Irony Pinot Noir

Another Pinot Noir. I picked up this one at Simply Wine on sale for $10.99, so slightly above my threshold, but still affordable. A quick search on wine.com shows a botte consistently around $13.99, so this is definitely on my splurge list.

My first impressions of this wine were: Spicy, smooth, strong.  The color was a ruby red.  I enjoyed this Pinot, especially with our spicy chimichangas.  The smooth wine blended with with the acidity, spicy flavor of the meal.

I would like to try the other grape varieties of the Irony, which includes a Cab, a Chard, and a Merlot.  I think getting a Cab and letting it sit for a while would be a very special treat in a few years.

 

 

Bogle Pinot Noir

For my first entry, I wanted something somewhat familiar, but new.  I recently opened a 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon from Bogle, which I really enjoyed.  I obtained that one as part of a wine club with Simply Wine.  So, as I wandered the wine selection at Wal-Mart (obviously, I do not care where I purchase wine if I'm looking for something under $10), the Bogle Pinot Noir jumped out at me.  The other Bogle's were slightly over $10 ($10.95-$12), but this one fit the bill at $8.95.

I do not typically like my reds this "young."  It seems to me, the reds need to spend more time aging.  I think this one would have been better with a few more years, however, I did enjoy it.  Smooth and silky, a slight floral smell was the first thing I noticed.  The color was a deep opaque red.

This was an enjoyable Friday evening wine, and went along wonderfully with the pizza and movie night.  [I'm still working on my rating system.]

Winemaker's notes: 

For our 2010 Pinot Noir, Bogle winemakers have again sourced fruit from the best growing regions in California for the varietal. The terriors of the cool Russian River Valley, coastal Monterey hills and the unique Clarksburg Delta all grow fruit of character and distinction. Combined, the resulting wine is nuanced, elegant and classically Pinot Noir. Deeply garnet in color, radiant floral notes perfume the nose, leaving quite a first impression. Silky and smooth on the palate, the wine resonates with wild raspberries and rustic mint. Bright berry and cola tones trip alongside subtle lavender and vanilla, left behind by the impression of our French and American oak barrels. The delicate tannins create a refined, yet lingering finish.

My First Shiraz

Way back in my single days, I worked for United Airlines. The best part was, of course, the travel benefits. At the time you paid a small fee to travel anywhere United went. The majority of my travels were to visit family (I was pretty deep in debt), but I did take a few fun trips and one overseas trip to visit my friend Stan who was studying law in Sydney, Australia in the year 2000. I spent 8 fun filled days, soaking up the southern hemisphere sun. I spent a lot of time sight seeing, but one day Stan and I took a wine tasting trip to Hunter Valley. I don't remember much of where we went but one of the wineries was Rosemount Estates where I tasted my first Shiraz. I loved the buttery texture, the slightly peppery taste. I decided this was the one bottle for me to take home with me -- I only had 1 carry on and barely room for my clothes much less a bottle of wine. I also worried about the bottle breaking but figured one bottle would be fine. Upon my return to the States I guarded to bottle selfishly, waiting for the right time to open it. I finally opened it later that summer at my uncle's home at a Labor Day bbq. We all really enjoyed it. It couldn't have been long after that I discovered it sold in grocery stores! I don't remember when that was, but I do still like to pick up a bottle from time to time. I found it at Target for $6.99 this last time. It's been awhile since I've had the Shiraz. I also enjoy their red blends. Enjoying that Shiraz reminded me of my trip and made me long for a trip back. Someday ...

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