February, 2010 has come to a close. March brings spring which leads to BBQ’s, running outdoors and most importantly, trips to God’s country – Walla Walla, Lake Chelan and Woodinville. The short month of February saw nearly 1000 tweets, 27 posts and 21 wine reviews.

DrinkNectar is proud of the following in February:

• Participating in a local Social Media forum
• Top Ten listings at Post Rank for Wine Blogs
• Mention in Wine Enthusiast Online as most engaging wine blog

Below are some of my favorite tweets from February. With the closing of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver – these are the gold medal winners of tweeters!

Wines of the Month

Best Value Under $15

2006 Kiona Lemberger

While I didn’t formally review this wine, I did have an impromptu visit with JJ Williams (aka 1EyeWineGuy) during a recent trip to Costco. A bottle of Lemberger was in my future.

• The Stuff: 100% Estate Lemberger from Red Mountain AVA Kiona Vineyards
• The Swirl: A dark strawberry color that was about 50% translucent. Muted jewel tones
• The Sniff: Bright strawberry and cherry with moderate earthiness and minerality
• The Sip: A sweet wash of cherry, vanilla and some cola flavors. The wine is sweet and soft with more substance on the back end with some spice and tannin
• The Score: At just $11 this is easily a 4 (out of 5). An incredible value for a wine that provides a variety of flavor

*Runner-up 2008 Chateau St. Michelle Riesling $6 – Reviewed Here

BEST WINE

2004 Croze Cabernet Sauvignon – Reviewed Here

• The Stuff:100% Napa Valley Cabernet, 42 months in oak, 13%ABV, 637 cases made 
• The Swirl: Nice dark rust colored plum with a little translucence (almost see to the bottom of the glass)
• The Sniff: I never wanted to stop smelling this wine. Floral perfume kissed me first, then gentle bright blueberry and strawberry aromas held hands and skipped through my nose. They were followed up by some mellow vanilla notes. This is the kind of wine scent you wish for in every bottle of Cabernet!
• The Sip: Definitely does not disappoint – The fruit is soft and supple like a long slow French kiss. The passion builds as some spicy pepper jumps in. The finish is super balanced and longs with enough tannin to keep the wine strong with food.
• The Score: At $35 this is a 5 (out of 5) wine for me. I love the complete package and would definitely buy this bottle again.

*Runner-up 2007 Arbor Crest Cabernet Franc

Random Favorite Highlights from February

The Post that Made Me Spit Wine Out of My Nose – Wine Bloggers Bite the Big One: This post from @DirtySouthWine (aka Hardy Wallace, aka NPAHardy) was in response to recent allegations that wine blobbers are a bunch of uninfluential, wine whores railing against traditional media and seeking free wine. This amazing post will have you laughing from poop to chainsaws.

Best Wine Event: #CaliCabs on February 11 brought over 50 California Wineries and hundreds of tweeters together with one common purpose. Promoting California Cabernet! The event was spearheaded by @RickBakas in the traditional grass roots method. If you liked #CaliCabs you’ll love #SauvBlanc on March 4.

Best Wine Picture (tie) – This cute Valentine’s Day tweet came from @SeattleWineGal depicting love in the form of two wine bottle openers.

@SuppleWine makes the list for the second month in a row, this time for his Wine in the Wild series featuring Super Model Julie Ordon and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Best wine quote: “A wine so delicious my tongue wanted to make love to my tonsils.” – From @goodgrape from a February 11 post.

Best Social Media Post: This is such a difficult category because so much good stuff comes out each month. I went with a presentation by @lunabeanmedia to a group of Walla Walla wine makers! Social Media for Wineries

Best Blog Feature: Sean Sullivan from @WaWineReport contributes a weekly labor of love for Washington wine enthusiasts. Only one stop is needed to stay “in the know” for everything pertaining to Washington Wine. Washington Wine Round-Up

DrinkNectar Most Viewed Post: Wine Ripped off and Ticked Off (60+ comments) – A look at the horrible wine practices of restaurants and their 400% mark-up, uninspired wine lists and crappy wine glasses.

January has come to a close. Thankfully we haven’t been snowed in this year. The 31 days of January contained over 800 tweets, 28 wine reviews, 19 posts and 1 very cool wine tweetup in Phoenix with a new friend Tim @wklywinejournal

At the end of each month I look back and compile some of my favorite tweets, posts, and wines. This very special honor should be put on par with the Grammys, Emmys and Academy Awards. Be sure to show love to those nominated by visiting their pages, commenting on their tweets / status updates.

Wines of the Month

Best Value Under $15: Bogle Petite Sirah ($9-$11)

On the quest for great value wines, this Petite Sirah is big and bold. Watch the video review

• The Stuff: 100% Petite Sirah
• The Swirl: Very very dark plum, completely opaque, nice legs indicating some stronger residual sugar
• The Sniff: Once again a restrained aroma profile. Some dark cherry, dark blackberry fruit and a hint of spice trying to come through
• The Sip: Wholly wow, this is a big wine. There is some decent fruit on the front end which is immediately attacked by the strong tannin on the back end. This wine needs food! I look forward to pairing it with some BBQ, spicy pork, or a steak.
• The Score: At only $10 this is a big wine with some big back end structure that deserves a 3+. I would definitely consider this for a future purchase to pair with food. NOT A SIPPING WINE.

