Blind Trail Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Sour plum, red cherry, and raspberry on the nose

Lean and juicy on the palate

Cherry, wild red berries, herbs, and a touch of cocoa on the finish

The Pinot Noirs from New Zealand are carving out their place in the wine world. While some get a bit more velvety and spicy that this one, I'd say this a good example of the lean and focused wines that characterize the Central Otago region.

I paid $15 for this wine on sale which typically goes for $20 or so. That's on the lower end of the price spectrum for these Pinots. Friends who have visited this region suggested this is a newer wine.

Seek out the Pinot Noirs from New Zealand when you want a lean and focused food-friendly wine. In fact, there's no better pairing than a New Zealand rack of lamb. Raise a glass!

Tablas Creek Vineyard Cotes de Tablas 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Wild red berries, currants, and red licorice on the nose

Very smooth texture on the palate

Grapey finish with more red berries, licorice, and some spice

Here's a nice wine crafted from a list of Rhone grape varietals: grenache, syrah, counoise, and mourvedre. It's ultra smooth and versatile for $14 or so. Raise a glass!

Cline Zinfandel "California" 2007 wine review by (PB)

One of my perennial favorites, this value Zin runs around $8.50 a bottle and is a decent example of the grape even at this lower echelon production wine. It is opaqueish red with wild, brambly Zin aromas of rustic berries, a touch of ripe raspberry, and spice.

Palate--nice textured wine with solid red berry fruit with a touch of chocolate and wildness. It finishes with lingering berry flavors even if a little coarse. Raise a glass at this price and then compare it with a Zin of around $25 to grow your Zinfandel knowledge!

Pigmentum Malbec 2005 wine review by (PB)

This Malbec from Cahors France has a fairly intense and slightly opaque garnet hue. Bouquet has some solid aromas of dark berry fruit and a little spice and a slight hint of mint and just a touch of leather.

Palate-- Somewhat startling first impression of being watery in texture, a little sour, big minerally tastes; bready notes, scant fruit, a bitter finish and tannins that are assaulting. This wine is acidic and needs yet more time to develop.

It seems to have potential but it is NOT yet ready to drink! Give this wine another good year and it may be surprising. *Raise a glass of something else in the meantime!

*After this wine had two good hours of breathing it was changing. It was nearly offensive on first opening but as time went on I found myself pouring it over and over again into my glass. By the time I was done with dinner, this wine was really quite engaging. So I'll back track what I said above and say rather to give it plenty of time to breahte--at least two hours.

La Vieille Ferme Rose 2008 wine review review by PB)

These folks just know how to make value wine! This rose which I just bought for $7 is made from Grenache and Cinsault. It is a pretty light strawberry hued wine with spicy, sweet aromas of the same with grapefruit rind touches.

Palate--bracing acidity with gentle, bright fruit and a pleasing fruity finish. This rose is bone dry, and a solid summer quencher with mouth tingling liveliness. Chill it down and raise a glass and at this price, buy several bottles for those hot, poolside respites from the daily grind.

Dry Creek Vineyards Fume Blanc 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Big citrus nose with melon accents

Nicely textured on the palate with a citrus core and a bit of weight

Mineral layers, kiwi, and more citrus on the finish

Nicely done! This is a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc at an affordable price of $12 or so. I paid $28 for the bottle at a restaurant, which is a pretty hefty markup that's all too common these days.

If you're a fan of this varietal, you'll want to start with this well chilled and let it gradually come up in temperature as you pour small glasses. The various citrus and mineral layers evolve and offer depth.

Raise a glass!

Covey Run Riesling 2007 wine review by (PB)

Real time review: Gentle golden hue with powdery, creme brulee aromas accented with fragrant sweet baking spices and light citrus touches and a hint of minerals--really nice and classic Riesling.

Palate--off dry presence with lemony highlights and a citrus foundation with solid acid and juicy core. Finishes crisp and clean.

