The top of our blog reads "A small gathering of family and friends that try and critique the same wine each week in different parts of the country."
Actually we don't critique the same wine each week. We try to critique the same (but) different wine each week. There are some favorite wines we probably critique (read drink) almost every week (see my "The Kris blog") but our goal is to also try a different wine each week which we all try to find in our respective neigborhoods.
Also, we don't all go to different parts of the country each week to drink either. We just happen to live all over the country and drink it in our personal environs.
I just didn't want anyone to think that in order to join our blog you had to drink the same wine every week and had to travel someplace in the US other than your home town to enjoy it. Although that woudn't be a bad thing either.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Kris
I know I am a little late with this post but I picked the Kris so I guess I get some slack for that. I cannot tell you how many bottles of this I've bought and drank as my wife may check out this blog at some point in time. I've always found it consistently crisp, clean and fruity but not over sweet. I usually drink it when Iam cooking, sitting, standing, walking my dogs and somethines even with dinner and naturally there's always after dinner etc. I guess its now a staple in my wine cupboard and it should be in yours. Great with pasta vongole which I always have when I am cooking, sitting, standing and so on and so on.
Monday, February 21, 2011
"Are you ready for a throw down?" Clos Du Bois Double Take - 2006 & 2007 Cabs - Jennifer's Reviews
So, Lindsay picked the 2007 Clos Du Bois Cab and I sent Steve to the store and he brought me back the 2006 cab. Never one to look a gift bottle in the month, I took the 2006 and set it aside to await the arrival of its friend, and soon to be adversary, the 2007 cab for a back to back taste test throw down! Being that I have the house to myself and it's snowing, sleeting and just plain nasty cold outside I thought that tonight was a good night. So, being that I've barely eaten meat this month I went out, bought myself a nice steak and got down to business.
How did these competitors stand up? At first sight when looking at them in the glasses you would take them for identical twins. They both have a deep purple-ish red color which is totally dense and completely opaque in the glass, just like a nice bold red should. In my opinion the aroma was also similar, but that was where the similarities sort of ended and the differences began. The 2006 had plum notes that were a little stronger in the nose and a lot stronger (than the 2007) in the glass, while the 2007 has more of the oaky notes come through. The 2007 was definitely more dry than the 2006, but they were both more dry than sweet. The finish would be medium and it is pleasant and leaves you wanting that next sip. I thought that even though both wines were different that they finished alike. They were also very balanced (unlike me) and had a complexity that was approachable and not over done.
I found both wines to be excellent and very drinkable. Both wines ran me $14.99 in IL (which is more than my cheap a** usually spends on a bottle), but I know that Lindsay picked hers up for $11.00 or so out West. If you are in the mood for a rich, bold red with a lot of complexity, then you can count on the Clos Du Bois family of cabs! There website is also pretty stellar. You can visit them at http://closdubois.com/ and check them out. They sell their many vintages online and ship where ever it is legal.
Wow! We have totally lucked out with some amazing wines these last few weeks. I received a tip from my brother in law on am excellent Chilean Pinot, so I will be heading to Costco this week to pick that up for our next tasting. Now I am off to share my steak with my date for the evening, Miss Gigi. So, in closing. Please leave your comments, suggestions (unless they are for Franzia or jug-o-wine), etc. We would love to hear from you! Until we meet again, cheers!
I found both wines to be excellent and very drinkable. Both wines ran me $14.99 in IL (which is more than my cheap a** usually spends on a bottle), but I know that Lindsay picked hers up for $11.00 or so out West. If you are in the mood for a rich, bold red with a lot of complexity, then you can count on the Clos Du Bois family of cabs! There website is also pretty stellar. You can visit them at http://closdubois.com/ and check them out. They sell their many vintages online and ship where ever it is legal.
Wow! We have totally lucked out with some amazing wines these last few weeks. I received a tip from my brother in law on am excellent Chilean Pinot, so I will be heading to Costco this week to pick that up for our next tasting. Now I am off to share my steak with my date for the evening, Miss Gigi. So, in closing. Please leave your comments, suggestions (unless they are for Franzia or jug-o-wine), etc. We would love to hear from you! Until we meet again, cheers!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"A Kris on the lips may be quite continental but a good wine is a girl's best friend!"
They say "never judge a book by its cover!" Well I take it a step further I say "Never judge a wine by its bottle" Just because the bottle is pretty doesn't mean the wine is going to be just as delicious. So I was at a loss because I found myself judging this bottle because of its screw top. What no cork? I just twist and there it is? I usually have to work for my flavor so this is weird. I didn't think it could be considered a "real wine". So now the stakes were high. Let's see how this one pans out. I haven't had a white in a while due to the fact that I usually alternate and for the past couple of months my lips have been craving a deep red wine. But, not one to turn wine away I thought let's get the glass and assess this situation.
