World Wine Weblog

Rosenblum 2003 Contra Costa County Red Wine, Oakley Vineyards

When I picked up the Red Flyer at Trader Joe's on Friday, the description of the wine posted on the blackboard did not say much about the wine flavor.  Since most of its varietal components (Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignane, ... er, and "Clone X") can span a spectrum from light to full, I asked Chris about whether it had much body to it.  He confirmed that it did (and I verified that Friday night), and suggested that if I really like red blends with full body, I should try the Rosenblum table wine.

Last night, I verified that his assessment of the 2003 Contra Costa County Red Wine, Oakley Vineyards, was also on the money.  This blend of Zinfandel (69%), Petite Sirah (16%) and Carignane (15%) had a similar profile as the Red Flyer, only more of everything: inky-dark color, significant viscosity, spice, big body and a long finish.  Unfortunately, it also costs more ($17) than Red Flyer -- and most of my other TJ wine purchases -- so I wouldn't put in the "everyday wine" category, but I'll be getting some more of this for my "occasional wine" category.

I couldn't find any reference to this wine on the Rosenblum web site, so here's what it says on the bottle:

The wine shows robust color with a bouquet reminiscent of rich plums, ripe cherries and chocolate.  The flavors are dark blackberry, cherry and cassis with hints of chocolate and spice.

Oh, and on a separate, but TJ-related note: Chris told me that what I call the "lunar wines" at Trader Joe's -- Thunder Moon Petite Sirah, Purple Moon Shiraz, Full Moon Viognier, and Old Moon Zinfandel -- are all made by Delicato Vineyards.

Thunder Moon 2003 Petite Sirah

The Thunder Moon 2003 Petite Sirah is another "lunar star" from Full Moon Wine Company (about which I can still find nothing on the web), sold at Trader Joe's for $4 per bottle.  It is not quite as full-bodied and tannic as the 2003 petite sirahs from Bogle and Concannon, it does not have as much of the cherry "tartness", and is about a third of the price.  I generally enjoy the Bogle and Concannon petite sirahs -- especially this year, after the 2002 vintages of both of these perennial favorites seemed to have less body than usual, and a hollowness in the midpalate.  However, Amy doesn't like their "tartness" (she likes the Thunder Moon better), and it's not as much fun sharing a bottle of wine when only one person likes the wine, so we'll get some more of the Thunder Moon.

From the label:

Our petite sirah is named for the intensity that is created during the July full moon.  During this lunar cycle, phantom thunder storms are nature's way of stimulating the vines, giving them the bursting, spice flavors and intense mouth-puckering grip that is a signature of this wine.