Josh, did you get the Ghost pines merlot or the cab? Even as a cab guy myself, the merlot was the one to go with, and like a lot of wines, that was a one vintage tip, it’s been a year since we collectively raved, all bets are off once the year turns. But your love of bordeaux’s tells me we have a totally different pallate, mine is more regional, french wines often taste a bit tinny and light to me, so I save my money. I’ve tried, gone as far as a mouton, D’issan margaux, and many others that set me back a pretty penny but weren’t in my wheelhouse. I still like the cali stuff, a nice Dunn or Joe Phelps and I’m happy at fraction of the price so it works for me.
I did read that the austrailians were having such a wine glut that they were selling it for almost the cost of the bottle and cork, importers were paying $1.80 a bottle. Based on your post, maybe it’s time to expand my horizons and take a few risks while it’s on the cheap.
I know it won’t be in your wheelhouse but for some readers, here’s my latest tip on the local scene. Little winery up here recently opened, Robert Renzoni vineyards in temecula. As many of you are aware, I am a regular up here, hitting the tasting rooms a couple times a month going back 20 years when tasting was free. There’s a lot of buzz amongst the locals regarding this place. After drinking his wine at a pairing dinner and at a local eatery, The g-friend and I decided to check it out the other day.
They are tasting out of the barrel room as the tasting room has yet to be constructed, the polish isn’t on as far as the facilities go but homeboy makes a mean red, right out of the gate they got it going on, so it’s only gonna get better. They picked a terrible time to start a business, but hopefully talent keeps them afloat. It doesn’t compare to the resort style tasting rooms on Rancho cal, but it’s also not flush with bachelorette parties, desperate housewives of the O.C., and the weekend rookie drinkers. He didn’t have a red I wouldn’t buy, or should I say didn’t buy, I also left with a couple of jars of his mothers marinara sauce. Everyone talks about buying american, well, this is as domestic as it gets, so get you but up here, stimulate the economy and start drinking. That’s my tip of the day.
