What the heck is Third Bottle?

Even the smallest wine collection needs to contain some third bottle.

What is it? It's that bottle of wine you share with friends after you've already shared two really good bottles. By the time you get to the third bottle, nobody can tell the difference between a good wine and a great wine. That's when you need a bottle of wallet-friendly, palate-pleasing wine to keep the party going.

We first heard the term "third bottle" when we visited the Gustavo Thrace tasting room in Napa. Gustavo Thrace produces an excellent table wine that's simply called Third Bottle.

Incidentally, Gustavo Thrace has an interesting side story. The winemaker is Gustavo Bramblia. He was portrayed by actor Freddy Rodriguez in the movie Bottle Shock. The movie took quite a bit of creative license with the real story, but Bramblia really worked at Chateau Montelena. 

Need help finding some good third bottle wines to add to your collection? You can browse our list of posts on under $20 wines or try one of our go-to third bottles:

• Menage a Trois red table wine
• Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir
• Cupcake Red Velvet
• Layer Cake Primitivo (their Shiraz is good too)
• E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone

Take a chance on Benziger's <$20 Merlot

We were amazed to hear the same line over and over on our recent California wine trip:

"Despite what you may have heard from that movie (Sideways), Merlot can be pretty good!"

It's amazing that a movie released in 2004 is still giving wineries and consumers a complex about Merlot. Of course, Sideways was a pretty good movie with an inordinate influence on California wine drinkers. There's also been plenty of crappy Merlot on the market that would justifiably sway people against the varietal.

We're not typically huge Merlot fans, but occasionally we'll come across some that we believe even Miles would enjoy. Once in a blue moon that really good Merlot costs less than $20.

That was the case with a bottle of 2008 Benziger Sonoma County Merlot. We've talked about this terrific winery in the past when we reviewed their Signaterra Pinot Noir and in a post about how we're all connected in six degrees of wine.

We enjoyed the Merlot with a hearty beef stew and were surprised at how good this wine tasted with and without food. It was very fruit forward with bright red fruit tastes, a little spice, and supple tannins on the finish. 

This wine typically sells for just $13.99, though finding it can be a little difficult. We picked up a bottle a few months back at one of our local wine shops, but they're now out. Total Wine and Specs both have it listed for sale on their websites and they can ship to most places.

This is Eleven "Unplugged" by Andrew Murray

Fans of the cult movie, “This is Spinal Tap” will appreciate this wine for the title alone.  We discovered E11EVEN wines while visiting Andrew Murray earlier this year (Santa Ynez Valley Wine Adventure).  When we first arrived, I have to admit I was a little disappointed they were no longer producing the Days Off series (read about some favorites, Days Off and First Kiss)…that was until I tasted the “This Is E11EVEN” series. 

Unlike the wines traditionally made by Andrew Murray, the Eleven Series are not Rhone wines.  In fact, they stretch the imagination and blend some grapes that may not traditionally be blended together.  The result ~ fun, tasty, affordable wines.

We tried two, the 2010 Eleven Red, and 2010 Eleven “Unplugged”.  They are both quite good, but “Unplugged” scored a smiley face and a purchase!  The tasting notes describe it so well, “Think of this blend as un-amplified trio of acoustic guitars, each played by a legendary icon…each variety stands out a bit, but there is also a tremendous harmony here.  The lead-solo is the Chenin Blanc…smooth and haunting…braced up by Sauvignon Blanc…bracing and racy, trying to steal the show…all kept in tune and in time and balanced with the oldest player… Chardonnay.” 

The wine has a crisp, fresh citrus taste, with a slight butter finish. Incredibly refreshing all on it’s own.  It also paired perfectly with grilled chicken and vegetables while enjoying a summer night on the patio.

This new brand for Andrew Murray is all about over delivering on quality to price ratio. Priced at under $20, they certainly achieved this goal.  It's also a screw cap, which you know I love.  Nigel would agree, this wine goes to 11!

Check out this fun video on The Eleven Series

Shared bottles are the best ~ A to Z Pinot Noir

As we’ve frequently said, wine always tastes better when it’s shared. This past Christmas, my brother and his wife gifted us a bottle of A to Z Pinot Noir.  It is one of their go-to wines, and after tasting it, I completely understand why!

Founded in 2002, A to Z Wineworks is the fastest growing winery in Oregon.  The name A to Z refers to the fact their wines are sourced from various Oregon wineries, and the wines are crafted to be the essence of Oregon rather than reflect a specific single vineyard.  

Their 2009 Pinot Noir is deeply colored and smells of minerals, red and black cherries, and spice. In the mouth, it opens up with rich flavors of boysenberry and plum fruits, and dusty tannins.  It finishes with ripe acidity and tannic structure.  This is definitely a wine that fits my “ingredients to dessert” label.  It was quite enjoyable on its own, with dinner, and we finished the bottle off after our meals were complete! Wine Spectator recommends drinking it now through 2014.

Besides the yumminess, this wine has two other great characteristics – screw cap and under $20!  It is pretty widely distributed, and can be found at BevMo (~$19) and Specs (~$16). Pick up a bottle ~ you’ll enjoy!

2010 Kaiken Malbec

Business trips really are a great way to discover new wines.  While Jeff has been known to go prowling for wine when traveling solo (read his confessions here), I typically lean on my co-workers for recommendations.  This usually is a bigger task than it sounds, as I am frequently fighting off the wine list being tossed my way.  I thought after an unfortunate purchasing mistake that earned me the nickname “half bottle” this would ease up, but not so much.  Every now and then I can coerce someone else in making a pick, and this has led to some great discoveries!

One recent discovery was the 2010 Kaiken Malbec from Mendoza.  As with typical Malbec wines from Argentina, this wine is very rich in color.  It smells of dark fruits still in the wild (think berries and plants), with tastes of blackberries and blueberries and a smooth texture.  These characteristics make it an ‘easy drinking’ food wine.  While well balanced up front, it has a slightly acidic finish, and would benefit from aging.  The winemaker does recommend cellaring for up to 5 years. 

The blend is 94% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and aged 6 months in 60% French Oak. It is well distributed (available at Specs and BevMo) and best part is the price.  You can pick up a bottle for about $12.  This is a tasty, guilt free mid-week wine.  Give it a try!