Robert Craig 2003 Central Coast Syrah

Robert Craig 2003 Central Coast Syrah is made from fruit from vineyards in Los Olivos, Santa Ynez Valley, and Paso Robles.
It shows a vivid clear, dark garnet color in the glass. Lifting the glass to my nose black currant, dark cherry, dark raspberry, black licorice and a hint of smoked meat and vanilla meets me. On the palate an array of big ripe, and at the same time slightly earthy, fruit and berries with dark cherry, blackberry, with peppery notes, displays. The tannins are big and soft in this medium to full bodied wine.
I enjoyed this wine. It has a lot of nuances and is big and bold at the same time as it has some finesse. For the price it is a good choice.

The original price at the winery was $30. I found it at the local grocery store at sale for only $ 20.

Vote for my blog here and help me reach top 10 on The Blog Top!

Pied Violet 2002 Central Coast Merlot

Pied Violet literally means "purple foot" in French and refers to the old tradition on stomping grapes for the crush.

This 2002 Central Coast Merlot shows a dark red/purple color in the glass. On the nose dark cherry and plum with a whiff of spicy oak leaves an impression. Taking my first sip red and dark cherries with plum, spice and a touch of cranberry, hits me. Moderate acidity and soft, smooth tannins makes this wine extremely accessible and drinkable. Great on its own or pair it with some summer BBQ, like a pork tenderloin, not to spicy sausage, or a flank steak.

We received this wine as a gift (thanks Mindy!) and there is only one site online where I could find it available, WineShopAtHome.com. You can find it there for $15.50. When taking price into account I think this is a great soft/smooth, easy-to-drink, summer red, no greater complexity to it but not in any way to thin, that will prove to be a great crowd pleaser at any event.

Vote for my blog here and help me stay in top 10 on The Blog Top!
I have finally reached top 10 and I am now striving to reach top 5!

Summerland Winery 2006 Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc

The Summerland Winery 2006 Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc has a very pale, brilliant, straw color in the glass. Stick your nose in the glass and discover tropical fruit, white peach and citrus. On the palate a milder citrus with sweet pear and the tropical fruit again. The finish is clean and fresh with uplifting, crisp acidity. A not to shabby Sauvignon Blanc.
I got this at BevMo's 5 cent sale, which means that you buy one bottle for full price and get the second for 5 cents. So, I basically got this bottle for $ 8 ($15.99/bottle when not on sale). I say that is a very attractive price for a decent bottle. This would be a great crowd pleaser for that big summer BBQ, when you want to serve something good that won't brake the bank.
Find it online at Wine-Searcher.com from $12.60.

Vote for my blog here and help me reach top 10 on The Blog Top
I am now in top 12!

Cooking with and drinking the same bottle of wine...

I made a pot roast the other night that called for 1/2 bottle of Syrah. Since that meant that I would be drinking the other half, but on the other hand of course cooking with one half, I did not want to go to cheap but not to expensive either. The 2005 Qupe Central Coast Syrah fit the bill. Qupe makes good quality wine even at their entry level bottles. Owner and winemaker Bob Lindquist shares a winery, located at Bien Nacido Vineyards, with Jim Clendenen, his mentor and long time friend, of Au Bon Climat.
The wine showed dark red and purple color in the glass. Ripe fruit with spices/herbs on the nose, and ripe, dark, fruit, raspberries and cherries on the palate, with tannins supporting a medium length finish.
This is a non-heavy, very easy-drinking, everyday Syrah that you sip without having to put to much analyzing and thought into it.
Find it strait from the winery at http://www.qupe.com/ for $16.50, or save some dough ordering it from http://www.winezap.com/ (from $12.98).

The pot roast turned out great by the way...

Fess Parker Mackie's Blend Syrah 2002

The Central Coast Mackie's Blend Syrah is the least expensive Syrah that Fess Parker produce. The 2002 is less supple in fruit and more heavy on the tannins than the single vineyard Syrahs that Fess Parker makes. Raspberry and light, smokey tobacco and perhaps a hint of vanilla emerges on the nose. The raspberry follows you to the palate with tart cherry and red currant and tons of tannins that ends in a long finish. A not to shabby Syrah at $18, with nice varietal characteristics.