Fetzer Gewurtztraminer 2006 wine review by (PB)

This perennial favorite for summer time quaffing is a light golden with peach and mandarin orange in the bouquet with a little spice and fruit compote like sangria which is very nice.

Palate--really sweet and a bit flaccid in acid; it is not flabby but it is not crisp either. It has a pleasant stone fruit finish but this is not as good as it has been in past years. It will run $10 and for this year, I tried something else but still raise a glass of Gewurtz to be sure!

Benziger Sunny Slope Vineyard "Sam's Cuvee" Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Black cherry and cocoa on the nose

Smooth texture on the palate

Relaxed finish of raspberry, cherry, and tobacco

As it turns out, this wine is a private label bottled exclusively for Sam's Wine Warehouse in Chicago. At $35, it's a nice Sonoma Cab that that I enjoyed for it's smooth, fruity characteristics. Unfortunately, it's not readily available unless you live in Illinois or in a state that has reciprocity with Illinois and you order it online.

I was treated to a bottle of this wine while visiting friends in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. We popped the cork on a cool evening in early July and sat on the back deck. Raise a glass!

Niner Paso Robles Boot Jack Ranch Syrah 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Nose of blackberry and chocolate

Richly texture on the palate and full-bodied

Finish of black currant, blackberry, and vanilla custard

This Syrah is big and rich. It has opulent, ripe fruit characteristics and is richly textured. Is it over the top? Well, not if you're in the mood for this style. Just know what you're getting in to and pop the cork when you're in the mood for envelope-pushing ripeness.

I paid $18 on sale, with the regular price listed at $20. Raise a glass!

Martin Codax Albarino 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Citrus nose with floral notes

Acidic and crisp on the palate

Finish of grapefruit and lime

This is a nice, crisp Albarino around the $15 mark. It has good fruit and acidity, and tastes especially good with fish.

Although good Albarino from Spain is also available for around $10, this wine won't disappoint you for a few dollars more. Raise a glass!

Poggio Amorelli Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 wine review by (PB)

I bought this wine with dinner at the very fine Italian restaurant in Portland Maine called Cinque Terre. It was the occasion of our 35th year of wedded bliss together. Not bad for two who were married and "children" 19 and 20 and voted most-mismatched couple of our senior class in our school's "Senior Superlatives." Take THAT all you doubters!!!

Anyway, I paid $70 for the bottle which considering retail is $40, is a relative bargain in the restaurant mark up world of wine. The wine was served in nice glasses as well although very disappointingly, the wine was not only warm but nearly "hot."

The day was particularly hot, the evening was early and the restaurant had not cooled down yet leaving room temperature at, well room temperature. This is nearly criminal when you consider again the price you pay for restaurant wines. At any rate, 2001 was a grand year for Tuscany and although I ordered the 03, apparently they were out which is why you always check the label before the wine is opened. (The waiter didn't realize he had brought the wrong wine.)

The wine was a pretty garnet with some years still left on this fine vintage. Cherry notes abounding but again the ridiculously warm temperature of the wine was volatilizing the alcohol so readily that it over powered the nuances of the bouquet that I am sure were buried beneath.

Wine temperature is important and yes while some can get carried away in either direction, too hot or too cold can stifle a good wine.

Palate was tasty with cherry as the predominant flavor with touches of cinnamon and chocolate.
It was a nice accompaniment to the chef's tasting menu we ordered and a grand occasion was celebrated with a grand evening. We raised a glass as we shall continue to do as long as the Lord tarries.

HOUSEWINE White 2007 wine review by (PB)

Charles Smith (K Vintners) makes this value wine from 85% Chardonnay and Riesling 10% with 5% Muscadet. It has a barely straw tone with pronounced bouquet of sweet tropical fruit notes.

Palate--Solid acid backbone with off dry palate and a touch of spritzig (sparkle) with light citrus and shallow flavors of mixed summer fruit.

it is a well made wine but I LOVED the 06 and this is not the 06. The peach/apricot finish works. I paired this with grilled swordfish and fried potatoes with mozzarella and it worked well. Raise a glass.

Griesbauerhof Sudtirol "Lagrein" 2005 wine review by (PB)

(NW) decided we needed to pursue adding the "Centi-varietal" distinction to our credentials and our palates. Meaning, we need to find (the hard part) and taste (the easy part) wines made from 100 different grape varieties. He spied this Northern Italian wine--so northern that the label reads more like a German wine than an Italian one--and grabbed it because of the grape--Lagrein--which we have never had.

