Mason - Sauvignon Blanc - 2010

From Napa Valley, California

After some online research, we discovered that the taste was so unique that employees in Mason's tasting room told reviewers on yelp that this Sauvignon Blanc would probably never have the same flavor profile again. Which makes us happy to review this 2010 wine!

Colin: I'm surprised by this wine, since it has a heavy-handed fruity bouquet. Yet, it has a very pleasant finish. If the fruit notes were dialed down, I would like this Sauvignon more. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: This wine is crisp with a delicious, citrus finish. It's unlike any Sauvignon Blanc we've ever had. Definitely sweeter than the average, with a very earthy feel. I can only compare it to that flavor you get from cucumber water - very fresh and light. 

Rating: 8 out of 10 - highly recommended due to its unique flavor profile 

Where can I find it? We got our 325 mL bottle at Whole Foods for $4.99. 

Challis Lane - Merlot - 2011

From California 

From the bottle:

"Wine style: This soft and pretty Merlots shows expressive flavors of ripe plum and black cherries with a hint of vanilla and toasty notes to accent the finish."

Colin: This is a pretty good, all-purpose bottle of wine. It has a strong bouquet, which is typical of a merlot. It really shines in the long lasting finish. 

Rating: 7 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: This wine pairs fantastically well with pasta. Without, there is a sour smokiness to it that I'm not a big fan of - but the finish is wonderful. With food, you can taste all the soft, well-rounded flavors to this delicate wine. 

Rating: 8 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it? We got this during the 5 cent wine sale at Bevmo - it's normally priced at $9.99.

We’re Back!

So we’ve been gone for almost two years – but we’re starting up in earnest again!

We got married back in 2011, which is around the time that our marriage started and our blog stopped (but hey, we’ve had a fun two years!)

We’ve traveled to Hawaii, Seattle, Portland, and have managed to visit our folks back on the east coast a few times. We’ve had some awesome wine, beer, and delicious food.

Rachel changed jobs last year, which was hectic for all of two minutes (seriously, it was one of the easiest transitions ever). She self-published two novelettes and has a short story in an anthology. Colin’s been doing audio engineering and designing products for the UK company, Loopmasters.

We’re insanely surprised at the amount of traffic our blog still gets, even though we haven’t updated it in over a year. So, we’ve started it up again!

This blog is in need of a makeover, so Rachel will be working on a new design. In the meantime, grab a good glass of wine and enjoy the reviews!

Steven Bannus - Pinot Noir - 2011

From California

From the bottle: "Aged in French oak for 10 months. This Russian River Valley Pinot Noir shows fruity aromas, wild berry flavors, and a smooth finish."

Colin: Initial first taste left much to be desired. After the wine had a moment to breathe and it was paired with food, it became more enjoyable. A light wine, which could be improved with a less acidic finish.
Rating: 4 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: This is definitely a wine that you should drink with food. It had a strong, sour bite that you don't get if it is accompanying a meal. With a meal, however, it smooths out and you can really taste the berry notes.
Rating: 7 out of 10 with a meal (4 without)

Where can I find it?  We got it at BevMo! during the 5 cent wine sale (love that sale!) They also sell it online for $14.95.

Darkhorse - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2011

From California

From the bottle: "Darkhorse Cabernet showcases bold flavors of blackberry and black cherry, supported by firm tannins brown spice and dark chocolate espresso finish."

Colin: From the initial pour, seeing the lovely, rich color of the wine that this would be a decent bottle. However, I was surprised at how truly delicious it is. Perfect for a steak dinner - you can't go wrong with this full bodied cab.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10 glasses

Rachel: I'm not usually the biggest fan of smokey wines, but this wine also has the bold, fruitiness that I tend to love. While the espresso finish is a little strong for my palette, it's definitely good for the price. Complemented our maple vinaigrette salad and grilled veggies nicely.
Rating: 7 out of 10 glasses

Where can I find it?  We got it at Trader Joe's for $7.99.  You can visit their website here for more information.