Beaujolais Nouveau G. Duboeuf 2010 review by (PB)

Classic Gamay light purple/cherry hue with substantial aromas of candy apple, sweet cherry and strawberry hints.

Palate: A tad tart with a slight puckery dryness that makes you smack your lips. The wonderful berry aromas on the nose are scant on the palate. The aftertaste has a "beer" like quality to it--seriously.

Well, with Nouveau you have to take what you get. 2005 was one of the best Nouveaus in memory and 2007 as well as 2008 were also quite delicious. This 2010 is one of the lesser examples I have had in several years. Bummer. Try another negociant and see what you get! Raise a glass--of a different Nouveau!

Red Tree Pinot Noir 2009 review by (PB)

Reviewed previously this very inexpensive Pinot is a bargain out of the gate. It presents with a classy light cherry hue and classic Pinot aromas of light raspberry and strawberry juice that is simple and pure.

Palate--really flavorful with nice structure, solid balance and wonderful Pinot Noir flavors with some richness in the bright red berry flavors.

This is the kind of VALUE wine you look for to stock up on at the $10 price point. For a pinot that tastes like Pinot, this is a buy more wine which I already have so raise a glass.

Get Ready for Beaujolais Nouveau!!! by (PB)

Tomorrow is the annual festivities and celebration of the release of this infant, simple wine! At midnight on the third Thursday of November, and not a second sooner, the "New Beaujolais" wine is uncorked and the partying begins. (Australia will be the first to uncork)

As a wine, Nouveau is never much to anticipate beyond the sheer, simple quaffing pleasure of this beautifully hued, simply made wine from the Gamay grape with no pretensions of being great, complex or remarkable beyond the event. It is picked, made and bottled within 6 weeks and shipped all over the world so the timing is just right!

The best years for Nouveau yields a wine that is straight forward, wonderfully fruity, with pleasant raspberry or strawberry suggestions and down right refreshing with a light chill on it. It goes will all kinds of appetizers and munchies that aren't too elaborately spiced or is just plain good to sip or guzzle next to a nice fire.

At any rate, look for the Negociants "Georges Dubœuf"(Label pictured) "Joseph Drouhin," and "Louis Jadot," to mention only a few and expect to pay from $9-$16 depending on the origins of the wine. So be ready to raise a glass with us at the WCB about 72 hours from now! (12:30 EST Monday 11-15-2010)

Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful nose of apricot, banana cream, and spice

Smooth as silk and richly textured on the palate

Ultra-rich and long finish of peach, apricot, creme brulee, and marshmallow

Summary:

This is an excellent dessert wine and delicious even in its youth. Sauternes can often age for generations, and has proven to cellar for even 200 years. I'm always amazed by the stuff because it has an intense sweetness but never seems heavy.

Although this one was served a bit young, it proved to be smooth, rich, and well integrated. I always like to have a few half bottles on hand and this is one to look for in the 375mL format. It runs about $40 for the half and $80 for the full bottle.

Serve up a bottle of Sauternes like this as a way to wind down the Thanksgiving meal. And raise a glass!

Chimney Rock Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Inviting aromas of black cherry, currants, and sweet tobacco on the nose

Full bodied and supple on the palate

Soft, rich finish that's nicely layered with more black cherry and currant along with black tea and chocolate

Summary: This wine delivers a softer Cabernet Sauvignon profile, but is still full bodied and richly perfumed. It's well integrated and easy to drink. I recommend it as a very approachable Cabernet.

At a recent business dinner, my table polished off a magnum before the meal even arrived. We paid $175 for a magnum at the restaurant and a 750mL bottle runs about $45 in the store. Raise a glass!