The Lagrein grape is a relative of Syrah which explains the heavy pigmentation of the wine. It is intensely dark almost black-black cherry to the rim.

Tight aromas of tart cherry with spice try to emerge underneath with white pepper notes later on.

Palate--huge cedar blast immediately though the wine is a bit flaccid on opening with tight stingy lt. berry fruit.

After opening up a bit, there is cedar galore--too much but interesting none the less but I feel like I have bitten into a Christmas tree limb. Finish is a touch light. Interesting wine but nothing I would care to repeat as a varietal which is why it is blended normally with other grapes. Being high in acid and usually very tannic, it is a good grape to give back bone to a gentler variety.

It is one to "check off" the list anyway! Raise a glass!

Hill Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

I grabbed this while on a conference trip to N.C. Shop owner recommended it as being hard to get a hold of. This wine has a sl. purple, black cherry hue with a distant bouquet of sweet dark fruit with pleasant berry jam as the foundation with a lovely cinnamon note.

Palate--Absolutely silky tannins with subdued vegetal flavors with big berry fruits, leather, tar and more fruit.

I paid $40 for it and was it okay for the price but not an eye poppin, palate surprising creation.
Raise a glass.

Chateau LaFleur Pichon 2005 wine review by (PB)

I purchased this hoping for a value "05" Bordeaux on a recent trip to Boston with (NW). I paid $13.50 for the wine hailing from the Lussac Saint Emilion Grand Vin De Bordeaux.

It is a gorgeous garnet hue with slight purple tinge and room pleasing candy plum pudding aromas. The nose is blackberry and ripe plum with some cedar as it opens up.

Palate--steely and sits well with an austere presence. It is well made but flavors are really tight. Pleasant blackberry jam and plum flavors and cherry with bold tannins that need more time.

I am putting a porterhouse on the grill; we'll see what happens but this should be a nice food wine.
Indeed, pairs well with grilled steak but still no the VALUE I had hoped but solid. Raise a glass!

What to drink on the 4th of July?

July 4th--the day when we celebrate the independence of our nation from the rule of uninvolved individuals living far across the ocean. Uninvolved in the sense of estranged from the culture they were trying to rule. They were very involved with respect to placing laws and taxes--especially taxes--on the citizens of the not yet united states. It just didn't fly and brave souls gave their lives to shed the bonds of of government that was not their own.

Now how do we go from fighting red coats to BBQ and corn on the cob? Who knows and who cares! It works for me though but barbecuing can be challenging when it comes to wine pairing.

First--prep your mind with a nicely chilled down Gewurztraminer or other delicious wine of your choosing and then stoke up the grill--preferably real charcoal--and throw on the ribs, the steaks the chops, the dogs or whatever.

While I can enjoy any number of solid red wines with the smokey taste of good grilling, Zinfandel is the All American pairing wine and on this 4th of July, while there are many Zins I enjoy, few can come close to the value of Cline's 2006 Zin which I find all over the place but is less than $8 at Sam's Club.

So whatever you do, raise a glass to Ben Franklin--I finished his bio this morning at 6 a.m.--and remember T.J., John Adams, Al Hamilton, Madison and General George W. and thank God for the sacrifices of our predecessors enablin gus to BBQ and drink wine in the land of plenty!

Barefoot Bubbly (NV) wine review by (PB)

Looking for an inexpensive, pleasant summer refresher this is a good one! This California splash is a "premium x-tra dry chardonnay."

It is a pale straw with nice green apple and pear notes.

In the mouth it is crisp with pin prick bubbles. Sure it is rather non-descript but chill it down and it is refreshing, lively and fun. For 8$ raise a bottle or two on a hot summer's day!

Castillo De Almansa 2005 wine review by (PB)

Nice Spanish Garnacha Tintorera with beautiful black cherry hue with some intensity.
On the swirl it has black cherry and plum notes with flavors of luscious fruit blended with compote of plums and berries.

For $8 this is really a nice quaff so raise a glass!

Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Nose of ripe berries and licorice

Fleshy, smooth texture on the palate

Finish of chocolate, raspberry pie, and a touch of toasty oak

This wine has been quite good for a few years in a row. I consider it to be a good value Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina at around $13.

