tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823Thu, 19 Dec 2024 03:33:18 +0000twothumbscaliforniaaustraliashiraz syrahblenddvdcabernetmerlotnaparecipeargentinavideozinfandelChardonnaybreadetsyitalymalbecno thumbspetite sirahpinot noirBurgundyFrenchalbariñoamaroneboillotbrunellocab franccarmenerechickenchilecrockdessert winegewurtraminergift bagsgrenachehungarymadeirameursaultmini-flightopen that bottleornellaiapinot grisporkpotteryrieslingspaintempranillowhiteTasting notes, rants and raves, photos, podcasts. This blog has it all. <br>At least it will once I get everything situated.http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-2488493178042777570Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:47:00 +00002008-11-11T21:58:21.805-05:00I haven't been blogging lately. Not that I've stopped drinking wine, perish the thought. But since wine is no longer my business, I really don't see the need for one more person's reviews. I am instead focusing on my photography (focusing/photography...get it?) and keeping my Wine Diva Designs going. (That's it on the right sidebar over there --->)I may post something relevant to the wine http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/11/resurfacing-momentarily.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-4444861644177787599Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:10:00 +00002008-08-11T22:14:45.176-04:00Hubby encouraged me to start a photography website since I've been doing a lot of food photography. I spent quite a bit of time working on this and I'm pretty proud of it. I have an interview for another food session for a new restaurant coming up soon. It's looking good :-DPosted by email from Linda's posteroushttp://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-new-photography-website.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-4417421392000997259Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:09:00 +00002008-06-29T21:31:45.244-04:00californiadvdpinot noirI wanted to make sure I posted this the night we watched the movie and not the night after because I wanted to make sure I remembered everything clearly.First off, the wine: Testarossa Pinot Noir Gary's Vineyard 2006 - this was the only good thing about the wine &amp; DVD (more on the DVD in a minute). From the Santa Lucia Highlands of California, this lovely Pinot was everything I'd expect from http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/06/wine-dvd-testarossa-pinot-noir-garys.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-6833415682213958845Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:16:00 +00002008-06-15T18:48:32.320-04:00australiadvdshiraz syrahtwothumbsLast night we shared a bottle of Shirvington Shiraz 2005 from McLaren Vale in Australia. This is one fantastic bottle of wine! The nose was wonderful, filled with vanilla, berries and a hint of spice. The palate was a burst of flavor, everything you'd expect from an Aussie Shiraz. It started out with an explosion of berries, and finished with a beautiful round of vanilla. Smooth, silky and http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/06/wine-dvd-shirvington-shiraz-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-7717305646639724587Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:49:00 +00002008-06-10T08:04:57.743-04:00dvdtwothumbsWe didn't have any wine last night (I know...WHAT???), but we did watch a movie called "Fido" starring Billy Connolly and Carrie-Anne Moss. I'd never even heard of this movie before, and found it when searching Netflix for Billy Connolly performances. You HAVE to check out his stand-up routines, they're hysterical!"Fido" is set in the 1950's small-town America after the Zombie Wars. (A blast of http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/06/dvd-fido.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-6744200109361255202Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:19:00 +00002008-06-07T08:28:59.227-04:00australiadvdshiraz syrahtwothumbsBleasdale Shiraz Reserve 2003 - from Langhorne Creek in Australia. This shiraz has aromas of dark fruits, spices and a little bit of tar/asphalt. The palate is rich with dark fruits (plums, blackberries, raspberries) and a hint of vanilla. Quite a lengthy finish. Full-bodied and packs a nice punch."Donnie Darko" - wow, talk about surreal! Released in 2001 and set in the late 80's, stars Jake http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/06/wine-dvd-bleasdale-shiraz-and-donnie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-3083691071604991781Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:14:00 +00002008-06-04T22:31:50.870-04:00californiadvdmerlottwothumbsSarah's Vineyard Merlot Des Grandes Hommes 2003 - from the Santa Clara Valley of California. We picked up this absolutely terrific bargain of a wine when we visited some friends last September. Beautiful raspberries and vanilla aromas that follow through on the palate. Rich, smooth and luscious. Regularly $25.00 per bottle, it was on special for a mere $10.00 per bottle! Of course there is no http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/06/wine-dvd-sarahs-vineyard-merlot-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-1014043702915009506Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:06:00 +00002008-06-03T22:30:49.136-04:00californiadvdpinot noirtwothumbsTestarossa Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard 2006 - from the Santa Lucia Highlands of California, this wonderful red was made from some of the oldest Pinot Noir vines in North America. Beautiful brick red in color with dark cherry