Cigales Museum Real Reserva 2003

Our good friends, Tanya & Geoff Smith, introduced us to this outstanding wine from Northern Spain. It is a medium to full-bodied red wine made from 100% tempranillo grapes that have been picked from 50+ year old vines and aged in oak barrels for 2 years. The nose was very interesting with earthy red fruits and vanilla along with hints of spices and herbs. The flavors were more black fruits along with currants, licorice and chocolate. The oakiness and acidity were well balanced. Great finish with cassis (my boys favorite syrup). Wine Spectator rated this 86, but I would rate it 92+. OUTSTANDING wine!! Will add this to my collection in the cellar. Was an absolute perfect match for their incredible marinated lamb and vegetable dinner along with a dessert of chocolate ice cream balls covered with toasted coconut and cinnamon.

Terrabianca Campaccio 2004

This weekend we ordered a bottle of the Terrabianca Campaciio 2004 for a dinner party. The Campaccio is a "super-tuscan" wine from Italy that is a mix of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet. This medium-bodied wine had a deep red color and aromas of strawberry, plum and cocoa with a hint of leather. The structure was excellent with the fruit and some oakiness and a finish of cherries and vanilla. Nice long finish!! The wine got better as it opened. Highly recommend this wine. I will be looking to put some away for a few more years. This wine retails for about $26.

Quote - Wine Vs. Water

Enjoy a glass of wine...

As Ben Franklin said: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria".

In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia ia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop. However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

Remember: Water = Poop, Wine = Health. Therefore, it is better to drink wine and talk stupid than to drink water and be full of sh*t.

Quote provided by a local Napa area winery proprietor. Thank you!

Girard Petite Sirah

As mentioned in an earlier post, Girard Winery from Napa, CA produces outstanding Petite Sirah wines. We were introduced to this wine with the 2002 and 2003 vintages, which are both 90+ rated wines. The 2004 was once again a very nice full-bodied wine with aromas of blueberry, coffee, black cherry and some lilac. The taste was a combination of blackberry, blueberry, plum and spices. Was a perfect wine with our beef tenderloin dinner. This wine is made from 100% petite sirah grapes. If you can find any vintage of the Girard Petite Sirah, BUY IT!!! Hard to find. Retails for $28-$35. Girard Petite Sirah's are one of our favorites. Looking forward to opening the 2005 and 2006.

Joseph Drouhin Laforet Chardonnay

This past weekend we had a bottle of the 2006 Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Chardonnay. The Joseph Drouhin Vineyard is a family owned winery in France that dates back to the 1880's. This golden wine is made from 100% chardonnay grapes picked from all over the burgundy area. It has a pear and apple aroma along with subtle citrus and the flavors are much the same along with some almond. This wine is fermented in stainless steel so a little crisper than whites fermented in wood. It was a nice match to our sole (fish). Would also be nice with cheese or white meats. Give this wine a try.

2005 Black Pearl

The 2005 Black Pearl Oro is a Shiraz (57%) and Cabernet (43%) blend from South Africa. This wine is full-bodied but the structure was lacking. It has a black fruit aroma with a hint of chocolate. Later in the evening, I noticed a slight eucalyptus smell like an herbal medicine. The taste is bursting with fruit, particularly blackberry and plum, with some licorice and spice. Not overly impressed with this wine. With a $19 retail price tag, I probably would not buy anymore.