We celebrated Ashley's birthday tonight with a family dinner. Then, she's going out with her friends to get some drinks :-)
We enjoyed Dunham Cellar's Syrah. Steve & I liked it because of its complexity & earthy blend. I'm not sure if it was what Ashley wanted as she was looking for a very smooth wine with probably more fruit flavor. Thi syrah has an interesting taste.
Dunham Cellars
2005 Syrah
Frenchtown Vineyard, Walla Walla, Washington
Last bit of land our family homesteaded...once again yielded an amazing Syrah.
Rich olive & clove with hints of orange blossom. - Eric Dunham, Winemaker
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
New Wines
Steve, Ashley & I ended up working out on the deck this afternoon. It was a beautiful day so we opened a bottle from our local wine club. We had Blake Slate Pinot Noir. It was very light & fruity. None of us cared much for it. Ashley suggested putting ice in the glasses like Sangria. Even that didn't make it taste better. If you light fruity, you'll like this wine.
With dinner, we had Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier, as recommended by Rachael Ray's magazine. It was also a fruity wine, but more balanced. Flavors were more of a melon. It was very refreshing and enjoyable with our meal.
With dinner, we had Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier, as recommended by Rachael Ray's magazine. It was also a fruity wine, but more balanced. Flavors were more of a melon. It was very refreshing and enjoyable with our meal.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Thursday Wine Tasting
Last night we visited Wine Styles, our local wine shop that offers weekly wine tasting. We decided to go even though we didn't see any wines particularly interesting to us on the email.
Were we surprised!!!
Two of the wines were actually ones we would enjoy again.
Peirana Estate, The Other Red
Lodi, California
This wine is listed as mellow, but neither of us thought it was completely mellow. It is between mellow & bold with a great berry taste. Even has a little spice or smoke flavor. A really good value at 15.99. Here's the description we received:
Aromas of black cherries are complemented by spice, toasty oak, and cedar. Waves of crabapple, plum and candied fruit with a hint of smoky, dark oak and a long seductive finish.
This was a fun wine to taste.
Our favorite of the night was a Chardonnay, surprisingly. When the server poured our glasses, she said it was one of her favorites and it has a banana & caramel taste. I thought, "I'm not so sure about a banana taste". As we walked back to our seats, I sniffed and there was a definite banana aroma. I told Steve that he needed to smell this wine before he tasted it.
Michael David Vineyards
7 Heavenly Chards
Lodi, California
This Chardonnay has a great flavor & mixture of banana, caramel and cream. It was great to drink and we even bought a bottle to enjoy later.
Aromas of vanilla, peach & banana entice a sip. (That's for sure) The mouth fills with peach, apple & lime while flavors of cream and caramel round out the wine and leave a long finish. A little more pricey, but well worth it at 20.99
Were we surprised!!!
Two of the wines were actually ones we would enjoy again.
Peirana Estate, The Other Red
Lodi, California
This wine is listed as mellow, but neither of us thought it was completely mellow. It is between mellow & bold with a great berry taste. Even has a little spice or smoke flavor. A really good value at 15.99. Here's the description we received:
Aromas of black cherries are complemented by spice, toasty oak, and cedar. Waves of crabapple, plum and candied fruit with a hint of smoky, dark oak and a long seductive finish.
This was a fun wine to taste.
Our favorite of the night was a Chardonnay, surprisingly. When the server poured our glasses, she said it was one of her favorites and it has a banana & caramel taste. I thought, "I'm not so sure about a banana taste". As we walked back to our seats, I sniffed and there was a definite banana aroma. I told Steve that he needed to smell this wine before he tasted it.
Michael David Vineyards
7 Heavenly Chards
Lodi, California
This Chardonnay has a great flavor & mixture of banana, caramel and cream. It was great to drink and we even bought a bottle to enjoy later.
Aromas of vanilla, peach & banana entice a sip. (That's for sure) The mouth fills with peach, apple & lime while flavors of cream and caramel round out the wine and leave a long finish. A little more pricey, but well worth it at 20.99
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Relaxing on our deck
We spent most of the day cleaning and doing odd jobs around the house. After an afternoon shower, I decided to open a really good bottle of Shiraz from one of our wine club deliveries. I chose Dunham Cellars, 2005 Shiraz.
It's a full-bodied wine with a dark berry taste. I enjoyed it on the deck with some cheese & crackers. Everyone was gone, so I was alone...in peace & quiet. It was wonderful.
We found this winery in Walla Walla, Washington when we celebrated my birthday last year. It was the last winery we visited on Sunday as we were leaving town. I think it was the best wine we had all weekend long.
Dunham Cellars describes this Shiraz as dense, dark fruit & rich spice that shows off this unique estate of Dunham Cellars once again. I agree...it is dark & spicy & most of all, delicious.
It's a full-bodied wine with a dark berry taste. I enjoyed it on the deck with some cheese & crackers. Everyone was gone, so I was alone...in peace & quiet. It was wonderful.