Riesling some how has fallen into obscurity in recent decades which is baffling. It is the quintessential grape of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer regions of Germany responsible for the indescribable "pradikat" wines of the regions. Washington State has been producing some truly wonderful expressions of this grape for a couple decades and it presents an extraordinary value.

This wine runs less than $10 and is the perfect summer afternoon aperitif as I get ready to grill a couple veal chops. Raise a glass to one of our RARE sunny days in Maine!

Amisfield Pinot Noir 2005 wine review by (PB)

This highly touted New Zealand Pinot from the central Otago has pronounced aromas of Pinot fruit with sour dried cherries and light cocoa that fades and then rises again.

Palate--Slightly tart milk chocolate, tannins and light fruit that tapers off.

This Pinot is clearly in the new world style where a crisp presentation is what its all about. It really is quite a different wine than what you might find in Burgundy but then again, you don't have to mortgage your home to buy one either. I believe (NW) paid about $35 for this quaff and raise a glass we did!

BeauLieu Vineyards Reserve "Tapestry" 2000 wine review by (PB)

(NW) served this wine blind to us at a recent Boston fete. It was a deep garnet with big deep green pepper front with rich, dark fruit and leather and then rose petals, sweet black cherry with maple smoked bacon hints. Later, it is dusty with dried fruit and powdered chocolate and violets. Talk about complex...

Palate--cedar front with sweet presentation with notes of bread, plush maturing tannins, and a smoke finish on cedar and light cocoa. This is a mature wine and why we love B.V.'s Tapestry.

Before (NW) unveiled the wine, my wife asked, "Could this be Tapestry?" I--the expert--shrugged the suggestion off with a blatant, "No!"

Hey, you can't win them all so raise a glass!

Nova Tempranillo 2003 wine review by (PB)

This *Crianza wine has a purple garnet hue with robust, thick aromas of dark ripe berry and plum mixture with some hints of spice and bread with slight tinge of pepper.

Palate--over ripe fruit with intense, heavy texture with tannic foundation and a sweet underlayer of dark chocolate--wow! With some air, another layer of sweet cherry emerges.

This is a Ribera Del Douro where values are abundant and this is one at $10. Raise a glass today!

(*"Crianza" means the wine has spent one year in oak aging.)

Camigliano Brunello Di Montalcino 2001 wine review by (PB)

A great occasion deserves a great wine so why not Brunello? It is my lover's and my 36th wedding anniversary and the lasagna is in the oven. I opened this wine at noon to let it breathe as most Brunellos need lots of air time and to my surprise this wine was showing some maturity on the rim and in the bouquet.

Sweet tobacco and bright candied cherry fill the bouquet with ample cedar notes.
Palate--The wine is supple with relaxed tannins (mature) bright cherry fruit over stewed prune hints with a cedar presence. This wine is peak right now and will not get any better I don't believe. It is mature and begging to be enjoyed. Perhaps this is why it was on sale when I bought it at $40 on a recent trip to Phoenix.

At any rate, it will be the perfect accompaniment to an awesome lasagna and a brilliant wife who makes water blush in her presence. How blessed I am so raise a glass to 36 faithful years to each other and that my friends is infinitely more rare than the rarest Le Pin or Petrus and worth 10 times as much!

Ranschbacher Konigsgarten 1976 Beerenauslese Eiswein wine review by (PB)

This rare treat was only fitting to be opened made from the vintage 200 years after the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed. We had no idea what to expect except that it could very easily still be vibrant as this is precisely the kind of white wine made for aging. What did it reveal 33 years after it was made?

The color on the anxious pour was a remarkable amber hue that looked like it was fitting for a gem stone set as a pendant.

The bouquet was honeyed with stewed fruit with dill and orange rind aromas that were amazing.

Palate--Elegant rich and velvety thick and marvelous. Flavors of stewed peaches with caramel notes and perfectly balanced between luscious sweetness and solid acid.

This wine came from the basement of my mother-in-law who bought it on release after a trip to Germany. No label was available on line that I could find nor could I reference a price. Suffice it to say, this is a wine to remember! Raise a glass to Ed and Mary...

