Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in wineblog's LiveJournal:

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Sunday, May 21st, 2006
7:51 pm	2004 Martin Ray Angeline Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Vintage: 2004 Type: Red Producer: Martin Ray Varietal: 94% Pinot Noir, 6% Sangiovese Designation: Angeline Vineyard: n/a Country: USA Region: Sonoma County Subregion: n/a Appellation: Russian River Valley 750 ml Purchased: $13.99, HyVee, Omaha, 2006 Light, ruby red. Cooked plums, new leather, and some black peppper on the nose. Cranberry, fennel, and tart red plum and strawberries on the palate. Rather light. Not bad for the price and would probably purchase again although I would say Castle Rock is superior at $3-4 less per bottle. Good pairing with brined grilled salmon rubbed with cumin, fennel seed, coriander, cinnamon, and black pepper; grilled fennel and asparagus; and roasted rosemary potatoes. TL (1 Comment |Comment on this)
6:12 pm	2004 Red Bicyclette Vin De Pays d'Oc Rosé Vintage: 2004 Type: Rosé Producer: Red Bicyclette Varietal: Designation: n/a Vineyard: n/a Country: France Region: Languedoc Subregion: n/a Appellation: Vin De Pays d'Oc 750 ml Purchased: $7.00, HyVee, Omaha, 2006 (great bargain--$84/case) Almost summertime temps here today so let's do a pink! Beautiful deep salmon in color. Strawberries and pink grapefruit on the nose. Citrus, raspberries, and watermelon on the palate with a tangy finish. Bright and dry. Really great in warm weather as an aperitif or properly paired. Bought a case at a blowout price. TL (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006
3:29 pm	2002 Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat) Vintage 2002 Type Red Producer Alvaro Palacios Varietal Grenache Designation Les Terrasses Vineyard n/a Country Spain Region Catalunya SubRegion n/a Appellation Priorat Size: 750 ml price: $22 WF Denver Deep ruby color, eucalyptus, mint on the nose, medium body and dry tannins. Fruit was a little subtle at first, but with an hour or so cherry and other red fruits came out on the finish. It is clearly a very nice wine in a lighter, elegant style. Really enjoyed. Nice pairing w/ Tapas & smoked gouda risotto. Reminded me of why I was so hung up on these Spanish wines 6 months ago. sj (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, May 8th, 2006
10:05 pm	2003 Bogle "Phantom" Red Blend Vintage: 2003 Type: Red Producer: Bogle Varietal: Petite Sirah 59%, Zinfandel 39%, Mourvèdre 2% Designation: n/a Vineyard: n/a Country: USA Region: Various Subregion: n/a Appellation: California 750 ml Purchased: $14.99, World Market, Omaha, 2006 A return to the blog with a winner! Dark purple in color. Big black cherry-fruit aromas primary with sweet vanilla from the oak right there, as well. A very promising nose. On the palate huge flavors of the cherry and cigar box. The epitome of a "fruit bomb." Nicely done if you like the bold style. Super paired with T-Bones and garlic mashers. You guys would love this one...think I'm going for a case! DL concurs. TL (1 Comment |Comment on this)
1:01 pm	2004 Orin Swift The Prisoner (USA, California, Napa Valley) Vintage 2004 Type Red Producer Orin Swift Varietal Zinfandel Blend Designation The Prisoner Vineyard n/a Country USA Region California SubRegion Napa Valley Appellation Napa Valley size: 750 ml purchase wf denver, aprox $28.- interesting label, probably attracted me to this. think the label is as dark as the appearance of the wine. strange medicinal fragrance. maybe a molded fruit, or raisin thing w/ some sage quality. Powerful wine at 15% + Alch and it's hard to balance this wine right. The mouth gives cherries and adds currant and spice. Big wine, but not sure whether it really fits my taste. Think this needed another day, but didn't have a day. Very tightly winded. no intentional food pairing. sj (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, May 1st, 2006
