Wine Tasting on the Farm

đŸŽ¶Green acres is the place for me, Faaarm living is the life for me!đŸŽ¶

I wish it were as easy as it was on that old TV show! I was slapped with a cold hard reality check these past couple weeks. Turns out, I did not marry a farm boy. He grew up on a ranch. He explained the difference of a ranch and a farm. The simplified version: Animals not plants.

He said the only plants he took care were actual amond crops (yes, he says it without the ‘L’, there’s a whole story behind that but I’ll save it for another post). He says he has no idea how much veggie plants in planters need.

I found this out after I bought the new veggie plants.

‘What’s the difference?’ you may ask. ‘What does that change?’ you may wonder. Who wouldn’t?

The difference is, I have to keep the ‘crops’ alive and thriving. Me. Not him.

These plants are doomed.

They were so healthy and full of potential when I bought them! My history of trying out my green thumb has mostly ended poorly, I am a plant killer. I do have two thriving fruit trees, a cherry and a loquat; and two grape vines that keep coming back but don’t give me grapes. Pretty much everything else I’ve planted didn’t make it. That’s why (until now) I stick to succulents and artificial plants.

I was overly optimistic.

I planted strawberries, eggplants, cucumbers, zucchini, cantaloupe, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, blackberries and mandarin oranges. All of which are available at Manteca Grocery Outlet (with the exception of the oranges).

I did alright at first, I remembered to water them almost everyday. Almost. But then, something wonderful happened. When I forgot, Russ watered them. I forgot more often, not entirely on purpose. I figured I do it later, after work probably.

And, amazingly, the crops are doing well anyway
 It’s a suburban farm miracle!

Turns out, there’s not that big of a difference between a farm boy and a ranch boy. Lucky for me (and my plants).

Now, if I could just get my grape vines to bloom again this year
 We could stomp them into some wine!

Until then
 we continue to drink on the porch for you :^)

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2022 Rothbury Estate Sauvignon Blanc $8.99

The only on-line reviews I could find for this wine from down under were for a different year and did not match what we tasted at all. So, here’s tasting notes from the winemaker: Nose: Aromas of passionfruit, grapefruit, gooseberry and guava
Palate: Light bodied with a fresh, crisp finish.

Joe started us off with this Sauvignon Blanc, he said: oh! it’s tart. Becky tasted apple and Terry tasted grapefruit. Joe called it bright and Arvin called it brilliant. Larry thought the aroma was like walking in a garden. Connie found it light and fruity and Russ agreed – he said he could drink that. Becky thought this crisp wine would pair well with Thai food. Connie found that did pair well with the spicy salami – it toned down the spice! This is a great summer wine, my favorite for sipping while floating in the pool on a hot day.

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2020 Diora Chardonnay Monterey $5.99

I Don’t know why I even looked this one up, lol. No reviews, till we came along of course. Winemaker’s notes: This Chardonnay has a beautiful, pale golden hue with tropical aromas of pineapple that mingle with toasted oak and hints of ripe apricot, creme brĂ»lĂ©e and pear. The delicate flavors of crĂšme brĂ»lĂ©e in this white wine give way to lovely notes of key lime, white peach, and marshmallow in a medium-bodied mouthfeel.

Becky tasted oak right away in this California Chardonnay. And, a hint of peach? Russ found it smoky and Connie thought this Chard had a bit of a bite to it but I think I had it too chilled. This is a heavier Chardonnay and should’ve been served at room temperature. Becky warmed hers with her hands and it made all the difference. It pairs well with the buttery crackers, pop corn and even some plain potato chips.

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2021 Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red Paso Robles $5.99

Again! Another wine without reviews on-line. Even though WineSearcher says: This is above average in popularity for wines from Paso Robles. Greater numbers of users have been searching for this wine compared to a year ago. We’re trend setters now, lol. Here’s the Winemaker’s notes:

Tastes Like: Brambly blackberry, dark black cherry with a dusting of cocoa powder

Yummy With: Cowboy Fare – A heaping plate of barbecued Tri-tip, chile beans, garlic bread and a green salad

This was just a fun label! I couldn’t resist. Terry and Connie both liked this red blend. Connie added that she is not a red wine drinker but this is sweet and delicious, I can be converted to red. Becky thought it was jammie and Joe agreed. He added that is was full bodied. I thought it was a mellow, easy drinking drinking blend. This is a wine you could serve to a crowd.

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2019 Titan Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $9.99

Finally! 8.7/10 from Delectable.com: Rich, dark red-ruby color. Smells as expected. Berry filled baked goods, wet earth, cherry chocolate surprise. Just a hint of olives. Even less graphite. Flavor is towards the floral. Rose petals soaked in cherry syrup. Bit of bite on the back end. Like salt licorice or a hippie black chocolate/carob cake. Smooth to start, but ends with some tight tannic kick. Better after a bit of air gets in it. Hint of tobacco leaf in there too. A pleasing Cutie of a Cab

This Cab was delectable! Larry commented on the wonderful aroma – he said this was his favorite of the night, he has definately been converted to red drinker, lol. Connie agreed, she loved this one. Arivin found it full bodied. Becky said she tastes the smoke on this and it stays on your tongue. Joe called it peppery, he said this is exactly the kind of wine that I like. Becky added that this cab makes her want a steak. This was my favorite of the night!

