Mother Clone Zinfandel 2015

Pedroncelli Mother Clone ZinfandelPrice: $12.70
Maker: Pedroncelli Winery, Geyserville, California
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2015
Details: Sonoma County, Dry Creek Valley
Packaging: 750ml bottle, natural cork
Alcohol: 14.9%
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Purchased at: Costco

Mother Clone Zinfandel from Pedroncelli is an awesome value. It’s a big Zin from start to finish. Big nose, nice fruit blast, oaky finish. This is a wine that, with a little bit of air, is compulsively drinkable. It’s a hefty 14.9% alcohol, but isn’t overly heavy. Disclaimer: I’m partial to big Zins – this is a New World wine and might not appeal to all. Nevertheless, Wine Enthusiast gave Mother Clone a phenomenal 93 points – at under $13! Here’s what Wine Enthusiast had to say: Continue reading “Mother Clone Zinfandel 2015”

Ramón Roqueta Las Barracas Tempranillo – Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2017

Ramón Roqueta Las Barracas Tempranillo - Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2017This wine, Ramón Roqueta Las Barracas Tempranillo – Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2017, has perhaps the longest name of any wine we’ve reviewed here. It was a WSJ Wine Club selection, which, as part of their initial subscription offer, brought the price down to under $7 – a big savings from the average $17 price reported by Vivino. Continue reading “Ramón Roqueta Las Barracas Tempranillo – Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2017”

Cameron Hughes Lot 321 2010 California Field Blend

Cameron Hughes Lot 321Price: $10
Maker: Cameron Hughes Winery, Geyserville, California
Variety: Red Blend
Packaging: 750ml bottle, natural cork
Alcohol: 14.5%
Our Rating: 9.0 out of 10

Cameron Hughes Lot 321 2010 California Field Blend is a really, really nice wine for a mere ten bucks. It’s a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Carignane. Its aroma includes berries and licorice. The Zin is the predominant grape, and on the palate the first impression is lots of fruit – blueberries and raspberries. But then, the flavor expands into a rich complexity, with chocolate and chewy tannins. If you like complex Zins that exhibit good fruit without being simple and too sweet, you’ll like Lot 321. Continue reading “Cameron Hughes Lot 321 2010 California Field Blend”

Stackable, Prefilled Wine Glasses

Stacked Wines MerlotWine merchants are always trying to come up with novel and convenient packages, and Stacked Wines has done just that: a 187ml container that is shaped like a stemless wine glass. The containers stack securely, and four of them are equivalent to a standard 750 ml bottle of wine. That’s a slightly larger pour than you’d get at your local restaurant, but I suspect they’ll get few complaints.

Stacked describes their container, dubbed Vinoware: Continue reading “Stackable, Prefilled Wine Glasses”

Vendi Pinot Grigio 2009

Price: $6
Maker: CL Dolo, Italy
Variety: Pinot Grigio
Packaging: Bottle, artificial cork
Alcohol: 12%
Our Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Vendi Pinot Grigio 2009 Delle Venezie isn’t typical of the varietal. It’s pale straw color doesn’t lead you to expect an overwhelmingly fruity taste. Its flavors are pear and tropical fruit, and this wine is far less dry than most Pinot Grigios. Light acidity clears the palate, preventing it from being overly cloying. Continue reading “Vendi Pinot Grigio 2009”

Barefoot Zinfandel (Update)

barefoot zinfandelPrice: $5
Maker: Barefoot Cellars, Modesto, California
Variety: Zinfandel
Packaging: Bottle, artificial cork
Alcohol: 13.5%
Our Rating: 8.5 out of 10

It’s been five years since we looked at Barefoot Zinfandel (non-vintage), and it’s good to know that not much has changed with this very inexpensive wine. Continue reading “Barefoot Zinfandel (Update)”

Buying Wine at Sam’s Club

Sam's ClubI’ve always found Sam’s Club to be a good place to buy wine. They have an interesting, if limited, selection ranging from inexpensive, mass-market wines to pricier fare. Some of their best offerings are inexpensive wines that are hard to find elsewhere. For example, after trying one bottle of the rather amazing Cameron Hughes Lot 250 Meritage 2009 that cost a mere $8, I hustled back for another half-dozen bottles. That wine is a one-shot deal – when it’s gone, it’s gone. Continue reading “Buying Wine at Sam’s Club”

Wine Gift Ideas

Wine Cellar Wine Glass Charms (Set of 6)I love this season, because all sorts of wonderful wine accessories pop up in stores.  Plus, it’s a time of year when you can get something a little odd or extravagant.  I searched my own accessories plus a variety of sites to come up with some clever ideas for a few wine-lover oriented gifts! Continue reading “Wine Gift Ideas”

Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Tilia Cabernet SauvignonPrice: $9
Winery: Tilia, Mendoza, Argentina
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, screw cap
Alcohol: 13.9%
Our Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Perhaps the strongest appeal of Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 is the ripe berry and licorice nose. On the palate, it combines cherry, red berry, and woody notes with an reasonably long finish. It’s on the light side for a Cab, though I didn’t really see the sweetness that a few reviewers noticed. This Cab definitely improves with some air. Despite aerating and a little breathing, the first sips were a bit harsh and not all that flavorful. An hour or two later, the wine was more pleasant and pleasantly drinkable. At first taste, I was thinking a sub-8.0 rating on my personal scale of 10, but after the wine sat for a while I found it more to my liking. Continue reading “Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon 2009”