Thursday, July 26, 2012

California

Yes, I'm a slacker. California was June's selection and it's already almost August! But let's get on with it--

We did California at Dan's place so we could show off the new bar. There were a lot of people, and subsequently a large wine selection. Please do not judge us too harshly from the following image, as the empty bottles make us look a little less than classy.



A. Bohemian Highway Merlot 2009 - more info
Appearance: Dark, creepy red, scarlet, blood, ruby, garnet, cranberry (I think this was less a descriptive effort and more of people acting like a thesaurus)
Nose: 3.5
Intensity: 2
Balance: 3
Complexity: 2
Finish: 2.3
Comments: Warms the heart, had nice legs, would make a good sangria, simple.
Dan and Katie liked it

B. Ghost Pines Zinfandel 2009 - more info
Appearance: Blood-looking, very dark, pretty, blackberry, prune juice, purple-ish
Nose: 3
Intensity: 1
Balance: 3
Complexity: 3.3
Finish: 4.5
Comments: Pops and punches, Mike Tyson wine, blackberry and vanilla, jammy, hangs in the back, dense, fruity, dry
Jen and Dan liked it, not Ashley (2) approved.

C. Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 - more info
Appearance: watery purple, between the first two, leggy
Nose: 3.5 ("Smells like communion," effervescent)
Intensity: 1.5
Balance: 2 (acidic)
Complexity: 2.7
Finish: 2 (lingers, but not in a good way)
Comments: Probably good with red meat, bacon pizza
Ashley L. and Kerri liked it.

D. Snap Dragon Red Blend 2008 - more info
Appearance: dark silk, ruby, crimson, vermillion
Nose: 2.5
Intensity:  1.2
Balance: 4
Complexity: 3
Finish: 2 (intense but quick)
Comments: "It's good," "solidly smooth," a good generic wine, good with spicy food, brings out the smokiness in barbeque.
One of Jen's go-to reds, Ashley L. likes, Michelle's fave.

E. Robert Mondavi Pinot Grigio 2010 - more info
Appearance: light yellow, straw
Nose: 3
Intensity: 2
Balance: 3.9 (watery, light)
Complexity: 2
Finish: 1.1 (no oompf)
Comments: Would go well with hearty fish, chicken, or crab. Drinkable, but not substantial on its own, tastes watered down with white grape juice.
Dan likes

F. Serafina Cellars Malvasia Bianca 2009 - more info
Appearance: same, Jewish, cloudy
Nose: 3.8 (sweet)
Intensity: 3.4
Balance: 1.5
Complexity: 4
Finish: 3
Comments: Tastes like it's mixed with cider, Welch's, coppery, mineral, flavor builds, smells sweeter than it tastes, likely good with yogurt. "I got goosebumps drinking that."
Katie and Zach's fave

G. Running with Scissors Chardonnay 2010 - more info
Appearance: golden, yellow, straw
Nose: 4 (sweet, grassy, straw, oats)
Intensity: 1
Balance: 3.9
Complexity: 2
Finish: 3
Comments: Smell is reminiscent of hay fields, taste is berry, tart.
Ashley L.'s fave, Jen likes

H. Cherry on Top white blend 2010 - more info
Appearance: yellow
Nose: 3.3 (sweet, after rain)
Intensity: 2
Balance: 3 (apple!)
Complexity: 3.5
Finish: 2
Comments: Can taste the chenin blanc, smooth, in and out really quickly, pair with french vanilla ice cream.
Jen's fave

I. Menage a Trois Moscato 2010 - more info
Appearance: yellow
Nose: 3.5
Intensity: 2
Balance: 2.2
Complexity: 2
Finish: 3
Comments: "I find this wine shallow and pedantic." "Makes a valiant effort, but it just doesn't get the job done." "We're drinking Rhianna right now..."

J. d'Arenberg The Stump Jump Sticky Chardonnay 2008 - more info
Appearance: golden, dehydrated
Nose: 1.5 (Capri Sun)
Intensity: 2
Balance: 3 (for a dessert wine)
Complexity: 2
Finish: 3.8 (long and agonizing)
Comments: Simple syrup, golden raisin, good for a dessert wine.


July's Pacific Northwest selection coming soon!

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