Latium Morini Campo le Calle Soave 2009 sponsored wine review by Billy

Nose: After some time and exposure to air this white wine's nose opens and softens with Honey and Fig notes underpinning crisp hay and citrus
Palate: crisp with delightful acid core. Citrussy notes and peachy character.
Finish: rounded mouth feel with melon notes and a very long lasting minerally finish
Overall:Thanks to Amy from Colangelo & Partners PR for thinking of us at The Wine Cask Blog and providing us the samples to review. This Soave wine is 100% Garganega grapes. According to research the Garganega grapes are dried for several days before wine making beings. This concentrates the flavors and sugars and brings out the honey notes in this delightful white wine. It will pair well with holiday meals and provide a very nice alternative that white your uncle pulled out from under the cabinet. I have seen this 2009 Latium Soave available online for anywhere from $12-$20 which is a very reasonable price.

Raise a glass!

Quarles Harris Porto Late Bottled Vintage Port 2005 review by (PB)

Another Trader Joe's nice wines--this one earned the Wine Enthusiast's 90 point "Best Buy" rating. I can go along with the best buy but right now this wine is still too young. Watch out in a couple more years!

This wine is young with a purple hue and deeply fruity with licorice/anise/fennel, ripe prune hints but not over done.

Palate--Sweet (of course) ripe prunes, a bit harsh, grapey but nicely textured with a silky presence, licorice and light black pepper.

I paid $13 at Trader Joe's and would buy another so raise a glass.

Remember--do NOT confuse a "Late Bottled Vintage Port" with "Vintage Port." They are two different animals and I assure you two vastly different price points! The Quarles Harris 2007 "Vintage Porto" by the way--is spectacular and is a STEAL at $35!

Stemmari Feudo Arancio Pinot Noir 2008 review by (PB)

Feudo Arancio knows how to make Nero D'Avola--they should concentrate on that and leave the Pinot alone--at least in this 2008.

It has a black cherry hue with aromas that are pleasant but not varietal. Floral cherry licorice notes.

Palate--Soft, lifeless again--atypical as a Pinot Noir but easy enough to drink. Even at $8, I'd pass on this Pinot!

Marchese De Petri Il Valore Chianti Riserva 2006 review by (PB)

Finally--we have a Trader Joe's in our state of Maine. While I am a big fan of TJ's wine selection and pricing, this one is pretty disappointing by way of both selection and pricing. This Chianti Riserva--I assume made for Trader Joe's perhaps or at least is bought in bulk by TJ's is $6. What do you get for $6?

A decent garnet hue wine with cherry, evergreen and licorice aromas with a nice Sangiovese bouquet!

Palate--Cedar and cherry with dried cherry flavors that tastes remarkably like a Tuscan Sangiovese. This was a pleasant surprise and at $6, this IS a BUY MORE kind of wine so raise a glass.

Marc Bredif Vouvray 2008 review by (PB)

I am a fan of Chenin Blanc and Vouvray means Chenin. Straw hue with pronounced aromas of Meyer Lemon with lime citrusy, cream notes. Ripe pineapple with slight caramel hint. Really nice!

Palate: Racy acidity with lime galore. Citrus peel with a nice finish and a creamy texture.

This is a very nice Chenin that works as an aperitif but also paired well with a seafood risotto I whipped up. I paid $15 for this at Rapid Liquors in Stoneham, Mass. My favorite wine store in New England! I paid $15 for this which is a GOOD price so raise a glass!

Chevalier Aerating Wine Glass Sponsored Review by Billy

From time to time we at The Wine Cask Blog receive wine related objects to review. Click here to see PB's double-blind review of the glass. This is one such object and a very unique one at that. The Chevalier Aerating Wine Glass is a beautiful full size wine glass with a unique, perforated bowl on a stem in the center of the main bowl. As you pour your wine into the small center bowl, the perforations allow the wine to cascade into the main bowl. The idea is that as the wine is split and fountains into the main bowl, its surface area increases thereby increasing its exposure to the air. Most reds and many white wines improve with exposure to air. This is called "breathing" the wine and is one reason why many wines are decanted prior to serving.

I decided to review the glass with a wine I've not tasted before: Penfold's Bin 28 2006 Kalimna Shiraz from Southern Australia. I selected this wine because I typically like Shiraz to breathe before drinking it and because I did not have any predispositions for or against this wine.

