Windmill Old Vine Zinfandel

It's been a while since I've had any Zinfandel. I forgot how much I like it. It's a varietal that lends itself to a nickname (Zin), because it's friendly and accessable. It's the "Bob" of wines. Everyone knows and likes a Bob. In fact, I have TWO uncles named Bob, and I like them both very well.

This vine looks like it will
eat your soul. Badass.

The Zin I had the pleaseure of making the acquaintence of this week was Windmill Old Vine Zinfandel. Before I get to the tasting, here's an interesting tidbit for you: "Old Vine" is a term used with grapes that are, quite simply, grown on an old vine. Grape vines can live and produce fruit upward of 120 YEARS. As they age, however, they produce smaller and smaller crops. So the thinking is, the smaller the yield, the better the wine. I don't know if that's true or not, but it's interesting to consider. Google My research concludes the oldest known grape-producing vine has been used to make wine since the 1600's. Ho. Ly. BALLS.

A bottle of yum!

But, I digress...
Last night, to celebrate getting the little one to bed in record time (asleep by 8:15!) and irritating the crap out of someone whom I loathe, I poured myself a small glass of Windmill Old Vine Zin. Ahh, what a way to end an evening.

Because I like to pretend I know what I'm doing, I started off my wine tasting experience with a deep inhale. The scent was rich and earthy, like moist, picnic dirt (just play along with me, ok?), and the wine itself looked heavy, a stick-to-you-glass sort of red.

The sip was a powerful experience, perhaps because I don't get to drink wine much anymore, or maybe just because it's a powerful wine. Heavy on the berry flavor, slightly sweet-- or maybe not precisely sweet, but JUICY-- and with a hint of velvety chocolate and fresh cut wood. Yup, I said it. Wood.

Because I can't talk about Windmills
without thinking of this...

Windmill Old Vine Zin is a nice sipper, and was a great way for me to wind down after a long day while enjoying some Thursday night TV. If you prefer to hang with your friend Windmill Zin at a meal, you could do a lot worse than pairing it with something cheesy, like alfredo, or even just a straight up cheese platter (cheese platter is TOTALLY a meal). Windmill would also be good with pulled pork or other assorted barbeque goodies.


Price: $

My Rating: A

Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio

I can't put my arms down!

I'm not usually the sort of person to state/complain about the obvious, but damn it's cold! I'm wearing three shirts, two pairs of pants, and the fluffiest socks available this side of my pajamas, and I *STILL* can't feel my fingers (note to self: put on hobo gloves). So logically, I'm going to blog about a wine best served chilled. Because I enjoy frostbite. Don't you?



In my mind, persnickety people all have
 fancy moustaches for some reason...

Pinot Grigio is the sort of wine that people get all persnickety about, and I'm not 100% sure why. I mean, Santa Margherita is good and all, but it's a little pricey, and you can get a Pinot Grigio that's just as nice for much less. Enter Santa Cristina. At something like half the price, Santa Cristina is a similarly dry-yet-fruity white that goes great with a variety of dishes.


Best lightly chilled, you'll first notice its light straw color and fresh scent. The sip is best defined as crisp and full--I know, I know, "crisp" is a vague-ish wine term that doesn't necessarily carry any real-life applicability (don't even get me started on "full"), so I'll just tell that you once you sip, you'll want to click your tongue and say "Ahhhh!" You'll notice a burst of light citrus, and maybe even some pineapple that lasts through the sip and well after.

Or, you know, with a hot pocket...

Pair this one with crab cakes, light pasta/seafood dishes, or with appetizers at your low-key dinner party. I'm thinking a smoked meat and cheese platter, and maybe some spinach and artichoke dip. With pita chips, not tortillas. 'Cause we're classy like that.


Price: $


My Rating: B+

Silver Palm Cabernet

Well it's official...I no longer have the time and wherewithal to plan out what I'm tasting ahead of time. My days are consumed by work, and my evenings by playing games like "super baby" and "got yer nose". I mean, with a schedule like that, who has time to sit around and drink wine?
God, THAT'S sort of depressing...
OKAY...New Year's Resolution time: In 2014, I resolve to take one night a week, sip a glass of something-or-other, and then faithfully write about it here, along with whatever other silliness enters my head whilst I'm in front of the computer. Starting...now!



