Wine-o: 2010 Irony Chardonnay

Irony 2010 Chardonnay Napa Valley, CA

Alcohol:  14.5%

Price: ~$11-

A great Chardonnay!  I enjoyed this wine served at room temperature instead of chilled.  It was full of butter and apple flavors, while not overpowering or spicy.  Straw yellow in color and clear; it paired amazingly with Perch Po' Boy sandwiches and a damp fall evening.  This Chardonnay currently rivals the Lucky Star and Clos du Bois that I love!

Freya's Score 83

Mona's Value 7.6

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price; this produces a better analytic which takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Robert Mondavi Chardonnay

Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2010 St. Helena, California

Alcohol:  13.5%

Price: ~$8.50

This Chardonnay is light and crisp.  It's a nice medium between sweet and dry.  Very affordable and with a slight buttery taste.  Overall I find it a bit too light for my taste.  It seems I prefer a more heady, or bold Chardonnay.  However I find the taste quite pleasant and would purchase again or give as a hostess gift.  

After reading the vineyard's description... I do like it more since reading the tasting notes.  Perhaps thats because they said the 2010 season was a strong one, perhaps my wine has aired more and is in fact better.  It does have a bit of a tang to it, probably denoting the peach and brown sugar flavors they refer to.  It's a fine wine and an excellent price for it.

In 2010, our Central Coast Chardonnay grapes enjoyed an extended period maturing on the vine, which produced fruit with impressively concentrated flavors. The natural roundness of our Chardonnay was enhanced by partial barrel and malolactic fermentation coupled with extended aging on the yeast lees, resulting in a luscious, complex wine. The nose reveals lemon blossom, pineapple, and peach aromas with smoky oak nuances along with enticing vanilla spice and toasty brown sugar flavors. The creamy, mouthfilling palate creates a lush impression and is balanced by a rich, lingering finish.

Freya's Score 74

Mona's Value 8.7

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price; this produces a better analytic which takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Educational Video

Please enjoy this informative video on the different varietals of wine from our friends in the Paso Robles Wine Country.  Happy Saturday!

Wine-o: Smoking Loon Chardonnay

Smoking Loon 2009 Chardonnay, California
Alcohol:  13.5%
Price: ~$10.50

I confess, I bought this wine because of the amazing store display.  There is a sweepstake for this bike, and of course I entered myself, and The BF into it.  How cool would it be to have a wine cruiser bike?! (The only downside is that this is not a step through "ladies" cruiser which is my favorite...)

I selected a Chardonnay from their wide variety which included Old Vine Zinfandel, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, and more.  The wine had a pleasant, subtle taste of fruits.  It wasn't as dry as I prefer, but a bit more floral in taste.

Freya's Score 70
Mona's Value 6.7
The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price; this produces a better analytic which takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc

Cupcake 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Central Coast California

Alcohol 13%

Price $12

My mother is quite the fan of Sauvignon Blanc.  Usually they aren't as dry as a Chardonnay, and they often have a trace of citrus or herbal zest to them.  She particularly likes those of the herb resonance, such as Nobilo and Kono.  

However, the Cupcake is a little more affordable, and very available at almost any wine shop.  This wine has a nice zing to it and is more on the herbal side than citrus.  Definitely serve this chilled.  It paired well with cheese hors d'oeuvres and a humid evening.  Not overly sweet and a bit on the drier side; the whole family enjoyed this!  (Although I would still buy the Cupcake 2010 Angel Food over this vintage...)

Freya's Score 79

Mona's Value 6.6

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price, giving a better analytic that takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Sawtooth Chardonnay

Sawtooth Winery 2009 Chardonnay 
Snake River Valley, Idaho

Alcohol 14.3%

Price $13

This past summer during our road trip out west, we picked up some beer and wine to try.  I was pleasantly surprised by the Snake River area in Idaho (just outside Boise).  It was wonderful to be 30 minutes from a large city and surrounded by farms and mountains.

Sawtooth Winery was a stop The BF requested because of their striking wine labels.  We bought a couple bottles, one being the 2009 Chardonnay.  It packs a bit of a punch at 14%+ alcohol and is a very dry Chardonnay (and yes it has a buttery flavor to it!).  While a bit too dry for my taste, the flavor was lovely.

