4 Corks » A Glass After Work

A Storybook With Vampires

$41-$50, 4 Corks, Prices, Ratings 3 Responses »

Jul 222010

2007 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Eastern Exposure Zinfandel

Sunday was one of those unfortunate days where I spent much of my day off working. I thought last week would be the end of my crazy work schedule, but Friday before I left work, an unexpected issue came up, and suddenly Sunday turned into almost a full 8-hour workday. By the time the evening came around, I was exhausted and looking forward to an evening of cuddling on the couch with Hubby while watching the one TV show that we watch together, our embarrassing guilty pleasure—True Blood.

The 2007 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Eastern Exposure (winery, snooth) was a dark, vibrant purple. On the nose, there was a spiced berry jam, reminiscent of Hostess fruit pie filling. In the mouth, there were blueberries, blackberries, cooking spices, and a hint of strawberries and flower petals. The wine had high acidity, high alcohol, medium tannins, and a medium body.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $45, this wine is on the pricey end, but worth the cost. It paired perfectly with Hubby’s steamed shrimp spiced with Old Bay seasoning, while also holding its own through a steamy night with Vampire Bill, Eric Northman, and Sookie Stackhouse. The bad things on True Blood are right out of a novel, but only good things were coming from the bottle of Storybook. And both were incredibly enjoyable and exactly what I need at the end of a long Sunday before the start of a busy week.

Overall: 4 Corks

Work “World Tour of Wine” Tasting

$11-$20, $21-$30, $31-$40, 4 Corks, 4.5 Corks, Prices, Ratings 2 Responses »

Jun 162010

For those of you who are Facebook fans, you already know that, at the end of May, I was working on a wine tasting for work. After having put together a Spanish wine tasting for coworkers during our April slow period, one of my colleagues talked to The Big Boss about my wine experience and about our staff bonding event. He was thrilled, and, as a wine lover himself, thought it would be fun to have a wine tasting for the staff in both of his DC offices. The tasting was held the Tuesday before Memorial Day.

Half of the people attending the wine tasting were at my Spanish wine event, so I decided that instead of doing a second Spanish-focused tasting, this one would be a “World Tour of Wine.” As the fun part of a tasting is being able to try new wines and broaden wine horizons, I wanted to focus on wines that moved away from the typical Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, and Chardonnays by presenting varietals that are easy to find in wine stores, but that many inexperienced wine drinkers might shy away from buying. Additionally, since I was expecting 30+ people at the event, I wanted to make sure that I covered a range of wine styles.

With all of that in mind, I decided to begin the tasting with a traditional French Champagne—Montaudon Extra-Dry (snooth). The palate cleansing & revitalizing sparkler was followed by two white wines—a 2008 Paul D Grüner Veltliner (winery, snooth) from Austria and a 2009 Spy Valley (winery, snooth) from New Zealand. Following the lighter white wines were a South African Pinotage—2008 Painted Wolf (winery, snooth)—and a California Zinfandel blend—2008 Orin Swift’s “The Prisoner” (winery, snooth). The tasting finished with a Spanish Sherry—Nectar by González Byass (winery, snooth).

Everyone enjoyed the Champagne, which was no surprise to me or to them. However, the other wine that received the most questions and the most refill requests was Orin Swift Cellers’ The Prisoner, followed closely by Paul D’s Grüner Veltliner. The wine that received the most mixed reviews was González Byass’ Nectar, although everyone was happy to have tried it as almost everyone mentioned that it was not a wine they would have tasted on their own.

The Big Boss was very happy with event, particularly as he found a new wine that to enjoy. My coworkers tasted some wines that they loved, as well as some wines that they didn’t like, but there was a lot of conversation about those wines, as the likes and dislikes varied greatly. All in all, it seemed like everyone had a good time and that the tasting was a huge success.

***As a note, while the wines above are the ones I planned to offer and prepared tasting notes for, the wine store was actually sold out of the Spy Valley on the day of the tasting. Therefore, I used a 2009 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc (winery, snooth) as a fallback. I will do a separate review for the Oyster Bay, but wanted to keep the Spy Valley as part of this tasting, as I thought it was a slightly better wine.

