So many wines, so little time...

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

2012-02-01T16:32:00.000-08:00

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

2012-02-01T16:26:00.000-08:00

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!

2006 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay Alexander Valley

2011-11-30T18:43:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5
Value: 3/5
Price $25

I can't believe I've had this in my wine collection for over 3 years! Being a white, I figured it was time to open it up and enjoy. One of the best Chardonnay's I've had in quite awhile - pineapple, pear, apple and a nice touch of butterscotch. Wonderful acidity and crispness on the finish. I would buy a few more if I could find it in the $18 or under range, but there are enough that I like in the under $15 range that it would be hard to justify. A great value for a gift, however!

2007 Ballast Stone Cabernet

2011-10-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $17

From McClaren Vale, South Australia this Cab reminds me of a Rodney Strong Cab I've had at double the price. A bouquet that transports you to a leather filled library with cedar, olive and coffee on the full, dense, inky palate. Lively acidity with a generous, persistent finish. I Vinturi'd it, but would love to try again decanted for an hour or two. 14.0% alcohol gives nice legs!

2007 Domaine La Grave vin de pays des hauts de badens

2011-09-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5
Value: 5
Price: ?$15

I'm pretty sure I bought this at a wine tasting, but can't for the life of me remember how much it cost. My usual price is <$15, so that's a safe bet. Now, I'm not typically fond of French wines as they sit flat on my palate. I do know they pair magically with food, so I try to keep that in mind. This wine never made it to the food, but it was shared with my friend Sonnet for her birthday.
This is a FANTASTIC cab for the "I don't like cabs" wine drinker, a statement backed up my my friend Sonnet. This was rich, without being overly big or tannic, and had a nice long finish. Would definitely buy again.

2010 La Puerta Torrontes

2011-08-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $9

Day 1, I would have given 5/5 - sauvignon blanc esque with a touch of sweetness, but day 3 it had lost that hint of sweet and was very crisp and citrusy. I still give it a 4/5, because there are times that nothing but a crisp, citrusy wine will do and this is a great price point, plus the finish is long and vibrant.

Torrontes, a white grape, is Argentina's flagship white varietal and a grape that Argentine now calls its own. Characteristic aromas of flowers and citrus, with crisp acidity and a refreshingly persistent finish.

2010 Chateau Millet Domaine de L'Enclos

2011-08-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

Cotes de Gascogne produced by Chateau Millet. A blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc, it is very very saugvignon blanc esque. The two varieties are vinified separately before being blended. A dry white wine, intense on the nose with lots of freshness. Dominated by floral notes and fruits like acacia and white peach with a crisp citrus finish.

Serve as an aperitif or with lighter fare. Perfect with starters, goat cheese, fish and shellfish. I cooked with and served with chicken picatta and was delighted.

2009 Apothic Red

2011-04-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $22 (although I purchased on sale at Kroger for $12, which actually makes it a 5/5 at that price)

A lucious California blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Syrah. I purchased this simply because it was $10 off, then went back and bought four more bottles! Jammy with a hint of tobacco and a lingering finish makes this a definite yum!
From the winemaker: Apothic Red reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of rhubarb and black cherry that are complemented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The plush, velvety mouthfeel and smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend.

2010 Quintay Clava Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-04-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $15

The newest addition to the Quintay label, they Cabernet is as pleasing as I found their Chardonnay to be. From Chile's cool climate region - earthy, balck cherry, spice and nicely balanced. I found it better on day 2.

2008 Palazzone Orvieto Terre Vineate

2011-03-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

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

I'm just not sure how to describe this wine and find myself going back and forth between a 3 and 4 rating. It's zippy, citrusy and overall pleasant, but also very forgetable. Perhaps that's the Old World wine quality coming through - probably better with the right food. Would consider buying again.

2008 Girasole Vineyards Pinot Noir

2011-03-14T14:27:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $15

A rare find - a Pinot Noir that is reasonably priced and doesn't fall flat on the palate! From Mendocino, a juicy mouthful of fresh raspberries and cherries and a silky finish. There just might be something to this organic grape production - Snoqualme, Girasole...yummy!

2009 Sean Minor 4 Bears Sauvignon Blanc

2011-03-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $12

Normally, the Sauvignon Blancs are a bit too herbaceous or too biting on the citrus end, but this is like lightly sugared pink grapefruit with a long, wonderful finish! Rich and complex - described by the winemaker as combined flavors of pear, fig and melon balanced perfectly to form a crisp, mouthwatering texture and a lingering finish.

2008 Hangtime Pinot Noir

2011-03-12T16:14:00.000-08:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $16

This Pinot actually got better on days 2 and 3 after opening. The cherry came through better with time. The name Hangtime was selected to reflect the amount of time grapes spend on the vine, the more concentrated the fruit character, resulting in wines of distinctive, delicious varietal expression. This Pinot is sourced from select CA vineyards that allow grapes to ripen slowly, producing lovely delicate, intriguing fruit character.

2007 Wild Z Zerba Cellars Red Wine

2011-02-27T05:31:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $20

Wild Z is a blend of 37% Melot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Syrah and 4% Cab Franc. Reminiscent of cedar, dark plum and white pepper that lead up to blackberry and dark cherry with hints of earth and olive. This wine was a little bold for me the first day - would definitely benefited from decanting. Not sure I would pay this price point for it again as there are enough wines priced less that I enjoy at least as much.

2008 Firestone Discoveries Chardonnnay

2011-02-27T05:24:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5
Price: $13

The both the bouquet palate struck me instantly of tropical fruits - pineapple and banana, then unfolded to crisp apple with a hint of pear. True to the grape without being masked by oak. Both the taste and price point make this a great everyday wine, and one I would buy again. Day 2 and 3, my impression was more lemon and bright - still very good!

Discoveries goal is to produce bright, fresh and fruit forward wines. Based on this selection, I would be interested in trying other varietals from their portfolio.

UPDATE: tasted the Firestone Cabernet at a wine tasting, I'll stick with the Chardonnay on this one - not impressed by the Cab - there was a whole lot going on on the palate, but not all that pleasing.

2009 Cline Cashmere

2011-01-23T16:06:00.001-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $15

So, I went to a wine/liquor store to buy Sake for a marinade I planned to make and overheard another customer talking about this wine. She bought 2 of the 3 bottles they had. I was intrigued enough to buy the last one and opened it that night with company and hamburgers. True to its name, it is soft as cashmere but also smooth as silk. A blend of Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache, this wine envelopes you with flavors of cherries, raspberries, chocolate and hints of plums and ends with a long, smooth finish. Our company was equally impressed!

2008 d'Ardenberg Stump Jump Verdelho

2011-01-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $19

I really liked this wine, but it reminded me a lot of Le Lapin Ingenuity, which at $8/bottle is a much better value. Regardless, this wine is nicely floral and tropical on the nose and richly acidic on the palate. "An enticing floral tropical character is noticeable on the nose with white stone fruits, figs, and flower stems in the background. There is good palate weight with pear and lemon characters making way for stone fruits on the mid palate. The acidity and minerality make for a clean and crisp finish."

WS, 85 points - "Soft and refreshing, with pretty apply and leaf flavors. Drink now."

