2008 Monogamy North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

The other night I was hunting for a new cabernet to try and found myself eyeball to label with this one. I've seen its clever little label before and never been interested. This time, I was. Partly because it was on sale. I was getting some "take out" for dinner last Friday. We've discovered that Raley's, our closest market, makes a stupid good BBQ TriTip roast. They can be found near the rotisserie chickens. I don't know why these things are so dang fantastic, but sweet mama dog, they are. So, TriTip roast in my basket I scoodled over to the wine aisle. Someone should analyze why I choose the wines I do. Someone -- but not me. The results sound interesting but not the work in getting there.

The Monogamy winery is in Santa Rosa, CA. Relatively close to my house, though on the other side of Napa and Sonoma. Haven't been there yet.

The wine was lovely. It was dry and had a nice deep, robust lingering sensation to it. That sounds...really like something else. But, I'm still talking about the wine. Really. Very enjoyable. Not over powering or too bold. Newer cabernet drinkers would likely be just as happy as self-proclaimed big cab lovers.

I would and will happily get this one again. For the money, it's right on. Got it on sale for right around $10. Normal retail around $14. And yes, it was super yummy with the roast. I can almost smell that roast. Mmmmm.....

2007 Seven Terraces Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Another joy of living in Northern California is the abundance of interesting groceries. A new favorite of mine is a chain called Grocery Outlet. They operate in a couple of western states, but I'd never been in one till moving here. Love! You literally never know what you are going to find there, because of the very nature of their business. Therefore, you must go often just to see what's there. Thankfully, I'm extremely good at going into stores and buying nothing. I do this more often than not. So, no harm done in going in a lot. Boy, what a digression. Anyway- the Grocery Outlet carries wine! Be still my heart! This is where I found a new fave, Seven Terraces Sauvignon Blanc.

This is a New Zealand wine. I don't think I've ever had a NZ wine I didn't like. You'll be the first to know should I encounter one. I felt confident about trying it for three reasons. I like sauvignon blancs. I've enjoyed sauvignon blancs from the Marlborough region before. It was cheap. There it is.

Fabulous. Truly. It is so good that Lance finally agreed to try it. He was stunned. He loudly exclaimed, "Write this down as my favorite and only sauvignon blanc. And go buy a case of it."

Dry. Crisp. Perfect.

The first time I had it, I munched my favorite meal of cheese, fruit and homemade bread. Last night, I had it again with some spinach tortellini. Wonderful in both cases.

Should you see this, get it. Air high 5  me  right in the store and go home happy.

Paid $4.99. Apparently, it usually retails around $15.

I am soooo behind and the bottles are piling up

Perhaps you thought I hadn't blogged lately because I hadn't had any wine. Silly, silly you! Now I have so many bottles laying around my office that it is getting to be a hazard. It will take me awhile to catch up, but thankfully we've got a break coming up. I've been drinking a lot of bad wine, lately. Not on purpose, certainly. To help myself out, I'm just going to list the wines I have added to the Avoid At All Costs list so that you too can avoid. What else needs to be said?

Rachel's Avoid At All Costs List of Wines from Fall 2010
2008 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon, Founder's Estate - this one surprised me because I have enjoyed many of their wines and love cabs. However, it tasted almost sweet to me and I do not like sweet wines. In fact, I dumped out my glass and the entire bottle. Shame.

2009 Wente Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc -- as we know, sauv blancs are almost always winners for me. This was was really something though. Really, really not good. It was my first sampling of anything from the Livermore, CA area and by all means won't be my last. Sometimes you just find a bad one -- no reason to avoid that winery or that type of wine. But this particular one...yup, I'm done.

2009 Sutter Home White Merlot -- caveat on this one....I actually did think this wine tasted really good. However, it is much too sweet to me. I could make a killer wine spritzer with it and some club soda. If you like sweeter wines, this is your baby. Too much for me.

Alright good. We've got those out of the way. let's move on to "Meh" wines. These aren't bad, but they are just...well...non descript. If you are going to pay money for a beverage, by golly I want something for it. I need an experience! Otherwise, I could drink water for free. When I taste the wine and someone asks me how it is, the answer should NEVER be. <shrug> "It's ok".

Rachel's Meh List of Wines, Fall 2010

2007 Guenoc Petite Sirah -- did nothing for me. Nothing at all. I have REALLY enjoyed wines from them before, so I'm not scared to try again.

2008 Beringer Chardonnary, Founder's Estate

2008 Mark West Pinot Noir -- like it needed to open up and never got there

2009 Gosford Reserve Shiraz (Australia)

2008 Castle Rock Barrel Fermented Central Coast Chardonnay


Never fear, all 2 of you dear readers. I have enjoyed some good wine as well. back with full reviews on those soon!