aromas. Crisp and vibrant palate loaded with dark fruits and a bit of spice. Lovely!"The Shape of Things" - released in 2003 and starring Paul Rudd and Rachel Weisz. http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/06/wine-dvd-testarossa-pinot-noir-sleepy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-2503758439121337731Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:52:00 +00002008-06-03T09:23:28.819-04:00australiablendcabernetdvdmerlotshiraz syrahtwothumbsMarquis Philips Sarah's Blend 2006 - a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot clocking in at 15% alcohol (no wonder I was a bit loopy!). Rich, full of delicious dark fruit. Even at that level of alcohol, it was still smooth and very succulent. Great QPR. We got it on sale for $11.99 per bottle and bought a case."Charulata" - (in black &amp; white) released in 1964 and set in 1870's India,http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/06/wine-dvd-marquis-philips-sarahs-blend.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-4001727566696153187Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:22:00 +00002008-12-09T03:49:58.751-05:00Starting this month, I will be featuring one of my products at Wine Diva Designs. This month it's "The Usual Suspects" Tote Bag, marked 20% off for the month of June!Check it out!http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/06/featured-product-at-wine-diva-designs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-177718193227199597Sat, 31 May 2008 01:58:00 +00002008-05-30T22:17:54.168-04:00argentinadvdmalbectwothumbsI've really been neglecting my blog and I have no excuses. I'm going to do my best to get back into it though.Pretty much every night Tom and I watch a DVD (we LOVE Netflix!) and share a bottle of wine. So as well as reviewing the wine, I'll review the DVD, too. Tonight it was Bodega Norton Malbec Reserva 2005 and The Hanging Garden.The malbec was a beautiful dark garnet color with wonderful ripehttp://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/05/bottle-of-wine-and-dvd-new-series.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-3255799134467244579Wed, 28 May 2008 17:42:00 +00002008-12-09T03:49:58.902-05:00crocketsypotteryFor those of you who are unfamiliar with Etsy, it's a website where you can buy and sell handcrafted items.Today while I was browsing the site I found this clever wine crock, made by Amanda Moon.I thought it was just too unique not to share it with my readers :-Dhttp://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/05/look-what-i-found-on-etsy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-3993210816942470753Sun, 25 May 2008 02:20:00 +00002008-12-09T03:49:59.013-05:00Ever since I created my (very first!) website a couple of months ago I felt that it was lacking in quality. I thought that it looked like a first website and I wanted something better.I checked out a website called Free Website Templates and found exactly what I was looking for. With just a few minor (okay, not so minor) alterations, the new Wine Diva Designs is up.When you get a free moment I'd http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/05/new-and-improved-website.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-4115671810760203321Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:18:00 +00002008-12-09T03:49:59.138-05:00cabernetcalifornianapano thumbsphoto © Linda Blakely 2008We took this wine with us to dinner tonight. When we first opened the bottle, the wine seemed a bit thin and flabby. Tom said to let it open up a bit and not to judge it right away. With dinner it was a bit better, having some more body and fruit. We didn't finish the whole bottle, so we corked it back up to finish at home. It didn't hold up. It seemed too astringent andhttp://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/03/bennett-family-cabernet-sauvignon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-4766630629166746830Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:39:00 +00002008-12-09T03:49:59.325-05:00cabernetcalifornianapatwothumbsphoto © Linda Blakely 2008This was everything you'd expect from a good Napa Cabernet: rich, luxurious, ripe fruit, not overly oaked, vanilla notes, hints of tobacco. This is one of those wines that make you go "mmmmmm..."Another one purchased at Wine Warehouse, for the terrific price of $24.99 (what a steal!). I think I'm going back to get some more!http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/03/artesa-cabernet-sauvignon-2003.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-1851245854260604081Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:20:00 +00002008-12-09T03:49:59.473-05:00spaintempranillotwothumbsphoto © Linda Blakely 2008This is one of Tom's and my favorite wines. Wonderful aromas of dark berries and sweet vanilla that follows through on the palate with a burst of flavor. Smooth tannins, good acidity, very easy-drinking. This is a wine that you'd expect to pay at least $15 or more. We got it for the unbelievable bargain price of $7.99 at Wine Warehouse. Delicious!http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/03/dominio-de-eguren-codice-2005.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-2204728077669779133Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:36:00 +00002008-12-09T03:49:59.721-05:00argentinablendtwothumbsphoto © Linda Blakely 2008A blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Wine Spectator says this wine is "burly" and I have to agree. Full of body and very quaffable. We drank it with a spicy fried rice, but it would have worked best with a nice rare filet. Still delicious though.Hubby just poured me some more, so why am I still sitting here typing? I'm off to enjoy the rest of it ;-)http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/02/bodega-norton-privada-2003.