What bloggers say

Recently I sent some wines to Sue Straight for her evaluation. She used to run the San Diego Union Competition(I think) but now does wine evaluations. She assures me she is non partisan and that the tastings are not biased and are truly blind. The following are some evaluations. To see more go to:
http://wine-wench.com/cgi-bin/wordpress/. She gives a maximum of five stars.

Syrah (also called Shiraz in Australia) is originally from the Rhône Valley in France, but it is grown in many parts of the United States and is becoming one of Australia’s top wines. Syrah (and Shiraz) tends to be a big, full-bodied wine with flavors of blackberry, cherry, green herbs, leather and smoked meat.
There is no, I repeat NO relation between Syrah and Petite Sirah.
Try pairing Syrah with hearty dishes, such as roasted lamb, eggplant parmesan, grilled and smoked meats, stew, chili and robust cheeses.
My panel and I tasted 15 Syrahs from all over California. The following 9 were our favorites (There were lots of rockin’ good wines in this flight!):

Five Stars
Sierra Vista Syrah
2006 Reserve, El Dorado County $25
There is a French word, “garrique,” that one of my wine geek friends turned me on to – it means “hillside wildflowers.” One sniff of this lovely wine and you’re Julie Andrews, running down a wildflower covered hillside, singing “the hills are alive…” I love my job. Seriously, though – aromas of garrique, red cherry, red raspberry, vanilla and spice set the stage, both in the nose and in the mouth. Delicious!


Five Stars
Sierra Vista Syrah
2006 Red Rock Ridge, El Dorado County $32
Just be glad that I’m not Elmer Fudd reviewing this delightful wine – Wed Wock Widge fwom El Dowado. Sorry – couldn’t help myself! It really is a wonderful wine!Mouthwatering aromas of juicy red fruits (raspberry, strawberry, red cherry), baking spices and smoke delight the nose and continue as flavors in the seamless, silky mouth. Delicious! Serve with wabbit.

This post is all about great Cabs priced between $20 and $30.
Check this out ~ these wines come from Napa Valley, Sonoma County, El Dorado County, Paso Robles and Lodi. These appellations ALL produce rockin’ good Cabs! Neener, neener, neeener – good Cabs don’t come from Napa Valley exclusively!
Oh yeah – we bloggers now have to say this ~ all wine samples were provided complimentary by the participating wineries. Thanks wineries!



Five Stars
Sierra Vista Cabernet Sauvignon
2005 Reserve, El Dorado County $26
Think about a big slab of warm cherry pie with vanilla ice cream and you’re halfway there! This Cab is absolutely delicious and balanced, with aromas and flavors of cherry, vanilla, cinnamon and toasty oak, all wrapped up in a velvety mouth feel.

These wines are still current so come taste them and you will like them.

John