Top 10 wines tasted in 2010

2010-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

1) 2003 Rutherford Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

2) Le Lapin Ingenuity White

3) Bogle Petite Sirah

4) 2009 Matua Sauvignon Blanc

5) Tarrica Zinfandel

6) Mercer Riesling

7) Rosenblum Cellars Roussanne

8) Bitch (Garnacha)

9) 2008 Palo Alto Reserve

10) Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose

2007 Mercer Riesling

2010-12-31T08:09:00.000-08:00

Taste:5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $13

Mercer Estates is a family-owned Washington State winery and a partnership of the Mercer and Hogue families. Despite the description below, I found the finish to be off-dry. Can't wait to try it again with Asian food!

"Riesling grapes grown in the Washington State's cooler Yakima Valley appellation produce a brisk, tangy and refreshing wine. Flavors and aromas of apricot, peach and tangerine along with the bracing acidity of the Mercer Estates Riesling reflect the unique character of Washington State Riesling. With little less than a percent and a half of residual sugar this Riesling is a bit dryer than many Rieslings and lends itself quite well to food pairings." -David Forsyth, winemaker

Wine Spectator: 88 points

Wine Advocate: 87 points

2009 Tamaya Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva

2010-12-31T07:59:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

A $10 Cab? Really! Apparently great values really do come out of Chile, Limari Valley to be exact. Located at the foothills of the Andes mountains and adjacent to the most arid desert in the world, the Atacama, with cooling fog from the Pacific.

A bouquet of red ripe fruits, dried herbs and fine spicy oak, this wine is juicy with a lot of texture, and the mouth is firm and powerful. Other varietals from this vineyard include: Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Merot, Carmenere, Syrah and Sangiovese.

2009 Escarpmant Vineyards Over the Edge Pinot Noir

2010-12-31T07:49:00.000-08:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $15

I am probably the most picky about Pinot's as many of them fall flat on my palate and gravitate towards the more cherry berry. This selection from Martinborough, New Zeland, is 70% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Gris, 5% Riesling, and 5% Pinot Blanc. This wine was far from flat, with an earthy, spicy nose and a darker fruit palate, with a full bodied mouthfeel.

2008 Il Cuore Chardonnay

2010-12-23T14:46:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

This wine's motto is "less oak, more fruit" and it shows. My first thoughts were bright, crisp, apple and pear and enough acidity to stand up to a rich dish. It reminds me of a chardonnay/sauvignon blanc blend, but is actually a 91% chardonnay/9% viognier blend. The viognier enhance the tropical fruit aromas and adds flavor complexity on the palate.

Il Cuore is a North Coast CA vineyard (Mendocino County), where they have complex soils, warm daytime temperature and cool nights. I completely agree with their philosophy that "one shouldn't have to pay special occasion price to get a bottle of well made, interesting wine".

2008 Pagos del Moncayo

2010-12-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $15

With a 90 point rating from Wine Advocate, I really wanted to like this wine more than I did. A blend of 65% Grenache/35% Syrah, I expected a softer, fruitier wine. What I experienced was an initial worry that the bottle was skunked. With statistics like 1:10 bottles being at risk for this, it is entirely possible, but then I didn't get the same mustiness from the wine that I got from the cork. Then again, for being briefly oaked it sure had quite a bit of oakiness to me.

Bodegas Pagos del Moncayo is a Spanish winery, that carries out the entire winemaking process by hand, to ensure the final wines will express their true terrior. Robert Parker labels it a great value for drinking over the next 5-6 years, so perhaps I will need to rebuy this and give it another try.

2007 Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2010-12-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $30

This wine retails for $35, but with my frequent buyer discount I was able to obtain for $30, which gives it a leg up in the value category! So, this is the first "splurge" wine that I purchased from my recent sister's trip to Napa the end of September. Sequoia Grove was one of our favorites, largely because we liked all of the wines and also because of the special added touch of the tasting room hostess. We were her only customers at the time, and realizing that we both had a deep appreciation of the nuances of wine, she pulled out her sensory evaluation kit and let us guess a few scents. The funny thing was, her scents had been replaced in the wrong spot in the case so when we both correctly identified the scent, she kept telling us it was something else. We persisted and she figured out the error! Back to the wine...while I did buy two other bottles there, I waited to buy the Cab at home since it is widely distributed. The 2007 was just being released, so it's possible that we tasted the 2006 at the winery, but I remembered it being better at the winery. I give points for its richness, balance and soft tannins, but if I'm going to spend $30 for a Cab, I'd buy Mount Veeder for about the same price.

2006 Sterling Vinelyards Cellar Club Rutherford Cab

2010-11-10T01:19:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $40 (available only at winery)

One thing I learned on this most recent trip to Napa is that most of my favorite Cabs are from Rutherford grapes. They seem to maintain enough fruit forwardness to balance the tannins a create such an incredible nose and palate. When my glass was empty, I was content to smell the inside and savor the memory - enough said! After tasting several wines priced higher, this would definitely make my list of re buys.

2009 Jezebel Blanc

2010-11-05T02:13:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $16

An Oregonian blend of my three favorite whites: Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, in roughly equal parts. I really want to rate the taste score higher, but while pleasing on the fore, the aft was lacking in substance and actually quite watery and bland. That said, I will probably buy another bottle and pair it with some Asian food. For now, I would have to give props to Le Lapin's Ingenuity for $8.

2008 Menage a Trois

2010-10-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

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

Half way through drinking a glass of this California Red blend, I realized I felt like I was drinking the juice of fresh plums and liking it! This wine exposes the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Three saucy grapes make up the blend. Zinfandel adds a juicy character, Merlot mellows and Cabernet adds backbone. Forward, spicy and soft, this delicious dalliance makes the perfect trio. I'd like to try this wine again after decanting a couple of hours.

2003 Arbios Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2010-10-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $25

So, I would normally have trouble giving a $25 bottle of wine a 5/5 value rating, but given the fact that bought today, this 2003 bottle sells for $50 I will concede. I am learning that I much prefer Cabs from Rutherford CA, but Alexander Valley may be a close second. Arbios Cellars focuses on a single Bordeaux-style red wine, made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown on a mountain top vineyard in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County. The Arbios Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted in classic Bordeaux-style to have moderate alcohol and good fruit character. This Cab is soft and pleasant, with ripe cherry, blackberry, raspberry and herb flavors that are well oaked. Just enough tannin without being astringent...decanting for a few hours may have helped with this.

2006 Gallo Sonoma Merlot

2010-10-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $13

Ok, I'll just say it, I'm just not a Merlot fan. It has nothing to do with the movie Sideways, the varietal just doesn't do much for me. This is a pleasant enough wine, fruity with a touch of oak.

86 Points GOOD VALUE, Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine - Here is an honest, if youthfully frontal, moderately fruity Merlot whose nominal themes of ripe cherries are seasoned by a deft touch of vanillin oak spice. Its immediate appeals nearly win it unqualified recommendation, yet its flavors are bothered by and become a little less amicable due to its last-minute astringency. Serve with a savory burger and set it right.
Winemaker Notes: Our Sonoma County Merlot showcases the softer, fuller and richer side of Merlot. The aromas are warm and inviting with hints of crushed berries, vanilla and spice. The palate follows with dark and deep flavors of blackberry pie, wild berries and jam with a lush, round mouthfeel.

