Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

This is a bold and spicy wine. It has an underlying sweetness, like chocolate, and goes really well with savory flavors, like meat and cheese. I drank this with Raclette and it was lovely. After, I took a bite of milk chocolate and somehow the body of it just disappeared.

It opens very nicely and is a good affordable wine.

They also make a merlot which I had recently that is quite delightful, and therefore recommended.

Bottom line: Sophistication for the whole family. Little Susie, even the family dog loves Sebastiani.

BV Cab 2009

Okay. This is BV. What are you going to do? First of all, I got this as a free gift, and it came in a 375 (one of those half-sized wine bottles), and they are so cute! It is like a little wine snack!

Bottom line: it's wine. What else are you going to drink? Water? Fish fuck in that!

Roth Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

I admit I have fallen behind on posting, in that, I drink--I mean--taste, yes, taste. But then I get lazy and neglect my posting duties. So this next week I will be sorting through the pile of bottles and catching up on one of the most important reasons for the creation of the universe: tasting yummy wine.

So here goes:

This is a regal wine, as the label suggests. It is very ... shieldy.

I'm rusty.

Bottom line: Oh for chrissakes, just drink it!*

*Opinion based on science

Arrogant Frog Lily Pad Red Cab-Merlot 2010

This is a screw-cap wine. And I don't mean to be so us and them about cork or screw cap, but my bottom line is favorable, so I want to start off on the right foot.

This is a lovely blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot brought lovingly to you by the folks in France. That is right. It is a European wine bottled at Domaine Paul Mas in the south of France.

European wines have normally been a little tricky for me. But this was quite lovely.

Bottom line: men, grow a mustache, ladies, stop shaving your armpits, and drink it.

Cameron Hughes Lot 224 Syrah 2009

I am not familiar with Cameron Hughes, but I drank this entire bottle in one night. I love Syrahs. And apparently I really loved this...from what I recall.

I have not loved every Cameron Hughes I have tried, though I will admit it was also years ago prior to my more intellectual interest in wine. Nonetheless I recall having an excellent Chardonnay from them. And being so long ago, I do not recall the year or lot number.

I have more of this so I will likely revisit it again.

Bottom line: let's go with the old standby: drink it!

Rosenblum Zinfandel Alexander Valley 2007

What can I say about this? It is amazing. Very strong notes of chocolate and berries in this lovely bottle of magic. Rosenblum has beautiful velvety flavors, and it is hard to choose a Rosenblum Zin that isn't amazing.

Bottom line: Bliss in a bottle

Vino V Syrah 2006

Vino V (V as in the letter, not as in 5) comes from a small winery near Ventura, California. This Syrah has a bold, spicy flavor, almost peppery. It screams for meat.

This is from a smaller winery just north of LA. They share land with Old Creek Winery, whom I shall review later. We bought a few bottles from them as well. I should have bought another bottle of this.

Bottom line: Put on earphones before you open it because it screams Steak! Steak! Steak!

Guenoc Petite Sirah 2010

This is an interesting wine. It is hard to say if it is good or not, but it is drinkable. It doesn't have a complex character, maybe a little confounding. It is okay, just okay. It won't knock your socks off. It is a 3rd bottle of the night, after your tasting is over and you want to keep the buzz going.

Bottom line: Oh, drink it if you must, you'll get no argument from me. And stop pouting.