What Possessed Us To Drink Wine?
We were in Napa so that was our job. We stopped in Calistoga at a great little wine shop called “The Wine Garage.” They have kinds of cool wines you’ve never heard of. All of their wines are less than $25 and when they are out, they are out! We were destined to pick a wine.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
Not much. It did not feel like it needed to tell us what to experience in wine taste or to tell us what we should drink with it. It is a California Red Wine. It is named after the route in France that connects the Northern and Southern Rhone Valleys. So you can guess that it is going to be a Rhone blend. And so it was.

What’s So Great About It?
David thought it was very smooth, not too oak-y and that it had a long finish and was slightly jammy. He thought he smelled orange marmalade on the nose, but what does he know. I thought it had that delicious French blend smell and that it tasted just like Napa today. This was my favorite wine of the week. Well, maybe.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
Good Luck finding this wine. I can’t even find it on their website! I swear it exists somewhere because I drank it! Maybe you can try one of the others they make. Here is their site http://www.enowines.com/wines/

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
We keep missing Big Bang Theory while in Napa which is obviously a big mistake.
Napa has made David a “blend” fan.
Is anyone on Twitter talking about David? Because whatever!!!

What Possessed Us To Drink Wine?
We were in Napa. One is required to drink wine. Really, if you drink beer, you are out of here. Don’t even ask about Vodka.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
It’s from Caneros. I spent much time driving in this area today. There are lots of grapevines. I’m thinking it’s a good place. They say they grow this on a hilltop and mention Napa. That’s because the Carneros Appellation is multi-county and is both in Napa and Sonoma Valley. (useless wine trivia from Wine School) The descriptors they use: Strawberry, cherry, allspice, caramel, toasty oak.

What’s So Great About It?
Just smells incredible! David thought it had a big oak nose and smooth finish. It was a beautiful color and like all Pinot Noir would go well with food.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/product/11044678/2007-Artesa-Pinot-Noir-Carneros

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
Whitney Houston. Too young.
People who choose to hide away their whole lives

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
It was the night before wine school and all through the house…. Actually I was pretty sure that we would NOT be tasting much if any Malbec at the Wine and Food Pairing Intensive class I was taking, so I had to get my Malbec in before it started. Not that you can’t pair Malbec with food, but it would have to be on the heavy side.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
Mendoza is always a good word and one I would use if I owned a vineyard there! They talk about the dreams of the winemaker and his aspirations to make great wine and impact his employees and his community for good. Their motto: “Built on dreams of individuals not institutions.” Part of the proceeds of the wine sales go to a scholarship foundation that provides education to the families of the winery workers. There is no description of what you might taste, but I already like this guy and want to drink his wine!!

What’s So Great About It?
David thought it was a Big Malbec with raspberry, jam and oak. He said it made him want to eat a fat grilled steak with a spicy sauce. He thought the wine could stand up to it. I got oak and spice with a long finish. Very nice!

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinon:
http://www.vineconnections.com/viewproduct.php?c=1&pid=244

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
Will this week be more of Wine School or Food School?
Do European wines pair with food better than American?
Downtown Denver is just mostly all around wonderful.

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
We do not have Trader Joes in Colorado. Many speculate on the reason for this, but I have friends in high places. Gayle often visits California and when she found out that I was going to a high-falutin’ wine school, insisted that I have a bottle of Charles Shaw Merlot. Known to most as 2 Buck Chuck, I needed to evaluate it with all my advanced learning.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
The label does not disclose much. It does not mention what you might taste in the wine, notes you might pick up. It does mention that it is cellared and bottled by Charles Shaw Winery in Napa and Sonoma Valley. You don’t have to say all that much if you mention Napa and Sonoma. Did the grapes come from Napa and Sonoma or did they bottle it there? Or what?

What’s So Great About It?
Right off smelled oak-y. David really kept mentioning that he smelled something citrus-y He did say it did not taste like dirt, which he thinks most Merlot does. He did say that it was the best $2 wine EVER. We make our own wine and it is not brilliant and costs more than $2. I thought it tasted somewhat like home. Not exotic, but what I want to drink with food on a Tuesday night.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://www.cheapwinereviews.com/charles-shaw-two-buck-chuck-cabernet

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
Those who craft and build IEDs might need to leave the planet
What to sell in the Fish the Baja store?

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
It was just a Wednesday night. We were making dinner and headed down to the cellar to find a wine. Pinot Noir just sounded perfect immediately. There was going to be cheese.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
It’s from California and when it says that now, 100% of the grapes must come from California. No Colorado grapes sneaking in there. On the back it signifies Sonoma County and talks about the climate and soil being excellent for the grape. They use the words; elegant, silky, cherry, tea, herbal spice, black cherry, plum and spice. They recommend lamb, veal, salmon and light pasta dishes.

What’s So Great About It?
David thought it smelled like cucumber, which I think is NOT a wine word, but it’s his palate. He thought it had a long finish and made it think of tobacco. I thought it smelled delightful, tasted a little like smoke in my mouth and I couldn’t wait to stuff cheese in there with the wine!! Yum.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://cheapwineratings.com/2007/10/06/castle-rock-sonoma-county-pinot-noir/

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
What happens in Vegas really doesn’t stay in Vegas, especially not the calories.
France, do we want to retire there? (for wine)

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
It was a Friday night. There was pizza. David thinks that pizza means wine. His mother used to think that you must have beer with pizza. It’s a family thing.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
It points out in the name that it is “old patch” and goes on to say that it is Lot #32. Does that just make it sound romantically linked to the ground or do I have a way of looking on Google Earth and seeing Lot #32? Or is this their 32nd try this year or their 32nd year?They also mention North Coast, and the winery is located in Geyserville, CA. They list the 2010 blend which is 54% Zinfandel, 11% Carignane, 4% Tempranillo, and to explain why I loved this wine: 31% Petite Sirah! (my new love) We tasted this wine before I read the back, but reading Petite Sirah explained a lot to me. They use descriptors: jammy, berry, black cherries, plums, peppery and spicy.

