March 31, 2009

Cambria Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 -You can never go wrong with a Cambria wine; they make excellent Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from the Santa Maria Valley.  Their 2006 chardonnay has more of the buttery flavors with oak and fruit.  Depending on what flavors you want in this wine will depend on how chilled you make it.  I had just gone to the store earlier so the wine was not as chilled at first, the butter flavors really came out.  As the wine chilled further it seemed to mellow on the butter and take on some crisp fruit flavors.  Either way it is excellent for less then $19! I would rate this wine a 5 out of 5 of course.  Purchase Now icon


March 28th, 2009

2003 Don Ernesto’s Napa Valley Crescendo Red Table Wine from Hagafen winery
Wow that is a mouthful of a label and the wine itself does not disappoint. The color in the glass is an amazing purple. The aroma is vanilla which flows through the taste. The husband said that it tasted like a Vanilla Crème Soda. Personally I think it was more of a baked cookie. It was very tasty for a red table wine with tastes that I have not had before. Definitely a 5 out of 5 here!Buy Hagafen Wine Here icon

March 27th, 2009

Last night we opened a Mumm Napa Valley Sparkling Pinot Noir.  If you have never had a Sparkling Pinot Noir you are missing out.  It is a great but different wine.  I promise next time we open one I will get a shot of the color in the glass.  I am not sure what year it is as it is rare and hard to get this wine, the winery does not make much and sells out quickly.  There is a hint of vanilla and berries on the nose and even more on the taste.  It is not a sweet sparkling wine but one that has awesome flavors just the same.  Of course I am going to give this a 5 out of 5.  www.mummnapa.com

March 24th, 2009

So I decided to look up the fancy corks that have been appearing in my wine bottles.  It turns out they are called a Neocork.   I have to agree that twisting off a screw cap sort ruins my wine experience.  I am by no means a snob except for two things:  1) I want to be able to use a wine opener to open my wine and 2) I want a wine glass!  And I am not talking about some small old school sort of glass...I am talking about a real wine glass. But I digress.  The neocork is supposed to be clean and neat as it will not crumble when you try to remove it from the bottle.  It is also suppose to help preserve your treasure so you will not have that "corked" experience.  To find out more visit their site at: http://www.neocork.com/

March 23, 2009

I chose this wine because the price was less then $10 and I liked the bottle's label. This is a 2007 Mirassou Chardonnay. The smell was a bit of oak. The taste was a bit unexpected as it tasted of dried fruit. I mostly got a lot of apricot with the taste of a desert wine just not quite as sweet and syrupy. Overall it would be great on a warm summer evening. I would say I would have to give it a 3 out 5 – mostly because I was in the mood for less fruity chardonnay. http://www.mirassou.com/home/index.asp 

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March 18th, 2009

So in keeping with a theme here, I had actually purchased both the mia's playground pinot as well as the chardonnay. This chardonnay has a touch of mineral and spice. It is clean and crisp with dried fruits on its flavor. It is not a sweet chardonnay though it is more what I would consider a sauvignon blanc style. I purchased the wine for $12 and would rate it at a 4 out of 5. I am thinking that I am like mia’s playground!

March 17th, 2009

This  wine was amazing!  A very pleasant surprise for just under $20.  This 2006 Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley from a winery called mia's playground delivers strawberry fruit.  A very clean smooth wine but having tons of characteristics.  It starts out light with the strawberry and then finishes smooth but with some spice.I have to say the cork is really cool as well as it is a synthetic red cork....what is with the colors? Definitely a 5 out of 5! I will be purchasing this wine again. http://www.donandsons.com/threeloosescrews/miasplayground/pinotnoir.php


March 15th, 2009

Well this is officially my first post even though I am not ready to go live with the site.  In keeping with looking for great wines around $20 and under I decided to purchase this wine because the label was cool.  I got this bottle for $15 and some change.  It is a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon from EDGE in napa valley.  When I poured it in the glass I noticed that seemed very purple with just a hint of brown around the edges.  The smell was amazing!  It is everything I like in a wine.  It was fruity on the nose with some plums and berries.  So...now for the taste.  Again I was pleasantly impressed.  It was a little on the big side of flavor which I love but it wasn't overly fruity nor was it tannic.  It could easily be drunk with food or by itself.  I would have to say I would give it a 5 out of 5. And another cool thing is the cork is synthtic and black.  Very sleek! Their site even mentions that Food and Wine Magazine rated it one of the best Cabs for under $20. I will be purchasing this wine again. http://www.edgewines.com/