2017 Honig Sauvignon Blanc
California
Regular Price $21.99
Sale price $16.99
This a very popular california SB; whether due to the wine or the package, who knows? Regardless, the Honigs’ have been making fine wines in Napa for 30 years and this one, at least, shows their competence. Bright and fresh, crisp and fruity, it delivers citrus and floral aromas followed by notes of peach and lime. It’s an easy wine to like and enjoy.
2017 Cowhorn Spiral 36
Applegate Valley, OR
Regular Price $27.99
Sale price $21.99
These guys grow Rhone varietals in southern Oregon, using biodynamic farming methods. The wines are pretty damn good, too. This one is a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier and is rich and full and savory and fresh and crisp.
2017 Slo Down Wines ‘Broken Dreams’ Chardonnay
California
Regular Price $24.99
Sale price $19.99
2017 Slo Down Wines ‘Broken Dreams’ Chardonnay
These wines fall under the ‘must we be so serious about wine’ category and it’s pretty much everything that a California Chardonnay lover loves about California Chardonnay. It’s a big mouthful of tropical fruit with toasty oak and spicy vanilla.
2016 Joleté ‘Le Verre Cuvée’ Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley, OR’
Regular Price $32.99
Sale price $24.99
Bright and fresh with strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors, followed by savory herbals notes and crisp acidity, this is a delightful example of Oregon Pinot Noir. No, its doesn’t taste like a warm climate California fruit bomb, but it’s not supposed to.
2015 Slo Down Wines ‘Sexual Chocolate’ Red Blend
California
Regular Price $32.99
Sale price $25.99
So this is a Syrah and Malbec blend, that is sweet and fruity and smooth and velvety. The producer makes the claim that it pairs well with a variety of foods, which is no doubt true, if by ‘pairing’ they basically mean that both the food and wine are consumed in tandem. You know, like as a pair. Do I love this wine? Nope, not a bit, but you might.
2017 Orin Swift ‘8 Years in the Desert’ Red Blend
California
Regular Price $49.99
Sale price $39.99
For those of you not in the ‘know’, Orin Swift is a now iconic label birthed by Dave Phinney 20 years ago. Phinney sold the brand to Gallo for many buckets of money but still oversees the winemaking. This Zinfandel blend (along with Petite Sirah and Syrah) is the first ever made under the Orin Swift label, but Phinney used to own and produce The Prisoner (which he also sold for many buckets of money), so he knows his way around Zin. As with all Phinney wines, this is a massive, bold, high alcohol fruit bomb, but (BUT? Did I just say but?) it is surprisingly balanced and does not taste of shellac like so many wines of this ilk.