2005 Bordeaux Cabs, Beverages and More, $8.99

Picked this one up at Beverages and More for $8.99, I think.

It’s quite nice. It’s a French negociant wine and it’s half Cabernet Sauvignon and half Cabernet Franc. This is the best daily wine that I’ve had since… well, since all those under-two Euro wines in Spain. This is just what you want for a cold February night with your roommate over lamb shawerma.

This wine is dry and weighty, not terribly complex, but not a fruit-bomb. The tannins aren’t overpowering, but add depth over the minimal cherry and eucalyptus notes.

Check it out. You won’t be disappointed. This is one to buy a case of and keep around for anything. It would go well with lamb, roast chicken, Indian food, or just about anything. Enjoy it.

Spencer Robinson Lodi “Sueno Vineyard” Syrah, 2001. Bevmo, $25

Editor’s note: Several things, including family emergencies and graduate school applications have kept me from wine for a while. I’m getting back on track… and on my boozing, now.

Jam.

Like cheap port. Without oak. Without acid. Full-flavored, but not much flavor in that full.

Even worse? This isn’t a $10 corner store wine. It was 2 for 1 (Guess why? Maybe because it’s terrible?) so I “only” paid like $12 for each one. And I have to drink another one.

I left a glass of it to sit overnight. Above are my notes from last night (I wasn’t drunk, and it was paired with some really tasty roasted parsnips & carrots, tri-tip, and baby bok choy sautéed in butter with salt and pepper. Simple. Except for the tri-tip, and that was just… well, just simple, too.)

My nose says: Fruit! A bit alcoholic! Nothing really enticing. 15% alcohol, which is not terribly high but neither is that doing anything for the flavor.

My mouth says: Initially, hot. Too much alcohol. A little eucalyptus followed by a giant wall of jammy cheap watered down port. It’s thicker than Syrah but thinner than port, and it doesn’t have much of the joy of each one.

Save yourself twenty-five bucks and go get some Cline Zin.