Barefoot Moscato, $5

Barefoot is one of the more well-known and widely available "bargain" brands of wine, but generally unremarkable in my (limited) experience. In the past, I've sampled their Pinot Noir (which had no chance in surpassing the Robert Mondavi version I had tried just before) and their Zinfandel, which made it into "The Wine Trials 2010" but did not impress me. The brand is reasoably priced, but considering that for virtually the same cost I can get a bottle of [yellow tail], there's no contest. [yellow tail]'s wines are delicious, and especially so since they're such a steal.

That being said, my latest Barefoot endeavor was remarkably more satisfying than my previous ones. Described as "deliciously sweet" on the bottle, the pale yellow Barefoot Moscato is filled with yummy fruit and is very definitely sweet, but still balanced with just enough acidity.

On the nose, this white wine offers notes of white grape, stone fruit, and citrus. A noteable sweetness is at the forefront on the tongue, giving way to plenty of juicy fruit (peach and citrus), which continue for a very respectable finish for a cheap, less "serious" wine!

By now my readers have probably noticed that I tend to favor red varieties, but this has been my favorite white wine thus far. I think part of the reason I enjoyed it so much is because it's the most honest, straightforward wine I've tried from Barefoot. As I said, it's definitely not "serious," and it's extremely unlikely that it would impress a wine critic; however, in its playfulness it isn't trying to be something it's not, which makes me love it even more.

My Grade: ++++

2007 Ravenswood Vintners Blend Zinfandel, $10

If you're a wine buff, you probably already know that Ravenswood is one of the big names in Zinfandel, and for good reason, as I recently found out. This is another of the three bottles of wine I bought at World Market in March, and I paid around $10 for it.

This full-bodied, dark ruby red Zin gives off tantalizing aromas of sour cherry, oaky vanilla, and just a hint of chocolate. On the palate, round, smooth tannins give way to intense fruit at the forefront. Spicy oak emerges to compliment the fruit flavors (cherry, other berry), leading to a nice fruit finish.

I can't say enough how impressed I was with this Zinfandel. It truly lives up to its hype, and does the Ravenswood family proud. Soft, supple tannins and a round flavor profile make this Zin a joy to drink, and it is extremely well balanced. It is full-bodied, but not heavy; fruity but not overly so; and just all-around yummy...It would be great with food, too!

My Grade: ++++

2007 Pink Truck, $11

It's been a while since I've had a chance to post a wine review, mainly due to the fact that my husband and I are in the process of trying to buy a house. If you've ever been through that maze, you know how much time is involved in the process, and how stressful it is. It's a good thing that I have a decent wine supply on hand, because it's really nice to have a glass at the end of those especially hectic days!

With that out of the way, I thought I would tell you about the first wine I've bought on recommendation from a friend/family member, a blush/rosé known aptly as Pink Truck. It's an off-dry (slightly sweet), pinkish-rose-red light-bodied wine from Red Truck Winery of California. I purchased it last month on Wine.com for $11.

It gives off aromas of strawberry, raspberry, orange, white grape, and, of course, alcohol. The same notes are found o nthe palate, with an acidic "bite" at the forefront that gradually resides into pleasant fruit flavors. The finish is decent, but somewhat weak.

This wine has fairly good balance, although I would have liked for it to have had just a bit more sweetness (or a little less acidity)--but then again, it's called an off-dry wine for a reason! The fruit flavors are delicate, but harmonious.

Although I prefer the Canyon Wind Desert Rosé over this bottle, it's still a nice, straightforward rose wine. My mom, whom I shared the second half of the bottle with, really loved this one. It definitely has an undeniably universal appeal, and who wouldn't love its creative and nostalgic label?!

My Grade: ++

2007 Smoking Loon Merlot, $6

A Great-Tasting Wine for the Price

I've bought most of the wines that I've sampled over the past couple of months on recommendation from wine books and friends, and I've rarely been disappointed. With this one, however, I have to be honest...I bought it at Walmart out of sheer curiosity, mainly due to its unique name and eye-catching label. Now I'll be the first to acknowledge that you can't judge a wine by its bottle, yada yada; BUT, let's face it--we've all done it at some point. And it's no accident that wineries pour tons of money into marketing their wines--they know that with a striking label and a unique name, they're bound to make countless sales on novelty factor alone.