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#HowToHypnotizeaChicken

Not gone, just gone ahead

Steve Tarr 1968 -2021 & Kerri Tapia 1961-2024

“Remember Me” by David Harkins

“Do not shed tears when I have gone but smile instead because I have lived. Do not shut your eyes and pray to God that I’ll come back but open your eyes and see all that I have left behind. I know your heart will be empty because you cannot see me but still I want you to be full of the love we shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live only for yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of what happened between us yesterday. You can remember me and grieve that I have gone or you can cherish my memory and let it live on. You can cry and lose yourself, become distraught and turn your back on the world or you can do what I want – Smile, wipe away the tears, learn to love again and go on.”

The world (especially my world) will never be the same without these two characters in it, and it’s definitely a better world after they each made their own unique mark on it. For that, I will be forever grateful to have known them and loved them.

~Till we meet again

Front Porch Chicks!

The Front Porch has really been collecting some dust!

I would’ve just let it stay that way without Russ pushing me to clean it up for some wine tasting. It wasn’t easy considering its basically farmland now


But, let me back up a little.

Secretly, I ‘ve always wanted to be a farmer. But I’m a city girl so I didn’t even know where to start. I mean I’ve tried growing food in the past. It usually starts out fine -ish. Then it gets too hot outside and I give up. Just like a city girl would.

Then one day, for no particular reason, Russ takes me and Caliber Jack to the feed store to see the baby chicks. We pull up and he parks the car but doesn’t get out. He looks at me and announces: “We are only here to look. We are NOT getting chicks.”

I thought that was a weird announcement. Of course we’re not getting chicks. Not only do we live in suburbia, but we also have a tiny walkway-around-the-house yard. No space for farm animals. Silly man.

We go in and find the chicks; they are way in the back of the store. I could hear them chirping as we got closer. Like they were calling to me. They were separated by color in bins that were inside a giant baby chick jail that didn’t allow me to hold them. They were tiny and chirpy, and I wanted to hold as many as I could. At the same time. But the cage was locked.

Why would Russ bring me here to tease me with tiny cute farm animals that I can’t even cuddle?

I wandered away, moping around the store. Then, I remembered!

When Stefan lived in town he had chickens – the city allowed up to like four chickens I think, as long as you don’t get a rooster. (I think your neighbors turn on you when you get a rooster).

Well, this store had a three-chick limit and no roosters!

E.I.E.I.O!  We ARE getting chicks!

I told Russ the good news and picked out my chicks. I held them all three while Russ unenthusiastically got a flatbed cart and loaded it with basically one of everything.

We brought them home, set up the temporary shelter and ordered a coop for the newly expanded Front Porch. We spent the rest of the evening getting to know them so we could name them.

Meet the new Front Porch Chicks:

Rita Hayworth (redhead), Brigitte Bardot (blonde), Bettie Page (brunette)

Later, I googled ‘suburban farming’. I couldn’t believe what I found! Those people all had detailed lists of pros and cons – BEFORE they started. LOL

That’s not how we do things around here. Good thing I married a farm boy, stay tuned
.

Time for some wine!

2020 Be Human Riesling  $3.99 Manteca Grocery Outlet

88 points from WineEnthusiast.com: The aromas offer notes of flower, whole lime, citrus and herb. Off-dry, leaning sweeter citrus flavors follow. It’s a straightforward summer wine with a lot to like.

I usually would not choose a Reisling. I even started us off by telling everyone that we probably wouldn’t like this one. I expected it to be too sweet. But this light Columbia Valley wine surprised us all.

Becky said it was not overly sweet, it was on the drier side. Joe thought it tasted apple-y and pear-y. Larry thought it was too sweet on the first taste but said it was not too bad on the second. Terry: Oh! I like this, it’s sweet and nice. Like me, Leela was surprised she liked it. She said she would’ve passed it up in the store too, thinking it would be too sweet. Arvin said it was nice, he liked it. Sidenote: Halfway through wine tasting, Joe went back for more of this Reisling. He said to cleanse his pallet, lol.

2020 Knotty Vines Chardonnay $3.99 Manteca Grocery Outlet

4/5 stars from Vivino.com: Medium bodied – crisp and butter. Would purchase again.

Terry started us off with this California Chardonnay, she called it ‘sparkly’ and Leela agreed. Larry tasted grape (palm to face), then changed his answer. He described it as ‘crispy’ and Becky agreed. Connie gave it a 10+ and said it should be called Naughty. Arvin said it had a bit of a bite to it. I thought it was more like a sauvignon blanc than a chardonnay. It would be nice to sip while doing some pool floating.

2019 Sponge Cake Chardonnay  $7.99 Manteca Grocery Outlet

4.4/5 stars from Vivino.com: Very nice wine, smooth, rich, buttery, taste, strong in fruits very nice to drink alone or with fish will definitely purchase again Reminds me a little bit of Cakebread Chardonnay, great value

Becky thought this Chardonnay from Sonoma County was nice. She said it was not aged in a barrel but still had some oak notes. Joe called it earthy. Leela like this one and also found it to be a nice, easy drinking wine. Arvin said it’s alright, I like the other one better. Lol.

2018 Be Human Red Blend $4.99 Manteca Grocery Outlet

89 points from WineEnthusiast.com: This vintage offers a bounty of fruit, and this wine is a great example of it. Aromas of light toasty oak meld with plum, leading to bountiful black currant and raspberry flavors. There’s pleasing balance throughout

Right off the bat, Joe tasted licorice and anise. Becky said it tasted like candy – plum and blackberry. Leela tasted Cabernet notes in this blend, lots of berries. Terry was excited that we got the reds and downed the last sip of white in her glass. Red Blend is her favorite. Larry called it easy drinking.

2021 River & Vine Cabernet Sauvignon $7.99 Manteca Grocery Outlet

4/5 stars on Vivino.com: A decent wine with hints of blueberry and oaky tastes. It’s not as flavorful as other Cabernets that I have had but it will make a nice wine for dinner.