2007 Toolbox Cabernet Sauvignon

2010-10-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Ahh, a wine with a story...although, don't they all have one, really? When in Napa a few weeks ago, my sister and I visited what I will refer to as the trifecta from Bottle Shock, a movie about how California won the Paris tasting years ago. We visited Chateau Montellena, Grgich (where the then winemaker is now) and Gustavo Thrace, the winery spin off by the lead character's friend. Toolbox is a brand by the Thrace half of Gustavo Thrace - Thrace Bromberger and two friends with the goal of making quality wines at an everyday drinking price. This is a very enjoyable wine. From the wine notes: this wine really, really delivers for the price point. It has a classic Cabernet nose layered with aromas of dark currants, a bit of mint and rich earth. It is 100% Cabernet and is everything we look for in this variety, along with a good dash of fresh fruit, earthiness and a lingering finish.

2008 Quintay Clava Chardonnay

2010-09-11T05:54:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $13

If you prefer Chardonnays that are not heavily oaked, yet true to the varietal, this just may be the perfect choice. Fresh, crisp and vibrantly mineral, this Chardonnay delivers a serious mouthful of juicy white fruit with just the right amount of complexity and zest. A perfect balance of wood and wine. The operative word here is fresh! Lots of poached pears, lemon zest and wave after wave of white peaches; a touch of green apple on the finish.

Wine Spectator 85 points: "Plump, with good juicy yellow apple fruit backed by a modestly buttery finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made."

Produced from Chile's cool climate regions for wine, in the valleys of Casablanca and Leyda. The winery was founded by a group of like minded producers, known as "the Casablanca Boys", based on a common objective of maximizing the potential of Chile's boldt current. Here, cool air is pulled in by the warmer central valley, providing a natural coolness throughout the growing season. This, along with long, slow summer and cool nights, ensure grapes intense fruit flavors.

2007 Marchese Di Barolo Maraia Barbera Monferranto

2010-09-04T05:57:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $12

Another great wine club pick from my friends at The Wine Merchant from Piedmont, Italy. The operating principle being this family owned winery is a firm conviction of and commitment to the indisputable quality of the wines produced in this region. This wine is 90% Barbera and 10% Dolcetto, aged for one year in small French barrels. With a nose of wild berries, currants, black cherry and hits of vanilla and toasted oak, the flavor is robust, full bodied, slightly fruity and well-balanced. A definite re-buy!

2009 Mauta Sauvignon Blanc

2010-08-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $12

Not being a big fan of the herbaceous, grassy sauvignon blancs, I was pleasantly surprised by this New Zealand varietal. Had it been a blind tasting, I would have guessed it a dry Riesling, but then on the aft palate, was the unmistakable citrusy grapefruit that lingered nicely. Fruit driven, nice acidity for structure and balance - a great accompaniment to chicken piccata!

2008 Palo Alto Reserve

2010-07-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $12

This is a delicious blend of Cabernet, Carnemere and Syrah (60/25/15)from Maule Valley, Chile. I particularly like the rich berry flavors and light oak - just enough to give structure without overpowering the palate. The nose is fresh and fruity giving way to intense, full-bodied flavors of blackcurrant and blackberry with a touch of spice. WS, 86 points

2006 GV Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

2010-07-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

Taste: 2/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $13-$18

I'll admit up front, this may be an unfair review as I opened this bottle as a follow on to Rutherford Hill Cab, which was phenomenal - smooth, round, dark berry fruit - and this was just not comparable. The tannins were harsh and I really did not enjoy this wine at all. One description cites bittersweet chocolate - I definitely found the bitter. Quite a disappointment since this label produces a Syrah that made my top 10 list last year, but I can't seem to find it in Cincinnati.

2003 Rutherford Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

2010-07-05T16:50:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $18

It is wines like this that make me wish I had a rating stronger than 5/5...this was a bit of a splurge purchase, knowing it was marked $10 off and an additional 10% discount, it is questionable as to whether I would repurchase at full price, but for $18 it was a steal! Rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast for it's rich, black cherry fruit and structured tannins. This is a softer cab with a nice round, lush mouth feel.

2008 Ecco Domani Merlot

2010-06-27T12:35:00.001-07:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $9

Rich with ripe, dark berry fruitiness and subtle tannins, this wine had a softness that was a pleasant surprise. I'd all but given up on Merlot, as there are several other varietals I prefer, but this is one I would buy again and have on hand, especially for pairing with italian food. Check out eccodomani.com for some tasty sounding recipes like this one:

Farfalle Pasta with Chicken

Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 jar (12 oz.) roasted red peppers, drained, finely chopped
6 oz. grilled chicken breast strips
8 oz. farfalle (small bow tie pasta)
2 package (4 oz. each) crumbled Feta Cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Preperation
Cook and stir garlic in 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on medium heat 3 minutes. Add roasted red peppers, grilled chicken breast strips and remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Cook farfalle pasta as directed on package, drain.
Toss vegetable mixture with hot pasta and feta cheese. Sprinkle with parsley.

2006 Layer Cake Cotes Du Rhone

2010-06-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $17

I've liked all other Layer Cake wines that I've tried to date, but was not overly impressed by this Syrah. While it had a nice spice to it, overall I found it flat and with a chalky mouth feel that I didn't care for - French soil maybe? Good level of tannin but not very fruity.

2008 Toasted Head Chardonnay

2010-06-13T16:26:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

So, if you don't like big, oaky Chardonnay's, you're not going to like this wine, but I was in the mood for such and found this quite pleasing. A crisp citrusy forward, reminiscent of lemon zest, with nice acidity and buttery rich, yet soft finish. Perhaps not a go-to Chardonnay, but when in the mood for big, I'd buy and drink this one again.

2007 Ravens Wood Vintners Blend Zinfandel

2010-06-12T09:02:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $9

I've read for quite some time that Ravenswood is known for their Zins. It must be for their higher priced Zins because this was not it for me. I found it more bold, even brazen, compared to the Zins I love. In general, it was the spiciness that came through at the sacrifice of the jammy fruit I crave in a Zin.

Teusner 2006 Joshua - Barossa Valley Red Wine

2010-06-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $20

This Barossa Valley red wine is an unoaked blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Mataro and 10% Shiraz. Description: "This wine shows a fruit intensity and warmth that speaks of a warmer growing region but without the jamminess, or baked fruit notions that can belie fruit from such an area. Here the fruit is Barossa sourced and its generosity is evident, but the difference is the pitch and higher toned brightness that gives it such an engaging lift and purity. Loaded with delicious black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry flavors that are layered throughout the palate, this has intensity and scale, but more importantly, the vibrancy and freshness that gives it so much personality." I couldn't resist the purchase with a description like that, but upon drinking, I just didn't find that description to hold true. There are plenty of other wines I like better for under $15, I won't likely buy this wine again.

