Wine-o: Round Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Round Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Napa, California


In case you couldn't tell, this wine went very well in our house.  With the bf's parents in town we had a lovely dinner of venison tacos and the wine was gone before dessert was a thought.  


The Cabernet paired very well with the game meat and spicy salsa.   It was on the dry side and very smooth.  Dark red, cloudy in color.


I have also gotten a Chardonnay from the Round Hill vineyard that I greatly enjoy.  Very dry with a powerful aroma and a beautiful golden color.


From Snooth.com Gregory Dal Piaz:
"Light aromatics are smoky and slightly caramelly with a hard, chemical edge to them and a bit of struck match. Very light and fluid in the mouth with some rustic tannins and a modest amount of red fruit. Not much to this but it’s well made and perfectly acceptable wine, if a bit tough and not particularly varietal. 82 pts"


Freya's Score: 6 -This score could increase if I were to have a proper tasting with concentration.  That being said I greatly enjoyed it and many requested a second glass, I would purchase again at this price.

Cost: ~$10 Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  10% off all bottles of wine not already on sale!

Culture Bit: NW Arkansas Loves Dogs

Northwest Arkansas loves dogs.  Which is fabulous.

There are dogs everywhere, at shops, offices, parks, almost every residential yard; everywhere.

Allow me to introduce Freya, my dog.  On a camping trip this weekend she made many a friend, canine and human alike.  And I had many people ask me what kind of dog she is because her hair is so soft and she is so well behaved.

Why her hair is so soft, I have no idea.  She is well behaved because I have a very generous boss who lets me bring her to work everyday.  I am a strict disciplinarian and she has been expected to adopt office manners.

I decided she had to have a part in my digital life because people in town now recognize me through her.  If Freya is seen, then people look for me, they know she can't be far.  She is definitely my best friend, and she thinks she is also my Knight and protector to the end!

I found Freya through Petfinder and got her at the local Animal Shelter.  For those of you who are considering a pet I greatly recommend adoption as it is beneficial to the dog, society, and you.  It is important to be selective to make sure the dog is the right fit for you and your family.

Most recently, a dog was brought to my office that was found on a bike/walking trail in downtown.  We have posted Lost & Found notices throughout the area, on Facebook, and Craigslist.  While we have not found her owner yet, we have had many people show an interest in adopting her.  I am hopeful that through our NW Arkansas network we can place her in a home and not the pound.

We all wonder if she was abandoned.  How someone could do that to a loving creature, I do not know.  I told my friend today that I don't get spiritual about a lot of things, but dogs are one of them.  I think they come into our lives for a reason and maybe their impact on our life goes further than we could ever imagine...  I hope that little Goldie will find a good home.

More to come later on the idea of doggy reincarnation...

Wine-o: Four Vines Chardonnay

Four Vines, 2009 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, CA


A couple weeks ago I drove to the Macadoodle's in Pineville, MO.  I had a mission.  My stepsister had just told me that during her visit to our parents they had gone down to Temecula, CA and had a great day of wine tasting.  I was determined that I too could have wine tasting despite the fact that I currently reside in NW Arkansas.  My Mission: a case of 12 different wines from California for my own personal tasting.

From the vineyard: 

"Step away from the barrel! This Chardonnay was fermented in 100% stainless steel and has not seen any oak, nor does it want to. This is crisp, concentrated Chardonnay with all its natural acid. Naked exhibits apple, white peach, and pear, finishing long with hints of citrus and mineral. Eat oysters and drink "Naked" often!! Share with a friend..."

This wine is very tart and quite dry.  It has almost a greenish tinge in coloring.  The aroma is very strong and sharp.  The tart flavor got stronger after it had been open a couple days.  A day after opening the wine tasted more of fruit flavors.

Freya's Score: 7 -the price is right!  I would bring this to a friend's house as a hostess gift.

Cost: ~$10 Southern Missouri, bought from the Macadoodle's location in Pineville, MO.  This is a great deal if you purchase it with the fantastic Macadoodle's case of wine deal.  10% off all bottles of wine not already on sale!

Wine-0.2007 Masked Rider, Petit Syrah

I confess to many people that I am a wine-o, I love trying new and different wines.  However, I do not pretend to be a well educated wine taster.  This is a skill I look forward to honing as I pass through life.

Wine of the Evening: Masked Rider, Petit Sirah, 2007  Sonoma, California

From the vineyard's website:

This 2007 Petite Sirah has lots of dark plum, blackberry and fruit aromas. The taste of berries and black pepper on the mouth.  A smooth mouthfeel and rounded tannins make this an enjoyable red wine.

The words that came to mind when drinking this were soft, and round.  It has a longer finish, lingering pleasantly in the mouth.

It is recommended to eat this with chicken or pork, and I think it would go well with a pork roast.  That being said I am sure it will taste lovely next to tonight's venison quesadillas.

Price ~$10 (Missouri, Macadoodle's)

Freya's Rating: 6

I probably would not buy it again, but it was a great deal as a part of the Macadoodle's case deal (buy a case of wine and get 10% off all wines not on sale)

Culture Bit: Go Hogs! ... Say What?

Having moved from NYC area to Northwest Arkansas and the Bentonville area, I have experienced many different culture shocks and educated moments.  One that is very present now is the culture that surrounds the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Northwest Arkansas people go nuts for hogs.  And when I say hogs, I mean the University of Arkansas Football team, the Razorbacks.  Never have I lived somewhere where the entire community seems to orbit around a sporting season, much less a collegiate football one.

On game day, cars can be seen driving about town with Razorbacks flags flying out their windows.  People wear the bright blaze red to show off their loyalty, and businesses wonder what the impact will be on their services.  (E.g. sports bars and restaurants see massive profit while retailers may see fewer customers, and Walmart will sell masses of "Hogs" merchandise.)

I am not a football fan.  I do not understand the game, despite having it explained to me by my college roommate and several men who wish to educate me.  I find the stop and go tedious, the rules difficult, and the scoring arbitrary.

What I do enjoy, is how it brings people together.  While there is the contingent who tailgate the games (an experience I have yet to have) there is a large amount of parties that occur in homes.  People come together and cook while watching the game.  Catching up with each other (while the game awkwardly lurches along in the background).  Children play outside the house on their bikes, and people are generally in good cheer, even if the game is lost!  And of course, everyone is dressed in bright blaze red, loyal to the team.

Now why can't we do all this while we watch professional Hockey or Soccer?

Note:  Some people have the Razorback logo put on festive cakes, such as Anniversary or Wedding cakes.  For serious.