What’s So Great About It?
David thought big oak on nose and a little tobacco on the long smooth finish. He said he will definitely be drinking this again. My first impression was of chocolate. I don’t know why, but it reminded me of some kind of candy. I was in love with it immediately.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
This is not the same year but best I could find!
http://spiritofwine.blogspot.com/2011/03/spirit-of-wine-review-rating-trentadue.html

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
So you want to start a winery?
Drink Petite Sirah quickly, but why wouldn’t you
Navy Seals: a breed apart

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
Friends we moved to Hong Kong back in Colorado for Christmas. They had wild stories to tell of weird exotic things that they have seen and eaten in Asia. We had a wine with a weird exotic name and riveting monkey picture. It was a perfect match.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
Not much. This wine is made by The Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery in Denver, CO. It has a very scientific looking emblem on the front with their signature monkey. The Blind Watchmaker is a blend and we visited their winery and I believe I recall that the guide told us what the blend was, but I forgot. The bottle does not say and I can’t find it on their website. While the info on the bottle is scarce, the bottle itself is quite lovely.

What’s So Great About It?
Jess said smooth. David thought it complex. He got a wisp of several flavors he couldn’t pin down and thought it rich with a long smooth finish. I thought it was fabulous with the cheese we were eating.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
I could find no review for this wine online, so I am just linking to this Westword article that talks about Infinite Monkey Theorem because it is so enjoyable to read!! And good for Colorado!!
http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2011/02/the_infinite_monkey_theorem_winery_gets_major_love_from_wine_spectator.php

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
There are 80,000 people in one square block in Hong Kong
Jan and Bob have no favorite restaurant in Hong Kong

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
My big wine exam was about to happen and I was baking cookies with which to bribe my wine teacher who said while he accepts bribes, they may or may not have anything to do with my grade. Considering that one of my answers to memorize was Leuconostoc-oenos, I figured I would take the chance. We opened a merlot because it seemed to go with the red jam in the cookies.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
Right on the front it says Lodi, which I would advertise, too. They have a story on the back that talks about how 181 refers to the “most coveted Merlot vine stock in Bordeaux, France.” They explain that the vines do well in the “red soils and cobblestones” in their vineyard. They use the descriptors: tannins, black cherry and spice. They recommend “roast beef, lamb, hearty sauces, rich cheese and chocolate.”

What’s So Great About It?
David says jammy fruit, citrus bouquet. He liked the slight oak, the non-bitterness and the long smooth finish. He often thinks Merlot tastes a little like dirt, but detected none in this wine. I thought it was be great with food, possibly Cream Cheese Cookies.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://cheapwineratings.com/2011/04/11/181-merlot-dg/

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
What will be the next hot new South American grape?
Chateau Lafite is sold in Walmart in China.
Hey, did I see wine in a Target in Colorado?

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
Here’s a picture of my black heart. We went to TWO Christmas open houses- wine at each. I drank nothing because I knew that this bottle of wine was waiting at my house! I did bring wine to one of these parties, but not this wine. I saved it for me. I mean, us. Kind of.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
It’s from Lake County in California and I have actually stayed in that county while David was fishing. There is a map on the back that shows its proximity to Napa. I would advertise this if it were I! There is a LOT of information on the bottle about the history of the winery, Lillie Langtry once owned it. They mention the warm days and cool nights. They also tell us that this wine was aged in both American and French Oak and uses the words, blackberry, plum, violets and roses. They say it is “full-bodied with a velvety smoothness in the mouth and a long peppery finish.” They do not lie.

What’s So Great About It?
I could not get David to stop talking about it. Really, I have to edit his comments. He thought it was big from the first sip, almost tart and you might expect a bitter finish, but was, in fact, smooth. He thought jammy and marmalade and woody. He remarked that the color in the glass was so beautiful that he couldn’t wait to try it. He loved the aroma and thought he smelled something citrus on the bouquet. I thought I smelled some kind of sugar or sweetness on the bouquet. I REALLY loved the wine.

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://www.wine.com/V6/Guenoc-California-Petite-Sirah-2009/wine/108159/detail.aspx

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
Yoga instructor at the party creeped David out
I want my own spot on the couch like Sheldon has
The color of Petite Sirah deserves poetry to be written in its honor

What Possessed Us To Open Wine?
Favorite friends coming over so we had to open a bottle of my new favorite grape. Plus, decanting a Petite Sirah is just so beautiful due to the intense color.

What Did The Label Want Us To Know?
Bogle doesn’t give a lot of information on it’s labels as to what you should taste or what you should eat with their wine. This label only mentions that it’s from California and that they “hold high regard for the mindful tending of the soil and the exacting knowledge of the cellar.” Sounds kind of wistful.

What’s So Great About It?
Pam thought it was good but not heavy. Amy loves Petite Sirah. David loved the color and waxed on and on about the deep purple. He liked the aroma and thought it was smooth with a long finish. This was the first Petite Sirah (not this bottle) that I ever tasted and it is where I fell in love with the darkness of the grape!

Someone Else’s More Qualified Opinion:
http://vinvenio.blogspot.com/2007/04/2004-bogle-petite-sirah.html

Conversation This Wine Engendered:
How many surgeries can one family live through in a year?
Art verses Science…in wine and other areas
Living in the city or living in the country or living in Mexico or living in Europe?