Of an Update and Darkly interesting wines~~~~~~

Hello Darklings,

I have been very bad not posting, but frankly, with that leg cast it was exhausting to move around with it, and it was painful that I had to take some mild painkillers just to sleep,  I should have stuck with drinking wine.

I did manage to enjoy going Meteor shower watching some weeks ago with my family,  it was fun, but there was something about staring at a beautiful night sky that was so relaxing.    And then we had that heat wave a few weeks ago which didn’t do much for me.

Now they have me in a much, much lighter brace and if all goes well I should be done with this by Thanksgiving.   I can move around much better, but Betty still takes care of me. 

The repair work and painting on the house is done,  I’ve also had the stain glass re-leaded and protective windows put in front of the Stain Glass ones to preserve them from weather damage,  Now Doyle, Brian and my brother have started putting up the Halloween decorations,  but because I’ve been laid up with this broken leg I’m afraid we’ll not be going full blast on the decorations like some years.

Mostly because Halloween in on a boring Monday, and the next day is a school day so I don’t think there will be that many trick or treaters.   So what I am going to do is have a pre-Halloween party the Saturday before Halloween for family and friend’s children are included of course and in costume, I mean what is a Halloween party without costumes.

Part of what will be done depends upon the weather of course, but I’m going to have the back patio for dancing,  in one room Halloween movies for the younger children where they can spill popcorn and drinks and I won’t cry about any stains,  I have movies going in another room with older classic Halloween films playing,  I’ve hired a card reader to read in the Formal Parlor and at midnight a magician will do séance magic for us, he’s performed for me before and I had a chance to see his revised act which is much better and told him I wanted that, so it will mean setting up in the Library area for his performance.

Then on Monday Halloween it will be answering the door bell and hearing little and older children say “Trick or Treat” I was hoping to get the hearse again but it was booked. 

My sister and I are already planning the menu and Betty and her daughter will help with the preparations and the heating and displaying of the food, since I’ll still will be having this brace on my leg.   I can finally go upstairs but it is tiring with it on my leg, so I’m resign to sleeping down stairs still.

A friend of mine is putting together a CD of spooky classical music played on an organ, such as the usual  Bach’s Toccata and Fugue,  Dance Macabre, Night on Bald Mountain, even the organ theme played in the movie “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken”,  Masquerade waltz, etc. this is to play in the back ground,  and I’m also going to have a couple of fellows who have done Ghost Hunting tell us about their adventures or non-adventures,  I’m just glad my home is big enough to do all of this.   In a way it will be more of an adult party but I’m having things for the children to watch they’re older now. 

Keeping with the Halloween theme, I had a chance to check out some darkly interesting wines.

Of course my favorite is Apothic Red the 2014 vintage which I and a few friends give it 4 stars out of 5  the sweetness level is off-dry and has flavors of dark fruits with a lot of spicy wood in the nose in every sip. Make sure you use the right glass for it, is not a regular dry wine. The first time I tried it I used my regular red wine glass and it didn't taste right, I used a different glass and found it to be perfect.

New on my list is Spellbound Petite Sirah  it has an Intensity of color, rich black and brambly fruits, vanilla bean and roasting coffee aromatics. The wine is crafted to unleash dark and luscious characteristics, and deliver an opulent and juicy Petite Sirah. This lush yet easy-drinking wine provides intense berry character, with superb texture full bodied and highly drinkable, plenty of light, spicy fruit, nice flowery aroma. Its alive.  4 out of 5 stars.

7 Deadly Zins

 This is Crushed berry, soft oak and cigar box notes create a fragrant appeal that leaves you wanting more. This wine shows explosive, concentrated fruit in the mouth, with plenty of acidity to balance the ripeness, offering crushed wild berry, spice and black berry compote on the finish. it goes with everything, is smooth and delicious. If you want to sin with a Zin, this one is for you. Wonderfully full flavor and drinkability 4 out of 5 stars

Black Ink 2014 Red

This one is new on my list, it’s Blackberry cobbler that merges with flavors of black plum and licorice followed by an inky, rich finish in this California blend of Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, and Zinfandel.   This one was a surprise to me and my friends we gave it 5 out of 5 stars.

