Wine Win Wednesday: 2009 Castle Rock Syrah

Wine: 2009 Castle Rock Syrah

Why it's a Win: Can you say YUM!?  Plus it's from the 'hood (as in our region of the world - Columbia Valley- not Mt. Hood) and I'm partial to wines from our area. My parents found this for $9 in their local K-Falls wine shop, and I was amazed at how tasty a $9 wine can be!  This Syrah is medium-bodied, well balanced, rich berry flavors (which I'm also partial to) complimented by smoky spices.

Where you can find it: Great question... I'm not sure.  I searched a few stores in town after the folks left.  I found a 2010 Castle Rock Cabernet at Trader Joes (which I'm now dying to try) and a 2010 Castle Rock Pinot Noir at Fred Meyer.  But alas, no Syrah yet.  Keep your eyes peeled, though!

Price:  $8.99

Wine Win Wednesday: "It's a Headsnapper!" Radiant Red

Wine: "It's a Headsnapper!" Radiant Red

Why it's a win: This was my favorite at our November Wine & Dine, and it went fast!  The theme was "Wine with Faces on the Label" - our hosts were new parents and got creative on their last-minute supermarket trip - and gave us a chance to try a few wines we'd all never heard of and probably wouldn't have picked up on our own.

The Radiant Red won me over with it's blackberry and currant overtones and its super smooth finish.

Where you can find it: Your run-of-the mill grocery store

Price: $9-$11