Larry commented on the nice aroma. Becky tasted tobacco and Larry agreed. Leela thought it was ‘thin’ and Joe agreed, calling it light. We all agreed that this is a wine that should be laid down for a season or two to really get to the description on the label.

2020 Tenet Syrah The Pundit  $6.99 Manteca Grocery Outlet

4.1/5 stars from Vivino.com: Whenever I see this label I am keen to try it & once again I’m impressed. Deep ruby. Ripe & fruity w. fresh black cherry, pure blackberry, blackcurrant & blackcurrant leaf. A slightly leafy note w. leather & tobacco. Developing. Dry. Ripe, rich & creamy w. soft blackberry, blackcurrant, blackberry, black cherry, raspberry & plum. Grippy m+ tannins, m+ alc, m+ acid & med body w. good gloss to the fruit on the m+ finish. Good focus & purity w. lovely freshness on the palate.

Arvin liked this Columbia Valley “Expert” Syrah right away. Terry commented on the beautiful garnet color and Larry noticed it’s long legs. Joe said he really liked it, it’s strong and dry. Arvin added that it was smokey and very good. Leela called it peppery. Unfortunately, I can’t publish the rest of the comments as this was our sixth wine of the evening and they became NSFW.

Russ loves Chicks

This girl just wants to have WINE!

Whatever happened to good old fashioned work ethic. And, when did it become old fashioned anyway?

Back in my day, people just went to work, did their job then went home. We enjoyed ourselves after work and on our days off. Ah, the good life. Seems so uncomplicated. That’s why it was the simple life, I guess.

pause to reminisce


*deep breath*

Okay.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’m so busy all the time. There’s always something pressing that needs to be done and seemingly fewer and fewer people to get it all done. So, just as I’m about to have a Calgon-take-me-away moment, Larry says “wanna drink some wine on the Front Porch?”

Yes. Yes, I do.

Friends+Wine=fun!

I can’t believe I actually have to schedule time to just sit around with friends.

on the Front Porch.

to drink some wine đŸ˜‰

But, that’s exactly what we did this week! This girl just wants to have fun WINE!

Here’s what we tasted:

~ 2021 Gabrielle Ashley Sauvignon Blanc ~
~ 2021 19 Crimes Chardonnay ~
~ 2020 Gabrielle Ashley Cabernet Sauvignon ~
~ 2015 Ballad Old Vine Garncha ~

Cheers!

Becky started us off, she got the aroma of tobacco. Larry tasted pear notes. Joe commented that it was grassy and smooth. Grassy like dew on the grass in the morning and not bitter or bright – just smooth. I thought it was crisp, it’d be nice to sit around the pool and drink this super chilled on a summer day.

3.9/5 stars from Vivino

Arvin said he’s not a chardonnay guy but I like this! It’s a good wine. Larry is a chardonnay guy, he thought it had a good nose and commented that it is really good. Russ usually gravitates to sweeter, fruity wines. But, he said he could drink this on normal basis. Becky found it to be a light easy sipping wine. I honestly didn’t expect much from this wine. I thought it was just a marketing scheme to put Martha on the label, lol. But, It really was a good wine. Joe agreed, he was surprised at this chard.

91 Points from WineEnthusiast:“It is excellent! This best Chard I’ve tasted in a while! Smooth fruitful and flavorful”

We’ve had other vintages of this Cab in the past and always enjoyed it. This one did not disappoint! Terry thought it had a nice bouquet. She found it smooth and on the dry side. Arvin said it had nice legs. Larry commented on how it made him fill warm inside (like Terry with her Jameson). Joe detected earthy notes. then the tennis match began:

Becky tasted dark fruits.

Joe: Yes – the darkest.

Currents, Becky decided.

Becky: Peppery on the finish, hint of tobacco

Joe: The mouth is full of tobacco

Joe: Licorice tannins, but not sweet

Becky: Jammy

Joe: It’s easy drinking for a cab. If it could be full bodied and easy at the same time – it is.

89 Points from CellarTracker: Ripe fruit, black currant, kinda not descriptive, but juicy and jammy and approachable. And with some back end structure on the mid palate

I was excited for this one! I had never heard of an ‘old vine’ Granacha, only ‘old vine’ Zin (which I love). Becky said she likes a granacha. Arvin found it sweet. Joe was worried when he saw the vintage – he thought it may be a little too aged- but when he tried it he said this was his favorite. Full bodied mouth feel. Very dry. Awesome legs. I agreed, it did not disappoint 🙂

Vivino: 90/100 For the price, this old vine Garnacha from Ignacio Marin is stellar. It’s a Spanish style Garnacha for sure with stewed strawberry, stewed cherry, pepper, and Mediterranean brush flavors. Full bodied in style with a pleasant mouthfeel and tannins that just slightly tug on the finish. It drinks like a wine that costs a helluva lot more.

Secret to a Great Life

20% Off ALL Wine through April 11, 2023!

I had the best laugh today. It felt great!

“Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain.”

~ Charlie Chaplin

The Front Porch Wine Tasters have been on quite the hiatus. Mostly due to several challenges life threw at me the last few years. And, when I say threw, I mean it. Like a brick off the side of a building landing on your car.

I thank God for the gift of humor during difficult times and the frustrations of life.

Laughter or tears?

That’s the choice. I choose laughter. Hopefully, because of that, when I’m old my wrinkles will be in the right place. But, during this arduous time, I found that laughter is not only the best medicine, it’s cheap medicine. And, widely available. Also, I found myself searching for what makes me happy. Sounds cliche’, I know. But some of us (me) may need a reminder to look up from life and remember that the pursuit of happiness, in whatever we do, is precious.