12:07 pm	2004 Tait The Ball Buster (Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley) Type Red Producer Tait Varietal Shiraz Blend Designation The Ball Buster Vineyard n/a Country Australia Region South Australia SubRegion Barossa Appellation Barossa Valley Size 750 ml purase WF denver, aprox $16.50 appearance: Dark, almost impenetrable; reminded me of molton steel in a glass. Pleasant nose of oak and vanilla. Fruit on the palate, muscular and full-bodied, although pretty unsophisticated. This is one of those high octane (nearly 15%) alcohol wines. something apealing about it, but wine seems out of balance. seemed better with time and calmed down a bit. think this is a bit over the top for my liking. better aussies for the $, no intentional food pairing, but big steak on the barbie would be in order. sj (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, April 16th, 2006
10:51 am	1999 Tardieu-Laurent Côtes du Rhône Guy Louis Vintage: 1999 Type: Red Producer: Tardieu-Laurent Varietal: Syrah, Grenache Designation: Guy Louis Vineyard: Saint Pierre de Boeuf, Valréas Country: France Region: Rhône Subregion: Southern Rhône Appellation: Côtes du Rhône Saint Pierre de Boeuf, Valréas 750 ml Purchased: €18.00, Coupe de Foudre, Belgium, 2003 Very dark reddish-purple. Big barnyard aromas primary with leather, cedar, and red and black fruits lurking in the background. Lots of blackberry fruit with a heavy backbone of oak on the palate. Known as a producer with a heavy hand on the oak and it's still prevalent after seven years. Doesn't really detract. Not really chosen to pair (replaced a cooked 1998 Fife carignane...damn!) but went OK with pasta primavera and olive, sun-dried tomato, and caper focaccia. Second day barnyard aromas are gone...should've decanted awhile yesterday but opened on the spur of the moment to replace the corked bottle. TL (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, April 15th, 2006
11:43 pm	2003 Stolpman La Croce (USA, California, Santa Ynez Valley) 2003 Stolpman La Croce (USA, California, Santa Ynez Valley) Vintage 2003 Type Red Producer Stolpman Varietal Red Blend Designation La Croce Vineyard (blank) Country USA Region California SubRegion Santa Ynez Valley Appellation N/A Purchase: WF Denver. 49.50 less 15% Size: 750 ML Crimson in appearance. Nice spice and floral aromas. This is a 50/50 syrah/sangiovese blend. Masterful job here. Wonderful harmony of fruits- blueberry, boysenberry, black berry, chocolate and hint of licorice. Wonderful body and finish. Paired w/ grilled chicken bbq'd, green beans. Think this was my best experience of the year so far. SJ (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, April 14th, 2006
7:29 pm	2002 Jim Barry Cabernet Sauvignon The Cover Drive Australia Vintage: 2002 Type: Red Producer: Jim Barry Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Designation: The Cover Drive Vineyard: n/a Country: Australia Region: South Australia Subregion: Coonawarra/Clare Appellation: n/a 750 ml Purchased: $16.99, HyVee, Omaha, NE, 2006 Inky, deep purple. Nose of chocolate and Christmas spices...anise, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Big chocolate covered cherries, stewed fruit, and some resinous flavors. Maybe just a bit of menthol. Full-bodied but not overdone. I think it's a great QPR, especially if you can find it around $15. Nice match for grilled meats. Paired with T-bones with a maítre d'hôtel butter and frites. TL (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 6th, 2006
10:03 am	2001 Prospect Peak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oberon Napa Valley Collection (USA, California, Napa V Vintage 2001 Type Red Producer Prospect Peak Cellars Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon Designation Oberon Napa Valley Collection Vineyard n/a Country USA Region California SubRegion Napa Valley Appellation Napa Valley Size 750 ML Purchase: WF Denver, Roughly $20 less 15% + tax TN: This is a Napa Cab blend that has the mystique of being blended by leftovers from such aclaimed wineries as Mondavi, Opus One and the like. (Not that I can imagine that they have all this leftover juice