Dec 02 2008

La Parra Loca (Spain, 2006)

Category: TempranilloEddie @ 6:56 pm
No Bottle Image Available I picked this wine up because I was having blackened salmon for dinner.  I figured a nice Tempranillo would go great with this spicy fish dish.  The wine is actually a blend of Tempranillo and Shiraz.  The label even recommended that it be served with spicy fish dishes.  The label also informed me that I would be tasting intense black fruit flavors and hints of vanilla and spice.  Unfortunately, I did not taste any of these things.  The wine was quite bland but it did hold up well to the spicy fish.  In fact, the only reason it got 1.5 trophies instead of 1 was because it did hold up to the dinner.  The only way I would recommend this wine would be with a meal that was quite hearty, spicy and flavorful.  On its own the flavors were boring and muddled.
$7 from Fresh & Easy
One and a Half Trophies


  • Muddled and indecisive
  • Smooth in the mouth yet harsh when swallowed.
  • Lingering bitter tastes like that of grape seeds
  • On the tip of the tongue it was sweet like blackberries but soured towards the back of the mouth
  • Like going to a nice Spanish restaurant and expecting an exotic and enchanting meal but ending up with fried rice and dried beef.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 2 out of 5)
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Aug 21 2008

Rockcliffe Family Cabernet (Washington, 2006)

Category: CabernetEddie @ 10:10 am
This is a Cabernet from Fresh & Easy.  We picked this up one Saturday night and enjoyed it with bruschetta.
$12 from Fresh & Easy.
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Slight aromas of nutmeg and other Christmas spices.
  • Slight hint of cherry in the taste with holiday spices.
  • A bit tart on the finish…a bit like raspberry
  • This wine really conjured up images and feelings of Christmas….Felt like going home to family after being away for a long time and laughing together around a big Christmas dinner…..of course sine it is the middle of the summer and fond memories are all that are left we no longer remember all the Christmas fights over politics and sports with drunk Uncle “Larry”
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 3 out of 5)
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Jul 29 2008

Gnarly Head Zinfandel (California, 2006)

Category: ZinfandelEddie @ 5:47 pm
Tap We This wine is an old vine Zinfandel from Lodi, California. I picked this up for an end of the summer get together at my condo before heading back to work for the school year.
$10 from Fresh & Easy
Half a Trophy
  • Great aroma in the glass of fresh fruit
  • Heavy, Heavy, Heavy alcohol tastes
  • A bit of spice and oak was noticed after decanting
  • Slight burst of cherry at first but then masked by the overpowering flavor of alcohol.
  • I was all excited about this wine since I was celebrating the end of my summer with friends….Only problem….the wine was not. Drinking this wine was like getting all dressed up and excited for a date you have been waiting for…..only to have the girl call you 15 minutes before you leave to tell you she cannot make it. Huge let down to say the least.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (4 ratings, average: 2.25 out of 5)
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Jul 22 2008

Ambas Malbec (Argentina, 2007)

Category: MalbecMike @ 7:30 am
No Bottle Image Available This wine is a Malbec from Argentina. We picked this up because we saw that it was a fairly new arrival to Fresh & Easy.
$7 from Fresh & Easy
Three and a Half Trophies
  • Aromas of ripe fruit.
  • Masculine notes of leather and spice in the taste.
  • High tannin content makes it a bit harsh in the mouth.
  • Rich and robust tastes of oak and cigar with a lingering finish.
  • This wine is not the like the weight watchers breakfast of fresh fruit and yogurt….this wine is much more like a stick to your ribs country style breakfast of steak and eggs with a side of corn beef hash.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 3 out of 5)
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Jul 16 2008

Torres Coronas Tempranillo (Spain, 2004)

Category: TempranilloMike @ 8:27 am
No Bottle Image Available This is a tempranillo from Spain. This was another of our 4th of July wines that we had that day.
$10 from Fresh and Easy
Four Trophies
  • Aromas of leather with a hint of peppermint behind it
  • Earthy and woody in the initial taste
  • A lot of tannins, even after decanting for 1 hour.
  • Hearty and robust - would be great with a steak.
  • A very intensely masculine wine would be akin to fighting a bull….or running with them…neither is one you would want to do on our own. So to is this wine…it must be paired with a rich and hearty meal in order to be fully enjoyed.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (2 ratings, average: 4 out of 5)
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Jul 04 2008

