Looking for a bottle of something different? Here are my wine picks. These are completely independent recommendations - I am getting no financial incentive for including a wine here. It's strictly for fun!

If you have a favorite wine, drop me a note and I'll check it out!


Juan Gil
Monastrell 2007
Jumilla
The 2006 Vintage was so tasty and got such great reviews that I picked up the '07 at Costco for $11.95 just on reputation. I'm so glad I did. Deep, dark and mysterious, Monastrell (the Spanish Mourvedre) is a sensuous wine. George Clooney crossed with Denzel Washington. This full-bodied dry red has well rounded tannins and plum and blackberry fruits that are nicely balanced with acidity. Chocolate and leather play on the palate. Approachable on its own, but would pair nicely with a hard strong cheese like an aged Manchego or aged Gouda, some roasted nuts or a big steak.

PS - The 2006 is holding nicely in the bottle, too. Wish I'd bought more!

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Pink Wine

"I don't drink rose." I hear that frequently when I'm out tasting at wineries or in a wine bar. Unfortunately, White Zinfandel did a lot of damage to the perception of rose. I love a nice pink wine on a warm summer evening. Fruity and flavorful yet dry, rose offers a nice change of pace. And there are a slew of varietals to choose from: Pinot Noir, Grenache, Syrah, Rhone Blends to name a few. Roses can be a by-product of the red wine making process; some winemakers bleed some juice off the skins to concentrate the flavors of the red juice, making a more intensely flavored red wine. Other winemakers treat rose as the end product, specifically harvesting the grapes at the perfect time for rose. Generally the juice is fermented at cooler temperatures to maintain the fruit character of the varietal. Colors range from light salmon to a deep bubble gum pink, depending on both the varietal and amount of time in contact with the grape skins. Nearly all roses are fermented dry, so while they are fruity, they are not sweet.

Here are a few roses to try on those warm summer nights before the fog rolls in:

Prieure Saint Hippolyte 2009
Languedoc
70% Syrah / 30% Grenache

Mueller 2009
Russian River
Rose of Pinot

Edward Sellers 2008
Paso Robles
Rose of Grenache

Dashe Cellars
2009 Vin Gris

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July 2010

I was lucky enough to be able to spend a few days in the Willamette Valley of Oregon after my bike ride from Seattle to Portland. Gorgeous! I discovered quite a few nice Pinot Noirs during my stay. And a good smattering of beers, too! The wines are priced similarly to any quality California Pinot but there are some good values for the price. Since I've missed a few weeks, here's a list some of my favorites for you to explore.

Lange
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008
$24

Other recommendations:
Torii Mor
Archery Summit
Domaine Serene
Dobbes Family Winery
He also does "Wines by Joe" which are a less expensive alternative for everyday.

Argyle - Sparkling Pinot Noir! (I mean a full-on red sparkler! Very interesting!)
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May 14
Tamas Estates
Double Decker Bus Red
Central Coast 2008
$9.99+

Some nights I just want an easy red to sip. Nothing that requires a lot of thought or concentration (is that black currant or red currant? Leather or Pleather?). Here's a wine for just such occasions. The Double Decker Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Barbera. It's a pleasant ruby in the glass, aromas of black cherry, blackberry and cassis. Tasting mirrors the scents - nice black fruit flavors, a little blueberry but not overextracted. This is a great Tuesday night burger wine.
I found this at Safeway.
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May 7
Urban Uco
Valle de Uco Malbec-Tempranillo 2008
$7.99+

OMG!!  I'm so excited about this wine I'm not even waiting until Friday to tell you about it. 50% Malbec and 50% Tempranillo from Argentina. First, a look - the deep ruby color holds promise for what's to come. Then, a sniff - it's like sticking your nose into everything purple: lavender, violets, plums, blackberries. A little smoke, tea and spice harmonize. Finally, a sip - Yowza! This is a bonanza of fruit, yet much much more. A deep berry intensity, a hint of minerality, bittersweet chocolate, coffee, leather, lavender with some grippy tannins and a nice acidity to balance it all. For the price of 2 large lattes, a beer at the ballpark or 1 matinee movie ticket.
Available at Costco (South San Francisco) - get it while they still have it. I almost cleaned them out today.
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April 30
Trader Joe's Petit Reserve
Central Coast 2008 Chardonnay
$9.99

I always check the producer when looking at Trader Joe's branded wines. This delightful and balanced Chardonnay is vinted by Talley in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo. Let's start with what it isn't. It's not overoaked, oversaturated in buttered popcorn notes, nor cloying on the finish. What we have here, for two Lincolns, is a lovely bright gold delight in the glass. Ripe apple, melon, vanilla and tropical notes of pineapple unfold as one swirls the glass. Sipping reveals more apples and citrus, caramel, a subtle spiciness from the oak and a crisp refreshing finish. Yum.
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April 24
Dow
2001 Late Bottled Vintage Port
$9.99 for 375ml

Port is my deathbed drink of choice. If it didn't seem so morbid and weren't so prohibitively expensive, I'd buy a bottle from my birth year just to open for that occasion. What a way to go! For most folks, Vintage Port is pricey. There are several decent alternatives under $20. This is priced around that, and far below the $50+ entry on a current release Vintage, and you don't have to wait 10 to 20 years to enjoy it. Recently, I had the luck to try this "LBV" from Dow. If you like the deep stewed fruit flavors, inky blackness and chewy tannins of vintage ports, give this a try. There's a luscious mouthfeel and long finish, making it the perfect ending to a perfect day.
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April 17
Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut
Non-vintage
$14.99

Sparkling wines don't have to saved just for celebrations. Sparklers make a nice predinner cocktail when in the mood for something a little different. Generally a little lower in alcohol than still wines from the same grapes, a little bubbly won't put you over the top. This sparkling wine is made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the traditional champagne method. A toasty, bready aroma is mirrored on the palate. The bright green apple and citrus flavors coast in on small persistent bubbles. A creamy mouth-filling texture and toasty finish keeps me coming back. Widely distributed.
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April 10
Chateau L'Avocat - Graves 2006
$14.99

Someone poured this wine for me without telling me what it was. A light straw color in the glass, it smelled of apple, melon, honey  and citrus. A sip revealed more citrus and apple with a hint of butteriness and minerality and a nice crisp finish. Hmmm, I thought. Looks like Sauvignon Blanc, but the butter and apple make me think Chardonnay. Wrong again: this white Bordeaux is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. The Semillon has been aged in wood, which rounds out the more racy Sauvignon Blanc. Very quaffable. If you think you're not a Sauvignon Blanc drinker, give this Bordeaux a try. Available at K&L Wines.
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April 2