J Lohr 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2007
Price: ?
Price: 11.99 (Purchased Sat. June 10th 2010 - Otto's Brown Deer)
12.99 (Purchased Sat. November 13th 2010 - Otto's Brown Deer)
Rating: 5 - One of my favorites
Where Bought: Sendik's Market in Brookfield
Comments: I can't believe that I rated the previous entry of J Lohr's Cabernet at only a four. Maybe the 2006 version of this wine wasn't as good ? Well, I am glad to say that the 2007 is fantastic. This is what I look for in a full bodied wine. Very thick on the palette, with a pleasant aroma. Wow, I am starting to sound like an expert...all kidding aside, this is one of my favorites and will definitely be buying again. Hopefully, we can find the receipt so I can record the price. I would really like to keep an eye on this one as I buy more in the future.

One more interesting item regarding this wine. I believe I may have mentioned it before, but I have found that wines seem to taste better at the restaurant, rather than what I buy and bring home. So, I decided to ask at one of my favorite restaurants whay that is. Their thought was "consistant temperature". However, I keep my wines in the basement, and I believe the temperature is quite consistant. Oh well, maybe that is it. If I ever figure it out, I'll make it a point to record this as an entry on its own. This deserves a stand alone discussion.

Pedroncelli Merlot 2002

Type: Merlot
Year: 2002
Price: 11.99
Rating: 4 - Would definitely buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: I was a little worried that this would not live up to the Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon, which I love so much. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Although, strong for a Merlot, it was a full bodied well tasting wine. I would definitely buy it again as one of my favorite Merlot's. Its rare, that a single vineyard could produce both a Merlot and Cab, but its nice to know. Great job, Pedroncelli !

Martini & Rossi Asti Sparkling Wine - 2009

Type: Sparkling Wine
Year: 2009
Price: ?
Rating: 5 - One of my favorites
Where Bought: ?
Comments: Happy New Year ! I don't have sparkling wine often, but I do like the Asti's taste. Its a little sweeter and really great when chilled. We discovered a nice added touch to ringing in the new year. To prolong the chill of the glass without using ice, which just melts and dilutes the wine, you can use frozen fruits like cherries, strawberries or whatever you prefer. It adds a nice amout of additional flavor to the sparkling wine.

Beringer White Zinfandel 2008

Type: White Zinfandel
Year: 2008
Price: ?
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: ?
Comments: I am not much of a white wine person, so I just created a catch all white wine category. We bought this wine for the Holidays and for guests. I don't remember where we bought it or the cost, but it seemed fine. I rated it a three, since I am guessing it won't be the last white wine we would buy, more specifically for the Holidays.

Coppola Rosso 2007

Type: Rosso
Year: 2007
Price: 6.99 <-- Marked down from 7.99
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: I loved the previous Rosso by Francis Ford Coppola. It was marked as a 2006 and was consistantly a full bodied, enjoyable bottle of wine. However, this newer release of the same wine seems to be lighter and not of the same consistancy. A littled disappointed, but will try it at least one more time. Hopefully, it will get better with age. (Update), Similar is the 2009 version, but somehow, I like that one a little better.

Francis Coppola - Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - Diamond Collection, IvoryLabel

Type: Cabernet Sauvignon
Year: 2006
Price: 13.99 reduced from 15.99
Rating: 3 - Will try it again
Where Bought: Otto's of Brown Deer
Comments: I am consistantly amazed at the Coppola wines. They always seem to provide a great tasting wine, regardless if its a Cabernet, Or a Rosso. Another wine I would buy again. I have tasted Cabernet's that I prefer, but as a brand, this is another nice wine from the Coppola family of wines.

Francis Ford Coppola Malbec - 2006 Diamond collection

Type: Malbec - Diamond collection - Celestial Blue Label
Year: 2006
Price: 15.99
Rating: 2 - Probably won't buy again
Where Bought: Otto's Brown Deer
Comments: I guess me and Malbec's in general don't get along. It was an ok wine, but I just didn't care much for it. Especially at this cost, I have other choices that I enjoy and some are even less expensive. Its definitely nothing against the Coppola collection, since I like many of their wines. Maybe its the Malbec grape that I don't have a palette for.....