Nonetheless, I found myself scanning the local Walmart's (rather limited) wine selection with a somewhat-more-trained eye, trying to make an "educated" decision as to which wine to try next. However, as the generic, neutral colored + cursive text + picture of a vineyard labels started to run together, I found my eyes drawn to the Smoking Loon's bold red and gold label, playing right into the wine marketing industry's plan to conquer the wine world through appearances alone. Thus is the route by which I ended up pouring myself a glass of Merlot (the first I've formally tasted) this weekend.

This brick red, medium-bodied wine gave off aromas of spicy, earthy oak, black pepper, red berries, and a hint of leather. On the palate, there were more of the same, along with a touch of milk chocolate and plum. It had nice tannins, was easy drinking, and had a respectable finish for a wine in this price range.

Overall, I was impressed by how pleasing this wine was. It had a surprisingly well-rounded flavor complex and a superb balance. Perfect on its own, it also has enough body to withstand a meaty main dish and is food-friendly enough to pair with cheese and crackers. A true crowd pleaser, I don't see how anyone could not like this wine.

My Grade: +++

Barefoot Zinfandel, $7

Proof that first impressions aren't always right...

I bought a bottle of Barefoot Zinfandel (Lodi, California) from Walmart several weeks ago, and finally uncorked it this weekend.

I purchased this on recommendation from "The Wine Trials 2010", which blind-tasted and picked 150 top wines under $15 that beat $50+ bottles to feature in their book. They touted this wine as a rare find--a Zin for $7 that didn't "send you running for the hills". After reading their review, I decided I would give it a try.

I pulled the bottle from the fridge and poured myself a glass on Friday night. Upon sitting down at the table to taste it, I took a big whiff. The first thing that came to mind was that this smelled more like a Cabernet Sauvignon than a Zinfandel...It had the spicy, oak-vanilla-red berry aromas of a Cab, and was about the same color.

After taking a nice big sip, I noted that this medium- to full-bodied Zin also tasted like Cabernet Sauvignon--jammy red berries dominated, with spicy oak rounding out the background. So...It looks like a Cabernet, smells like a Cabernet, and tastes (almost) like a Cabernet, but it's a Zinfandel? I have to say, I felt pretty confused about this one. I knew there must be something more that would distinguish this as a Zinfandel, so I took several more sips.

Almost immediately, I noticed that there was something different about this one...and it wasn't very pleasant. A few sips in, I detected a weird, almost salty flavor that dominated on the palate and made it difficult to drink. After this discovery, I started writing this one off as a failure in my mind, but I also knew there was something "off" about it that deserved more investigation.

The next night, I poured myself a (much) smaller glass of the Barefoot Zinfandel, intent on finding out what "The Wine Trials" saw in this one that I was missing. Then it hit me--It was very similar in all facets to Cabernet Sauvignon, so why not try drinking it like a Cab? This time, I let the glass set out on the counter until it came to room temperature before tasting it, as you would Cabernet. I took one tentative sip, then another...And liked it. Not really liked it, definitely not loved it, but liked it. That weird salty flavor that put me off the night before was gone now, and the flavors were much more balanced as a result. I went back to my wine journal and noted my new impressions, and was glad to have given this one another chance.

I think too often we are quick to form judgments based on first impressions, and take them as our final opinion without revisiting them again. This wine is proof that sometimes, even when our first impression is decidedly negative, a little tweak in method can make a huge difference in the end result, and in our final opinion on the subject. My suggestion? If you don't like a wine (especially a bargain wine), try tasting it at different temperatures instead of tossing it in the trash can...It can't hurt, right? And you never know, you might be (pleasantly) surprised! =)

My Grade: +

P.S.--For some great direction and/or guidance in choosing bargain wines, I highly recommend "The Wine Trials 2010". Its method is completely unbiased, and the results may shock you...Gone are the days when you have to shell out big bucks for a good wine!

2008 Watusi California Zinfandel, $7

Summertime in a Bottle

This fun, flirty Zin by Watusi is a delight to drink. It’s the first Zinfandel I’ve “formally” tasted, and it didn’t disappoint. Bright with prickly acidity and tannins, it provides excellent depth of flavors for a Zinfandel at this price point.