Duval-Leroy Champagne (NV) Brut wine review by (PB)

Celebrating on the 4th of July with (NW) and his brood we started off with this from his ample cellar. It has a straw hue with nutty, vanilla aromas.

Palate--fine stream of bubbles with up front nuttiness and light citrus. A refreshing and delightful sparkler from THE region called "Champagne." About $30. Raise a glass indeed.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2007 wine review by (PB)

Made from *Mendocino grapes this wine is a young purple with solid Pinot aromas with a slightly stinky Pinot nose and a Grenache-like cherry presence.

Palate--Sweet presence of fruity cherry and quite well made finishing nicely.

At the $12 price point, this is a wine worth picking up and a decent value so raise a glass.

*Castle Rock sources their grapes from various locales and states the locale on the label so pay attention to all the information available to you when buying wine.

Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes 1998 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Apricot and fig on the nose

Dense and thickly textured on the palate

Orange peel, honey, and cashew berry on the finish

This wine is probably hitting its stride about now. It has a lot of apricot and orange peel surrounded by some other interesting layers. While not a benchmark wine, it delivers classic Sauternes qualities and is a pleasure to sip.

I was treated to this wine by a friend who always manages to producer a good bottle of wine no matter what the circumstances. This wine runs approximately $55, but he said he scored a great deal at a local wine shop.

Raise a glass!

Chateau Bellevue Rougier Bordeaux 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Cherry, currants, and spice on the nose

Moderately dense and fruity on the palate

Red berries, herbs, and touches of vanilla and tobacco on the finish

Here's a good, solid value from the great 2005 Bordeaux vintage. Had I known, I would have bought more at $13.

What this wine has over many others in the same value price category is a layering effect of fruit, herbs, and spice. According to the producer, the dominant grape is Merlot at 60%, accompanied by the other classic Bordeaux grapes.

Grab it if you see it...and raise a glass!

Columbia Winery 2005 Chardonnay wine review by Billy

Nose:astringent and chemically upon opening, butterscotch minnerals underneath. The acetone smell should blow off after a bit but give it some time.
Palate:strong acids make this crisp but it lacks refreshing character.
Finish:apples and daisys.

Overall: this Chardonnay from Washington's Columbia valley is not the best. I like the mineraly-ness of the wine but it lacks the refinement required to pull off a fine, minnerals forward wine. Schizophrenic between buttery chardonnay and steely french whites. Raise a glass of something else

Rosenblum Syrah Solano County England-Shaw Vineyard 2005 wine review by (PB)

Real time review:
On the eve of the celebration of our independence as a nation I am slow cooking some ribs on my Weber with REAL charcoal--always the purist...

I just opened this bottle to celebrate such an auspicious occasion.

This wine is a deep black cherry colored with jammy plum aromas.
Palate is a bit coarse with austere fruit and chewy tannins. I will decant this sucker as I know there is much more there!

An hour later, it is relaxed with vibrant black cherry aromas, plum and sweet spices.
Palate has relaxed tannins, big ripe dark fruit and bready notes with a nice lingering finish. I paid $26 for this and it is nice but I would rather spend the same amount on one of their many single vineyard Zins. Raise a glass to the brave men and women who fought for our right to be free!

Umathum St. Laurent 2004 wine review by (PB)

This was another of the Austrian wines (Billy) of this blog, brought back from his trip. This one is a red and St.Laurent is the name of the grape. In the glass the hue looks like it should be a Syrah, deep and intense. The nose reminds me of a Malbec with heavy , dark aromas of berry fruit and sweet dill notes.

Palate--well balanced, bready, a bit "hot" with a sweet impression and more berries. Soft tannins round out this rather tasty wine even if finishing rather abruptly. I believe this wine is a bit pricey-- in the $30-$50 range. For the price, I'm not sure I would make the splurge again but it wasn't my dime and it was a "new" grape for me so raise a glass!

Chateau De Pommard 2000 wine review by (PB)

On opening the sight was not pretty. *Bricking at this young age for a Burgundy was tell tale of bad storage or a bad cork or both.

