Black Swan...Ugly Duckling?

I don't think so. Black Swan 2003. Australian, 75% Shiraz, 25% Merlot. $4.49...I'm not kidding. Ok, I know we are chasing Dancing Bull...but it is really good for under $5. A little oaky, but smooth. Dark color, full flavor. A little acidic. But, very tasty. We have had this one before and also, never disappointing. Maybe it's just because I had a really nice relaxing massage from Princess Leah today and now everything is good.
Now, we are going to see how well it goes with Totino's Pizza, $1.00 a pie. Bob is busy doing monthly sales tax, what a bore. Owning your own business, the reason to drink wine.

Dancing Bull...no B.S. here

Mmmm. I have to say I really, really, really like this one. Rancho Zabaco, Dancing Bull Red Zinfandel 2002. California. Usually $9.99 but I found it on sale at Target of all places for $8.00. I am still boycotting Target for those who know, but we were given a gift card and it was already paid for so I used it. It would have been rude not to, and since they sell wine now...yeah.
I thought 2001 was a better year. 2002 is a little sweet, just a little. Despite this, it has a full, bold somewhat fruity, plum I think, yet peppery but is very smooth and a little on the dryer side. Goes well without food. It gets extra points from me for that. So many calories and sugar in wine you know. We have been drinking this one for a few years now and it is never disappointing. I also like when we splurge and get the "vintage Zabaco" for $14.99...even better. Gosh, that rarely happens.
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A quick one, while they're out...

This is just a shout-out to KimBob's friend and chef-in-residence Joe, for making those wonderful pomegranate daiquiris on Thursday night. Don't be afraid to use the good tequilla! (be sure to click on this link)We also had more Barefoot. There, it's a wine blog...

Smoking Loon

Had an interminably long day of studies, so stopped on the way home to buy wine. Needed a paradigm shift...Was attracted to "Smoking Loon" Merlot, 2003-6.99. What attracted me at first was the label, it has a drawing of a loon sitting in water smoking a cigar. The second thing that attracted me was the price. Sometimes I wonder why I pay 6.99 for a little bottle when the big bottles can be had for 10.99. Although, what that does is make the little bottles more luxurious. If I usually pay 10.99 for a big bottle, then paying 9.99 for a small bottle is splurging and I feel like a movie star. Follow that? Anyway, Smoking Loon is ok, kind of like Yellow Tail. It's a bit thin but that's probably due to it's youth. I will drink any wine before it's time. The flavor is pleasant and it goes down smooth. This wine will probably reward a more patient man.

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Barefoot!

I have to admit that most of the time I make my wine purchase because I liked the label. Or the name. In this case, I think it was both. So, Barefoot, Red Zinfindel $5.99. I couldn't find a year printed anywhere on the bottle. It's the incognito wine from California.
As I was standing in line, someone yelled, "Hey! Someone's car just rolled down the hill and crashed into another car!" The owner of the rolling car wanted to be incognito. Fortunately, it wasn't mine.
Ok, we recommend Barefoot. It is a full flavored, full bodied wine. Very smooth and tasty.

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A Good Inxpensive Merlot

Just a quick serious post on a good Merlot. Veremonte 2001 $6.99.
This was so good we bought a case to serve at our wedding last July. But, you have to find the 2001, the 2002 is not as good. It's much more acidic and not as smooth. Must have been a rainier season.

Mo' Cheap wine!

My brother J-Dog came over for dinner the other day and left a BIG bottle of wine. We already had an open bottle, so we saved it for tonight. I made spinach and cheese tortellini with garlic tomato sauce and BREAD! You have to have lots of bread and olive oil with Italian food. J-Dog came again. He likes to eat with us. I make excellent boxed and jarred food. According to all of my elementary school report cards, I follow directions well.
We opened the wine. It was Canyon Road Cabernet 2002 $8.99. Jeff said he bought it because it was the "BIG" bottle. You know, the double sized for the price of one. He thought it was ok, peppery, light but not nasty like other cheap cabs. I thought it burned going down. I was ready to go to the ER. It reminded me of scotch straight up except it was sour too. Bob liked it and said I have no appreciation for cabs. He's right. For once. :)

Beringer Zinfandel $5.99~by J-Dog

I don't think I like Zin, it's too light compared to Cabernet, etc. Tasted like raisins.
Kim says I picked the wrong brand. "Beringer is icky and even on sale it's not a good deal," she said. I'll give zin another chance.

Me and my husband at the Lazy Dog. He was a good year.