2007 Rombauer Merlot

Taste: 5/5
Value: 3/5
Price: ~ $30

This 100% Carneros Merlot was given to me for my 40th Birthday by my good friend and co-worker.  Upon opening, I was immediately transported back to Napa with the wonderful, complex wines I enjoy while there.  Aromas of boysenberry and black cherry with vanilla and plum.  A velvety mouth-feel, rich with blackberry, cranberry and toffee flavors with hints of spice with moderate tannins for a smooth, long-lasting finish.

2009 Moreccio Bolgheri

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $15 (WTSO 55% off)

Would I rate this wine so highly if I'd paid full price, probably not, but for $15 it's a great Super Tuscan, or so it was billed.  It's actually a 30-30-40 blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany.  Plush, soft and rich, it offers ripe concentration and mature aromas of spice, sweet cherry and blackberry with leather and tobacco.  Incredibly smooth.

2010 Core Grenache Blanc

Taste: 3/5
Value: 2/5
Price: $18

I was very excited to try this wine, which was one of my August wine club wines.  I have several Grenaches that I like, but have never tried a grenache blanc!  It reminded me of an unoaked, or lightly oaked Chardonnay, of which there are several I like better than this at a better price point.

2008 Clos du Bois Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $22 (on sale for $15)


Having thoroughly enjoyed Sebastiani's Alexander Valley Cab, I thought I'd give another label a try.  While not as good and Sebastiani's (which reminded me of Mt Veeder Cab), Clos du Bois was very enjoyable.  Rich and sumptuous dark fruit and cocoa with long, well-balanced finish.  Would definitely have benefited from aerating.  Winemaker Gary Sitton.

2009 Belleruche Cotes-Du-Rhone

Taste: 2/5
Value: 2/5
Price: $12

A 60% Grenache/40% Syrah blend from French winery M. Chapoutier.  The palate was very dusty and chalky.  Rated 89 points by Wine Advocate and claimed to be the best vintage of his lifetime by winemaker Michel Chapoutier, I feel like I'm missing something here.  I'll just have to assume it's my affinity for California wines!

2010 Riondo Pinot Grigio

Taste: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $12

In a blind tasting, I would have guessed Sauvignon Blanc, hands down - and there are several Sauvignon Blancs that I like better than this Pinot Grigio. 

Tasting notes from winemaker: This Pinot Grigio possesses honeyed, lemony, ripe apple and assorted tropical fruit aromas and flavors. It’s medium bodied and beautifully concentrated, with a creamy complexity that caresses the palate with no hard edges. This superbly pure wine is delicious by itself, but it also complements perfectly an assortment of culinary dishes.

I did not get honeyed or creamy, but definitely got lemony/citrus and some serious "vibrant" acidity.  Don't get me wrong, it was a pleasant wine, but not what I was expecting for a Pinot Grigio and not one I'd likely buy again.  Riondo Prosecco - now that's a different story!

2008 Folie a Deux Amador County Zinfandel

Taste: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Price: $13 (regularly $20)

This was a recommendation from my wine shop as a substitute to my go to Tarrica Zinfandel ($14).  Even on day two, the palate was hot.  I found more pepper and spice vs the jammy red fruit I love in a Zin.  Apparently, Amador County is reputed for producing Zins that have more of a spicy, anise/licorice side - I'll have to keep this in mind!

2009 Tavignano Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi

Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $13

I really had no idea what to expect when I opened this, and I was NOT disappointed ;-).  Verdicchio is a white Italian varietal derived from "verde" and refers to the slight green/yellow hue that wines made from the grape can have.  The nose was crisp and fruity with a hint of floral.  The palate was nicely crisp and acidic while juicy and smooth.  Would both recommend and buy again.

Tasting Notes: The 2009 Tavignano Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore is a knock-out white wine from Italy’ Marches that comes across as a real crowd pleaser. Made from 100% Verdicchio, it truly raises the bar and further pushes the envelope on quality in the pretty Castelli di Jesi DOC, a pastoral green region of central Italy that sits beside the Adriatic Sea. Bright in color, beguiling in bouquet, and full of flavor, Tavignano’s Verdicchio offers up a cornucopia of scents and savors in the form of spring flowers, sweet almonds, heather, stone fruits, and a tangy freshness from the salt spray that emanates from the nearby sea. Full-bodied for a Verdicchio from Castelli di Jesi, Tavignano continues to evolve in the glass for up to an hour or more after opening, gaining length and depth as it emerges from a fresh core of fruit, mineral, and rarified air. Drink this wonderful white wine moderately chilled (40º-45º F), and as often as you can.