NV LeLapin Ingenuity White

2010-06-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $8

LeLapin is the newest line of wine from Rabbit Ridge Winery, Sonoma CA, which opened in 1981, with a commitment to producing high quality wines at affordable prices. Made with grapes grown exclusively in Paso Robles, LeLapin wines are non-vintage, meaning they may be comprised of two or more vintages, which allows for the blending of a newer wine for freshness with an older vintage for complexity. Ingenuity is a blend of Chenin blanc, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc, and is crisp and light without being too citrusy. An all around great summer white!

2008 Rayun Carmenere

2010-05-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 5/5

Price: <$10

If this wine hadn't had a screw top, I would have thought it was corked based on the nose - very musty. "Touches of spice and tar show on the expressive nose; the mouth is rich, with deep black/red fruits and earthy notes of incense and tobacco. Tannins are fine and silky, while the finish is long and ends on a suggestion of eucalyptus honey. If you've never experienced Carménère, this is the place to start." Just a guess here, but I think it was the tar, incense and eucalyptus honey I didn't care for. From past experience, had I read eucalyptus on the label's description, I would have passed it up.

2008 Tarrica Zinfandel

2010-05-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $13

Tarrica Wine Cellars sources grapes primarily from the Paso Robles viticultural area, which is ideally situated for growing premium varietal wine grapes. Nestled slightly inland, the warm, clear days are insulated from clouds, fog, and severe winds so sufficient heat reaches the grapes. Following sunset, a marine layer moves over the region and cools temperatures approximately 50 degrees, providing conditions conducive to maintaining outstanding acid structure and overall balance. Most consider this fluctuation to be a key component to the varietal character displayed in the resulting wines.
Tarrica Wine Cellars is a small, family owned winery started in 2000
in the Paso Robles Wine Country. The focus of our winery is to produce
value priced wines that are a clear expression of viticultural origin
and varietal flavor.

Described as ripe berry flavors wrapped with cedar box and caramel tones. Full body with balanced tannins and berry fruit carries long into the finish revealing creme brule nuances. This wine was a hit with all who tried it!

2009 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose

2010-04-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

I had the opportunity to try this wine at the Cincinnati International Wine Festival last month and was intrigued by a rose made from Cabernet grapes from South Africa. Rose is not my favorite wine, but this was a pleasant surprise that I would definitely keep on hand. A very fruit forward wine with strawberry, red cherry and raspberry. Quite zippy and nicely balanced.

2007 Bogle Petite Sirah

2010-03-27T15:29:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $12

WINEMAKER NOTES
Thirty-one years after it was first produced by the Bogle family in 1978, Petite Sirah is today considered Bogle’s “heritage” varietal. Ripe summer blackberries and plums overwhelm both the nose and palate of this wine. Its trademark inky, jammy qualities are a barrage of black fruit and spice, adding layer upon layer of complexity. Notes of supple leather and toasty oak envelop the flavors through the finish, giving way to wisps of caramel and vanilla.

All I can add is berry, jammy, spicey...yummy!

2007 Roogle Red

2010-03-07T10:26:00.001-08:00

Taste: 2/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $12-$13

2007 Roogle Red is an Australian blend of 50% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and is aged in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months. Marquis Philips wines began as a joint venture between American importer Dan Philips and the Australian wife-and-husband winemaking team of Sarah and Sparky Marquis, giving inspiration to the roogle mark. Roogle Red came about a few years into the venture when a decision had to be made on what should be done with the wines that didn't fit into the blend for the winery's more upmarket wines. Each year the blend varies according to what wines are available. If all the wine is used for the first-tier bottlings then no Roogle Red is made that year. The label bears a picture of a cross between an American Bald Eagle and an Australian Red Kangaroo. Winemaker notes: Deep crimson. Fresh fruit of plums and ripe red berries. Some savory notes balanced by licorice and marzipan, subtle tobacco leaf and brambly characters. My take, despite a 90 point rating from Robert Parker, I found this wine overpowering, with unripe almost bitter fruit and nothing overly fantastic to rave about. Maybe it's the licorice, or perhaps the marzipan, the Petite Verdot which tends to tighten up a wine, or even the American oak. All I know is my opinion is starkly different than many others' of this wine (and it couldn't have been corked, because it was a screw top).

2007 Rosenblum Cellars Roussanne

2010-02-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: lists for $24 (although I found it on sale for ~$15)

From the Rosenblum website: "The Roussanne grape produces a wine with vibrant aromatics of a tropical fruit cocktail and a floral arrangement of hibiscus and orange blossom. The grape originates in both the Northern and Southern Rhône Valley, where scant acreage of the grape is planted. This delicious Roussanne features ripe pears, essences of stone fruit and a hint of honeyed mango and papaya." A delicious wine that reminds me of a cross between Off Dry Reisling and Sauvignon Blanc. I would characterize it as big for a white, but very well-balanced with a bit of crisp acid freshening its lingering fruity finish. I would definitely buy more if I can find it for ~$15 again!

2008 Piazzano Chianti

2010-02-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $14.99

A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and 10% other red varietals from Tuscany. This wine is bright ruby with hints of wood fruits and distinctive cherry overtones. Full bodied, smooth and just enough tannin to give good structure. A very nice pairing for red sauce Italian that I would recommend and buy again.

2006 Scandale

2010-02-12T21:37:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: N/A

Price: $50

For Christmas, my sister gave me a very unique present. She adopted a grapevine from St Helena Winery in Napa Valley. With that adoption, comes a certificate of adoption and two bottles of wine made from this and sister vines. It is a very limited production (156 cases) and the only way to get the wine is to adopt a vine. I planned to (and did) open one bottle for my birthday, and it was fabulous!

History of the name:
The 2000 vintage was our first professional venture into winemaking and we wanted to share our creation with our friends and family back in France. During our 2001 New Years Eve Party we thought it would be fun to put our wine against some well known Bordeaux wines in a blind tasting which included a 1997 Haut Brion. An overwhelming majority of our close friends and family picked our wine over the French wines. This will forever be known as the Scandal or Scandale.

This wine delivers dark garnet/blackberry color, ripe blackberry, earth and dark chocolate aromas; velvety full mouth-feel, brambly fruit notes, currant liqueur; concentrated and structured, medium-fine grain tannins with a very long finish.

2008 Novellum Chardonnay

2010-02-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $12.99

This is my second bottle from my wine club gift from my wonderful husband (which he extended for my birthday). This was better the first day, but lost quite a bit by the second, which is the reason for the moderate rating. The wine comes from the Lafage Estate in the Languedoc-Roussillon region (the largest wine growing region in the world) on the appellation vin de Pays de Cotes Catalanes. The vines that produce this wine are 30 years old, growing in deep, rocky soil. Thirty percent of the grapes are barrel fermented with the balance in stainless steel; the aged 3 months on viognier lees.

89 points wine advocate..."The 2007 Novellum Chardonnay (already reviewed in issue 178) – from two sites with cobbled and alluvial soils, and 30% barrel-fermented – boasts subtle and alluring aromas of white peach, toasted almond, hazelnut, flowers and fine herbs. In the mouth, it offers an uncanny balance of lees-enriched creaminess with lightness of touch and refreshment. (The lees here included those of Viognier.) This lingers with a refinement and suggestions of minerality that many a Macon selling for up to twice the price would envy." Reading this, seems like I should like it more than I did!

