2008 Quintay Clava Chardonnay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.