Robert Mondavi '06 Fumé Blanc

Robert Gerald Mondavi, 06/18/13 - 05/16/08

Here were some of the highlights:

• 1966, started a winery in California before it was hip
• 1967, created and coined the term Fumé Blanc, using Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Impressive. Speaking of coined terms, here's a gem, if one were to forcefully score on one's self in foosball is to "Richter yourself" or "Pull a Richter". If only I had been the one to coin that.
• 1996, carried the Olympic torch
• 2002, received the Order of Merit award from Italy
• 2008, died, then shortly after was honored with a resolution passed in the US House of Representatives detailing his wine industry accomplishments.

Now, I am not being a hater as I obviously love wine at least as much as say,... John Daly, but don't our elected officials have more pressing matters to concern themselves with at this time? Like juiced up baseball players, an impending actor's strike, or Carol Burnett / Family Guy outrage.

The Liquid Facts
As I mentioned above, Mondavi made up 'Fume' to help boost lagging Sauvignon Blanc sales. And,... it worked. He then decided to not trademark the name and left it available for wine makers everywhere to call their Sauvignon, Fume.... and many do. Classy move my friend.

When drinking Fume Blanc, drink young. No need to age these. Hmmm,.... the poor-taste ironic joke is dying to,..... oh,... damn, too late. Have I no shame?

The Liquid Summary
Aroma: Very sweet smell, melon.
Alcohol: 14%
Taste: Tart, distinct orange & grapefruit taste.
Price: $8.99 Costco

Drink 6 Feet Under,
Gregg

Erath 2006 Pinot Blanc

Hey there strangers. I trust you have all been drinking fastidiously and excessively since the last post. And just where the hell have I been for two months? Long story, but in short, I have been touring from New York to Seattle in a Rick Astley cover band. And the road is nothing less than a demanding beast.

But I am back, and here to spread the word of Erath Vineyards. Erath has done their growing in the tiny 1.4 square mile town of Dundee, Oregon since 1967. Shockingly, somehow this tiny town has found a way to not only contain a full scale winery, assorted other businesses, but also about 3000 people (I assume they are allowed to come and go as they please). Something tells me these "internet facts" may not be 100% accurate.

The Liquid Facts

Pinot Blanc is a mutation of Pinot Gris which is a mutation of Pinot Noir. And I ask, Evil Scientists or Intelligent Design?

The Liquid Summary

Aroma: Grapefruit

Alcohol: 13.8%

Taste: Very dry, peppery finish, tastes kind of like it smells... grapefruity, very tart, but overall quite tasty. Had this with BBQ on a nice sunny day. Was great.

Price: $12 (Trader Joes)

Nice looking bottle. Erath appears to be a play on words,... err umm play on letters. The label has the quote "Grapes from the EARTH, wines from HEART.... ERATH". Clever.

Don't be a HATER, drink it.

Gregg

Chalk Creek 2006 Petite Sirah

Yikes, I am a little behind. In fact I have 7 empty bottles staring me down, nagging, taunting, and perhaps conspiring against me?? So with that, I had best get to work, Mrs. Liquid Grape is starting to get on my arse about these bottles piling up and trust me, you don't want to get on her bad side.

So, Petite Sirah,.... first time ever for this blog in fact. No that is not a mistype either, that's how you spell it smart guy. I picked up this bottle from where else,.. Trader Joe's. Not a whole lot of info available on this bottle other than being cellared & bottled by Windsor Vineyards in Mendocino County, CA. Best I can tell, it appears to be another one of those products made exclusively for the TJ's Empire of Deliciousness.

The Liquid Facts

Petite Sirah, as it is commonly known in the US and Israel (odd), is also known worldwide as the Durif grape variety. Also mildly interesting is that Petite Sirah can age very well for 20+ years in the right conditions. More interesting than that is that some group of people got together and created the website psiloveyou.org to dedicate their collective lameness,... errr umm appreciation for Petite Sirah. Uhh, psiloveyou.org....?? Arghh people.

The Liquid Summary

Aroma: Leather, charcoal (seriously), tobacco

Taste: Delicious. Not too jammy, not too dry, very well balanced wine for the price.

Price: $8ish

Overall, will definitely be buying this bottle again. Outstanding bottle of wine for the price.

Drink PS'd,

Gregg