We found this winery in Walla Walla, Washington when we celebrated my birthday last year. It was the last winery we visited on Sunday as we were leaving town. I think it was the best wine we had all weekend long.
Dunham Cellars describes this Shiraz as dense, dark fruit & rich spice that shows off this unique estate of Dunham Cellars once again. I agree...it is dark & spicy & most of all, delicious.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Lava Cap Mourvedre
We returned from a spring break ski trip on Tuesday night. I decided to grill filet mignon on Wednesday. (In Texas it is already warm enough to grill) I planned to open a white steak wine, but changed my mind. Instead we had Mourvedre. Of course, I love all Lava Cap wines, just like this one.
Lava Cap
Mourvedre
2005 ReserveEl Dorado, CA
Nice smooth red wine, not too fruity, not to dry. We had filet which probably would have been better with a Cab, but the Mourvedre was great with the steak. Although this is not as full a wine, it is smooth with rich flavor.
Lava Cap describes this wine as follows.
Mourvedre is a fine Rhone variety usually used for blending. When grown under optimum conditions, it stands on its own bright fruit, a gentrly richness and soft, supple tannins. This wonderful wine is a perfect accompaniment for Mediterranean-style food such as grilled lamb and sausage. Serve cool
Lava CapMourvedre
2005 ReserveEl Dorado, CA
Nice smooth red wine, not too fruity, not to dry. We had filet which probably would have been better with a Cab, but the Mourvedre was great with the steak. Although this is not as full a wine, it is smooth with rich flavor.
Lava Cap describes this wine as follows.
Mourvedre is a fine Rhone variety usually used for blending. When grown under optimum conditions, it stands on its own bright fruit, a gentrly richness and soft, supple tannins. This wonderful wine is a perfect accompaniment for Mediterranean-style food such as grilled lamb and sausage. Serve cool
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Oak Lane Chenin Blanc
We joined a local wine club that allows us to try their wine tasting each Thursday night for free. Wine Styles is the local store & you might have one in your area. Steve & I had fun at our first one. Each month we also get 2 bottles of wine from different wineries. It's fun to try something new from a wide variety of vineyards. We're also looking forward to their monthly pick-up party where wine members get to taste wines they are considering stocking in the store. Hopefully we will make the April party.
The first wine we tried at home from our wine club is Oak Lane's Chenin Blanc blend with Sauvignon Blanc. It's a nice wine that I could enjoy on a summer afternoon. Just enough fruity taste to keep drinking.
Oak Lane
Chenin Blanc-Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Stellenbosch, South Africa
For centuries, Oak Lane has been the majestic BEau Joubert entrance. It symbolizes the historic & long-standing dedication to creating award winning wines, demonstrating a rare combination of early drink ability & longevity.
A crisp, medium-bodied dry white wine made in a new world style. Enjoy now or cellar under optimum conditions.
The first wine we tried at home from our wine club is Oak Lane's Chenin Blanc blend with Sauvignon Blanc. It's a nice wine that I could enjoy on a summer afternoon. Just enough fruity taste to keep drinking.
Oak Lane
Chenin Blanc-Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Stellenbosch, South Africa
For centuries, Oak Lane has been the majestic BEau Joubert entrance. It symbolizes the historic & long-standing dedication to creating award winning wines, demonstrating a rare combination of early drink ability & longevity.
A crisp, medium-bodied dry white wine made in a new world style. Enjoy now or cellar under optimum conditions.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Channing Daughters Chardonnay
We bought this wine at the end of our trip to Long Island last summer. We thought we'd stop at one last vineyard and boy am I glad we did. It was one of our favorites...and the prices were better, too.
Enjoyed in Feb 09. I love this wine because it is rich and delicious. Although I enjoy a fruity Chardonnay in the summer. This Chardonnay is nice & bold, full of butter & oak flavors.
Channing Daughters
2006 L'Enfant Sauvage Chardonnay
The Hamptons, Long Island
L'Enfant Sauvage is made from grapes harvested from our sculpture garden and Black Kiln Vineyards. This wine was fermented in new French & Slovenian oak barrels with naturally-occurring wild yeast & took over one year to complete primary fermentation. All the fruit was handpicked, whole cluster-pressed, handled minimally & bottled by gravity. Cheers!
Enjoyed in Feb 09. I love this wine because it is rich and delicious. Although I enjoy a fruity Chardonnay in the summer. This Chardonnay is nice & bold, full of butter & oak flavors.
Channing Daughters
2006 L'Enfant Sauvage Chardonnay
The Hamptons, Long Island
L'Enfant Sauvage is made from grapes harvested from our sculpture garden and Black Kiln Vineyards. This wine was fermented in new French & Slovenian oak barrels with naturally-occurring wild yeast & took over one year to complete primary fermentation. All the fruit was handpicked, whole cluster-pressed, handled minimally & bottled by gravity. Cheers!
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