In Vino Potentia

Monday, April 18, 2011

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Alamos Famous

Producer: Alamos
Type: Red
Region: Argentina
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2008
Price: $9




Rating: 


Known throughout the world for their quality, Alamos is changing the image of Argentinian wines. This full-bodied CabSav has an earthiness down stage and a refreshingly tart ending.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Predator vs. Zinfandel

Producer: Predator
Type: Red
Region: California (Lodi)
Variety: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2009
Price: $14




Rating:  

I admire this wine maker for their use of the eco-friendly "natural predation" method to avoid the use of pesticides. One thing a dictator must know well is how to conquer his enemies as efficiently as possible. I've never used ladybugs myself but there's a first for everything! This "old vine" Zin is extremely very flavorful--Fruity, spicy and smooth. 

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Come Experience A Fine Wining Experience...

Producer: Don Sebastiani & Sons
Designation: Pepperwood Grove
Type: Red
Region: California
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2008
Price: $8


Rating: 

...At Pepperwood. This Pinot Noir has the rich color and earthiness you would expect in a California interpretation of the varietal with bright flavors of cherry and blackberry. A bit acidic at the finish so if you like a smoother drink...let it breath, douchebag!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

It Bogles the Mind...


Producer: Bogle
Type: Red
Region: California (Central Coast)
Variety: Petite Sirah
Vintage: 1998
Price: $14


Rating: 


...how a wine so ubiquitous and affordable could be so very tasty! This Petite Sirah has an extremely smooth feel on the tongue, starts out fruity and finishes with a bit of smokiness. Enjoy over a competitive game of Boggle with your archrival. The levels of word play will be infinite.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Deliciousaurus Rex

Producer: Rex & Goliath
Type: Red
Region: California (Monterey County)
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2008
Price: $6

 Rating:     

An amazing deal for such a tasty yet mellow Cabernet Sauvignon. The cock pictured on the label is a great conversation starter, but I would advise pairing this wine with a meal centered around a nice juicy cut of red meat. 

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Queen Jezebel



Producer: Daedalus Cellars
Type: White
Designation: Jezebel
Region: Oregon
Variety: Blend
Vintage: 2009
Price: $11.99



Unlike its namesake, I certainly had no desire to defenestrate this lovely bottle of white wine. A "dictator" in her own right, Jezebel was the power behind her husband's throne and this selection certainly has a spicy power behind a sweet facade. It could even be enjoyed as a dessert wine and holds up well without accompanying food. 

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Whippersnapper



Producer: Bodega Belgrano
Type: Red
Designation: It's a Head Snapper
Region: Sonoma Coast
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2009
Price: $12



Rating:        

This wine is woody up front and moves into a sweeter finish. It is refreshingly light for a pinot noir but the flip side is it lacks substance. Pair with a Big Mac.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

The Caged Bird Sings

Producer: Castellare di Castellina
Type: Red
Region: Tuscany, Italy
Variety: Chianti
Vintage: 2006
Price: $23


Rating:   



In my opinion (aka the only one that matters) this is the best deal on the market for a superb Chianti. Even though it's a bit more expensive that the average urban peasant's budget will allow, Castellare's Chianti Classico is well worth eating Tuna Helper for a week. It is rich and flavorful with a mellow, grounded finish. 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Take No Prisoners

Producer: Orin Swift
Type: Red
Region: California
Variety: The Prisoner (Blend)
50% Zinfandel
24% Cabernet Sauvignon
14% Syrah
9% Petite Sirah
2% Charbono
1% Grenache 
Vintage: 2009
Price: $35






Rating: 
            

The Prisoner is so jammy it feels like sticking your head into a jar of Smucker's. The complexities of the multi-layered blending are almost indistinguishable under the dark shadow of the Zin. If you are unlucky enough to be in a situation where this is the only wine you have to drink, I recommend letting it breath for at least 4 hours. If you have a choice, leave it in the dungeon and let it age for a few more years....

On a more positive note, the 1967 British television show, The Prisoner, is a delight and a useful study in mind control and brainwashing.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Gertie & Max




Producer: Winzergenossenschaft Auggen
Type: White
Region: Baden, Germany
Variety: Chasselas
Vintage: 2007
Price: $11












Rating:   


I have to admit that the dominating factor in the purchase of this bottle was the adorable rendering of two little mice for which this particular variety is named (most great dictators love cute animals). Reading a bottle by its label proved delightfully rewarding. The wine is sweet, of medium acidity and has a lot of flavor for a white, mostly of a fruity quality. 

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Wyatt Burp


Winery: Wyatt
Type: Red
Region: California
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic)
Vintage: 2009
Price: $13


Rating:   

Easy to drink yet full of flavor. I enjoyed this bottle with some of my closest advisors over fine cheeses and artisanal breads, but this smooth Cabernet can be imbibed happily in the absence of food.








Wine Manifesto






From the moment the first wine finger touched my infantile gums, I knew I was born to tell people what to drink. To all you common plebes who are forced by ignorance to imbibe overpriced rotten grape juice, do not fear—Your leader has risen!  Follow me into the churning belly of the wine revolution, and reemerge with something you’ll be proud to bring to a house-warming party.


Over the past twenty-six years I have developed a precise rating system that even the most idiotic winos can understand. 


The Basics:


   =   Delicious. You are an asshole not to buy 
                                                                            this wine.
                 Three Iron Fists                         


                    =      Pretty tasty. Good enough for your 
                             Two Iron Fists                                average Saturday night dinner with 
                                                                                       your average neighbors whom you 
                                                                                       don't need to impress too much.                       
                  
                                      = Nothing to sneeze at. Bring it to that party where    
                    One Iron Fist                         you like the people enough not to make them 
                                                                         drink absolute shit.

                                   = I wouldn't make my garbage disposal drink this      
                                The Finger                            unless there was a rabid opossum that 
                                                                            had been possessed by Satan stuck in 
                                                             my pipes and I wanted it dead immediately.
                  


                   =     A Good Deal


Pairing:


When you see this symbol...                                    Pair With...

                                          French Food

                                      Italian Food


                                     Chinese Food


                                           Mexican Food

                                        Korean Food 


                                        Fast Food


Happy drinking, my faithful peons!