Thanksgiving Wines

Sorry for being AWOL. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday. I did not get a chance to write down detailed notes but I would like to share a couple of memorable wines that I tasted over the break.

2007 Justin Isosceles - My father-in-law opened this from his Justin collection. I remember tasting an Isosceles at the Justin winery earlier this year, but the 2007 at Thanksgiving was more memorable. The wine has nice tannins and a pretty lengthy finish. A couple more years of cellaring might benefit this wine.

2008 Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel - Great value at $20. Nice ripe zinfandel fruit, deep purple coloring, and good balance. My father-in-law mentioned that aeration (about 30-45 minutes in a half full bottle) flattened out the flavor profile. I did not detect the same but he does have a more sophisticated palate than I do at the moment. I highly recommend this wine.

2005 Bogle Phantom - A blend of Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Mourvedre. In my humble opinion, the 2005 Phantom does not have the same presence as the previous two. But it is still enjoyable. The 2007 version is available at Costco for less than $15.

2007 Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - This wine is available at K&L Wines in Hollywood, California, for $12. Nice color and good flavors for the price point. I do not quite remember the finish or any of the other details. What I do remember: For $12, this Cabernet from Napa delivers pretty well. 

2006 (?) Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet - I apologize for not remembering the exact vintage. I had this wine at a wedding shower. Sadly, the wine was served at a pretty low temperature. What I remember: nice color, decent berry flavors, and the condensation on my wine glass. Side note: The Louis Martini 2005 Napa Reserve holds a special place in my heart. That wine was served at my wedding. I have one bottle left resting peacefully underneath my bed. I might have to open it sooner rather than later, because of the less than ideal storage conditions (our apartment hovers anywhere from 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit).

I hope to update the website with more tasting notes after I get most of my law school applications out. See you then!