I'm also a fan of THESE
California reds...

This week at PWC we're tasting some California reds (that's tonight from 4-7 if you want to stop by). And while that's sort of vague, it does make me reminisce about many of my favorite wines from days gone by...two immediately came to mind, but in the interest of your pocket book I'm going to write about the least expensive of the two: Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon.

California reds, and Cabernets in particular, are-- at least in my opinion-- sturdy and reliable. You can count on the "nicer*" ones to provide a robust complexity, and a dryness that doesn't obliterate the flavor.

the best kind of shiny.

What drew me at first to the Silver Palm was my habit of judging a book by it's cover. The label is unique, and well, really just gorgeous. I mean, look at it!

The wine itself is pretty, too. It's a deep ruby in color, and has that stick-to-the-glass quality that makes it really fun to swish around-- this also helps open it up.

Unlike some Cabs, Silver Palm isn't a dry, punch-you-in-the-face sort of wine. Rather it has a pretty strong smack of cherry and vanilla flavors, with a hint of menthol-y smoke hiding in there too. While this isn't what you'd necessarily expect when you go in for the sip, it's a pleasant effect. Smooth and satiny, the Silver Palm Cab is superb for sipping, and really nice with a meal. My choice? Steak gorgonzola, garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled asparagus. If you decide to make this, you better save me a seat!

Price: $$

My Rating: A+


*not to be confused with "more expensive"...the two aren't mutually exclusive.
 

And Where the Bleep Have YOU Been?!?!?!

Well hello there! Good lord, it's closing in on a year since my last post. Perhaps you're wondering what happened to me, your friend and confidante the Casual Wine Taster. Well...I got caught up in some stuff...and came out the other side with this adorable baby!

 

Behold: cuteness.

So, as you can imagine, my foray into wine tasting had to be put on hold for a while. But I'm back (!!) with a delicious red to tell you about...

and there was much rejoicing...YAY!

Named after me, this fantabulous blend is known as Troublemaker (kidding...that's just a coincidence). Now, regular readers (if you're still out there) might recollect that I am generally a fan of red blends. Most are heavy on the Zin, and tend to embody everything that I think makes a red wine delish: they're juicy, layered, rich, and great with food. 

Troublemaker is no different. A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre,and Zinfandel, it has a slightly earthy scent, and tastes fruity and floral with perhaps the slightest hint of smoked vanilla (that's a thing, right?). Hope Family Wines (the wonderful folks who brought Troublemaker to life) craft each batch from a variety of vintages and varietals. Each version of the blend is a little different, so the flavors and aromas can vary, but in a "delightful surprise" kind of way. 

It's good to drink just as soon as you pop the cork, but I say give it just a few minutes to breathe. You won't be sorry. Troublemaker is great as a sipper, or to go with your Burger or Pizza Night.

Price: $$

My Rating: A

Enza Prosecco

I'm back! Did you miss me? Or rather: did you notice that I didn't publish a blog last week? Well if you didn't, shame on you, 'cause I noticed, and I missed me, damnit! And I think this is a good time to announce that, due to my ever-changing schedule, I'm going to move my blogging adventures to Wednesdays at whatever-time-I-get-around-to-it. I hope you find these changes agreeable. :)

We're SUPER excited!

This week, in preparation for Valentine's Day, I'm presenting to you with a nice bubbly that you just might wanna include in the romantic evening I'm sure you have planned for next Thursday: Enza Prosecco. On V Day, I myself will be schlepping it to Personal Wine Cellar, where we'll be having a totally free, baller tasting event from 5:00-7:30. So if you're really into Valentine's Day, come share some wine and goodies with your special someone. If you hate Valentine's Day...just come have a drink and eat some chocolate; you'll feel better for it. The point is: you should come!

