Jake-Ryan 2006 SYRAH – BALD MTN. VINEYARD – MT. VEEDER – NAPA VALLEY

$

$4.99
14.5%
Oakland
Purchased 3/19

This is a very good wine for the price.  Classic California Syrah,  Initially, it was a bit refined in the bottle, and more austere like a foreign wine, but upon decanting it became more “Cali”, for lack of a better word.

I noticed that it was not the same 2005 as was posted, so I took a chance on it.  I’m glad I did.  Returned to the store today, one day later, and it was all gone (2 cases), minus one lone bottle that I snagged.  I would have bought a case.

The fact sheet from the producer is here.  This is one of 3 wines the producer currently lists on their own site.  I doubt more will pop up, as it’s pretty darn good.

If you snagged the rest of what was available, good for you.

Had it with Pizza.  It was a bit strong for meatless pizza, but enjoyable on it’s own, nevertheless.  

The second bottle I bought today rang up at $2.99.  Strange.  

Brovida Cordara Barbera

Oakland
$4.99
12.5%
DOP: 02/27/2013

This wine is pretty good, especially for the price.  

Lighter cherries come to mind, a bit acidic, which is good, and some light tannins as well.  

I could see this going well with Pizza, red sauced Pasta, etc, and may even withstand something a bit heartier.

There’s a Bronco description here about the wines overall characteristics.  

Sorry about the large photo 🙂 

Vina Mayor Rueda Verdejo 2010

Purchased Jan. 29, 2013
$5.99
Oakland, CA
12.5%

An uninspiring wine that is fruit forward with some citrus and apple fruit flavors, but finishes long with too much bitterness.  Only a slight bit of acidity, but definitely not a crisp wine.  Was a bit rounder than we’d hoped, but not oaky by any means.

Had less acidity and characteristics on day two.

Drinkable, but not worth the price.  For $2.99 I’d feel a bit better about it.

Tres Hermanas 2006 Syrah

$2.99
14.5% Alc
Oakland, CA

The company website has a pretty solid description of this wine.  I cannot say too much different.  Pretty well balanced, peppery, flavorful Syrah with a smooth finish.  It didn’t strike me as a typical California wine, but maybe because I don’t drink too many “unfiltered” wine.

Of note, there is A LOT of sediment.  Much of pasted to the side of the bottle.  I think this is a primary reason for negative reviews.

We filtered it through a strainer and into our decanter, and it was just fine.

At this price I’d say it’s a winner.  There’s a decent amount at Oakland as of 1/24/2013

Lazy Creek Vineyards Anderson Valley, Red Table Wine, 100% Pinot Noir

$5.99
Oakland
13.9%

There are mixed reviews of this wine here so I won’t belabor it, but I’ll add a little bit.

There are notes of lavender on the nose.  Mostly cherry flavors on the palate that you get from Pinot.

It’s an easy drinking California Pinot.  It lacks any spice, but is pretty well balanced, smooth, if not a bit big on alcohol.  Overall it’s certainly good.

I purchased it after a man in the Oakland store told me he saw this at one of Alice Waters’s restaurants.  Most likely because this vineyard practices organic farming and sustainability.  Figured, why not?

Just had it with Indian food.

If you’re a Cali Pinot fan you’ll be happy with this.  Hope there’s some left.  There was yesterday (11/7).

2007 Barone di Valforte Riserva Montepulciano

$11
Oakland
14%

Once again, another import from “Wine Wave” out of Long Island, NY.

It’s a very straightforward wine with pretty obvious cherry flavors, that’s fruity, slightly spicy, rounded, and leaves a long dry finish.  More smooth than crisp, that’s for sure, with no real acidity.

This wine is in no way offensive.  If I purchased it at Safeway for $11 I’d think nothing of it, and probably even buy it again in a pinch,especially if I was bringing it to a party where people like the bigger Cali style.  It seems to sell anywhere between $17-$22 in a variety of places, so there’s a discount.

All that said, I wouldn’t spend another $11 at GO for it because I feel I can get better wines in that range elsewhere.  Yet, I’ve definitely spent more and gotten less in my life.

2010 Mont’arquato Barbera

 

$5.99 
Oakland
13%

Another good find for me since I tend to really like Italian wines.  

Medium to full-bodied with darker berry fruits up front, good balance and some acidity,while finishing slightly dry. Really doesn’t have much in the tannin department, which I guess is expected for a Barbera, so I”m told.

This is another good house wine to have around, for sure.  Not going to blow anyone away, but can be opened to drink on its own, or had with food.  I could see this wine pairing nicely with any tomato based pasta, or other acidic foods, like the salsa I’m currently eating, or the pizza I will be having in an hour.  

When I opened it last night it seemed a bit fruitier than it is after an evening in the fridge, but it’s coming around again

Here’s a link to the Wine Wave review/site that imported this wine.  As an aside, I’m noticing a lot of these Italian and Spanish wines at GO Oakland are Wine Wave imports.  

I happened to purchase a few bottles of a Kermit Lynch Barbera this week during a sale they were having at $7.99, and this wine is better, for what that’s worth.

2000 Marques De La Concordia Crianza Rioja

Oakland
13%
$2.99

You don’t often find wines likes this at GO, so I took a swing.

From the first sip, even if you didn’t know what you were drinking, you’d know this wine spent some time in a bottle.

It has that aged cherry smell, almost pungent like grenadine syrup.  First sip you sense the age, but then immediately the wine comes into balance with solid fruit and acidity, and then finishes with nice tannins.

It’s definitely not a wine for everyone, since there’s certainly a little funk, but for the price, it’s worth it.

Did some web-searching and noticed this wine in the $10 range.  K&L was selling it as recently as September.  I’m guessing they couldn’t sell it, then GO got it.

I could see some people really liking, or really hating this wine.  If you like something non-Cali, a bit dated, and somewhat out of the GO ordinary, worth trying.

I’ll probably grab 2 more tomorrow.

2007 Duca di Castelmonte Grillo Dinari del Duca Sicilia IGT

 

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$2.99
Oakland
13%

Not as crisp a wine as I had hoped for, but certainly worth it for the price.  It’s more yellow in color when in the glass than I expected, but color doesn’t mean much to me.  

The girlfriend said “slightly aromatic and peachy”, but my ability to discern whites is somewhat limited, especially since I don’t smell peaches that often.

Has a bit of a bitter taste on the end of the finish.  

Flavorful enough to serve with lighter pastas, fish, and even spicy dishes like Mexican, etc.

Considering what’s out there in the world, I’d expect a wine like this to go for $10+ in a big store, and $15 on the corner.

 

2006 Cliff Creek Estate Grown Syrah – Southern Oregon

Oakland

$3

14.3%

Not an overly complex wine, but not bad.

Earthy on the nose and palate, medium bodied wine that’s fruity upfront with a slightly tannic and lingering finish. I’m not great at discerning particular fruits, but I feel it has characteristics of darker berries and leather.

I’m drinking it the second day, and it’s just as good as the first, if not slightly more complex.

This is the type of wine I would just crack open and drink for no particular occasion other than to have a decent glass