The Prisoner -- 2010 Napa Valley Red Wine

I've been wanting to write a review for this one for quite some time now! I finally got my hands on this wine. I've been a fan of Orin Swift's Papillion and was curious to try one of their other well-known wines,  The Prisoner.

Brooke's Tasting Notes  
This wine packs a power-punch of super-ripe berries with a smooth, sweet and supple finish. I have heard this wine is a sure-fired crowd pleaser and after trying it, I believe it! I think that this wine markets to many tastes, like people who like big Zins, a lot of this having to do with the detectable levels or residual sugars. 

Brooke's Rating:  For a sort of hodge-podge of grape varietals + residual sugar wine, I give this wine a B-. I'd drink it again if someone gave it to me (and probably enjoy it) but I don't think its worth the value.
My other recommendation? Splurge a few more bucks and stick with Orin Swift's Papillon or if you can find it, get the Nickel Head.

Composition
44% Zinfandel
26% Cabernet Sauvignon
18% Syrah
  9% Petite Sirah
  2% Charbono
  1% Grenache

Have you tasted this wine? If so, tell me what you think!

Cheers,

B

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2010 Cote de Brouilly --Chateau Thivin

When I saw this in a local wine shop I couldn't help but get super giddy inside, as it immediately took me back to the time I visited that very winery in France.  It was a wine I simply could not pass up, as I recall very fond memories of my most recent trip to France to this Burgundian winery.

The photos below are ones I saved from my trip to France, circa two years ago:

Brooke's Tasting Notes:  

This 2010 Chateau Thivin, Cote de Brouilly (website here) exudes notes of red raspberries on the nose, with a slight sweet cranberry, lingering finish. I like the fact that this light-bodied, easy-tannic wine really shows the true terroir of the Gamay fruit on the Beaujolais soil from which this wine originated.

Review Date: March 30th, 2012

Region: Burgundy

SubRegion: Beaujolais

Appellation: Cote de Brouilly

Grape Variety: Gamay

Aging: In oak casks for six months

What would you pair with Gamay?


Cheers,
B

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Randomized Wine Descriptors

Is that wine you're sipping leaving you with words left on the tip of your tongue? 

Bam. Meet wine phrase generator:

Create nonsensical wine reviews with this... click here- its fun!  

Cheers,

B

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TASTING NOTES--Cabernet Sauvignon Cupcake 2009

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I've been enjoying the extra time spent in San Diego with friends and family, improving my tennis game, and going to the beach on a regular basis (even though it seems we are experiencing June gloom...in August!) 

{TASTING NOTES TUESDAY}

My first impression of this Cab blend by Cupcake Vineyards is marked by its cute label and display in the store. Plus the back of the label reads, "Live Deliciously."  Irresistible? I think yes! 

An initial sniff of the wine sends me in oaky aroma overload, yet I find the wine mellows out after letting it breathe a bit.  The medium cherry color wine holds a thin viscosity and is somewhat transparent. A few swirls later, the wine shows a ripe blackberry, dark cherry aroma layered with cedar and a slight vegetative character. The dark berry flavor wine has a spicy finish; either tarragon or clove.  Very drinkable and makes for a great match with BBQ meats or mixed chicken and vegetable kabobs.

Cons: The Cab was slightly acidic, seemed thin and weak (not very substantial); but it might be too young still.

Final words: For a wine of this price, I'd say its a pretty smart buy.

{Serious props to Cupcake Vineyards and their brilliant marketing strategies}

Cabernet Sauvignon Cupcake 2009

Composition: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah,  2% Merlot & 2% Petite Syrah 

Location: Central Coast California.   

Alcohol %: 13.5%

pH: 3.6

Acid:0.66g/100mL 

Sugar: 25

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