Affection For An Austrian White

$10 and lower, 4 Corks, Prices, Ratings 1 Response »

Jun 082010

Clearly, the last three weeks have been very busy ones, as I haven’t had a chance to write-up the wines I’ve been tasting. The week of May 17th was a particularly busy one, as I had two major projects due (one on Tuesday and one on Thursday), although until the Tuesday afternoon deadline actually arrived, it was unclear as to whether or not Project #1 was going to be delayed. As you can imagine, the situation required several days of lengthy meetings and numerous emails, all while creating an increased level of stress and tension. Once the deadline arrived and the project was finished, though, everyone was happy with the results. Ultimately, there is still work that needs to be done, but, by the time Tuesday night arrived, I was excited to have completed Phase 1 of what has turned into a larger project. With several bottles of wine waiting in my wine rack to be tasted in preparation for a wine tasting, it was difficult to choose which to open in celebration. Ultimately, a Grüner Veltliner and Welschriesling blend won.

2008 Carnuntina White

The 2008 Carnuntina White (winery) is made with 50% Grüner Veltliner and 50% Welschriesling grapes and had a very pale, greenish-yellow color. On the nose, there were bright fruits—green apples, peaches, and apricots—followed by a hint of white flower blossoms, lemons, and lime. In the mouth, there were green apples, peaches, lemons, limes, herb sprigs, and a touch of white pepper. The wine had a lime-like acid, a light body, and a touch of oxidation bubbles.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $10, this wine doesn’t have a lot of complexity, but it’s refreshing and easy-to-drink. Hubby made seared scallops and steamed green beans for dinner, which were the perfect accompaniment for this light, summery wine. What is particularly nice about the Carnuntina White is that it offers something a little different than the traditional, light summer white wines without breaking the piggy bank.

Overall: 4 Corks

Breaking Out The Burgundy

$21-$30, 4 Corks, Prices, Ratings 3 Responses »

May 182010

While it’s hard to believe, I passed the 6-month mark at my “new” job. It’s been an eventful 6 months— record breaking snow shutting down the office for a week, 6 major projects (and 2 more waiting in the wings), the creation of “Allison’s Law” about all the things that will wrong during a one of my major projects, a Spanish wine tasting with my new coworkers, numerous fun happy hours, and just a general feeling of constantly being busy. I feel like I’ve been in my position just long enough to be comfortable, but not quite long enough to avoid the occasional newbie hiccups. In celebration of my transformation from being a true newbie to a more seasoned member of the staff, last Wednesday I brought out the Burgundy glasses that my former coworkers gave me at my going away party and popped the cork on a Burgundy that I bought 6 months ago to break in the new glasses.

2006 Domaine Besson Les Grands Pretans Givry 1er Cru

The 2006 Domaine Besson Les Grands Pretans Givry 1er Cru (snooth) was a dark ruby with a garnet rim. On the nose, there were cherries, cranberries, and raspberries with the slightest hint of cooking spice. In the mouth, there were tart raspberries, sour cherries, and a hint of nutmeg and roasted meat. The wine had low tannins and high acidity with a medium body.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $28, this wine had very reserved aromas that, once decanted, came through as a brilliant mix of red fruits. The wine was quite enjoyable on its own, particularly as I drank it while watching Hubby make dinner, but it also paired nicely with the chicken that he made. All in all, if you’re looking for a solid Burgundy, this is one that you definitely don’t have to be afraid of opening.

Overall: 4 Corks

A Zinfandel That Rocked My World

$21-$30, 4 Corks, Prices, Ratings 3 Responses »

Apr 282010

***I received this wine as a sample***

2007 Earthquake Zinfandel

I finished my 2nd big project in two weeks this past Wednesday, and while I’m always anxious right before a deadline, everything turned out really well. There were definitely a few hiccups along the way, but in the end, both my supervisor and “the big boss” were happy. After spending the rest of the afternoon catching up on the emails and paperwork that piled up, for the first time in a couple of weeks, I was able to leave work on time. I admit that I jumped at the chance, and waiting for me when I walked in the door was a nice dinner and a good bottle of Zinfandel.

