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.