Old Moon {Old Vine} Zinfandel California 2007

I realize that I am way overdue for a blog post. I've been rushing around lately, stressed out about work and thinking through the first few (scary!) stages of buying a house. Common sense and this blog would tell me to chill out, relax, and pour a glass or two. Instead, I've let my dear husband do all the drinking for the both of us while I routinely pass out on the couch after dinner due to simple exhaustion. There isn't anything much worse than waking up in an awkward and uncomfortable position on a hot leather couch, seeing a half empty bottle of wine, and realizing that you hadn't had a single drop of it. Oh, and it's so late that you realize you have to be at work in four hours. Now, I'm still stressed, don't get me wrong, but I'm not as overwhelmed as before. There's only so much I can control, right? Truthfully, I'm just sick of Mike hogging all the wine. I wasn't exaggerating the sight of half-empty bottles. I guess I should also be concerned about the amount he consumes solo on a fairly regular basis? Nah, he's Irish, so it's all good.

That being said, let's get this party STARTED.

Tonight's selection tastes like summer. Creamsicles! Cherry creamsicles, to be exact. Does that sound ridiculous? The 'hint of vanilla' is more like a 'heap of vanilla'. The cherries and other fruit spices accent the vanilla flavor, instead of the other way around. That's ok though, because a wine that evokes a summer-y flavor like creamsicles is worth the purchase. Enjoyed with the recent 90+ degree weather we've had in the DC area the past few days, this wine has managed to relax me. I'm no longer terrified of the thought of home-ownership looming in the near future. Instead, this wine has me considering decks, outdoor grills, porch swings, and the proximity of potential homes to the local pool. Oh, and my all-time favorite thought: sipping a glass of this wine while sitting on my adirondack chair, constructed by the Amish of course.

8.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's, $5.67