2006 Bitch

2010-01-22T13:27:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price $11

I never would have bought this wine if not for the urging of my sister, who made her husband go on a pilgrimage to find it on a trip to OH last year. Now that I live here, I can get it whenever I want, and I will (I just wish it had a different name). From R Wines, this wine is 100% grenache from Australia. 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Bitch Grenache is sourced from 40- to 60-year-old vines from the Ebenezer sub-region of the Barossa. With the price of Cotes du Rhone soaring due to the weak dollar, I am hard pressed to think of a better value in full-flavored Grenache. The 2006 Bitch Grenache received no oak treatment. Medium ruby-colored, it presents an alluring bouquet of earth, smoke, rhubarb, cherry, and strawberry. Supple, sweet, and tasty, this wine totally over-delivers for its humble price and is an exceptional value. Hear, Hear, Robert!

2006 Clos Du Bois Merlot

2010-01-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $13.99

I had this at a wine tasting with my sister, served with a chopped mushroom brie and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The black cherry and plum notes were nicely complemented by cocoa, toast and a touch of cigar. Velvety mouthfeel and just enough tannin to give good structure.

Top 10 Wines Tasted in 2009

2009-12-31T17:57:00.000-08:00

10) 2005 Souverain Merlot

9) 2007 Villa San Juliette Petite Sirah

8) 2006 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau (I also had the 2007, which wasn't as good so my recommendation would be to buy when it comes out at Thanksgiving and save it until next year).

7) Mark West Pinot Noir

6) 2006 PETs Petite Sirah

5) 2006 Layer Cake Zinfandel

4) 2006 St George Coastal Chardonnay

3) 2005 GV Cellars Syrah

2) 2008 Chamarre Nouveau Merlot Syrah

1) 2004 Inzinerator (I've read the 2006 is sweeter, so we'll see if I like it as well)

2007 Exclamation Point Sangiovese

2009-12-31T13:48:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $12
Produced by Umani Ronchi of Italy, this wine is 100% Sangiovese. The nose is rich dirt and berries and the finish is nice and spicey.

2006 Kenwood Red Table Wine

2009-12-05T04:53:00.000-08:00

Taste: 2/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $8

"A blend of 33% Merlot, 29% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah, 15% Zinfandel, 2% Sangiovese and 1% Barbera" - seriously, what's not to love about a combination like that? Perhaps the fact that the winemaker left out the fact that it tastes like rubbing alcohol, even after aeration! While it did taste moderately better after being open a day, and with food, this is not a bottle I will buy again.

2008 Escape Sweet Shiraz

2009-11-20T17:37:00.000-08:00

Taste: 2/5
Value: 4/5
Price $13

I'm just not sure about this one. I don't really like the fact that it was recommended to me based on the other wines I was purchasing at the time, as that would suggest I like sweet red wines. I even asked the wine seller, is it really sweet? He said no. He lied. This is a very sweet red wine, reminiscent of Manichewitz, but a little less cloying. Produced by Mulderbach in South Africa, which is a winery known for their white wine production. With the right food pairing, it could be out of sight, I suppose, but I don't think I'm going to give it another chance.

2005 Charles Krug Merlot

2009-10-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

Taste:3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $24 (although I got for $15 on managers special at Kroger)

This is a Merlot that drinks more like a cab with it's tannic, highly structured finish, likely due to the 4% Cabernet Franc that tightens it up a bit. The Charles Krug website describes "Our Peter Mondavi Family Napa Valley Merlot is balanced, rich and polished with ripe currant and black cherry flavors. This fine wine offers a supple tannin structure and a medley of vanilla, chocolate and spice notes in its lingering finish." Also described as "wild berry and blueberry aromas, with a touch of roasted pecans." At $24, I'd be unlikely to buy again, but if I can find it again for $15 I'd definitely pick up a bottle.

2007 Villa San-Juliette Petite Sirah

2009-09-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $15

Petite Sirah is quickly becoming my second favorite red, just after Zinfandel. Like Zin, Petite Sirah is fruity and bold, often a higher alcohol content, lending to a nice body. This Paso Robles wine in particular is reminiscent of inky, tangy blueberries, and is 78% Petite Sirah and 22% Cab. Was especially nice with spicy spaghetti with meat sauce. Look for this wine to be on my 2009 Top 10 list...

2006 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

2009-09-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

I've heard of and seen this wine over the years but had never tried it, until now. The first Gamay wine I remember drinking was a Gamay Rouge from V Sattui in Napa - absolutely fabulous with barbecue! This is a I also never realized that "because Beaujolais Nouveau is released annually on the third Thursday of November -- exactly one week before Thanksgiving -- the two have become as inextricably linked as Champagne and New Year's Eve." I'll have to remember that for this year...also noted to pair well with buttery cheeses such as brie or Camembert, that you may serve before or after! Fresh, smooth and fruity with no bite sums this wine up nicely. Would definitely keep a bottle on hand.

2005 Cigarzin California Zinfandel

2009-07-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $24

I bought this wine after describing to my friend who owns The Wine Cellar, a Sangiovese from Delonega GA that had such a divine, smokey taste. He suggested Cigarzin. In comparison, it wasn't really smokey at all, but it was a very good Zinfandel, although not as good as InZinerator from last week. Rich, creamy, concentrated, very fruity, very drinkable, but a bit pricey for everyday drinking.

2005 Souverain Merlot

2009-07-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $15-$18

I agree with the winemaker when he describes this wine as, "The core of vibrant fruit balances nicely with the fine-grained tannins, creating a plush and juicy mouthfeel. Baking spice notes from aging in oak barrels meld nicely with the generous black fruit and lead to a long, smooth finish." A very good merlot, but one could probably find a similarly good merlot for a little less.

2004 Inzinerator

2009-07-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

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

I discovered this wine at the Smyrna Wine Stroll with my sister-in-law and it was even better than I remembered. From the Scott Harvey website, this is: "A wine made for the “Super Hero”: Forward and luscious, this lively wine almost jumps out of the glass. Briary, blackberry extractive Zinfandel", a blend of 76% Zinfandel and 24% barbera. Tasting Notes: All spice, raspberry, figs, big & user friendly, firm tannins, complete, cherry, lingering finish, mocha. The only other thing I'd add is: fabulous! I'm guessing it's the figs that makes me think of a nice Port, just not so thick and syrupy. And the nice, high alcohol content (14.5%) gives it some sexy legs to boot.

2006 PETs Petite Syrah

2009-06-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $14.99

Petite Sirah is a grape I'm not as familiar with. My first exposure was with Concannon Petite Sirah, which I liked just as much, but the bottle was awkwardly large and didn't fit well in my wine cooler. As another option, PETs was recommended by Jim at my local Wine Cellar. In general, Petite Sirah is characterised as spicy, bold and full-bodied with inky black fruit. Petite Sirah was historically a blending grape, adding deep color, tannic structure and jammy blackberry fruit to other varietals, most notably Zinfandel. This wine in particular is bold, fruity and yummy - great slightly chilled for the summer or room temp for other months of the year! Reminds me of a nice, jammy old vine zinfandel. Would definitely buy again and recommend. Added bonus for animal lovers: a portion of the proceeds are donated to the San Francisco animal shelter.