The Watusi Zinfandel is a medium-bodied strawberry red number that gives off aromas of red berries, florals, and a little oaky vanilla to round it out—in fact, I wrote down that it smells similar to a Cabernet.

On the palate, there are strong floral notes that dominate the first wave of flavors, along with strawberries and a trace of herbs. The floral taste lingers, but gives way to more red berries and a hint of peach, which gradually and subtly takes over and lingers on the finish.

This one may be too sweet for some (especially for the more exacting palate), but then again, Zinfandel isn’t a grape that conforms to French Bordeaux-loving standards either. If taken for what it is, this Zin is overflowing with joyous fruit flavors, and packs just enough acidity to balance out the residual sugar.

It turns out that this is not a very well-known wine, so it may be difficult to find; however, it just happened to grab my attention while heading for the checkout at World Market, and I’m glad I ended up buying a bottle of it. During what seems like a never-ending winter, this Zinfandel provides a glimpse of the bliss that is spring and summer!

P.S.--Sorry about the horribly blurry picture, guys...although I guess it kind of goes with this wine's illusiveness!

My Grade: ++++

2006 Beringer Founders' Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, $11

The night before last, I opened this bottle of Beringer Cabs for tasting. I let it sit on the counter during supper to allow it to come to room temperature (the "proper" way to drink cabernet sauvignon), then poured myself a glass.

After a good swirl, this ruby red wine gave off tantilizing aromas of red berries, spice, and oaky vanilla. According to Kevin Zraly's method of wine tasting, I took one sip to get over the initial "shock" to the taste buds before beginning my tasting impressions.

This cabs coats the mouth with a healthy amount of tannins, lending it an astringent quality at the onset. It immediately provides just the right acidity--nothing "too" about this one. The mouthfeel is rich and suede-like, with a slight "furry" quality to it. [By the way, I definitely thought that word sounded gross when I first read it in a wine review too, but you just have to experience it to know it's not a bad thing!]

The flavor is big, bold, and peppery, with an abundance of red berries and oak. It achieves superb balance in a short amount of time, and has great depth and length for a wine of this price.

As with any cabernet sauvignon, you wouldn't want to pair this one with a weak dish due to its full body and high tannin content, because it would overpower the food. This wine would pair well with red meat, pasta with heavier sauces, or even pizza. Or, of course, you could do like I did and just drink it on its own! Either way, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Speaking of disappointment...I poured another glass of this last night and left it on the counter to bring it to room temp, but since my hubby was much later getting home than I thought he would be, it got a little too warm, so I stuck it in the fridge. BIG mistake. I had set it on a shelf inside the door where the gallon jug of tea had been, and closed the door. After we ate supper, I went to the fridge to put some stuff away, and as soon as I opened the door, my wine came crashing down and splashed all over the floor, the inside of the fridge, and me. Luckily, my glass survived the fall, but I think that's because all of our glassware, from iced tea glasses to my wine glasses and my hubby's beer mugs (and juice glasses, and water goblets...) are all Libbey brand. I have never (*knock on wood*) had a Libbey glass break, and they're all I've used for the past three and a half years.

Anyway, I was majorly bummed that so much of my wine had gone to waste, especially since we're talking about a big glassful. Oh well...You live and you learn--and sometimes you spill your wine!

Barefoot Pinot Noir, $7

Barefoot's wines are among some of the most well-received bargain wines by critics for their relatively good quality-to-value ratio, and rightfully so. Their wines are "real" enough to pass muster with all but the hardest to please oenophile, and they cost much less than most decent wines on the market.

Billed by Barefoot as a "New Release", this one caught my curiousity at Walmart. I can't recall if I bought this wine at the same time or after the Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir (See my archive for its review) but I remember thinking it would provide a comparison point for the latter. At $7, it cost around $4 less than the Mondavi version.

On the nose, this variety is fairly diluted. There are hints of red fruit and flora, but it doesn't provide much to be sniffed.

This medium-bodied wine is similarly weak on the palate, albeit for the acidity, which is a little on the heavy side. Red fruit (cherry, raspberry) is predominate, but still doesn't provide much to think about. There is enough oak to add a touch more interest, but even it is vague in its perception.

I suppose it's because the Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir was so amazing in comparison, but I just can't seem to come up with much excitement for this one. It isn't bad, and it does go down easily with a smooth touch, but it doesn't have any length to speak of...In a matter of seconds, what flavors it does have to offer have already faded into oblivion. On the positive side, it didn't seem like the alcohol in this wine really affected me, but that's about all I can say...

