2006 Meridian California Pinot Noir

I really like this wine for an everyday glass if so desired. Cherry and Strawberry dominate this silky smooth glass of wine. Inexpensive at regular price of $10.99 but most times our local stores sell for 7.99. Located in Paso Robles California an excellent area for wine. I have served this to friends who enjoy red wine and nothing but compliments.

Time to Break Out The Whites

While spring is here in Iowa the 5 inches of snow over the weekend and the chilly temps have put a hold to my whites. While I love my reds, spring and summer are times I start with Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnay's along with Pinot Gris. Excellent conversation wines, cheese and good friends. Warm weather has to be here soon.

2006 Angeline Pinot Noir Sonoma & Mendocino

Poured the 2006 Angeline Pinot Noir. This wine is made from 75% sonoma grapes and 25% mendocino grapes. Bold cherry flavor with spice. The finish is a combination of raspberry and strawberry. I prefer the Russian River Valley Angeline or the Martin Ray Pinot Noir both the higher end wines from Martin Ray winery but this is still a good wine.

March 27 GreatAmerican Wine Taste

Brett brought 2 very good selections this evening. The first a 2006 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Merlot. Plum, strawberry, spice and oak. Deep purple in color full flavor. The second wine was definate full bodied a 2005 Grand Vin De Bordeux Chateau-St Bernard. Black fruit theme (black cherry, blackraspberry) and a slight strawberry finish with a heavy oak accent. The longer in the glass the milder this wine got. I think we should have allowed the wine to breath longer. Both very good selections purchased at Benz Beverage Depot Cedar Rapids Iowa.

2004 Rutz Sonoma Cuvee Pinot Noir

Stopped off at the First Avenue Wine House in Cedar Rapids and Traci Weber owner suggested I try this wine knowing I'm a Pinot nut. Strawberry at the start with cherry and spice at the finish along with raspberry. Very smooth ruby red in color. Excellent flavor. A definate keeper.

Trinchero Family 2006 Pinot Noir Napa Valley

A nice Pinot with flavors of strawberries, cherry, spice and vanilla. My first wine from the Trinchero Vineyards who have produced wine sine 1948. The pinot grapes come from their South Napa Estate vineyard San Pablo Bay. Share with friends.

Zolo Malbec & Echelon Pinot Noir

My turn and everybody figured 2 Pinots but wrong. The first wine was a 2007 Zolo Malbec from Argentina. Flavors of Blackberries, Cherries, Raspberries and Oak. This wine was the favorite of the group. The grapes come from the Fincas Patagonicas Vineyard on the province of Mendoza. Malbec is the vineyards signature wine. Wine 2 was a 2006 Echelon Pinot Noir. Cherry, plum, rasberry, licorice and spicy cinnamon favored this ruby red wine. Different tasting Pinot but a good selection. Echelon Vineyards released its first vintage in 1997 and the grapes come from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Both wines purchased at Benz Beverage Depot in Cedar Rapids Iowa.

Forest Glen 2006 Pinot Noir California

Excellent young Pinot with aromas of cherry, blackberry and my favorite vanilla. Little spicy on the finish but my first purchase from Forest Glen Winery in Sonoma. Definate thumbs up.

March 13 Wine taste

Sorry for the delay. Been very busy and traveling. Daren brought the group wine this evening as yours truly was out of town. Wine 1 was Menage A Trois Red 2006 which is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet. The wine is spicy with a soft finish. Appears the group rated the wine good. The second selection was a Rubicon Estate 2004 Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet. Sour cherry, dark berries and licorice were the flavors. Again the group gave excellent reviews.

2007 Mt Pellier California Pinot Noir

Cherry, strawberry, spice and oak. An inexpensive Pinot which I enjoyed for less than 12.00. Nothing better than a nice glass of pinot after a stressful day in the financial sector. Appears this winery is in southern california. First time for this wine.

March 6 GreatAmerican Tasting

Jared our wine establishment owner treated us first to a 2006 Archery Summit Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Excellent pinot with flavors of black cherry, well balanced vanilla and a hint of plum. A very smooth long finish. This one will be in the cellar for special consumption. The second was a d Arenberg 2004 Love Grass Shiraz which was also very good. Flavors of cherry, licorice, slight oak and plum. Another very good wine and enjoyed by the whole group. Daren decided we needed a 3rd bottle a 2006 Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County. Blackberry/cherry with a strong vanilla flavor (and smell but I like vanilla). I also tasted a smokey oak flavor. Hopefully the group stayed sober as they headed on a team outing to the casino (knowing this group most were blind drunk at the end of the night).

Iowa Vineyards will be alive soon

In the next couple weeks yours truly will be venturing out to Cedar Ridge Vineyards to help during the spring pruning. Can't wait till the first party, seeing the grapes progress, oh and drinking wine :)