2008 Bodega Uno

2009-05-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $10

This Argentinian wine is a blend of 60% Torrontes, 40% Chardonnay, and reminded me of a Sauvignon Blanc due to the crispness. A recommended pairing with Torrontes is Asian food. I'd take Gewurztraminer over this. On the nose, this wine is very tropical and sweet smelling, but on the palate, it is very lemony and crisp. If it tasted the way it smelled, or even if the chardonnay buttered up the lemon a bit, it would be a knock out. Overall, a nice, fresh summer white, IF you like crisp.

2005 Robert Mondavi Vinetta

2009-05-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

Taste: 2/5

Value: 3/5

Price: <$10

Vinetta is a red wine blend made with Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Described as "elegant yet fruit-forward, offering flavors and aromas of black cherry, dark plum and blackberry, a plush velvety texture and a pleasant, lingering finish". I, however, found it to be tight, astringent and hard to drink, even on day two. Won't be buying this one again. I did rate it average on value simply because it was cheap, and just because I didn't care for it doesn't mean someone else won't.

2005 GV Cellars Syrah

2009-04-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $13.99

This is a fabulous, European style Syrah, produced by Green Valley Cellars (nine miles SE of Napa). I found it to be rich and dense, with a pleasantly sweet and fruity fore, spicy aft and ever so velvety tannins. If I were to have on hand only one Syrah, this very well may be it!

2006 Layer Cake Primitivo (Zinfandal)

2009-04-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4.5/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $16

The Layer Cake wines represent countries, people and traditions of craftsmanship. The wines are all rich, lush and complex expressions of a unique varietal from a place like no other; a place winemaker Jayson Woodbridge and his team feel cannot be recreated or replicated.
These places have a sense of history and family; the Layer Cake symbolizes time, terroir and something that can only be handmade. Every Layer Cake wine is a true and distinct reflection of the place, the farmers, the land and our own style of winemaking.

Primitivo, from Puglia (the boot's heel), Italy, is genetically identical to Zinfandel. This wine has the characteristics of Old Vine Zin - fruity and rich. I'd put it on par with OZV and Four Vines, which I also like, but are also a little lower in price.

2006 The Other

2009-04-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

Taste: 2/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $12

I was initially drawn to the blend of grapes that make up this wine - 65% Chardonnay, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Viognier, from the "other" appellation, Lodi CA. I selected this wine to have with a Tarragon Chicken dish, as all three wines are a recommended pairing with Tarragon, per my "What to Drink with What you Eat" book (an absolutely wonderful companion to wine and food OR food and wine pairing - whether you're looking for the perfect wine to drink with a specific dinner, or the perfect dinner to prepare for a particular wine). Anyway, I was disappointed by the fact that the wine had acloying artificial vanilla taste that I just couldn't get past. Not a wine I will buy again.

2005 Shingleback Shiraz

2009-04-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Taste: 2/5
Value: 2/5

Price: $15

This Shiraz from the famed McLaren Vale and despite the 90 point Wine Enthusiast rating, was not an enjoyable wine for me. It was very tight, verging on astringent and was no better then next day. This is not a wine I will be buying again, especially since 2005 is haled as a one of South Australia's greatest vintages. My findings are in contrast with reviews I have read, so it's possible I got a skunked bottle, but given that there are many Shiraz's out there that I know I like, I think I'll just move on.

2007 Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc

2009-03-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $10-$15

This wine is a light yellow with hints of straw and green. The nose is fresh citrus fruit on entry. I expected to get lychee and fig on the palate, but if it was there, it was overrun by citrus and acidity. I had this wine with Chicken Piccata, which should have been an ideal pairing, but I just can't bring myself to like Saugnignon Blanc that much. I'd rather drink a Fume Blanc, which is softened by oak aging, but keep trying to find a warm climate Sauvignon Blanc with tropical fruit flavors that I love. As much as I try, I keep coming up tart.

2005 Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley

2009-03-22T15:41:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3/5
Value: 2/5
Price: $22 (regularly $30)

This Cabernet is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Malbec. "Aromas of cassis, ripe dark cherry and tobacco, with earthy notes of sage and peppercorn and sweet hints of vanilla. Mouth-filling flavors. Well structured palate of deep blackberry, coffee and spice. Rich and vibrant with supple tannins, finishing with notes of cassis, chocolate, and toasted oak." Since my sister and I had visited Franciscan winery in Napa in '07, I thought I would pay homage with this bottle. Frankly, I was disappointed and have had several Cabs for lesser price that I've enjoyed more. It simply was not that memorable. For the price, I'd much rather have a bottle of Rodney Strong Alexander Valley.

2005 Valley of the Moon Cabernet Sauvignon

2009-03-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

Taste: 2/5

Value: 2/5

Price: $24 list (I got for $14)

Valley of the Moon winery has an extensive wine production. The cab is 57% Sonoma Valley, 43% Dry Creek Valley and is aged 22 months in French and American Oak barrels. Perhaps it is the anise that I don't care for, but I completely missed the rich fruit flavor, livened with black pepper, cocoa and baking spice notes. I got the firm tannins and LOTS of rubbing alcohol flavor that combined for the wine equivalent to bitter beer face. It was no better on the second day.

2006 Habersham Chardonnay

2009-02-28T15:56:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $15

This is a wine I picked up on a wine weekend getaway with my sister-in-law, and unlike the multiple bottles of Muscadine wines we regrettably bought, this was a great purchase, well worth repeating. It has just enough oak to give a buttery taste without being overpowering, and classic apple and pear flavors. If ever in the Helen/Dahlonega GA area, I recommend picking up a bottle - a sure pleaser! Would most definitely pick up a few more bottles of this, as well as Wolf Mountain Chanteloup and Blackstock Sangiovese.

Mark West Pinot Noir

2009-02-12T17:27:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: under $10 (unheard of for Pinot Noir)

I still have not jumped on the Pinot bandwagon - more often than not, I find them flat and bland. This particular ruby colored Pinot presents ripe raspberry aromas and delicious cherry fruit on the palate with a dash of vanilla. It is a medium-bodied, silky smooth, red wine that offers a tremendous amount of food versatility. Compared to other Pinots, I found it more structured and a bit heavier on the tannins, and therefore not so ho-hum.

2008 Chamarre Nouveau Merlot Syrah

2009-02-12T16:56:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5
Price: $8-$9 (Shut-up! I didn't remember the price I paid when I was drinking it, I would have guessed it was one of my $20+ bottles and STILL would have given it a 5/5 value rating)

Unbeknownst to me, there is a new French wine appellation, "Vin de Pays Vignobles de France" which allows blending across regions. This wine is a product of that new appellation. I've had Cab/Merlot blends and Cab/Syrah blends, but not a Merlot/Syrah blend before this. It is a blend of 70% Merlot/30% Syrah. True to the label, this wine is a pleasure to behold! Two words: FRUIT BOMB. Make that three: DELICIOUS! This wine is fantastically fruity without being the least bit sweet. The aroma was delightful, but not immediately recognizable, so I'm going to guess it was the pomegranates eluded to in the description. Also described as red currants and strawberries, elderberry and violet with a touch of banana. Overall, full and ripe in the mouth.

