2008 Rayun Carmenere

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.