Alrighty, the wine glass is prepped the bottle is chilled and my interest is peaked. So let's screw off that top and give this a swirl. The scent is a light fruity scent and not overly perfumed. For a white not having a strong scent is a great thing in my opinion. I have actually had some Pinot Grigio that smelled like and this is not a joke BUTTER! I like butter on my bread and not in my glass. So the smell of a light fruit was just divine in my opinion. The color of the Kris Pinot is a light blonde and very clear. So far this wine looks like a keeper so lets see if it tastes like one too.
OK again everything leads up to this moment. Is it too dry, too sour; does it kind of burn as it goes down the hatch? Well, the Kris Pinot Grigio is the perfect balance of flavor for a white. It isn't too dry at all and the flavor is soooooo smooth! I don't like drinking something that once you take a sip you make that face of whoa that was rough! that is just me though. This wine gave a smile to my taste buds. It is easy and delicious to drink! To some people having a wine that is easy to drink can be a negative to your wallet but a positive to your taste buds!!! But rest assured this wine runs about $11.00 at your local target so smile away!
This is the type of wine that is great for sharing and I think it would be great for those warm summer nights with spaghetti with clam sauce and good friends by your side.
I would absolutely recommend this wine to anyone who is looking for a delicious addition to their dinner.
So in conclusion my dear sweet readers if you like white wines give this one a try I guarantee you will not regret it! And don't be afraid of the screw top it is in fact a REAL WINE! So make a good light dish to eat and screw off the top of that bottle and enjoy. You will find relaxation if you follow my simple instructions of eat, pour, drink and repeat.
Until next week my dear friends may your glass stay full and your heart stay open to new wines!
Alrighty, the wine glass is prepped the bottle is chilled and my interest is peaked. So let's screw off that top and give this a swirl. The scent is a light fruity scent and not overly perfumed. For a white not having a strong scent is a great thing in my opinion. I have actually had some Pinot Grigio that smelled like and this is not a joke BUTTER! I like butter on my bread and not in my glass. So the smell of a light fruit was just divine in my opinion. The color of the Kris Pinot is a light blonde and very clear. So far this wine looks like a keeper so lets see if it tastes like one too.
OK again everything leads up to this moment. Is it too dry, too sour; does it kind of burn as it goes down the hatch? Well, the Kris Pinot Grigio is the perfect balance of flavor for a white. It isn't too dry at all and the flavor is soooooo smooth! I don't like drinking something that once you take a sip you make that face of whoa that was rough! that is just me though. This wine gave a smile to my taste buds. It is easy and delicious to drink! To some people having a wine that is easy to drink can be a negative to your wallet but a positive to your taste buds!!! But rest assured this wine runs about $11.00 at your local target so smile away!
This is the type of wine that is great for sharing and I think it would be great for those warm summer nights with spaghetti with clam sauce and good friends by your side.
I would absolutely recommend this wine to anyone who is looking for a delicious addition to their dinner.
So in conclusion my dear sweet readers if you like white wines give this one a try I guarantee you will not regret it! And don't be afraid of the screw top it is in fact a REAL WINE! So make a good light dish to eat and screw off the top of that bottle and enjoy. You will find relaxation if you follow my simple instructions of eat, pour, drink and repeat.
Until next week my dear friends may your glass stay full and your heart stay open to new wines!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Kris 2009 Pinot Grigio - Jennifer's Review
Well, this has been a long time in the making. It took me soooo long to find this wine, due to Jewel not carrying it and then being snowed in by Snowmageddon, the 3rd largest blizzard in Chicago's history. I have to say she was worth the wait! The bottle art along is really appealing to me, although I know a pretty label does not a good wine make.
So, let's get down to business! The wine is a beautiful color and brilliantly clear. The aroma hints of the citrus and floral notes in the wine and the flavor delivers! You can taste the citrus and the floral, which are really well balanced for me. The wine is dry, but not overly dry and the aftertaste is fast and leaves you wanting the next sip. My overall impression was that my father did an excellent job selecting this wine. I loved it! It came out to an 87.5 on the Parker Scale, which seems even a little low for how much I liked it. Definitely try this wine. I think it cost around $11 or $12 at Target and it's well worth it! Yum! Until next time, cheers!
Oh, and please be sure to add you comments and tasting notes or make suggestions for future tastings!
Oh, and please be sure to add you comments and tasting notes or make suggestions for future tastings!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
"Is Michelle My Belle?"
I would like to start this blog with a quote from the head winemaker at the Chateau Ste Michelle Vineyards.
"Our goal with the Columbia Valley Cabernet is to highlight concentrated Washington red fruit in an accessible style. This is our inviting Cab with plenty of complexity and structure with silky tannins. It's also very versatile with food---try it with beef, pork or pasta."- Bob Bertheau Head Winemaker.
The pasta is cooking and I stare at this bottle of wine wondering what its soul has to tell. It's go time. Time to open that bottle and try it out. It was on sale for $11.00 at my local grocery store here in Hollywood. I opened the bottle and immediately let it breathe for about ten minutes. The clock just dragged for those ten minutes. They say " a watched pot doesn't boil" but my pasta water was boiling and still not ready to drink the damn wine! 8, 9, 10 Finally, I pour the wine through my Christmas present a dear friend bough me, A Vinturi wine aerator. If you enjoy red wine and want to taste good flavor of that wine, this is a very good purchase! I strongly recommend it.