The flavors are rich and ripe, and the texture is fleshy. It should give Malbec lovers a reason to cheer when they see prices for Catena and others rise to $20 or more. What ever happened to a really nice Malbec for $10? Well, since I can't seem to find many of those anymore I'll grab more of this. Raise a glass!

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Nose of crushed red berries, pomegranate, pepper, and sage

Jammy texture

Long finish of cranberry, plum, spice, and chocolate

Grab this if you see it! At $20 or so, it's a tasty wine and not your ordinary Australian Shiraz. The crushed red berry aromas are mouth-watering and the finish is exotic. The small percentage of Viognier is blended in with great care, adding to the perfumed nose.

This reminds me of a Rhone-style Syrah, but with an extra concentration of crushed red berries that adds additional fragrance without making the wine heavy or over ripe. Raise a glass!

Chateau De Flaugergues 2005 wine review by (PB)

Celebrating my wife's birthday I took her out to a new place on the Maine coast Called "In Good Company." I read about it in Down East Magazine which touted it as a tapas wine bar catering to your desires. When our waitress greeted us it was clear that she was there to actually serve us-- a real switch from the norm these days--so I perused the wine list--better than most restaurants in our neck of the woods and told our waitress I would pick out our wine and build or meal around it.

This was the wine I decided on partly because of experience with other vintages of this producer and partly because it was affordable for a restaurant marked-up wine. this wine will run you $15 give or take a couple dollars depending so the $30 restaurant price was tolerable.

It was served with decent wine glasses. Hurray! (This is a particular sore spot with me and restaurant wine service. viz., Pay an exorbitant price for wine and then you have to drink it out of 3 pound hunk of glass with a bowl that is way too small to swirl and real nice production seam on the stem. Yuck.)

That is the good part; the not so good part is that the wine was obviously kept at room temp which, for this time of year, was about 80 degrees. Much too warm for wine to be enjoyed.

Okay--review: Nice medium black cherry hue with raspberry fruit in the bouquet. This Languedoc is decently made but flavors are a bit thin and unremarkable. Finish is also a bit thin and short lived.

I didn't enjoy this as much as I have previous vintages but it tasted better as I gazed into the eyes of my lover.

We ended up ordering an olive oil sampler with a baguette for an appetizer and then a mesculin salad with molten goat cheese over a lemon and oil vinaigrette. Our "main" was a pizzaetti (or something close to that) and everything was shared between the two of us.

The chef at "In good company" is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and the flavors of everything were distinctive and nicely done. The service was extraordinary as already noted.
If you are in Rockland, Maine it is worth a stop! Raise a glass.

Domaine La Montagnette 2004 wine review by (PB)

This Cotes Du Rhone has a sour cherry bouquet and a palate of white pepper with stern tannins accompanied by some nice flavors of tart raspberry/cherry and a touch of tar.

With some breathing the tannins are still a bit chunky but the flavors blend very nicely with a fascinating touch of bananas in the finish.

This is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. It was on sale from $15 to $10 and I liked it so raise a glass!

Rosenblum Zinfandel Snow's Lake Vineyard 2004 wine review by (PB)

"Life is too short to drink bad wine." It is a motto I wish I could afford to live by however, once in a while you have to make the splurge. Tonight, contemplating dinner with my favorite person in the whole world--my girl friend and wife of almost 35 years, I decided to do an all American grilling of hamburgers (actually a blend of ground veal and beef) with corn on the cob and macaroni and cheese. What is more perfect than a quality Zin from the king of Zinfandels--Rosenblum who makes somewhere around 25 different Zinfandels.

This one was $30 and either I or my wife brought it back from a trip to California. It is MARVELOUS and worth every penny.

From a foot away it yields aromas of blackberry and spice; pure fruit and essence; no alcohol what-so-ever. The nose on the swirl gives a wonderfully zinfandelish brambly aroma with blackberry compote.

In the mouth this wine borders on elegant--perfectly integrated with mature tannins that should hold another two years anyway. there is nice balance of blackberry and raspberry with spice and very light licorice on the finish. This was a wonderful accompaniment to this simple all-American dinner. Raise a glass to all the blessings we have in the land of the free.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut wine review by (PB)

This Spanish Cava is always a pleasant quaff and a decent value. I tends to run in the $12 price range but I found this one for $9.

