Mer Soleil 2010 Silver

Tasting Notes: Mineral driven nose with citrus shining through. Cement tank fermentation and aging bring out aromas remindful of the first rain of the season or a wet rock. Soft and round entry with an acid backbone informs you these grapes are grown in a cooler climate. Mid palate reveals ripe fruits such as lemons, gooseberry, and grapefruit. Finishes dry while the acid comes and goes in a balanced fashion. Laser sharp minerality carries through from start to finish on both palate and aroma.

750mL, 14.8% Alc. by vol., HEB, $20.99

I bought this wine because it has an interesting ceramic bottle. I normally try to stay under $20, but this was a present to myself for starting a new job. I loved the acidic nature of this wine, it was bright and crisp. I enjoy unoaked chardonnays in general and this one didn't disappoint. I do wish it was cheaper, but I would by it again for a nice occasion or if it goes on sale.

*NEW SECTION!*
Because of my new job at at HEB as a cheese specialist I will start including cheese pairings with my wines. I'll talk about what I ate with it, or what I think might be good with it, but my pairings will by no means be comprehensive.

With this wine I enjoyed some Sage Derby cheese. Derby is a cheddar-like cheese that gets it's green marbling from sage leaves which are mixed in with the curd. Because this cheese worked, I would think most other cheddars would work too. I got Sage Derby at HEB for $11.95/lb.

Hess Select 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

On the bottle: Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced exclusively from family-owned and sustainably-farmed vineyards in the Northern California appellations: Mendocino, Lake and Napa Counties. Our winemaker selected grapes from areas that specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon to create a wine with notable richness, intensity and varietal character. Mendocino County contributes spice and mid-palate, Lake County adds the classic red fruit profile of Bing cherry, while Napa maintains our signature style of a structured wine with black fruit and cassis flavors.

42% Mendocino County - 40% Lake County - 18% Napa County

750mL, 13.5% Alc. by vol., Albertsons, $14.99

I bought this wine because I love Cabernet and I remembered reading a good review about it from this blog. I really enjoyed this wine. I used a little bit in the tomato sauce I used for spaghetti and meatballs tonight, and drank a glass with dinner. The flavors compliment the acidy tomato and hold up well with the beef in the meatballs. There is a spicy finish, which I like, and very little sticky mouth. I would buy this again if it ever goes on sale, my ideal price would be $12 for a bottle.

2003 Le Bourgogne de Louis Latour

Tasting notes from the website: This wine has a clean lemony shimmer and a delicate yet elegantly fruity bouquet rises from the glass with hints of oak. Complimenting the balanced acidity there are nicely detailed flavours of tropical fruits and peaches coming through to give us a wine which could be drunk now but a year or two in bottle would work also. Tasted 23/02/05

750mL, 13% Alc. by vol., Specs, $13.88

I bought this wine because I was at the Specs warehouse store in midtown Houston and thought I could get a really good deal on a white burgundy. Well....

THIS WINE WAS GROSS!!!!

It may have been an off batch and not something common to the brand, but I don't think I'll be buying this again. The cork seemed like it was rotting, I had to put it back in the bottle the other way, because the "wet" side was disintegrating. The wine was too harsh on my pallet and a little sour. I'll stick to the Louis Jadot in the future.

Probability 2007 Napa Valley Red Wine

Tasting notes from HEB: Looking for a deep red wine with flavors of rich ripe fruit and a dry finish? The odds you'll be satisfied with Probability are pretty good. Probability is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah. Grapes are handpicked and aged in both French and American oak before bottling and has flavors of ripe red and black fruits such as black currant, raspberries and cherries.

750mL, 14.5% Alc. by vol., HEB, $16.98

I bought this wine mostly because it had a nerdy label. I had previously passed it up and bought the Educated Guess instead because the HEB wine guy said it was the better out of the two. He was right. There is nothing particularly bad about this wine, but for the cost I was expecting it to be better. I even had alot of trouble finding information on this wine online, HEB's website was the only place a Google search could find it, and the company that bottles it doesn't list it on their website. This wine does give a bit of the sticky mouth, but it's still relatively smooth. The flavor is good, but the smell is a bit harsh on the back of your throat. I don't think I would pay for this wine again unless it goes way down in price, but I would drink it again if someone else bought it.

Purple Cowboy Trail Boss 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

On the bottle: Once upon a time in wine country there was a group of young winemakers. They worked hard all week and tasted so much wine their teeth turned purple. On weekends, these same men loved to rodeo. They became known as the "Band of the Purple Cowboys". So the legend goes.

750mL, 13.0% Alc. by vol., HEB, $11.99

I bought this wine because I like Cabernet and the story on the back of the bottle was funny. This wine was good, not amazing, but a solid Cabernet. The flavor was a little bitter, but when drank with dinner that was not a problem. It did start to stain my lips and tongue after less than one glass of wine. I'd buy this wine again if I was going to drink it with a friend who likes red wine and western stuff.

Seven Daughters Winemaker's Blend

On the bottle: Chardonnay 26%, French Colombard 25%, Symphony 19%, Orange Muscat 12%, Riesling 8%, Sauvignon Blanc 7%, Gewürztraminer 3%. Seven Daughters is a blend of seven carefully chosen grapes crafted into a crisp and refreshing wine. Like you and your friends getting together - all different and yet so perfect together! Enjoy this wine on its own or with light pasta, sushi, or Thai dishes.

750mL, 12.5% Alc. by vol., Albertsons, $14.99

I bought this wine because I have seen it on the wine menus at some nicer restaurants, but the price per glass is usually too high for me to try. This wine was very good, and an interesting blend. I felt it coating my mouth, in a good way, as I started drinking it. I paired well with the baked chicken I ate with it. As I drank it I got a warm feeling in my chest. I would by this wine on the spot if I found it for less than $10/bottle and I would recommend it to anyone who likes white wine and could afford it.

Louis Jadot 2010 Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay

On the bottle:
Origin: Vinified without oak contact to maximize the vibrant flavor, this wine is produced in the Mâconnias region where soils are dominated by chalk and limestone.

Grape: 100% unoaked Chardonnay

Flavor: Bright and crisp with notes of apple; a classic expression of this Burgundy grape.

Pairing: Perfect as an aperitif or with shellfish, crab cakes, and goat cheese

750mL, 12.5% Alc. by vol., HEB, $12.99

I bought this wine because I read a great review about white burgundy wines and how they are so good, but too expensive for this other blogger. Unfortunately I can't remember which blog this was on, or I would link to it. I went to HEB in search of 6 wines so that I could get the 10% off for buying 6 or more at a time. I wanted 3 whites and 3 reds, this one caught my eye and I'm SO GLAD it did. Right from the first sip I knew this wine was special. It made my mouth feel warm and tingly and tasted bright and slightly citrus-like. I liked this wine so much I bought another bottle already! The second time I got the 2008 instead because it was the 150th anniversary and it was the same price as the other years. I will be buying this wine again for any parties I would bring wine to, as this will be easy for all types of wine drinkers to appreciate.