Stolpman - Syrah 2009 Estate Grown

This wine was absolutely delicious! Dark red in color, with lots of fruit flavors and a little spice for some kick. The tannins are soft so it drinks smooth. We had this one in a restaurant, but will be searching for it at the store. Price point should be around 22 dollars and that's a bargain. I highly recommend picking this one up if you see it. Went really well with our Duck and Salmon, but it should pair with most hearty meals.


Tasting Notes

2009 Stolpman Vineyards Syrah Estate Grown Santa Ynez Valley
"The 2009 Syrah is a powerful wine endowed with considerable depth. Black fruit, licorice, leather and tar are some of the notes that wrap around the palate in this intense, muscular Syrah. Sweet floral notes add lift and a measure of balance on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022."
92 points -- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Spy Valley - Pinot Noir 2010

I was heading towards the register at Total Wine a month ago and saw this on the shelf. The tag said Wine Spectator gave it a 92, and at $24 I had to try it out. From all the reviews posted on the tags at Total Wine, Wine Spectator is the one I trust the most. Anything 90+ in the sub-$25 category is worth trying, in my book.

Spy Valley, out of New Zealand, started their Pinot Noir bottling in 2003, and this 2010 shows years of perfection or at least one perfect year. Proof some really great things come out of New Zealand.. shout out to Jemaine and Bret!

My wife and I both loved this wine, and look forward to having it again in the future. It was fruity, but not over the top fruity. Cocoa-y, a little spicy, super soft tannins so it won't leave that dry taste in your mouth. Give this a try and you'll love it!

I highly recommend.. great for a special diner and will work well with whatever you eat.

critical acclaim:

"Digs deep into the spice box, with nutmeg, clove and allspice flavors that perfectly frame the ripe, supple wild black cherry and raspberry notes. Comes together on a supple frame, with plenty of staying power on the finish. Drink now through 2015. 13,000 cases made. "

92 Points

Wine Spectator

Big House Red

I've been out of the blog game for a couple weeks..  and while I've been to a couple restaurants I need to write up on, lets put that on hold for a bit and get to the good stuff... Wine!

So, they say red wine is good for your heart, and why shouldn't I believe them? Who is them you say? And how is it good? Where is the research? I say, who cares... lets just go with it, and enjoy the extra pluses we can get out of that yummy delicious resveratrol ridden fermented grape juice!

So, I was on a mission.. armored with the desire to become more heart healthy and stock up on alcohol before the impending wrath of Hurricane Irene hit! I was not about to be stuck without plenty of wine, god forbid I wind up with a week without power and no wine to pass the time like when Isabel hit in '03.

Now, since the stipulation about heart healthiness is that I must drink the red wine in moderation... opening a bottle every night and letting it sit around, going bad and growing things I wish not dream of.. I did something I thought I would never do... I dove head first into the Boxed Wine industry.

But, as friends have said and things I've read have told me.. times they are a changing.. screw top bottles and boxed wine are not what it once was.. and there are great wines out there being delivered to us through those mediums!!!  I intend to find and bring you the very best!

Big House Red is where I've started.. and so far so good. I love being able to have a glass with diner, poured from an airtight bag in a box, preventing that pesky oxygen from getting my tannins in a bunch!

This ran me about $23.99 and would you believe it, there are 4 full bottle of wine in this box... that's roughly 6 bucks a bottle! Pulled out the calculator to not embarrass myself.

I can not complain about this "Fruit Bomb" of a wine.. made to taste by the wine makers using a variety of grapes to reach what we have here. Very fruity and soft, light light tannins. It's perfect for a random glass here and there during the week and should pair with just about anything you make, unless you have a Michelin star I don't know about?

Get out there and enjoy yourself! Forget the old stigmas..  and let me know if you find a real winner in the boxed wine section!

Gordon Brothers - Syrah 2006

I'm a huge fan of Syrah and wine's like this one are why. When you first pour this wine from the bottle, and see its deep dark purple-red color and smell its wonderful aromas, you know you're in for a real treat. With each sip dancing on your tounge, you're transported to Washington's Columbia Valley and dream of row after row of grapevines glistening in the sun shine.