The 2007 Earthquake Zinfandel (winery, snooth) was a medium-to-dark purplish ruby. On the nose, there were blueberries, blackberries, nutmeg, cloves, and alcohol followed by a touch of cinnamon, vanilla, and earth. In the mouth, there were blueberries, boysenberries, blackberries, and baking spices, mixed with vanilla, earth, and alcohol. The wine had medium tannins and a medium-to-full, velvety body.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $28, drinking this wine is like having a delicious piece of suede slide caress your throat. I’ve reviewed a couple of other wines from Michael David Winery, one that I purchased and one that was sent as a sample, and while I enjoyed them both, it’s definitely worth spending the extra money to buy the Earthquake. The wine is smooth and delicious on its own, but when paired with cheese ravioli in tomato sauce and garlic bread, it practically sings.

Overall: 4 Corks

Galil Mountain...Not Your Mom's Manischewitz

$11-$20, 4 Corks, Prices, Ratings No Responses »

Mar 302010

Work is officially quiet for the next two weeks, which is such a relief after the last hectic 5 weeks. There’s no doubt that once these next 2 weeks are over, the following 7 weeks will be insanely busy, but for now, I’m enjoying the chance to catch-up on old emails, to do some necessary research, and to take advantage of slightly shorter work hours. On top of yesterday being the beginning of a quiet period at work, it was also the first night of Passover, which is one of my favorite holidays and definitely my favorite Jewish holiday. As regular readers know, I normally don’t keep kosher, but during Passover, I do make some significant dietary changes to observe the holiday, such as giving up anything made from the five major grains—wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt—that are mixed with water for long enough to rise and drinking kosher wine. To start off the holiday, I opened a bottle of the 2006 Galil Mountain Yiron.

2006 Galil Mountain Yiron

The 2006 Galil Mountain Yiron (winery, snooth) was 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% merlot, and 5% Syrah grapes and had a deep purple color with flecks of ruby throughout. On the nose, there were blackberries, black currants, dark plums, dark cherries, and blueberries, which were followed by vanilla, fennel, and a touch of smoke, thyme, and cloves. In the mouth, there were similar black fruits, with some blackcurrant leaf, smoke, cedar, cloves, and a touch of vanilla. The wine was full-bodied, with medium-to-high acidity and tannins.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $20, this wine surprised me. At first, I thought the wine was more enjoyable with a juicy brisket or some chocolate covered matzah than it is on its own, as the food helped tone down some of the wine’s initial harshness. The aromas had beautiful, jam-like quality that the flavors lacked; in fact, the flavors were dominated by a bitterness that I couldn’t quite identify. However, after decanting the wine, I was beyond impressed. This was a beautiful, full-bodied red that nor only paired perfectly with food, but also was great for indulging in good, relaxing conversation at the end of the evening. The stereotype of kosher wines being inferior is shattered by the 2006 Galil Mountain Yiron, as there is a delicious wine. The key to enjoying it, though, is making sure that it has plenty of time to breathe. Also, if you don’t mind letting the wine age for 2-3 years, you should buy it and cellar it, as I think that with a little more time, this wine will continue to mellow and become even more enjoyable.

Overall: 4 corks

Happy Passover!

"Flesh and Fire" Paired With A Pinot

$41-$50, 4 Corks, Prices, Ratings 1 Response »

Mar 192010

*** I received this wine as a sample***

Over the weekends, I tend to drink wine at restaurants more often than I drink wine in the condo. However, between the rainy weather and Hubby recovering from living the rockstar-lifestyle of happy hours that go late into the night and an overnight trip to Atlantic City, neither of us was interested in venturing too far on Sunday. Instead, it was the perfect opportunity for me to make progress on my latest book, Flesh and Fire: Book One of The Vineart War by Laura Anne Gilman—a fantasy novel about magic and wine—and enjoy my last bottle of Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir.

2006 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir

The 2006 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir (vineyard, snooth) was a light-to-medium ruby, but with a brightness to it that was stunning. On the nose, there were big, ripe berry flavors, although they were a surprising mix of red and black fruits—strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry—followed by a touch of vanilla, cloves, and moss. In the mouth, there were cherries, cocoa, earth, and a touch of black pepper and cinnamon. The wine had a bright acidity and medium tannins.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. Of the several sample bottles of Pinot Noir that Willamette Valley Vineyards sent me, the 2006 Estate Vineyard was my favorite. Not that I wouldn’t drink the other Pinots, as I definitely would, but this wine maintained the classic, wonderful characteristics of a Pinot Noir, while also offering a touch of uniqueness that made it stand out among the rest. The wine was warm and ripe, without being overbearing or jammy. It was food friendly, although I preferred to drink it on its own while reading my book, this way I could really sink into the flavors of both.

