Ever find yourself staring at a wine label trying to remember if you liked it or not? I'm here to help.
Four Wines for the Snowpocalypse
In preparation for the possible 6-12” on snow heading to Kansas City I’ve chosen 4 of last years wines that I wouldn’t mind being snowbound. Priced from $15-29 get the fire ready, the laptop charged and a few extra batteries for the iPhone.
#1 Clayhouse Adobe Red- rich and warm. ~$15
#2 Dreaming Tree- luscious berries. ~$15
#3 Marlstone - Delish! ~$29
#4 Hook & Ladder - cuddle under the blankets with this and some chocolate and watch the snowdrifts form. ~$28
Dierberg Chardonnay- Yes to the Yes! What did you drink for New Years? I had a bottle of Veuve Cliquot in the fridge but, didn’t feel much like champagne. Really by the time New Years rang in I was ready for a green salad and mineral water. But this Chardonnay from Dierberg is excellent and only $25.00 I know ONLY. But, this is on par with any $50+ bottle I’ve ever had the opportunity to quaff. (Sorry I love the word quaff).
This is the 2009 from Santa Maria Valley in California. If I was richer I would only drink this and the Duckhorn.
Don’t you like my sparkly background??? It’s like its already New Years.
Yes to La Vieille Ferme 2010 Vin Blanc from the Luberon, France Trés Trés Bon.
Holy Fricking God Yes! Hook + Ladder 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Russian River Valley of California. This one is over $20 I believe we paid $28 or so for it. But, well worth it.
No… 2010 Malbec from Decero, Mendoza Argentina. This wine seems to get really good reviews and for $18 I expected more. Maybe it didn’t travel well but, I wouldn’t buy it again.
Faulkner Winery (Temecula, CA) Luscious Lips
This is a $15 bottle. They sell it at the winery and at Baron’s Marketplace. It has a hint of sweetness. I absolutely love it and if you like The Firefly Ridge Red Flash you will too. It can be served chilled or room temperature. When it is served chilled, it tastes like Sangria.
Joel Gott 2011 Sauvignon Blanc from California. Oh My Yes!
Yes to this gorgeous blend of reds. Clos De Bois Marlstone 2007 a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot (never heard of that grape before), Merlot and Malbec. From the Alexander Valley of California. $29 Reviews state the 2006 is better: for $39 it better be! But in my price range this was pretty sweet.
Irony Pinot Noir- Yes! This 2010 vintage hails from Monterey County. I’ve had a lot of nice Irony over the years. They have a really nice Blanc de Noir sparkling wine that used to be our choice for New Years. $13 so you can’t beat that.
Edna Valley 2009 Chardonnay, Yes! This is our new go to wine for saturday dinners. From San Luis Obispo a nice white for hot summer nights.
Heliotrope Pinot Noir, 2009 California $19 Not great, Pinot Noir is always a tough one. I either love it or hate it. This one was a No.
Yes for Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 form Napa Valley, CA. Love that it is finally cool enough to start drinking reds again. $26
Every now and then you get to the No’s but that is what I’m here for. To weed out the chaff for you. This Volver had such promise- a cool logo, 2009 from La Mancha Spain. A Tempranillo grape which I usually love but, this was just to heavy, “the alcohol overpowered the fruit” to quote Virginia Madsen in Sideways. Basically this was on it’s way to some sort of Moonshine. $16.99 on Amazon- WTF Amazon sells wine?
Yes, I really like this Torrontes from Zolo. 2011 from Argentina. It was great with my clam chowder and crab cakes. And it’s only like $11 or something.
Pine Ridge 2011 Chenin Blanc & Viognier. Yes! This is a nice white for hot days or warm nights or maybe just some spicy food. Light but with some good body and flavor. Although I am a huge Viognier fan so I may be biased.
Check it out only $14.
http://www.pineridgevineyards.com/wine/2011-chenin-blanc-viognier-2