So, whats made me happy this week?

Other People’s Puppies!
Crazy/Fun Friends
and this Dancing Biker

You know, the usual things.

So that’s the big life secret. Laugh abundantly and live a full life. Laugh when you’re happy or sad and especially when you’re mad. Laugh even when it’s maybe a tiny bit inappropriate. I laugh so often I’m practically invincible now.

One more thing that makes me happy…. WINE!

Welcome Back Winos 🙂

Cheers!

Stoney River Sauvignon Blanc ~ Spice Rack Chardonnay ~ Topography Red Blend ~ Vinus Malbec Continue reading →

Spring 2018 20% Off Wine Sale!

I don’t know if you know this… but, Steve is cheap. Except when it comes to golf or food of course. He is also very competitive. Competitive with himself. When the 20% Off Wine Sale comes around, he wants to beat his numbers from last year (if you’ve ever worked in retail, you’ll know this is a trait all these guys have). So he checks the numbers several times a day. And, when he does, he actually encourages me to buy more wine.

Now, believe me, I do my best to try as many wines as I possibly can throughout the year so I can recommend them to customers when they ask. I haven’t quite drank (drunk?) my way through the entire department, but I keep trying. Because of that, there is never a shortage of wine at my house.

So, when my husband asks me, “don’t you need more wine?” What’s a girl to do? I stock up, because yes Steve – I do need more wine.

I mean, really, who doesn’t?

20% OFF Wine Sale through Tuesday, April 3, 2018.

Here’s a few we tried on the Front Porch this week:

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wine sale

Callie Chardonnay ~ The Oak Reserve Chardonnay

Balverne Estate Red ~ Fonte Regia Chianti

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2015 Callie Collection Central Coast Chardonnay $4.99

Elsewhere price $16.99 ~ 20% Off during wine sale $3.99!

I tried this crisp white chardonnay earlier in the week; I thought it would be nice for the warm weather that was coming up. Larry tasted oak but Becky thought it was more like a Pinot Grigio. Joe S. said Larry was oaky. Misty tasted citrus and commented that she liked it. Joe S. and Terry agreed. Terry added that it is sweet and had a creaminess that lingered on the tongue. Steve called it buttery and light, Arvin and Misty both agreed. It paired well with spicy salsa cheese.

CallieCollection: A pale golden color, our 2015 Central Coast Chardonnay brings a bouquet of lime and pineapple with crĂšme brulee notes. This wine is rich and creamy with pineapple, citrus, vanilla bean, and toasty oak flavors and a balanced acidity and finish. 95% Chardonnay, 3% Riesling, 2% Muscat Canelli.

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2014 The Oak Reserve Santa Barbara County Chardonnay $6.99

Elsewhere price $14.99 ~ 20% Off during wine sale $5.59!

Becky started us off on this very light & clear chardonnay; she said it had an earthy aroma. Steve tasted spice. I definitely noticed the lemon zest finish. Scott tasted citrus. Joe S. said it made him feel like he was sitting next to a beautiful tree relaxing when he drinks this. Steve liked it, Scott and Joe S. agreed.

4/5 stars from Vivino: Really liked the pronounced oak flavor in it. Not too dry and not too sweet. A good basic Chardonnay

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2012 Balverne Chalk Hill Estate Red $14.99

Elsewhere price $48.99 ~ 20% Off during wine sale $11.99

I really like this red blend; it’s a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. Becky tasted plums and cherry – dark fruit. She said it is fruit forward and finishes with a hint of tobacco. Arvin commented that it is dry, and we know he likes that – Joe R was a little late, but had the exact same comment as his dad, lol. Larry said he can smell the grapes in this one, I think that means he agreed with Becky.

Tasting notes: Cabernet predominates in this particular Claret, but the Merlot is the silent partner that accentuates the cassis and currant fruit of the Cab and combines with its bigger tannins to silken the mouth feel. A small amount of Malbec adds soft black fruit like blueberry and plum. Both Merlot and Malbec bring mid-palate richness and, with carefully chosen French oak, promote a long and complex finish.

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Riserva 2014 Fonte Regia Chianti Italy $5.99

Elsewhere price $19.99 ~ 20% Off during wine sale $4.79!

This Chianti was light when we tasted it on the Front Porch. Arvin is our resident Chianti expert; he said it was lighter than he’d hoped. I thought it had a nice dryness to it, but I should’ve decanted it. So, after the Front Porch wine tasters went home, I decanted the rest of the bottle. I’m enjoying a glass of it as I write this. Aerating made a world of difference. It’s like a completely different wine, the kind that would make Terry’s nose tingle, full bodied. I really ripped those guys off by serving it straight out of the bottle. So, we’ll have to rely on the on-line tasters for notes (side bar, I had to translate this review from Portuguese). Cheers!

4/5 stars from Vivino: Um bom chianti, de excelente RQP!! Eu nĂŁo sou fĂŁ de Chianti, mas este me surpreendeu! Pelo custo e pelo que entregou, Ă© show! Ganhou 1/2 ⭐ pela relação! No visual, cor e reflexos rubi. No nariz, frutas vermelhas e negras, especiarias, aceto balsĂąmico e terra. Na boca, corpo leve, taninos macios, baixa presença de ĂĄlcool, mas boa acidez. Mineralidade que remete a campo. Harmonizou com um espaguete com shitake, brĂłcolis e iscas de filet!! DelĂ­cia!!