Overall: 4 Corks

"Flesh and Fire" Paired With A Pinot

4 Corks, Prices, Ratings No Responses »

Mar 192010

*** I received this wine as a sample***

2006 Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir

Overall: 4 Corks

A Pinot Noir That Hits The Spot

$41-$50, 4 Corks, Prices, Ratings 3 Responses »

Mar 152010

***I received this wine as a sample***

For as wonderful of a day as last Tuesday was, last Wednesday was equally as difficult—not bad, just difficult. My latest major project was due Thursday, and everything that could possibly go wrong at the last minute did. Unfortunately, some of the things that went wrong were repeat problems from my previous project, but there was nothing I could have done to avoid them. The problems were piling up in such a way that one of my colleagues sent around an “Allison’s Law” email and #3 on the list was that something out of the ordinary would happen to complicate my projects. It would have been very funny if it hadn’t been about me. By the time I left the office late Wednesday night, I was frustrated and a little concerned about how the final product. Regardless, I was definitely ready for dinner and a nice glass of wine.

The 2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Elton Vineyard Pinot Noir (vineyard, snooth) was a very clear, pale ruby with the slightest hint of garnet on the rim. On the nose, there were berries—cherry, raspberry, strawberry—cocoa dust, rose petals, thyme, and a touch of earth. In the mouth, there were red and black cherries, tea leaves, violets, and roses, along with a touch of smoke, ginger, and the red coating of a candy apple. The wine had nice tannins and a medium body.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $45, this wine is a little on the pricey side for opening after work, but I promise that it’s well worth it. Plus, the 2007 Pinot Noir has some nice aging potential, so if you prefer to cellar the wine for a couple of years, it should age nicely. I drank the Pinot Noir with pistachios, which was a beautiful combination, as well as with dinner—a chicken tortilla casserole from Cooking for Two: 2009,The Year’s Best Recipes Cut Down to Size. The pairing with the casserole was very nice. After dinner, I sank into a second glass of wine as I checked my work Blackberry and watched a little trashy tv before calling it a night. The 2007 Willamette Valley Vineyards Elton Vineyard Pinot Noir was exactly what I needed after a frustrating day at work.

Overall: 3.5 Corks

White Wine & Thoughts of Spring

$11-$20, 4 Corks, Prices, Ratings 4 Responses »

Mar 082010

Anyone who has been a regular reader knows my love of Michel-Schlumberger wines, although, generally, I tend to stick with their reds. However, as last week’s weather was warm enough for me to put away my scarf and the workload was high enough to make me long for summer vacation, I couldn’t resist the urge to come home on Thursday and open a bottle of white wine that I hoped would hint of spring, flowers, and warmer things to come. Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Blanc expertly fulfilled my wish.

2008 Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Blanc

The 2008 Michel-Schlumberger Pinot Blanc (winery, snooth) was an organic wine with a light, straw-like yellow color. On the nose, there were pineapples, mangos, white blossoms, and orange skittles. In the mouth, there was grass, parsley, herbs, and a hint of tropical fruits, white pepper, and something bitter. The wine had high acidity and a light body.

Is this worth a glass after work? Definitely! If you see this wine in the store, grab it; you won’t be disappointed. At $21, the wine paired nicely with cheese and was also quite enjoyable on its own. The gorgeous aromas were like a combination of fruit salad and summer flowers, and they were highlighted perfectly with flavors that were grassy and herbaceous, while reminiscent of the fruits on the nose. When these aromas and flavors were matched with the high acidity, the wine was a refreshing mouthful that radiated of spring time. What was particularly nice about this wine was that it offered something a little different from the everyday Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc without being overly expensive.

Overall: 4 Corks

Older Entries

A Storybook With Vampires

Work “World Tour of Wine” Tasting

Affection For An Austrian White

Breaking Out The Burgundy

A Zinfandel That Rocked My World

Galil Mountain...Not Your Mom's Manischewitz

"Flesh and Fire" Paired With A Pinot

"Flesh and Fire" Paired With A Pinot

A Pinot Noir That Hits The Spot

White Wine & Thoughts of Spring

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