It should be noted that Sawtooth Winery has received awards and is a noted Idaho wedding venue.  Bookings can be made by emailing: kellig@sawtoothwinery.com 

Freya's Score: 82

Mona Value: 6.3

The MV is calculated by dividing the FS by the price, giving a better analytic that takes into consideration price as well as overall taste

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Wine-o: Tereseret Antique Rose

Tereseret Antique Rose, FRANCE
Alcohol 12.5%
Price: ~$15

This wine was a lovely rose.  It was not as sweet as I anticipated and paired very well with hors d'oeuvres of crackers and french soft cheeses.  Served chilled it is a great solution for a hot summer evening.  I would recommend serving this first to guests and then a more conventional white or red wine paired with the dinner offering (remember, reds can be served slightly chilled as well!)

"Crisp"

"Refreshing"

"Sweet and slightly dry, pairs well with St. Andre cheese"

"Refreshing and a bit fruity without going overboard"

Freya's Score: 68
Mona's Value: 4.5

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Wine-o: Fat Bastard Merlot

Fat Bastard 2010 Merlot, FRANCE
Alcohol 13.5%
Price $12

This is a great wine that I have enjoyed many a time.  It is an affordable wine and therefore a great hostess gift.  It is a soft and smooth merlot, with some tannins that give a sharp metallic kick of an aftertaste.

This wine pairs well with a variety of meats.  It goes wonderfully with venison steak as well as barbecue pork.  I've even enjoyed a Fat Bastard wine at Thanksgiving with stuffing and domestic turkey.

"I love a fat bastard!"

Freya's Score: 80
Mona's Value: 6.67


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Wine-o: Marcus James Chardonnay

Marcus James Chardonnay, Eastern ARGENTINA
Alcohol 13.5%
Price: ~$11

Our move has been successful!  The art is up, and I am cleaning now because the dogs continue to shed, not for sanitization or moving reasons!  As the job search rages, I've converted momentarily to mondo sized wines, you know, the 1.5L steals that you can find for parties and whatnot.

If you know my current taste in white wine, you will know that I like buttery, full, Chardonnays, like Lucky Star's Chardonnay.  This is not buttery.  It is full, and the label says it all: "crisp fruity style with hints of apples and other orchard fruits..."  I really enjoy it.  It seems almost like a Sauvignon Blanc, but is drier as one would expect of a Chardonnay.  

All in all, it's great, it's large, and it's original looking. It goes well with appetizers such as tortilla chips with salsa or hummus, as well as roasted chicken.

Freya's Score: 70

Mona's Value: 6.4

Wine-o: Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Beaulieu Vineyard "BV" Coastal Estates 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, CA
Alcohol 13.5%

Price ~$11-

As I have had the pleasure to travel and visit with friends and family this summer, I thought that I would include various comments from our collective wine tastings.  I am often told that wine tastes differently to everyone, and that any review or observation is right!

"Fruity- good standard wine, great for chit chatting"

"Drinkable"

"soft, mmmm"

"smooth, no bite, not a lot of tannins"

Freya's Score: 77
Mona's Value: 7

Wine-o: Ponga Sauvignon Blanc

Ponga Sauvignon Blanc 2010, NEW ZEALAND
Alcohol: 12.5%

This was a lovely light Sauvignon Blanc.  It was purchased mainly because of the price and the fact that it is from New Zealand (New Zealand is known for its Sauvignon Blanc wines).

The flavors were very citrusy, with a hint of spice, as well as on the sweeter side, but not overbearing.  It paired very well with steamed clams.  I am sure it would also pair well with grilled salmon or other seafood meals.  I took it out of the refrigerator to let it warm up a bit before drinking and the flavor was wonderful.

Vintage Notes

Price: ~$11
Freya Score: 70
Mona Value: 6.4

Wine-o: Vendange Cabernet Sauvignon

Vendange Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA
13.0% Alcohol

As a part of our road trip, we decided to be economical and camp in some of our favorite parts of the country. While The BF loves beer, I am partial to wine and so we had to make a precamping stop.  The Vendange Cabernet Sauvignon was perfect for camping because it cost $3.79 for about 3 glasses of wine neatly packaged in a milk-like carton.  Easy to drink and close, easy to throw out with other camping trash.

While not the best Cabernet by far, the wine was passable with simple fruity notes and a short finish.  I felt that this wine stayed true to the varietal despite the low cost.  It paired wonderfully with my hunk of Semolina bread and cheddar cheese, as well as grilled sausage and fresh cutthroat trout.


Vendange
Cost $3.79
Freya Score  35
Mona Value 9.2

Wine-o: The Show Cabernet Sauvignon

The Show 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa County, CA
Alcohol: 13.9%

I confess I was very surprised to read the vineyard's notes on this wine.  I did not think this wine was "big and bold".  I enjoyed this wine with my grandmother (who has had several more wine tasting years than me and I assume therefore a more sophisticated palate).  We both agreed that the wine was simple, not overly flavorful and with a short finish.  The wine was fruity and a tad sweet, reminding me of the Masked Rider Petite Syrah.


