In this episode Jeff reviews a sample of Heavyweight Petite Sirah from Scotto Cellars with some Mac n’ Cheese…
Wine Tasted:
Heavyweight 2012 Petite Sirah
Jeff
Be sure to listen to Jeff every week on the We Like Drinking Podcast (available on iTunes), and leave a comment below about your favorite Petite Sirah.
In this episode, Jeff takes on this one liter sample of rose.
Wine Tasted:
Cote Mas 2014 Rose Aurore
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your go-to rose this Spring? Leave a comment, and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff tries a couple of Italian wine samples from an American director…
Wine Tasted:
Ziobaffa 2013 Pinot Grigio and 2012 Toscana
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your favorite 10 – 15 dollar Italian wine right now? Leave a comment, and let us know.
Every week, when Jim, John, Jeff (the other Jeff), and I sit down to record the We Like Drinking Podcast, we each bring a different beer or wine to taste during the show.
Typically, I grab some random wine from my cabinet, or pick up a beer from the store on my way home…
I rarely put much thought into what I’m gonna be tasting.
This week was different…
Bedrock Wine Co. 2011 Griffin’s Lair Vineyard Syrah
This week, we had our first guest on the podcast… The incomparable Martin “One Take” Redmond of Enofylz Wine Blog.
Not only is he one of the best wine bloggers in the game today, but he is also one of the nicest guys in the world of wine. A few years back, when I mentioned to him that I had an interest in Bedrock Wine Co., Martin helped me get my hands on this bottle of their 2011 Griffin’s Lair Vineyard Syrah (a mailing list only wine).
So…
When Martin agreed to be our first guest on the podcast, I found it only fitting to open this bottle.
Griffin’s Lair Vineyard is in the Petaluma Wind Gap, a cool-climate region of Sonoma County. This Syrah is co-fermented with 11% Viognier, which gives this spicy and lush wine an awesome, floral nose.
Those who have been listening to the podcast should also be jazzed to know that Bedrock Wine Co. does not put capsules on their wine bottles.
Also, this wine goes great with tacos!
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
So…
Don’t be a knucklehead.
Be sure to click this link to listen to this week’s episode of the We Like Drinking Podcast (or search us up on iTunes) with our special guest, Martin Redmond, to hear more about this wine, and everything else fit to talk about in the world of wine.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
So…
Last night, my uncle took me to a hockey game…
There’s nothing really out of the ordinary about that. My uncle and I have been to a lot of hockey, football, and baseball games together.
What made last night special was that the hockey game, in which my San Jose Sharks hosted the L.A. Kings, was played at Levi’s Stadium, home of my San Francisco 49ers, as part of the NHL Stadium Series.
Here’s what it looked like from our seats…
Levi’s Stadium: Home of the Sharks?
Now, look…
I’m not going to get into the details of what happened in the game. Who cares if the stupid Kings won?
This blog is about wine, right?
So here’s what I had for dinner at the game…
Wine and a Frank. One of these things cost $11.
Now, let’s get into this wine…
Fetzer Crimson 2011 Red Blend
This red blend from Fetzer comes in a 187 ml (just over 6 ounces) Zipz cup. Perfect for a stadium environment, the individual plastic cup has a resealable lid, so you don’t have to worry about spilling it everywhere when you’re carrying it back to your seat. It’s $11 at the stadium, and available in stores from $3 – $6.
Now, let’s talk about the juice in the plastic glass…
Color: Dark ruby red.
Nose: Nice! Notes of cranberry, orange juice, and a little lime zest. On some level, this wine reminds me of a young, thinned out version of a Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
(Side Note: Zipz are filled to the top with wine, if you’re used to sticking your nose in the glass, like I am, you may end up with wine in your nose… like I did.)
Taste: The Fetzer Crimson is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon (along with some other stuff). It’s very fresh on the palate. Bright notes of cranberry and raspberry fruit. There is a nice richness to this wine, though it may, in part, be due the the plastic vessel I drank it from.
Score: Not bad! This wine is what it is. A nice, fresh, red wine that comes in a plastic cup. I can’t really get mad at the $11 price point. You’re never going to find your favorite cult wine in a plastic cup at a hockey game… or if you did, you’d pay through the (wine covered) nose for it. I’m giving it an 83.
You could do worse…
Much worse…
You could be a Kings fan.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
We want to hear from you. Let us know how you feel about wine in plastic cups. Leave your comments below.
In this episode, Jeff pairs this $40 Syrah with $4 worth of snacks.
Wine Tasted:
Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Napa Valley Syrah
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What is your favorite Syrah from Atlas Peak? Leave a comment, and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff breaks open a sample from Stickybeak…
Wine Tasted:
Stickybeak 2011 Toscana
Stay Rad,
Jeff
Don’t forget to enter the Stay Rad Free Wine Giveaway for a chance to get $50 in free wine.
What’s your favorite Super Tuscan? Leave a comment and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff tries a gets a little creative with some food and a killer Syrah…
Wine Tasted:
Valley of the Moon 2009 Syrah
Food Pairing:
Lamb Curry and Hash Browns
After the Fact:
To learn more about Syrah, check out Cyrus Limon’s blog, Solo Syrah.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s your favorite value Syrah? Leave a comment, and let us know.
At this point, we know each other pretty well, right?
So…
What would you say if I told you that I just tasted one of my favorite wines of the year (so far)… and it was only SEVEN DOLLARS?!?!?!?!
First, let me show you what I made for dinner…
Rosemary Chicken, Mushroom & Bell Pepper Skewers, and Grilled Cabbage Slaw
Now…
After Kara and I picked up most of our ingredients from our local farm stand, we swung by Trader Joe’s to get some organic, free-range chicken breasts. While browsing the wine aisle to find the perfect pairing, I came across this bad boy…
Pontificis 2011 Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre
Now…
You know that I am a big fan of Rhone-style wines.
You also know that I’ve been loving the value and quality of wines coming from the Languedoc-Roussillon in Southern France.
So…
When I see a seven dollar Languedoc composed of the popular GSM Rhone blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (30%), and Mourvedre (20%), you know I’m going to be all over it.
But…
Does it deliver?
Hells to the yeahs, it does!
Note: I opened, and poured, this wine a good 45 minutes before tasting it.
Color: A dense, and inky, deep ruby red.
Nose: Beautiful notes of dusty chocolate with fresh strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruits.
Taste: Though young, this wine has a medium body of very soft, and approachable tannins. The front palate starts off strong with dense and brambly fruits of blackberry and dark cherry, which transition nicely to a mid-palate of cranberries and orange zest. On the finish, these fruits begin to raisinate, and show off a wonderfully long, acidic finish.
Score: Wow! This wine is a strong 91+… And I almost feel bad scoring it that low. My only reservation is that this wine appears to lack the ageability of a truly fine wine… But… C’mon guys… This wine is what it is. This is a fantastic wine that is ready to be consumed right, the F, now… And the great part is that you can find this at your local Trader Joe’s… Right. The F. Now. Of course, if you shop at my local TJ’s, you’re gonna have some trouble finding it. I’m buying them all up. Right. The. F. Now.
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s the best seven dollar wine you’ve ever had? Leave a comment, and let us know.
In this episode, Jeff pairs a different kind of red blend with a steak…
Wine Tasted:
Ancient Peaks 2010 Margarita Vineyard Renegade
Stay Rad,
Jeff
What’s the worst food and wine pairing you’ve ever had? Leave a comment, and let us know.
Stay Rad 