Translation: A good chianti, excellent RQP !! I’m not a fan of Chianti, but this one surprised me! For the cost and what you gave, it’s a show! Won 1/2 ⭐ by ratio! In visual, color and ruby reflections. On the nose, red and black fruits, spices, balsamic aceto and earth. In the mouth, light body, soft tannins, low alcohol presence, but good acidity. Minerality that refers to the field. Harmonized with a spaghetti with shitake, broccoli and filet baits !! Delicious!!

 

 

Simple DIY Kitchen Island-Turned Patio Table

It’s been awhile since I felt the need to build something, but when the idea strikes.. I cannot get it out of my head. Just like old times.

The Front Porch is currently going through an expansion of sorts, big changes are-a-comin! And, because of that, I had a need for a longish/skinnyish patio table. I wanted to be able to put my feet up on it, like a coffee table and Terry didn’t want to have to reach far to put her glass down. So, it needed two levels.

I consulted my old friend Google for a simple design. Countless hours of scrolling through thousands of photos later (and a new pair of reading glasses), I found a simple design that could work. Bonus, it was simple enough for me to wrap my head around. kinda like these:

 

Paint Rustic Wood Dining Table – Modern Kitchen

I wanted to re-purpose the table tops that I made for the original NOSH (Natural~Organic~Specialty~Healthy) tables we used in the store a few years ago – if you remember they were used in front of the Deli case before we moved all the NOSH into its own aisle. I just needed a base.

I almost skipped work to build it, I was pretty excited. But, I am a responsible adult, sigh. I went into work, got everything that had to be done –done, and left early.

The table was built in about 2 hours. Might’ve been quicker if I didn’t have so much help from Baby Cree.

less teal more white seemed Front Porch appropriate

Of course, I made it too tall. So, I had to take it apart, cut off its legs and put it back together. That took an additional two hours. That’s how I roll.

Whatta ya think?

Perfect for wine tasting!

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Petit Maison Chard, Lodi ~ Gray Mountain Chard, Paso Robles

Nitty Gritty Merlot, Napa ~ Luke Donald Collection Red, Napa

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2015 Petit Maison, Lodi $5.99

We started with this very pale, clear chardonnay. Larry liked the aroma, might be some citrus in there. Terry found it sweet and refreshing, but not too sweet. Arvin called it fruity, he tasted peaches. Connie said she liked it, she found it spicy and fruity. I thought it paired well the spicy cheese. Terry agreed, she said: when you’re mouth is on fire, this is real nice.

Grocery Outlet Exclusive: There are currently no on-line reviews of this Lodi Chardonnay as I believe it has been labeled for Grocery Outlet specifically. The back label reads: Cellared & Bottled by Rutz Cellars, Sebastopol, Ca. As a result, there is also no elsewhere retail price available for comparison.

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2015 Gray Mountain Cellars Chardonnay, Paso Robles $5.99

Next up, this beautiful golden pale yellow –on the clear side- Chardonnay from Paso Robles. Terry said the aroma tickled her nose. Arvin thought it was very mellow. Scott, who arrived very late so he started with this wine, said: OH, that’s nice – smooooth. Connie called it buttery and snapped a picture to remember the label for later.

3.9/5 stars from Vivino.com

From the Label: This full-bodied Chardonnay from Paso Robles, California, temps the senses with aromas of ripe melon and honeycomb, with a rich and creamy mouthfeel. It’s a perfect match for soft cheeses, lobster bisque or pasta with cream sauce.

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2012 Nitty Gritty Merlot, Napa

Retail Price 20.99 ~ Grocery Outlet Price $8.99

This Napa Merlot was a dark ruby red in the glass. Larry said drinking it was like sucking on a blackberry. Scott thought it was very smooth and dry, but not bitter. Arvin agreed. Connie said: even a Chardonnay drinker likes this red.

86 points from Cellartracker.com

From the WineMaker: Delicate tannins and rich acidity. Aromas of barrel spice and dark cherries. FOOD PAIRING: Hearty lasagna, pork-stuffed mushrooms

http://www.nittygrittywines.com/

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2012 Luke Donald Collection Red, Napa

Retail Price $29.99 ~ Grocery Outlet Price $9.99

I took the advice of an on-line reviewer and decanted this baby for about 45 min -1 hour before serving. Arvin found this Napa red blend to have a good nose and nice legs. Larry said it was oaky and he tasted tobacco. He said he doesn’t care for oaky. Arvin said he does, it’s oaky and I like it! I always love a red blend, but especially when it’s dry. Great paired with dark chocolate and also with sharp aged cheese. I loved it. 43% Merlot, 43%Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot.

91 Points from WineMag.com (Wine Enthusiast Magazine)

WineMag Review #1: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are equally represented in this soft, robust blend that also includes smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Juicy blackberry and plum combine with dusty, integrated tannin, as a length of dark cherry and sage weave in and out.

WineMag Review #2: This is a well-balanced wine with excellent structure. I’m tasting it in January 2018 and I find that with a little aeration a lot of lovely fruit emerges. Lots of concentrated berries but not in any way jammy. The structure is clean, focused and the tannins very present. This is an excellent food wine.

Luke Donald Collection

Luke Donald plays an active role in crafting the wines that bear his name. His personal involvement in the blending makes the wines original and unique; wines that best reflect his own personality and style. Luke’s personal style is also reflected in the non-traditional, contemporary labels, which connect with today’s luxury wine consumers. For wine drinkers who share Luke’s passion for culture and competitive spirit, LDC delivers wines from Napa Valley that reflect Luke’s own sense of style, taste and artistic expression. Legendary balls ;^)

 

Time to Decorate!

