaux blends. The alcohol level is 13.5%.

A deep dark, clear raspberry jello red. The nose does not give up much, a bit of strawberry, a touch of chocolate and not much else. Nicely fruit forward, soft round black and blueberry flavors, cocoa powder, raspberry and then you can sense the tannins in the mid-palate. The tannins are light, but give the Menage a Trois enough structure and body to hold the fruit together. There is a nice raspberry jam finish.

A good starter red wine for people who don’t know if they like red wine. Nice flavor, soft and approachable, but there is enough going on to please experienced red wine drinkers.

2009 Trader Joe’s Overlake Sauvignon Blanc $6

I have been complaining about how there is never any information on Trader Joe’s wines, and lo and behold, they now have cool tasting notes, technical information and maps showing where the grapes are grown. So, here’s the low down on the Overlake Sauvignon Blanc, it’s 100% Sauvignon Blanc, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. The grapes were grown in Lake County, which is north of Napa, it’s the coolest (as in cold, not hip) grape growing area in California, which is just fine for growing Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Trader Joe’s even said how they came by the wine, somebody backed out of a contract to buy the grapes, and the Winery turned to Trader Joe’s to salvage the situation. Alcohol content is 13.5%.

Light lemon yellow in color. A big nose, even if your not good at identifying what’s going on with the nose, you will get a few scents out of this one, pineapple, lime, grapefruit, nice fresh fruit aromas. Nice slightly oily mouth feel. Apricot along with pink grapefruit upfront, slightly sweet and tart at the same time. The mid palate is raspberry iced tea, that flows along into a nice long finish.

A nice solid Sauvignon Blanc, it can go toe to toe with most of the under 20 buck Sauvignon Blanc’s coming out of New Zealand. It’s amazing what 6 dollars will get you in wine nowadays.

2009 Alexander & Fitch Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $7

Another Trader Joe’s exclusive. Alexander & Fitch is one of Bronco Wine Company’s (makers of Two Buck Chuck) labels. The grapes are sourced from Alexander Valley, which is located in the Northeast corner of Sonoma, California. Like almost all other Trader Joe’s wines, there is not much information concerning the making of the Cabernet available. Is it 100% Cabernet Sauvignon?, was it aged in oak? Ah, just drink the wine and don’t ask any questions. 13.2% alcohol.

Deep, dark, rich, burgundy red. Intense red berry nose, a hint of leather and a little alcohol. The flavor is strawberry, plum,  dark chocolate and then some blackberry. Light tannins, along with good fruit. The finish is blackberry, not super long, but tastes good.

A solid cheap bottle of wine. A very drinkable, everyday Cab. The lack of tannins make it a bit soft and lacking in structure, but for an everyday wine that’s not all that bad. The Alexander & Fitch Cabernet would pair well with burgers and steaks cooked on the backyard grill.

Marietta Old Vines Red Lot Number 52

A non vintage red blend sourced from Sonoma and Mendonco Counties in California. The main grape in the blend is Zinfandel, but three times a year a new version of the blend is released, Lot Number 52 is the summer blend. Marietta Cellars is a family owned Winery located in Geyserville in Sonoma. The alcohol content is 13.5%.

The color is dark, inky, black cherry red. The nose is blackberry, cherry and a touch of vanilla. A nice lush mouthfeel, very silky. Good ripe fruit upfront, plum, blueberry, raspberry and then a sharp hit if spice, with each sip, the spice smoothes out. A big strong blueberry finish.

Oh wow,this is the comfort food equivalent in wine. Simple yummy goodness in spades. Luscious ripe fruit, it actually feels good in your mouth. I want to try this with Mom’s Pot Roast. The Marietta Old Vines Red is the kind of wine you want to give to friends, there is no higher praise than that.

Here is a link to the distributors, if you need to see where you can purchase this wine in your area: http://www.mariettacellars.com/distributors/

NV Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc

Every time I see someone put out a list of Best Buy Cheap Wines, there will inevitably be one Barefoot Wine or another on the list. I have been walking past the Barefoot Wine display at the local liquor store for years, but I figure now is a good time to see if Barefoot Wine delivers. The Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from vineyards all over California and NV means at least 2 different vintages of Sauvignon Blanc are blended into to bottle. Alcohol content is 13%.

Very light straw yellow in color. A pretty nose, orange, grapefruit, lime and slate. Rather light bodied, tangerine and lemon/lime with a late touch of pear with the lemon/lime and pear going along till the rather decent finish.

Pretty good bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for $4.99. Not too sweet, not too much acidity, good flavor and a cheap price.  I have had $15 Sauvignon Blanc that didn’t bring anything the Barefoot doesn’t have.

