We recently shopped at the wine mega-store, Total Wine, and purchased the store’s best-selling Cabernet Sauvignon for about $14. I can see, or should I say taste, why it’s the store favorite. This Cab is a big, lush, fruit-filled delight from Lodi’s oldest operating winery, Oak Ridge. Fresh, ripe fruit on the nose and palate changesContinueContinue reading “Oak Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Lodi”
Author Archives: J Reilly
Mara Valpolicella Ripasso 2012
Mara Valpolicella Ripasso is an Italian blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara. Ripasso is the term for the double fermentation technique used to give more body and flavor to the basic wine. The Valpolicella is fermented with the partially dried grape skins that have been left over from fermentation of Amarone. Mara Valpolicella Ripasso is agedContinueContinue reading “Mara Valpolicella Ripasso 2012”
Deadbolt 2012 Winemaker’s Blend
Deadbolt is a big, bold California blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah and Syrah. The pour is deep purple in the glass. The nose is powerfully fruity and jammy. On the palate, black cherries, plums, and currants mingle. The Merlot offers a wisp of earthiness and the Zinfandel, a pinch of spice. TheContinueContinue reading “Deadbolt 2012 Winemaker’s Blend”
Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Layer Cake wines are as well advertised and distributed as you would expect from ex-investment banker turned winemaker, Jayson Woodbridge. I’m surprised it took us until now to try one. We crack open the screw cap on a Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. The nose is full of cherries and berries with a light wildflower scent. TheContinueContinue reading “Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon 2011”
Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Decoy wines are the lower priced line from Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley. The Decoy Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Black cherry dominates the nose with traces of nutmeg and mushroom. The cherry and other berry flavors follow through on theContinueContinue reading “Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon 2012”
Buena Vista Legendary Badge 2012
Some very stormy weather prevented us from enjoying a summer wine on the deck so we decided to crack open Legendary Badge from Buena Vista Winery. The Buena Vista Winery was established in Sonoma County in 1857 by one of California’s first elected sheriffs. The website describes the colorful life of the founder and howContinueContinue reading “Buena Vista Legendary Badge 2012”
Thorny Rose Red Blend 2011
Thorny Rose from Columbia Valley, Washington has a funky, youthful label and a screw cap. I get a little put off by screw caps, especially in restaurants that mark up as much as 300-400% on wines. But I’ll try to be open-minded and give it a chance. Thorny Rose is a Bordeaux style red blendContinueContinue reading “Thorny Rose Red Blend 2011”
Don David Malbec 2012 Michel Torino Estate
Don David is named for David Michel who emigrated from France to Argentina in 1892 and founded Michel Torino Estate in Cafayate. The high altitude winery features over 1500 acres of vineyards that thrive on warm days, cool nights, and low humidity. The color is deep plum. There are three qualities of the nose thatContinueContinue reading “Don David Malbec 2012 Michel Torino Estate”
David Cook in Massapequa
My friend and avid fan of David Cook said to me, “You’ll never guess where David Cook is playing.” Could it be Madison Square Garden where she used to work? No, it’s John Burns Park in Massapequa. I’m thinking Cook is way too big for the Town of Oyster Bay Music Under the Stars 2014ContinueContinue reading “David Cook in Massapequa”
To chew or not to chew, that is the rib question
Serious fans of BBQ ribs can be fervent and I’m fearful that what I’m about to say may be taken as sacrilege. I’ve always been a follower in the “meat falls off the bone” flock. When my husband said he wanted his ribs to be chewy, I thought he sounded a bit cracked. But heContinueContinue reading “To chew or not to chew, that is the rib question”
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