Sin Zin  2012

 This Zinfandel showcases aromas of spice, black pepper, dark fruits and vanilla. This refined, well balanced Zinfandel has spicy flavors of plum and black cherry along with black pepper and cocoa powder. There is nice acidity and length to the finish. Rich in dark berry fruit flavors. Good weight and depth.  4 out of 5 stars

Manage a Trois Midnight 2014

 As the Ad says, The time has come to explore your deepest, darkest desires with Menage a Trois “Midnight”.  This has a gorgeous garnet color in the glass, this luxurious blend wraps you up in a velvety embrace. Voluptuous blackberry and plush spiced plum flavors seduce your palate, while hints of mocha and exotic spice linger on your lips like a stolen kiss. Silky and smooth with a long, powerful finish, you'll wish Midnight could last forever. This has a very rich, intense dark cherry and berry flavor. Smooth and very enjoyable. It may become one of my favorites.

A more intense and flavorful wine than the regular red blend. Very enjoyable   4 ½ stars

Dead Bolt

The color shows deep plum to crimson with purple hues. Dead Bolt has a ripe berry nose, vanilla and mocha characters with notes of spice and plum. The palate delivers a richness of flavors with ripe dark berry, juicy plum and mocha oak characters, leading to balanced velvety tannins and a spicy finish. A generous blend full of rich fruit flavors with a long textured finish.  Dead Bolt is built around Zinfandel, with a mix of other fine red varieties including Ruby Cabernet, Petite Syrah and Merlot.  3 ½ stars

Apothic Dark   This one got 4 stars

Apothic Dark seamlessly integrates flavors of blueberry and blackberry with enticing notes of coffee and dark chocolate for a rich and smooth mouthfeel with layers of texture.

What we found out is that a majority of the grapes in Apothic Dark were selected from Lodi, where the intense sunlight and diverse soil structure create layers of complexity. In the cellar, the grapes for Apothic Dark were fermented at a maximum of 90 degrees to increase the extraction of dark jammy fruit characteristics. A variety of yeasts were used to bring out unique flavors and features from each lot. Following fermentation, the wine was influenced by a variety of oak to add complexity and enhance the coffee and dark chocolate flavors.

A Friend of mine invited me over to her house last year to accompany the Hungarian "Goulash"  she made to celebrate Bela Lugosi's birthday which is October 20  She is a hardcore classic horror film fan like me.  I found It be a PERFECT pairing! Bold, but not overpoweringly so. I find it a dark smooth wine, but some of my friends feel that this wine is  heavy and too dark, and  did not particularly enjoy it either by itself or paired with a steak.   Some of my friends call it “Plonk”, I say it depends upon one’s own individual pallet.     Others enjoyed it and gave it a 4 star rating

Phantom, Bogle’s 2013

This is a mysterious apparition of ripe berry and relentless spice. Full of concentration and intensity, this wine will tease, tantalize and linger long after the last sip is gone. Wild berries, black pepper and hints of juniper are framed by the influence of oak aging with baking spices with a hint of toasty vanilla. On the palate, the entry is explosive, supported by chewy, chalky tannins that will age this wine for decades. The lingering, complex finish leaves one in anticipation of the next sip. This is a blend of  39% Zinfandel, 38% Petite Sirah, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon.   My friends and I gave it 4 ½ stars

Cup Cake Black dessert

I Didn’t have a chance to really try this wine I have a bottle but hope to try it soon.

Dark Horse Big Red Blend 3 1/2 Stars out of 5

The Dark Horse Big Red Blend has deep flavors of dark berry and black currant, supported by plush tannins, hints of dark roasted oak and a long finish. This Red Blend underwent alcoholic fermentation with hand chosen yeast to provide enhanced color, structure and fruit characteristics. A blend of Malbec, Rubired, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Merlot.  This is a pleasantly smooth drinkable wine.

I bought a bottle of Insomniac but I and others have not had a chance to try it.  If anyone has let me know what you think.

Now I need to make it clear that these are all dark red wines or red blends and if your pallet is towards sweet wines or white wines then you may not be pleased with these, and I have to say it is all personal taste.

Doyle of course bought Pumpkin Ale and Angry Orchard Hard Cider,  he likes a beer now and then but our cellar is friend to all liquid libations.    And even though I’ve not had a chance to do my wine country tour this year, I think I will have a good cellar laid down. 

And now my Sister says dinner is ready, we’re going to watch MacGyver and then this new show “The Exorcist”  it is really very bizarre.   And don’t forget Darklings “Supernatural” Season 12 premiers on Thursday October 13,  I can HARDLY WAIT!!!

Later Darklings