Jeff Clavier's Buzzlog

Drinkable, but nothing to brag about.

Disclosure: I actually wanted to pick up the Viognier from that winery, not the Chardonnay and I mixed bottles up as I was rushing through Safeway. And horror, I realize that I have not blogged about the Viognier, which is very nice and cheap.
This Chardonnay is decent, typical Californian, though not too oaky, buttery, etc. I think that I paid $8 or $9 for it, so not a bad deal.

"Almost pure fruit" is the first thought you have when tasting that wine. We had it at "Straight Cafe", an Asian Fusion restaurant in Palo Alto. Whilst it lacks structure, it matched very well with my spicy dish (a spectacular Indonesian Paella).

Got this nice Shiraz at Costco today ($13). I should have decanted it, but it opended rather nicely in the glass. Very typical berry flavors, spicy, gentle tanins. At that price, it is a no brainer. The 2002 got WS 89.
They also have a reserve wine, called Roasted Slope (litteral translation of "Cote Rotie"), which is supposed to be even better.
Oh, and this is one of the wines drunk during the movie Sideways (I believe that it is the first one Miles and Maya are drinking when Jack and Stephanie are "getting busy").

I bought that Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley at Safeway, not having heard about it before. It turned out to be a rather nice Pinot, quite light, but very enjoyable.
K&L Wine summarizes it well: A very appealing combination of feminine Pinot notes (flowers and pink raspberry) and more manly characters like earth, leather and dark cherry make this wonderful Pinot Noir, sourced from the famed Russian River appellation, a no-brainer.

I have been a big fan of Fairview since I visited the winery about 10 years ago. It is well known for its Shiraz and yes, its goats. This white is a very untypical blend: Clairette Blanc 28%, Semillon 24%, Grenache Blanc 14%, Gewurtztramine 12%, Cape Riesling 9%, Sauvignon Blanc 8% and Chenin Blanc 5%.
Because it is very young, this wine is very fruity with a lot of fruity flavors. The taste is a bit unusual, but quite nice.
I got it for $8 at Safeway (when you buy 6).

It rarely happens, but I definitely did *not* like this wine at all. I have had Pinot Grigrio's in the past, especially when visiting Italy, that Luna product was way too heavy on fruit and sugar, and the spicy note was just not appropriate in the mix. The rest of the bottle ended up in the sync.
Bought it at Costco for $12, WS 88.

I have been looking for good value, good quality american Pinot Noir sfor a while, and have yet to find any of interest. This Echelon lacks balance and fruit, and is too acid.

Montes is one of the most well known Chilean wineries. This Chardonnay is very similar to some of the wines produced on the south of France, full of fruit, with a bit a acidity and great balance. And a great value at $10 or so (at Cost Plus World Markets).
WS: 89.

Very nice aroma, flavours, texture. A recommendation from K&L Wine at a great price ($12.99).
However we enjoyed more La Folie a Deux.