Name: Cline Zinfandel
Type: Red Zinfandel
Country: USA (California)
Year: 2006
Price: $7.99
Worth? $15 ($30 at a restaurant)

Winemaker’s notes

Cline’s California Zinfandel displays a wide array of dark berry fruit including black cherry and raspberry, spice notes and a lasting finish of vanilla from oak aging. Firm, supple tannins add complexity to this wine.

Food Pairings:
Strong, sharp cheeses, beef and lamb, tomato-based pastas.

I liked this wine. Fruity and strong, but not to sharp. A little oakines, but still very smooth. Decanted the wine for about an hour and a half and the flavors really came out. Would go great with a burger fresh off the grill.

I am going to fore go the usual format with label image and wine maker notes because this wine was just plain bad. I opened the bottle of Bolla Pinot Noir and poured a bit - color was very orange-ish. Took 2 sips - terrible. I have tasted better vinegar. The good news is that I only paid $5.69 for the bottle (Haskell’s wine sale), the bad news is that I bought 2 bottles.

Today is one of those days I just don’t feel like working. Concentrating on the task at had is nearly impossible. I am so bored I am eating cheese for no reason (like I need a reason to eat cheese). The sky is overcast and dreary – that sure doesn’t help. So how about a wine review? I had a Zinfandel the other night that I didn’t particularly like, here it is:

Name: Estancia Zinfandel 2005

Type: Zinfandel

Country: USA (California)

Year: 2005

Price: $7.99

Worth? $5

Winemaker’s notes

Aroma: Hints of dark berries, red plum, cocoa bean, nutmeg and vanilla fill the nose.
Flavor: Ripe boysenberry and black cherry are accented by notes of dark chocolate and cinnamon. Soft hints of creamy vanilla accompany the lingering finish.

Just didn’t like it. Too harsh. It mellowed a bit after breating, but I wouldn’t buy this wine again.

Name: Jewel Viognier

Type: Viognier

Country: USA (California)

Year: 2005

Price: $7.99

Worth? $7.99 (I would buy a glass at a restaurant - if they carried it)

Winemaker’s notes

Pronounced (vee-own-yay), this aromatic white
wine is filled with classic aromas of peach and
honeysuckle with a long, lingering mouth feel
complemented by citrus flavors. Bright fruit is
well-balanced with crispness that leads to a
delightful, refreshing finish offering a great alternative
to Chardonnay. This Viognier’s unique balance
of fruit and acidity make it ideal for diverse
spring and summertime food combinations.

Food Pairings:
Excellent with Jerked Seafood, Sushi, Salt Baked
Shrimp and Grilled Peaches & Pears.

I had never before tried a Viognier. I did some reasearch and found that this particular variety isn’t particularlly popular, and I can see why. It was fruity, but not really sweet (which is good - I do not like sweet wines). I tasted peachiness. The wine actually paired quite well with the spicy sushi roll I had, I would try this wine again with spicy thai food - I think that would be a good fit.

Note: I am neither very good at writing or describing wine. But I do want to keep track of wines I try (Haskells just had a big wine sale, so there will be a few), so I am going to post my “reviews” of them. You have been warned. Also, you will note that my review formating is a blatant rip-off of weier.net’s wine reviews.

2005 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir

Name: Willamette Valley Vineyards

Type: Pinot Noir

Country: USA (Oregon)

Year: 2005

Price: Gift (Although I believe it is around $20)

Worth? $30 ($50 at a restaurant)

Winemaker’s notes

An elegant, supple and stylish wine. Vibrant aromas of black cherries, brown sugar, spices, rose petals, vanilla and typical ‘Pinot noir dust’. Initial spicy flavors of nutmeg and barrel toast with ripe flavors of strawberries and cherries and mineral overtones. The mouth feel is soft, round and warm in sensation with and almost sweet and juicy impression of ripe fruit. The finish is long with lingering flavors of spices, well integrated oak, ripe sweet tannins and good acidity.

A few weeks ago I received this bottle as a gift. I was excited to try it because it comes from the part of Oregon known for its Pinot Niors. I was not disappointed. This is a very smooth wine, easy drinking. Had it with bacon-wrapped filet mignon, it was a little light for steak, but still good. Was perfect with cheese.

2006 Five Rivers Pinot Noir

Name: Five Rivers

Type: Pinot Noir

Country: USA (Santa Barbara)

Year: 2006

Price: $8.99 (Haskell’s wine sale)

Worth? $12 ($20 at a restaurant)

Winemaker’s notes

The nose will find this classic Pinot Noir brimming with rhubarb, violets and cardamom with hibiscus flowers and a note of vanilla from the easy oak treatment. The palate will rejoice with the taste of wild strawberries followed by tangy bright cherries, hibiscus nectar and a strong acid backbone. It’s spicy, structured and complex.

Opened a bottle of this the other night. Very light weight, it really benefited from airing a bit. For the price it is a really good Pinot.