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Grifone Primitivo Zinfindel 2010

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Wine Moment featuring Grifone Primitivo Zinfindel 2010

Hello Trader Joes’ Fans;

It is time for another Wine Moment with Delaina.

Trader Joes’ is offering Grifone Primitivo Zinfindel 2010 for only 3.99 (at my local). This is a rock’in good Zinfindel priced just right for those of us that want to enjoy our wine and not break the bank. The wine is Italian and as is typical, in my opinion, of Zinfindels  is rich full of complexity. The wonderful complexity of this wine I credit to the soft vanilla and sharp raspberry tones; the juxtaposition of the two flavors are perfect.

As for paring, I had this wine with a tuna and squash and it paired wonderfully. This wine also passes my “it goes down just fine on its own” test, and I dare say with flying colors.

The Grifone would also make a great gift wine because it is soft enough for the novice drinker and complex enough for the sophisticate.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy Grifone in all is complex-simplicity.

Cheers,

The One Man Band – Zinfandel, 2010

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Wine Moment with Delaina

Hello Fellow Trader Joe’s Fans

It has been awhile so I thought I better give you another wine review. We were in our local Trader Joe’s buying splurges for the Super Bowl; and being a sucker for Zinfandels and things placed on end caps I could not resist tying this “new-to-me” Zin.

The Zinfandel is out of Sonoma County bottled by The County Fair Wines, titled The One Man Band 2010 and it is zin-fully delicious. Best part it was priced at $8.99.

The most dominate flavor to me was the blackberry but the vanilla rounds out the finish very nicely. There is also a peppery hint that adds a little punch to this highly berry flavored wine. Like many Zins it is a bit on the dry side but all of the berry flavors balance the wine nicely.

It turns out that Trader Joe’s featured this wine in their Fearless Flyer so if you would like a more details and sophisticated plate evaluation of this wonderful Zin check out what the experts have to say here: http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=469 .

It paired nicely with roasted chicken, asparagus, and sweet potatoes. (All purchased from Trader Joe’s of course.)

This wine would pair nicely with many entrees and hardly salads or hors d’oeuvres such as smoked gouda cheese. Yes…it is true I think smoked gouda goes with everything, just as I think Zinfandels go with everything.

I hope you enjoy this wine as much as I did.

Thank you for reading.

Cheers,

Blackburn & James, Paso Robles, Red Blend – 2009

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Ok this Paso Robles rocks, and I wish I had saved it for Turkey Day. Nonetheless, I am enjoying it right now. It is lighter and dare I say fruiter than I remember when they were passing out samples at our Trader Joe’s. Yet I like it, even though it is not the usually heavy wine I typically like this time of year.

The bottle doesn’t brag about what grapes that make up the blend. But I recall the Sampler saying Zinfandel was one of the grapes, probably how it made it in the cart.  The wine offers strong blackberry flavor through and though, there is a spice but it is more of a finisher than a distracter. There is a nice wood, maybe oak, scent that brightens the whole experience. The finish is dryer but the whole experience rest easy on the tongue.

The bottle boasts that it would pair nicely with a wide range of dishes from Asian spiced to pasta to chocolate mousse. I paired it with Pizza and it was great. More importantly, I feel this wine would also pair nicely with a turkey and some mashed potatoes.

Cheers,

Old Moon – Old Vine Zinfandel 2010

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Hello Everyone;

As the weather starts to turn cold my taste buds long for complexity and I want something that will warm me to my toes. A Zinfandel is just the thing I need. Ok to be honest, I am a sucker for Zins and I can be caught drinking Zinfandels even in warm weather, but I love them the most when I am cold.

Yet Zinfandels tend to be out of my usual everyday budget. If you are like me, have no fear because Trader Joe’s has come to our rescue by offering the Old Moon (Old Vine) Zinfandel 2010 for 5.99.

This Zin is wonderful. It has all of boldness and complexity that a Zin, especially in this price range, has to offer. The deep tones of cherry and the dark notes of plum all balanced with more than a hint of vanilla, creates a great wine, I think you will agree. I enjoyed this wine with Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash & Creamed Spinach Gratin. But I believe it would complement any hardy dish. This Zin for only $5.99 (at our local) is a find, and as far as I am concerned, a new staple.

Thank you Trader Joes!

Thank you all for reading.

Cheers,