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.

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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!

Peachy Canyon Zinfandel 2017

Nice depth of hue at a dark cranberry jelly with aromas of stewed cherries, and tart pie cherries. Palate--Nice first impression with dry tannins, impressive Zin dark berry flavors full of spice and lingering berry flavors. Peachy Canyon has always made a decent inexpensive Zin and this is at the $8 price point at Trader Joes. It is satisfying, and though it is at cellar temperature at the moment it will even be bigger and open to more expressive Zinfandel fruit. This Lodi Zin is another example of Lodi really coming into its own for solid Zins which are value priced. I still like Sonoma Zins as my fave but honestly it won't be long before long that Lodi may bust their bubble. 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 :)

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