Final Taste: Michael David Wines

By Rob Bralow, Wine Post Editor

At this point I have tasted a good selection from Michael David Winery, with all of their wines coming from the Lodi region. I tasted some deadly Zin, some tiny elephants, and more. Today I am finishing up my samples from the winery with the 2007 6th Sense Syrah and 2006 Incognito. The winery has made a good run at creative names and interesting wines, both of which span the gap between heaven and hell.

The 2007 6th Sense Syrah was a very easy drink. On the nose there was a very floral note, almost too much like nail polish. Then it calmed down into milk chocolate and sweet red fruit smells. The taste was very sweet up front, moving into cinnamon and chocolate. This is a very smooth drink, although not as much lingering fruit as I would like.

Tasting the 2006 Incognito was one of the strangest experiences I have had with wine. If I had closed my eyes I might have thought I was smelling and tasting a white wine. The nose was full of apple cider and peach, and then smothered in a spice cabinet. The taste is similar and it is just... strange.

Overall, I like what Michael David Winery is doing. They have a clever marketing sense and some interesting wines. They are not wines I would reach for automatically, but I would never turn away a glass.

Quick Taste: Elephants on Parade

By Rob Bralow, Wine Post Editor

I received the 2007 Petite Petit from Michael David Winery and on the label were these two wine drinking elephants in front of a circus big top. The bottle itself had a heavy (one might even say fat) bottom. Both of these things sent one very clear message: this will not be a small wine.

The Petite Petit is a blend of Petite Syrah and Petit Verdot (get it?), both of which tend to make wines that are very tannic, very juicy, and very large (which means, bring a steak with you). This particular wine was no exception. This wine was big and juicy with lots of blackberry and cherry fruit. There were also some nice floral notes to the wine, giving it a very pleasant bouquet. The taste was pure fruit, with plenty of backbone. That said, it was quite balanced in my opinion and easy to drink, although I would seriously suggest having this wine with food.

Have you confessed your Zins?

By Rob Bralow

I received a bottle of 2007 Seven Deadly Zins and I was excited about it. I had many friends, including my best friend's mother Liz tell me how much she enjoys this wine. She likes Pinot Grigio and pretty much anything under $10, so I took that for what it was worth: A very nice lady I know enjoys this wine.

I also met some reps from the winery at Wine 2.0. Nice people, and when I tasted the wines for the most part I enjoyed them.

I popped open this Zin and found an herbal freshness, with a little heat and plum in the glass. Once past the gums I found carmalized onions (which I love), some candied cherry and some pepper. But over it all was a very herbaceous blanket. I would have liked a little less herbs and a little more fruit, but when I am honest with myself, I probably would not turn down a glass. Although I might not go back for a second glass.