This note will be short, as it is 11:30PM on a work night... but. I had to mention this great buy at Trader Joe's. Domaine Saint George, 2003 Sonoma county Cabernet Sauvignon, barrel reserve. This is one of those great table wines that go about unnoticed because it's not a well known winery, it's got a kinda funky label, and The Trader's got it at an astoundingly low price, $5.99. $5.99! Full of flavor, almost too much oak, firm tannins and a nice round mouth feel. Ok, not a lot of finesse, but $5.99! Put some in the kitchen!

3 Stars out of 5.

Dex

OK, it's still summertime, even if the kids are starting back to school. All the more reason to break out a chilled bottle. At last, a chance to relax. With the weather still warm, chilled summer wines are still tempting. The some summer wines of Europe that are most intriguing to Americans still new to wine are the rose's (sue me, I couldn't find the accent insert on this HTML writer). These are the pinkish to red/amber wines that make you shudder, thinking of white zinfandel and Boone's Farm Strawberry Something. (OK, some people like white zinfandel!) But rose's are much dryer, while retaining the lightness and fruitiness that the color hints at. There are some great wines out there that are generally very affordable. One excellent buy is the well regarded La Ferme Julien Cotes Du Ventoux Rose', from the Rhone Valley. Widely available, at Trader Joe's and other retailers, at less than $8.00. Highly refreshing with a handy screw top, dry, with a light taste of dried strawberries, again, a fruity flavor, but dry. Sooo good, well chilled, in a chilled glass. Just look for the rose colored rooster. If you're interested, it's a blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10%Syrah.

You can go to http://splendidtable.com for their own update of excellent rose's.

Wine Searcher search engine. Help to find that wine we so heartily recommend. Try it out. If you like it they have a comprehensive search tool available for a few bucks.

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8/23/2006

For the white wine slacker (not the white wineslacker) we note a fabulous summer treat for the patio, Ballentine Vineyards Lake County Old Vines Chenin Blanc. We found it at Cost Plus, on sale for 9.99 and at Hi-Times Cellars for under $12. It's not your ol' man's chenin blanc we so disparagingly remember from the sixties. It's fruity, dry and yet slightly creamy. Ahhhh.

Dex

Hype has been high for the recent release of Beaulieu Vinyards 2003 Napa Valley Cab. It garnered the magic 90 from a recent magazine review. So, when I saw it at my local Ralphs Supermarket at the low, low price (for card holders) of 14.88, I grabbed a bottle. Maybe it's just a little young yet, or maybe I just like a more fruit-forward mouthful, but I found it stiff in the tannins and puckering. So, maybe a couple of years on its side will bring me around. It is intense in flavor, but for the beginner, there are several $12 cabs around that will bring a smile to your face. I liked BV's Rutherford Cab from 2000, Pope Valley Eakles Ranch Cab from 2002 and Rodney Strong's 2001 Sonoma County Cab. Muirwood 2002 Monterey Cab at $8.99 at L.A. Wine Company, was a real bargain. Ask me again in 2008. Wineslacker gives it 2 and a half stars out of 5.

Known as a low end, high value winery, Bogle Vineyards, has a great premium wine at a very friendly price; Phantom. Phantom is a tasty red blend in the Rhone tradition of Old Vine Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Old Vine Mourvedre.
Hearty and mouth-filling, my friend Rob told me, "This is my ideal red wine!". It's a wine you're not likely to see at your local supermarket. The Wineslacker found it at Whole Foods and at the well-known Hi Times in Costa Mesa, CA for under $20.
The Wineslacker rates Bogle "Phantom" 2003 at 4 stars out of 5 stars, for value and quality.

Like all winelovers, we're always looking for a new wine. As a slacker, I'm looking for the best wine at the cheapest price. Winelovers want to share their discoveries with others, who frequently don't give a damn. Well, here's a place to post your newest discovery - or an old favorite. It doesn't matter where you are, your post may be of interest to a neighbor or someone coming to your neighborhood soon. Post a review and a source. Soon you'll be seeing posts with new sources and new temptations that you can use on your next wine expedition.

Here's a start:
Rosemont GSM
A red blend from McLaren Vale, Rosemont Estate, Australia
the same three grapes are used as in the famous Chateauneuf du Pape; Granache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Aged in American Oak for 18 months
Delicious, hearty, with deep red fruit flavors and a long finish. Great with beef, hearty red pasta sauces, cheeses, or just by itself.
Has been available at Trader Joes for $9.99. An incredible bargain for a wine that made the Winespectator best 100 list last year. 2002 vintage. The Wineslacker gives it 3 and a half stars out of 5 stars for value and quality.

This a winelover's blog. This is a slacker's blog. This is for the inquisitive, the beginner, the expert; the quick reference for the lazy drinker. Post your reviews and reap the rewards of mine.

Remember: Wine is the expression of the Earth. It's the fullness of life and the relentless decomposition of mortality. In it is the history of humankind.