Mad Dog 20/20

I'd long heard about MD 20/20, but had no first hand experience with it. (well... there was that time at the Pa Renaissance Fair, but I've blocked that out). So I've decided to find out what all the hoopla is about. To keep in the "bottled yesterday and d ... Read More...

Matties Perch Shiraz

As I strolled the isles of my favorite market in VA Beach, my attention was drawn to a bright yellow label. Was it Yellow Tale? No! No! Could it be… Something Different? Yes! Mattie, a new furry mascot! Once again proving that marketing and point of sal ... Read More...

Fetzer Gewurztraminer

Most people can’t say it, and fewer people can spell it! Gewurztraminer… What is it? Gewurztraminer is a grape predominantly grown in Germany, but is showing up more frequently at American wineries. California’s Fetzer vineyard’s offering in thi ... Read More...

Three Thieves Bandit Cabernet

Three Thieves 2005 Bandit Cabernet California Daring Wine for Daring Individuals I have long been a “point of sale” addict. I can’t resist sampling wines with catchy names or kicky labels. However, I do have the veins of a traditionalist. I li ... Read More...

Los Vascos Reserve Cabernet

Looking for a wine that will "impress the boss" for under $15.00 retail? Then look no further than this 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite. Yes, its from that same "Rothschild" family that has been corking snooty wines i ... Read More...

Bogle Chardonnay

Bogle Chardonnay and Broquel Malbec I recently had the pleasure of spending an evening with two new friends. Their 1770's home, which originally housed a Pennsylvania Long Rifle shop then turned gristmill, and situated next to a stream and wooden bridge ... Read More...

Trapiche Broquel Malbec

Bogle Chardonnay and Broquel Malbec I recently had the pleasure of spending an evening with two new friends. Their 1770's home, which originally housed a Pennsylvania Long Rifle shop then turned gristmill, and situated next to a stream and wooden bridge ... Read More...

Boones Farm Strawberry Hill

Ah The Good Old Days... Back to my humble (read as embarrassing) roots. We can't all start out as the champions of good taste, and we all had to start somewhere. Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill could very well be that wine for the Rogue Sommelier. This wine ... Read More...

Pepperwood Grove Zinfandel

This Red was huge and velvety in the mouth with big fruit and an oak finish. The fruit lingered long after the oak. There is an under pinning of smoke to this wine, and I say it belongs in any cellar. It is fun and approachable for a young wine lover and ... Read More...

Lost Vineyards of the World Merlot/Temprnillo

Lost Vineyards is a company that buys juice from around the world and is based out of Batavia NY. The wines that I have tasted have been what I can only call "Solid performing table wines". They might not light the taste buds on fire, but paired with some ... Read More...

Leonard Kreusch Moselblumchen

Moselblumchen by Rumpelstiltskin Spin this into Gold! The Flowers! Oh the flowers! I could smell the perfume from three feet away. Leonard Kreusch Moselblumchen "Small flowers of the Mosel" Like the name implies the floral notes are overpowering. ... Read More...

Nathanson Creek Merlot

The Pressroom in downtown Lancaster has long been one of my favorite haunts for Thursday Night Jazz, and you can get a really decent glass 'o' house wine too! Enter Nathanson Creek Merlot... A generous pour at the Pressroom yields a large balloon shaped g ... Read More...

Sycamore Lane Merlot

Sycamore Lane Merlot...It tastes nothing like a the tree, but then again I never went around licking sycamores for a taste reference. Perhaps I might be surprised.This wine is inexpensive ($3.49 to be exact). So of course the logical mind might chalk it u ... Read More...

Nittany Mountain White

Mount Nittany Vineyard... This was my first experience with this winery.I was familiar with the area and Oh Yes... the Lions. Although not a football fan I grew up listening to uncles and and cousins screaming at the television set about the Nittany Lions ... Read More...

Clover Hill Vignoles

A sweet surprise, and summer sipper!Back in the early 90’s, I used to see signs for Clover Hill as I was speeding through back country roads on my way to college. It never dawned on me to stop and check it out. Wine wasn’t really my bag back then… T ... Read More...

Yellow Tail Cabernet/Merlot

Yellow Tail Cabernet/Merlot???  OK… I’ll Bite.What are these two mortal enemies doing in the same bottle, and who’s bright idea was it to hold an intergalactic peace summit to work it out? Lovers of these two grapes are like the Hatfields and McCo ... Read More...

Swirling Dervish Chadonnay

“Swirl Sniff Sip like a Dervish” That’s what the winery says. Obviously a nod to term Whirling Dervish. Oh! “What’s a Whirling Dervish?” You Ask! Dervishes are a Sufi Muslim sect (also called the Mevlevi Order). They are famous for their spinn ...

Oak Leaf Merlot

Oak Leaf Merlot (Walmart Exclusive) Here's one that I was skeptical of at first. I had heard a while back that Walmart was going to carry its' own wine. Many of us heard the jokes and received the email lists of possible names for "Walmart Wine". Livi ... Read More...