I’m thinking I just need to buy a winery. Route 29 is up for sale. 20 some million is all….

I can’t believe you history buffs haven’t said anything about the torture chamber shot of the castle. That’s a real bloody Mary (or whatever they called those things).

I’ve been trying a few of the bottles I brought back over the past week. I was almost afraid to, seeing how I was drunk most of the trip. So far, I’m pretty happy to report that they have all been wonderful bottles.

A couple worth mentioning….
The Larson Family Pinot is wonderful. Definitely grab a few of those.
The Wattle Creek 03 Shiraz is also wonderful.
All the Fieldstone bottles we’ve drank are wonderful too! So far I’d say their reserve cab is their best. They also have a great 03 port. I couldn’t believe how good it was, considering how young it is.

I’m looking forward to opening one of the Lamborn cabs in about a year. They only made 100 cases of it and it’s sold out already.

Chump change for you rich Alaskans.

That is an iron maiden. Not a very pleasant thing to endure, I'm sure.... Apparently they were very rare, so if that's a historic piece in the pic, it must be worth millions.

With all the trouble logging in to The Community, it's time to pop a cork an a red. Just found Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin http://www.gnarlyhead.com/wine.asp. VERY drinkable, no food required. Not a big wine, but soft on tha palate and smooth finish.

Scott

The Gnarly Head is a nice zin. Had that last New Years. I was hoping to find a red Cakebread for this New Years but alas, our local wine store is not getting anymore until after the 1st (through they did have a chardonnay available).
So instead i picked up a lovely port from Australia. Penfolds Grandfather. http://www.winestar.com.au/prod882.htm

mdrew, i had not noticed the photos you put up from the trip.
Simply amazing.
I'm simply yet in a complex way, amazed.

Is this darn favorites thread not notifying me anymore?
Bloddy settings.

I have not tried that Port. I'll grab one next time I see it.

I had a pretty good Zinfandel last night. One worth mentioning anyway…

2005 PK (Pezzi King) from Sonoma.

Medium body, nice nose, fruit forward, long finish with very light tannin. If you have a preference for Pinot or Syrah, you’d like this one.

Best thing about this one is the price. $12 bucks.

This damn thread is not sending me email updates.
What's up with that?

I have a port here called Willowglen.
I cannot seem to find it on their website but it only costs $11 and is quite nice, simple.
There is another Aussie port called Old Codger. A bit more expensive, but it has those thick, vanilla, toffee flavours that i love in a good tawny.

I had a great, inexpensive cab sav last night.

2004 Buehler Vineyards / Napa Valley.

This one was unusual for a cab, at least to me. It had a buttery flavor up front with a strong fruit finish. I don’t recall ever having a cab quite like this. I'd say somewhere between medium and heavy bodied with just enough tannin to know it was cab, but very mellow considering how young this was. Just a hint of spice, with plum and blackberry.

This is one that my favorite liquor store recommended. The guys/gals that work the wine center are into wines and are always looking for great finds. Every once in a while I just ask one of them to fill up a couple cases of good wines under twenty bucks and they do a great job.

I'm ordering up a case or two of this one. I think it was about $15

A buttery cab?
Interesting indeed.

Two friends recently went down to the States to do some liquor shopping thanks to the strong dollar. Here's what one had to say when he got back:

OK- Here's the rundown:

75 bottles

total spent Canadian after duty and currency conversion: $914.00
total value if purchased in Canada with taxes: $1482.00
savings: $568.00 or 38.3%
avg price per bottle $12.19
Cheapest bottle purchased: Yellow Tail, which is $15.16 at MLCC after tax (min savings of $2.97 on a bottle)
Max savings on a bottle: $29.21

OK
Not wine, but last night I was in a liquor store looking for a wine for dinner and I noticed that it has finally hit the shelves. Legal Moonshine!!! I tried googling to find you a link but it hasn't made much of a splash yet. About the only thing unusual about moonshine around here is the legal part.

Two products
Straight Shine which is 50% alcohol
Straight Lightning at 75% alcohol

They also make a 40% vodka.

I believe there is only one other distillery in Canada licensed to make a moonshine product and that is in Cape Breton.

Note: I didn't buy it to try as I still have some of the 'less legal' stuff sitting in my cupboard.