We Review Wine

2006 Renwood Zinfandel

2006 Renwood Zinfandel

Region: California: Sierra Foothills

Varietal: Zinfandel

L:
“From the smell I was expecting it to be ferocious, but instead it tasted clean … fresh”
“It’s hearty and light at the same time”
“Clean and fresh”

D:
It really is clean and fresh

2009 The Flying Winemaker Zinfandel

2009 The Flying Winemaker Zinfandel

Region: California: Lodi

Varietal: Zinfandel

Lodi is to Zinfandel what Napa is to Cabernet Sauvignon. Lodi Zins are big wines with great depth and complexity. This wine comes from vineyards with not just old vines but ancient vines, some 80 years old. The vines are low yield but provide fruit of excellent quality. There is dark fruit on the nose and a beautiful, intense dark berry flavor on the palate. This wine has all the depth and complexity you expect. It is produced for us by one of California’s most respected winemakers.

L:
“It tastes like artificial lime”
“It started very bitter, ended up smooth. Almost a creamy consistency.”

D:
Let this one breathe, if you don’t it’ll start off so bitterly!
“Once it’s out for a few minutes it’s very smooth”
Top 2-3 Zinfandels I’ve tried so far.

2009 Gnarly Head Cabernet Sauvignon

2009 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin

Region: California: Lodi

Varietal: Cabernet sauvignon

The smooth, garnet wave of Gnarly Head Cab brings a rush of blackberries, cedar, vanilla and cigar box aromas. As you “drop in” for your first taste, flavors of rich, juicy cherries, blackberries, and cocoa fill the palate. Supported by medium tannins, the flavor lingers like a long, smooth and invigorating ride on a perfect wave.

L:
“Smells hearty!”
“It’s a good cab”

D:
“Even after breathing, it makes my tongue numb”

2009 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin

2009 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin

Region: California: Lodi

Varietal: Zinfandel

The older Zinfandel vineyards in California were typically “head pruned”, meaning the shoots that produce the grapes grow directly out of the head of the trunk with no trellis system. The resulting vines look more like a “Gnarly” bush. These older vines produce fewer grapes which creates intense flavored wines that explode on impact in the mouth, with layers of jammy blackberries, cassis and spice. We start with Gnarly vines and we finish with a Gnarly wine!

L:
“Fruity”
“Just like fruit, like a berry”
“Orange-y”
“Tastes like Summer!”

D:
“It’s really smooth”
“Citrus? Berry?”
Would drink again. Would drink any time.

2007 Sledgehammer Zinfandel

2007 Sledgehammer Zinfandel

Region: California: Napa / North Coast

Varietal: Zinfandel

There is nothing subtle about Sledgehammer Zinfandel—it’s big, bold, and persistent.

D:
“Full and rich”
“Smooth from the first sip”

Guest judge, Diane:
“For my preference …Zinfandel”

2007 Sledgehammer Cabernet Sauvignon

2007 Sledgehammer Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: California: Napa / North coast

Varietal: Cabernet sauvignon

A Cabernet so big we had a hard time fitting it in the bottle. Dark ripe fruit provides intensely complex flavor.

L:
“Peppery!”

D:
“It is peppery!”
“Citrus on my lips”
“After airing it tastes like burned hot dogs, I love it”

2010 Circus Malbec

2010 Circus Malbec

Region: Argentina

Varietal: Malbec

“Give them a circus”, said Julius Caesar in 50 B.C.

A year passed since he had leaded his 13^th legion across the rubicom[sic], and he became the undisputed master of the Roman world. “Give them a circus” he said and he won the people’s approval, by having joyful and entertained crowds.

With that same aim, we introduce you our circus wines, intense and expressive wines, made to be enjoyed by everyone.

No notes present, but would drink again.

2008 Vidigal Vinho Tinto

2008 Vidigal Vinho Tinto

Region: Portugal: Lisbon

Varietal: “Red Wine”

L:
“Smells like crayons”
“Hearty. Tangy. Oaky.”
“It’s very smooth”
“It almost has no taste”

D:
“Smells like plasticine to me”
“Smooth taste, not bitter”
After airing out it feels very fresh
“The second glass is SO SMOOTH”

2009 Black Swan Merlot

2009 Black Swan Merlot

Region: Australia: South Eastern

Varietal: Merlot

Grapes, sun, wind, a dash of daring, unfiltered laughter, the feeling of leaving work at three on a thursday, the rush of having your favorite cafe name a desert after you, the pride of filling page 6 of your passport… in other words, flavors of mixed berry and mellow cherry, with a velvet finish like a jazz solo ‘round midnight.

L:
“There’s a definite grassiness to it”
“Did I say grassy before?”
“Hello lover. I was talking to the pastries.”

D:
“Smells like concord grape juice and cigar smoke”
It starts sweet an, gets bitter, by the 3^rd or 4^th sip the bitterness is gone
By the second glass there is no bitterness