The Wine Thread -- what have you been drinking?

For those keeping score: this move is called the Texas Sidepull.

They recently had an insane sale on McMannis Cab for $5.99/bottle, so we got a case of that. I've had a bit of that lately.

But I gotta say, I'm so constrained on the law school budget that this week I decided that I'd try for the first time one of the so-called "premium box" wines-- 3 litres, the typical range is $15 to $24 per. I bought toward the middle of the range-- Black Box Cabernet. Not terrible, but not very good. Thin, rather acid/sharp, no finish to speak of. On the other hand, it's not plain sour. Just sort of tolerable. I will probably try some of the Aussie Shiraz next. If anyone's got recommendations for this sort of table wine, I'm listening.

88 points from Robert Parker! He says, "Even better is the 2004 Naia, a tank-fermented and aged Verdejo offering loads of honeysuckle, lemon zest, and orange rind characteristics in a crisp, medium-bodied, surprisingly textured yet elegant, fresh style. Enjoy it over the next 12-18 months. (6/30/2005)"

Que bueno!

This is good stuff - we had a bottle a few nights back. Cost Plus used to sell it in the US, around $7/bottle. Another nice inexpensive italian wine is A-Mano Primitivo if you can find it.

We've been drinking Red Truck from Cline as a standard - about $8/bottle here, as well as various lembergers from Kiona and Covey Run.

Here's a weird one I liked a lot:

Medanos from Mendoza (but not Malbec, it's a Bonarda/Tempranillo) 2003 $8
really bright but full-flavored. jolly. I hate thick and jammy or overly oaked wine

generous!

we sampled seven different south african reds last week. they were all rubbish. never again.

This from the Splendid Table :

How Low Can You Go?
February 4, 2006

When it comes to cheap wine, Josh Wesson advises avoiding bottles more than three years old. "Age is not a virtue with cheap wine," he says. So just how low can you go? You won't go wrong with these picks from Josh priced well under $10.

• Chuck Shaw's Shiraz from Trader Joe's for about $3 a bottle. Skip the Merlot, Cabernet and Chardonnay.
• La Boca Chardonnay from Argentina is fresh, yummy, and also about $3 at Trader Joe's.
• Casa Solar Tempranillo from Spain for about $6. Get the youngest possible (2003 should be available).
• Viumanent, a wonderful Malbec from Argentina.
• Willow Glen non-vintage tawny port from Australia. About $6
• Barefoot Bubbly, a non-vintage sparkling wine from California, is one happy glass of fizz.

And with dinner at the best Thai place in the US, a bottle of QbA Josef Leitz Rudesheimer Drachenstein Dragonstone 2004 (Rheingau), which was perfect with all manor of spicy Thai flavors.

Buy one, get one :)

For UK buyers Somerfield has a great offer on Zonte's footsteps at the moment, the same superkarmet is also carrying a lot of Charles Back's stuff from the excellent Fairview winery (SA) the viognier is a peach-scented treat, and the Cotes rip-off an absolute stunner.

In other news, Morrison is stocking Condrieu now, seriously wtf? Condrieu? Twenty quid a bottle, mind, but worth every penny.

Can I recommend a buddy's microwinery Sutton Cellars? He's doing some badass odd grapes, unfined & unfiltered... I had a bottle at dinner the other night and it ruled: http://www.jugshop.com/newsletters/101404_web.htm

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/gypsyfrocksbedlam/lasrocas.jpg

Love Sanford Chard - about $20 a bottle. Their pinots ('02 & '03) are good too but a little pricy.

and two buck chuck syrah (trader joe's) is an outstanding wine for the price.

D'Alessandro Cortona Shirah som'thin' n'r'oth'r. It was OK: Dry'n'Red'n'not-so-bad.

I'm a veteran drinker, but for some reason had never tried Port. So I did. Barf-and-a-half. I mean, I drank it, but shit hombre, look up "cloying" in the dictionary and WHOOMP, there's Port. This stuff's Mad Dog 20/20 for people who live in houses.

I do think that it would probably be the perfect thing to drink sometimes, but only in moderation, and that just hain't me style.

Hell, while I'm talkin' about it, have you (or anyone) had any experience with Madeira? (Or Pink Gin, you Limeys). "Bitter's End" is my second favorite Roxy Music song and I've never had either. (Just so I don't come across like a total novice, I've had both Tennesee Moonshine and Slovak Slivovitz cooked up by relatives o' mine.

I like sauv-blancs too , though they always remind me of grapefruit soda.