This past summer, instead of wine tasting (gasp), the Front Porch Wine Tasters spent most of our free time making fall decorations for the Manteca Pumpkin Fair. (All the proceeds go back to our local community).

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GOOD NEWS!  Follow Manteca Grocery Outlet on Facebook for a chance to win one of these next month!

It was a long dry summer.

I finally dusted off the Front Porch this past week to get back to drinking our way through all the great wines that Steve has in the wine department @MantecaGroceryOutlet.

Quick update (for those of you who’ve been following): Steve has yet to make the senior tour and the stairs remain unfinished.

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Camelot Moscato ~ 49Crows Chard ~ Adobe Red ~ ChopHouse Merlot

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Camelot Moscato from California

Elsewhere price $7.99 ~ Grocery Outlet price $2.99

500 Medals for Quality!

I wasn’t sure how this varietal would go over on the Front Porch as we don’t try many sweet wines. Terry took a sip, she liked it! She called it a desert wine and thought it had a nice blend. Scott is definitely not a fan of sweet wines, however he said it was nice paired with the spicy sausage as the spice cut right through the sweet. Larry tasted apricot, Ethan agreed. Terry commented that this wine was also nice with chocolate, it changes the flavor.

Winemakers notes: Pale lemon hue, vibrant aromatics of jasmine and peach nectar, intense floral and grape flavors, and inviting sweetness balanced by bright acidity.

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2013 49 Crows Chardonnay from Mendocino

Elsewhere price $19.99 ~ Grocery Outlet price $5.99

Scott started us off here, with a, “oh, that’s… That’s Nice!” Larry found the aroma interesting – maybe toffee? Steve commented that this was much better than the Moscato – good and fruity. Citrus, he added. Terry thought this chardonnay had a nice a finish. I thought it felt like a sauvignon blanc, Dara agreed.

4/5 stars from Winestyr.com: This pure and focused Chardonnay from Alder Springs Vineyard is on the lighter side and drinks well on its own or paired with lighter foods. Wines from this Mendocino vineyard have made it on the wine list at The French Laundry in Yountville and Alder Springs also supplies fruit to some of the best winemakers in the country for a variety of projects. A very well made Chardonnay with amazing fruit. This wine is a great value.

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2013 Adobe Red Blend from Paso Robles

Elsewhere price $12.99 ~ Grocery Outlet price $3.99

Larry tasted berries. Dara thought it was more like cherries, nice paired with the sea salt dark chocolate. Ethan thought this red blend left a taste of pepper on the tongue. Scott simply likes this, lol. Dara added, also pairs nicely with sharp cheddar.

3.7/5 stars from Vivino.com: This is a great wine to share with friends that are just starting to enjoy red wines. It is medium bodied with light acidity. It does have small sweetness to it but it is not over powering.

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2016 Chop House Merlot from Paso Robles

Elsewhere price $11.99 ~ Grocery Outlet price $4.99

Oh, I knew I’d like this one. My first reaction was: smooooth. Steve commented that this merlot was on the dry side and he tasted tobacco. He added that it paired well with the sea salt dark chocolate. Terry agreed with me, she said “mmmmm smooth. I like it.” She also said it was easy drinking, be careful with this one.

No on-line reviews for this wine… you’re just gonna havta take our word for it – This is a good wine.

Road Trip!

The Front Porch Wine Tasters hit the road this past week for a long weekend in the mountains. I was really looking forward to taking time to relax with friends & family.

We had a blast!

     

But…

I’m grateful that I survived the trip up the mountain. Steve gets a little distracted by lakes and streams that are alongside the road. He lets the car get a kinda sweevy as he looks too long while deciding if… “Yep! There’s fish in there!” at Every. Body. of water we pass.

He also gets irritated by me:

  1. Reminding him that he is driving
  2. Clutching the door handle/bracing for impact
  3. Telling him I don’t want a close up view of the water from the car as it falls off the road

Needless to say, he was excited to be going fishing.

We all had a great time fishing, hiking and playing all kinds of games and, as always,  we had a lot of laughs.

Some of us may have even sang and/or danced (there is video).

    

Boys will be Boys (great wine glass balancing skills!)

    

Full Contact Croquet

 

So, on Winesday, we gathered on the Front Porch to debrief while we tasted some new wines that Steve has brought in just in time for Father’s Day!

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Hillersden Sauv Blanc ~ Anthony Koster Chard

Chillhouse Zin ~ Parlay Red Blend ~ Old Mill Petite Sirah

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2014 Hillersden Sauvignon Blanc

Marlmorough, New Zeland

$3.99 at Manteca Grocery Outlet ~ $14.99 elsewhere

Kerri tasted fruity undertones, she doesn’t usually care for a Sauvignon Blanc but she liked this one. She seemed surprised at herself as she said again that she liked it. Becky thought in the glass it looked more like a chardonnay, she tasted tobacco. Joe agreed. Scott called it nice, not sweet and Steve found it fruity. Larry thought it was good right out of the bottle as he downed the last drop. Keepin it classy.

