Smells like Syrah....

There's been a bit of press about Copian vineyards as of late , most of it good. This Copain 2007 syrah " Tous ensamble" is an entry-level wine from this lable that specializes in single-vineyard Pinot, Syrah and Sauvignon blanc. The grapes are from Mendocino county and the wine is full bodied and really tasty. If this is their low end bottle , I'm very interested in trying their single vineyard version. While the price of this wine is more in line with a weekend treat, it is still on the affordable end of that price range. Copian vineyards in Healdsburg has sold out of this one but it can still be found at Arlequin wine merchant in S.F. for $ 20.00. I'll give it 8 1/2 swiggs, a really excellent syrah and probably a good cellar candidate for a couple of years.

First of the 2009 Bordeaux

The hype is up and so are the prices for the much lauded '09 Bordeaux. This bottle, however is affordable and not bad for the price. The only caveat for wine lovers is that Bordeaux wines tend to need a bit more air before drinking, at least this one does. Upon the first swig, I found the 2009 Haut Blaignan to be a bit tannic. Perhaps another year or two in the bottle or an hour or so in a decanter might mellow it out. I didn't have the patience to wait so I just poured in out and had it with dinner. While I liked it, I didn't feel I was tasting it for what it eventually could be, a nice dry earthy red wine. I'll give it 5 1/2 swiggs for now and maybe put a couple away for next year. The vintage is supposedly one of the best so it might prove out to be a better wine than it has shown at this time. $ 6.99 at Trader Joe's.

Yes, I am drinking a G#$% D%^ Merlot !

I know that drinking California Merlot has fallen out of favor ever since the movie " Sideways" played in theaters across the country. This bad press, some of it deserved has created a slump in the Merlot market that has resulted in a lot of formerly high-priced fruit winding up either not selling or getting sold for really reduced prices to negociants. These bargain wines have been shoing up here and there....unfamiliar brands but familiar high profile appelations. The Bridgeway 2006 Napa Valley Merlot really tastes like one of the good Merlots that made the varietal popular in the '80's. I remember drinking some great Merlot back in the day-somehwere about 10 years ago the market got flooded with really crappy, vegetal Merlot and I, for one got rather disenchanted with the grape. The release of "Sideways" didn't help the image of the once all-popular grape and Pinot, Zin and Caberlet demand increased, virtually crushing( ironically , much of the Merlot remained uncrushed ..) the Merlot demand. This Red-headed stepchild is now the bargain wine and the Bridgeway really comes through with the richness and complexity of an expensive wine....kind of amazing as it is only $ 6.99 at Trader Joes. Try a bottle......maybe you'll start enjoying G** D*** Merlot again. 8 swiggs.

For special occasions only !

This might be one of my favorite wines, although I can count on one hand how many bottles I have opened. Randy Dunn on Howell mtn. in Napa has been making this wine for about 20 years. This was the cult cabernet before there were cult cabernets and Dunn really hasn't raised his prices in all those years. The Napa bottling is not as tannic and sought after as the Howell mtn. but it is superbe and can compare to the very pinnacle of Napa reds. 9.5 swiggs , this 2003 might not have been stored as well as it could but it was still excellent. $ 64.95 at U-save liquors in Santa Cruz.

Barossa for a deal

The Thorne Clarke 'Shotfire' Barossa shiraz is only $ 12.95 and widely available. I would rank it with other wines from this great winegrowing region of Australia costing twice as much. The richness and complexity of the Shotfire really make it a special treat, but at the low price it doesn't have to be something limited to special occasions. I think it would be hard to find a wine from Europe or the USA that has this much flavor and quality at this price. 9 swiggs.

Paso Robles cab.

Down south in Paso Robles there's an increasing amount of good wines being made. This one is not one I had tried so when I got it as a gift I was pretty happy. I'm not sure the source of this wine locally but I'm sure it can be gotten through the winery. This 2006 cabernet is really nice, medium bodied and good enough to enjoy on the weekend. I'll give it 7 1/2 swiggs , pretty good for the region.

Weekend wine experiment

Whenever I see an '04 cabernet, I usually pick it up. I know the wine writers don't really go nuts about '04 but I have found it to be my favorite vintage of the decade for California reds so far. The High Valley is one I haven't had. It turns out that it is a pleasant wine but it really does not compare to many wines in the same price bracket that I have lucked into since I have started this blog. At $ 24.95 , I'm really looking for a big wine with super good flavors all around. This wine was good but maybe a little light and a taste astringent, almost tart. Since it was on closeout for $ 18.95 I figured that I give it a try. I'll give it 6 1/2 swiggs.....not bad , but I would want more for $ 24.95.