We've had this wine before and it's on our favorites list. Its got big bold fruity flavors and a light bite. It pairs nicely with grilled meats and spicy foods like most of my favorite wines, so fire up the grill and enjoy this wonderful wine! I actually got some Mia's Pizza to go, and enjoyed it with that.. don't be jealous! We picked this up for $19.99 at Total Wine, and it's worth every penny.



COMPOSITION: 100% Syrah, Estate Grown
AGING: 24 months in French & American Oak

Winemaker Comments: This Syrah opens with aromas of olive, cocoa powder, and tea with hints of lavender floating in the distance. As the wine evolves in the glass, layers of fig and anise mix seamlessly with blueberries and cassis. A soft entry with firm tannins, one is greeted by flavors and cranberry and currants framed by black licorice. A lingering finish makes this a perfect dinner wine for grilled meats and braised vegetables.

Avalon - Merlot 2009

My wife and I are huge fans of Avalon's Cabernet Sauvignon, so much so it was the only red wine served at our wedding. We felt its big fruit, cherry and chocolate notes paired well with all our dishes, from glazed salmon with a slightly spicy Thai curry risotto to prime rib. When we saw they now had a Merlot, we figured it was worth a try.


The Merlot still packs the fruit, from raspberry to cherry, but offers a little less tannins over the Cabernet, which many will find appealing. It's a nice dark color and a smooth drink that's overall very nice. I would still take the Cabernet over the Merlot usually, but it offers a nice change. Should pair well with just about anything you eat.

I would give it a try and let me know what you think!

Quickfire - Zinfandel 2006

Normally I wouldn't expect much from a wine sponsored by a television show, but as a long time fan of Top Chef, I figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot.

Someone over at Top Chef put the Terlato Wine Group in charge of the Quickfire wines, and with 50 years of experience, I think they know what they're doing.

I was pleasantly surprised with this wine. It's smooth with soft tannins, fruity and spicy. Characteristics I always look for in my reds. When I label search and read tasting notes, I try to find those words, any fruit related words, cocoa, chocolate, and usually get wines I'm happy with, taking notes to never buy again anything that isn't good.

The tasting notes for Quickfire Zinfandel read: Rich, dark rose. The nose captures brambly blackberry fruit. Anise, blueberry and black cherry notes flow through on the palate.

If you find this one in the store, give it a shot. Pairs well with pretty much anything that can hold up to a spicy fruity red! So don't have this with some halibut! Stick to your red meats, hearty pastas and of course Pizza!

Enjoy!

...and a bottle!

I believe that there are many many truly exceptional wines in the 10-20 dollar range at the store. My favorite store in the area that sells wine and beer being Total Wine! Every few months my wife and I will make the pilgrimage to Alexandria, VA or McLean, VA and get a case of wine. Check their site for tastings, it's the best day to go and happens most weekends! 


I try to get a mix of mostly $10-12 and a couple $20ish bottles. There are some wines we know and love and we often will get a couple of those, but the rest we gamble on. Read the labels, read the tasting notes, ask the employees.. unlike other stores, the people there know what they're talking about!

Last Saturday I cooked up some tuna for my wife and scallops for myself. When we make a higher quality meal then your normal baked chicken (which we eat nearly every night of the week).. sometimes I like to break out a new bottle of wine that was priced near my max range on wine. This was one of those nights!

 2009 Zinfandel "Mischievous" by MACCHIA

This was a wine we tasted a few months ago at a tasting at Total Wine, but I forgot how much I liked it. I'm no expert, but I would describe it as really fruity, very jammy and smooth. I think you can pretty much get an idea for what that would taste like, but think blackberry, cherry, and raspberry jam in wine form.. and that's pretty much it. I loved it! This wine cost around $20.. and is perfect for a special occasion. Best with food items that can stand up to a hearty wine. Steaks, spicy foods, foods with strong flavor. Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think!