Beringer Chenin Blanc, 2005 Review

General Impression of Beringer Chenin Blanc, 2005

It is really wonderful to find a California wine that hits the 5-6 dollar price point that is not only a good wine to drink but is also a little different and unique. This wine is so wonderfully fruity it seems to be much sweeter then it is. While the residual sugar is very low and the wine itself is quite dry the fruit is so clean and up front you really are inclined to call it sweet.

The mouthfeel is also really nice with a slightly viscous feel that good Chenin Blancs are known for. It is rich and even a tiny bit creamy in texture. As the wine warms a notes of vanilla and ginger emerge which just makes it that much more wonderful.

If you are looking for a nice inexpensive white wine that will please even the typical white zinfandel addict with out offending the chardonnay and sauvignon blanc drinker give this one a try. It would be hard to argue with this wine at 9-12 dollars a bottle but at 5-6 it is just honestly a steal.

Read Our Entire Review of Beringer Chenin Blanc, 2005

~ Jack Spirko

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Tags: 2005 wine, american wine, inexpensive wine, white wine, beringer wine, chenin blanc, inexpensive white wine

Bella Sera Sangiovese, 2003 Review

General Impression of Bella Sera Sangiovese, 2003

I selected this bottle because I could not think of any reason I was not going to enjoy it. I have found Bella Sera Pinot Grigio to be one of the best low priced Pinot Grigios on the market and a dearly love the fruity and dry simple flavors of wines made from Italy's signature grape Sangiovese.

I was not disappointed for a moment. This is an excellent wine for its' price point and has the added benefit of coming from the Di Toscana Appellation of Italy.

Read Our Entire Review of Bella Sera Sangiovese, 2003

~ Jack Spirko

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Tags: 2003 wine, Chianti, inexpensive red wine, inexpensive wine, italian wine, red wine, sangiovese, wine from italy, italian red wine

Jenica Peak Zinfandel, 2004 Review

General Impression of Jenica Peak Zinfandel, 2004

The first thing you need to know about all Jenica Peak Wines is they are an exclusive private lable wine from Albertson's Grocery Store. This may bring up thoughts of the relationship of Charles Shaw (two buck Chuck) and Trader Joe's if so put it out of your mind these wines are to Charles Shaw what Mid Grade Mondavi is to Boones Farm.

This is the first Jenica Peak wine I have formaly reviewed and it was an exceptional one. Zinfandel being my favorite I am always looking out for sub ten dollar Zinfandels that are of good quality and I feel I have found a gem here. Easy drinking for a full flavored Zin at only 12.5% alochol by volume this one does not over power you but doesn't leave you wanting much either. I have been looking for a Red Zinfandel under 10 dollars that would stand toe to toe with Dancing Bull Zinfandel and I have found it.

Read Our Entire Review of Jenica Peak Zinfandel, 2004

~ Jack Spirko

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Tags: zinfandel, red wine, red zinfandel, 2004 wine, california wine, coastal zinfandel, inexpensive red wine, inexpensive wine, inexpensive zinfandel, red blended wine

Almira Los Dos, 2004 Review

General Impression of Almira Los Dos, 2004

I saw one thing on the label that made me try it well more accurately two words, "old vines. As an old vine Zinfandel freak when I see those words I look deeper then finding the primary grape to be Grenache with a little Syrah to balance the wine I was hooked. In my opinion Grenache is an under appreciated grape. While the back bone of my famous Rhone wines and the key to producing some amazing French blush wines made from mostly Grenache are largely unknown.

This one is really a very nice wine, it is intense without being overwhelming so much so that you could eat a big or a light meal with it and be happy with it either way. The surprise is while light and fruity the finish is long and enjoyable.

Read Our Entire Review of Almira Los Dos, 2004

~ Jack Spirko

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Tags: grenache, syrah, shiraz, almira los dos, almira, red wine, spanish wine, spain wine, inexpensive red wine, inexpensive wine, wine from spain, spanish red wine

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay, 2004 Review

General Impression of Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay, 2004

This wine is something a bit different then most sub ten dollar domestic Chardonnays. Not the typical crisp light fruity chardonnay it is much fuller bodied and honestly quite wonderful. Mondavi has really pulled off producing a value priced wine that tastes and feels more like some of the higher end Chardonnays that sell in the mid twenties and higher.

Read Our Entire Review of Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay, 2004

~ Jack Spirko

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Technorati Tags: robert mondavi, chardonnay, white wine, california wine, american wine, inexpensive wine, inexpensive chardonnay, best chardonnay

Barefoot Chardonnay, 2003 Review

General Impression of Barefoot Chardonnay, 2003

Wow for five bucks! That was what I was muttering as I brought down the glass after my first taste of Barefoot Chardonnay. I was rather shocked honestly at how good this wine is. It did not help impressions that I had to look on the back to find the date of the wine is very small numbers below the UPC code. But this is an excellent Chardonnay. Very easy to drink and very easy to like and just as good as many popular Chardonnays that are 2-3 times higher. Doesn't have that really heavy oak that some nice Chards do but there is nothing wrong with this one especially at 5 bucks.

Read Our Entire Review of Barefoot Chardonnay, 2003

~ Jack Spirko

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Technorati Tags: chardonnay, barefoot wine, california wine, white wine, inexpensive wine

Dancing Bull Zinfandel by Rancho Zabaco, 2003 Reviewed

General Impression of Dancing Bull Zinfandel by Rancho Zabaco, 2003

The first word out of my mouth after the first sip was "wow" and that pretty much sums it up. This is an excellent Zinfandel and unless I find some really amazing replacements it is going to hold a place on our top ten list for a very long time.

Given the bottle told me this was Rancho Zabaco's playful version of Zinfandel I was a bit concerned. While I don't have to have big bold heavy Zin I am certainly a hedonist with Zinfandel and relish it above almost all other reds. No let down at all with this one.

While easy to drink the flavors are full and even intense with a lot of black cherry and raspberry flavors. This is an exceptional Zinfandel and I would be shocked to find that it would not enjoy even a bit of aging.

Read our complete review of Dancing Bull Zinfandel by Rancho Zabaco

~ Jack Spirko

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Tags: old vine zinfandel, old vine zinfandel, red zinfandel, rancho zabaco, red wine, california wine, 2003 wine, inexpensive wine