2005 Chateau Frontenac Bordeaux

2009-01-23T05:59:00.000-08:00

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

I get e-mails from winechateau.com highlighting a different wine every day. The ones I want to try, I put in a folder and when I have a substantial list, I place an order. I don't typically buy French wines. I find them flat on their own, but generally good pairing wines. This description, however, really caught my eye: "Tasting the 2005 red wines from the bottle, many of them three or four times, confirmed that this is the greatest vintage produced during my 30-year career." -Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #176, April 30, 2008
"Synonymous with elegance and balance, Bordeaux is a wine for everyone. The first AOC produced in France, it is also the most exported due to its universal character. Fruity, ripe, soft, and round, this blend of Cabernet and Merlot offers delicious aromas of red berries, blackcurrant, and violet, with a hint of oak. Thanks to its fruitiness, this delicious wine may be consumed young or cellared for 5-7 years."
Who could read that and not want to try it? So I did. Certainly not as bold or robust as a California Cab/Merlot blend, with very little tannin. I agree with the description of soft and round, but I found the predominant bouquet and flavor to be very earthy instead of fruity. For the sale price of $13, I would buy this wine again, but it would not make my top favorites list. The list price for this wine was $26 - for that price, there are a lot of other wines I would choose in its place.

2006 St George Coastal Chardonnay

2009-01-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10

For the price, this is a phenominal Chardonnay. It has layers of apple, pineapple and a hint of lemon and vanilla. Really the best of everything Chardonnay has to offer. Medium body with an attractive toasty richness compensates the crisp dryness and complements the creamy finale. A blend of stainless steel and small oak barrel fermentation.

Rotta Zinfandel Rose

2009-01-11T17:13:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $10

I stole this description from redwinebuzz.com, but couldn't have described it better myself. "This wine is a fun, light pink color suggestive of pink sapphires. The nose is perky with notes of strawberry, confected watermelon and spun sugar with rosy, floral notes. The palate is bright and lively and a bit honeyed. Sweet strawberry and peach compote on a slightly sugary but not cloying base. The strawberry notes with a tinge of mineral form the essence of the mild finish. The light minerality, sweetness and moderate acidity make for a fuller mouthfeel that requires adequate chilling. This is a very fun, light-hearted and straight forward wine with lots of sweetness and light, confected fruit flavors."

Why I especially like it: Rosé is a more fitting name for this wine. It addresses the way the wine is made, as opposed to "White Zinfandel". I marked it average in value, simply because it wasn't necessarily any better than wines marked as White Zinfandel that you can get for less, but if you just can't bring yourself to put a bottle on your table that screams White Zinfandel, this may be worth the extra few bucks!

2005 Napa Cellars Zinfandel

2009-01-10T15:43:00.000-08:00

Taste: Day of opening 2/day 2-4 rated 5

Value: 4/5

Price: $15

I did not know when I purchased this, that Napa Cellars is a daughter winery of Frank Family! Frank Family makes one of my absolute favorite Chardonnay's, but it's a total splurge wine for me.

About this wine: Much of the fruit for this wine was sourced from the warmer regions of Napa Valley, including Calistoga, St. Helena and Pope Valley. In 2005, the long growing season and moderate harvest allowed the grapes to hang on the vine for longer than usual. In some cases the grapes were not picked until the second week of November. Because Zinfandel ripens unevenly, the extended hang time was a blessing and helped develop the intense fruit characteristics seen in this wine. The Napa Cellars 2005 Zinfandel was tank fermented in separate lots for approximately 10 days. The lots were then separately aged in French and American oak where after eight months, they were blended together for the final blend and aged an additional ten months. In order to retain the big fruit characteristics, only 7% new oak was used. Zinfandel is usually a wine that is ready on release and the Napa Cellars 2005 Zinfandel is no exception. Napa Cellars 2005 Zinfandel is dark purple and opaque in the glass. The nose reveals intense, ripe berries, candied strawberry preserves and cinnamon spice. The palate follows with juicy, rounded fruit flavors that mingle with layers of warm, supple tannins leading to a long, plush finish.

When I first opened this wine, even though I allowed it to breath for about 30 min before pouring, I was blown over by the alcohol fumes and taste. It is a higher alcohol wine at 15%. Not only did I determine I wouldn't buy this wine again, but I wasn't sure I'd even finish the bottle. Well, the next night, it was incredibly better and I enjoyed the extra zing it left on my tongue. So, I would buy it again, but I would open it the day before I plan to drink it, knowing it gets better over the next few days. I still, however, prefer Old Vine Zins for a comparable price.

Top 10 wines of 2008

2009-01-01T17:25:00.001-08:00

Since I have only 20 wine review posts in 2008, it was a little challenging to narrow down to 10, but here goes. This list represents what I would stock, if I were to only have 10 wines in my wine cooler. I am currently heavily stocked on Cabernets, so expect several reviews of Cabs in 09!
10) Mandolino Muscato
9) Selena Chardonnay
8) Four Vines Zinfandel
7) Wolf Mountain Chateloup
6) Banfi Centine
5) Red Bicyclette Syrah
4) Banfi Rosa Regale
3) Snoqualmie Riesling
2) OZV Zinfandell
1) Chateau St Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay

2005 OZV Zinfandel

2009-01-01T17:08:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value:5/5

Price: $15

This wine was featured at a wine tasting I went to a few months ago and was sold out before I got to get my bottle. The wine keeper said it's a wine they sell out of almost weekly, and I can see why. In keeping with what I've come to expect from Old Vine Zinfandel, this wine is fruit forward and jammy. This particular bottle is lush and velvety. Oddly, I found it even better after being open for a couple of days. OZV stands for Old Zin Vines (50-100 years old) and is produced at Lodi's oldest operating winery by Oak Ridge Winery, which started out decades ago as a co-operative of area winemakers.

2007 Snoqualmie Riesling

2008-12-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: <$10 I received this as a gift from my sister-it-law and couldn't wait to open it. Obviously, since she just gave it too me yesterday (thanks, Stacie)! Rated a "top value" wine by Wine Spectator. Snoqualmie is one of the first wineries in WA to make wines from USDA-certified organically grown grapes. Overall, this winery has been labeled the value brand of the year. This wine is crisp, refreshing, and bursting with aromas of spicy pear, dried apricots, and honey that lingers on and on. I had this paired with spicy PF Chang's, and it was phenomenal right down to, and including, the fortune cookie! Also highly recommended by my sister-in-law is the Snoqualmie Naked Chardonnay - so named for not only being naked of oak, but also naked of anything non-organic.

2004 Red Bicyclette Syrah

2008-12-09T16:53:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $10-$12

A delightful French wine for under $15 from the Gallo family of wines! I had this wine with penne pasta with tomato and meat sauce and found it quite surprising. I tend to shy away from the whimsical labels, but wow! I would not only buy this wine again, but would try other wines of this label as well. Color of this wine is deep purple. Bouquet is rich blueberry and blackberry fruit. Palate is full and generous with intense fruit. Light tannins allow a nice, lingering, jammy finish. The web site has a fun description: "Deep, rich, and jammy. Blackberries invite cherries to slow dance, then sneak a warm, spicy kiss."

