Posts Tagged ‘Smoke’

And the winner is… Me!

June 26, 2011

The other day, I asked you to help me pick which wine to taste next.  After tallying the votes (all two of them), I decided to go with the Cocobon 2009 California Red Table Wine.

The winner is... Cocobon!

This wine cost me 7 bucks at Trader Joe’s.  Bottled by Cocobon in Livermore, and distributed by Underdog Wine Merchants (also from Livermore), this wine is a blend of 61% Zin, 17% Cab Franc, 12% Merlot, 6% Petite Verdot, and 4% Petite Sirah.

I decanted the Cocobon in two Cuvaison glasses for about 2 hours. I didn't think it needed to be decanted that long... I just forgot about it.

Color:  A nice and bright cherry wood.

Nose:  I got a lot of plum, chocolate, and dust.  I noticed little hints of wood and orange peel as well.

Taste:  Up front, there is a very aggressive flavor of cherry, chocolate, and cranberry.  Those initial flavors give way to a hollow finish of chocolate and smoke that lingers for a while.  There is not a lot of depth to this wine, but it was tasty.  I give it a solid 88.

The back label says the wine, “Pairs nicely with a dark chocolate walnut cake with a cherry coulis.”  I didn’t have one of those, but I did have a chocolate chip cookie on hand.  I don’t know what “Coulis” is, but if it’s anything like a chocolate chip, I can see why it works.

Good stuff!

Stay Rad,

Jeff

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This Justin: Man tries a new wine and likes it.

June 22, 2011

Justin time!

“Have you ever tried Justin?”

“No,” I responded to the wine buyer at Rocca’s Market in San Martin, “but I’ve heard good things.”

“It’s good stuff.  Enjoy!”

The Justin 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles cost me $23.99.  It’s usually a good sign when you get a set of Farmers’ Almanac-type notes from the wine maker on the label.  It gives you a good sense of the respect that a winery has for the terroir.  I was happy to learn that the Justin Cab is 100% free run juice.

Opened it Justin time for dinner.

Color:  This wine is a dark beet red.  Look…

Justin case you wanted to see it.

Nose:  There is an immediate smell of lush dark plums.  There are hints of smoke, leather, and blackberry.  There is also this chalky mocha thing that I love.  You know me by now.  I’m a teacher.  I love chalk!

Taste:  Up front, there is a tart cran-raspberry cocktail flavor.  The tannins are very soft, round, and pleasant.  Probably because it is free run juice; it is very silky.  It has a long, tart, mouth-watering finish.  There is just a little bit of a buttery pie crust (or maybe crescent roll) component.

I’m a big fan of the Justin.  This wine would pair well with a thick bloody steak.  Give it a 91, and buy it.

I’m Justin love with this one.

Stay Rad,

Jeff

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Bundled up in Gilrory. Music by Naked in Vegas.

June 18, 2011

Sarah's Vineyard is in Gilroy... but not really.

On Friday, Kara and I decided to head over to Sarah’s Vineyard in Gilroy.  Sarah’s is a small winery, tucked into the Santa Cruz Mountains.  The breezy climate makes it perfect for Burgundian and Rhone varietals.  I am a big fan of their light style of wine making.

The reason for the trip was to attend their Summer Music Series.  They have a neat patio and lawn area where different local bands will come to play.  The tasting room stays open late to sell their wines by the bottle to enjoy with the music.  You can bring your own picnic, or buy something to eat from whichever catering company is there (it changes from week to week).

Kara and I brought homemade Brie Paninis with Mango Chutney, Turkey (for me), and Spinach.  We also bought a bottle of the Sarah’s Vineyard 2006 Central Coast Pinot Noir for $15.

Sarah's Vineyard 2006 Central Coast Pinot Noir and Kara's foot 2011.

Color:  This Pinot had a cloudy dull red color.  You could recreate that color by mashing a bunch of over-ripe roma tomatoes into a paste and adding water and a pinch of dirt.  I know that doesn’t sound very appetizing, but I must say it looked fantastic.  See…

Tomatoes and Dirt and Awesome!

Nose:  There was a nice whiff of smoke, butter, and pepper.  As I took a bit more in, I noticed a rubbery cola aroma.  Nice!

Taste:  This Pinot Noir had a very meaty and buttery taste on the palate, rounded out with a touch of cherry cola.  On the finish, a touch of cranberry and walnuts became present.

I really liked this wine.  I also appreciate that Sarah’s did not jack up their prices for the event.  I give it a solid 87.

As the sun began to set, the wind really started to pick up. It got hella cold, hella quick.  The cover band, Naked in Vegas, was alright.  They were not, however, good enough to keep our cold asses at the vineyard after we had finished our bottle of Pinot Noir.

Naked in Vegas? More like bundled up in Gilroy!

Don’t worry, Sarah’s Vineyard, we will be back.

Stay Rad,

Jeff

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