Boy's Night In

As the ladies celebrated a much deserved weekend away in Palm Springs, I took my talents to Carlsbad with Max and Keira occupying the back seat. Tom and I figured if we were going to have our hands full, we'd might as well enjoy each other's company (and indulge in some fine vino).

The combination of making sure the girls didn't have too much more fun than us, we didn't have a skunker wine night like our last trip to C-Bad and we didn't have to share bottles with Beth and Meg, (what? I'm just being honest), had us pulling out some big guns.

First, I finally got around to introducing this to Tom:

Monchhof 2010 Riesling ($14.99)


I firmly believe that if you don't like this wine, you don't like Riesling. It's just sweet enough and super smooth. I might start calling this "Grandpa's Wine." My dad doesn't often drink wine, but when he does, you can bet that it'll be Monchhof Riesling. I just made a special trip to Hi Times for 6 more bottles for him. Of course, I had to get a few more for myself.

Grade: A

What's next:

Loring Wine Company (LWC) 2009 Gary's Vineyard, Pinot Noir ($38.00)
Wine Spectator 93 Points


Tom cracked this bad boy with apps of fine 15 year aged cheddar and shrimp cocktail.  We went Pinot before the main course, thinking the Granache would be bigger and hold up better with our beef. This might have been the first of 4 mistakes I made on the night. As I finished my last few sips with dinner, I realized those were the best sips of the bottle I'd had. It would have paired wonderfully with steaks. Pinot with steaks? Hell yeah.

It was very nice with the apps, not as powerful as the 2009 Belle Glos, and had a little, very slight burn on the way down. But I'm going to base my rating on the end of the bottle and conclude it's a really awesome bottle from some fantastic wine makers.

But I still think their purple spray paint label thing is stupid.

Grade: B+
Tom's Grade: "Solid B"


Man's dinner. Yes, the 3rd steak was for Max and James, which they devoured.

Next:

Villa Creek 2010 Granacha ($50.00)


Now Beth, before you go thinking we're not going to be on speaking terms for a week for drinking this bottle, understand that I made sure Aimee could replace it when she heads up to Paso next weekend. So really, think of it as a taste test, you know, to make sure you'd like it. You will, and you're welcome.

As I said, I think this should have been opened with apps, but here's where I (we) made mistake #2 on the night. We should've decanted it. Oops. The first sips of this felt like I had strawberry Pop Rocks in my mouth. Unbelievably smooth strawberry Pop Rocks, but wow, what an incredibly lively wine.

It absolutely settled down and turned into a fantastic bottle. I enjoyed it most after dinner, on it's own. As I said, lots of strawberries, a little spice, and a long, super smooth finish. Then I made mistake #3.

Tom didn't make the mistake of making s'mores for the boys. They cleaned their plate, they earned it, the timing was right. What I did was take a big bite of Max's s'more. It was heavenly. Not sure if it was the perfectly toasted marshmallow or the chocolate, but I lost that loving feeling from my Granacha. My wine was never the same. Shucks.

Grade: A

This should have concluded the evening's events. But it didn't.

We got the boys to bed with no problems then I made mistake #4. I really should have stopped while I was ahead. The two of us were already 3 bottles into the evening.  But, it was only 9ish, the tunes were solid, why not crack another bottle? And so we did. And we finished it.

It was as great as it was the last time I had it. It didn't taste so good on my morning breath though. I didn't feel so well Sunday morning. Or Sunday afternoon. I didn't even have a glass on Monday. But Saturday night was awesome.

Throwdown With Grenache

I recently mentioned that I ventured to the Wine Exchange in Orange to restock the wine pile. For some reason, maybe that they had a small Spanish section with several bottles under $15 bucks? I left the store deciding to dabble in several bottles of Grenache to see what I see.

First up, Garnache de Fuego 2009 ($6.99)

The pregame favorite won't win any label competitions, unless Max is judging, but might show up on a Best Value list. Garnache de Fuego, which I first mentioned back in November has become a regular pick-up around these parts. I've seen it at Total Wine, Hi Times, BevMo and Wine Ex. Very drinkable, flavorful (lots of berry blasting going on) and super smooth. Seriously good wine at a tremendous price.

Grade: B+
Beth's Grade: B+

Batting 2nd, Bitch 2009 Grenache ($8.99)


This was a, "what the hell, Beth will like the label," grab (She did. She was very excited).  It collided head on with my low expectations. There's no shortage of flavor. Loads of spicy raspberry and strawberry that don't quit. But they should; it's berry overload that burns a bit going down, makes my nose tingle, then leaves a semi dry feeling in my mouth. No bueno.

Grade: D+ 


What's next?

Castillo de Monseran 2009 Garnacha ($6.99)


Pretty cool label, but not a very good bottle. It lacked any punch. Seemed really flat. Boring. I dumped it.

Grade: D

In the clean-up spot, Borsao 2010 Garnacha ($6.99)


This is the less expensive little brother to Tres Picos (see below). Think Stephen Baldwin to Alec.

Unlike a lot of just ok wines, this got better over time. After the first few sips that reminded me of old- school style cherry cola, I was thinking it might be a dumper. But, I hung in there, it got a bit better, and so I corked it. We finished the bottle the next night with a tad spicy taco soup (thanks Aimee for that recipe) and it was pretty darn not bad.

