2008 Terlato Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Stopped in my local wine store First Avenue Wine House and scouring the shelves I found a Terlato Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2008. I actually was in there to purchase a couple birthday presents for the daughter but hey Dad could use some juice too. This bottle is pouring very nicely for a 2008, crisp yet creamy and worked well with my sauteed veggies over angel hair pasta. Shout out to my friend Traci for pointing it out. She is enjoying a well deserved Oregon wine country vacation as I write this post (checking out new wines to bring back to the shop).

Beautiful nose of warm sliced green apple pie with a nice baking spice. Hints of ground cinnamon and vanilla bean. As the wine opens fresh white peach treats the nose.

First sip is full of granny smith apple and creamy vanilla. Toasty oak notes with nectarine and white peach layered in between the apple/vanilla combination. The wine softened as it opened in the glass and as it warmed a little cinnamon on the finish. I thought it was better on day 2 after breathing. A lobster pairing with this wine would be delicious as well.

Great recommendation Traci. You will never go wrong when drinking California Russian River Valley juice.

Cheers
Dan

2012 Passaggio Unmarked Probable Cause Sauvignon Blanc Lake County

Cindy Cosco nailed Sauvignon Blanc with her 2012 Unmarked Probable Cause offering from Lake County CA. Beautiful layers of fruit both on the nose and in the mouth. A winner of the Silver Medal in the San Francisco International Wine Competition, you will find a wine both smooth and elegant. I told Cindy this may be the finest Sauv Blanc I have tasted. It's selling fast so you better visit the website Passaggio Wine before the juice is gone. Even my novice wine drinking daughters loved it.

On the nose fresh pineapple and grapefruit with a beautiful blend of lemon grass. Tropical melon and lime citrus round out this crisp little devil. Excellent light straw color.

On the mouth tart grapefruit with fresh cut pineapple. Fresh squeezed lemon from start to finish with a nice splash of lime and melon. Powerful fruit yet a soft clean finish. Don't blink or the bottle will be gone.

Priced at $18 per bottle but if you join the Passionistas Wine Club you get each bottle for $14.40. A steal for this award winning juice. Now if you will excuse me my glass needs another splash!

Cheers
Dan

Sleeping Bear Winery Bear Lake White Wine Michigan

I drove by the winery on I94 many times on my way to and from Ann Arbor Michigan but the winery was never open (my trip was always mornings before they opened). Moving child #2's personal items home I arrive to find she had stopped at this cute little Michigan Winery and purchased a couple bottles for Dad. Now I add Michigan to the lists of wine tasted by the Old Iowa Wino.

Bear Lake White Table Wine is a blend of  Chardonnay, Chardonell, and Seyval Blanc. Nice tropical nose with vanilla cream, pear, pineapple, tangerine with a hint of pine straw. Cute little sniffer.

Fresh pear and pineapple on the mouth with a lemon/granny smith apple finish. Served well chilled, the wine was a nice semi dry Midwest white. Definitely enjoyed my first ever Michigan juice.

Sleeping Bear Winery located at 2110 N Concord Rd, Albion, MI 49224 right off I94 you can't miss it. Daughter said it's a cute little stop and recommends to everyone passing by. Drink local and when in the state of wolverines Drink Michigan!

Cheers
Dan

2012 Stepping Stone By Conerstone White Rocks

White wine + hot weather + grill full of chicken = one happy wino! Today we sampled the 2012 Stepping Stone White Rocks North Coast wine from the folks at Cornerstone Cellars. One should always taste the wine while cooking to validate the pairing and always remember to leave some for dinner :). You know from many of my previous posts how much I enjoy these everyday sippers from Stepping Stone. Crisp, vibrant fruit which is versatile to serve with dinner or as a conversation juice with friends on the patio. The 2012 is just flat out delicious.

Your nose starts with cantaloupe and pineapple giving you a tropical sensation. Red delicious apples followed by honeydew melon and a hint of allspice. Picture yourself on the beach with the coastal breeze blowing in your face and this wine in your hand. I did too!

The first sip is full of fresh sliced pear and pineapple. Spiced apple sauce with the tropical melon notes and a nice finish of lemon zest complete the wine. Wonderful flow with the layers of fruit and spice. One of my daughters who is experimenting with the fermented grape juice said " I'll take the rest of the bottle thank you". Great wine Craig! We will take a truck load :) before it's all gone.

Cornerstone Cellars tasting room located in Yountville Napa Valley is a perfect place to kick back with friends and taste some excellent juice. Restaurants and shops nearby make for a perfect afternoon. Eat, sip, shop, Napa Wine Country......life as it should be.

Cheers
Dan