Black Box

Bottle 49

Black Box -

It will happen - someday - and when it does I will complete this assignment!

Thank you all for a great run!

Bohemian Highway Pinot Grigio

Bottle 48

2007 Bohemian Highway Pinot Grigio

For the past multiple summers I have always relied on Pinot Grigio as my summer wine. Given the exceptional nature of this summers drinking when out I would veer towards Viognier (thanks to one of my early wines) or a Riesling from the southern hemisphere. This is one of those nice sort of everyday light wines that I'm sure is a fav with the mass public - if you're looking for a wine with distiguishable features this won't hit the spot - for broad appeal this one is a sure bet!

Geyser Peak Shiraz

Bottle 47

Geyser Peak 1998 Reserve

Another delicious wine full of flavor - fruit and earth and heaven knows what! This was a big wine - quite delicious - and had I not been so anxious to try one that would most definitely age well. A real treat!

Prosecco Veneto

Bottle 46

Prosecco Veneto

This was an interesting wine - sparkly and light and not sweet which was nice. A very mild sparking wine - I liked it - the effervescent nature of it was fun and it had a very nice subtle taste!

Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc

Bottle 45

Smoking Loon Sauvignon Blanc 2007

I took this wine to a party so I was only able to have one glass before it vanished which might speak to its broad appeal. It was refreshing and very light and delicate. I don't tend to buy Savignon Blanc's - probably due to my early wine days of gallon jugs of the variety - but its light nature might be the lure of this wine...looks like I need to do some homework. In any event this was much better than the jug wine and a sure bet to satisfy a large group of people.

Rosemont Shiraz

Bottle 44

Rosemont Shiraz 2006

This was a nice wine - Shiraz are so versatile - and this one followed suit. It's always nice to know that when you just want a good, decent glass of vino this wine is accessible and reliable. I like as a nice sipping wine or a good accompaniment to food - so when the ole brain is tired pop the cork and escape - you'll always land some place other than where you began.

Susan Balbo Signature Malbec

Bottle 43

Susana Balbo Malbec 2006

This is a wine I wanted to try prior to receiving in the collection so what a treat! If you are familiar with the reasonably priced and always good Crios wines form Mendoza, Argentina this is the same vintner only this is her special label! Known as the 'Evita of Wine' she is one of the few female vintners in the country. All of which would matter none if her wine wasn't excellent. Richly colored and delightfully complex this is another wine that just confirms what someone who knows what they are doing can achieve! Fabulisimo

Ledson Merlot 2000

Bottle 42

Ledson Merlot 2000

WOW - Fabulous! Just a fantastic wine, from the nose to the finish. Dark berries and other complex aromas and flavors my palette is just too un-evolved to pick up - suffice it to say this is one heck of a delightful wine. The color was just gorgeous as well - truly a wine deserving of a salute!

Amancaya

Bottle 41

Amancaya Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

This was rich! Delicious coloring, nose, legs, body and right out of the bottle. Dark fruit and heaven knows what else - I just got lost in this one - such a unique flavor which really stood out and just sort of eased into one luxurious experience. Sharing the taste of a delicious wine is truly one of life's simple joys!

Rex Goliath! 47 Pound Rooster Shiraz

Bottle 40

Rex Goliath!

47 Pound Rooster Shiraz

With some wines all you can do is try! This one had kind of a stinky nose newly poured but that improved as did the flavor once it was able to breath but as soon as it evolved into something kind of interesting it was gone - the taste totally dissipated as the wine made its way down your throat. What the heck? Maybe there is a bigger market than imagined for taste free wines, reminded me of 3 Blind Moose - for someone not into wine it's probably a real bargain!

Gnarly Head

Bottle 39

Gnarley Head California Cab 2006

Now here's a cab worthy of its name. You wouldn't expect Gnarley Head to be a delicate, pinky in the air kind of wine and it's not...this is a wine worthy of a good swig. It's fruity with hints of other subtleties (specificities in such areas is so 90's) which all come together to create a smooth taste - while it's not like a fast and furious ride on a roller coaster it is a nice little trek to the edge of the platform. Enjoyed!

Buffalo Red

Bottle 38

Sumerset Ridge Buffalo Red Semi-Sweet Red Wine

As if the gift of all this wine wasn't enough you all have helped me reach a profound conclusion - sweet and cab should never go together! This one isn't on the level of the St James concord grape jelly wine but for those who love a sweet-little-wine this is your treasure waiting to be discovered. Why if you were here I would pass the bottle and a little paper cup right to you.

Discovery #2, a wine named Buffalo Red should be a gigantic Cab, something that knocks a power punch to the senses not a wine one sips from a small cup or paper bag. The name of of wine sets expectations - truth in advertising please!