On the nose the wine had a gentle spice core with gentle cherry and licorice emerging.

Palate--Cherry and spice up front with minerals, bread, and more minerals on the finish. The wine was austere but I suspect this was a result of its oxidation. It was still very drinkable but quite ordinary when this wine should have been fairly impressive. Not a good representation of the wine.

(*Bricking is the appearance of the wine taking the color of bricks which is due to oxidation. Bricking by itself does not necessarily mean the wine is "bad" but it does mean the wine MAY be bad as it has aged. For this particular wine to show such "age" was not appropriate. As it turned out, (Billy) of this blog who supplied the wine paid $28 which was half price of what it sold at. This may be why it was being dumped for half off.)

Chasselas 2006 wine review by (PB)

On a recent trip to Switzerland, (Billy) of this blog, brought back some indigenous wines. This one, made from the Chasselas grape was a white that is pale gold, with a subtle bouquet of caramel underneath the fruit with a light touch of banana. Unique!

In the mouth this wine is loaded with minerals, is bone dry, fruit that I cannot even relate to anything I know, and has a very nutty finish like some champagnes.

Take advantage of your business travelings to explore wines you will never see anywhere else and raise a glass. (Sorry no picture of the label available.)

St. Francis 2006 Old Vines Zinfandel wine review by Billy

Nose: Peppery Cedar spice (classic Zin!) and a dark berry cream on the nose.
Palate: Good structure, unassuming and uncomplex but sticking to what it knows well and doing it well!
Finish: soft and dark berries come back for a small but fine finish.

Overall: a nice 2006 california (sonoma) zin. I am eating it with pizza with which it goes perfectly! PB paid about $24 for this.

Ironstone Vineyards Obsession "Symphony" 2007 wine review by (PB)

Pale straw hue with bubbles rising in the bottle. "Symphony" is actually the grape created in the 60's in Calif. from the Muscat and Grenache Gris.
It has a wonderfully, powerfully floral and tropical fruit filled bouquet that is sweet and wowing!

In the mouth, this wine is intense with balance and sweetness on a foundation of vibrant acidity loaded with tropical fruit flavors, stone fruit, green apples and is really a super quaffing wine for a hot summer's day. Chill it down and raise a glass of this value.

It costs a mere $9 and that from a store with elevated prices so you could probably find it for even less. In the words of my wife--"It's like a blond summer day."

Ribeauville Vin de l'A. Grand Reserve 2004 Bergheim wine review by Billy

Nose: Spicy, steely with Honeyed tropical fruit, lemon grass
Palate: supple and rich with a delicate structure but a feel that spreads throughout the mouth for a delightful summer time refreshment.
Finish: beautiful and lingering stoney textures, creamed honey and melon, sweet grass and sugar cane.
Overall: This special bottle was given to me by a friend in Europe recently. It is a blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer from Alsace but the Bergheim region specifically which sets the bottle apart from other Alsacians. It is a pretty gold gilt in the glass. Gorgeous.

A beautiful bottle shared with my parents enjoyed with gratitude and fond memories of my friends.

Ai Colli Amarone della Valpolicella 2005 Vivaldi wine review by Billy

Nose: Cherry Chocolate, wet tobacco and cedar spice hints
Palate: Very soft feel bordering on a sweet limpness, soft and round tannins provide the most structure.
Finish:resurgence of big and juicy black and blueberries

Overall: The nose is nice, the feel in the mouth leaves something to be desired but the finish is extraordinary. I paid about 95 Swiss Francs for this. There are definitely better wines to be had at that price, but there was still something special about this wine.

Barolo Beni di Batasiolo 2004 wine review by Billy

Nose: Hazelnut husk and acorn aromas spiked with truffle (wonderfully earthy!), black cracked pepper, spicy plum and blackberry
Palate:big mouth feel with chewy tannins and a structure that is firm though short-lived
Finish: juicy berries with a long lingering oaky elegance that slowly decrescendos to a woody character.