We used a portion of this bottle in our slow cooked elk roast and it was delicious!  We mixed it with turkey broth, dry onion soup mix, several garlic cloves, and spices.  After 9 hours, dinner was ready and it was amazing!

Vintage Notes:

Like a Hatch print for an Elvis gig, The Show grabs your attention. Big and bold, it is dominated by full flavors of dried black cherries, jammy preserves and complex toasty, vanilla, and spicy oak. Learn more at www.threethieves.com

Other Notes:

86% Cabernet Sauvignon 12% Petite Sirah 2% Zinfandel

Price: ~$15
Freya Score: 58
Mona Value: 3.9

Wine-o: Ferrari Carano 2008 Chardonnay

Ferrari Carano 2008 Chardonnay, Sonoma County, CA
Alcohol: 13.9%


If the last Chardonnay I reviewed wasn't very buttery, this one definitely is!  It had a strong flavor I have found in several white wines that I've enjoyed and I think this can be attributed to the "soft toasty oak".  It is a very full and strong flavor, I did not find it subtle.  In a moment of laziness, I was also very happy to discover that the top is a screw cap top, an excellent choice for a party gift or camping.


This summer we are enjoying a 6 week vacation across the country before we relocate.  We enjoyed this wine in Aspen, CO.  It paired wonderfully with grilled salmon and zuchinni.

Vintage Notes from the Vineyard:

Grapes come from our vineyards in three growing regions in Sonoma County: Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley and Carneros. A year of fire and ice, we began 2008 battling heavy frost in April, fires in the summer, and heat in the early fall. Reduced yields but intensely flavored, well-balanced, ripe fruit was the happy result of a very challenging growing season. Harvest began mid-August and was completed the beginning of October — 2008 being one of the fastest harvests we can remember.

Price: ~$23
Freya Score: 78
Mona Value: 3.4

Wine-o: Rodney Strong Pinot Noir

Rodney Strong 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, Healdsburg, CA
Alcohol: 14.5%

I am wary of Pinot Noir, I find them fickle.  Some taste amazingly wonderful, others are simple, bland, dark, and boring.  I find it doesn't matter how much money you spend, you just are taking a chance.  This Pinot Noir I enjoyed a lot.  It reminded me of a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon in that it was very fruity in taste.  I was surprised by how clear the wine was in the glass.  A beautiful ruby color.

From the vineyard:

For the third year in a row, the 2009 vintage started off with a dry spring, which typically produces smaller clusters, smaller berries, and less canopy overall. Spring was mild enough to ward off frost this year, and vines affected from the previous year seemed to rebound. The main growing season was cool to warm and without incident. Picking commenced at the beginning of September, and all of our pinot noir was harvested by September 23rd.Supple in texture, with rose petal and red fruit aromas, this lively, medium bodied wine is aged entirely in small French oak barrels, which adds a subtle, toasty vanilla character and a hint of spice. Ideal for current enjoyment, this pinot noir will hold nicely over the next 2 to 4 years.

Freya Score: 72
Mona Value: 6

Wine-o: Barefoot 2010 Moscato

Barefoot 2010 Moscato, California

9% Alcohol

This wine is large. It was given to me at a party, but for whatever reason it was never opened.  Now that we are moving, I am working through my pantry and uncovered this gift.  

When I first started drinking wine, I had just graduated from college and was also graduating from Cosmopolitans and Malibu Coconut Rum and Kool-Aid.  I loved drinking Riesling wine, especially the late harvest, and I think I would have loved this Moscato as it is very sweet and smooth; all in all a simple wine.  (Now I wish it was a large buttery California Chardonnay, or a sparkling wine, oh how times change.)

Pairings:  Would pair well with cupcakes and taquitos.  That or a keg I suppose, it's just so sweet!  For the more sophisticated drinker, I would like to try it with key lime.  In any respect as the bottle I was given is the large/grande size, I will be tasting it with a variety of options.  

Freya's Score: 40 If you like sweet drinks, this is your girl.  

Mona's Value: 5 The price is right for any party.

Cost:  ~$8- from the Pineville, MO Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  Buy a case of mixed wines and enjoy a 10% discount!  Or, check out their new e-commerce store for more great deals.

