Wine Recommendations $20-50

Chateau Plo Du Roy 2000 (PB)
This is another great value from the Minervois.
Bouquet of cinnamon and berries, flavors of black pepper with a meaty backbone.
Read complete review in blog ($22)

David Bruce Russian River Pinot Noir 2003 (NW)
Super smooth and velvety texture, with flavors of plum, cherry, and chocolate cream. A beautiful Pinot Noir from a winery that does it justice. $40.

Posapiano Chianti Classic 2003 (PB)
Yeast and olives abound with dried cherries prominent with considerable air. (Breathe this wine for a good 3 hours and decant it. In the mouth it is rich with muscular tannins but they really mellow out if you follow the breathing procedure I recommend. Baked bread is also big in the mouth with fruit all over. This is one of the best Chianti’s I have had. $23!

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2004 (NW)
Not the best Cloudy Bay, but it has the beloved New Zealand characteristics of ripe citrus and fresh-cit grass. What sets this apart is that it also has an underlying richness and elegance that most others don't deliver. This is what makes Cloudy Bay a world-class Sauvignon Blanc. And it better be at $28, when so many wines of this varietal are $10-15.

Jordan Sonoma Cabernet Savignon 2001 (NW)
A very nice 2001 Cab, delivering juicy dark berries and good structure. For $48, this is a wine to impress and is very characteristic of the powerful Cabs that many red wine lovers seek. Will cellar well, too.

Chateau La Faurie-Peyraguey 2001 (PB)
A luscious Sauternes, pale golden in the bottle. A gentle bouquet full of bananas and honey; powerfully sweet offset with a great acid foundation; floral scents and really ripe cantaloup or musk melons with a caramel sweep. I would give this wine a 92. Something special indeed!

Zind Humbrecht Gewurtztraminer 2004 (PB)
A golden wine with a bouquet of fruit of apples, peaches, apricots and pineapple. In the mouth it is rich and full. There is a layer of smoke that is subtle but definite and fascinating. The finish of this wine is lingering and full of fresh apricots that just keeps going.
This is great with food or as an aperitiffe. $20 but worth every penny! Go!!!

Damilano Barolo 2001 (billy)
A lucid ruby red with a nose of sensuous cocoa, cherry, and tobacco. In the mouth the structure is liquid velvet where cherries and cocoa and tobacco mingle with exquisitely balanced acids and tannins. The Finish is perfect - a lingering decrescendo without a missed note. Research indicates this will age well through 2008 or so. $33 is fairly priced. Any less is a bargain and demands that you pick up a bottle.

Eos Petite Syrah 2000 (PB)
This is a Paso Robles red of deep garnet on the pour with good fruit of cherries with a touch of a little licorice and a smidge of cocoa with refined tannins. Black cherries, a touch of licorice and this wine is at peak; is luscious with refined tannic structure. $22 but worth it!

Numanthia-Termes Toro Termes 2000 (PB)
This is a phenomenal Spanish red and At $22, this beautifully made wine of balance and fullness of flavors of spice, raisins, and a bouquet to entice even the most unlearned of wine lovers, is a MUST find. But good luck... (For more details, see my full review in the articles. (PB)