Overall: let this breathe after opening. It will open up with berries and more layers on the palate and finish. As it breathes the nose opens up with a rich spicy cedar blackberry profile with smokey hints while the tannins soften on the palate and the finish becomes more of a uniform cedar. I paid about 75 swiss Francs for this on a recent trip to Switzerland and shared the bottle with colleagues. Wonderful!

The Formula Shiraz 2004 wine review by (PB)

Sitting in Minneapolis doing a real time review with (Billy) of this blog. Dark black cherry hue with intense black cherry and berry nose with crushed dried autumn leaves and spice.

Burning unique palate with bitter mocha and unsweetened fudge, salty, musty flavors that are awkward. I didn't let this breathe and perhaps that will help but...fruit finish.

If this improves with air, I'll note it subsequently. In the $16 price point, raise a glass of something else like Mclaren Vale Tapestry Shiraz.

St Francis Sonoma County Claret 2003 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Mixed berries, plum, cedar, and vanilla on the nose

Full-bodied on the palate

More berries on the finish, with cedar and anise layers

I recently had the St Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon from the same vintage, so it's interesting to see the similarities. Both wines exhibit a nice cedar layer, but this Claret has extra depth and more integration of flavors. Of course, it's more of a deliberate blend- in this case it includes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel.

This wine was on the wine list at a chain restaurant and it stuck out because everything on the list seemed to be 2006 or 2007, but here was an '03. It paired well with a small filet and side dishes. The menu price was $48 which is a total rip off as the wine typically retails for $18 or less.

Raise a glass- and hopefully one that costs you a bit less!

Racemi PietraLuna Negramaro del Selento 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Lavendar, cherry, pepper, and earthy notes on the nose

Youthful and fruity on the palate

Cherry, red plum, and lightly spiced on the finish

This is a youthful, fruity wine that will prove to be versatile with food and a nice option for a summer night when you really want a red wine. I can picture it with cold pasta salad, antipasti, or just about anything starchy.

Head off the beaten path for a bottle of Negramaro, a lesser know grape varietal that has typically finds its home in southern Italy. I paid $13 for the bottle at a gourmet cheese shop, but you'll likely find it closer to $10. Raise a glass!

Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 "Cuvee Alexander" wine review by (PB)

Dark purple hue with pronounced black fruit and berry nose with slight vegetal hints and baker's chocolate.

Palate--rich flavors of bitter chocolate, blackberries that are ripe with dark plum notes, bread finishing with firm tannins and fruit.

Obviously young and will improve for a few years. Tends to always be a value and at $14 on sale, this is a good value to be sure so raise a glass.

McWilliams Hanwood Estates Riesling 2007 wine review by (PB)

Pale golden with big, sweet, creme brulee aromas and powdery, light citrus. Nice!

Palate BIG acid, which I love, with lemon and light unripe grapefruit. Fruity and cleansing and at $9 this Aussie varietal is a keeper so raise a glass!

Chateau Ste. Michelle "Indian Wells" Riesling 2007 wine review by (PB)

Straw hue with big tropical fruit compote aromas with pineapple life savers which gives way a day later to Granny Smith apples and peaches.

Palate--Ultra fruity and a touch sweet with an off dry presence and acid foundation that could use a bit more oomph. Finishes with fruit galore and lingers.

This is an $11 wine value and the Rieslings are really showing ridiculously well from the west coast and Pacific Northwest. So chill it down, raise a glass and just say, "Ahhhhhhh!" and who knows? Summer may yet show up in New England...

Rancho Zabaco Sonoma Heritage Vines Zinfandel 2007 wine review by (PB)

Purple with some depth and a deep bouquet of dark, blackberry and plum, Tight but nice--needs air.

Palate Heavy, a bit hot and very tightly wound. With time it opens a bit to a fruity, dark wild blackberry with some character and robust flavors. I paid $14 for this on sale and it is a decent example of Zinfandel but it's not the value of past Rancho Zabaco Zins.

Raise a glass to America's own grape!
Note--label pictured is close but not exact...

Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2007 wine review by (PB)

Bright cherry hue with pronounced strawberry, raspberry notes.

Palate--an edgy, coarse wine with a rough fruit front and a slightly bitter rear.

This Chilean Pinot was $9 while drinkable is not exciting in any way. I'd pass on this one.

(I reviewed this wine in December of 08 and said it was drinkable just like above. But you can do better at the ubiquitous $10 price point.)

Xplorador Sauvignon Blanc 2008 wine review by (PB)

Xplorador is one of the value line wines of Chilean wine masters, Concha Y Toro and this one is another nice value. For $7--that's right count 'em--7, you get a wine that is supremely varietal with grassiness, some lemon and a touch of stone fruit in the bouquet which rises up from a pale gold hue.

Palate--citrusy, juicy core, really vibrant acidity, fuitiness and a nice finish. This is a lot of wine for the money and will cut through the fattiest sauce you can deliver. So raise a glass to this up and coming varietal out of Chile which just keeps getting better.

House Wine (White) 2007 wine review by (PB)

Made by Charles Shaw of K Vinters, this is a blend of Chardonnay, Muscat and Riesling. Previous vintage was made with Gewurztraminer I believe and was a superior wine. This one is okay but nothing special at $11 .

Pure straw hue with pear, peach and citrus aromas.

Palate--flowers up front with light peach and lemon. I chilled it down pretty well in an ice bath for sipping on my porch. It is made in the off dry, hugely acidic style that is crisp and clean finishing with summer fruit.

Publish Post

Not as good as the 06 but still pretty good so raise a glass!

Dona Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc wine review by (PB)

This Argentinian super value is straw colored with a huge citrus bouquet of pears, apple, sweet grape fruit, and a grassiness reminiscent of New Zealand S. Blancs.

The palate is wildly vibrant with racy acidity, grapefruit flavors with citrus in general mixed in. The core is mouth watering and just a super value Sauvignon Blanc if you like really crisp and puckery white wines. I paid $8 for this in Maine which means you can probably find it for a buck or two less elsewhere. I'd look for it if I were you! Raise a glass to this Argentinian producer who makes some really super value wines!

Man Chenin Blanc 2008 wine review by (PB)

Gentle golden nectar with a big peach, vanilla, citrus and sweet spice underlay aromas.

Palate--Just as big flavors of creme Brulee with peach glaze, light lemon, pie spice, and velvet texture. A lot of wine for the price of $9.

Chenin fans should love this and the price makes it a value wine of the first order so raise a glass!

St Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Black cherry, raspberry, and cedar on the nose

Full bodied and fruity on the palate

Mixed berries and eucalyptus on the finish

This is a decent wine that I put a few extra years of bottle age on in my cellar. I don't know what the direct effects of that have been, but the wine seems well integrated and smooth. The black cherry and berries are prevalent throughout, and the cedar layer turns to eucalyptus on the finish.

I paid $16 for the wine, while $22 is a more representative price now for the current vintage. Raise a glass!

Charles Shaw California Merlot 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Cherry, red berries, and vanilla on the nose

Round and slightly sweet on the palate

Cherry, red candy, and oak

Well, I haven't reviewed a "Two Buck Chuck" in a few years, so I thought I'd grab a couple bottles on a Trader Joe's run. I need to level with you here- this run was a year ago and I just didn't ever get around to opening the bottles (mostly because my wine philosophy of late has centered around this simple principle: "Life's too short to drink bad wine".) I just assumed this wine would be pretty lame.

After opening, the wine showed very predictable results with red fruit, vanilla, and oak. I felt I could have written the review without even popping the cork. For $3 though ("Three Buck Chuck now"), what do you expect? Actually, at this price the wine is drinkable and something I realize many people stock up on for that very reason.

Then, three days later something interesting happened. I found the remainder of the bottle- about one glass full- on my cellar floor. I had forgotten about it and simply set it back down in my wine cellar with a cork stopper in it. With this discovery, I decided to pour the last glass and see how it tasted.