Food Pairings: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi serves admirably as the traditional fish wine of the Marches, and the 2009 Tavignano Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore will play that role to the hilt. However, Tavignano’s 2009 Verdicchio is much more than a pleasant fish wine. Flavorful and harmonious, it pairs beautifully with all kinds of hors d’oeuvres: salmon canapés, stuffed mushrooms, Caprese Salad (ripe red and yellow tomatoes with fresh basil and warm, thinly sliced mozzarella), and smoked Italian meats such as salami, sopressata, and mortadella. Traditional Paninis with cheese and prosciutto as well as grilled sweet Italian sausage with peppers and onions make fine companions to this wine, too. However, one should not neglect the affinity that fine Verdicchio has for accompanying the fruits of the sea. Therefore, lightly fried calamari, grilled rock fish in a tomato and herb broth, and even Cioppino, the spicy Italian version of Bouillabaise, make our list of favorite accompaniments to Tavignano’s 2009 Verdicchio, but as you like it. Buon Appetito!

2009 Tarrica Gewurztraminer Central Coast

Taste: 1
Value: 1
Price: $10

Tarrica Zinfandel is one of my go to wines, so I was excited to try another varietal under their label, but was sorely disappointed.  In addition to missing the expected lychee notes, it was very one dimensional and flavored water-esqe.  I'll stick to their Zin!

2011 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc

Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $13

Classic sauvignon blanc - sugared pink grapefruit on the nose and palate.  Had with herbed roasted chicken and enjoyed greatly!
winemaker's notes:

This intense Sauvignon Blanc is alive with a myriad of flavors dominated by gooseberry, passionfruit, fresh citrus, melon and nettle-influenced herbaceous aromas. The wine has an enticing palate with a juicy flavor profile, purity and concentration, finishing crisp and clean with an interwoven thread of acidity.

2011 A to Z Sangiovese Rose

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

No where on the label does this Rose give a nod to Sangiovese, but it is definitely a Rose to try!  Vibrant aromas of strawberry, watermelon, red currant, wet stone and violets developing into deeper aromas of ripe red raspberry, magnolia, Rainier cherry and blueberry. Not sure I got all that but I agree that on the palate, the wine has a bright, juicy mouthfeel and ripe fruit flavors with floral notes, finally finishing crisp and leaving one wanting another sip.  It was delightful with sausage, pepper and tomato pasta and I can't wait to add another bottle to my collection!



2010 Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $14

Labeled a "winemakers wine", made by growers and friends - a handcrafted wine made just for themselves.  A Bordeaux style blend, offering ripe black currant, deep dark fruit nuances, accented by spice and smoke, marched with a long soft finish.  Bold and expressive but unassuming, and approachable.  Reminded me of a $14 cab when I was looking for a $14 cab that tastes like a $40 cab.  I would, however, give it another try as I'm a tad undecided on this one.

2010 Ferrari-Carano Bella Luce

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

Enjoyed this with friends as an apperitif it was refreshing without being too crisp (i.e. had a very light, but not cloying sweetness).

Ferrari-Carano’s unique, proprietary, white wine blend - Bella Luce, which means “beautiful light” in Italian - is the sister wine to our SIENA and Pinot Grigio. The goal of Bella Luce was to create a fragrant and light white wine blend from varietals that would complement one another in aromas, flavors and texture. Bella Luce accomplishes this with delicious layers of peach, vanilla and floral aromas, and wisps of orange blossom, pear and lime.  Distinctive and round on the palate, Bella Luce’s flavors of cream, vanilla, citrus, and apple shine through.  A blend of Chardonnay, Muscat Canelli, Semillon, Muscat Giallo, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Riesling.

Will definitely buy again and would love to try with pasta in an olive oil/garlic sauce.

2008 Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah

Taste 3/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $10

The Concannon Conservancy Chardonnay was delightful when I had it at a wine tasting in Atlanta - not to be confused with the lower end non-Conservancy bottling, which I did when I first bought it.  The Conservancy label is reminiscent of Frank Family Chardonnay with a nice lemon curd core.  Anyway, enjoying Petite Syrah, and seeing the Conservancy label on sale for $10 I thought I'd give it a try.  Most every other blog I read on this wine really liked it, but I must say I'm partial to Bogle's style a tad more.  This had aromas of sweat socks and alcohol and was harsh on the palate and had quite an afterburn.  I will wait and publish this post tomorrow after it's had a chance to breathe.  Maybe day two will be better...