I performed a blind test by pouring a newly opened Shiraz into the Chevalier glass and then having my assistant pour this into a "regular" wine glass which I tasted next to another regular glass of the Shiraz that did not first go through the Chevalier. Here are the results:
Glass 1:
Nose: raisin, chocolate and earthy plum spice
Palate: smooth and round with plush tannins and a soft acid core.
Finish: long and even with dried sage, blackberry and more chocolate notes.

Glass 2:
Nose: tobacco, peppery spice and herbal tones
Palate: sharp acids followed by plush tannins for a warm core.
Finish: chocolate and blackberry on a medium long finish

Glass 1 was the Chevalier aerated wine and glass 2 was the wine poured straight from the bottle.

Overall: As this test shows the Chevalier wine glass works. It quickly opens up and softens the wine. This process would otherwise require decanting and/or an hour or so of breathing.

That said, there is one drawback to the glass. The glass is a bit thicker than a traditional crystal wine glass. The lip of the glass, especially, is thick and bulky. It doesn't feel great on my lips. However the time savings in getting a great, pre-breathed glass of hearty red makes up for either the un-elegance of a thicker glass or the bother of pouring it into another glass.

This would make an interesting and fun gift for the wine lover in your life and a conversation piece during the holidays.

Raise a glass!

"Legacy Aerating Wine Glass" review by (PB)

The folks at Chevalier Collection LTD. sent this new patent pending aerating wine glass to the WCB for evaluation. This hand blown, lead free glass will accommodate 7 ounces of wine. The folks at Chevalier say that this has been proven "scientifically" to aerate wine. Maybe a word of explanation here is prudent: Most red wines do in fact improve as they are open to the air to "breathe." In fact even some white wines also improve with some exposure to air. This exposure in a sense forces a maturational process of the chemistry of the wine giving it a better, fuller flavor.

To do this is objectively as possible I poured a white Burgundy into the aerating glass and then transferred the wine into my standard tasting glass. Although this glass is designed to drink right from the same glass, I wanted to make sure the aerated and unaerated wines were tasted with the same conditions meaning the same glass.

My wife served the aerated white and the unaerated white to me blind. I then recorded the bouquet of each wine and selected which I thought was a fuller bouquet hence aerated. Then I tasted each wine and recorded the review as well as which I thought was the aerated wine being more "open" and better tasting.

Then I repeated this same test with a Chianti Classico (red wine.)

In both cases, I was right on all counts showing that the aerating glass in fact DOES improve the wine effectively aerating it as it is poured. Hats off to the folks at Chevalier! I do not know what this glass will cost and as a down side of sorts, I don't know how many people will want to drink their wine out of a glass that is a bit "clunky." But I can say without equivocation that the Legacy Wine Glass does work! So raise a glass of aerated wine!

Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Plum, tobacco, and mineral aromas on the nose

Full bodied and firmly textured on the palate

Long, intense finish of black cherry, cedar, tobacco, and pepper

Summary:

I wish I had some of this sitting in my cellar because this wine tastes great now and should also age well.

Bandol is a lesser-known region in Southern France that produces some powerful red wines primarily made from Mourvedre. This is my first experience with this producer, and I'm really impressed. It's the best Bandol I've had, with a real intensity and nice layers throughout. It runs around $50 and I highly recommend it for something off the beaten path. Raise a glass!

LaBoure-Roi Pouilly Fuisse 2008 review by (PB)

This white Burgundy made from Chardonnay is vastly different than the Chards we're used to of new world origins! It presents with a nice gentle golden hue with a bouquet that is at once citrusy and lively with vibrant mineral notes and laced with vanilla and a fleeting note of mint.

Palate--Lemon peel is pronounced with an austere foundation, and a rigorous acid core with notes of lime as well. It paired well with my "birthday" lobster stew.

