Wine Wednesday: Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon

We're lucky enough to know people that know about wine. One of Dave's good friends from high school is actually in the process of studying to become a sommelier. He just passed the test for the Introductory Sommelier Course through the Court of Master Sommelier, which I think is pretty impressive! Whenever we're looking for a recommendation on some good or different wine, we hit him up for suggestions. With the new chill in the air, we thought it would be good to try out some new reds--specifically those of the Cabernet Sauvignon varietal.

This past weekend we tried one of his recommendations, the 2006 Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon. It comes from the Paso Robles region of California and is a deep wine with rich color. The peppery flavors definitely come through on the palate and you can taste the hints of cherry throughout. This dry, full bodied wine pairs well with steak, lamb or even chocolate. 


Vintage: 2006
Region: California
Price: $14-16
Website: www.estanciaestates.com

Wine Alert: Rex Goliath

Dave's dad introduced us to Rex Goliath some time ago, before it gained it's popularity in the wine world. He and his lovely wife, Anne, were huge fans of the Pinot Noir and we drank it often when spending time at their house. Since then, Dave and I have tried each varietal and we love them all.  

When picking up a few groceries at Sunfresh (hey--don't judge me, it's on the way home from work) I perused the wine aisles and noticed that Rex Goliath is now offered in 1.5 liter bottles. These bottles are perfect for many occassions. We often get them for the parties we throw, as many times they are much more cost-efficient than buying the regular 750 mL bottles. They are also great if you have a good vacuum sealer.

The best part of seeing these at Sunfresh tonight was the fact they were on sale for $8.99 a bottle! The 750 mL bottles were selling for $6.99, so there is really no reason why you shouldn't go for the upgrade. I picked up a couple for any upcoming dinner parties and for our personal enjoyment!

Sale Alert: Fish Eye Wine

Just a friendly PSA for our local readers...Fish Eye Wine varietals are currently on sale at your local CVS for $4.49! Fish Eye wines usually retail between $6.99-7.99, so this is a pretty good discount. CVS also offers a 10% discount when you buy six bottles or more, so right now you can pick up six bottles of this lovely weeknight wine for just around $24. We recommend the Cabernet Sauvignon or the Chardonnay!

Wine Review: Tin Roof Cabernet Sauvignon (2006)

Living in Missouri, we are lucky enough to be able to purchase our spirits at the grocery store. As Dave and I were perusing the aisles of our local Price Chopper, we happened to stumble upon a bottle of the Tin Roof Cabernet Sauvignon (2006). For nights in with just the two of us, we generally stay in the $8-12 price range. This bottle fit in perfectly, retailing at $10.99 and on sale for a lovely $8.99. That is one thing we love about getting wine at the grocery store, it's not hard to find a good deal on good wine.

Tonight we popped this one open with our Sunday night dinner of bruschetta, an assortment of cheeses and cocktail shrimp. The label quotes, "Delicious, handcrafted wines to enjoy under your roof". While that is a great description and proved to be true, it doesn't necessarily stand out from the usual suspects of a Rex Goliath or Smoking Loon Cab. We would purchase this again for a mellow night in with just the two of us.