Tag Archives: Good

Wine

Alexander Valley Vineyard Merlot

Alexander Valley Vineyard Merlot

Alexander Valley Merlot 002

This wine was estate grown and bottled which generally means they tried harder to get it right.  In this case they nailed it.  This particular vintage is the 2013.

The wine has the perfect smell when you open the bottle.  It isn’t inviting and at the same time it is exactly what you would hope for when smelling a wine.

The taste is smooth and not sweet or bitter.  It is just an excellent wine.

I cannot find any downside to this wine.  I would definitely serve it at a dinner party.  It is very drinkable and not offensive in any way

I give this wine a 5/5.

Wine

Third Wheel

Third Wheel is a red blend from California.

third wheels 002

This California red is a rather simple wine.  The bottle has foil and a proper cork.  The initial smell is pleasant.  It doesn’t have any harsh tones, but also doesn’t give a falsely inviting scent either.  It is just pleasing.

The initial taste is smooth.  It isn’t smooth due to a lack of flavor like some wines.  The flavors are just subtle and none are overwhelming.  There is nothing harsh or bitter about the wine.  It is simply a good wine.

The blending of this wine is perfect for its purpose.  It is meant to be a table wine that you can drink with any meal and serve to any guest.

I enjoyed this wine with fruit.  It pairs nicely with black berries, raspberries, and strawberries.  It was best with the strawberries.

Pairing this wine with crackers and cheese was not as good.  It still worked, but I was not as thrilled.  I think perhaps it was the choice of cheese.  I was using gouda.  I think it would have gone better with a cheddar or some other more flavorful cheese.

Overall I would definitely suggest  this wine for dinner guests.  It should please any pallet and not be offensive in anyway.  In fact at $10 a bottle this is the type of wine that you can have at anytime.  It also makes a good bottle to take to a dinner party.  Keep one of these on hand for any last minute needs.

I give this wine a 5/5 on the Linda scale.

I really enjoyed this wine and had not ill effects from it.

Restaurant, Travel

Taco Time, Lyman, WY

Taco Time, 104 N Main St, Lyman, WY 82937

What time is it?  It’s Taco Time!

While passing through Wyoming and Utah we came across this other Mexican fast food chain restaurant Taco Time.  I was hesitant to try it at first, fearing it was just another Taco Bell, but hunger set in on our return trip so we veered off the interstate a few miles into Lyman, WY and tried Taco Time.

First, I want to say that Lyman is a sweet little town.  Don’t get to worked up about everyone checking out your vehicle, new people in small towns just draw attention.  This particular Taco Time is about 3 miles off the interstate.  They seem to really care about cleanliness, service, and quality, not sure if that is standard or just this particular Taco Time, but it was as good as can be expected from this kind of fast food Mexican food chain.

Their philosophy is fresh, real ingredients which puts them above some of the other chains like this one.

Taco Time May 2016 127

I bought a platter to get a sampling of the different foods.  It was a lot of food, not very expensive, and looked amazing.  The beef is very lean, which I do not personally like.  The fat is where the taste is, but it makes it less greasy and healthier I suppose.  The chicken is clearly real chunks of chicken.  I prefer shredded chicken in my Mexican food, but it is a testament to the real food part of their philosophy.  The tots were good and the chips were okay.

Taco Time May 2016 129

Overall it was worth the stop.  I think it was really worth picking this one a little off the road and in a small town.

Is it going to be the greatest Mexican food you ever ate, no.  Is it going to be the best fast food Mexican food you ever ate, depends on your tastes.  I still prefer Taco Johns, but I would try this chain again.

Wine

A3 Red Blend

A3 Merlot

A3 Merlot 1

Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone that is the A3 red blend.  This is a California blend designed for Anyone to drink Anytime and Anywhere.

Needless to say I liked this particular wine.  It isn”t offensive in anyway.  It is just a very drinkable wine.  It doesn’t have the dryness of merlots or the oddness of pinot noir.  It isn’t super sweet.  It just is good.

Should you serve this to guests, yes.  Any guest should enjoy this wine.  It will not overly impress that guest, but anyone else will enjoy it.

I will give this one a 4/5.  A high 4 out of 5.