Reference price of $20 but found it marked down from $16 to $14. A nice change from the lock and stock carbon copied Chards that abound on the market. Raise a glass!

Blason de L'Evangile Pomerol 1999 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant layers of black cherry, plum, and tobacco on the nose

Full bodied with velvety texture on the palate

Silky smooth finish that has smoky notes along with red berries and cedar

Summary:

Drinking well-aged red Bordeaux is always a treat. My wife bought this wine for me as part of a selection of anniversary wines- we were married in 1999.

This Merlot-based Bordeaux is beautiful right now at 11 years old. The aromos and flavors integrate nicely and the textured is like velvet. As a point of reference, I saw a few bottles available on the internet for $50-60. I'd call this a relative value as the 1999 vintage was overlooked by many in anticipation of the highly acclaimed 2000's. Raise a glass!

Peachy Canyon Incredible Red Paso Robles Zinfandel 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Aromas of red licorice and spicy cherry on the nose

Full bodied on the palate, but flat

Short finish with candied red cherry and some herb and pepper notes

Summary:

Here's a wine that's new to me. Unfortunately, it's a little flat and the fruit flavors are too candied. I was hoping it would be a nice value-priced Zinfandel when I spotted it for $7. This was a special price, marked down from $13. Regardless, take a pass. There's just too much good Zinfandel to choose from. Raise a glass to trying new wines!

Casa La Postolle Carmenere 2008 review by (PB)

This noteworthy Chilean vintner produces some of the most reliable wine in Chile. This is a Rapel Valley varietal that is deeply pigmented with black cherry hue with a big dark sweet black berry pie aroma with black pepper and spicy cedar bouquet.

Palate--a full bodied berry fruit bomb with nice dark fruit and light rear palate with baker's chocolate notes. At $10 this is a very nice wine so raise a glass!

Montespejo 2008 review by (PB)

Blanco Joven from the Sierras Del Malaga Spain has a really fragrant bouquet of tropical fruit compote and that is through a nose clogged with rhino virus...

Palate--awkward feel, bitter, tropical fruit comes through but is flaccid and sour. If you want a wine to smell but not drink this is it! For $4 what might you expect? Just say PASS! Blech... No picture of the label available--no Kidding!

Gaetano D'Aquino Chianti Riserva 2004 wine review by (PB)

Nice garnet hue with forward cherry aromas with less Sangiovese aromas than previously reviewed experiences with this wine. Light notes of licorice even rising.

Classic Chianti flavors with a touch of rustic earth and a bit of cedar but quickly over lapped by Sangiovese fruit.

This wine was $7 at Trader Joes and was a great value which is why I bought a case. You probably cannot find the 04's but the last time I was in TJ's they had the newer vintage. I have not tried that yet. This one is solid value so raise a glass and check out previous reviews on this blog of the same wine to see how it changed (or didn't) over time.

Summerfield Vineyards Merlot 2009 review by (PB)

Very light cherry hue for a Merlot with vegetal notes and light fruit that smells like a home made "kit" wine. Cinnamon notes later that have a nice quality.

Palate--Not unpleasant but not varietal; easy to drink, decent fruit and now here's the kick--this is a $4 wine at Whole Foods. So if you're looking for a cheap wine made for the popular, undiscriminating palate, this would be a good choice. For $4, it's a value wine just don't confuse it with "real Merlot!"

Don't read this as a bad review! Sure the wine snob would scoff at this; I said IT DOESN'T TASTE LIKE MERLOT." But--for that block party, celebration where you need to buy a case of something drinkable for people who like wine but wouldn't know a Cabernet from Muscat, THIS is a buy--therefore raise a glass!

(No label picture available)

Castle Rock Petite Sirah Russian River Valley 2005 review by (PB)

Dark Black cherry hue with sweet ripe cherry bouquet and aromas of big extracted dark fruit.

Palate--Velvety tannins on a rich base yet thin in flavor and a quick finish.

This wine began really well and ended up a very marginal wine. Even at $10 I'd look for something else!

