SERIOUS ROOKIE

[SWBump]

Ok..here is the deal..I know exactly BUPKIS about wine...other than I do have the ability to open a bottle.

I am going away with a girlfriend of mine this weekend and she enjoys red wine.

I need some recommendations on a good wine. My brother suggested La Crema Pinot 2001 Sonora and Talbot Sleepy Hollow merlot - 2001.

Yea/Nay...other suggestions?????

Thanks!

[winoweenie]

Hi there SWBump and welcome to the board. Looks like your bnro has been around some wine in his time. Both are good, serious bottles that should make for a fun afternoon. WW

[Innkeeper]

Are you sure you didn't get two pinots? Robert Talbott makes a Sleepy Hollow Pinot and a Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay, but does not make any merlot. La Crema doesn't make a merlot either, but they do make a zinfandel.

[Kcwhippet]

I do believe the La Crema PN is Sonoma, not Sonora.

[Bucko]

Sonora -- hell, there is a Sonora, Texas, a Sonora, California, and a Sonora, Mexico. Where are we anyway?

[wondersofwine]

I don't have experience with the suggested wines but did like 1999 Jed Steele Pinot Noir from Carneros region. A later vintage may be on the shelves but I haven't had the opportunity yet to try the 2000. Do you know if your girl friend prefers zinfandels, cabernet sauvignons, merlots, pinot noirs, etc.? My choices in zinfandels currently are Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage Vines(under $15) and DeLoach single-vineyard wines such as Barbieri Ranch or Gambogi Zinfandel (under $30). Rosenblum also makes some good zinfandels--I recently had the Rockpile Road zin.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 06-13-2003).]