-2005 Rosenblum Syrah

We have gotten to like Syrah very much. It is a versatile wine and not too strong. I bought this wine for our First Annual Severns' Family Christmas party and was disappointed. I hadn't bought this particular Syrah before and the two that we really like weren't at the store I was at. Instead of making another stop to get the wine I know we like I just picked one. I shouldn't have done that! It was not very good. It wasn't bad but compared to the ones we do like it wasn't good. Darn! I guess I learned a lesson.

-2004 Laurel Bay Cabernet Sauvignon

Andy's brother brought this for our family Christmas party. I felt like it was a bit strong. Maybe with a more substantial meal this wine could be supported but not with heavy hors d'oeuvres.

+2006 Clay Station Old Vine Zinfandel

This is the third of four wines I bought for Thanksgiving dinner. I wasn't too impressed with it for that dinner but last night I made a lasagna and boy is that the correct companion for this wine! WOW! It was a totally different wine and was so yummy!
I bought this wine because it was advertised in the pre-Thanksgiving Trader Joe's add. I want to share a little of what Joe's had to say, it's interesting.
"The origin of this uniquely spirited bottle, some 300 feet above sea level in the Lodi foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, was formerly home to an historic stagecoach stop famed for being frequented by explorers on their way to "glory" in the Gold Rush. ...Now 30-70 year old Zinfandel vines thrive in the mineral laden, cobbled soils and Mediterranean climate, yielding intensely concentrated fruit and consistently energetic wine."
Being the history buff that I am, I like the history! Anyway, I think we'll head to Trader Joe's for this bottle again! $3.99. CHEERS!

-2006 Douglas Oak Syrah

I bought this Syrah for Thanksgiving dinner also. The only reason I didn't rate it favorably is because there are at least two other Syrahs that we like much better. This is a bit more dry in both the start and finish. In addition to Thanksgiving Andy & I also had it with a salmon dinner we made. Andy thought is was okay, I didn't really care for it with the salmon. It is local, Santa Rosa, CA. Trader Joe's $6.99. CHEERS!