Amazingly, the wine was much better three days later without even being properly cared for. It had an extra dimension of cedar and spice that wasn't there before, and even the texture was better. I can't explain it other than to say that wine is an amazing and highly unpredictable potion. Raise a glass!

Stony Brook Camissa 2004 wine review by (PB)

This S. African red was given to us as a gift. It was recommended to our gift giver by the shop proprietor emphasizing terroir over "another red wine."

It is a black purple hued wine with an interesting bouquet of sweet berry and spearmint notes with a bubble gum and spice underlay. Nice!

Palate--spices galore but a bit watery on the texture yet truly interesting flavors with smoke, and berries. It has taken me years to figure out what was terroir and what was a flaw when it comes to S. African reds.

S. African reds seem to highlight band-aid aromas and tastes, normally associated with a mycological contaminant called Brettanomyces. But I believe in the case of S. Africa, it happens to be terroir and one I am not crazy about.

Never-the-less, I believe I could I.D. a S. African red wine in the dark with out even tasting it. Still, this was an interesting wine and we thank R and Dr. S! Raise a glass to Fresno!

Rosenblum Zinfandel Aparicio Vineyard 2005 wine review by (PB)

Tired of the same old $10 wines, I used Memorial Day as an excuse to "open that bottle" and chose this one since I was grilling ribs.

This wine is a pretty cranberry hue with super wild, brambly, floral, spicy, with subtle dark baker's chocolate underneath rich blackberry jam notes.

Palate--Wow! Ultra sweet--yet not sweet-- with a spiced crazed foundation of dense, ripe berry fruit that keeps on giving. Later on, it is just big, and delicious with ceder notes and a finish that makes you remember why you drink wine.

For $24, why not? Raise a glass to our armed forces who keep us free to enjoy such pleasures as ripe, rich Zinfandel!

Chateau La Grange Clinet 2005 wine review by (PB)

I snagged two bottles of this wine from Whole Foods after digging behind the 2006's. At $14, I decided to get one to taste and one to lay down since the Wine Spectator rated this an 89 point wine with a glowing review.

It is a Grand Vin De Bordeaux wine that is black cherry in color with elegant sweet blackberry, plum and black cherry aromas on opening.

Palate--on opening is very minerally and full of wet stones, steel shallow fruit and a wet stone finish but with good potential.

I breathed it another 2 hours and it is surprisingly tannic still and predominate cherry flavors with course tannins that need another couple years to comea around. After 3 1/2 hours of breathing, the minerals and wet stones are all gone. This is a sturdy wine for $14 and I loook forward to the next bottle in a year or so. Raise a glass to the inexpensive 05's which are still out there if you hunt.

Redwood creek Pinot Noir 2007 wine review by (PB)

My beloved was waiting fro me to finish a meeting and so grabbed this bottle for herself at the store. It is produced by the Frei Bros. which is Sebastiani production with grapes sourced from (Vin de Pays) France.

Light black cherry hue with light strawberry aroma. The palate is weird, the flavors off, and this is just first class plonk--an oddity from producers who usually give you a decent value. Even at $7, this is a wine to be passed up!

Girard Napa Valley Petite Sirah 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful aromas of blackberry, chocolate, and spice on the nose

Rich, plush texture on the palate

Finish of dark berries, anise, cocoa, and trailing sweet spice notes

Nicely done Petite Sirah! This wine is not big and clumsy, nor is it oddly tannic and herbal- two opposite and unfortunate outcomes this varietal can sometimes yield. Rather, this wine has richness and balance with beautiful aromas and flavors.

I enjoyed this bottle with friends at a restaurant in Charleston, SC. The wine list price was $63 (the retail price is around $30). Remember this is not Syrah. This is a flavor profile closer to Zinfandel. Check it out- and raise a glass!

A to Z Oregon Pinot Gris 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Layers of light citrus aromas and wet stones on the nose

Crisp and light on the palate

Dry finish of grapefruit and minerals

This wine is light in color and light in character. Holding a full glass up to a white background, the color of the wine almost disappears. Crisp and dry on the palate and finish, it layers nicely and pairs well with light appetizers and summer fare.

