2004 Concannon Central Coast Petite Sirah

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $14-$18

I am not very familiar with Petite Sirah, other than knowing it is not the same as Syrah or Shiraz. "On its own, the flavor of Petite Sirah can be vaguely black peppery, but can mostly be described as "vinous" and, although agreeable, pleasant, and sometimes delicious, not highly distinctive. Nevertheless, wines made from Petite Sirah age slowly and can survive fairly long cellaring of ten years or more." According to the label, Concannon was the world's first winery to bottle Petite Sirah. I agreed with the description of this wine having depth and character from just the right amount of tannin, and being full-bodied, with rich cherry flavors. I also found it chewy with a long finish. Would definitely buy this taste above price point wine again.

2006 Chateau St Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: on sale $15 (reg $20)
Another Kroger bargain! When I have time to stop and browse the expansive wine aisle at Kroger, I'll pick up a few wines just because they are $5+ off regular price/the price you'd find at most wine shops. Today, I picked up this number, a Rodney Strong Sonoma Co Chardonnay, a Chateau Souverain Merlot and a Hogue late harvest Riesling - stay tuned.
Description by the winery's web-site: "Rich, luscious mouth-filling "best of region" wines [make up] the Indian Wells Series - jammy, fruit-driven reds and juicy, tropical whites. The region’s warm days cause the [chardonnay] grapes to assert sweet citrus and tropical characteristics, while the cool nights promote good structure, balance and flavor intensity."
This is one of the best Chardonnays I've had for the price and I intend to get more while on sale. The aroma is fresh bread and cream, the flavor is butter, pineapple, raw almond and toast. The balance is superb and the finish is lasting with just the right amount of toasty oak. For the record, I've also had the Indian Wells label of Cabernet and find it equally pleasing.

2005 Rosemount Estates Diamond Label Shiraz

Taste: 3.5/5

Value: 3.5/5

Price: $9-$12

I remember when you could buy this wine for $6-$7 a bottle! Then again, I remember when gas was under $2 a gallon, too. As the price goes up, I seem to like this wine a little less. Yesterday, when I opened it, I rated it 3/5, but it seemed to mellow a bit by this evening. At first opening, the aroma (and taste) of alcohol was a bit overwhelming. Day 2, however, it had nice balance. Present, but not overwhelming tannins and a nice jamminess. If I remember and have time, I would open it a good hour ++ before drinking - if I buy it again.

2006 Mandolino Muscato Santa Barbara

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $13-$16

I bought this wine at the recommendation of my friend/owner of our local wine shop. He told me if I didn't love it, he'd give me my money back, so my expectations were high. Even though I prefer off-dry whites, being a Moscato, I expected this to be too sweet for my taste. I was wrong. This wine was a perfect blend of a hint of sweetness (orange essence) and crisp acidity that would pair well with many lighter , and even spicy foods. Smells sweeter than it is. Their label claims texture, balance, and richness, and I agree! This is definitely a wine I would have on hand at all times.

2005 Kumkani Chardonnay/Viognier

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $7

I don't think I've ever poured a wine the color of Mountain Dew before. The label describes this as a 79% Chardonnay 21% Viognier with bright aromas of lemon, peach, honeysuckle and vanilla with a rich flavor and a long satisfying finish. The flavor reminded me of granny smith apples and lemon curd, and not in a good way. I have had chardonnay/viognier blends that I like much better than this, such as the Wolf Mountain Chanteloup that I have written about previously, and was actually the flavor I was hoping to repeat. Chanteloup wine is fermented completely dry. The unique flavor of Chanteloup is achieved by blending 70% French Oak fermented and sur-lie aged Chardonnay with 30% stainless steel fermented Viognier. French Oak imparts a softer finish, and sur-lie means aged for a time on the lees, or yeasty precipitate that remains in the cask after fermentation, which leads to a distinctive yeasty (described as fresh and creamy) aroma and taste. I will continue to search for a blend more reminiscent of Chateloup, that I can actually get in Alabama, but would not buy Kumkani again.

2003 Poggio Alle Sughere Morellino di Scansano

Taste: 4/5
Value: 3.5/5
Price: $18
This is a Sangiovese blend from Tuscany, Italy. Made from 90% Morellino (the "kissing cousin" to Sangiovese - who knew?) and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. I've not become a Chianti fan yet, as most I've tried have been flat and tannic to me. The Cabernet gives this wine nice structure. The night I opened this, I had it with penne pasta with meat sauce and was ready to buy a case! It was dark fruit and low tannin on the nose and full of raspberry, cranberry and black cherry flavors with an earthiness and a touch of tobacco. The finish is slightly spicy, long and supple. By long, I mean a few hours later I could still taste the pleasant finish. My disappointment came the next day. I was looking forward to having a glass after work, but found it much more tannic. Is it that being open one day made such a difference or my memory of the night before too fond? I don't know, but I would most likely keep a bottle of this on hand for future Italian meals or even steak. There is another Sangiovese I like, from GA of all places, made by Blackstock Winery in Dahlonega for $15 that is heavy on the tobacco flavor and divine, but hard to get unless you go to Publix in GA or the winery itself.