Still celebrating with my sis… (hey, 4 people, 2 bottles of bubbly…right?).  This Cava was nice and crisp but a bit too austere for my taste.  Some people really seem to like that light, acidic sparkle but I do prefer a bit more flavor.

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paid $12

Celebrating my sister’s new job with a little bubbly.  This is a bit bigger than a typical champagne, both in body and alcohol (at 13%).  However, they use the traditional Champagne grapes (Pinot Noir/Meunier and Chardonnay as well as the methode).  Very tasty.  They add a “stain” (tache) of still red wine to the mix which imparts the rose color.

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paid $16

Even when I lived in the Abruzzo region of Italy this bottle was a rare sight.  So what it was doing on the shelf here in Menlo Park… is beyond me.  But if you ever see it, buy it!  It is smooth and lush, a big wine with a subdued personality.  Like most great producers Pasetti also has a 2nd wine at half the price, which simply carries the label “Pasetti.” I’m not positive but I think the Testarossa is their “grand vin” (never heard the Italians use a descriptor for “first wine” so I’ll just stick with the French term).

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paid $24

I’m used to tasting this grape alongside its rougher rival Grenache and softer sister Syrah.  But all by itself, it holds up very well!  At least in Juan Gil’s estimation.  This needs a second go around for sure.

paid: $13

scored: 90

Exploring the wonderful world of Costco wine, now that we coughed up the membership fee.  It costs $12, but drinks like $18.  A very balanced wine.  Now if I buy about 10 more bottles, I will feel like I earned back that damn membership fee.

paid: $12

scored: 88

As far as I can tell, the Acacia “A” is well-regarded and generally liked by all (where “all” means people who are willing to pay $20/bottle or ~$10+/glass).  Its easy to see why:  there is nothing offensive about this wine.  It has good enough fruit, and it is decently smooth.  Not a whole lot else going on though.  The finish is very quick.  It occurs to me that I should taste this blind against the Castle Rock (which costs about half as much!).  Very curious which would prevail.

scored: 87

paid: $15 (on sale from $19)

The bottle had all the right notations:  ”estate bottled,” alcohol less than 14%, vineyard has a proper name… but the results just don’t stack up to my palate.  To be fair, there is bright fruit hiding in this bottle, but beneath a sharpness I couldn’t abide.  The most curious thing was I could swear I was tasting garlic in the finish.  And then I noticed:  the winery is in Gilroy.

paid: $13

scored: 75

I have some serious catching up to do on all the great wines we tried on our honeymoon! We tried Kopke’s “regular” (non-reserva) at a wine bar in Obidos and it was spot-on.  For only a few Euro more we picked up this bottle and took it home.  I’m at a bit of a loss for how to describe Portuguese red wine, but it definitely has its own particular aroma.  All my criteria were met and exceeded here:  good fruit, smooth on the palate and smooth on the finish.  This is fabulous wine.  Incidentally, it was the only Douro (doh-roo) wine I really enjoyed.

paid: 12 Euro

scored: 92

This wine has nothing but a name in common with that gentrified village on the SF bay.  An entertaining blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Syrah (not sure of the %).  The tannins are pretty strong but disappear upon decanting, leaving a pleasant earthy smell and a semi-lingering finish.  I have to admit the blend confuses my palate, but so what?  I wonder how it will taste in 5 years.

paid: $13 (on sale from $19)

scored: 90

This was one of those modern-day-miracle finds:  a dusty, dirty bottle in a corner, hiding behind a case of cleanly stacked Syrah.  Last bottle.  iPhone check-out revealed a 9-oh from the Wine Advocate, with some waffling about pain grille and pencil lead (I’m serious.  that’s “pain” as in “french bread.”  never mind that this is a spanish wine).  For the less poetic souls, just think BIG tannins.  I didn’t enjoy it until it had taken about 30 minutes of fresh air.  Even then, prepare yourself for a tongue-scraping experience.  That aside, the wine has an alluring complexity.  Roll it around on your palate and you will probably find a nuance of any “red fruit” you desire.  For example… pomegranate (see label).  Enjoyable!  If I come across another bottle, I’m going to stuff it in my cellar for 5+ years, and see if it softens up.  First I better get a cellar… The blend is 40% Merlot/40% Cabernet Sauvignon/20% Tempranillo.  Sort of a Basque Bordeaux.

paid: $18

scored: 89ish