It is pale straw with strong vanilla notes in the bouquet with hints of light spice.

Palate has spritely acid is clean and citrusy and just a nice chilled down sparkler that is refreshing in it simplicity and drinkability. Raise a glass!

Porto Pocas Tawny Port wine review by (PB)

This inexpensive non-vintage porto has sweet raisiny aromas on a tawny hued porto. Go figure.
It is fairly "hot" in the mouth with sweet vanilla and prune flavors. It is fairly shallow and even at the cheap price of $8, for $2-3 more you can find plenty of ports that are quite tasty.

Even at this price, I'd give it a pass.

Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico 2001 wine review by (PB)

2001 was a very good year for Chianti Classico (red label) so when I saw a magnum of this wine for $14, I snatched it up. The 750ml bottle usually runs around $11 and you just don't see the 01's.

I was not disappointed except that I should have bought up several more.

This wine is perfectly peaked with a touch of browning on the rim. there are cherry notes with baked fruit aromas that concerned me but the palate was really nice.

Fresh fruit with nice acid and bready notes with a touch of pepper. This is just a thoroughly integrated wine that has had enough to reach maturity. That doesn't happen too often in these days of "wine ready to drink" on release. Raise a glass.

Owen Roe Sinister Hand 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich nose of mixed berries, licorice, and spice

Plush core

Plum and sweet spice finish

This is a big, rich wine. The texture is plush and the fruit is ripe. It delivers with opulent fruit and spice, but might be a bit too oaky. I really like the flavors, but wonder if it would be difficult to pair with many dishes.

I paid $65 for a bottle of this wine at a high-end Boston restaurant. It was a relative bargain on this particular wine list, and it retails for around $30 in stores. It's an interesting blend of 52% Grenache, 39% Syrah, 7% Mourvedre, and 2% Counoise. Raise a glass!

Sancerre Cuvee Des Moulins Bales 2006 wine review by (PB)

I paid $12 for this half bottle and it was quite disappointing. Comprised of S. Blanc it is grassy with Sauvignon aromas and light citrus notes with orange rind.

Palate--acid, citrus grass, solid though a little bit thin. For the price not worth it but don't get discouraged but look for something else. This one is a right off!

Torres Tormenta Viognier Reserve 2007 wine review by (PB)

This wine has a sweet bouquet of guava with slight pineapple and big pear aromas. Typical Viognier (pronounced Vee--own--NYAY) it has big bouquet that is flowery and an off dry palate of white flowers, sl. citrus notes and other flavors that are hard to pin down.

It is a little "weird" but interesting enough to warrant a taste. All in all, I liked it so raise a glass.

I pared it as an aperitif on a lark putting some fresh mango, peach slices and raspberry sorbet with a couple thin sliced banana tastes. I did not expect it to work at all and was surprised that while it did not really enhance anything, neither did it clash. Raise a glass to Chile.

Banrock Station Sparkling Chardonnay NV wine review by (PB)

Finding an easily drinkable sparkling wine around the $10 price point is not always easy. This is sure to be a pleaser though at $12. It is a pale straw with strong aromas with vanilla looming large.

In the mouth the wine is well made with lt. citrus and buttery notes. This wine is actually very pleasant and quaffable. Chill it down and enjoy as an aperitif or with lighter meals of delicate flavored foods. I liked it and I don't like many cheap or expensive sparklers so raise a glass!

Orneliai De Cripini 2007 special select wine review by (PB)

Don't try and fine this wine anywhere in the world. It is priceless and there are only 10 known bottles which reside in my cellar. This wine, vinified from old vines of Marachel Foche grown with care on the property of yours truly produce a stellar wine considering it is the first attempt by yours truly for making homemade, home grown wine.

It has a beautiful hue of purple garnet with grapy aromas reminiscent of Welches' grape juice.

It is supposedly 12.5 % alcohol but it doesn't taste like it. But this first attempt is amazingly easy to drink and well made all things being considered. It does have some character though not much yet it is not offensive! I would give it a 93 on a 100 point scale but then I AM biased! Raise a glass to my first crush! :) (Next year promises to be better!)

