Drum Roll, please.......

You know that feeling when you go to the grocery store and walk through the wine section entirely and utterly overwhelmed. I know I have, and if you are not familiar with wine or do not know where to start, you could end up getting something like Barefoot wine (no judgment).

No, I am not a wine connoisseur (shocker), though maybe I should be with the amount of wine I consume. So, in that case, you know the wine has to be pretty good to make it on my top list, let alone in my belly. 

Nothing to whine about here because we are talking about all things wine. With Valentine's this month, I figured "wine" not share some of my favorite red wines that I typically go to or have just recently tried at a variety of price points.  I went through my Vivino app and selected my recent favorites. 

The next time you get to the store, instead of picking up the first bottle you see, try one of the wines listed in this blog. I would love to know what you think and which one was your favorite. 

Who knows, maybe Spec's wants to sponsor me, I accept delivery!

Quick tip: Drizly.com delivers in less than an hour! Quelle convenience! 

1. Prisoner Red Wine: Made with a diverse combination of dark red grapes to bestow distinct quality and character, The Prisoner Napa Valley Red Blend Red Wine is luscious, smooth, and balanced.Crafted with an unlikely mix of zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah, syrah, and charbono, this dark red wine blend features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig. These scents give way to persistent tastes of raspberry, boysenberry, and pomegranate with a lingering vanilla flavor.

2. La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir: Aromas of black plum, cherry, rhubard and hints of earth and loam. Flavors of red plum, raspberry and blood orange are underpinned by distinctive riverstone minerality and savory umami character. Plush and richly textured with juicy yet balanced acidity and integrated toasty barrel spice.

3. Layer Cake Malbec: The 2011 is a classic Malbec, but undoubtedly Layer Cake. Big, brooding, black fruit, then rich earth, truffles and dark cocoa are at the front.

4. Overture by Opus One: Full bodied but approachable in its youth, Overture shows generous dark fruit aromas and flavors with a soft, supple mid-palate.

5. Volker Eisele Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Bright red aromas of ripe cherries and plums, with a touch of peach and hint of anise and white pepper. In the mouth, the wine shows excellent oak integration, with prominent flavors of
juicy huckleberries, milk chocolate, and sweet barrel spices. The lengthy finish carries nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla through to the end.

6. Quilt Napa Valley Fabric Of The Land Red Wine: The Fabric of the Land is crimson red with plum highlights. Aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, and lightly toasted almonds with spices and vanilla. Ripe black cherry, cocoa, and rosemary with a velvety mouthfeel, vibrant fruit, and soft tannins.

7. Quintessa Rutherford Red Blend: The aroma begins with lovely black cherry and cassis coated with dark chocolate. Notes of thyme and sage interplay with hints of cinnamon, cedar, and incense. The wine develops on the palate with lively acidity that offers balance to graceful layers of red and black fruit. Savorynuances of tar and tobacco follow, through a long, lingering finish marked by fine tannin.

 

 

8. Gundlach Cabernet Sauvignon: Fresh blackberry and Bing cherry aromas are spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon bark with an underlying layer of earth and cedar. Medium-bodied and supple, yet richly flavored with fleshy dark plum and mocha supported by fine tannins and fresh acidity, this youthful, food-friendly Cab will develop beautifully. 

 

9. 19 Crimes Red Blend: Bold and balanced with oaky notes and black fruit flavors.