Annabella Napa Valley Cabernet Special Selection 2003

Running low on inexpensive wine last weekend, and a full week of work ahead of me, I decided to stop by an old haunt on Sunday, Beverages and More. This is the largest alcohol retailer in the area, and I can usually find some of the less expensive stuff unavailable at my favorite wine store (MFWS). This weekend was no exception. I have to point out that I did go to MFVS also and found a nice selection of dry rose wine from around the world. But that's for another time.

One of the wines that caught my interest was the Annabella Cabernet from Michael Pozzen Winery. The reason is simple. One sale, and a silver medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition this year. (For future readers this is 2006. Hi Future.) What better recommendations do I need? At $9.99 on sale (link may die at any time; sorry.) I couldn't pass it up. A Napa Cab for $9.99!

The Pozzen Winery, in what appears to be an endeavor founded on third generation land in Oakville, California, is a producer of five lines of wine. Some more exclusive than others. And while I am sure that some of the Cabernets under his labels are from Oakville fruit, (my favorite Cabernet region) I doubt that if there is any in the Annabella it is not the first rate fruit.

But none-the-less this is a surprisingly fine California Cabernet. Particularly for the price. (Did I mention $9.99 on sale?) The label which has more info than the meager website with the long name says, "produced from grapes harvested in the valleys of California". This translates as "we get our grapes where we can to make an affordable wine." I suspect some of it is from the Lodi or Paso Robles area, maybe some Alexander Valley and a toss of some lighter fruit from Napa.

But it works. Michael and wife Mary Ann Pozzen seems to have produced an inexpensive Cabernet that has greater aspirations.

Moderately dark in color, a nose that to me says "Central Valley" and medium viscosity are all examples of a wine that will be both fruit forward enjoyable. At first taste the wine seemed somewhat closed and restrained, like it needed more time in the cellar, but after being in the glass for a while, I would say that cellaring for more than a year or two would be a mistake.

The taste in typical Cab fashion seems to call out for meat and red sauce like spaghetti and meatballs, or for those of you more well off.... well something fancier. What do I know!

If you can find this wine, you might consider giving it a try. For under $10 you can't go wrong. Just give me a chance to buy some more for my cellar. Ok?

Fourth of July 2005

Webcam captures:





Eat your heart out.

Twin Fin California Pinot Noir 2005

Ok. Thanks Twin Fin web developer. One word: simplify! (The PDF about the wine is here.) Let me just say a few more words about the website. If it's too flashy, it's too hard to use and takes too long to load. And I have DSL. No I don't want music. Do you have the rights to use it? And I don't want bouncing boxes popping up all over the place. I want info, not a web developer resume. Save that stuff for your personal, albeit boring, website! 'Nough said.

The TF California Pinot is a young fresh example of what can be done if you can find fruit from everywhere and blend it into something that resembles what it was intended as. In this case Pinot Noir.

Now since the web developer has been busy fancifying his websites, the Twin Fin site still has the 2004 info posted. This here is the 2005. (If you spent more time updating and less time flashing I wouldn't have to do this to you....) I'll guess the wine comes from the same areas as in 2004, just not in the same proportions. Santa Lucia Highland (specific area in Monterey County), Monterey County (anywhere in the area...), and Lodi. They even included some Petit Verdot I'm assuming to give it some backbone and color since the cheap Monterey stuff tends to be lacking in both. Just a guess mind you.

The simple twist closure, ("screw cap" to you neophytes), make this wine something to pick-up for a picnic or when you're out-of-town, and need something easy open for the hotel room and that special someone you found in the yellow pages. (You know who I'm talking about.)

Simple flavors and a slightly acidic finish make this a good wine for having with fish, but will probably go good with chili dogs as well.

If memory serves this was from Trader Joes also, for a low price. Probably under $10, but I forget stuff....

I like the TF stuff for the most part. Many wines in the price range do not resemble the grapes they are supposedly made from. The Twin Fins come close!

Aranleon Veroleon 2003

I haven't posted in a while, but in my own defense I have been enjoying drinking the wines more than I have been writing about them. But I figure since everyone has been so nice about the info I should probably continue. Not that I'll tell you about my favorites or the wines from the "winery with no name". I can't have everyone taking my allocation, now can I?

This Veroleon from D.O. Navarra (for more info about this wine region you might look here.) in Spain is a nice little find in Trader Joes. ($4.99) It is a pleasing blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Merlot, giving it the rustic full body of the Grenache mellowed by the smooth texture of the Merlot. The wine is dark, full of plums and spice, with a medium length finish on the palate.

At the price it is one of the better finds for pairing with meats and red sauces around. If you have a Trader Joes check it out!