*Note: My Father recommended that I change the metrics by which the wines are ranked.  A Freya Score of 80 means that I think this wine is better than 79% of the other wines I've tasted.  A Mona Value of 70 is calculated as: VALUE = FREYA.SCORE/ PRICE.PER.BOTTLE

Wine-o: 2010 Apothic Red

Apothic Red 2010 Modesto, CA

13% Alcohol

This wine was given to me as a dinner party present.  I was excited to try it as I had seen just recently that it will be featured at the Peel Compton Foundation's 2012 Gardens Uncorked event this month.  The wine is a blend of several reds, including Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more.  It has a very fruity flavor and I found it a sweeter, more full bodied red.  It bursts in your mouth with a hint of vanilla.

Pairings:  Would pair well with red meats, but I think it would also go amazingly well with a Margherita or wild mushroom pizza.

Freya's Score: 77 This is a wonderful wine, although I wonder if those who prefer drier or less sweet wines would like it as much... 

Mona's Value: 7.7 Technically, since I did not pay for this wine as it was a gift, the Mona should be 77, however I thought I'd play fair.

Cost:  ~$10.00 from the Pineville, MO Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  Buy a case of mixed wines and enjoy a 10% discount!  Or, check out their new e-commerce store for more great deals.

*Note: My Father recommended that I change the metrics by which the wines are ranked.  A Freya Score of 80 means that I think this wine is better than 79% of the other wines I've tasted.  A Mona Value of 70 is calculated as: VALUE = FREYA.SCORE/ PRICE.PER.BOTTLE

Wine-o: Amiral Bourdeaux White

Amiral Dubroca 2010 Bourdeaux White, FRANCE

12-14% Alcohol

When I walked into the Liquor store and told my friend Dan I was looking for some spring weather whites, he took me straight to this wine, telling me it was a great buy at $15.  You can taste it!  The wine is smooth with fruity flavors of pear and lemon.  It has a crisp finish and strong nose, a great summer wine!

From the vineyard:

Amiral Dubroca Bordeaux white is a lovely, brilliant pale yellow colour. The wine has a complex nose of grapefruit, lemon, roasted nuts and candied fruit. An ideal accompaniment for fish – grilled or cooked in sauce - , white meat and poultry.

Pairings:  I think this would taste delicious with a salmon or other baked white fish.  It also would go well with sauteed spinach.  I served it with roasted chicken and sweet potatoes.  

Freya's Score: 80 a wonderful fruity taste!  I've never had a white Bourdeaux before, so this was a fun experiment!

Mona's Value: 5.33 a great wine, but on the more expensive side of what I am used to, especially considering that I got this bottle at a really great price.

Cost:  ~$15.00 from the Pineville, MO Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  Buy a case of mixed wines and enjoy a 10% discount!  Or, check out their new e-commerce store for more great deals.

*Note: My Father recommended that I change the metrics by which the wines are ranked.  A Freya Score of 80 means that I think this wine is better than 79% of the other wines I've tasted.  A Mona Value of 70 is calculated as: 

VALUE = FREYA.SCORE/ PRICE.PER.BOTTLE

My Father is a genius, so I think this will work out well.  Thank you for all the support readers!  Your comments both public and private are encouraged and appreciated!

Wine-o: Cupcake Angel Food 2010

Cupcake Vineyards Angel Food 2010, Livermore, CA

13% Alcohol

I was apprehensive about trying this wine.  I expected a sweet riesling like quality.  What I received was far better!  This was a great blend between a buttery California Chardonnay and a fruity Sauvignon Blanc. It is not a sweet wine, think more of a fruity Chardonnay.

Review on tastings.com

Pale golden straw color. Fruity and floral aromas of pineapple and peach jams with a soft, fruity medium body and a tangy, lemon and orange custard finish. A very attractive sipper.

Freya's Score: 8 What a fun surprise this wine was!  The labeling is also lovely.

Cost:  ~$9.00 from Walmart!

Wine-o: Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Pinot Gris

Chateau Ste. Michelle 2010 Pinot Gris Columbia Valley

13.5% Alcohol

While the Cupcake Angel Food was fruity and buttery, this has a crisp flavor to it that is completely different!  When I told my friend Dan at Macadoodle's that I wanted to try a NorthWest wine he directed me to this.  Apparently the Columbia river valley is known for Pinot Gris wines.

From the vineyard:

Our Pinot Gris style falls between the lighter Italian Pinot Grigio and the richer, rounder Pinot Gris from Alsace. The Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris offers fresh aromas and flavors of pear, fig and a hint of spice. A touch of Viognier contributes texture and an attractive floral character. This wine is a perfect match with scallops or halibut.

Freya's Score: 8 a great crisp taste that isn't overpowering

Cost:  ~$11.00 from the Pineville, MO Macadoodle's Liquor Store.  Buy a case of mixed wines and enjoy a 10% discount!  Or, check out their new e-commerce store for more great deals.