2010 Jacuzzi Chardonnay

Taste: 5/5
Value: 4/5 - 5/5 depending on price sourced
Price: $20 (have seen a range from $12-$20)

This is a nice, crisp, full-bodied and well-balanced Sonoma Coast (Carneros) Chardonnay, which I have found to be the source of my favorite Chardonnays.   Only lightly oaked with bright fruit flavors of peach, pear and apple.  I paired with a Parmesan crusted salmon and kale salad with vinaigrette, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese - delightful!

2011 Panzenello 'Le Piazzole'

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


Le Piazzole is 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot.  Fresh cherry on the palate with a pleasant dusty/earthy spice.  Paired with spaghetti with meat sauce - delicious.  Will buy again!  If I can find it in the $12 range, I would give it 5/5 in value, although even at $15, it tastes more expensive.

2012 Tamaya Carmenere Reserva

Taste: 5/5

Value: 5/5
Price: $15.99

Apparently, this was Tamaya week at my house!  This was a Dec 2012 Wine Club wine, and much preferred over the Chardonnay.  This was deep and inky, powerful and spicy, while remaining fruit forward. The mouthfeel was round and full with a finish of peppers, blackberry and plum.  A great pairing with steak fajitas!  A close tie to another favorite - Tarima Hill Monastrell.

2009 Vina Casa Tamaya Chardonnay Reserva

Taste: 3/5

Value: 3/5

Price: $15.99

 

This was a wine club wine from Jan 2012 and was an interesting Chardonnay.  Great if you're looking for a non-buttery, citrusy white wine.  For me, I would pick up a Sauvignon Blanc for that.  For the record, I kept thinking this WAS a Sauv Blanc.  The wine club description listed white peaches, fresh pears with citrus tones of mandarin orange and lemon.  I got neither cream nor vanilla nor body that I would usually expect.  I did get a tense finish, crisp and high in acidity.  Not bad, just not what I'd pay $16, although it did rate 90 points from Wine Spectator.



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.