Essensia California Orange Muscat 2007 review by (PB)

Honey-amber hue with caramelized stone fruit in the nose.

Palate--Peach and apricot with thick structured honey and caramel. Finishes with a light sweet coating of stone fruit on your tongue.

Essensia is one of my perennial favorite dessert wines at a value price of around $12 for a 325ml (half bottle) bottle. I know a lot of people I talk with recoil at the mention of sweet wines but you just cannot confuse a well made dessert wine with cheap, nasty sweet wines made for unwitting consumption.

This one's always a keeper so raise a glass!

Fogdog Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Nice aromas on the nose of wild berries and black tea wrapped in a lightly spiced bouquet

Medium bodied and finely textured on the palate

Focused flavors of cherry, cranberry, and herbs on the finish, which tapers nicely

Summary:

At a recent business dinner, my table of four wanted to try a couple Pinot Noirs in succession. Half way through dinner, this Sonoma Coast bottling followed on the heels of a big-name Willamette Valley wine from Oregon. Everyone perked up when they tasted this wine, and it was unanimously selected as the better wine. I found this to be interesting as the Fogdog Pinot Noir was a bit more plush and rich than the first offering. A long debate could have ensued about the merits of Oregon Pinot versus California Central Coast Pinot, but it was getting late so we grabbed the check and headed out.

This wine runs about $30 retail and represents the varietal fairly well. The competition is stiff for Pinot Noir in this price range, but Fogdog is worth grabbing if you see it. Raise a glass!

Volcan Wines Estate Koutsoyanopoulos Vinsanto 2003 Sponsored Review by Billy

Eyes:In the delightfully square bottle, this wine shows a deep reddish amber. In the glass it shows as a toasted amber color with yellow near the edge.
Nose: Toasty hazelnuts, raisins and caramel on the nose.
Palate: Velvety soft on the palate, very sweet and nearly syrupy. A razor thin acid core runs right down the middle providing structure.
Finish: Lingering raisin and noticeable tart cherries at the sides of the mouth.
Overall: This wine was provided to the Wine Cask Blog free of charge for review. Special thanks to Constance. This wine comes from the Greek island of Santorini where wine making has been going on for literally millennia. This delicious dessert wine comes from the Koutsoyanopoulos Winery. It is a blend of the Assyrtico,Athiri and Aidani varietals. What I love about this dessert wine is the character - toasted nut elegance with tart cherry vigor all in a lovely sweet package that stands on its own as an after dinner treat. Or pair it with raw nuts, cheese or ice cream for a real treat.

Feraud-Brunel Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2007 review by (PB)

Young purple garnet hue with very berry aromas wafting from the bottle; Ripe plum and pepper in the nose with nice berry foundation with an aroma of something I can't even identify but it's awesome; maybe the slightest touch of licorice.

Palate--Really nice structure with super stealy, minerally terroir; big flavors with pepper and vegetal foundation supporting nice bold fruit. Finishes with a nice fruitiness that is unexpected.

This is a big flavored wine without being a big wine--and a total surprise based on the $12 price tag. Wine Spectator lists this at a release price of $30!

The folks at Rapid Liquors in Stoneham, Mass. have an amazing shop with an amazing selection and inspiring pricing! If you are in the area--shoot, even if you're not in the area, they are worth the time and effort. I live 3 hours away and make the trip and am never disappointed. Raise a glass!

Bogle Phantom 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant nose of black cherry cream and licorice

Full bodied and spicy on the palate

Long finish of black cherry and blackberry with notes of pepper, cinnamon, and vanilla

Summary:

Bogle is always a big wine, and the 2007 is particularly spicy. It's a blend of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Mourvedre. I like it with rich food and to sip on after a meal. For $20 or so, it's a reliable wine. Look for it either in the Zinfandel section or wherever red blends are displayed in your wine shop. Raise a glass!

M. Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2007 review by (PB)

This "Super Tuscan" is the leading contender for my "wine of the year" recognition and I doubt it will be displaced. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,Merlot and Sangiovese and it is positively awesome! On the pour it is heavily pigmented leaving color on the crystal glass. The bouquet is full of intense aromas of spicy fruit, nice cherry and a touch of earthiness that tends to typify Tuscan wines.

Palate--Almost thick and textured with plush tannins with rich cherry-berry flavors, espresso, deep dark baker's chocolate, more dark fruit with dried cherry hints. Finishes all in balance with a layer of bright fresh cherries. Wine Spectator gave this wine 93 points and earns every point of that! For such a young wine it is drinking wowingly!

Here's the best part, this wine can be found for under $20 but even at $30 it would be a bargain. Raise a glass to sensational Super Tuscans!

Solane Santi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2007 wine review by (PB)

Real time review:
Lighter cherry hue with a bouquet of light cherry aromas with loads of earth or mildew and vegetal undertones. (Actually smells "corked")

Palate: Good news; NOT corked! Quite delightful old world fruit with cherry accents and a deep layer of light fudge. Subtle pruney hints underneath relaxed tannins with a pleasant finish of light milk chocolate. (See earlier posts explaining "Ripasso" methodology; quite interesting and unique!)

Since I have not breathed this wine yet, the mildew nose may very well dissipate on breathing. Even during the time of this review (10 minutes maybe) it is already fading. I am going to decant this which I suspect will improve the bouquet quite a bit then will be paired with braised smoked pork hocks. (Later note--a little air solves it all!)

At $14 this is a nice quaff and a nice food wine so raise a glass and if you like Ripasso--you gotta try Amarone but expect to pay quite a bit more!

Four Vines Old Vine Zinfandel 2007 review by (PB)

Medium deep garnet hue with bouquet of smokey wood with dark berry fruit and spiced chocolate to boot.

Palate--A little "hot" with nice spicy,berry flavor of Zin with a nice chocolaty layer finishing with more smoke.

I tasted this next to the Rosenlbum blogged below this entry and the Rosenblum was clearly cleaner, and richer in all ways, but this wine also costs $10-11 so for the price differential, this is a nice value wine which is why I have reviewed previously and drink it regularly. Which means--raise a glass!

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

This is one of the many single vineyard offerings by Rosenblum presenting with a dark garnet hue and nice Zinfandelicious black berry fruit in the bouquet with cigar box aromas galore and a touch of blueberry pie. Classic.

Palate--Nice mature tannins with rich berry fruit on top of a layered fudgey undercoating and a finish that is a bit smokey and dark.

This Zin normally costs anywhere from $32-$40 but I found it at a local shop that is only open seasonally and is closing out their stock for the season. I paid $17.50 each for 4 bottles--a nice score!

This wine may be a little "baked" (compare this to a previous review of the same wine) but I would attribute that to the storage conditions of the wine at the shop which is not air conditioned and we had a particularly hot Summer. *It does make a difference!

*If you read the comment below, you see that I was subsequently informed that the wine WAS stored in a temperature controlled environment! At the WCB we pride ourselves on being accurate so my assessment was wrong as far as the cause for the difference from a previous review of the same wine. It will be interesting to see how the other bottles play out. My biggest gaff to date was being corrected by Thomas Matthews of the Wine Spectator for improperly citing their rating of a particular wine and failing to note the wine I had reviewed was past the recommended "drink by" date the WS suggested. When we blow it--we own up to it, so as I said, raise a glass to my favorite grape!

Korbel Brut Rose review by (PB)

Since I signed with a publisher yesterday for my upcoming book, I wanted a little bubbly with dinner to celebrate. (My beloved also had the same idea and brought home a bottle of a different kind as well.) We should have opened hers.

Very pale pink hue that is hard to describe exactly what color it is almost looking a bit putrid. Bouquet is very lightly sweet with aromas that are so subtle that they are almost non-existent. Basically smells like a $4 rose still wine.