Flyboy Red

Bottle 37

Flyboy Red Somerset Ridge Red Table Wine

With all due respects a wine from Paola, Kansas did illicit a bit of apprehension. I haven't yet completely blocked out the collision with St James Winery so strategic positioning in the kitchen was required. Alas my fears were unfounded, as a friend said it wasn't like drinking something which might require a tetanus shot. I'm not going to say it was good but you know it wasn't terrible. I commend these folks, Paola Kansas can't offer a particularly hospitable environment for thriving vines. Every wine has its place and time - this I imagine being a big seller as 2:45 a.m. rolls around and two of the most hated words in the english language are uttered...'Last Call'.

Norton Reserva Malbec 2006

Bottle 36

Norton Reserva Malbec 2006

What a delightful bottle this was - Norton is viewed as one of the big guns in Mendoza so there's a bit of a backlash against them with the smaller vineyards. Perhaps adding fuel to the fire is the fact that they consistently produce a very enjoyable wine. This was a tasty treat, boldly present producing a complex mix of fruit and earthy flavors with a nice follow through. No doubt here that you are drinking a rich and stimulating wine. In fact a couple bottles of this could possibly unearth the twisted psyche of one Glenn Beck...but then, on second thought, why spoil the fun!

The Ball Buster

Bottle 35

The Ball Buster 2007

This is one of those wines I've seen but never bought, what a surprise! Mr Brunno Tait isn't a winemaker who is going to put out a light, delicate wine, obvious right! This one was a bit tart at first sip but really opened up after exposure to the elements. Fruity, this is a monster wine that almost looked black in the glass and has the potential for wickedness. A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot no way to tame this beast, Brunno does as Brunno says...I'm sure...

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon

Bottle 34

Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon

A nice blended wine from California which offered a lot of berry flavors, tasty and smooth. Not a powerful cab but then I am learning that subtleties in flavor are good too! You don't need to be knocked over with every sip, a gentle jolt can hit the spot too!

Big Ass Cab

Bottle 33

Big Ass Cab 2006

How could I not love this wine? The label was only the beginning - this fare was full bodied (HA) with lots of texture and life (right on!) that just got better with time, which is only relative in wine terms. Fruity (I can say it) with hints of other earthy delights this Napa Valley wine is a sure bet to get things started.

Two Vines Merlot

Bottle 32

Two Vines Merlot 2004

This was a delicious Columbia-Crest wine - yes indeed! Vineyards from this region in Washington state are blessed with a great climate which produces wonderful wines. Full of fruit with a great body the nice thing about these wines is they are usually very drinkable right away and only get better with time, five years down the road this was yummy. Three of us polished this bottle off in no time and delighted in every gulp, I mean sip,

Tin Roof Merlot

Bottle 31

Tin Roof Merlot 2005

This was a lovely, sophisticated California wine, very smooth and sumptuous! Lots of dark fruit could be detected as this versatile wine could stand on its own or enhance a great meal...and it only got better as it opened up - kind of cruel really that there was only one bottle of this luscious wine because it disappeared like magic!

Catena Malbec

Bottle 30

Catena Malbec 2007 (High Altitude)

Ah, a wine close to my heart! These Mendoza wines from Argentina are fabulous and this vinter does a great job. This wine had great legs, lots of body with dark fruit, a light floral touch and a smidge of vanilla. Started great and ended with a splash, lots of bursting flavors! If you enjoy a great tasting wine for any occassion this is a sure bet!

Robertson Winery

Bottle 29

Robertson Winery

Natural Sweet Wine

Wow, now I know to see skull and crossbones when any wine has SWEET as part of it's descriptor - this has to be the worst South African wine I have ever tasted. I can't say I wasn't warned, as a friend said the shape of the bottle was a give away, kind of an elongated tear drop - how prophetic!

Grateful Red

Bottle 28

Grateful Red

2007 Pinot Noir

Coming from the Willamette Valley in Oregon this was a nice, lighter Pinot Noir. A bit of oak and fruit made for a delightful refresher! Guess I can only defer to lyrics from the Grateful Dead's, The Greatest Story Ever Told, which hits upon several relevant themes - where's that wine when I need it?

Gideon come in with his eyes on the floor
Says: Y'ain't got a hinge, you can't close the door
Moses stood up a full six foot ten
Says: You can't close the door when the wall's caved in
I asked him for water, he poured me some wine
We finished the bottle then broke into mine
You get what you come for, you're ready to go
It's one in ten thousand just come for the show

Little Black Dress

Bottle 27

Little Black Dress

Pinot Noir vin de pays d'oc 2006

This was a nice light wine! Berry flavors throughout that added to the overall crisp taste. So nice to drink again, been a dry stretch here that I will gladly see end soon!