While it should run you around $14 or so, make sure you get the most recent vintage so you drink this as young as possible. And raise a glass!

Monsieur Touton Sauvignon Blanc 2006 wine review by (PB)

My wife was in Chicago recently and decided to grab this white Bordeaux to bring back. (I have been studying/tasting wine for over 30 years and my total "white Bordeaux" experience can be counted on two hands.) This was an inexpensive one at the $10 price point.

It is straw in color with a sweet powdery aroma that is unique in my experience for Sauvignon Blanc. You could not mistake this for a new world S. Blanc that is for sure. It has generic citrus aromas with grapefruit predominate with a touch of sweet spice at first sniff.

In the mouth this wine is minerals, minerals and more minerals with hints of spice, and wet stones. It is wildly acidic but not overdone with more elusive flavors and more citrus in the form of a bouquet of sweet, mixed fruit.

I paired this with grilled Brook trout and Rainbow trout I caught yesterday on my home made flies. It was decent enough but would have probably been better with a light, fruity red like a nice Beaujolais Cru. At any rate, raise a glass!

Columbia Crest Gewurztraminer Two Vines 2006 wine review by (PB)

Light golden with fragrances of sweet peach with more lemon and citrus.

Palate--Nice off dry foundation with lemony notes though light on flavors all around. Still well made and if Gewurz is your thing, you just can't go wrong with Columbia Crest at $8.

So put a chill on this, put it in a decent wine glass, and sit back on a patio or porch, enjoy the Spring and raise a glass!

Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2007 (Sonoma) wine review by (PB)

Margot Van Staavaren--wine maker of the year and first rate vintner produces quality Chards at every price point. This is the popularly priced ($11) table wine.

Bouquet--Vanilla and light orange aromas with tropical fruit.

Palate--has a wonderful spicy front with a juicy citrus core, light flavors but superbly made with a zesty finish. Again--always reliable so raise a glass!

Smoking Loon Syrah 2006 wine review by (PB)

I reviewed this wine back in November of 08 and wasn't crazy about it then either.

Sharp aromas of dark berries and plum.

Palate--watery texture, hot, a little spice but is blah. Don't waste your money ($10) on this and raise a glass of something else. Plenty of value Syrahs out there even at the $10 price point. This loon should have quit smoking...

LaVieille Ferme (red) 2006 wine review by (PB)

Cherry-cranberry hue with strawberry light chocolate nose reminding me of a Beaujolais cru I had fairly recently.

Palate is lively with steely minerals and stingy berries but still tasty and always a value at $8 or less. Raise a glass.

Blackstone Merlot 2006 wine review by (PB)

Sourced California grapes creating a black cherry hued wine with fudgey plummy aromas and black berries.

Palate--ripe bold dark fruit with blackberry jam notes; it is a little chewy but tasty if you like the style. Finishes with charcoal and smoke. It was on sale for $7 and for the price, raise a glass.

Adega Borba 2006 wine review by (PB)

This wine from Portugal is 75% Aragonez AKA Tempranillo and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Purpole cherry hue with pleasant though simple cherry aromas.

Palate--Cherry and black cherry notes with a slight peppery hint. Uncomplicated but pleasurable at the ubiquitous price point of $9. Raise a glass.

Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2003 wine review by (PB)

Fairly light cherry hue with light cherry and licorice bouquet with chocolate emerging.

Palate--Forthright and edgy but light flavors; I breathed this for another 1/2 hour yielding earthy cherry with a chocolate mid palate, light flavors and I believed this wine has peaked. It was actually a bit flat which is surprising for this vintage which was a superior one. I paid $20 at Sam's Club but it was a little disappointing. Could this be a "dumb phase" I have read about but don't know if I actually have ever experienced it? I have reviewed this wine in November of 08 and it was a brighter more lively wine.

Raise a glass of another 2003 Chianti at this price.