Castle Rock Pinot Noir (Monterey County) 2018

Nice crystalline garnet hue with spicy aromas of strawberry and very subtle vanilla pudding.

Palate--Very nice steely, fruit forward bright red fruit with a real spine to carry the delicious fruit on a beam of acid. Finishes with some residual strawberry/raspberry and smoke?

Castle Rock is always a value when it come to their pinot noir. This was $8 which is ridiculous and it is REAL wine, not manufactured plonk. It rivals many $20 price point pinots I have had so raise a glass of a perennial favorite.

Comments

We've moved!

After a few year hiatus from my "real" wine blog, you can now find my reviews at the winecask.blogspot.com I started this blog many years ago and was ranked the #8 wine blog on the world wide web. I am a regular guy with a very limited wallet so I drink what you drink with rare exceptions. So scoot on over there, follow me if you want short, no non sense wine info. Raise a glass!

Pure Bred (Old Vine) Zinfandel Lodi 2017

Very light hue with a unique aroma (slight) at the side rim of dill pickle juice which is intriguing. Zin aromas of wild berries, not over powering but pleasant, with a touch of rustic zinfulness. (OK that was cheesy!) Palate--There's a watery first impression but is quickly engulfed in big Zin fruitiness which is quickly fleeting leaving a pleasant lingering gentle berry goodness with a slightly "green" end. OK, I am the Zin maestro having had more zins in my life than possibly all other varietals combined? Well, if not, I am getting there. Zin is my grape. And here is the get a grip factor; this sells for $6.50 from Trader Joes, nuff said. Face it, I can't drink Turley, or Rosenblum single vineyard zins everyday (or even every week) so if you're having the gang over and want a light hearted red for those who insist they don't like red wine, give them I bit of this and see what happens. At this price, I'll raise a glass. Thanks MB :)

Cigar Box Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Hand Harvested) Dalle Valley Chile 2010

Bricking hue with aromas of spicy baked blackberry pie, and blueberry, with a touch of menthol and savory spices at the rim. Palate--Sturdy structured Cab with loads of mature dark berry fruit. It has an "OK" finish and it does linger for a good while! This isn't a complex Cab but the fact that it is as delicious as it is at 10 years old is a surprise and a treat! This sold for probably around $10 at its release so it is an outlier that it is still drinking so well. Definitely at it's ultimate time but will hold for I would guess 2 years anyway. It is a testament of the quality of even inexpensive Chilean Cabernets which are among some of my favorites. It is doubtful that you will find this wine this old but if you do you want to snag it and enjoy. Raise a glass!

Wine Reviews You can Use

Search This Blog