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!