Palate--bubbles were okay with a decent stream of fine pricklies but again, yields a very simple presence that is hard to comment on.

So we finished the bottle with appetizers and a light pasta dinner but for $15 this bottle was twice the price of what it should have been. I played it cheap instead of springing for the $22 Mumm's Brut Prestige which is excellent. Like I said, should have opened the sparkler my wife brought home...At any rate, RAISE A GLASS TO MY FIRST BOOK!

Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 review by (PB)

This sale Cab is 56% Napa grapes and 44% Sonoma grapes and it is a value wine at the price of $16 down from $30. It is a nice dark garnet hue with a lovely bouquet of sweet dark cherry and licorice with hints of pipe tobacco.

Palate--Nice full flavored with berries and some spice, cedar notes finishing with a touch of fruity chocolate. A nice example of the grape.

This is what you might expect for a $30 Cab so at $16 grab more and raise a glass!

Castle Rock Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Petite Sirah 2005 review by (PB)

Dark black cherry hue with sweet ripe cherry bouquet with dark extracted black cherry fruit.

Palate--Velvety tannins, drinking well now and will hold another couple years. This is a rich wine yet a bit thin where it counts--flavor; but it isn't bad especially for the price of $10. Finishes quickly but safe enough and not a bad representation of the grape. Raise a glass.

Woodbridge Brut Sparkling wine review by (PB)

Pale straw color with peach and touch of vanilla in the nose with a hint of nuttiness.

Palate--this is okay, but cheap tasting; the kind of sparkler you might serve to someone who doesn't know any better. :) I paid $10 for this and for that there are several better quality sparklers out there like Freixenet or Ste. Michelle. Seek those out and raise a glass!

Maximo Viura 2009 review by (PB)

I grabbed this because I thought perhaps "Virua" might be another varietal grape I had not yet tried but alas, it has about a billion other names like Macabeo and Ugni Blanc which of course I have had. Oh well, I have not had it though by itself because it is normally a blending grape. This wine hails from Spain.

It was interesting--Gargantuan tropical fruit bouquet that is impressive with a sweet menagerie of lime, mango, orange, pineapple and pear notes--wow!

Palate--although this was quite warm, it was RACY with an acid edge to it that could cut your tongue. Wowza--and I like strong acid in my whites but this is a bit over the top. Beyond that though there is lots of tropical fruit all over the mouth and this wine actually makes your mouth water it is so juicily acidic. (The next day I had it chilled and wasn't quite so sharp but neither was it as full of flavors.) Bottom line is Ii paid $6.50 for it and for that I can't complain but wouldn't buy it again. Raise one glass anyway!

Philippe Delesvaux Selection de Grains Nobles Coteaux du Layon 1999 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Nose deeply layered with apricot, asian pear, honeysuckle, and almonds

Thick, rich, and creamy on the palate

Long, long finish with many layers of stewed stone fruit, fig, orange marmelade, honey, and spice

Summary:

Here's one of the great dessert wines of the world. A late harvest Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, this wine is almost endless. Begin with it chilled and allow the wine to warm up as you drink it, and you'll be amazed at the layers that emerge and develop. The range of flavors is tremendous, and the color and texture also set it apart. Wine Spectator awared this wine 99 points, and it's a steal at $50 for a 500mL bottle. Raise a glass!

Concha Y Toro Terrunyo Peumo Vineyard Block 27 Carmenere 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Intense wild berries, black cherry, and herbs on the nose

Full bodied and dense

Mulberry, black tea, chocolate, and spice

Summary:

Here's a blockbuster Carmenere from Chile and most certainly one of the best produced. Once just a simple blending grape in several regions of France, Carmenere has shown a lot of promise as a varietal wine in Chile for some time now.

This one is rich and expressive as well as full bodied and intense. While it carries some of the herbal tones typical of Chilean reds, it has plenty of fruit to round things out. For $32 or so, it's worth seeking out. Raise a glass!

Straight Jacket Shiraz 2005 Wine review by (PB)

Nice garnet hue with ripe blackberry nose, fudge, and black cherry and cigar box notes.

