wine review

If you live in San Diego and love good wine, you probably steer clear of Pacific Beach.  And I don't blame you.  Garnet Avenue, with its tattoo spots, smoke shops, and hordes of unruly college kids, isn't the most obvious location for a great wine spot.  But lucky for those of us who live in PB for the affordable housing...

If you've ever searched for the perfect pairing for a porterhouse, we have the wine for you.  The Ravenswood 2007 Zinfandel just cries out to be imbibed with the buttery tenderness of a great porterhouse steak. This wine is dark ruby in color and has a nose of black cherry, violets and baking spices.  The taste is characterized by lots of concentrated...

Looking for a great French red wine?  Look no further.  The 2005 Chateau Valcombe from Côtes du Ventoux is one of those full-flavored but smooth wines that comes around all too infrequently.  It's very adaptable, great with a meal but complex enough to stand up on its own. I tried the 2005 Chateau Valcome at a great Alsatian restaurant in...

I never can resist a good Rioja. My favorite red wines are dry and smooth but bold, with lots of complex flavors. Riojas nearly always hit the mark for me. Red Rioja is a classic, bold red wine, made mostly from Tempranillo grapes, which lend flavors of plum, dark berries, leather, dry herbs, and a very noticeable (but pleasant) dusty...

Ever since our post on weird wine names, I've been on the hunt for wines with quirky names.  Finally I got the chance to try one--the 2007 Arrogant Frog "Croak-Rotie."  And surprise!  A funky wine name does not a funky wine make.  In fact, I deemed this one good enough to share with you. Ok, I'll admit it--it's the label...

Who says Rosés are just for summertime?  They're actually also great for those winter nights when you'd like to sip on something a little lighter.  Rosés are especially great with those spicy foods we crave to warm us up when the thermometer drops, so think about cracking one open next time you order Chinese or make a spicy cold-weather soup...

I'm always on the hunt for a great Chardonnay.  And I have to admit that I'm especially drawn to creamy, buttery Chards.  You can't drink Cabernet Sauvignon all winter, and sometimes the smooth decadence of a good Chardonnay hits the spot perfectly.  And as always, when I drink a nice wine, the first thing I want to do is share...

If you're looking for a great French red to fall madly in love with this winter, look no further.  The Domaine Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape has got it all. Châteauneuf-du-Pape has an almost mystical reputation among wine lovers.  It's a commune in the southeastern region of France.  Like many areas in the Rhone region, Châteauneuf-du-Pape has an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) designation.  But...

To me, there's nothing like a good Tempranillo.  Tempranillo is often referred to as Spain's "noble grape," and it is used to make bold wines with lots of character. Tempranillo is one of a combination of wines that makes Rioja, the famous red wine of Spain.  But Tempranillo is wonderful by itself as well.  It's a full-bodied red wine that...

Domaine Monte De Luz 2008 The Tannat grape is believed to have its origins in the Basque region; however, its use in winemaking is associated with the Madrian region in southwestern France.  One of the easiest varietals to grow, Tannat does quite well in South America, Uruguay in particular. The  Tannat Domaine Monte de Luz 2008 is a very rustic...

2545 Cellars Chardonnay 2009 Although I don’t usually keep Chardonnay on hand in my home, I decided to try a bottle of 2545 Cellars Chardonnay 2009 this weekend.  Though not a frequent Chardonnay drinker, I was pleasantly surprised by this delightful wine.  In fact, this is one of the better Chards I’ve had in the past few years.  The nose is...

Have you ever been browsing through a wine selection, and notice that some of the wines have a number rating displayed near them? Many of these ratings are given by fancy, highly paid staff from organizations like Robert Parker and Wine Spectator.  Sometimes, however, staff from the actual wine establishment where you find yourself may have given these wine...

Never judge a book by its cover, or a wine by its label.  The somewhat plain, non-memorable label on the Cahuin Winemaker’s 2008 Select Red gives credence to this old adage.  This delightful, earthy and rich red consists of a fine blend of Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Malbec.  (The Malbec provides exceptional body, with earthy flavors including blackberries and plums.)  In...

The first rosé of the year has arrived just in time for spring, and spring-like it its!  For a longtime fan of rosés, this beauty certainly does not disappoint!  Made from an exquisite blend of Syrah, Cinsault, Merlot, and Grenache grapes, the proportions of grapes in the 2010 Triennes Rosé were expertly chosen.  The merlot flavor, in particular, is more...

Since my introduction to the Altos Las Hormigas Malbec 2009, it has become a staple in my home.  I’m always prepared with a few extra bottles in the event of unexpected guests. This Argentinean wine has a beautiful nose of berries, dark fruit, spices, and a trace of violet.  It is nicely balanced and smooth, with an exquisite finish that...

This incredibly affordable California red zinfandel is bursting with dark berry flavor!  The Ravenswood Winery motto, “No Wimpy Wines”, certainly applies to this well-structured, rich blend.  With a nose that includes cherry, dark berry, and black pepper aromas, this wine is perfect for pairing with red meats, pasta, and well-spiced poultry.  Moderately complex, its flavors include black cherries, mint, and...

The Atalaya Almansa 2007 will surprise you not only with its ridiculously low price tag, but also with its richness in flavor. The Atalaya Almansa is a distinguished blend of Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera, and other grapes.  Brought to you from Spain, and aged eight months in French and American oak, its impressive nose consists of violet, blueberry, black cherry...

The 2007 Pinot Noir from Fotinos Brothers proudly hails from Napa Valley. (The 2007 is the second offering from the inaugural release in 2006.) For a second vintage, this wine is impressive, and Jake Austad from Vintage Cellars had the opportunity to taste and review it. “The upfront is pure cherry,” he recalls, “and a smooth mouth feel is followed...

Perhaps you’ve read our previous post, Fooled by Numbers: Wine and You?  If so, this short comparison between two very different wines compliments it nicely! I recently purchased, for the same price, a bottle of El Salegar Tinto Fino 2007 and a bottle of the Maison Elise Richard 2008 Corbieres Red Blend, without knowing at their ratings. Made from a...

A white wine with a light golden color (and subtle hints of blue), this inexpensive summertime sipper hails from the banks of Germany’s Mosel river in Trier.  Though the nose is on the weaker side, this light, crisp wine is well-balanced.  Its body is delicately creamy, consisting of a subtle buttery texture slightly reminiscent of a Chardonnay.  Interestingly, the Piesporter...