Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Carmenere 2006 review by (PB)

Deep rich black cherry hue with rich dense black cherry--berry fruit with pipe tobacco notes.

Palate--thickish, velvety tannins supporting luxuriant dark berry fruit that sits heavy coating the mouth finishing with more dark fruit and an espresso core.

(NW) brought this up last weekend. It is Chilean and had I not known what it was I would have sworn it was Cabernet Sauvignon from the bouquet. Tasting though is a different experience than Chilean Cabs. Carmenere has become a singular varietal due to the expertise and success of Chilean growers/producers.

At $35 or so a higher tier Carmenere is a relatively economical way to experience a rich, big Cabernet-like wine. So raise a glass.

Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa) 2005 review by (PB)

Purple/garnet hue still youthful for a 5 year old wine. Dusty cherry aromas with a sweet line of gentle herbs.

Palate--Chunky tannins, a bit angular with some cedar, light licorice and sweet cherry fruit. This wine is basically just not ready to drink. Potential is there but still surprisingly young.

It was fabulous with our charred grilled rib-eyes. This was a gift to my wife from our son who probably paid around $40 for it. Raise a glass.

C'est La Vie 2009 Rose review by (PB)

This Vin De Pays rose is 100% Syrah and the heft of the Syrah grape tends to carry through a bit in this rose. It presents with a beautiful watermelon juice hue with a huge bouquet of flowers, powder, and bubblegum deep in.

Palate--full bodied (for a rose) with strawberry touched off by a raspberry tartness underneath sweet fruit. This is a "big" rose. I paid $8.50 for it and noted to myself to "buy more" so Raise a glass! This is a nice accompaniment to many dishes of a light to medium heft. One of the best roses I have had in a long time.

Bila Haut (M. Chapoutier) 2008 review by (PB)

This Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignane has a nice medium deep black cherry/garnet hue with moderate bouquet of red fruit, some bright cherry though tightly wound.

Palate--White pepper, very tight on fruit--decant...Decanting doesn't help much but yields some subtle sweet licorice with earthy notes on the bouquet with the help of air.

This hails from the Cotes Du Rousillon (Midi region of the Rhone) and was given a 90 point rating by the wise folks at the Wine Spectator. I hesitate to go against the experienced palates of those guys but 90 points seems really generous. Even with more time--which it clearly needs--I don't see the potential for such a rating. At any rate-for $11 it is a decent experience so raise a glass! (Paired it with a really nice refrigerator aged strip steak grilled on the coals) The wine did not enhance the meal.

Redtree California Pinot Noir 2009 review by (PB)

My babe and I were shopping for wine today and she said she wanted to get this because someone voted it the best Pinot Noir under $11.

This is the most beautiful looking wine in the glass that I have seen in a longtime. It is a gorgeous brilliant ruby that looks like a gemstone that should be worn not drunk.

Bouquet--Gorgeous floral fruit with ripe strawberry and awesome notes of sugared basil on the nose with cocoa powder,spices and a WOW factor.

Palate--Interesting tang on the palate though a bit stingy on fruit--it might open up some; Finishes with a nice strawberry and dusty cocoa that lingers.

This is a real value at $9. What a nice, easy drinking red. Buy more and raise a glass!

Tenuta di Biserno Insoglio Toscana 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Nose slow to reveal cherry, sweet plum, and herbs

Medium bodied on the palate

Earthy cherry finish with some leather and spice notes

Summary:

I've been sampling a lot of super-Tuscans lately as I find them to be surprisingly good values. Not the $200 wines, but the value lies around the $30 mark. This wine seems to run a broad spectrum of pricing on the internet from in the $20's to around $40.

I recently shared a bottle at a Morton's and found the wine to be a little flat. It's a blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot that suggests an interesting flavor profile but comes up short. It just doesn't seem to have much depth like similar wines from the region. There's a lot of great stuff from this region, though, so don't hesitate to raise a glass of Tuscan charm!

Clos Pegase Carneros Mitsuko's Vineyard Merlot 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant berries and plum on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Red fruit, vanilla, spice and oak layers on the lingering finish

Summary:

Here's a richly flavored and well oaked Merlot. It has nicely integrated flavors and appears to be ageing well. I'd be curious to taste this in another 3-4 years.

Unfortunately, I don't have any in my cellar as this was supplied by friends at a recent dinner. It runs about $20, and in fact, they had purchased this bottle at the winery on release roughly 4 years ago. Raise a glass!

Rosenblum Zinfandel Alexander Valley "Harris Kratka Vineyard" 2005 wine review by (PB)

At $39 I expect a lot of wine. Rosenblum essentially never disappoints.
Deep dark black cherry/cranberry jelly hue with sweet ripe black cherry aromas with rich tarry scents and blueberry pie.

Palate--Big dark flavors with bitter sweet chocolate nuances, loads of dark heavy fruit that is mouth filling and luxuriant. Finish delivers.

Another great example of single vineyard Zinfandel. Needs to be paired with something really bold like char-grilled steak or big tomatoey garlicky sauce with pasta or just enjoy by itself.

Maryhill Winery 2008 Columbia Valley Viognier Sponsored Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Daisy blossom, dry hay and cantaloupe aromas backed by a spicy warmth.
Palate: firm and tight on the palate with a soft nectarine-y core.
Finish: nice body on the finish that keeps it long with very nice raw almond and some more nectarine tones and some warmth in the back.
Overall: Online this white Washington wine will retail between $11 and $15 which is quite reasonable for this quality white. Thanks to the folks at Duo PR and to Maryhill Winery for providing us at The Wine Cask Blog with samples for review (Thanks Caitlin!). The acid core maintains a pleasing crispness that is a nice alternative to the typical summer whites of Sauvignon Blanc or Riesling. The finish is incredibly long for a white which sets it apart.

Raise a Glass!