Spain
$16
Get a glass!

California Pinot
highland Wine
$21
Get a glass!

Fabulous Pinot for pre-dinner wine or with a lighter protein like chicken.

Argentina
Highland wine
$18/bottle

Another new favorite — the 2008 Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel blew my socks off a few weeks ago when we paired it with slow cooked BBQ pork ribs that had been on the Big Green Egg all day!

This Zinfandel from the Lodi region of California was very rich, full of mature fruit flavors but also with some nice tannins to round it out – just superb!

Origin: Lodi, California
Where: Highland Wine
Price: $18
Next time: Get a case! or definitely Get a glass!

If you like very sweet Rieslings, you’ll like Flip Flop’s version. It’s not bad for chillin’ by the pool in the sweltering heat with a chick-lit novel – that is, if there’s nothing better (and more refreshingly crisp) to drink around.

However, I’m a huge fan of flip flops so I absolutely had to try this wine solely based on the label. It was a fun experiment but it’s unlikely I’ll be purchasing this one again.

Origins: Washington
Where: Publix Grocery (despite my review on this wine, Publix has quite a nice offering of wines these days – nothing small batch/limited production, but a good selection nevertheless! Great if you know exactly what you’re looking for and it’s something they regularly carry.)
Cost: Around $6-$7
Next time: I’ll pass

Guess what?! I have a new favorite wine! It’s 100% Pinot Noir. From France. Absolutely delicious. AND only $12 a bottle. His name is 2009 Laboure-Roi “Les Sangliers”.

Not only is this wine scrumptious on its own while you’re cooking dinner — or even better, watching someone else cook dinner — it went magnificently well with a simply seasoned baked chicken with gorgonzola cheese over sliced sweet onions, with along with a fun salad with basil, yellow and red tomatoes, goat cheese, cashews, almonds, and pistachios, and cucumbers. The wine is that wonderful balance of light tannins, complex earthy and fruit flavors without being “punchy.” Very smooth and delicious.

If they haven’t already run out, a case is definitely in my future!

Origin: Vin de Pays D’Oc, France (Southern France)
Where: Highland Wine
Cost: $12
Next time: Get a case!

2009 Banshee Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Price: $22
Origin: Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Where: Highland Wine
Next time: Get a glass!

2008 Basico Rojo, La Mancha, Spain

A seriously delightful, delicious wine that goes easily with many dishes and is ridiculously inexpensive for how great it is. 50/50% Tempranillo/Cab Sauv blend.

Price: $8
Origin: Spain
Where: Highland Wine
Next time: Get a case!

2006 Baxter Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, Toulouse Vineyard, California

Price: $27
Origin: Anderson Valley, California
Where: WineryInsider.com
Next time: I’ll pass.

2009 RouteStock Cellars, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Price: $18
Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Where: Highland Wine
Next time: Get a case!

I take a break from most whites during the winter… it’s just one of those things. I like red more in the winter and whites more in the hot weather months. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t make the cut for a “next time.” Too “sharp” with the citrus notes. Loved trying something new though – the grape is called “Pedro Ximenez.”

Price: $12
Origin: Chile
Where: Highland Wine
Next time: I’ll pass

It’s been a while since I’ve wine blogged lately, so this post is way overdue. This post will be a catch up post of quite a few wines that I’ve tried over the past few months, as I’ve been busy being a newlywed and also being a new puppy owner and a busy employee at my job and on and on… The majority, if not all, of these wines are from Highland Wine whose great monthly wine club I’m still thoroughly enjoying!

• 2006 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County, California $29 – I’ve continued to go back to this fabulous wine for special occasions. Here to confirm that it should be on your must-have list for great dinners, special occasions, gifts, and just a great wine you can always count on to be amazing! Get a case if you can; or definitely get a glass.
• 2007 Moillard Cotes Du Rhone “Les Violettes”, France, $13 – The first time I had this at a tasting, I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, this bottle wasn’t as good as I remember it being – or maybe something was wrong with this bottle. I’ll give another bottle another chance sometime soon (especially at $13 a bottle), but I’m less excited about this being a long-term prospect as I once was.
• 2005 Prima Voce Toscana, Italy, $18 – This wine is a Super Tuscan blend of 72% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Syrah. I paired it with the leftovers from the Mother’s Day dinner I cooked my mom last night! It paired extremely well with the pork chops (minus the apple sauce) and asparagus and mushroom tart – give all three a try! Warning – lots of sediment was in the cork, so you’ll want a strainer to filter this one. Get a glass!
• 2007 BearBoat Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, CA, $17 from Hop City – I first tried this wine last year at a fun engagement party that my friend threw for my then-fiance/now-husband. The party was so much fun, and this wine was delicious and had a cute, funny cartoon on the back about bears enjoying this wine. Get a glass!
• 2005 Campo Viejo Reserva Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, $15 – This wine was absolutely spectactular. Not too many tanins, not too fruity, just a great enjoyable balanced wine. Get a case, especially at this price.
• 2009 Arthur Wilbanks Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, CA, $12 – I’ve bought a few more bottles of this wine since the initial tasting, and it still delivers! Great with easy chicken and salmon recipes.

I purchased three bottles of the 2004 Chateau de Clarefont from Winery Insider (wineryinsider.com) in April. I finally got around to opening one of the bottles last week. Over time, I’ve learned that many French wines benefit from being decanted a little earlier than other wines (maybe this applies more to European wines in general, as opposed to American and South American wines… I’m still forming my generalization though).

The Chateau de Clarefont was a nice Bordeaux, from the Margaux area of France. I was hoping it would be as great as the Chateau Mongravey that I tried in March at a Bordeaux tasting.  The Chateau de Clarefont was good, but not as stellar as the Mongravey. However, the price difference is about $10, with this wine running around $18 (not including the shipping from the online retailer) versus $28 for the Mongravey.

Origin: Margaux, France
Where: Winery Insider
Price: $18
Next time: Get a glass.