Layer Cake Primativo 2008

Alcohol:  13.5%
Price:  $12.99

Ah, the layer cake. I'm a fan  I have to say.

Yes, it's a Zinfandel. Primativo and Zinfandel have the same DNA and have been genetically tested to be proven so.

This vintage is from Salento, the "heel of the boot" in Italy. As you can see on the bottle it says Puglia. Puglia is a region in Southern Italy that borders the Adriatic Sea.

Nose of:  Vanilla, tobacco, plums, earth, blackberries, mocha frosting, black cherry and cedar.

Flavors of: blackberry jam, raisin, dried plum, prunes, clove, dark chocolate, molasses, wildflowers, and hints of white pepper.

Lush and rich in body, very full with well integrated tannins.

Stars: 8 out of 10

Concannon Petite Sirah 2008

                                                                

I'm finally sitting down after a very, very long day and pouring myself a glass of this lovely gem. This has been one of my "go to" wines because of the price and quality.

 Price: $6.99
Alcohol: 13.5%
Cellared and Bottled by Concannon Vineyard
Central Coast (North Santa Barbara to San Francisco Bay)

Nose of: Dark cherry, blackberry, plum, rose, vanilla, currant, black raspberries and smoked cherry wood.

Flavors of:  Plum, cherry, oak, pipe tobacco, cherry wood, blackberry, and tart cherry.

This is a medium bodied wine with a lush mouth feel. It has nice tannins that come up mid pallet and last through the finish. The finish has a  mild pepper spice with some tart cherry and oak.  This wine is not overly dry, it is very smooth and well rounded.

Stars: 7 out of 10

Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles 2009

2009 Rhone style red
Alcohol: 14.6%
$4.99

Okay, so I have to admit, every year when this wine shows up at Trader Joe's I freak out. This is such an amazing wine for only $5! I feel like it's a great value, it drinks like a much more expensive wine and everyone who I've ever shared it with has loved it. It's definitely one of my favorites and I'm kicking myself for not buying a case. Now it's gone for the season and probably won't be back until the winter holidays. It's okay, there's lots of other good wines to drink and experience but this one was just such a bargain.

Nose of:  Cherry, oak, plum, cherry wood, vanilla and a hint of sandalwood.

Flavors of:  Plum, black cherry, oak, pipe tobacco, white pepper and blackberry.

Very smooth wine with nice tannins mid pallet, and in the finish. This wine has a long finish of blackberry, blueberry and Mexican chocolate.

8 out of 10 stars

Old Moon Zinfandel 2010

Well, I had to try it. One of the most popular wines that Trader Joe's sells. Everyone buys it. What did I think? It's $5 and only slightly representable of the varietal. I'd rather spend $10 on the Bogle Zin. Don't get me wrong, it's totally drinkable, I just prefer a bigger, bolder, spicier zin.

2010 California
Alcohol 14.0%
$4.99
Vinted and bottled by Trader Moon wine company, Manteca, CA

Nose of: Oak, cherry, plum, cherry wood and subtly spiced vanilla.

Flavors of:  Tart cherry, ripe black cherry, watermelon and blackberry.

This wine has mild tannins mid pallet that round out nicely with a cherry vanilla finish.
It's a great value for an old vine zin, but it's not spicy and has only very mild tannins.
However it's drinkable and I'm sure I wouldn't mind it after a nicer first bottle.

3out of 10 stars (because it's not a good representative of the zinfandel varietal)

Lost Sonnet Meritage 2007

Napa Valley Blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22%Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc
Price: $9.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Cellared and Bottled by Our Cellars, Healdsburg, CA

This is a new item at my local Trader Joe's, and I got excited because I love red blends and happen to be a big Cabernet Franc fan.  This wine is definitely impressive, those of you who do not like wines with lots of tannins beware. It has a nice bite to it.

Nose of:  Currant, pine, plum, oak, cherry,  and bourbon vanilla.

Flavors of:  Spicy oak, cocoa, barbecued blackberry, dark chocolate and cranberry.

This wine has a peppery mid pallet with dry tannins that mellow into a finish of unsweetened cocoa, coffee and cranberries.

This is a great wine with many levels of flavors.

7 out of 10 stars

Honey Moon Viognier

2009 California Viognier

Alcohol 13.5%

Vinted and bottled by Trader Moon Wine Co., Monteca, CA

$4.99

Nose of: Grapefruit, rose, honey, nectarine and honeysuckle.

Flavors of: Mango, passionfruit, guava nectar and honey.

Finish of: Grapefruit with floral hints of jasmine and an essence of passion fruit.

This wine is very floral, smooth, full bodied, thick and rich.

It is suprisingly smooth and well bodied for $5.

Stars: 4 out of 10 (Keep in mind I'm not a huge viognier fan, only because it's a bit sweet for me. This wine did suprise me in its tropical elements and body style.)



Montevina Shiraz

2004 Amador County
Produced and bottled by Montevina Winery, Plymouth, Amador County, CA
14.5% Alcohol
On Sale in San Francisco for only $5.99!

This wine was an awesome deal. I found it in the back of a wine shop on a discount rack.
A nose of:  Currant, oak, spiced plums, tobacco, campfire and musk.

Flavors of:  Liquor filled chocolate cherries, plum, old oak, tobacco, black pepper and anise.

Nice tannins come up towards the finish leaving an oaked plum flavor with hints of pepper.

This wine is suprisingly smooth for the alcohol content. The age on this wine is noticable, and I wouldn't let it age anymore. I think more time would make this wine go beyond its beauty.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars