Kronick Wino

2005 Monastrell from Jumilla, Spain - Great Wine Express Deal!

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 | WineExpress.com | No Comments

I can’t rant and rave about every wine deal that comes my way on a daily basis, but I can point out the ones that catch my eye. Those are the ones that count anyway…right? So, today I found my daily email from WineExpress.com and only had to see one word to spark my interest - SPAIN. Why? Because anyone who knows anything about saving a buck or two these days knows that Spain has some of the greatest value wines on the planet. They are delicious, well-aged, sometimes very cheap and always hold up to the quality one expects from that region.

Today’s Wine: Castillo de Jumilla 2005 Monastrell, Jumilla

Bottle price: $13.95
Special Case Price: $11.85/bottle (or $142.20 for a case)
( 15% Savings )

These bottles ship for only $.99 cents / bottle today only!

The Monastrell grape (aka Mourvèdre in France), that’s produced in this region of Spain is luscious, full-bodied, yet smooth and silky. It’s a Rhone-valley type of wine. Ripe fruit on the nose, some spice, and has been aged in oak barrels for 6 months which adds to the complexity of the wine. It’s very nicely balanced with rich flavors and spice in the finish. To pair: Filet Mignon or Manchego cheese.

Know what else is cool? WineExpress.com does Virtual Wine Tasting videos so can find out EXACTLY what to expect to taste and experience BEFORE you buy. I think that’s pretty swell!

If you like Fra Guerau or any Cotes du Rhone blends, you’ll really love this one!

Bon Apetit!

Tags: Cotes du Rhone, grenache, Jumilla, Monastrell, mourvedre, Spain, Spainsh Wine

The 5 Processes of Wine Making - All Educated Guesses!

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 | Wine Tasting Notes | No Comments

Well, really, don’t you think that when someone goes to produce a bottle of wine, it’s really just a bunch of educated guesses? That’s what the guys over at Roots Run Deep know about the art of making wine. And on top of that, we’re all guessing and pondering what to buy at the wine store! I mean, who REALLY knows what it is that would be the BEST purchase for them? I don’t even know that, and have drunk a LOT of wine in my life. So when I go into the store, I have an IDEA of what I want, but at the end of the day, it’s all one big educated guess.

Hence the topic of today’s wine review:

2005 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, CA.

This was a skeptical call for me. I was told, by my partner in crime, Alex, that he LOVED this wine. But was it only because of the cool scientific looking label? Or the awesome name? I think it took me about 5 minutes to understand that when he asked me what it was called and kept saying ‘educated guess’ that he really meant that WAS the name of the wine. (Look, I have my blonde days….).  I had to get the bottle ordered by a friend at a local wine shop. It’s distributed by Opici Distributors in CT.

**You can purchase direct here. Expect to pay around $20/btl. But you can find it for cheaper if you look around.

But when I took that first sniff and sip, I was pleasantly surprised. And it only got better once it sat in the glass over the course of an hour. Actual blend: 85% Cabernet, 12% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec.

Ok, down to the nitty gritty. What does it taste like???

First off, beware! This is not a wine for the faint of heart. It is BOLD, SPICY, SMOKEY & OAKY! All the things I love, but some might not be able to handle. The nose has this great aroma of a mixture of American / French oak.  When you sip, it’s got a great spice of clove and vanilla right off the front, then mellows out into a smoky oak flavor at back and top of your mouth. Flavors of mocha and bitter chocolate linger along the body. It finishes on the dry side, so it would be amazing with some chorizo / figs, or bbq chipotle steak skewers and glazed balsamic vegetables.  Some smokey aged cheddar would be nice as well! Drink now, but keep it for another 2-3 years if you must wait….. Enjoy!

Tags: $20 or less, 2005 wines, Cabernet Sauvignon, California Wines, Educated Guess, Napa CA, tasting notes

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Trio Deal

Monday, November 17th, 2008 | Wine.Woot | No Comments

OMG - talk about total excitement for me today!! I happened upon the wine.woot site this afternoon and what do my eyes see? Why 3 lovely bottles o’ Pinot Noir staring at me….. If you don’t buy these, that’s fine; MORE FOR ME!

Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Noir Trio

First of all, let’s note what you’re getting, because I need more of an excuse to talk about these wines.

• 1 2006 Estate Pinot Noir (Retails at $40/btl !)
• 1 2007 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir (Retails at $19/btl)
• 1 2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (Retails at $25/btl)

All the spicy earthiness and rich berry flavors you expect out of your Oregon pinots will be well sealed in these little glass packages. Did someone say goat cheese? I’m getting hungry!

And the price?? …..wait for it…..

$59.99 for ALL 3 and only $5 S/H!

(You’re saving about $24 just on the wine! I did the research.)

All three of these wines will be the show-stopper on your table this Thanksgiving, or for any of your holiday parties. Oh, forget it, just buy em and drink em! (Or keep them in your collection like I might do with the 2006 for another 2-3 years……mmmmm).

You can learn more about Willamette Valley Vineyards here. Keep it up guys, I am in heaven!

Tags: dijon clones, Oregon wines, Pinot Noir, pommard clone, Willamette Valley, Wine Deals, Wine.Woot