Lavieille Ferme Rose 2005 wine review by (PB)

This Rhone Valley blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah is meant for Summer drinking. Chill it down and enjoy it on a porch or patio.

The watermelon hued wine has pronounced aromas of sweet flowery fruit. The palate is steely, fruity a bit short, but fresh and quaff worthy on a humid summer's eve. You cannot complain at the $6.50 price point so raise a glass!

Chateau De Camarsac 2005 wine review by (PB)

Still on my quest to find value 05 Bordeaux's I grabbed this one for $12 in Boston. It is a clear garnet with slightly candied cherry bouquet with some caraway notes and a flowery "soap" aroma that gives it an alluring touch.

In the mouth it decently made with slight evergreen flavors with a light fruit throughout. (NW) was up for a day so we had this in preparation for our meal which was a surprise so I didn't know what to select. This was a decently made wine and for the price it was pleasant and drinkable. Would I buy another? Probably so raise a glass and keep looking for those inexpensive 05's. There are treasures waiting!
(Sorry but this is the best pic of label I could find. It is the one 2nd from the left.

Anura Chenin Blanc 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Exotic bouquet on the nose of butterscotch, dried apricot, and floral tones

Honey and melon notes on palate

Finish of caramel and apricot

This is a remarkable wine! It has an elegant taste of age and maturity that makes it exotic and rich. I had just one glass, but it was a generous six ounce pour at Jiko on the Disney World property in Florida. Jiko is an African-inspired restaurant at Animal Kingdom Lodge with exceptional food and an extensive wine list from South Africa.

Check out the Chenin Blanc's from South Africa. You'll also seem them called Steen (just another name for the same grape). The wines are reasonably priced. I paid $11 for the glass at Jiko. Raise a glass!

Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Bright nose of lemon, lime, and wet stones

Citrus on the palate

Finish of cut grass, lime, and grapefruit

This is a nice wine. It has the crisp citrus flavors that are expected from a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but also an undertone of wet stones.

My sister shared this bottle with my wife and me, and she commented that it was the most flavorful dry wine she had ever tasted. I think that's a terrific description. I'm curious to see if other wines from the 2007 vintage in New Zealand have this dryness and undertone of minerals or stones.

I overpaid for this wine at $19. You should pay more like $15-16. Raise a glass!

Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage Vines Zinfandel 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Wild berries and spice on the nose

Heavy, plush texture on the palate

Finish a bit hot, with lingering boysenberry, cinnamon, and chocolate notes

I've enjoyed the 2004 and 2005 Zinfandels from California. I must admit, though, I need to be in the mood. These are typically rich, spicy wines with high alcohol content. Although not all producers follow this template, the ripe grapes that have been harvested lately can producer some big, big wines.

One complaint I hear is that Zinfandel can overpower food. I paired this with a hearty Lebanese dish, but I often drink Zinfandel after dinner in front of a movie.

This wine is a little bit hot with alcohol intensity, but it has a lot of good flavor. I paid $14 for the bottle, which seems pretty typical. Raise a glass!

Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2003 wine review by (PB)

Mature garnet hue with pretty cherry aromas with some nice tones of fresh fruit and black cherry.

This wine is beautiful on the palate with some sweet fruit and solid, mature structure and balanced throughout.

This wine is in prime time drinking mode. I paid $14 for this wine and if you can find it pick up a couple bottles. This is a NICE wine and NICE wine value so raise a glass!

Pacifico Sur Rose 2007 wine review by (PB)

This $8 rose is a nice light cherry hued drink with clean candy like aromas of cherry and raspberry. This is a Chilean rose made from Cabernet Sauvignon.

The first impression in the mouth is an immediate sense of spice but it goes as quickly as it comes. This wine has solid fresh flavors though a bit alcoholic but chilled down drinks very easy.

This is a nice summer quaff for sitting in the sun on a warm day but it paired quite well with our Cajun grilled shrimp. Cajun spices can be tough to put wine with but this works. So take note, and raise a glass.

La Veille Ferme 2006 (White) wine review by (PB)

These value wines both red and white always tend to be good values. This Cotes De Luberon Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc and Roussanne which combine to show case a bouquet that is sweet and spicy with peach and apricot nuances with fleeting "circus peanut" aroma with strawberry notes. Weird and wonderful!

In the mouth this $8 wine is hard to pin down with fruity and well structured flavors. For the price, you really should give it a try! Raise a glass.