Palate: full bodied, hot, chewy tannins extracted, pushy. Lacks character. This is a full bodied Aussie Shiraz that was on sale from $20 or so to around $8. In truth it was more of an $8 wine than $20 wine. Not worth seeking out.

The Thrill of the Unknown Harvest--by (PB)

I've been growing wine grapes for over ten years--well over in fact and only recently (three years ago) decided to try my hand at making wine. I have always been a "by the seat of my pants kind of guy." "Intuitive leadership" is the marketable name of the characteristic.

So this is my third year of trying to produce Marechal Foch--a hearty wine grape that will survive the Maine's winters. I was particularly excited this year as the growing condition seemed near perfect unlike the past two years which were so wet, everything basically rotted on the vine.

Total yield this year? It will net me about 6 bottles of wine. You read that right--not 6 hectares; not 6 acres, not 6 barrels or even 6 cases, but 6 bottles--maybe. Based on previous year's harvests and production of similar quantity, the cost per bottle puts it somewhere between Screaming Eagle and Petrus and I assure you nothing it is nothing like their quality. Truth be told, previous vintages have been barely potable.

This year I stopped the fermentation of a few half-bottles attempting a "Nouveau" style which was actually pretty tasty! The rest of the vintage--one quart of must--is proceeding to full fermentation as I write. My hopes are high, my expectations are low. But as I handle the grapes, prune the vines, incessantly check on their progress nearly daily through the growing season I sense what it might be like to have a real vineyard, and produce a wine that is not necessarily spectacular but decidedly good. The anticipation of what might be, makes it worth it. Such is life too I suppose. But this blog is about wine not philosophy so raise a glass!

Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 reivew by (PB)

Sale score on this wine at $15 regularly $22. Nice dark black cherry hue. Bouquet is full of nice plummy, black berries and spices with hint of eucalyptus and cigar box and a touch of green pepper.

Palate--is rich with gorgeous, ripe tannins, loads of dark berry fruit, with a delicious cocoaey fruit finish that lingers a long time and this is right out of the gate without any air. Raise a glass!

(Served with espresso rubbed, grilled rib eyes; oh yeah!)

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!

Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut 2005 wine review by Billy

Nose:yeasty bread with strong floral undertones, sweet lemon blossom
Palate: bubbles that prick rather than effervesce, dry but not parched, strong lemon citrus on the palate.
Finish: slightly grassy with more lemon and a touch of grapefruit citrus.
Overall: I purchased this from Woot Wine which has some great deals. This was purchased along with a bottle of the Iron Horse Russian Cuvee 2005 for a total of $40. Since this wine alone retails for about $30 a bottle it was a good deal. I enjoyed this California sparkling wine. It is a good quality sparkling that has a great acidity to let it go with anything (ANYTHING!) while remaining approachable and drinkable. The overabundance of lemon, the slightly-less-than-brut brutness and the lack of sophistication in the bubbles leave me wanting a touch of something more. But for a summer day and a family celebration this was a great selection.

If you find it for $20 definitely pick up a bottle. You won't be disappointed!

Raise a glass.

Oberon Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Napa Valley sponosred review by (PB)

Sent to us from the good folks at Folio Wines, this wine is nearly clear on presentation with nice aromas of grassy lime with a touch of guava fruit and lime.

Palate--Rather austere yet well constructed with a tart acidity of lime and mouth watering acidity that should be great with our lobster dinner I'll serve it with later this evening. It ends with a really nice, long substantial finish that suggests sweet fruit without being sweet. This wine runs $15 and is both a solid example of the varietal and should be a great food wine.

This wine improves (opens up) with a little air time. And yes, white wine "can" improve with breathing though it is not as pronounced nor as regular as it is with red wines.)

There are numerous styles of S. Blanc ranging from all over the world. My favorites happen to come from New Zealand, Australia, America and of course France. Wherever your palate leads you--raise a glass!