Wine Suggestions?

[Dad]

Originally Posted by ExNavyInHouston

Winery: Pedroncelli
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel - Mother Clone 2008
Location: Sonoma County, Calif.
Spec's Price: $10.34

If you're a True Blood fan then you will get the reference- this the real deal.

I don't think anyone would be offended by this wine. Very nice!

I promise I'm writing this on the first glass

Zinfandel?

I don't think Silver Oak, Opus One, etc., is for you!

I can suggest some good champagnes!

[ExNavyInHouston]

Come on Dad, at least it wasn't a White Zinfandel.

[Jusanotherdude]

Originally Posted by Dad

Zinfandel?

I don't think Silver Oak, Opus One, etc., is for you!

I can suggest some good champagnes!

Lmao!! yeah..... Opus One, Silver Oak and Caymus may be setting the bar just a bit high then, huh Dad?


JaD

[Mourvèdre]

I read through this thread yesterday and realized it had been too long since I'd visited the downtown Spec's for a little fix. That has since been remedied so I'll go ahead and throw in my 2 cents here with some "recs".

I'm currently drinking a Spaniard "mutt" called Mestizaje (proprietary name) from the Mustiguillo Bodega. It's a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon (hence, mutt). It was recommended by one of the floor guys I know (I know most of them) and can be found around mid section of the Spanish aisle. As one could expect from the varietals, it's a bit of a bomb in nature, but I wanted something to go with a heavy Italian Sausage sauce I'd made and it fit the bill. It's a nice combo of red and dark fruits with a hell of a finish. Elegant it ain't, but it was (and still is) a great bargain at $14.00.

A few other Spaniards + I'd recommend:

Muga Rioja 2005 - $21.00 Good example of an unfiltered Rioja; slightly blended.

Muga Blanco - $14.00

Las Rocas Garnacha Vinas Viejas 2007 - $16.00 Interesting little Garnacha for its extreme peppery notes that highlight the medium dark fruit quite nicely.

Numanthia Termes 2007 - $27.00 This Toro admittedly needs more time in the bottle to mellow, but it's a fun thing to see just how heavy a Tempranillo can get from the right region. This is pretty monstrous (though I admittedly haven't had this particular vintage yet).

Nora Albarino - $15.00

Keenan Merlot 2006 - $29.00 This is an excellent example of some Napa, Merlot magic with a splash of Cab Franc thrown in for good measure. This is truly mouthwatering fruit for a very reasonable price.

A couple of "off the beaten path" dessert wines, both at the end of the dessert aisle towards the front of the store:

Chambers Muscadelle (Australia) - $15.00 Delicious toffee/almond notes in this one. If you ever get real adventurous, try the Chambers Rare Muscadelle. It's just a bit more expensive at around $280.00 or so (and I'm not sure if Spec's even carries that one).

Chamarre 2003 Juracon (France) - $11.00 Wonderful tropical notes in this inexpensive, yet somewhat exotic "Frenchie". I tried it at an industry tasting a few years ago and got hooked.

Also, I'll go ahead and second the Blue Rock Cab recommendation. I might have had more of the 2005 Cab than anyone in Houston (and I'm not exaggerating). I only have 3 bottles of it left in my personal stash, but I know where you can still get the Baby Blue Cab 2006 for $25.00 a btl. I went there today after my Spec's jaunt and sure enough, it's still there. They have about 9 btls left, along with 3 btls of the 2005 Syrah for $19.00 (which I also recommend). PM me for the info on that store since they might get cleaned out as soon as this gets read (and you can PM me as well, Dad, if you'd like that locale also). It's only a 10 minute drive from Spec's downtown, so no boondocks are involved.

Anyway, good thread. I'll add more another time soon with the next Spec's visit.

[bbkid]

Originally Posted by SOULMANIKE

Chateau Ste. Michelle - Riesling

Hate that I am so late in posting on this thread, but Ike, I agree 100%.

[rwksl]

Originally Posted by ExNavyInHouston

Come on Dad, at least it wasn't a White Zinfandel.

Agreed. Zinfandel is one of the most misunderstood wines out there. Red Zinfandel can be richer and more robust than many Cabs. Here's two of my favorite affordable Zinfandels. The names should be easy for any hobbyist to remember.

[Flying V]

2005 Inwood Estates Tempernillo or the 2007 but let this one breathe for a bit.

[Dad]

For Chateau, try Chateau Montelena.

Regarding Spec’s, here are my tips:

• Don't trust every wine boy at Spec's. More often than not the wine boy will try to steer you toward the WD bottle. Look at the label; you will see WD on it.
  
