Book Review: Dragonvine by Steven Laine

Back in 2019 I reviewed a book by Steven Laine called Root Cause and enjoyed the crap out of it. So here I am with his newest novel called Dragonvine. This review won't be as long and detailed as the last one, as life is still chaotic while I try and get back to posting here regularly.

Let's cut right to the chase: I FRIGGIN' LOVED IT! My favorite thing about this book is the idea of the main characters. Two of them are here right now in the present and really couldn't be any more different. The other couldn't be any different from them... and he's in ancient China!

So the plot goes like this: Carmine Cooper is a young man in his early 20's who loses his father in a wildfire and he suddenly has to take over his father's California vineyards and winery. But his dad left this world with a lot of debt when he purchased new winemaking machinery a few years back, so Carmine's in some financial trouble right off the bat. Jessica Lung runs the Chinese mob in San Francisco with her twin brother. She's a total badass. A series of events leads her to get into the wine counterfeiting business, and she starts looking for winemakers that have no choice but to cooperate. Wuju is the king's physician and his story starts in 235 BC China. His king is looking for the elixir of life, and while others believe that to be in mercury, Wuju believes it can be found in wine.

By the way, one of Carmine's vineyard plots is planted with a mystery varietal that they assume is Syrah. But what is it really? All of this ties together wonderfully.

Again, I FRIGGIN' LOVED IT! Grab this book, open a bottle of wine, and relax with some Tai Chi music like I did. You will not regret it!

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San Gregorio: Greco di Tufo, Falanghina, Fiano di Avellino

 

This past year and a half has been a very difficult one that has changed my life drastically. I have been to the very bottom of frailty and fought to pull myself back up, stronger than ever. This is why you haven't seen much of me, and I apologize.

I received these wines at a time where I just needed to have a good night with friends, and we all enjoyed all three of them. They're from Campania, Italy, which is where my grandmother was from. Avellino specifically, as you see mentioned in the Fiano. She was somebody who found nothing better than enjoying food and drinks with friends and family, so it was a night of toasting to her. The legendary Rose.

I have no notes other than great wine, smiles, laughter, and love. San Gregorio is one of my favorite wineries because of the regional connection to my grandmother. If you see San Gregorio in your local wine shop, please buy a bottle and pour a glass for Rose.

Thank you, Donna, for giving me a great night of hope and happiness. Looking forward to moving forward, and starting this journey back up.

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Underground Cellar

Do me a solid and look at that. Just look at it. Now look at the next one.

Is this Christian Grey's wine subscription? How do I insert a fire emoji into a blog? Wait... check out the next one...

Helllllooooooooo.

I don't think I need to say anything else. You know you want this. Just go to UndergroundCellar.com and get yourself one. You deserve this shit.

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Primus Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and The Blend

I remember way back in the day when I was first getting into wine, the Primus Red Blend was staple of mine. And here I am being reminded why. It's a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend with Merlot, Carménère, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, and it's just SOLID. It's bold with a lush mouthfeel and soft tannins. Just a very well balanced red blend that shows dark fruits and spices. The Carménère is everything that you want out of a Carménère; medium bodied with cherries and green pepper. And the Cab? I mean, I love Chilean Cabs and this is just a classic Chilean Cab with a structured body, currant, and graphite. These are all delicious. Suggested retail price is around $25, but I bet you can find them on sale for less. If you see them, pick them up and enjoy!

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Teaspressa Crystal Mimosa Kit with Riondo Prosecco

 

You'll have to forgive me, as I tried this all the way back in May and just posting about it now. The concept for the product is good. It looks like a sugar cube. There's three different flavors. So you put the cube of your desired flavor on the bottom of your choice of a cocktail glass and pour sparkling wine over it. The cube dissolves into the wine and you have a low carb, low calorie cocktail. Neat!

But unfortunately, since I will not tell a lie, I have to report that it was not all that enjoyable. It made the wine taste like a dusty rip off of the flavors it was trying to imitate. It's not gross, but also not pleasant. The cubes were abandoned for enjoying the bottle of Riondo, which was yummmmmyyyyyy.

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Hook or Crook Cellars

 

Holy moly it's been awhile! But hi! How are you? Today I've got some bottles of Hook or Crook Cellars out of Lodi, and I'm just gonna give a quick rundown. Unfortunately, it appears that my bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon is faulty and oxidized, and it's important to note that this is not the fault of Hook or Crook. It just happens. Rarely, but it does. The Merlot is a classic affordable Merlot. It's medium bodied with blackberries, a pop of raspberry, and that cinnamon I love so much as well as other baking spices. But the Field Blend is where it's at. Light bodied with soft tannin, and notes of black cherries, cranberries, chocolate, and vanilla. I would give this a slight chill and have it with cured meats and cheese. All three of these bottles go for $11.99.

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