Not so much - would not buy again, sorry!

2009 Cycles Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: <$10

This was a stock the bar gift for my 40th birthday earlier this year and had never heard of or seen the label before then.  With no preexisting expectations, I was pleasantly surprised.  Well balanced and true to the varietal, but don't hold past two days once opened.  By day three it didn't hold up well.  Worth a try for the price.  82% cab, 18% merlot.

From the winemaker (Paul Clifton): Cycles-Gladiator Cabernet Sauvignon has lovely aromas of raspberry, mint, and mocha. Flavors of dark fruits layered on more dark fruits wrapped in a cloak of dusty tannins. Lush and mouthfilling from start to finish, there is enough acid to support the whole structure but doesn?t finish sharp. The wine drops off at just the right place. It will go great with BBQ short ribs, and with bigger, spicy, tomato-based pasta and meat dishes.

2009 Vina los Valles Rioja

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $12

I opened this to "celebrate" my 4 bottle purchase from WTSO of Rioja Reserva and I was under impressed.  I could tell it needed to breathe, so I tried a second glass a few hours later...better.  The next day, better still.  So I would definitely recommend decanting for a couple hours.  The result is leathery, tart fruit with good structure.  What To Drink With What you Eat recommends pairing with Manchego cheese or even better, lamb.  Since I never cook lamb, I had it with chicken and pasta on day 2 and it was very food friendly.  90% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha.  Can't wait to see how my $25 (that I got for $11.49) Rioja compares!

2006 Eberle Zinfandel

Taste: 4/5
Value: 3/5 (regualr price) 5/5 for sale price
Price: $26 (purchased for $15 at end of year wine sale)

At first taste, I was a bit disappointed in this wine, even questioning if it might be corked but by days 3-4 it was growing on me.  More spicy than fruity, yet it had a delicious rum raisen quality both on the nose and palate.  I don't think I'd buy again for over $20, but I'd give it another go for $15.

Eberle Zinfandel showcases two of Paso Robles finest Zinfandel vineyards, the reputable Steinbeck Vineyard and the Wine-Bush Vineyard. The Steinbeck Vineyard contributes layers of sweet briar fruit with hints of earth and minerality, while the Wine Bush Vineyard contributes depth of color and jammy flavors of ripe blackberry, red raspberry with a peppery finish.

 From Wine Enthusiast: "A big, lush, exuberant Zinfandel, stuffed with sun-ripened fruit flavors of dark berries, coffee, chocolate and spice. Drink this dry, warming wine now." (4/1/2009)                   

2010 Meiomi Pinot Noir

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: <$20 (on sale)

Meiomi (May-OH-mee), means "coast", and is made up of Pinot grapes from Montery (57%), Santa Barbara (23%) and Sonoma (20%), and bottled by Bella Glos Wines in Napa under winemaker Joseph Wagner, son of Frank Wagner of Wagner Family Wines and maker of Caymus.  I love that this wine combines the spice of Santa Barbara, the fruit forward berry of Sonoma and the rich texture of Monterey.  A lush-style Pinot that I would most certainly buy again, if I can find it at the <$20 price point again!

2009 Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price <$10

I was given this little gem for my 40th birthday Stock the Bar party, a brand I wouldn't have bought on my own as I consider it a grocery store brand.  I was, however, very pleasantly surprised by it's soft, yet vitculturally accurate palate.  Produced from cool, coastal areas in California with flavors of lime, melon and pear along with a mineral quality.  Crisp, medium-bodied and aromatic - would buy again!

Top 8 Wines of 2011 (I must have drunk a lot of repeats this year)

1) 2009 Apothic Red

2) Cline Cashmere $15

3) Sean Minor 4 Bears Sauvignon Blanc $12

4) Girasole Pinot Noir $15

5) 2007 Ballast Stone Cab $17

6) 2007 Domaine La Grave vin de pays des hauts de badens

7) 2006 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay Alexander Valley

8) 2008 Firestone Discoveries Chardonnnay

2008 MacMurray Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Price: retail $27, my price $15

I bought this at a year end close out, hence the discounted price.  I've had the MacMurray Central Coast Pinot a number of times (it's one of my sister's favorites).  As I've said before, I'm not a huge Pinot fan - I find they fall flat much of the time at the price point I like to stick with. 

MacMurray Ranch makes six different Pinot's, with the Sonoma Coast just a step up from the Central Coast label.  It was elegant, rich, with essence of dark fruit that lead to a full mouth feel and silky smooth finish.  Yum!