2009 Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc

I don’t know about you kids, but I don’t trust my Sauvignon Blanc to any old country. New Zealand is the only way to go. I’ve gone from vine to vine all over this island country and while the Kim Crawford, Groth and Starborough are wonderful, I always go back to my roots. For the price, under $10 and averaging $8.99, this little monkey always delivers. Let’s start with her looks. She isn’t showy so don’t expect a circus. However, she’s not a supermodel either so don’t think she’ll just sit there. She’s subtle but glows. Meadow grass, lemon and sunshine. She’s crisp without being a tart, witty but not insulting, and she can handle herself just fine. Just ask the creepy, leering ex-father-in-law with the freshly manicured pink slap across his face. No cheeky monkeys here, boys. She knows when to hold ‘em, knows when to….well, you get the picture. Her zings are always tempered by a hint of sweetness. She smells like fresh cut grass during morning brunch. The first sip can be arresting but the bite spreads to the sides and then the back of your tongue. Makes you thirsty but quenched all at once. Take her to a nice summer barbecue, introduce her to your loved ones, be complimentary. In return, you’ll get more than you bargained for.

2009 Otto’s Constant Dream Sauvignon Blanc – $14

I was lucky enough to sample this fantastic little summer wine at an up and coming wine bar. First sip and I couldn’t help but think:  “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”. It hits you mid-tongue, tart,  like the girl who can pull it off but elongates to the back of your throat. She still feels the need to suck in her tummy when she notices you watching.

Catch the dermatologist-banned rays of high-noon-yellow-gold and go with it. Now she’s among friends, exhales and the wine expands. You suddenly remember you’re on a beach. Shake out your beach blanket bingo and start doing the twist because this one’s got sand, surf and 60′s written all over it.

2009 Urban Uco Malbec

100% Estate grown Malbec from the  Uco Valley in the Mendoza Region of Argentina. The wine is aged three months in French oak barrels. Argentina is known for it’s Torrontes white wine and Malbec red wine. Malbec is a French grape mainly grow in the Cahors region of France, but Argentina has become very competitive in terms of quality and price. Alcohol content is 14.5%.

A dark opaque ruby red, in France Malbec is known as “the black wine” and the Urban Uco Malbec lives up to that name. The nose is not fruit based, it’s spicy and rich exotic spices, a flowering Magnolia tree, with the scent of a newly mowed lawn. Medium bodied, dark red fruit, at first, then blueberry followed by a touch of spice. Malbec’s used to be big hairy tannic wines, but the tannins here are soft and slightly sweet. A good, reasonably long berry finish.

A very balanced, well made wine.  Would be very versatile with food,  you could pair it with burgers or pizza, but it’s quality would also enhance upscale menus. I have seen the Urban Uco Malbec on several wine lists, it’s quality to price ratio would make it an excellent pick

2008 Peirano Estate Vineyards “The Other” Red Blend

Ok, I picked this wine because of the label. If I have to pick between a wine with a plain label or a wine with a naked lady on the label, I’m going with the naked lady every time. Actually, a beautiful or clever label is pretty good reason to choose a wine, the best winemakers tend to be very creative people, so it stands to reason the label on their bottle should be creative (or naked).

The Other is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Syrah all sourced from Peirano Estate Vineyards in Lodi, California. The 3 grapes were fermented and aged separately and then blended at the very end of the process. The alcohol content is 13.8%.  Peirano Vineyard Estates has been making wine for 4 generations.

The color is back cherry jello. The nose is blackberries, blueberries, cedar and a touch of vanilla. Soft smooth fruit upfront, raspberry, black cherry jam on buttered toast, strawberry dipped in dark chocolate and light oak spice. A long blueberry vanilla finish.

A very easy wine to drink, an excellent every day wine. Would pair well with burgers or pizza, or skip the food and enjoy a glass or two.

2009 Passaggio New Generation Unoaked Chardonnay $13

Handmade Chardonnay by Winemaker Cynthia Cosco at the Crushpad wine facilities in Napa, Ca. 100% Chardonnay, no oak, no malolactic fermentation, minimal manipulation of the grapes. Alcohol content is 13.2%.

Light straw yellow in color. The nose is light citrus, tangerine, lime, grapefruit, a pretty scent, light and delicate. Lemon Chiffon at first, then tart apple, pink grapefruit and then dash of pear to soften the citrus. Nice acidity, you know it’s there but it does not intrude. A long lemon/lime and pear finish.

The very fresh fruit, light and refreshing, but plenty of body, a very well made Chardonnay. It has depth, some complexity and tastes great. Bring it to your favorite BYOB restaurant, the Passaggio would enhance fish and seafood meals.

you can find this wine at http://www.passaggiowines.com/

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