Friday Wine Tasting... Buzzworthy Red

Wine of the Week...

Renieri Invetro

$15.99

Happy Friday!  Everyone is buzzing about this super Tuscan blend so I had to pick up a bottle to see what the hype was about.  I haven't blogged much lately about great reds since the temps have been so ridiculously hot here in the Northeast but this wine is fabulous!  It is definitely a steal priced under $20, which is always my favorite find!  This is a must try for the weekend.  Cheers!

Tasting Notes: Superbly rich ruby-red in color. This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot is very complex on the nose, with crisp fruit fragrances melding beautifully with earthy notes. The palate exhibits a solid structure with impressive depth, and great length and finish that will keep you licking your lips to re-live this wonderful taste experience.  -Wine Expert, Stew Leonard's

Friday Wine Tasting... Kick off to Summer, Memorial Day Cocktails

 via image

Bring out the barbeques, sunscreen, bikinis, lounge chairs, and cocktails, it is Memorial Day Weekend, one of my favorite weekends of the year!!! Because in my mind it is the start of another fabulous summer!  Today we are onsite at Saltwater Farm Vineyard for Carol and Kevin's intimate wedding celebration at the winery, but then we are kicking back and enjoying a couple of days off.  I think it is the first Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend I have had off in 5 years, and I am ready to embrace every minute of it.  

Some fun plans this weekend: Birthday Cocktails at one of the hottest new Restaurants on the CT shoreline, Fresh Salt, backyard bbq with family and friends, the incredible Nicole Frechette is performing live at Chamard Vineyards on Sunday, and we are packing up our bags for a day at the beach in Old Lyme at Pavillion.  What are your plans this weekend?

Memorial Day Weekend Picks

Wine of the Week

Brass Tacks Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

$14.99

Winemaker's notes:

Let’s get down to brass tacks. This Cabernet Sauvignon is about the purity of the varietal flavors and California terroir. Brass Tacks Cabernet Sauvignon offers classic rich layers of currant, cherry and blackberry fruit that is framed by nicely integrated oak, which adds a touch of spice. This small lot Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from California's Central Coast that is influenced by the Pacific Ocean. This maritime influence creates an extended growing season that yields wines with full flavor development and great acid balance.

Food Pairings: Perfect with anything off the grill!
What the Experts Say:

"Very nice for the price. Dry and smooth, with blackberry, cherry, cola and currant flavors that have a scoury mouthfeel, because of the tannins. Lots of class and even some complexity. Editor's Choice"

88 Points

Wine Enthusiast 

Cocktail of the Week

John Daly Light

1 part Firefly Ice Tea Vodka

1 part Light Minute Maid Lemonade

Cup full of Ice

Garnish with a lemon

Friday Wine Tasting...Belle Pente 2008 Williamette Valley Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week... 
Belle Pente 2008 Williamette Valley Pinot Noir
Rated #1 for 2008 Oregon Pinot Noir by NY times
$23

This is a gem!!  A huge thanks to sister and her boyfriend for discovering this incredible Pinot Noir from Oregon, and bringing us a bottle over Easter.  I kept hearing great things about the 2008 crop from Oregon for Pinot Noir and this is proof that it was a fabulous year!

The NY Times also agreed in rating it number one when tasting between 20 bottles.  I am loving Pinot Noir as we transition from winter to summer!  Let me know if you have tried any other fabulous Pinots recently.  Always looking for new wines to taste and feature.  Cheers!

Friday Wine Tasting... 2007 Wildass Red

Wine of the Week
2007 Wildass Red
$19.95

I always love to try the wines that are local to an area while visiting and while we were out the other night all of the Canadian wines on the menu at DNA Restaurant were half price during happy hour.  You can't beat that!  We ventured to try the 2007 Wildass Red which was fantastic!  I only wish we could have found it in the local wine stores so I could take a few bottles home with us.  This one might be hard to find in the States but if you ever get the chance this is one you will want to remember.  Happy Friday Everyone!! 

From the Winery: Don’t all stampede to the order button at once! This is the finest breed of Wildass Red yet. You could say it is the Secretariat of the mule family, the Northern Dancer of the herd. 2007 gave the winemakers of Niagara the finest growing conditions in 5000 years (most of that is speculation Your Honour). Fully ripe, red fruit on the vine meant a selection of barrels that, once put together, produced a wine of complexity, ageability, but as well, with instant reward... ability.
Summary Tasting Note: Delicious!

What the Experts are saying: The 2007 Wildass Red is redolent with lush black currant, blackberry, and cranberry notes which captivates the senses immediately. Blessed with marvelous growing conditions, this single vineyard, Niagara-on-the-Lake wine is soft on the palate with currant notes on the mid-palate. The finish has a slightly flinty note, and the fresh acidity carries the rich fruit flavors through to a long lingering finish, an indication of a very good wine. The ripe fruit is testament to the strong 2007 vintage. This is a softer, sexier Wildass than years past. The team at Stratus continues to develop quality wine at the Wildass level.

—Mark Moffat
The Wine Guy

Friday Wine Tasting... Irony Russian River Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week
Irony Russian River Pinot Noir
$16.79

This week's Friday wine tasting is coming from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  It is going to be so hard to leave after having the most incredible week in paradise.  Sister and I ventured out the other night to what was one of the most amazing restaurants, Pikayo, at the Conrad Hotel (a must visit).  From the ahi tuna lolipops at the bar, beet salad and scallops, prepared to perfection for dinner, to the chocolate souffle and espresso for dessert, it was amazing!  As was the wine!  We tried a bottle of the Irony Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, which I couldn't get enough of. Definitely a new favorite.

Happy Weekend Everyone! Cheers.

From the Winery: The 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is medium-bodied with complex aromas of raspberry, strawberry, lemon thyme and caramel with hints of earthy sauteed mushroom.  Fresh berry fruit, dark blackberry, baked rhubarb, caramel and a touch of bacon fat round out the concentrated palate, balanced by firm, fresh acidity and silky tannins.

Friday Wine Tasting... Willamette Valley Vineyards 2007 Pinot Noir

Wine of the Week
Willamette Valley Vineyard 2007 Pinot Noir
$24

This was a new wine we tried on Valentine's Night.  I have been stuck on Cabs lately so it was a real treat to try a delicious Pinot Noir from Oregon.  I can't take the credit for finding this one but so glad husband came home with it.  One of the best I have had in a while, great fruit balanced with a smokiness, and a really soft finish.  Happy Friday wine tasting!!  Cheers!

p.s. I also recently stumbled upon a great blog that talks all about wine.

Friday Wine Tasting... Jonathan Edwards Winery 2008 Napa Valley Merlot

Wine of the Week
Jonathan Edwards 2008 Napa Valley Merlot
$25

Last Week Abby and I had the chance to visit Jonathan Edwards Winery to discuss the design for their upcoming Winemaker's Dinner, catered by the Ocean House. We were so honored to be asked to collaborate with them on this big event. And while we were there we couldn't pass through the tasting room without sampling some of their latest releases, one of which has become a new favorite, their 2008 Napa Valley Merlot. I took home a bottle and husband and I enjoyed it with our Valentines Dinner on Saturday night. This is a local wine you will definitely want to try!