Oxford Landing Shiraz

Bottle 26

Oxford Landing Shiraz 2005

Koyaanisqatsi - but alas the taste of wine - MIA for 5 days - has now returned and with it a sense of reason and equilibrium. This Southern Australian wine is very hearty, yes, and spicy with ripe, rich berry flavors. Just lovely and the vineyard is a year older than me so I'm feeling a certain kinship with this one!

HALF-WAY THERE

Came across this last night - a sad state of being when you can't even hold your own glass! Is this a sign of the decline of western civilization? If this is what one must resort to I hope there's a splash guard option.

Smoking Loon

Bottle 25

Smoking Loon 2006 California Syrah

I am now getting desperate for a decent bottle of wine...you know this was fine but I am again compelled to ask, where is the flavor? The initial taste was light but nothing followed. Do you ever do that roof of your mouth tongue check? It's pretty cool - some wines are super dry some bring bursts of full flavored sensations but try as I might this offered nothing. But you know it's OK so up, up and away...

Manischewitz

Bottle 24

Manischewitz American Concord Grape

All I can say is haven't Jews suffered enough! Truly an abomination, even as a doctored up grape juice. Thank you Jim, I did have flash backs to my friends Janet & Joe's kosher wedding years and years ago...

3 Blind Moose x 2

Bottle 22 & 23

3 Blind Moose

2006 & 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

So a difficulty in this endeavor is coming across as lacking in appreciation while reviewing some of these wines. This is a total blast! While some of the bottles in this collection are obviously a joke others, well, I can't be sure. So, I apologize in advance if you have given me a wine you enjoy and I have given it a less than stellar review...I have still enjoyed the experience. Ok, that being said I know these are popular wines but try as I might I could not find the flavor. They had aroma but the whole taste part was missing. The 2007 went first...and nothing. The 2006 was allowed to breath and still nothing. Maybe the popularity of this wine is with those who don't much care for the taste of wine?

Velvet Red Sweet Red Wine

Bottle 21

St James Winery

Velvet Sweet Red Wine

Wow, they weren't kidding about the sweet part. Nothing like puckering up from a sip of wine. The label says 'Award Winning' but they weren't specific...a lot of thoughts come to mind.

Thunderbird

Bottle 20

Thunderbird
The label says this is citrus wine with natural flavors...I will not let my mind wonder what natural flavors they're referring to...

Velvet Red Sweet Concord Wine

Bottle 19

St James Winery American Sweet Concord Wine

My words can not do this wine (?) justice. The color was unique and hardly fit for a wine glass, maybe an old Flinstones jelly jar...this liquid even stained the clear bottle it was in.

Caba Moch

Bottle 18

Caba Moch Red Table Wine

I didn't know this wine at all but having just been where it was really hot a refreshing bottle of something was called for. This is another Iowan wine, this one is from Summerset Winery in Indianola. The label stated, "Red Table Wine' but this was definitely a blush. It was, shall I say, a tad sweet but throw in several ice cubes and a slice of orange and this became... refreshing...or I am just experiencing the residual effects of heat stroke ?

Avalon

Bottle 17

Avalon Cabernet Sauvignon

This wonderful Napa Valley Cab is from Eric...thank you E! This was not a 'blow your mind out' kinda cab which is good, it's summer. I like a full bodied wine and this had lots of body and flavor and was a real joy to consume and consume we did, as a matter of fact I think this bottle leaked because it was gone in no time! I hate that...

Red Bicyclette

Bottle 16

Red Bicyclette Pinot Noir

The only thing missing from this experience was actually being in France, sipping away as the contents of this delightful little bottle slowly disappear...

Dancing Bull

Bottle 15

Dancing Bull Sauvignon Blanc

Four California wines in a row has been a real treat! I never buy Sauvignon Blanc's and after this wine I need to rethink my bias. The slightly sweet initial taste was welcome in this energy zapping heat. Very tasty, this Dancing Bull's got some crushing to do!

Meeker Gold Leaf Cuvee Merlot

Bottle 14

Meeker Golf Leaf Cuvee 2006 Merlot

Enjoyed after a long week - hot, hot, hot outside this was delicious with cold shrimp and all the possibilities of the weekend! Another beautiful California Merlot, silky smooth with mellow fruity flavors - complex but not heavy at all. Yummy from the first sip to the last, sad, drop!

Kunde Estate

Bottle 13

Kunde Estate 2004 Merlot

Ahh, this was fabulous! Smooth and lovely - tones of berry and all sorts of other flavors that made for a wonderful drinking experience. Another Sonoma wine, this family owned winery is one I'm definitely keeping on my radar. Check out their web site - they've got a great philosophy. Enjoyed on Dad's day - paired with a cool summer pasta which was great, this full flavored Merlot didn't over power a light dish but I can see where it would be super in cooler weather with heavier fare. We enjoyed this delicious bottle though the bottle did seem awfully small!

