You know you've done something right when there is a two year waiting list for your product. And you absolutely know you've done something right when a product cannot be mentioned without your name popping up as well. And when it comes to Zinfandels, you have to talk about Turley. For me Turley is one of those "wow", life changing wines. It truly changes the game of the wines you drink and maybe even the way you look at wines going forward. Turleys can range in a variety of prices, but the bottle I am looking at today will probably run around the $50 range. Now you may say "$50! TPC are you out of your mind!!!". Well the answer to that is obviously yes, but not because of this bottle of wine.
Look folks, I'm not saying this is your everyday table wine. But when a special occasion pops up and you want to sure a little something personal this wine can truly enhance just about any moment. I'll do a couple of bottles of Turley a year....and I have never ONCE regretted it, nor have any of my guests....nor will any of yours. OK...Let's pop the cork.
Though Turley offers many different bottlings (and I've never had a bad one mind you) we are focusing on one today that really stuck with me.
Turley "Dragon Vineyard" Howell Mountain Zinfandel 2007
From the moment you swirl this lovely dark liquid, you will catch on early that his is a big full bodied wine. As you put your nose further and further into your glass, close your eyes and you will really start to pick up that dark cherry and currant smells. You may also notice some licorice or even a earthy quality to it. But get in there and find out for yourself. Each nose tends to pick up different parts of the wine.
TPC NOTE: Because I KNOW you'll want to use this....Full bodied is a term that describes the "weight" of the wine in the mouth. Or it's texture if you will. A full bodied wine will have a big rich taste (high in alcohol) that stays with you even after swallowing. Or at least that's how it was taught to me.....It's quite lovely.
But the true pleasure of this wine comes from that very first taste. That jammy plum taste is instant and as the wine continues you will also pick up the spice and possibly a chocolatey essence. Swallow. Finish (keeping those eyes closed) and enjoy the lingering spice. Truly a pleasure. At least this was my experience....you just can't go wrong with a Turley.
Pair with some serious meats (ribs, steaks even burgers!), a nice red sauce (with sausages...yummm) or a some strong cheeses...OR of course just by itself.
Until we do this again.
Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat (er drink) Well!
TPC
I always appreciate when a guest brings over a bottle to one of my dinner gatherings (dinner party sounds so pretentious, doesn't it?). But I REALLY love when they bring something good that I have yet to sample. Just recently a good friend brought over a lovely bottle of wine from the "Land Down Under". It was a 2007 Mollydooker "Two Left Feet". Now I've had Australian wines before and as the fourth largest exporter of wine in the world, I am sure you have probably had an Australian Shiraz before as well. I've enjoyed many of the Mollydooker label before but I've never had a chance to try the "Two Left Feet". This is a very reasonably priced wine folks, that will taste way above it's pay grade. Hero moment here people....OK...Let's pop the cork.
2007 Mollydooker Two Left Feet
A blend of a blend of 68% Shiraz, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Merlot, this is quite an approachable wine at a reasonable price. Now they say that you can cellar this wine for 5 years or so.....but come on....really. I mean have you ever tried to hold on to something that is so tasty and NOT drink it within 5 days of buying it? It's the proverbial red button with the label DON'T PUSH, that you just HAVE to push! But I digress. I would say go pick up two bottles, have one now...like right now....and TRY to cellar the other one.
The first thing you'll notice upon pouring is the color. Oh the color. You cannot help but be struck by the deep purple almost ink black visual texture of this wine. The next thing you'll pick up on is the nose. This is a BIG wine that has a black cherry almost chocolaty scent to it. But please, get your nose in there and tell me what you're picking up on. With a prologue like that, the taste does NOT disappoint. You'll pick up on the fruity flavor right away and continue to enjoy a nice spicy finish. Stop,savor. enjoy.....
Like I said this is a BIG wine and if you are going to pair this with food (and you certainly don't need to) I would say go with a big meat dish. A steak would do quite nicely, though we paired this with an Italian Braciole (kind of a rolled up meat dish) and it worked wonderfully. You don't want this glass to end.
Until we do this again.
Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat (er drink) Well!
TPC
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My philosophy on wine has always been this.....find what you like....find more things like that.....buy as much as you can. Simple right? I know some wines and maybe you could say some very good ones, but I am by no means a wine snob. It takes some time folks. Remember Wineries, remember varietals, hell remember the damn label if you must, but start somewhere because the joy of a fine glass of wine is not easy to measure these days. But from time to time I'll share little gems I come across. Like this one....let's pop the cork.
2008 Owen Roe Syrah "Ex Umbris"
I actually came across this lovely Syrah by accident. I was on a local online sight and I noticed the Owen Roe name. I've had the Abbot's Table before (as you may have) and I have to say it's one of my favorites. But I had never had the pleasure of the Ex Umbris...until now 'Ex Umbris' is Latin for 'out of the shadows'..."Originally made as a one-off due to a wildfire that resulted in tremendously smoky grapes"...I'd say this goes down as a Happy Accident...and we all know how much fun those can turn out to be.
Once in the glass your nose will be treated almost immediately to aromas that are plum, jammy, blackberry and maybe even a little chocolate. No this is not a sweet wine. But that big jammy taste is so lush, it's almost velvety as it goes down.
You can drink this on it's own or pair it up with some Beef, Lamb, Venison, Duck or just a nice strong cheese(which I ALWAYS recommend).
You can find this bottle at many of the online wine stores....at least for a bit longer, as these go fast.
Until we do this again.
Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat (er drink) Well!
TPC