When looking at the big picture, I would pay the extra $4 for the Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir in a heartbeat. There's just no way that this one can measure up to the pleasure that one provided, even though this is a good, basic, unoffensive red for a party or less discerning palates.

My Grade: +

2007 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir, $11

"Whatever you do, pour yourself into it."

--Robert Mondavi

I have to say, Mondavi et al really poured themselves into this one. It's a light bodied, dark ruby Pinot Noir with plenty of flavor to go around.

At around $11 at Walmart, this is an amazing wine for the price. Attractive aromas containing plenty of jammy, ripe fruit and a hint of vanilla from the oak lead into a beautifully complex palate bursting with fruit (blackberry?) and just enough oakiness to round out the edge.

Honestly, I would drink this wine with just about anything--or nothing! This bottle serves as proof that you don't have to spend a fortune to find a true treasure in the wine world. It has amazing balance and complexity, and the finish has impressive length for such a (relatively) cheap selection.

This was my first Pinot Noir, and it definitely set the bar high. I'm going to buy another bottle of this one for sure...It's a keeper!

My Grade: ++++

2007 Hayes Ranch 'In the Saddle' Cabernet Sauvignon, $7

"California Wines with a Western Spirit"

The tagline for this California winemaker seems to be the perfect description for the style of their wine. Everything about it screams "Western," from the label design to the stuff inside the bottle.

This is another wine from my first round of purchases last month at World Market, and it's a steal for what you get.

This dark red Cab gives off aromas of oak, vanilla, spice, red jam, and an unspecific vegetative bouquet.

It proved to be a supple, warm, jammy red wine with plenty of spicy oak flavor and just enough tannins to add interest. It has a nice complexity of flavors and is overall an extremely pleasing wine.

When I first opened it, it had a slightly chemical taste, but I think that it might have disappeared had I let the open bottle sit for a little bit before the first sip. After the bottle sat in the fridge for a few days, it seemed like the flavors only got better. As time went by, it got more complex, smoky, and I was finally able to taste the blackberry noted on the label.

Hayes Ranch 'In the Saddle' is a big, oaky wine with plenty of fruit for the tasting. It's great on its own (the way I've enjoyed it the last couple of cold winter nights), but also goes well with pizza. It has enough substance to stand up to a nice steak, but is gentle enough to enjoy with chicken.

My Grade: +++

A Wine-Filled Honeymoon

Obviously it's been a while since I've posted (over two weeks, in fact), but I'm not going to apologize this time around! My new hubby and I got back from our honeymoon in Colorado on Monday, and we've been getting our house set up since then. Today is my first day back to work in a couple of weeks, and I finally have full internet access again...Two weeks is a significantly long web hiatus for me!

Anyway, we had an amazing time in Colorado, and it turned out to be a relaxing and much-needed vacation for both of us. You just can't beat eight days of a private hot tub and a breakfast of fresh fruit and crescents delivered to our room each morning (through a window in the wall, nonetheless!). We were sad to leave our cozy room at the Hotel Chateau Chamonix behind, but I don't think we'll miss the crazy altitude changes anytime soon!

Since I last posted, I've sampled several different wines, and a pretty wide array of them at that. According to the best of my memory, here is a list of them:

Wines From Personal Collection:
--2009 Yellow Tail Riesling (Australia)
--2008 La Vieille Ferme Récolte Rose Wine (France, AOC Côtes du Ventoux)
--2007 Hayes Ranch "In the Saddle" Cabernet Sauvignon (California)

Wines From Honeymoon:
--[Bodegas?] Borsao Red Wine (Spain)
--Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
--Sutter Home White Zinfandel (California)
--Unidentified White Wine (Received upon check-in at hotel)
--Unidentified Red Wine (Drank with dinner on Two Below Dinner Sleigh Rides in Frisco, CO)

Wines From Tasting at Canyon Wind Wine Cellars in Georgetown, Colorado:
--Merlot
--Syrah
--Petit Verdot
--Tempranillo**
--Desert Rosé**
**Added to Personal Collection

I'll try to describe each of them for you in as much detail as possible in separate posts, so keep reading!!!