Fetzer Valley Oaks Gewurztraminer

2008-12-03T17:19:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $8 (Sam's Club)

This wine is lychee in a glass, with hints of honeyed apricot and peach, and is fabulous paired with Asian food, especially spicy PF Changs. The Fetzer web site recommends pairing with Jalapeno Jack - now that's one I'd like to try one day soon! For anyone who loves food and wine pairing, http://www.fetzer.com/ is a nice resource, utilizing their wines of course, but gives a broad range of ideas for each. They also have a wine pairing chart that matches each of their wines to: Cheese, Seafood, Poultry, Meats and Herbs & Spices.

2005 skn Napa Vally Cabernet Sauvignon

2008-12-01T18:14:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $10.89 at Winechateau.com (normally $18)

skn stands for screw kappa napa and is created by winemakers Richard Bruno and Greg Kitchens for Don Sebastiani & Sons. I would describe this wine as dark garnet in color, with a nose of tobacco or coffee, ripe raspberry or blackberries, and vanilla oak. I agree with other reviews that it delivers classic Cabernet flavors of currants, blackberries, cherry preserves, black pepper, and cocoa with hints of cloves and earth. Compared to other Cabernets, it does not have strong tannins, so would be a great bridge for non-cab lovers. It is fruity like a Merlot, but with more body. Would definitely buy again at the $10 price.

Selena Chardonnay - Riverland Australia

2008-11-10T16:45:00.000-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $12-$14

I had the good fortune to taste this wine at a wine tasting with my sister-in-law outside Atlanta, and was very impressed. I recently opened the bottle I brought home and found it even better than I remembered, perhaps because, as the website points out, the buttered toast flavor continues to develop for up to two years. From the winemaker: "This wine displays a distinctive elegance and clarity of fruit. The colour is a vibrant straw with green tinges, while the bouquet is of citrus blossom and melon over a hint of freshly kneaded dough. The palate again shows a citrus and melon fruit flavours with a rich and creamy texture. The wine finishes crisp and clean zesty acidity." A very interesting description of the vinification can be found at http://www.salenaestate.com.au/tastingnotes/sechar.pdf

Banfi Rosa Regale

2008-11-10T16:40:00.001-08:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 4/5

Price $18-$24 (Sam's Club has best price)

This is one of my favorite sparkling wines, hands down! I had heard about it, but had the opportunity to taste it at Wine South in Atlanta a couple years back, and the only way to describe it is FUN - delightfully vivacious and festive! It is a sweeter wine, but what could be better than bubbly berries?!? Serve with anything from chocolate, to brunch, to Thanksgiving dinner - you won't be disappointed!

2005 Banfi Centine

2008-11-10T16:28:00.000-08:00

Taste: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $12-$15

This wine falls into the category of "Big Tuscans." Per the winery, Centine is a bright ruby-red youthful wine, intensely fruity with a lingering finish - a testament to its overall balance. It is an ideal companion to pasta, grilled or roasted red and white meats. Grape Varieties: 60% Sangiovese; 20% Cabernet Sauvignon; 20% Merlot. I find it to be more fruity and more enjoyable than a Chianti or Sangiovese, with a hint of chocolate covered raspberries, cinnamon and a touch of dustiness. It is one I plan to have in my cellar at all times!

2006 Four Vines Old Vine Cuvee Zinfandel

2008-09-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Price: $18

Value: 4.5/5

I recently had the pleasure of tasting Zinfandels from across California: Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara and Lodi. I found that my favorites by far were the ones from Lodi, although I suspect the reason I liked them was not so much due to their locale, but to the fact that they were both old vine Zins. I found them both to have a wonderful jamminess to them. This very well may be my new favorite red! I recently bought Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin at $10 to see if I can get the same great experience for 1/2 the price.

2007 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chardonnay

2008-09-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

Taste: 4/5
Value: 4/5
Price: $20 (Kroger sale $15)

From the winemaker: Nearly four decades ago we discovered that the west and southwestern regions of Sonoma County are ideal for growing Chardonnay grapes. The cool maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean arriving reliably in the form of fog each summer evening maintains the bright natural acidity that is key to the balance of any fine chardonnay, while the warm summer afternoons we enjoy ensure plenty of ripe fruit character. The 2007 vintage started off with a very dry spring, which tended to make for smaller clusters, smaller berries, and less canopy overall. The growing season was about as perfect as you would want, with warm afternoons and cool evenings, and a complete lack of hot or cold spells. With no weather problems at harvest time, few are surprised with the exceptional quality of this vintage, which will likely go down as one of the best in recent years.

We barrel fermented about 70% of this wine, and aged that portion in barrel for 5 months, offering the wine a touch of brown spice and vanilla, while cold fermenting the remainder to maximize a fresh fruit-forward character. Bright lemon and apple aromas mingle with hints of toasty barrel complexity, and on the palate, pear and pineapple with spice and refreshing acidity will have you coming back for another glass.

My comments: While a very good, enjoyable Chardonnay, it would be a second pick to the Chateau St Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay I wrote about previously. Lemon and buttery apple on the nose, fuller body with a good amount of crispness on the palate. Very toasty when aerated in the mouth.

2004 Concannon Central Coast Petite Sirah

2008-08-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-22T19:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-07T16:03:00.000-07:00

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.

2006 Pierre Chainier Vouvray

2008-07-26T19:04:00.001-07:00

Taste: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Price: $10-$13

No picture, but an unmistakable bottle as it is octagonal and yellow, with a plain label. I'm less familiar with Vouvray, which is apparently French Chenin Blanc. This is a semi-sweet wine with moderate acidity, so I suspect it would be good with food as well as for a sipping wine, which is how I had it. It was perfumey on the nose, so I was surprised to find it was refreshing and reminiscent of honeysuckle and pear. Would buy again.

Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet

2008-07-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Price: $25-$30

Please note, although it may seem like I drink an awful lot of wine, some of these posts come after a wine tasting or a glass at a friend's house. They are not all full bottles that I have opened and consumed!

This is the second time I have had the great fortune of trying this wine. Although more than I would typically pay for a bottle, I still give it a high value rating because it TASTES like a much more expensive bottle. The nose reminds me of a traditional library you might find in an old mansion, so I guess I would classify it as cedar, smoke and leather. People who don't like Cabs usually don't like the heavy tannins that bowl them over on the nose, let alone the taste. This wine is fruit forward and soft on the tannins. Rodney Strong wines are generally great. This is a winery I missed the first time and would like to visit on my next trip to Sonoma.

2003 Columbia-Crest Two Vines Cab-Merlot

2008-07-26T06:07:00.000-07:00

Taste: 3.5/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $7-$10

The winemaker notes “Generous blackberry, black cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors unfold from the glass. This is a luscious, expressive wine with a soft, appealing finish” so at $7, I was excited to give this a try. I found the nose to be heavy on the alcohol and the overall experience nothing to write home about. A friend's opinion was that it was "ok". I would be much more apt to buy Alice White from Australia, which can be found $6-$10 in our local grocery stores.