Wine Wednesday - 2012 Stonehedge Merlot

Quick Details

Wine Name: Stonehedge Reserve Merlot
From: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Merlot
Year: 2012
Price Paid: $12.99
Bought At: Trader Joe's
Down and Dirty Summary: Impressed
Paired with: Mushroom Ravioli w/Truffle Oil

I'll start by saying that I cracked this baby as dinner was simmering, I haven't had much pasta recently but tonight my husband was in a hurry and grabbed some pasta from Trader Joe's to serve my Wine Wednesday wine with. It ended up feeling rather gourmet but the portions were small and it worked out to be just right. 

Also I'm sorry for missing last week - I was working hard and packing for my trip to Vegas on Wednesday night and I just couldn't get to the review - I'm sure nobody missed it, well maybe a VERY few of you and you know who you are and I have already apologized *wink*. 

Anyways on to the important stuff. This wine from first open was pleasant to the nose (at least to mine) it smelled of vanilla and spice and I could tell by the color it was going to be a medium-heavy wine. The first taste was exactly that, a bold and full bodied wine that was enjoyable and easy to drink  

The back of the label explains that Stonehedge is a small family producer that prides itself on limited production wines that receive consistent praise from consumers - I like this a lot because there is many times where I will like a specific BLEND one year and not another so I guess time will tell on this one.

Check out more about them online or their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/StonehedgeWine or on Twitter @StonehedgeWine

Cheers *clink clink*

Wine Wednesday - Jack Red Blend

Quick Details

Wine Name: Saviah Cellars "The Jack" Red
From: Walla, Walla/ Columbia Valley
Blend: 89% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec
Year: 2013
Price Paid: $11
Bought At: Costco
Down and Dirty Summary: An excellent easy drinker.
Paired with: Ham/Cheese/Crackers & Berries

So many years ago on cozy fall day, I happened to visit Saviah Cellars with a limo full of wine lovin' tipsy girlfriends, I believe if I recall correctly it was either our second to last stop or our LAST stop of the day. I remember this because after visiting several wineries that year and hardly buying a thing due to my EXTREMELY tight budget and a lot of wine being $25+ per bottles, we stopped here. They served us many tastings and when they gave us "The JACK" we were ALL impressed for the price. They were selling it for $10 in the winery which is almost unheard of for a red when you are wine tasting. I bought 3-4 bottles of it and finalized my trip with 5 WHOLE bottles to return home with. Also I haven't visited in 4-5 years, but when I visited their tasting room in Walla, Walla - they were SUCH a good vibe to visit!

If I recall correctly, every new vintage of "The Jack" is slightly different. It is almost always heavily Merlot and and then the rest gets switched up, sometimes it's Cab Sauv and other times Malbec, etc. This particular current vintage features Petit Verdot, but every time I have had it I love it - it's one of the FEW wines I like with a screw cap - Notebook is another which I reviewed before but Jack is my favorite. It's so simple, it's an easy drinking, good quality wine. I don't know what they do but it always turns out GOOD! They sell this at Costco for 10-11 bucks and every time I visit I grab a couple. I wondered if my OWN consumption of this wine is making the price rise because the last time I visited I believe it was 11.99 instead of 10 something, BOO but still worth it! 

Tasting Notes: The Jack has aromas of berries, black cherries, plum and spices. It's aged for 10 months in 30% New American oak and it will deliver a long smooth finish every time. I promise you won't regret trying a bottle of this - unless you just don't care for red wine. Cheers and a Happy #WineWednesday ALL!