Month: January 2017

Hi All. I hope you have had a great week. We’re going into the weekend and Inauguration Day. That’s all I’m going to say about that. The most dramatic debate on this blog should be white or red. My sister, Jenna, suggested I try The Federalist. This is their 2014 vintage. The Federalist is a Red Blend made up of Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Not only is it a variety of varietals, it is a blend of grapes from Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma counties in California. I think The Federalist is an appropriate name – it brings it all together under one nation…er…cork. I smelled earthy undertones like mushrooms and a slight tobacco essence. Right now, you’re questioning my judgment, but I’m getting there. I also tasted dark cherry and plum with a slight essence of nutmeg. It ended in a slight hint of cocoa. This tapestry of wine tastes represents America! Cue patriotic music. It pairs well with smoked gouda and mild to medium cheeses as well with chicken or meat. It didn’t pair well with sharper cheeses. I enjoyed this wine and thank my sister for introducing me to it. You can find it in grocery stores or at Total Wines for about $16 per bottle. Have a great weekend!

Hi All. I hope you all had a great weekend. I myself am blue…and green with envy at the same time. Good Cowboys/Packers game though. Today’s wine review has me going back to my agricultural roots. I am on fire with the play on words today. I tried the 2016 Governors Bay Sauvignon Blanc. It is from New Zealand where they can make some great wines. I do not drink a lot of Sauvignon Blancs as they are usually too light. This was interesting. I smelled hints of celery and fresh-growing tomatoes (I know..kinda weird). I then tasted grass and hay with just a slight essence of that melon and a pungency. I felt one with the earth in drinking this wine but not sure that I wanted to. Call me a Hayseed from Lubbock, but I was not a fan of this $14ish bottle of wine. On that pungent and earthy note, have a good week.

Hi All. It has been a good week, but really cold after being 70 degrees earlier this week. That brings me to my next wine. It is the 2014 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. You are probably wondering how that weather to wine transition really worked…yeah it didn’t other than the fact that I drink more red wine in the winter. Sterling Cabernet is a consistent wine. It is a relatively bold Cabernet with a long finish, but isn’t so tannin rich that it leaves weight on your tongue. It has slight plum and, to me, tobacco undertones, but it works well in this wine. I’m not sure if what I just wrote is worthy of Wine Spectator or a Craig’s List ad, but I think it’s brilliant. This is a pretty good Cabernet and would recommend it. You can find it at most grocery stores for around $12-$13 per bottle. Have a great week and weekend. Stay warm!