Lafite Reserva Speciale 2005 wine review by (PB)

Another of the 05 Bordeaux that has a cranberry hue with an interesting bouquet of gentle cherry/black cherry notes and cedar. After breathing clean cherry aromas with an almost flowery bouquet laced with pomegranate and bread.

The bouquet is the best part of this wine which is a little disappointing. It gives a nice first impression with a popular sweet palate, balanced fruit and clean flavors. It's decent enough but at $17 I have found better values in this hallmark year. Raise a glass!

Old Moon (Old Vine) Zinfandel 2006

This wine was found at Trader Joes and sells for $6. It is purple with a raspberry bouquet and a sweet palate with raspberry fruit.

It is made in the very popular style that will appeal to most Americans. It is actually a pleasant guzzling kind of wine but don't get it thinking you're getting a Zin. It's just a fun, haphazard quaffer to enjoy a little on the kind side sitting on the porch waiting for dinner. Raise a glass.

Mouton Cadet (White) 2006 wine review by (PB)

This lightly golden Bordeaux smells like a wonderful Riesling or Gewürztraminer on first sniff and then evolves quickly to a Sauvignon Blanc blend. Peaches and grassy notes are very nice on the swirl with flowery bouquet.

This wine is 40% S. Blanc 50% Semillion and 10% Muscadelle and it tastes precisely like what it is. This wine comes in at $7.50 and is food friendly, and okay as an aperitif. Raise a glass to be sure.

Chateau Guiraud-Cheval Blanc 2005 wine review by (PB)

This Bordeaux Cotes De Bourg wine is another 05 value. It has a black cherry hue with tight fruit of black cherry and some raspberry notes with minerals and steel.

In the mouth this wine is sweet with some tannic structure, bready notes but needs to open. With breathing it is a tad hot but nice flavors and body with good structure and a good food wine. Buy this wine and two more to lay down for another year and reap the rewards. All this for only $14 so raise a glass to a great vintage!

Marquis De Chasse 2005

Remember I said to buy any 05 Bordeaux and give it s shot; there will be some real bargains to be found from this supreme vintage. This blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon is a cranberry jelly colored wine with a bouquet of fruity wood, and chocolate covered cherries. Nice.

In the mouth it is steely, a little tart tightly wound on opening and full of mineral flavors. BREATHE!

Really nice bouquet of ripe plum and a touch of cinnamon and pipe tobacco.

The palate is a bit tannic but this is a solid wine; give it two hours to air out and buy a couple for the under $10 price and put another year of age on it.

LeCheteau Vouvray Brut (NV) wine review by (PB)

This $10 sparkling wine from Vouvray France is really very nice! Made from Chenin Blanc, it is pale straw in color with a lemony melon bouquet that is understated. It is somewhat thin on flavor but is crisply made and refreshing.

Somewhat non-descript but I tell you this is a "best buy" sparkler and worth seeking out! I'll buy more if given the chance. Raise a glass!

Note--LeCheteau is spelled properly!

Domaine Tempier Bandol 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fruity nose of blueberry and mulberry

Dense core

Dark berry finish with dry herbs and cassis

This wine is wild and untamed! It has an exotic taste of berries and herbs, and is still quite tannic. After decanting, the wine softened a bit but continued to be chewy and dense. It also has a striking dark purple color, that looked beautiful in the decanter.

From a tiny region in Southern France, Bandol is made primarily from Mourvedre. The grapes are extremely ripe, but there's an underlying herbal tone that makes some of these wine taste almost wild and this is no exception.

I paid $32 for the bottle, and have seen it for as much as $40. If you're ready to do some exploring in France's lesser-known regions, look for a Bandol. And raise a glass!

Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Bright nose of peach and lemon

Nicely textured on the palate; fruity and acidic

Finish of citrus, melon, and lingering vanilla

This South African beauty is a steal at just $6! Well, that was the sale price. Regardless, the regular price is more like $10 which is still a good deal for a fruity, elegant, and nicely textured wine.

I could see this pairing well with a variety of dishes, and it also was delicious to drink on its own. I encourage you to seek out South African Chenin Blanc. Some wineries use the grape name Steen, however, it seems more of them are reverting back to the French name for the grape on the label. Either way, it's often great stuff at a modest price. Raise a glass!

