VINEgeek

This wine had a lot of “shelf appeal” for me. First off it’s from Paso Robles and it’s got the vineyard named on the label. Yippee! Then I see that it’s a blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Tannat and Touriga Nacional. Geek-tastic!
Producer: Vina Robles
Grapes: 51% Petite Sirah, 43% Syrah, 4% Tannat, 2% Touriga Nacional
Appellation: Paso [...]

I was in Spec’s the other day with no real direction to my shopping, just browsing around. I saw the Merlot section and thought “why not?”  I rarely buy Merlot, but I was feeling a bit guilty for not being more open-minded. I saw this bottle with a healthy dollop of Cabernet Franc (and a [...]

Okay, maybe you’re getting tired of me posting about Montsant, but I’m going to keep trying them as long as they keep impressing me. Let’s check this one out.
Producer: Cellers Can Blau.  (This wine also bears the label of Jorge Ordoñez Selection, though Tempranillo Inc. is listed as the importer.)
Grapes: 40% Mazuela, 40% Syrah, 20% [...]

After having a very nice Rueda Verdejo last week, this bottle caught my eye when I was at the wine shop. I opened it for tonight’s penne with pesto, potatoes and green beans.
Producer: Bodegas Naia
Importer: Jorge Ordonez – If you’re ever stuck at a wine shop and not sure what to get, head to the [...]

Perrin & Fils is a producer that always catches my eye. I’ve had a number of very good bottles from them and no bad ones. So when I saw this bottle at Costco from an appellation I’m not familiar with and a couple of nice scores (91 WS and 90 RP), I couldn’t resist.
Producer: Perrin [...]

After really enjoying the last Montsant wine I tried, I have been on the lookout for more. I saw this one for about $11 and had to give it a try.
Falset 2006 Montsant
Producer: Falset Marçà
Grapes: 50% Garnacha, 30% Cariñena, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Montsant (D.O., Spain)

Vineyards: Vineyards are at 1240 feet with soils of slate, granite, [...]

Valdelainos Verdejo 2007 Rueda
Producer: Bodegas Pedro Escudero
Grapes: 100% Verdejo
Appellation: D.O. Rueda, Spain (map). The home of Verdejo.
Vineyard: from an estate vineyard named “Fuente Elvira” – gravel and sand over a red clay sub-soil
Winemaking/aging: aged 2 months in stainless steel on the lees.
Alcohol: 13%
Price: Don’t remember exactly what I paid, but it’s in the $10-12 range.
My [...]

I tasted through 5 old vines Zins from Lodi over the past week or two hoping to find a few winners and learn a bit about the style.
Part 1: Spellbound Old Vines Zinfandel 2005 Lodi
Part 2: Ravenswood Old Vines Zinfandel 2006 Lodi
Part 3: Gnarly Head Old Vines Zinfandel 2006 Lodi
Part 4: Campus Oaks Old Vines [...]

This is Part 5 of my Lodi Old Vines Zin series. Part 1 was Spellbound 2005, Part 2 was Ravenswood 2006, Part 3 was Gnarly Head 2006 and Part 4 was Campus Oaks 2007. In the next few days I’ll post my overall takeaways (pardon the corporate-speak) from this series.
The last wine I picked up [...]

This is Part 4 of my Lodi Old Vines Zin series. Part 1 was Spellbound 2005, Part 2 was Ravenswood 2006 and Part 3 was Gnarly Head 2006.
Campus Oaks Old Vines Zinfandel 2007 Lodi
Producer: Campus Oaks (Gnekow Family Winery)
Grapes: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation: Lodi
Vineyards: The grapes are sourced from vineyards averaging 90 years old.
Winemaking/Aging: There is no [...]