Happy Hour Mary

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
We looked through our collection of wine we had on hand in Mexico and the word “Carmenere” just screamed out at us and we were forced to open it. I can’t be any more truthful about the situation than that.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
From Chile. Carmenere is kind of the grape of Chile. There was not much else and the label was in Spanish, so it was obviously not slanted toward a market in the States. They did not feel the need to explain their wine which makes me think that they thought I was smart enough to make up my own mind.

What’s So Great About It?
Smelled kind of like green onion. Tasted deep and bold and like oak and kind of like grape jam. It was EXCELLENT with bacon.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://wine.about.com/od/redwines/tp/Carmenere.htm

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
YouTube revolution!
How are fishing and music alike?

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
We have been drinking a lot of wine from Argentina, Chile and even Spain down in Cabo. It’s easy to find. It was time to try another wine made in Mexico, our host country. And we drove right by the vineyards of L. A. Cetto (this wine’s maker) on our way down. Next time we will make time to stop and touch the grapes!

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
It’s in Spanish, which is only right, and I typed it into Google Translate. It talks about the unique personality of the wine and that the Sierra Blanca mountains are standing watch over the wine makers. Romantic like Mexico!

What’s So Great About It?
My favorite wine from Mexico yet. Smelled like burnt wood, spicy with jammy blackberry. Peppery with some long finish. Made David want to grill something.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
I couldn’t find a review of this wine anywhere so here is the website of the producer. Nice website.
http://cettowines.com/ensenada-cava-wineries/ensenada-wine-winery-history.html

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
How does one fish when they are old?
The never ending question of where to eat next in Cabo- not running out of restaurant choices.

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
I need a Zin. I mean I NEED!!! a Zin!!!!!!!! Zinfandel is VERY hard to find in Cabo. There have been a few, but nothing that tastes anything near to Lodi. When I am in Colorado I drink a LOT of Zin. Who knew that this 3 month experiment would be like Lent as far as Zinfandel is concerned. Costco to the rescue?

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
It says right there “Sonoma” so I was relieved and almost cried in the wine aisle. I was concerned that it was the Costco name brand, but I had just read a review on one of their wines and they said it was pretty good. I cradled the bottle to the register where it became mine. The alcohol content is 15.3% Not sure I have EVER seen one that high. It says that the Zin comes from “a collection of archival vineyards” and that the average age of the vines is 45 years. They use the words: deep red-purple fruit, blackberry, cassis, blueberry and chocolate. Also vanilla and spice. The label mentioned a “drink by” date which I think is a excellent idea and should be enacted everywhere for all of us who are too lazy to figure this out by ourselves!

What’s So Great About It?
We thought it was jammy with a full-bodied grapey finish. We did pick up the oak and vanilla. It had a nice cranberry color. David wanted to eat BBQ ribs with it immediately. It was the best Zinfandel I have had down here (maybe one of 3) and it is certainly a good wine, but it was only halfway to what I can get at home!!

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://costcowineblog.com/2013/03/12/2010-kirkland-signature-sonoma-old-vine-zinfandel.aspx

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
The deep conversation of those in Cabo on Spring Break
Justice meaning the equaling of wrongs by rights

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
Tiny porch in Cabo wanted us to sit out there and have dinner. The patio also thought we should bring wine.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
South of France. I guessed Lang and I was right. Cute picture of a Chateaux with trees. It actually says it’s a Syrah, which must be a marketing ploy. This is all we need to know

What’s So Great About It?
Quote from David: “Just the beautiful purple dark color makes you want to drink it immediately!” He smelled green pepper and it went well with Italian red sauce.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-290005-0001-domaine-de-la-baume-la-jeunesse-syrah-vin-de-pays-d-oc-france

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
Things with rudders that David can invent and how this proves his excellent talents
Square feet and relative size

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
It’s not that we haven’t been drinking wine in Cabo, but because we are staying for 3 months, we have been busy buying stuff we need to make life fun here. And trying to figure out how and where to buy food, such as Baking Chocolate because for some reason that is almost NOWHERE. It was time for wine!

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
This is a French wine from Cahors, the original Malbec area. It says right on the front that it is a Malbec, which is not the original French way. Most of their wines do not mention the grape, as you are supposed to be familiar with the appellation and already know that, you stupid American. Alas, these people were so nice to just tell us outright what to expect. This family has been producing this wine since the 18th century. It is 100% Malbec and they use the words: red fruits, black cherries, violets, liquorice.

What’s So Great About It?
So the thing about Cabo is that they have some great wines that are expensive and they have some cheap wines that are really really mediocre. (and by that I mean almost tasteless) They don’t have much in the middle. This was a medium priced wine that was GREAT. We have been drinking red stuff with no terroir, no real wine smell for days and then we opened this and wow! Yummy. Like real wine. We got oak, leather and a very long smooth finish.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://buyingguide.winemag.com/catalog/chateau-dourbenac-2006-malbec-cahors

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
Proper Facebook etiquette and how NOT to piss off your friends
Baking Chocolate and why it is absent from Cabo

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
I have been saving this wine because the label is so cute and the reference to Chateauneuf-du-Pape is just hysterical. Plus big night because it was the last big dinner with our daughter and her boyfriend before we leave for Cabo. The fun part is that every time we go to Cabo, Jessica breaks up with whatever guy she is dating, so this was our “goodbye” dinner. We will know he is a keeper if he survives this trip!!

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
A really CUTE label! Produit de France. The cat sits on the egg, which does not mean that the wine tastes like either cat or egg. It’s old vine Grenache and Syrah. They use the words, rich, juicy, ripe berry, twist of spice. They recommend hearty meat dishes, cheeses or just drink it!

What’s So Great About It?
Green and almond smell. Smooth. Tasted a little like almonds and cherry.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://www.wine-searcher.com/wine-106843-0001-boutinot-chat-en-oeuf-rouge-vin-de-pays-d-oc-france

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
Working in the Army
How much will the dog miss us while we are in Mexico

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
Last dinner with friends before we leave for Mexico. Mexico was conquered by Spain. Garnacha is a Spanish grape. See that all makes sense.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
It’s old vines- vineyards planted up to 100 years ago. It’s 100 garnacha. They explain that you need to extract the cork, pour it in a glass and drink it, but the glass part is optional!! I like them already.

What’s So Great About It?
We all loved the smell. It tasted fruity and clean. It was spicy like the Spanish people!

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/product/11300030/2011-Altovinum-Evodia-Old-Vine-Garnacha-Calatayud

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
Self publishing. Why and why not?
Everyone we know needs to move to Cabo