The scent of this wine isn't necessarily strong but there were hints of deep fruit and oak. A very good blend for the nose I thought. The color was a nice burgundy in my opinion and quite clear! Ok that first sip. It swishes around in my mouth for a bit. The flavor was very well balanced and pleasant. It wasn't too dry and wasn't overpowering. It was enjoyable. There wasn't a bitter taste to it at all and it didn't even block my sinuses( which I have found some red wines have that affect on them). It was a very beautifully crafted wine in my opinion. So good in fact I had forgotten about the pasta in the pot and had to strain it immediately.
I thought the price was fitting for this wine! It's something that will be on my counter as a permanent fixture. Being a vegetarian myself I haven't had the luxury to try it with beef or pork. I guess i will leave that to the rest of my meat eating family. Not like I'll have to twist any arms. With a nice pasta it's the perfect addition. The bottle didn't last long in this household and if you enjoy wine(which I assume you do because except my mother why would you be reading a blog about wine?) it wont last long in yours either. It's delicious and goes down so easy!!!
So, I absolutely agree with the head wine maker's quote I started the blog with. Good job sir!!!!
A 97% on the Parker Scale isn't a sharp stick in the eye is it? Go out and give this wine a shot. And let me know what you think.
Until then my dears I raise a glass to you and wish you a relaxing day!
"Our goal with the Columbia Valley Cabernet is to highlight concentrated Washington red fruit in an accessible style. This is our inviting Cab with plenty of complexity and structure with silky tannins. It's also very versatile with food---try it with beef, pork or pasta."- Bob Bertheau Head Winemaker.
The pasta is cooking and I stare at this bottle of wine wondering what its soul has to tell. It's go time. Time to open that bottle and try it out. It was on sale for $11.00 at my local grocery store here in Hollywood. I opened the bottle and immediately let it breathe for about ten minutes. The clock just dragged for those ten minutes. They say " a watched pot doesn't boil" but my pasta water was boiling and still not ready to drink the damn wine! 8, 9, 10 Finally, I pour the wine through my Christmas present a dear friend bough me, A Vinturi wine aerator. If you enjoy red wine and want to taste good flavor of that wine, this is a very good purchase! I strongly recommend it.
The scent of this wine isn't necessarily strong but there were hints of deep fruit and oak. A very good blend for the nose I thought. The color was a nice burgundy in my opinion and quite clear! Ok that first sip. It swishes around in my mouth for a bit. The flavor was very well balanced and pleasant. It wasn't too dry and wasn't overpowering. It was enjoyable. There wasn't a bitter taste to it at all and it didn't even block my sinuses( which I have found some red wines have that affect on them). It was a very beautifully crafted wine in my opinion. So good in fact I had forgotten about the pasta in the pot and had to strain it immediately.
I thought the price was fitting for this wine! It's something that will be on my counter as a permanent fixture. Being a vegetarian myself I haven't had the luxury to try it with beef or pork. I guess i will leave that to the rest of my meat eating family. Not like I'll have to twist any arms. With a nice pasta it's the perfect addition. The bottle didn't last long in this household and if you enjoy wine(which I assume you do because except my mother why would you be reading a blog about wine?) it wont last long in yours either. It's delicious and goes down so easy!!!
So, I absolutely agree with the head wine maker's quote I started the blog with. Good job sir!!!!
A 97% on the Parker Scale isn't a sharp stick in the eye is it? Go out and give this wine a shot. And let me know what you think.
Until then my dears I raise a glass to you and wish you a relaxing day!
2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - Jennifer's Review
This week's pick was done by Lindsay and I have to commend her on a job well done!
I loved this wine. It was complex, but not over the top. It has a rich, deep, garnet color. The aroma contained notes of both fruit and oak. The taste matched the aroma. You could taste both fruit and oak and the oak was just right, not too over powering. It's exactly what you want in a cab. The best part it is the after taste, it isn't over powering and actually leaves you wanting another sip. I did my tasting sheet and gave this one a whopper 91.25 on the Parker Scale!
The Ste. Michelle website is also pretty cool and so I've pasted the link here for you to check it out. This is only one line of wines that they craft and I have to say I will surely be trying others in the future!
Chateau Ste. Michelle Website
I loved this wine. It was complex, but not over the top. It has a rich, deep, garnet color. The aroma contained notes of both fruit and oak. The taste matched the aroma. You could taste both fruit and oak and the oak was just right, not too over powering. It's exactly what you want in a cab. The best part it is the after taste, it isn't over powering and actually leaves you wanting another sip. I did my tasting sheet and gave this one a whopper 91.25 on the Parker Scale!
The Ste. Michelle website is also pretty cool and so I've pasted the link here for you to check it out. This is only one line of wines that they craft and I have to say I will surely be trying others in the future!
Chateau Ste. Michelle Website
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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