Chateau Julien Sangiovese Rosato Rosé 2007

Price: $18.00
SoG Score: 95
User Score: --
Region: Carmel Valley, California

I honestly can't believe it's already August and summer is almost half over! It's even more reason to relish in the hot lazy summer days and that's what's been tempting me to open my last bottle of my most favorite wine from one of our favorite wineries, Chateau Julien's rosé.

First off, if you haven't vacationed in Carmel Valley/Monterey in the Central Coast of California, you really must fit this into your schedule- it's the perfect idyllic weekend getaway especially this time of year. Two quick suggestions for where to stay- Old Monterey Inn (French country chic) in Monterey and Tradewinds Inn (pure Zen relaxation) in Carmel Valley. And you must stop by Chateau Julien in Carmel Valley- it's one of the most charming vineyards you'll come across in the states. Friendly husband and wife owners who were so captivated by a winery in the South of France that they bought a vineyard and created a replica of the chateau.

Now to their rosé- I think rosés aren't given enough credit in the states. Sure there are some rosés that taste like cardboard and should definitely be passed over, but a good rosé makes for one of the most refreshing drinks out there. Chateau Julien's is by far my favorite. Made from the Sangiovese grape, it's bursting with the essence of juicy strawberries and is surprisingly sweet for a coastal wine but still crisp.

the ideal meal: shrimp scampi for dinner and big juicy strawberries for dessert

Chaucer's Ollalieberry Wine

Price: $10.99
SoG Score: 90
User Score: --
Region: Santa Cruz, California

Jeff and I first tried this dessert wine in the Bargetto winery tasting room on Cannery Row in one of our favorite getaway spots, Monterey, California. This dessert wine is a dessert in itself- it is really like drinking a sweet juicy slice of blackberry pie in a glass- or maybe blackberry jam in a glass. Drinking pure sugar couldn't be sweeter. It almost tastes more like juice than wine. Ollalieberries are a hybrid cross between the loganberry (raspberry and blackberry cross) and the youngberry (blackberry and dewberry cross). Basically ollallieberry= larger sweeter blackberries. It's particularly good with anything chocolate.
It won a double gold at the California State Fair and gold at the Salinas Valley Fair and the Tasters Guild International among others. If you like sweets, you'll want to try this one.

the ideal meal: a piece of flourless chocolate cake sprinkled with fresh berries and confectioner's sugar with a glass of sweet olallieberry wine

Barefoot California Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Price: $6.99
SoG Score: 85
User Score: --
Region: Napa Valley, California

For those that know me, the stinky foot on the label is enough to keep me far far away from this wine, but the 5 gold medals for a $6.99 wine were just too tempting. It's not bad for a cheap bottle of cab that is available everywhere- you can pick it up off any supermarket shelf (well except in Minnesota where supermarkets don't sell wine). Very fruity and jammy, complementing well with a juicy savory steak or meaty red sauce pasta. Its strong cherry aroma also makes it especially good with dark chocolate. A little too sweet for a Cabernet for my taste. Worth a try for the price but not sure if it deserves quite as many gold medals as it has won.

the ideal meal: sprinkle sea salt and fresh pepper on a marbled steak and grill to medium rare perfection, enjoy with sips of barefoot cab.

Folie à Deux Ménage à Trois 2006

Price: $10.99
SoG Score: 91
User Score: --
Region: Napa Valley, California

Folie à Deux winery blends Zinfandel, Merlot, and Cabernet for a well-balanced ménage à trois of flavors creating a perfect table red. It goes down easy- silky and smooth, without being too bland or uninteresting. This is the perfect wine to have a case lying around to sip on with whatever you whip up for dinner, to serve at a potluck or picnic, or to grab as a hostess gift as there is nothing this wine doesn't go with. We enjoyed it while snacking on almonds, dried raspberries, cranberries, and chocolate- what a beautiful combination!


the ideal meal: a perfect accompaniment to an after dinner cheese plate.

Boony Doon Ca' del Solo Big House Red 2003

Price: $9.99
SoG Score: 87
User Score: --
Region: Central Coast, California

Big House Red is like the perfect pair of jeans (or for me the perfect pleated skirt)- it goes well with anything you pair it with and it's great for almost any occasion. It makes a great everyday table wine and the screw cap is just an added bonus for convenience.
It may not cause fireworks to go off, but it's a solid, dependable wine that never tires and I just might be tempted to buy a case.

the ideal meal: enjoy a glass with a juicy bleu-cheese burger

Trellis Chardonnay 2005

Price: $3.99
SoG Score: 88
User Score: --
Region: Sonoma, California

An enjoyable and fragrant chardonnay with hints of fruits from the tropics balanced with the silkiness of vanilla. As far as flavor, it's definitely on the lighter side.

the ideal meal: chilled Trellis chardonnay with a cool crisp avocado and shrimp salad on a lazy summer afternoon. Oh, how I wish winter would end!