Anyway, back to the Enza: if you are even an occasional reader of the CWT blog, you probably know that I am a fan of Prosecco-- particularly Riondo Prosecco. The Enza is a little different, but still a nice wine. It's clean and clear, with no obvious scents or flavors when you first smell and taste it, and nothing that lingers long after your sip. For this reason, it's good with a meal. Or chocolates. Or chocolates as a meal.

The Enza is "off-brut"-- not entirely dry, but not super sweet either. This is a small bubble sparkler with a thick head, so if you or your honey are predominately beer drinkers, this is a good sparkling wine to start out with. Light, crisp and refreshing, this wine is best served cold and would feel right at home with you soaking up sun at the beach. With a forecast of a foot of snow predicted for this weekend, I kinda wish the beach was where I was headed. I guess one can dream...

Yep, there. 

Price: $

My Rating: B

Hob Nob Wicked Red 2011

You may think that here on the CWT blog, I choose wines solely because I want to try/drink them. This is only partially true. I mean yeah, I have a say in what gets tasted, but I also consider other things when choosing a wine, like the time of year and what holidays/events are coming up. You want proof? This week I'm NOT reviewing a Spanish red. SO THERE. Instead, I'll tell you about a red blend from France that will be GREAT with your Superbowl party appetizers: Hob Nob Wicked Red!

I've had some of Hob Nob's other wines, and have been quite fond of them. Why, just last week I recommended their Pinot Noir to someone (yummy!). But I've never tried their blend before, and I was excited because, as a whole, I tend to really enjoy red blends (cue: Apothic, Menage a Trois, and Cupcake's Red Velvet).

This one has some serious color to it in the glass. It looks and smells intense, with a deep, mulchy, autumnal scent to it. This is true of the flavor as well. Unlike California blends, this one's not Zin based, so it doesn't have a whole lot of berry bursting on your tongue. Rather it's very earthy, with a warmth in the sip like pepper or cinnamon, without precisely having that flavor.This is a young wine that needs a bit to open, so let it air or give it a good swish in the glass before your drink. 

For the uninitiated, this is a chicken,
stuffed in a duck, stuffed in a turkey,
with stuffing. Boo-yeah!

The Hob Nob Wicked Red is wicked awesome (heehee) paired with salty foods like cheeses-- in fact, any apps would be a yummy addition (hence the recommendation to class up yer Superbowl party with a bottle). If you'd rather pair it with a meal, let me suggest steak, lamb or my Superbowl Sunday favorite: Turducken. Not even joking a little bit.

Price: $

My Rating: B

Canta Perdices Tempranillo 2008

*What??? It's cute and it took a long time to put up!

Well the Holidays are For-Real over now. Come on, it's mid-January, people! Time to return everything that doesn't fit, get creative with leftovers, and take down the lights... * note to self.

Did you make any resolutions for 2013? I did. I resolved not to make any resolutions. And as such...I'm not up to branching out the CWT blog at the moment, and I'm gonna go right back to the Spanish Reds that I so adore-- don't worry, it can't last forever. But for today, it's Canta Perdices 2008 Tempranillo.




In Spanish, Canta Perdices means "the little bird (or more specifically, the partridge) sings." It's a cute little name for a wine, and the bottle is reflective of it, with its row of music-note birds right on the label.

And, as the label suggests, this wine does indeed sing. Bold in the glass, the Canta Perdices is a deep inky purple. You'll notice some interesting smells, wood smoke, licorice, and dark fruits-- perhaps cherry, as the bottle suggests.The flavor is powerful, with a noticable bite of tannic acid that lingers long after the sip.

Singing birds with my wings!

This wine is definitely not what I would consider a "sipper"-- one to curl up on the couch with while you watch Masterpiece Theater. Nopers, this one's best with food. Bar food even. Meat and cheese platters are a good go to for the Canta Perdices, so you might want to serve it with appetizers. And a good tip from our friend and PWC employee Ben is that the acid in the wine is tempered nicely by BBQ wings. Yum! I think I know what I am doing for dinner.

Price: $

My Rating: B+