Valle Reale Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich nose of crushed blackberry, spice, and a layer of dusty earth

Dense, fruity core

Moderate tannins on finish with raspberry, cocoa, spice, and pepper

Very nice wine! This wine costs $20 and is a step up from the delicious and simple "Vigne Nuove" label that prices in around $12. It's slightly more dense and structured, showing darker fruit flavors and more spice.

I rarely see this wine and should have grabbed more. The Montepulciano D'Abruzzo wines are common now, but almost exclusively just the entry level bottlings. It's unusual to see the next step up, such as this. Hope you find one. And raise a glass!

Chateau De Beauregard-DuCourt 2005 wine review by (PB)

For $11 you should be trying any and all 05 Bordeaux you find; many of them will be bargains.

This one is a pretty plum purple with a wowing bouquet of sweet fruit that if I was blind folded I would say it was a rose with sweet fruity strawberry and cherry aromas.

Palate has some structure with forthright tannins and skimpy fruit that is a bit hollow with charcoals notes. This is just light bodied, easy to drink but is weird since it is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet yet tastes like a Beaujolais Cru. It is an easy drinking wine but very weird for Bordeaux.
Let this one pass.

Dona Paula Las Cardos Malbec 2006 wine review by (PB)

This is a pretty purple Argentinian wine with cranberry bouquet and black cherry notes.

Palate is solid strawberries with slight white pepper and solid structure. I am not a big fan of Malbec but this one was decent. I believe the price point is the usual $10 range. Raise a glass.

Casa LaPastolle "Cuvee Alexandre" Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 wine review by (PB)

This multiply reviewed wine is always a super value and a great quaff. It has an intense deep black cherry color with vegetal aromas with rich dark berries.

Palate is a rich, big, juicy Cab. that is a blockbuster wine with big dark fruit that's bready and delicious finishing with subtle chocolate. What a bargain at $15

KJ Riesling 2005 wine review by (PB)

This California Riesling is pale straw with shallow mixed fruit, melon and kiwi along iwth a fruit I just can't identify.

In the mouth it has a sweet touch of lemon peel at the rear with apricot note; is nicely made with a lingering finish but the bouquet has a fruit aroma that is elusive and nice. I paid $11 for this wine which was fair but if you want Riesling, try Washington state or Germany and raise a glass.

Baltos Bierzo 2005 Wine review by (PB)

Dominio De Tares from Mencia Spain this wine has a purple hue with a unique bouquet that reminds me a great deal of Pinot Noir with stinky aromas over sour cherry.

In the mouth it is tasty and again unique mouth feel with tangy fruit that is bright. The finish is quick but all in all a unique and tasty wine. At the $17 price point it is an average value. Raise a glass.

Chateau D'Aiguilhe 2004 real time review by (PB)

Intense color of opaque cherry w/scant remnants of purple youth.
Bouquet has prominent tart raspberry aromas with plum and cocoa highlights with a bit of spice in the nose.

White pepper is first impression with steely mid-palate with really chewy tannins that are dry as dust. Needs to breathe and relax.

This wine is from Bordeaux (Cotes De Castillon). With an hour of breathing it reveals some wild tastes of cedar and pine and while the tannins relax a bit they are still quite chewy. Wine Spectator's barrel tasting of this wine and subsequent tastings show something quite different. (Interesting)

Finally--after three hours of decanting, this wine reveals its true colors; refined tannins, distinctive flavors described above and a respectable finish. (This is a fine example of why some wines need to be breathed!)

At any rate, in the $20 price point, this is a lot of wine and interesting so raise a glass and don't forget those 2005 Bordeaux! Grab em while you can.

Rocca Delle Macie Reserva Chianti Classico 2004 wine review by (PB)

This previously reviewed wine is always excellent. It is changing over time and for the better; Intense black cherry color with great aromas of fresh wild cherries with hints of wildness and spice and with some air a lovely caraway (rye bread) emerges. This is different than the last time I reviewed this wine.

Palate is delicious, fully integrated, drinking great with a hint of chocolate with a nice fruity finish.

Just a great value at the $15 price point. If you find it, buy it up and drink it up! Raise a glass.

