Starmont Winery & Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012

categories: Booze, Wine

I’ve never heard of Starmont Winery before. This was an honest-to-goodness random pick at my local TJ’s. My only requirements were a) Pinot was a must and b) I was specifically craving a California Pinot. And this particular TJ’s is slim-pickins’ in the wine aisle (ok, I guess requirement “c” was that it wasn’t labeled as a TJ wine). Anyway…I had two choices and this one was more in my price bucket. So I nabbed it, crossed my fingers it’d taste how I was craving, picked up my pizza, and went home. Read more.

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31
Oct
2016

Apothic Inferno: A Little Wine, A Little Whisky

categories: Booze, Wine

Apothic Inferno

California Red Wine Blend, aged for 60 days in Whiskey Barrels: Set your TasteBuds ENFUEGO

You know when you’re at the checkout counter and you throw a candy bar in your basket just because? Well, my total impulse buy happened in the wine aisle at TJ’s last weekend. Fire-laden label aside, I read the words “aged in whiskey barrels,” and was immediately intrigued. Now I know this isn’t a totally new concept — even Robert Mondavi has a reserve red aged in bourbon barrels. But, like I said, I was there, this was there: Monkey see, Monkey sip.

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28
Oct
2016

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2014

categories: Booze, Wine

I’m not going to lie, I kind of stocked up on St. Francis Winery wines when I was at the shop one day. Maybe I was feeling nostalgic? It’s one of the wineries I remember most last time I was up in wine country. Beautiful estate, quirky server, and bad-ass bold wines — the eclectic mix overwhelms the senses, making memories you’re sure to look back on with a smile.

I kept this Pinot in the cellar until the opportune food pairing presented itself. I was more than excited to uncork this wine, anticipating the intensity and density not often found in the soft, aerated Pinots of Sonoma County. Behold: A different Pinot perspective.

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27
Oct
2016

Benziger Family Winery Sonoma County Merlot 2013

categories: Booze, Wine

This is another case of “Sonoma-envy,” in that it’s a winery I’ve heard about (all amazing things), but haven’t actually visited (yet). And, of course, in context of the rave winery reviews, I’ve heard mouth-watering descriptions of their wines. To be honest, I didn’t know that Benziger Family Winery would have bottles available at a local grocery store. But, as I’ve said in other posts, I’ve learned to search all shelves in the wine aisle — my friends, I’m telling you: gaze your eyes upwards, kneel down towards the floor and you’ll find wine gems like Benziger Family Winery Merlot.

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26
Oct
2016

Three Arches Muns Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

categories: Booze, Wine

As far as California wines go, Pinot Noir is most notably at home in the Sonoma Coast where, even with its varying microclimates, produces Pinots that garner descriptors such as “plush,” “cherry-driven,” “light and bright.” But, alas, we are not in Sonoma any longer, my Totos. We’ve traversed the terrains of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

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