from these vineyards, especially from 01'.) Beautiful crimson appearance, nose a little tight to pick up, but spice and slight new leather. Pleasing flavors of raspberry, chocolate notes, w/ oak. Nice finish. This is a medium/full bodied wine. Fruit forward. If this had no ties to the for-mentioned, you would enjoy at face value. For the knuckle heads that think they can drink Opus at 18 a bottle, they will be disappointed. I would describe it as a really nice pizza wine or takey-outy wine. Paired with simple spaghetti and tomato sauce. With that being said, the $18 might be a bit much here. SJ (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, March 21st, 2006
9:48 am	2004 Orogeny Pinot Noir (USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley) Vintage 2004 Type Red Producer Orogeny Varietal Pinot Noir Designation n/a Vineyard n/a Country USA Region California SubRegion Sonoma County Appellation Green Valley Size 750 ml Purchase: WF aprox 27 less 15% TN; Beautiful dark ruby appearance. Medium bodied. Raspberries and cherries with cinnamon spice nose, flavors of berries, cherries and touch of vanilla. Well put together. A nice Cali Pinot. Second experience with this and just as good as first. CJ will kill me, I don't remember the food pairing, but it all worked well. (Comment on this)
Saturday, March 18th, 2006
7:00 pm	1996 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Knight's Valley Vintage: 1996 Type: Red Producer: Beringer Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Designation: Knight's Valley Vineyard: n/a Country: USA Region: California Subregion: Sonoma Appellation: Knights Valley 750 ml Purchased: $12 (on sale) Class 6, McClellan AFB, CA, 1998 Been saving this but turned out to be heat damaged. Tasted like green bell pepper...very vegetal. Too many summertime trips across the US and around the world. TL (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Saturday, March 11th, 2006
6:00 pm	2004 Climbing Cabernet Sauvignon Orange Australia Vintage: 2004 Type: Red Producer: Climbing Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon Designation: n/a Vineyard: n/a Country: Australia Region: Orange Subregion: n/a Appellation: Orange 750 ml Purchased: Gift from coworker, Omaha, NE, Mar 06 Very dark purplish red. Aromas of black currant and cedar. Full flavors of black cherry with a hints of cigar and green bell pepper. Some toasted oak. Not bad but not one I would buy. Not one I've seen before. No pairing. TL (Comment on this)
Thursday, March 9th, 2006
7:00 pm	2003 Witness Tree Estate Pinot Noir Vintage: 2003 Type: Red Producer: Witness Tree Varietal: Pinot Noir Designation: Estate Vineyard: n/a Country: USA Region: Oregon Subregion: n/a Appellation: Willamette Valley One glass serving Purchased: The Tasting Room, Omaha, NE, $9.00, Mar 06 Ruby red in color. Perfumed nose of dark berries with some toast in the background. Really nice flavors of raspberries and cherries, vanilla, a just a hint of forest floor. A nicely executed pinot. I would purchase the bottle. Paired with a roasted duck salad. TL (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, March 8th, 2006
10:13 pm	2003 Sullivan Red Ink (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford) Vintage 2003 Type Red Producer Sullivan Varietal Merlot Blend Designation Red Ink Vineyard (blank) Country USA Region California SubRegion Napa Valley Appellation Rutherford Size 750 ML Purchase WF Denver approx $20 (22.99 less 15% mixed case discount) TN: blend wine. (Merlot 53%, Cabernet Sauvignon 36%, Cabernet Franc 9%, Petit Verdot 2%) as the label would describe, crimson, red ink in appearance. medium body. nice blend! Nice strawberry and cranberry aromas, hint of leather. wonderful woven flavors of berries spices and hint of mint. easy to drink, but still rather sophisticated. would do again. paired with roasted chicken and chicken and sausage gumbo. sj (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2006
