Bougie Black Brother

Four Vines Zinfandel Review

This beautiful wine has aromas as ripe as dried figs, flavors as deep as blackberries falling off the vine.  Four Vines Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel: big berry flavors, a hefty dusting of spice and zesty pepper are this Zin’s calling cards. 

Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva Review

Ruby red color with gold trim. Bright and deep. Complex aromas. Great balance between fruit (cherries, black plums, ripe blackberries) and clear tones from wood (clove, pepper, vanilla and coconut). The sense of smell is even more intensified with the aromas that develop during aging in bottle. Smooth and balanced on the palate with a long and flavorful finish

Anne De K Pinot Gris review

Alsace, France- Typical nose, expressive with apricot and mirabelle  A nose of lemon and bright citrus hints at the promise of something enticing, and it doesn't disappoint. Flavors of golden apple, Asian pear & grapefruit with a subtle note of smoke makes this a winner A mouth with a beautiful structure.

It can be served as aperitif or completes perfectly with salads and white meats like poultry and veal.

Simpler Wines Rose (Trader Joe's) Revised

Simpler Wines combines the convenience of a can with a delightfully, Italian vino frizzante (sparkling wine). In Simpler Wines White, notes of juicy honeydew and fresh cut herbs provide sweet sippability, complementing such savory pairings as fresh bread & olives or Parmigiano Reggiano. The elegant, mineral notes and red fruit flavors of Simpler Wines Rosé are a natural fit for fresh pasta, seafood or sweets.

This wine isn't anything I would normally drink but the hoopla about it in Trader Joe's made me seek it out and give it a taste.  I actually drunk it and tried my best to pull out what I thought would be some kind of flavor.  Not quality, not aromas or real taste.  But a fair shot with this tasting.  

Trader Joe's Charles Shaw Merlot

Charles Shaw is a brand of "extreme value", bargain-priced wine. ... These wines were introduced at Trader Joe's grocery stores in California at a price of $1.99 per bottle, earning the wines the nickname "Two Buck Chuck" and eventually sold 800 million bottles

Bright medium dusty garnet color. Bright, funky, fruity earthy toasty aromas of plums, black currants, toffee, and planked cedar with a crisp, dry full body and a warming, subtle, easy finish with firm, well-integrated tannins and moderate oak

Armeli Pinot Grigio

Geographic Area:                          Veneto                            
Grapes:                                        100% Pinot Grigio          
Alcohol Content:                           12% Vol.                        

Vinification:      Soft pressing with must fermentation at controlled temperature.
Colour:             Straw yellow in colour with light golden hues.
Bouquet:          Fruity, fresh and elegant.

Taste: Tasty, citrusy, fresh.
A straightforward weekday white for chicken, fish, pastas tossed in olive oil and most appetizers. Tangy notes of citrus, white crunchy fruit, spring flowers and almonds. The palate is fresh with a creamy edge and lively crisp fruits. Solid value, refreshing and simply tasty.

I am here for the WWDC 2017 for Apple and we are visiting Vin Santo restaurante in San Jose Ca. Tuesday was the $1 oysters and 1/2 off wine bottles, so we stopped in for dinner. Here I have my taste of this interesting Pinot Grigio.

Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc

This second installment of Urban Wine Life from the Robertson Winery.  I try a $6.99 Robertson Winery  Sauvignon Blanc.  This is a South African wine that normally shows up pretty well (reference the Chenin Blancs and Chardonnays) During this episode, I try this South African Sauvignon Blanc and sadly compare it to the best regions for this grape such as  Oregon State and New Zealand. Here are the notes.

Full bodied with powerful varietal flavours of bell-pepper, green apple and freshly cut grass. Good structure with lovely balancing acidity. Enjoy now with seafood, smoked salmon, roast chicken and pork

Adolph Mueller Piesporter Michelsburg Riesling Auslese

Today I open up my lovely bottle of Auslese for a dish with Seasoned chicken breast, Brussels sprouts, cranberries and a side of mashed sweet potatoes.  Being a lover of Riesling, this food pairing was perfect for this dish I had for dinner with a slightly sweet wine that would compliment this meal very well.  I was not disappointed.  With this podcast, I speak to a little history of one of the most noblest and respected grapes on earth.

Tasting Notes
​​​​​​​Sweet, Citrus, Peach, Medium-bodied Piesport, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany produced from very ripe grapes grown in the prestigious Mosel region, this wine possesses a wonderful bouquet of fruits and well-defined, vibrant flavors. It has a finish which goes on and on. Enjoy with fish, fruits, or cheese

Robertson Winery Pinotage 2016

With my first installment of Urban Wine Life as a podcast.  I try a $6.99 Robertson Winery Pinotage.  This is a South African wine that normally shows up pretty well (reference the Chenin Blancs and Chardonnays) During this episode, I'm feeling out this method of review without doing it as a video podcast. Here are the notes.  

A deep purple tint on the rim with delicious flavors of ripe strawberry, banana, juicy plums and rich, red cherry. Produced in an early drinking style with well-integrated wood and a soft, smooth finish. Enjoy now with roast beef, guinea fowl, roast chicken, stews, lamb, pizza and pasta.