2012 Gnarly Head Pinot Noir, California

In the continuing saga of trying all Pinots under $10, this one came up.  We like the Gnarly Head Zin, and this Pinot is a very pleasant, easy drinking, food friendly wine, and at $6.99 at Total Wine, very affordable.  But not very Pinot-ish!

We had it with some grilled Alaskan sockeye (the most sustainable of the fish at our market), sauteed red peppers, bok choy & mushrooms, and a demi-baguette.

2012 Ravenswood Old Vine Vintners Blend Zinfandel, California

 I hadn't had this old favorite for quite a while, and saw it at Total Wine for $6.47.  Still a zesty, bold zin, great cherry-berry flavors, decent finish.  A lot of wine for the price.

We had it with smoked pork, steamed asparagus, & a sauteed zucchini & red pepper mix.

2011 D'Arenberg The Stump Jump Shiraz, McLaren Vale (Australia)

 Friday night burgers need the perfect burger wine!  Here it is:  Stump Jump Shiraz, $9 at Total Wine, Big, zesty, fun - just the ticket with grilled meat.  We had it with cheddar & tomato burgers on ciabatta rolls, with oven baked fries.

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2012 Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Petit Verdot, Rutherford Napa Valley (California)

A Trader Joe's wineseller tipped me off to this usually blended varietal, one of the five grapes making up Bordeaux or Meritage blends.  Very rare indeed to see Petit Verdot bottled on its own,  with just a handful of California producers making it.  I was especially intrigued that this is from the Rutherford appellation.  This has inky, concentrated color, deep dark fruits with touches of molasses and smoke.  Big tannins  - would be fun to try again in a year or two.  And, at this price, its a possibility:  $14.99.  Try getting a Napa Cab with Rutherford dust for twice that!

We had grilled thick-cut ribeyes, sauteed zucchini and onions, an avocado half with blue cheese, and a multigrain ciabatta.

2004 Montes Alpha M, Santa Cruz (Chile)

Montes Alpha M is a Bordeaux blend (80% Cabernet with Merlot, Cabernet Franc & Petit Verdot).  It's big, supple, with juicy dark plum flavors along with hints of vanilla.  This 2004 had beautiful color and still tasted youthful.  It's a great example of the best Chile has to offer and Wine Spectator rated it a 94. We received this as a gift, but from the internet it looks like the cost would be $75 - $90.

Grilled ribeye went well, along with some peas and baby vidalias sauteed in butter, and an artisan whole grain baguette.

2011 Penfolds "Winemaker's Selection" Shiraz Cabernet, Southeastern Australia

When I saw this at Trader Joe's for the whimsical price of $3.99, I figured it couldn't hurt to try it out.  Penfolds is one of Australia top wineries, and they make some great wines ranging from expensive down to everyday.  So, for the $3.99 you get a pleasant, dark fruit, easy-going "burger wine".  I've certainly had worse for twice the price.  We had grilled smoked sausage with grainy mustard and potato salad.

2012 Michel Leon Gewurtztraminer, Alsace (France)

I've always had a thing for gewurtztraminer.  It has such exotic flavors, lychee & gooseberry.  I much prefer a dry style, rare in German wines.  Alsace produces dry ones, and you'll find them from California and Oregon, too.  This Alsatian one is fun, big mouthfeel, refreshing acidity.  Perfect with spicy food & sushi.  (Trader Joe's, $9.99)

Alsace is a favorite place to us, we've visited twice.  Some of the villages are story-book cute, and huge storks atop the village gate or town hall!  Last year we stayed at a hotel in Turckheim, Les Deux Clefs, built in the 15th Century.  Great food, sometimes more French, sometimes more German.

We had the Gewurtz with spicy New Orleans style Barbecued Shrimp, with a baguette to sop up the sauce.