8:24 am	2004 Pinot Evil Cellars Pinot Noir Reserve (USA, California, Santa Barbara County) Vintage 2004 Type Red Producer Pinot Evil Cellars Varietal Pinot Noir Designation Reserve Vineyard (blank) Country USA Region California SubRegion Santa Barbara County Appellation Santa Barbara County Size 750 ML purchase info WF Denver aprox $14.99 less 15% TN: this maker has two different pinots from the santa barbara area. one in SB county and one in the San Louis Obispo area (edna valley) Spice nose, light floral notes and watery looking in the glass. Spice earth flavors much as the Castle Rock. Not bad flavors. Poor body and structure; nothing here. First time these guys steered me this wrong; they were so high on it. No food pairing. The Edna valley to follow. sj (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, February 21st, 2006
5:39 pm	2003 Joseph Phelps Pastiche (USA, California) Vintage 2003 Type Red Producer Joseph Phelps Varietal Red Blend Designation Pastiche Vineyard n/a Country USA Region California size 750 ML purchase w foods denver 12.99 less 15% mixed case discount This is a rhone style blend: 37% Grenache, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Syrah, 12% Pinot Noir, 12% Merlot, 3% Petite Verdot, 1% Mourvèdre, 1% Alicante Bouschet. Think this wine is better than the reputation of previous years. Medium bodied. Slightly subdued spice and vanilla nose. Hint of earth. Nice berry and spice flavors. Simple wine to drink and enjoy. Not bad for the $. No food pairing, but would go well with a frozen pizza of carry out thai. sj (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, February 20th, 2006
6:19 am	2003 Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard Vintage 2003 Type Red Producer Casa Lapostolle Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon Designation Cuvée Alexandre Vineyard Apalta Vineyard Country Chile Region Valle Central SubRegion Rapel Valley Appellation Colchagua Valley size 750 ml purchase WF Denver Aprox $18- TN: Somewhat subdued spice nose. Dense flavors of dark cassis, dark chocolate and black spice with light notes of cherry and mint in an oak frame with a nice smooth depth. Full bodied palate thru and thru. This is a full octane offering and would do well to decant for some time. Like a double shot of espresso. I've got another glass of this and will try tonight. Lot of fruit for the $. Will purchase again. Think another year would calm this wine down. Enjoyed. Paired with Eudora Welty's BBQ chicken and cast iron green beans and potatoes -where Chili meets the south. sj (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, February 18th, 2006
7:16 pm	2000 Ridge California Zinfandel Sonoma Station Vintage: 2000 Type: Red Producer: Ridge Varietal: 75% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane Designation: California Vineyard: n/a Country: USA Region: California Subregion: n/a Appellation: California 750 ML Purchased: Harvest Market, Fort Bragg, CA, $15.00, Feb 2002 Purplish red. Pronounced nose of coffee, stewed fruit, and cooked tomato. Continued the same on the palate with the addition of beef blood, dark forest berries, and port flavors. Slightly hot finish at 14.7% alcohol. Has some of that prune thing that CJ doesn't like. Nice pairing with asado-rubbed pork tenderloin. Ridge continues as one of our favorites. TL (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, February 16th, 2006
7:00 pm	2000 Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu La Cuvee Mythique Vintage: 2000 Type: Red Producer: Les Vignerons du Val d'Orbieu Varietal: Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignane, Cabernet Sauvignon (%s are secret in every vintage) Designation: Vin de Pays Vineyard: n/a Country: France Region: Languedoc Subregion: n/a Appellation: Languedoc 750 ML Purchased: Carrefour, Mont-Sur-Marchienne, Belgium, €6.00 on sale...a bargain! Dark crimson red. Standard understated French nose. Aromas of red fruits, garrigue, and minerals. Medium-bodied with flavors of blackcurrant, sage, black pepper, and an underpinning of oak. Medium tannins. No pairing. My favorite label ever. TL (Comment on this)