 *Runner Up: Yellow + Blue Sauvignon Blanc (Review coming soon)

 Best Wine: Barrister NV Rough Justice ($20)

I purchased this wine during my review of Barrister Winery. This proprietors style blend is seductively amazing and has such immense fruit and a nice balance. Not only is this a ‘best wine’ it is very affordable. Watch the video review of Barrister Winery

• The Stuff: 35% Merlot, 28% Syrah 26% Cabernet Franc, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
• The Swirl: Beautiful dark jewel tone with translucent clarity.
• The Sniff: A-MA-ZING fruit and spice. Very aromatic blackberry, plum and vanilla on the nose. A moderate dose of leather pokes through as well.
• The Sip: A mouthful of jammy berry. If you like bold fruit that is not overly sweet but balanced out with a nice strong acid and spice, you’ll love this wine. The structure of this wine is impressive. Made in a very new-world style that is very impressive.
• The Score: At $20 I score this wine a 5 (out of 5). The wine is beautiful in aroma, strong and balanced in flavor, and immense in structure. This is one blend that if seen on a restaurant wine list that would instantly get my purchase!

 * Runner Up: 2005 Signorello Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($80) 

Random Favorite Highlights from January

Post that made me spit wine out my nose: From @supplewine and his Box of Red comic (by Brett Underhill) http://www.supplewine.com/comics/box-o-red/2010-01-15.php

Best New Blogger Feature: From @vinotology – The weekly “Good Bad and Ugly” These posts are fun, witty and insightful looks at the world of wine blogging.

Best Wine Pictures: From @winetwits  and @RickBakas – Vintage Wine Ads (290)

Best Wine Quote: From @TishWine 1/9/2010 tweet “Wine tasting notes are like greased pigs. Best hope is to have fun in the process, because very little chance of capture.”

Best Wine Social Media Post: From @bricksofwine 17 Blog and Video Topics for Your Winery

DrinkNectar Most Viewed Post: Is Facebook Tweeting Hurting Your Business? (25 comments)

Since I’ve only been at this blog thing for 7 weeks and December marks the close of my first full month, I thought I would start a tradition. I’m sure as history books of wine blogging unfold, this will be recorded as the start of something monumental. Those mentioned in these posts will receive world-wide notoriety and others will pine and clamor to be considered among the elite. Ah, who the hell am I kiddin’ this is what I liked and thought was cool this month!

Wines of the Month

I reviewed 25 wines in December. Several of them came from my video reviews of three local Spokane wineries. My bias is not Spokane, it’s just my geography.

Best Value Under $15: Lone Canary Bird House Red ($10-$12)

While I didn’t taste this wine during my video interview with wine maker Michael Scott, I did pick up a bottle for consumption. Of the 10+ bottles under $15 from this month, this was the clear winner.

• The Stuff - 55% Syrah, 22% Cab Sauv, 21% Merlot, 2% Sangiovese; Various Columbia Valley vineyards.
• The Swirl – a dark garnet color, not quite plum
• The Sniff – initial reaction was honey and vanilla but opened up to include the blueberry and spice of a Cab / Merlot.
• The Sip - Initially wasn’t feeling it. Left the glass and came back 15 minutes later. Dark berry with cedar and a slight cocoa finish. Medium tannin and a little hot on the alcohol.
• The Score – At $12 I would rate this a low 4 out of 5. Solid quality with good flavor characteristics, smooth finish and good structure. If I can find this wine at under $10 it easily becomes part of my Nectar Value Team.

*Runner up 2007 Arbor Crest Sauvignon Blanc ($7)

Best Wine: 2006 Mark Ryan Long Haul ($48)

We enjoyed this wine over Christmas (Episode #17 Christmas 2009). This was one of our purchases from the September trip to Woodinville, WA. The wine was spectacular then and even better to celebrate Christmas with. Hands down the best wine I drank all month.

• The Stuff: Right Bank style blend with 48% Merlot 46% Cab Franc and 6% Petit Verdot.
• The Swirl: Moderately opaque with translucent edges. Nice jewel tones
• The Sniff: Wow, this glass is alive with aroma ranging from spice to coffee to vanilla to dark cherries. Alive with juice.
• The Sip: An explosion of fruit with the right amount of structure balance and tannin to enjoy alone or with a big steak or red pasta dish. This is like sex in a glass. The orgasm of flavor blew me away!
• The Score: At $48 I would definitely buy this again and again as long as my credit card allowed. Taking into consideration the economy and value, this wine scores a 4+. Get it at $35 and it is a steal and a 5.

A twitter friend said they recently picked up several bottles for just $29. At this price I would buy a case.

*Runner up 2007 Robert Karl Claret ($20)

Random Favorites Highlights from December

The post that made me spit wine out my nose: Drinking With the Wine Whore (make sure you watch the video)

Best Wine Picture (Rated R): DrinksAreOnMe.net – Cork Taint

Best Wine Quote: WineTonite – Apples and Wine

“Men are like a fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it’s up to the women to stomp the mess out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have with dinner.” – Ed Thralls

Most ‘heady’ Wine Post Good Grape “When Altruism Needs to Equal Cooperation”

DrinkNectar Posts (Most Viewed) Wineries – Missing the Social Media Money?