3.7/5 stars from Vivino.com: Clean @ crisp with a bit of fruit. I loved it. Easy drinking and a great summer wine. I was able to find it way under retail (probably @ Grocery Outlet) and might get a case

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2016 Anthony Koster Family Estates Chardonnay

Sonoma Ca

$5.99 at Manteca Grocery Outlet ~ $18.99 elsewhere

On first taste, Connie said: “mmmmm, ew la la”. Larry said it was creamy. Becky thought it was more like a sauvignon blanc, and she tasted guava. She also tasted oak and said it was really good. Joe tasted peach or apricot, he couldn’t decide at first. After a couple sips he confirmed, peach. Scott found this Chardonnay to be smoky.

no on-line reviews found 😩  ~ this’ll be the first 🙂

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2010 Parlay the Bookmaker Red Blend

Central Coast, Ca

$4.99 at Manteca Grocery Outlet ~ $19.99 elsewhere

Take a gamble on the blend, it always pays off! I heard Terry quietly say, “Oh! This is REALLY good, tastes like grape juice.” (I think she didn’t want me to hear). Kerri commented on the great aroma and Connie agreed with Terry – Tastes like mature grape juice. Becky tasted tobacco and Joe said he liked the dryness. Rudy agreed and Scott named this his favorite of the night.

88.4 points from Cellartracker.com: Mellow with dried fruit and earth flavors. For the price ($21 for me), it is a nice Wednesday night wine. I wouldn’t crack it open for special occasions but this would be really good with some BBQ ribs or grilled meats.

From the bottle: Rich aromas and sumptuous flavors of boysenberry & ripe black cherry form the backbone of this delicious wine made from premiere grapes grown at a combination of central coast vineyards in California.

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2012 Peachy Canyon Chill House Zinfandel

Paso Robles

~ Silver Medal Winner ~

$5.99 at Manteca Grocery Outlet ~ $17.99 elsewhere

Kerri started us out with this Paso Zin, she tasted cherries. Connie said this wine was like having dessert. Terry agreed, she found it sweet. Connie added that this Chill House Zin really lights a fire, (she would have said her fire, but didn’t think she should) Smokin’ Hot Chill House. Becky thought it smelled like an old vine zin and Joe agreed. She added that she tasted Cuban cigar. She said she likes this one a lot, it stays with you – lingers. She said, “Let it sit on your tongue and it starts to tingle”. Yeah baby!

88 points from Tastings.com: Deep purple color. Mild aromas of baked berries, cocoa, and pickling spices with a soft, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a seamless, breezy dried berries and raisins, chocolate orange peels, and nuts finish with chewy tannins and light oak. A nice and easy, everyday zin.

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2014 The Old Mill Petite Sirah – Classic Nightfall Series

Amador County, Ca

$6.99 at Manteca Grocery Outlet ~ $ elsewhere

Right off the bat, I knew I would like this one! Joe agreed from his first sniff. He said, “Oh man that is really good – what is it (referring to the aroma) it is deep… Becky thought this Petite Syrah would pair nicely with a rack of lamb. Joe added that the description on the label is spot on and he commented on the ‘nice stems’. Rudy tasted oak and fruit. Kerri smelled pipe tobacco and Becky agreed. Joe tasted licorice. Becky closed with, “this is really good”.

From the bottle: When Nightfall comes at The Old Mill, take the time to unwind and pour yourself a glass of this bold Petite Sirah. The rich, oak accented dark fruit flavors and aromas create intense color and soft structure.

2017 Manteca Grocery Outlet Spring Wine Sale!

It’s easy being Cheesy!

I feel pretty comfortable saying I love cheese more than anyone. Anyone. I have a cheese drawer in my fridge. A drawer full of cheese. The fridge is often empty, but that drawer never is.

We get so many specialty cheeses in every week at bargain prices, it’s really a great time to be alive. I’ll tell you a little secret: we actually have regular customers that work at other grocery stores in town that come here just for the cheese. Shhhhhhh, don’t tell anyone.

Well, it’s no secret that wine pairs nicely with cheese so during the Marathon Wine Tasting on the Front Porch this week we had plenty of cheese. We set out to try as many wines as we could to get reviews for the 20% OFF Wine Sale this week (April 10 – 15, 2017), it’s tough job, but somebody has got to do it!

BTW, these Finlandia Spreadable cheeses are amazing! The vanilla bean flavor could pass as frosting, and is great with fresh strawberries. I think the sweet lemon is my favorite though.

So, let’s jump right in…

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Honeywell & Todd Chard ~ Pull Cab Sauv ~ Lithos Merlot ~ Botte Malbec

Bonus reviews:

~ Fabio Viviani Chard ~ Wind Storm Zin ~

scroll to the end for the rest of these ‘bonus’ wines

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2015 Honeywell & Todd Chardonnay, Lodi      $3.99

Elsewhere price: $12.99

Connie liked the aroma of apricot and commented that she tasted a touch of honey, Larry agreed but also tasted pear. Arvin thought it tasted like apricot right off the tree. Scott didn’t find it too sweet, which many whites are too sweet for him, he liked it. Zineb, AKA: the Rockin’ Morrocan (Scott’s D.I.L. to be), also really liked this Lodi Chardonnay. Neighbor Steve thought it was more like a Pinot Grigio than a Chardonnay. It paired really nicely with the spicy Mediterranean Jack cheese, which Terry called ‘earthy’.

Tasting notes Vivino.com: Sweet honey on the nose, light mouthfeel. Dry, underlying oak, good everyday chardonnay

$3.49 at Manteca Grocery Outlet ~ $5.89 elsewhere

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2013 Fabio Viviani Chardonnay, California     $4.99

Elsewhere price $14.99

Gold Medal Exceptional ~ Tasting.com

We opened this Chardonnay as a bonus tasting, Scott and Zineb are choosing wedding wines. Here’s their notes: Sweet without  Fruitty (lol) Fruity without being overly sugary. They choose this for the wedding J

Tasting notes and reviews: “We were surprised to find ‘Top Chef’ alum Fabio Viviani’s California wine here (at Grocery Outlet). We were even more pleasantly surprised to taste apple and pear, kissed with caramel.” ~Mary Orlin East Bay Times (published in Modesto Bee 4/5/17)

90 Points from Tastings.com: Golden yellow color. Bright, fruity, oaky aromas of toasty praline and apple tart with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium body and a seamless, interesting, medium-long pineapple cake, crĂšme brulee, and smoked nuts finish with fine tannins and light oak. A round and welcoming chardonnay with pleasing oakiness.

