Faust Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (California)

And, when the soul is touched with passion's flame, We look around and ask- Who burns the same?" — Faust (Goethe)

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I'm excited to present another wine from Augstin Huneeus (Vintner of Faust Wines) among others. At some point in your wine drinking career you stop following individual grapes or regions and begin chasing individual winemakers and importers.  In 2010, the Huneeus family partnered with winemaker Dave Phinney and Orin Swift Cellars to take ownership and direct sales and marketing of two edgy wines, The Prisoner a Napa Valley red blend, and Saldo, a Zinfandel from some of California’s most revered vineyards.

78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot

In the glass this wine was dark cherry red with a nose of cedar, black cherry, and a touch of tobacco leaf. Rich black cherry flavors with a bit of dark chocolate and mild tannins follow. It's a great wine to savor and the second half was just as nice. We consumed the entire bottle but I am sure it would have held up for another day.

The name of the wine comes from Goethe's play, in which a man makes a deal with the devil Exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. 

I served this wine with grilled strip steaks, twice baked potatoes and grilled asparagus..perfect meal to compliment such an amazing wine.


I don't know much about history, and I don't know much biology either. But I do know this: this wine is splendid....Amadeous said.

Cline Zinfandel 2010 (California)

I have yet to try a Cline wine that I did not like, needless to say this wine was no exception and I really enjoyed it. Cline 2010 Zinfandel. I am a huge fan of Zinfandel wines and this wine was well worth the $15 of so I paid for it. Cline Cellars is actually pretty well known for their zinfandel.  It’s their specialty, along with Rhone varietals, and they produce seven different zinfandels, that I know of, maybe more.

The grapes in this wine come from Lodi 46%, Contra Costa County AVA in Oakley 43% and the rest comes from Sonoma and other regions.  The wine was aged for eight months in 30% medium-toast new French oak.

Dark amethyst red in the glass, the color will tell you alot about a Zinfandel, at least from my experience. I like a wine to speak to me color wise and of course taste and this Zinfandel did. The first thing to stand out on the nose of this wine is the cherry aroma, big and intense. The nose also shows some vanilla, spice and cola aromas. The palate had great spice, cherry and plum flavors.  The tannins are sufficient, as is the acidity. It finishes relatively long, with a nice, spicy sour cherry flavor. I will remember this wine as I do many that I enjoy as much!



Ghost Pines Red Blend 2009 (California)

Many wine makers are coming out with a red blends these days. Zinfandel-based blends are especially popular. If you are a Zinfandel, better yet an old vine or ancient vine Zin lover you will more than likely enjoy a red blend.

Composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Merlot and Syrah this wine is 46% Napa County, 36% Sonoma County and 18% San Joaquin County so you get an array of terroir in this bottle.

I tasted this wine at a tasting and purchased a bottle which we drank that evening. The color was rich garnet red. The nose has a sweet coffee smell that I have only ever found in Zinfandels and Zinfandel-based wines. Red fruit is also prominent on the nose. The palate is heavy with strawberry, cherry, and licorice. Soft tannins that are complex and finishes with a nice mild spice.

http://www.ghostpines.com/our_wines.asp