Today I went to Spec's and met of with one of the guys in the wine section.
I had printed out my list of suggestions you guys mentioned. He ran with some your choices, but also made alternate suggestions on the fly. He wasn't baiting and switching, as the price points stay very close.
Below are a list of the wines I bought and some brief info on each one. Over the next couple weeks I give them a try and tell you my thoughts. Just keep in mind my thoughts are uneducated. I'm just going to rate them with the average guy mentality. In other words, is it smooth, and does it give you a good buzz?
Interesting notes: Most of my choices are UNDER $10, but I sampled through the price range up to $30.
The guy at Spec's handed me his card and told me that if I opened any of the bottles and was unhappy, to re-cork it and bring it back and they would replace it with another comparable selection. That's a great policy.
Here are the selections from least to most:
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Winery: Panarroz
Jumilla 2006
Location: Jumilla Region, Spain
Spec's Price: $7.99
The Hype: A blend of 58% Monastrell, 26% Garnacha and 16% Syrah.
Plummy, blackberry aromas, with spicy, peppery notes on the nose. Bold fruit and silky tannins on the palate.
Interesting fact I learned while this wine up:
Jumilla was one of the few places in Europe spared during the Phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800's. Virtually everywhere else on the continent, vineyards were devastated and, to this day, can only be planted when grafted onto American rootstock.
For Jumilla, the key to its vineyards' survival was their sandy soil—which is anathema to the Phylloxera insect. As a glorious consequence, Jumilla not only has some of the oldest vines in the world, but also the largest number of ungrafted vines. Most of these vines are Mourvèdre, or Monastrell as it is locally known, one of the most prized varieties of Mediterranean Europe. And Jumilla's summers boast hot days and cool nights, perfect for ripening grapes, while maintaining acidity.
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Winery: Bogle Vineyards
Petite Sirah 2008
Location: Graton, Calif.
Spec's Price: $8.80
The Hype: Thirty-two years after it was first produced by the Bogle family in 1978, Petite Sirah is today considered Bogle’s “heritage” varietal. Once again the trademark qualities shine through in a wine that is the perfect integration of fruit and oak.
Full-bodied on the entry, aromas of black plum jam and toasty oak set the stage for what is to come. Vibrant boysenberries and luscious fruit are framed by serious tannins, while wisps of leather and vanilla seduce just enough. A final touch of acidity finishes the wine with a precisely balanced mouthfeel.
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Winery: Messina Hof
Cabernet Sauvignon - Barrel Reserve 2008
Location: Bryan, Texas
Spec's Price: $8.94
The Hype: This is a wonderful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with flavors of rich pepper and spice. This wine is a rich, full-bodied red wine with luscious oak and berry flavors. It is the perfect wine for beef, lamb, venison and spicy sauces. It was a gold medal winner at the Tasters Guild International and a champion wine at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
75% Cab / 25% Merlot
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Winery: Llano Estacado
Shiraz - Vintner's Selection 2008
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Spec's Price: $8.99
The Hype: Llano Estacado Winery has produced Shiraz for seven years now. When first released in 2001 it was made entirely from our Texas fruit. In order to meet the overwhelming demand that has developed over the years, we have brought wine in from California (Central Coast AVA0 and Washington State (Columbia Valley AVA) to blend with our Texas Shiraz until further Texas plantings come of age.
Shiraz is a well known variety of the Mediterranean with its history dating back to the south of France where it is known as Syrah.
Llano Shiraz is made in a style that accentuates the berry fruit flavor components that naturally occur in the grape. This style was made popular by the Australian wine industry where it is know as Shiraz. This wine has a lush pallet and is packed with blackberry aromas, rich soft tannins and a smooth finish. This is a perfect wine to pour with your favorite pizza.
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Winery: Santero
Moscato D'Asti 2009
Location: Italy
Spec's Price: $9.99
The Hype: The grapes, picked manually, are immediately pressed and their must, filtered and refrigerated, is conserved at a low temperature until the following fermentation phase, in order to preserve the freshness of its bouquet.
The sparkling process is carried out by using the "Charmat" method at a controlled temperature.
Appearance: More or less intense, straw yellow.
Flavor: Aromatic, delicate and sweet, balanced.
Best served with: Perfect with desserts, especially with pastries.
Interesting Article:
How to Drink Moscatoi
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Winery: Pedroncelli
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel - Mother Clone 2008
Location: Sonoma County, Calif.
Spec's Price: $10.34
The Hype: Purple-red in color, our Mother Clone Zinfandel is full bodied with many classic Dry Creek Valley characteristics: aromas of ripe blackberry and spice, jammy fruit flavors framed with subtle black pepper spice. This is a concentrated wine that offers a great balance of fruit, spice and tannin combined with a long, lush finish. Enjoy now or cellar for three more years.
Technical Information: Composition: 89% Zinfandel 11% Petite Sirah Aging: 11 months in a blend of new French oak and seasoned American Oak.
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Winery: Jean-Louis Trocard
Rose' - Bordeaux
Location: Bordeaux Region, France
Spec's Price: $10.52
The Hype: 30% Merlot / 30% Cabernet Franc / 40% Cabernet Sauvignon
I bought this for a lady friend of mine for the next time she visits. I don't see myself liking this one, but I'll give it a try.
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Winery: Castle Rock
Mendocino County*Pinot Noir 2009
Location: Sonoma, Calif.*
Spec's Price: $11.55
The Hype: This elegant and medium-bodied wine has delicate aromas of violet and rose petals, complex flavors and long silky textures, with layers of strawberry and raspberry leading into a long refined finish.
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Winery: CA' Momi
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Location: Napa Valley, Calif.
Spec's Price: $17.98
The Hype: This wonderfully ripe wine has a rich palate, a complex nose and lots of layers, providing depth and a nice dense color. This Cabernet is softly complex, rich in cassis, cherry, spice, chocolate and oak flavors, anchored with warm earthy tannins - balancing nicely with sweet vanilla and chocolate toasted oak.
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Winery: Viñedos y Bodegas Pablo
Gran Viu Selleccion Cariñena Selección 2002
Location: Cariñena, Spain (near Zaragoza)
Spec's Price: $24.98
The Hype: This wine is from the Cariñena (Spain) region. Very intense cherry color and powerful, complex spicy aromas. The mature fruity flavors, sweet tannins, and balanced acidity lead into the lush powerful finish.