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2015 Wind Storm Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi     $5.99

Elsewhere price: $15.99

Also a bonus tasting, Zineb tasted grapefruit with dark chocolate finish. I’m not sure about grapefruit, this Old Vine Zin was more like spicy raspberry and a little vanilla. Definitely better after allowing it to breath a while.

3.9/4 stars from Vivino.com: Very fruit forward, nice strong spice finish. Long finish with the spice, fruit stays until the spice kicks in. I could drink alone but it is better when paired with food. Very good wine.

Really love nose on this one after it’s had some time to breathe, but the flavor profile is great too.

Bold. Thick. Chocolate and blackberry flavors. A very nice warm wine.

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2010 Pull Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles     $5.99

Elsewhere price: $17.99

Larry thought it was more like a pinot on the nose. Zineb thought it was nice. Arvin tasted blackberry. I found this medium bodied Cab very smooth, juicy at first, then just smoooooth. I could not identify the aroma, but I love it! It pairs nicely with caramelized onion meatballs 🙂

$4.99 at Manteca Grocery Outlet ~ $6.59 elsewhere

88 points from Winemag.com: Blackberry liqueur, violet, cola and slight dustiness form the nose of this well-priced wine ($18 on WineMag) The flavors are a bit thinner than expected, most reminiscent of ripe pomegranate.

Broken Earth Winery, Paso Robles: This fine Cabernet has ripe blackcurrant fruit and consists of ever emerging layers of complexity. The wine’s texture is of important note, as is the presence of balancing fine, ripe tannins. New French oak completes the wine’s structure, offering the perfect physical support for the lingering fruit flavors.

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2014 Lithos Merlot Reserve, Napa     $11.99

Elsewhere price $29.99

Kerri commented on the great aroma of berries right off the bat, she called it full bodied and smooth. Steve thought he tasted licorice? Arvin found this Napa merlot dry and peppery. Yeah, Steve said, pepper not licorice. Arvin said, it tastes like more
 (as he poured a second taste). I thought the tannins showed in the end with a nice dryness. Definitely a wine to take as a hostess gift or for a Holiday dinner. Pairs nice with grilled garlic butter chicken and excellent with dark chocolate.

There is absolutely no information about this wine or even the vineyard online.  The label says: Vinted & Bottled by Lithos Vineyards, Oakville, CA.  This is the second Lithos wine we have reviewed on the Front Porch, the cab label also mentioned that it is family owned and “from the heart of Napa Valley”.

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2013 Botte Malbec, California     $4.99

Elsewhere price $14.99

I noticed the relaxing nose on this Malbec right away. I wish I could identify it like a wine snob, but for me, it’s a feeling that I get when I smell a wine I like. Arvin said fruity and sweet, Terry said spicy and nice. Arvin added that this what he’d call an after dinner wine. A wine that you’d kick back and sip and watch T.V. Terry agreed and said it goes down real smooth. Intense and deep, with ripe mulberry fruit flavors. Long and satisfying.

From the label: This Malbec is smooth and elegant with flavors of mocha, spice and vanilla.

Also no on-line tasting notes or reviews. The label says Vinted and Bottled by JL Giguiere, Zamora, CA. Which is the same winery/family that makes Matchbook wines.

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Bonus Wines ~ wines I tasted alone or that we have tasted in the past.

2015 Raviva Chardonnay $3.99 / $16.99 elsewhere

Starts out light, but has a smooth buttery finish. We reviewed the 2012 year here

2015 Raviva Cabernet Sauvignon $5.99 / $18.99 elsewhere

Lots of fruit and I’m pretty sure I’m tasting oak in this one

2015 Projection Chardonnay $4.99 / $12.99 elsewhere

4.1/5 Stars from Vivino.com: Med oak nice around chard I enjoyed this wine very much. Love the clean, crisp taste. No butter! It did have more fruitful flavor as it warmed. Previously reviewed on the Front Porch

2015 Projection Cabernet Sauvignon $5.99 / $14.99 elsewhere

92 pts – Brian Whitaker, GM/Somm (source)

“Wild black cherries, sweet red plums, licorice, hint of lavender, mild oak, vanilla, and spice.  Recommended Pairing: Iron-Skillet Steak with Thyme Butter”

2015 Pra Vinera Reserve Chardonnay $5.99 / $21.99 elsewhere!

Creamy wood, ripe pear and toasted nut flavors combine in this rich chardonnay that fills the mouth with rich, satisfying flavor and a lingering finish. Previously reviewed from the Front Porch

2015 Pra Vinera Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $6.99 / $21.99 elsewhere!

3.7/5 stars from Vivino.com: Light on the tannins, nice finish. A delightful surprise at the G.O. 2015 is sweet and very easy to enjoy. Light for a cab, but my preference. Delicious- smooth with a slight bite to finish. Dark cherry undertones. 2012 reviewed from the Front Porch.

2014 Perseverance Cabernet Sauvignon $6.99 / $11.99 elsewhere

Winery Notes: Rich and full with black cherry flavors followed by hints of exotic spices and plums. Nicely balanced with backbone. The finish is full and satisfying allowing it work well with red meats, red-sauced pasta dishes and chicken sausages with sautéed onions and green peppers.