Goodnight, Moon.

[Julie Haus charmeuse dress + J.Crew gold belt + J.Crew sparkle tights + Kors lace up boots + Andrew Marc fur vest.]

Read Full Post »

Wine Review: Michael & David Family of Wines, 2005 Incognito Rouge, Lodi, CA

The 2005 Incognito Rouge is the second selection I have chosen to review from the Michael and David Family of Wines.  This Rhône-style blend is bravely composed of 9 different varietals including: Mourvedre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cinsault, Carignane, Tannat, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Grenache.  The outcome is successfully, by design, an enigmatic Rhône Valley tribute including, literally, every typical Rhône varietal.

Surprisingly, I found characteristics and nuances that Incognito unabashedly shared with the previously reviewed Michael & David workhorse wine,  7 Deadly Zins, from the opening flavors of thick clove spice and smoke, to the dessert-like sweet jam, brown sugar, and maple-butter finish. Both wines exhibit an amazingly deep textural mouth feel that can be described as baritone or brooding in nature, lacking any sharp peaks of spice, acidity, or astringency.

Incognito’s aroma is also very special. The unusual blueberry dominance in this wine is very unique. I have often considered fruits, such as strawberry, blueberry (as sometimes found in Cabernet Franc), and cranberry, to be almost secondary fruit flavors in comparison to the more common flavors of cherry, currant, blackberry, and plum.  These secondary fruit flavors are often present in both taste and aroma, but are still overshadowed by its more predominant cousins. Fortunately, incognito showcases both blueberry and cranberry wonderfully.

Incognito is truly a special wine for exploring a slightly different set of taste and aroma characteristics and venturing beyond the more common but solid cherry-vanilla-pepper trio. This wine retails for about $15 to $20 a bottle, but I was fortunately able to score four bottles on my favorite wine auction site for $5 each. I’m not familiar with Incognito’s accessibility in wine stores, but I would first try and seek out 7 Deadly Zins (very accessible) and ask about other Michael & David wines.  I hope you enjoy it!

-Rob

Read Full Post »