Two Worlds

The last of the three wines from the J Filippi Winery was a 2004 Deux Mondes (translation "Two Worlds") Reserve Cucamonga / Bordeaux. This blend of 29.5% Ch Reynier Cab, 29.5% Ch Reynier Merlot, 14.9% Cucamonga Valley Cab, 11.2% CV Petite Sirah, 9.1% CV Syrah, 2.9% CV Cabernet Franc and 2.9% CV Zinfandel......WHEW!!!! This red is deep ruby in color.....complex and intense. Aromas of red berry fruit, mint, vanilla and roasted coffee beans.....mmmmm....so good......

This is a perfect marriage between the varietals from the "Two Worlds". This is definitely a wine to uncork when wanting to make an impression...simply beautiful.

CHEERS!!

A BIG Red

Another wine that I had the opportunity to indulge in was a 2005 Big Joe Barrel Blend #2 - California Red, also from the Joseph Filippi Winery. WOW.......this wine is HUGE!!!! A real oak bomb of the spiciest sort (which I normally don't go for, but this was wonderful). Cumin, dill, cinnamon, white pepper and pine....they are all there!

This wine is also a limited production of 312 cases.....so if you like them BIG, run out and wrap your taste buds around this one!

CHEERS!!

A Fragile Red

Last Sunday, I had a reason to celebrate (back home in CA!!) and I had the opportunity to indulge in some fabulous wines. The first of the three was a 2006 Pinot Noir Monterey from the Joseph Filippi Winery in Rancho Cucamonga. This was a delicate red....salmon color was clean and clear. Lemongrass, green olives and lightly ripened mango on the palate. Lively tannins and a medium body. This was a limited production of 310 cases......I wish I had more!! This was a wonderful wine to be enjoyed now, IF you can get your hands on it!

CHEERS!!

I will follow with two others that were opened on that same Sunday....they only get better!

Ringing in 2008

Hi everyone and my sincere apologies to all. I can not believe that I have not posted since October!!! Well, I can believe. There have been SO many changes going on in life, that I have unfortunately put my blog on the backburner.

I will be back in the New Year!!! I want to be back in the New Year. I always enjoyed my blog and I hope that others have as well.

Have patience (always easier said than done).......

CHEERS and be safe when ringing in the New Year!!

The Lady in Blue

Remember this one.....flashback to the 70's! I was in BevMo, browsing thru the wine isles and in the German section a description card caught my eye. I think in it somewhere it mentioned peach....and I zoomed in on it. Unfortunately, there were no bottles in stock. When I read the name, it rang a bell, but I could not place it. I continued shopping, purchased a couple of other bottles and was on my way. I had to do some grocery shopping and passing by the liquor section, it caught my eye. The tall blue bottle with the "Blue Nun" on the label! My memory awoke!! I had never drank the wine (I was not old enough at that time), but I recall my parents having it in the house. Of course, I grabbed the bottle and could not wait to give it a try! It needed to be chilled, so in the fridge she went, waiting to be had with dinner.

When the time came, I uncorked the bottle and poured it in my glass. It was a light straw color, and the aroma fruity. Upon tasting, it is a crisp wine with the ripe peach fruit flavor. Very nice...

I read where the company had gotten a bad rep and went thru some hard times, but they are making a comeback.

Next time when you are looking for a very nice white wine, why not give this one a try...."Blue Nun Qualitatswein Rheinhessen 2005".

Cheers to the memories.......

"Toogood"

I have returned! We made it back from our trip to the Placerville area. I had never been there before, and I really enjoyed it! It was about an 8 hour drive, so by the time we arrived, we were at first excited, then exhaustion set in. Before turning in for the evening, we broke out the food and wine. Bread, cheeses, salami, fruit and a go-to favorite Fetzer Gewurtztraminer. A feast set for a king!! The next day was going to be a busy one, so lights out.

Saturday's itinerary, first called for a drive out to Auburn. It was a beautiful drive. The trees were just starting to turn to their warm reds and oranges......fall, what a wonderful season. The air was crisp and clear.....heaven.

Next stop....the wineries! There are just SO MANY of them. We headed towards the Fairplay area. We only had to go to a few before we found the one that we thoroughly enjoyed. "Toogood Estate Winery". The tasting room is in a man made cave where they have the tasting bar, a small store and also barrel tasting. The wines were wonderful! I purchased a bottle of "Block Five" 2005 Herbert Zinfandel and also a half case of "Porto Zino Futures", which will be bottled in the spring, from the barrel tasting. A special shout out to Seth, who was just an awesome guide.....Thanks!

Next, we headed to Apple Hill to meet up with a (new) group of friends. We met them for the first time here. We chatted, laughed, took in some of the local events, laughed some more, then we headed back to the room, fore we had a long drive back the next day. We stopped off and picked up a pizza to accompany the Zin that was just waiting to be uncorked! I"ll tell you, this was the best Zin I have had. Bold and delightful....wish I had a had purchased two........

If you are in the area, this is a definite winery to visit and enjoy.

CHEERS!!

Dry Spell

Hey everyone! Sorry that I have not posted in a while, but I have had a bit of a dry spell. Haven't had any new wines, no wine tasting events, NOTHING! But, that is all going to change SOON!! This weekend I am headed up north to the Placerville area. The main reason for going is a get-together with a group that I belong to, but another reason is the wineries in the area. I did not know just how many there are! I also plan on taking a couple of bottles with me, so maybe I will purchase something new. I do have an unopened bottle of Bogle Phantom that I was saving.....for what I don't know.....HAHHAHAAA!!!
OK, it is time to break this dry spell and get back into the swing of things!!

BOTTOMS UP!!!!!