Hyatt Cabernet Sauvignon (NV) wine review by (PB)

If there is a vintage on this wine I could not find it. Very strange but this Yakima wine was bought on a closeout for $7. It has loads of nice cola in the bouquet with dark fruit and dark berries with ripe cherry notes as well.

In the mouth there is wood, fruit, some more wood and a decent structure. It finishes pretty well and all in all was a pretty good quaff for the price. Raise a glass.
(Note the label is for Merlot but it is the same except for the name)

Schrader Double Diamond Mayacamas Range Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Dark berries, currant, and cassis on the nose

Firmly structured, solid and rich on the palate

Blackberry and cedar finish

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a magnum of this wine at a business dinner. The sommelier decanted the wine in a beautiful, tall decanter which added to the experience. Did it need it? Well, it probably didn't hurt give that it's a young, dense wine.

The dark, rich flavors give the wine a seriousness and intensity, and the firm structure and tannins provide a backbone. It's not as soft and chewy as others from 2004, rather I'd call it Bordeaux-like.

The magnum was $195 at a New York steakhouse. It was well worth it, enhancing the meal like wine should. It was also a treat because this wine is such a limited production, especially in the 1.5L format. Raise a glass!

Lolonis Redwood Valley Merlot 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich nose of red berries and cream
Full-bodied and velvety on palate
Nice finish of plum, berries, and a touch of milk chocolate

I've enjoyed this wine in the past, and the 2004 is very nice. When I find it on sale, it's a real bargain. Recently, I paid $13 and bought a few bottles.

The flavors are full and rich and the texture is smooth and velvety. Pair this wine with hearty food and you'll have a match! Raise a glass!

Man Sauvignon Blanc 2005 wine review by (PB)

I had a Man Chenin a year or so ago and was impressed. this S. African winery tends to produce decent value wines. So I grabbed this one which was on closeout for $6. What a bargain!
Nice light golden wine with grassy aromas with guava paste notes.

Palate is solid, slightly tart and very tasty. This is a sturdy S. Blanc very typical of the variety and and at the price pretty nice. Raise a glass!

Crucillon 2005 wine review by (PB)

This is a 100% Spanish Macabeo that is pale golden with odd, fuel oil scents over summer fruit. Agh! Palate is a bit sour with shallow flavor and grapey on the finish. I have no experience with this grape at all so have no point of reference. If this is what it is supposed to taste like--YUCK.
PASS!

Altos De LaHoya 2005 wine review by (PB)

This Jumilla Monastrell is a nice deep garnet hue with stingy aromas but a strange latex paint aroma is present.

It has a sweetness i the mouth and thin on fruit but big on flavor. A rather weird wine with light pepper notes, gentle strawberry with an alcoholic background. Not a lot there and worth passing up even at $7 on sale.

Torbreck 2006 "Woodcutter's Shiraz" wine review by (PB)

(NW) hauled this out for one of our comestible conquests in Boston; This Barossa is heavily pigmented with black cherry and cranberry rim. Bouquet is full of ripe plums with heavy aromas of cream and English pudding.

Palate--Sweet with rich fruit that is "real" being neither jammy nor a fruit bomb. It has some character and even finesse on the finish. At the $20 price point, this wine is a wood cut above the myriad of Aussie Shiraz's in the $15 and under category. Spend the extra few bucks; its worth it! Raise a glass to good Shiraz.

Comenda Grande Tinto 2004 Wine Review by Billy

Nose:Asparagus, loamy earth, milk, mushrooms, soft dark jammy berries
Palate: pleasantly tannic at first but soft with rounded feel. Not big in the mouth but even and subtle.
Finish: cocoa, tapering finish that ends quickly with a tough of green.

Overall: there is no way to describe the excellence with which a wine received as a gift imparts when you open and drink it. This Comenda Grande 2004, a red wine from the Alentejano region of Portugal, was given to me as a gift from a dear friend from Portugal. I was in Lisbon on a business trip and my friend and I got to talking about wine. He gifted me this bottle and another from his own collection. As I drink this wine, I am flooded with pleasant memories of Lisbon, the evening spent watching football at a local eatery, and the friendliness of the Portuguese people.

The wine is a nice table red. A blend of Portuguese varietals Trincadeira, Aragones (aka tempranillo) and Alicante Bouschet, this deep red is flavored predominantly by the Trincadeira and smoothed and rounded by the Aragones.

Raise a Glass!