Segura Viudas Brut Rosé

This stuff was so good I forgot to take tasting notes. I'll go by memory:

It was bubbly and reddish, a bit yeasty, with citrus and mild bitter strawberry. Nice and dry, not too long a finish, fine bubbles.

We drank it while watching Friday Night Lights and eating bowtie pasta, and, on another night, chicken with this really great cumin-corn concoction

Segura Viudas just cannot be beat for great value and daily celebration.

$16.99 at BC liquor stores
11.5%

Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell's 2007 Meritage

Some friends brought this bottle over the other day. The label is fun, an etching of a rogue with an afro and a long beard. I'll be honest, it put me off. I am suspicious of wines that put too much effort into marketing. That seems to be the way the pendulum swings now. Effort = cheap and bad.

But this stuff was great!

A tasty, medium-bodied Meritage, with spices, pepper, violet, pencil shavings, vanilla, black cherry. I don't know the price, but I'd certainly look for it in stores if it's reasonable, which I'm guessing it is. The tannins and acidity are well-balanced, the finish is moderately black cherry. Flavours in tight curls.

60% Cab Franc
27% Merlot
11% Cabernet Sauvignon
1% Malbec
1% Petit Verdot

Just looked this up. According to this guy it's $6.99 at Trader Joe's. Hmm. Good buy.
14%
From Paso Robles, CA

Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines 2007

Granache has a distinctive flavour, I am learning. This wine changed alot in the hours after opening, as you might expect. It opened up, became more complex, spicier, mellower, deliciouser, and generally better. I'm glad I gave it some time, because at first I wasn't impressed.

It's got that rich purple granache colour, aromas of dark chocolate and cherry. Flavours included licorice, violet, pepper and black cherry, with moderate acidity, low to moderate tannin, and a medium black cherry finish.

Way better than the black forest cake bust that I bought for my wife's birthday. What are you supposed to do when it's the baker's birthday?

From D.O. Calatayud, Spain
$16 at the BC Liquor Store
14%