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missroseroseJust a record of various wines that I've tried and my opinions of them.
Red Wines
Black Opal 2001 Shiraz: Good, mellow but with a definite bite. Excellent sipping wine.
Beaulieu Vineyard/Coastal Estates Private Cellars 2002 Pinot Noir: A little young, but very mild and smooth. Almost no bite, with a nice creamy aftertaste.
Black Swan 2003 Combination 75% Shiraz 25% Merlot: Excellent table wine. Merlot softens the bite of the Shiraz, but it's still strong enough to cut the grease of a marinara sauce.
Casarsa 2002 Merlot: Cheap wine, tastes suspiciously like it's been watered down, but good with pasta and whatnot. And goes amazingly well with Newman's Own Organic Dark Chocolate.
Columbia Crest 2002(?) Cabernet-Merlot: Nice blend; has the plummy flavors of Merlot while the Cabernet gives it a bit more oomph. Went excellently with pizza; may have to try the separate wines. (3/2/2005)
Cypress 2002 Merlot (San Jose, CA): A bit on the dry/acidic side for drinking alone, though it imparts excellent flavor to spaghetti sauce and the like. Woody finish. (1/21/2005)
Frog's Leap 2002 Zinfandel: Very nice, mellow but lots of flavor. Goes well with spicy dishes. Well worth the $25 price tag.
Little Penguin 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (SE Australia): Firm yet gentle, juicy and easy to drink. A bit heavy on tannins; would probably age well. (1/21/2005)
Yellow Tail 2003 Shiraz: A bit young. Helps if you open the bottle a day in advance.
White Wines
Columbia Crest 2003 Riesling: Crisp, though needs refrigeration to be at its best. Goes perfectly well with Parmesan cheese and pasta; a bit sweet, not too acidic. (3/2/2005)
Covey Run 2000 Chardonnay - Fruity. Didn't go well with clamsauce, but not bad as white wine goes.
Red Wines
Black Opal 2001 Shiraz: Good, mellow but with a definite bite. Excellent sipping wine.
Beaulieu Vineyard/Coastal Estates Private Cellars 2002 Pinot Noir: A little young, but very mild and smooth. Almost no bite, with a nice creamy aftertaste.
Black Swan 2003 Combination 75% Shiraz 25% Merlot: Excellent table wine. Merlot softens the bite of the Shiraz, but it's still strong enough to cut the grease of a marinara sauce.
Casarsa 2002 Merlot: Cheap wine, tastes suspiciously like it's been watered down, but good with pasta and whatnot. And goes amazingly well with Newman's Own Organic Dark Chocolate.
Columbia Crest 2002(?) Cabernet-Merlot: Nice blend; has the plummy flavors of Merlot while the Cabernet gives it a bit more oomph. Went excellently with pizza; may have to try the separate wines. (3/2/2005)
Cypress 2002 Merlot (San Jose, CA): A bit on the dry/acidic side for drinking alone, though it imparts excellent flavor to spaghetti sauce and the like. Woody finish. (1/21/2005)
Frog's Leap 2002 Zinfandel: Very nice, mellow but lots of flavor. Goes well with spicy dishes. Well worth the $25 price tag.
Little Penguin 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon (SE Australia): Firm yet gentle, juicy and easy to drink. A bit heavy on tannins; would probably age well. (1/21/2005)
Yellow Tail 2003 Shiraz: A bit young. Helps if you open the bottle a day in advance.
White Wines
Columbia Crest 2003 Riesling: Crisp, though needs refrigeration to be at its best. Goes perfectly well with Parmesan cheese and pasta; a bit sweet, not too acidic. (3/2/2005)
Covey Run 2000 Chardonnay - Fruity. Didn't go well with clamsauce, but not bad as white wine goes.
