2006 WoodBridge Pinot Noir

Robert Mondavi makes a good everyday wine especially the Pinot. Flavors of berry and a slight oak but also I taste some cola which may or may not be my taste buds tonight. Cellar has holes so new wine descriptions this week. Craving some Cabs and Chards. Maybe a Bordeaux or 2

Cavit Pinot Noir

Dinner at Olive Garden with the old standby Cavit Pinot Noir from Italy. Medium bodied with flavors of red berries and cherry. Slight hint of oak. Outside of the restaurant a very good Pinot for $10.

Wine Group Thursday Taste

Tonight we started with a 2004 Doghouse Merlot from California. Flavors of black cherry, boysenberry and pomegranite. A nice mild california wine which the group rated the best this evening. The second wine was a Hogue 2006 Cabernet Coulmbia Valley Washington. A little more full bodied with flavors of vanilla, cherry and toasty oak. 2 very good selections this evening.

Angeline Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Past couple of nights have brought from the Russian River Valley one of the steals in wine is the folks at Martin Ray Winery the producers of Angeline Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. The 2006 Chardonnay is smooth with a creamy vanilla flavor and slight apple flavor. The winemaker also says you should taste some peach flavor but I do not but very much enjoyed the wine. The 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is one of my favorites. First I taste raspberry followed by a smooth cherry sensation. One I could drink every day.

Southern Hills Winery

A winery located in Osceola Iowa produces some very good wine. Splendor in the Glass is a white wine blend of Vidal Blanc, Diamond & Brianna Grapes. On a scale of sweetness it ranks 4/10. Wonderful fruit flavor, crisp with hints of vanilla. I compare it to a Chard or Sav Blanc because to me it has both the traits. Visit them at www.shwinery.com

La Crema

Friday night brought out a white and red from one of my favorite wineries La Crema. Enjoyed with friends a 2007 La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast. Opening the bottle the smell of apples first then tasting you get the apple, vanilla and carmel with a silky finish. Awesome. After those bottles finished it was on to the 2007 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast with its flavors of cherry and licorice and as velvet as fine chocolate. Always keep some La Crema for you or friends.

The GreatAmerican Thursday Wine Taste

Correct on the blend prediction. Both wines were very good. the 1st a 2007 Italian Tormaresca Neprica which is a blend of Negroamaro, Primitivo & Cabernet Sauvignon. The taste was berries, chocolate and spicy licorice. Very smooth. The 2nd was a 2003 Madiran Torus (French) blend of Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc. More full bodied it had a concentration of deep black fruit. Again very good. Tonights consensus most wines are good. Sure there are bad ones but we to date have only found one and it was purchased by yours truly. Both of these wines were purchased at Benz Beverage Depot in Cedar Rapids Iowa http://www.benzbeveragedepot.com/

GreatAmerican Group Wine Tasting Tonight

Can't wait for tonights after work selections. I'm betting blends. Check back tonight.

Red Truck California Pinot

While watching basketball one of my favorite everyday Pinot Noir Red Truck 2006 California. Blend of berry flavor with hints of vanilla. Treat yourself and friends. Enjoy with any food or just casual.

Oregon Pinot Noir

Adelsheim 2006 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir was last nights dinner wine selection. A wonderful berry taste of black raspberries, cherries. One serious great Pinot.

Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery

2008 Brianna from Cedar Ridge Winery in Cedar Rapids Iowa www.crwine.com is a favorite of mine for white wine. Crisp with the flavor of tropical fruit I enjoy this wine anytime of year (limited production so buy enough to last). I had the pleasure of visiting the vineyard and actually tasting the Brianna grape from the vine. A very good Iowa wine.

Bordeaux

Last nights personal consumption was a 1995 La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien Bordeaux. Deep red in color full bodied with dark berry flavor yet very smooth like fine milk chocolate. Allowed the bottle open for 2 hours before drinking. Definately recommend.

How we enjoy wine

10 coworkers get together each Thursday after work to taste wine from California to France and places inbetween. Each week one in the group brings 2 bottles to share red, white or blend. We are not experts but merely enjoy tasting wine and hope that others find our rating of wine beneficial.