Georges Deboeuf Beaujolais-Villages (France, 2006)

Category: GamayMike @ 7:02 pm
Georges Deboeuf Beaujolais-Villages This is a Gamay from France.  I picked this up as part of our 4th of July celebration.  I know…I know…why am I buying a French wine to celebrate the birth of America…..well it is in honor of the Marquis De Lafayette who helped our troops overcome the British.  But don’t worry…I also brought some Sam Adams beer to go with the BBQ as well.  Anyways…we enjoyed this as a precursor to our meal with brie cheese and crackers topped with dried cherries.
$8.50 at Fresh & Easy
Four Trophies

  • Fruity aroma with a touch of cinnamon
  • The aroma is very inviting
  • Citrus notes on the initial tasting
  • You must decant this wine for about 45 minutes and it becomes very smooth and mellow
  • Mouth feel is much softer after the decant
  • Flavors of raspberry and strawberry come through at the end
  • I have to admit that I was not to sure about this wine when I bought it.  I was not sure that it would really be as good as it was…kinda like how the British Crown may have underestimated the will of the Revolutionary soldiers.  This wine surprises you with how good it is and you really must try this.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (2 ratings, average: 4 out of 5)
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Jul 03 2008

Duck Pond Pinot Noir (Oregon, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirMike @ 8:52 am
This is a Pinot Noir from Oregon.  I was excited when I saw this wine in Fresh & Easy because I had the 2004 and 2005 vintage about a year ago.  While I would recommend the 2004 vintage over this based on taste alone; you cannot pass this one up because of the price.  Pick this bottle of Oregon Pinot up and give it a try.
$10 from Fresh & Easy
Three Trophies
  • Some strawberry and floral aromas.
  • Quite dry and tannic.
  • The taste was a bit earthy with hints of fresh cut wood.
  • Minor taste of nutmeg at the finish.
  • Very good Pinot for the price…Much like like picking up a filet mignon that has been marked down at half price.  It just seems to taste so much better because you know the price you paid.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 4 out of 5)
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Jun 27 2008

Pine & Post Merlot (Washington, 2006)

Category: Merlot, ShirazMike @ 6:51 pm
No Bottle Image Available This wine is a Merlot from Washington. We each had this wine on separate occasions and we both liked it a lot. I had mine with some friends from our condo while we had cigars and all my friends really liked it as did I.  That being said…..the second time I had this wine was tonight and for some reason it did not appeal to us as much as it did before.  It was much to light to go with the meal we had and found it was easily overpowered.
$7 from Fresh & Easy
Two and a Half Trophies


  • Very light and subtle aromas of fruit.
  • Bold cherry off the start, but disappears quickly.
  • Light plumb tastes in the finish.
  • Overall mouth feel is very light and watery.
  • A bit mundane overall but not a bad wine for sharing with friends on a summer day. It is kinda like going to the movies with your sister….sure you may have a good time with her and enjoy the show but it still is a movie with your sibling.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 3 out of 5)
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Apr 12 2008

The Sonoma Trail Pinot Noir (California, 2006)

Category: Pinot NoirEddie @ 10:57 am
No Bottle Image Available This is a Pinot Noir from Sonoma California.
$10 from Fresh & Easy
Four Trophies
  • Hints of bright raspberry in the aroma.
  • The smell is very inviting, this wine can be easily be enjoyed on it’s own.
  • Immediately this wine is light and fresh yet full of flavor.
  • Strong smooth finish.
  • A very solid Pinot for the price. Pick it up if you see it.
  • This wine is like a surprise visit from an old friend. It’s comfortable and familiar, but you always learn something new every time.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 5 out of 5)
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Apr 07 2008

Recoleta Blend (Argentina, 2007)

Category: BlendMike @ 6:43 am
No Bottle Image Available This is a Malbec Bonarda Blend from Argentina.
$5 from Fresh & Easy
Two and a Half Trophies
  • Very light scents of fruit with a predominant alcohol smell
  • Strong tastes of blackberry at first
  • Hints of pipe tobacco follow the fruit
  • A lot of body but the flavors are not defined….they tend to meld together
  • A bit unrefined and boisterous….like the obnoxious friend everyone has in their circle… You can handle him in small doses and you don’t really hate him….you just need to limit your time with him before he becomes a little too much.
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1 Trophy2 Trophies3 Trophies4 Trophies5 Trophies   (1 ratings, average: 2 out of 5)
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