Grade: C+

And finally, Tres Picos 2009 Garnacha ($12.99)
Wine Spectator rating: 92 Points


Well, that's not what I remembered. Tres Picos was the bottle that sparked my interest in Garnacha last summer. I still think it has a wonderful nose, and very nice strawberry, fruity flavors going on. But the swallow kind of caught me in the throat and it finished dryer than I remember. Overall, still good, still complex, but not something I feel I need to always have on hand for a special pairing.

Grade: B-

The people have voted: Actually, I voted. And I've concluded that you should stock up on the Garnache de Fuego. For me, it's the perfect cheaper weekday wine, but I really think if it had a more sophisticated looking label and sold for $14, it would appeal to a different crowd. I'm confident that it's that enjoyable. I still think the Tres Picos is worth trying, but I'm done giving it as gifts (Sorry Brian Martin, my intentions were good. And, it's not like I brought over Rabbit Ridge, right?) and I'm done hyping it to Tom. The other 3, save your cash.

Weekend Roundup

As you can see, we kept the recycling man in business this weekend. From Joe needing a wine for his "meatballs and sawce" Saturday night, to Keira's baptism Sunday, and washing down tonight's grilled chicken dinner, we've been crushing some grapes.

I hit up Hi-Times Saturday morning, and had a little help from the lady who had steered me towards Purple Tooth Summer School award winner, Papa Luna. She went 2/3 with a check-swing foul ball of my own. 

Here's the breakdown, and a reminder of my new numbered grading scale:

1- Dump it. Regardless of price.
2- Just alright. Maybe save it for tomorrow but have no intentions of polishing off the bottle.
3- Pretty good. Pour it out evenly and enjoy.
4- Great. Hope you get more than your fair share, especially if drinking with someone who may not appreciate it.

Blah:

Il Bastardo 2010 Sangiovese ($7.98)

-The Il Bastardo was pretty bad. As Joe said, "Jason...it didn't get any better from the time you tried it." Good wines shouldn't get worse after they open up. It did last 3 days and we gave it 3 attempts hoping to fall in love with it, but no dice. Joe had the quote of the night last night when I broke my glass, spilling the remains of the bottle, "well, finally, the end of the Bastardo." 

Grade: D / 1.5

Yum:

Mohua 2010 Sauvignon Blanc ($9.98)

-The Mohua was the Hi-Times #12 rated "Down Under" wine. I really liked it and it seemed everyone else did too. Everything I enjoy about Sauv Blanc. Just sweet enough. Smooth. Really good.

Grade: A- / 3.5

Joe's Grade: A

What the...?

Tres Picos 2009 Garnacha ($13.99)

-Tres Picos was a wine I loved a few weeks back. I was disappointed this time around. It had a great nose, but lacked the flavorful punch I remembered and finished a bit dry. Could be that it didn't fit with the Sunday afternoon setting? Either way, not nearly as impressed.

Grade: C+ /  3

Eh, yeah, I guess:

Ridge 2007 Lytton Springs 71% Zin / 22% Petite Sirah / 7% Carignane ($41.99)

-We had Ridge Lytton Springs side-by-side with the Tres Picos, which is a strange midday matchup, but nobody was complaining. I thought it had nice flavor. My only gripe with it was the finish. Too dry for my palate. Pretty sure that's from the 22% Petite Sirah. Quality wine, just not my favorite style.

Grade: B- / 3

Yeah, yum:

14 Hands 2008 Hot to Trot Red Blend ($8.98)

-Tonight, Hot to Trot pranced onto the patio for dinner (buh-dum-CH!) I was really close to putting this bottle back on the shelf due to a somewhat cheesy label and very cheesy name. It was really good in a Folie a Deux, safe play sort of way. I think it would be hard to not like this. Very easy drinker.

Grade: B- / 3

Beth's Grade: B

Joe's Grade: B

Yes, all Spanish wines know each other

Tres Picos 2009 Garnacha ($13.99)
Wine Enthusiast rating: 92 points


While at ASU, I spent a lot of time and probably too much money at Four Peaks Brewery. Now that I've aged like a poor bottle of Chardonnay, I've discovered Tres Picos. Is there a 2 Peak Scotch out there for me when I hit 45?

I found Tres Picos in the Spain section of Hi Times right next to the remaining bottles of summer award winning Papa Luna. It was $3 less and rated 2 points higher. Possible steal? You bet. I know I shouldn't compare it to Papa Luna, which is a blend; I wouldn't compare a Napa wine to a Sonoma just because they're both from California, or assume all girls from New Jersey act like Snookie. But they're both from Spain! Same section of the store! Both delicious!

In my weak attempt to research the growing regions of Spain, I think I've come to realize that I like stuff from Rias Baizas, the northwest corner of the country, better than the more popular Rioja  region which produces a lot of Tempernillo. I think.

This bottle had a really nice, fruity pop. A lot going on, yet not out of control. The fruit to me was more berry, or jammy than the dark cherry flavors that I also love. At first I thought it finished a little dry. So I was thinking, ok, better flavor than Papa Luna, but drier finish. But once we had it with dinner (pollo asada) the dryness went away and it finished wonderfully. After dinner it turned into a sip, swallow, savor, tilt my head back and feel time stand still sort of wine. Really good stuff.


Grade: A-