• Spec’s Smith Street usually has better prices than your local Spec’s. The main downtown location even beats the outlet center stores.
  
• If your neighborhood has 2 Spec’s stores, ask the wine boy to check the prices at the other store. For bottles over $100, I have found substantial price differences between locations.
  
• For very pricey bottles, ask the wine boy to pull up the computer and tell you which stores have the best price and only couple bottles left. Go there and get those last bottles for case price discount. In some cases, you will save 20%.
  
• Get to know the manager. He can give you case discount on his new WD suggestions.

[ExNavyInHouston]

Thanks to you guys I made another Spec's run. Here's the list in dollar order.


----------------------------------------------------

Winery: Chamarre
Shiraz/Merlot - Selection
Location: Languedoc Region, South of France
Spec's Price: $7.25

The Hype: Red berry spices with hints of pepper and spices. 55% Shiraz / 45% Merlot. Oak aging in small vats.

----------------------------------------------------

Winery: Chamarre
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - Grand Reserve
Location: France
Spec's Price: $8.78

The Hype: A marriage of Cabernet grapes from the most celebrated regions of France. Deep and Velvety, with hints of grilled oak, toffee, red berries and mint. Finish is slightly toasted.

----------------------------------------------------

Winery: Clos Du Bois
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - North Coast
Location: Geyserville, Calif. (Sonoma County)
Spec's Price: $11.34

The Hype: Bottled July 2008; Winemaker Erik Olsen; Varietal Composition: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon; 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% other Bordeaux varietals; Alcohol: 13.5%; Varietal Type: Cabernet Sauvignon; Released: June 2009

The wine's deep ruby red hue hints at an inky black - the first clue to its blockbuster intensity and exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon character. Vibrant aromas of ripe blackberry and vanilla mingle with notes of roasted coffee and toast on the nose. Full-bodied and velvety on the palate, the flavors are bright and juicy, with well-integrated layers of blackberry, plum, mocha and clove spice. The wine's luscious mouthfeel and persistent finish marries fruit, oak and supple tannins in perfect balance.

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Winery: Francis Ford Coppola
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - Diamond Collection - Ivory Label
Location: Sonoma, Calif.
Spec's Price: $12.69

The Hype: Winemaker is Corey Beck, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.5%, 16 months French and American oak.

----------------------------------------------------

Winery: Francis Ford Coppola
Syrah/Shiraz - Diamond Collection - Green Label
Location: Sonoma, Calif.
Spec's Price: $13.29

The Hype: Winemaker is Corey Beck, 93% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 13.5%, 14 months French oak. Made from grapes grown in Paso Robles and Monterey, this concentrated and complex wine has soft tannins, along with blackberry and boysenberry flavors layered with notes of smoky bacon, sweet vanilla and bittersweet chocolate.

----------------------------------------------------

Winery: Marques de Caceres (Bodega)
Rioja - Gran Reserva 2001
Location: Spain
Spec's Price: $29.65

The Hype: Intense cherry red color, hints of mature fruit and a touch of spics (vanilla, refined leather) from the French oak, powerful in the mouth and sensations of fleshy, crystallized fruit. 85% Tempranillo / 15% Graciano & Garnacha Tinta.

----------------------------------------------------

[ExNavyInHouston]

Winery: Marques de Caceres (Bodega)
Rioja - Gran Reserva 2001
Location: Spain
Spec's Price: $29.65

Thanks for this suggestion. I had this bottle last night. Very nice! There were two bottles on the shelf at Spec's. I just bought the one.

[Dad]

ENIH,

Nice commercial grade dishwashing faucet you have!

Regarding Coppola, years ago when Coppola mass producing his wine, his Claret received many outstanding reviews. After he sold substantially all his interests, I found many misses than hits on pure cab offerings. Fortunately, the Claret formula has not changed.

Today, if I am looking for a relatively inexpensive cab based table wine, Coppola's Claret is a safe bet.

[ExNavyInHouston]

Dad ... I love my faucet. When I was redoing the place it was the one thing I knew I wanted to stand out in the kitchen.

[Jusanotherdude]

Originally Posted by ExNavyInHouston

Dad ... I love my faucet. When I was redoing the place it was the one thing I knew I wanted to stand out in the kitchen.

Wow!

Very nice indeed!! Color me jealous!

A nice lineup of reds you got there too.... sounds like all you need now is a nice lady friend to help you drink all that!


JaD

[anova444]

Try some texas wines! Two of my favorites are McPherson and Times Ten.



http://www.timestencellars.com/wines_dallas.html

[angelinadream]

Does anyone like South African wines?