Bearboat Pinot Gris

Bottle 12

Bearboat

What a refreshing bottle this was especially in the midst of this heat/humidity wave. This 2006 Pinot Gris from Sonoma had a hint of melon and was delightfully light and crisp. Three of us shared this bottle and it was gone in no time, we were cooler and happier as a result!

the Little Penguin

Bottle 11

the Little Penguin

I love a wine that has an initial bite!  You just know from the first taste you're drinking a hearty glass of wonderful!  This is an Aussie Shiraz and they've got this one nailed.  Nothing else to say but a bloody substantial bottle-o-joy mates! 

red truck

Bottle 10

red truck

A fifth of the way there - I am sorry to the one of you who thought my friends and I would consume the entire fifty in fourteen days - 

So red truck was another nice wine.  I like the the Cellar Rat term, "A good Monday thru Thursday wine".   That's a good wine, probably a great value, that you can sip throughout the week... it'll enhance your dining pleasure or bring joy back into your life after one of those days! This was a 2007 California Pinot Noir! I liked it!!!

Blue Fin

Bottle 9

Blue Fin

This 2008 Pinot Noir from California had such a cute label I was anxious to try. Maybe it needed to sit another year or twenty to develop to its full potential....

Provenance 2002 & 2005

Bottles 7 & 8

Provenance Merlot 2002 & 2005

This is a super wine Dan turned me on to several years ago. I was excited to see two bottles -different years - in the collection.  With just a hint of fruit it's bold but not overpowering - in the fruit department that is.  I find it 'fruity smooth'  a very technical term you may not have heard before, in lay-wo/man terms that means basically, 'TASTY!  This one pleases everyone, even those who don't much go for vino - go figure!  Both the 2002 and 2005 were delicious!  Maybe in a side-by-side I could offer some type of competent analysis (doubtful)  but consuming consecutively both were enjoyed as much as is humanly possible.  I had some friends over and these accompanied our meal - all I can say is not a drop was left or wasted.  Treat yourself some time!

Kungfu Girl

Bottle 6

Kungfu Girl

Served this delightful Washington State Riesling with vichyssoise - made for a great combo.  I love Rieslings from New Zealand, this was slightly sweeter but not like some German Rieslings. No kick in the head here, Kungfu Girl just leaves you wanting more...

Penitentiary Red

Bottle 5

Penitentary Red

Hey, doing time with this wine sits fine with me.  A Cabernet Franc  from the great state of Iowa!  I do believe this is my first Iowan wine...I plead guilty for wanting more...if you're going to be lead astray might as well be with Pen Red...

Wild Pig

Bottle 4

Wild Pig - Viognier

So this is why I drink wine - DE-LIC-I-OUS ! Little Greta I envy you running through the Cevennes mountains. You'll have to drink a bottle to understand. After this bottle Viognier's will become a bigger part of my repertoire - i.e. after I get through about 46 bottles of wine demanding immediate attention! This one was a real treat!!!

?

Bottle 3

?

So the mysterious ? is a Trader Joe's wine - I love Trader Joe's so I was anxious to try.  As you will soon learn my rating system is basically #1) really great #2) really nice #3) good and #4) suited for the drain.  Guess I need to develop a more discerning criteria based upon true wino speak: you'll love the cherry with a tint of oak: surely you'll pick up the distinctive truffle overtone...maybe in time but suffice to say for now this was a nice little wine - kinda fruity (though not sure which fruit) and although the finish was a little weak I liked the flavor so who cares!   If we had a Trader Joe's I'd buy...which reminds me,  why does St Louis have 4 Trader Joe's while KC has a big fat O?   Guess that's a different blog...

Cheap Skate

Bottle 2

Cheap Skate

This is a very nice wine. A Merlot and Cabernet Franc blend, Cheap Skate has an initial flavor that's pleasing, once poured the flavor really blossoms. The Miser Montra- from the peeps who put this wine out - is:

I am my own connoisseur

I will trust my taste

I taste, therefore I scrimp

Delicious and cheap - is there a better way?

Passion has Red Lips

Bottle 1

Passion has Red Lips

Off to a great start - bold, bursting with flavor this delicious wine was gone too quickly.  Complex with a lot of body & great legs!  OK, even though the legs - or as the French may say - 'tears' of the wine don't directly relate to the quality of the wine I like swirling so I like good legs.  51% Cab, 49% Shiraz, two of may favorites combined to create a great wine!  My good friend Sue and I sat on the porch enjoying a gorgeous spring evening with glass in hand.  The evening lasted much longer than the wine... 

Some Young Punks from Australia are vintners to follow.