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-8456950347691713533Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:05:00 +00002008-02-24T08:48:05.778-05:00amaronebrunellocab franccabernetmadeiraopen that bottlerieslingzinfandelThere were nine of us gathered at Blue Bamboo Restaurant and Wine Bar to share some special wines. There were a lot, and I'm pretty groggy this morning, so I'll do my best to recall the tasting notes. Listed from the first wine drank to the last.Weingut Dr. Zen Zen Riesling Spatlese Valwiger Herrenberg 1989 - heavy petroleum aromas. I do mean heavy! I swear we could have put it in our gas tank http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/02/notes-from-our-open-that-bottle-night.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-4973244244392066732Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:20:00 +00002008-02-21T17:24:53.689-05:00etsygift bagsI've just started designing wine gift bags featuring my photography and I'm selling them on Etsy. I'm pretty excited about this. I've gotten lots of positive feedback from friends who've encouraged me to move forward with the idea. Check them out when you get a chance and let me know what you think.Wish me luck!http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/02/new-business-venture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-4087660118813655401Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:13:00 +00002008-02-19T08:46:42.410-05:00californiagewurtraminerrecipetwothumbsTom made Jamaican Curry Goat last night and I was a bit stumped as to what wine to serve with it. I browsed through our wine inventory and found the Handley Gewurtraminer. I'd had this wine before and absolutely loved it, so I knew it would be a good pairing. What an understatement. It was an awesome pairing! The wine smelled like a garden of roses and tasted of lychee and citrus. It had good http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/02/handley-cellars-gewurztraminer-2005.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-8127099789549681260Sat, 16 Feb 2008 03:29:00 +00002008-02-15T22:39:27.687-05:00albariñocaliforniano thumbsA blend of 80% Albariño, 15% Loureiro and 15% Treixadura. To me, the most intriguing character of this wine is the aroma: it reminds me of the scent of freshly laundered sheets that have been hanging on a clothesline to dry. Crisp and clean. There's some bright acidity and a fair amount of citrus on the palate, but it's somewhat thin and a bit too light in body for my taste.Pleasant enough, but Ihttp://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/02/bonny-doon-ca-del-solo-albarino-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-6382219944857839111Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:46:00 +00002008-12-09T03:49:59.870-05:00californiaChardonnaytwothumbsphoto © Linda Blakely 2008This wonderful Chardonnay was one of our Wine Club selections that we received Monday. I had been craving a good Chard for awhile so we opened this up with dinner (Breaded Asian Spiced Pork Chops with Brown Basmati-Broccoli Rice) and it paired perfectly!It had such a powerful burst of tropical fruit flavors, pineapple and banana, with a creamy mouthfeel thanks to the http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/02/testarossa-chardonnay-rosellas-vineyard.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-1684654538147277810Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:39:00 +00002008-02-06T08:41:25.361-05:00A few years ago Wall Street Journal wine columnists Dorothy Gaither and John Brecher started a yearly event called "Open That Bottle Night" that happens on the last Saturday of February. This year it falls on February 23rd.The purpose of the event is to get people who have held onto a special bottle, for whatever reason, to open it and enjoy it with friends. Even if you aren't holding onto a http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/02/open-that-bottle-night.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-9132358270529255662Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:34:00 +00002008-12-09T03:50:00.021-05:00australiashiraz syrahtwothumbsphoto © Linda Blakely 2008Another wine that we acquired when our store went out of business. I'm beginning to think it wasn't such a bad thing after all ;-)This luscious Australian Syrah was given a 96 point rating by Robert Parker, stating "A superstar effort, it reveals off-the-chart richness, complexity and intensity. Floral-scented, exhibiting a distinctive minerality along with wonderful http://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/01/clarendon-hills-syrah-piggott-range.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5632452474030981823.post-8252791762149823337Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:22:00 +00002008-12-09T03:50:00.175-05:00blendcalifornianapatwothumbsphoto © Linda Blakely 2008I could have waited to post this on Valentine's Day, but I wanted to post it now so you might have a change to find a bottle.This is a proprietary red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Notes of tobacco and cedar on the nose, followed by smoky oak and vanilla on the palate. This wine has nice fruit flavors, but it's not jammy. Well-balanced and veryhttp://letstalkwine.blogspot.com/2008/01/obrien-cellars-seduction-2004.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)