Emilio Moro Finca Resalso Ribera del Duero 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fresh raspberry, violet, and some clove on the nose

Full bodied

Puckering tannins with wild dark berries, violets, and cocoa on the finish

Summary:

Here's a wine that has good depth and density, but is a bit too savory and mouth-puckering. Maybe it will flesh out given some time, but it's not coming together right now.

Made from Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), this wine is from Ribera del Duero in Spain which is a region that can produce some rustic and charming wines. I paid $13 for the bottle, but you'd do better to grab something else.

Yellow Tail Reserve Shiraz 2010 review by (PB)

Intense dark plum hue with an equally intense bouquet of plush fragrant sweet, nearly floral smelling fruit full of dark berry and rose petals! Later it's cranberries or dried cherries. Very nice!

Bitter front with a bite, sweeter presence of big, ripe dark blackberries; rear full of more berries, and a finish that is decent.

This is a BIG wine from down under AND one I purchased reluctantly due to the ubiquitous "kangaroo" wines from Yellow Tail which, while popular, are wearisome in their drab mediocrity.

This Reserve Shiraz is worth a try and at the $10 price point I paid for it, it' s a solid value that will improve with a couple more years on it so raise a glass!

4 Bears Vin Gris 2010 sponsored review by (PB)

Light watermelon hue with fragrant, floral, strawberry juice with tropical fruit undertones and sweet spice.

Palate--structured with solid acid foundation carrying a balanced, red fruit, off dry quaff.

The good folks at Sean Minor Winery sent this to us for review. These are the folks who received our first "Winery of the Year" honor in 2010 and they keep on going with this Carneros Pinot Noir rosè. It is so fragrant I want to use it as aftershave...

We paired this with a pasta primavera and was a nice coupling. This is a good room temperature rosè but you could chill it down for a summer on the veranda though you would lose some of the purity of this wine. Whatever you do, raise a glass!

Sicilia Nero D'Avola 2009 Epicuro review by (PB)

Very dark, intense purple black cherry hue--Wow! Bouquet is peculiar with more fresh grape aromas than wine aromas. I remarked to my wife that it reminded me of a home made wine. I wasn't expecting much.

Palate-- Silky tannins,, shallow on opening but needed to breathe it. Beneath the obvious immature grapiness, is a solid wine waiting to mature. After breathing, there is black cherry fruit that is dark and fairly deep.

Nero D'Avola is wonderful grape and Sicily does it well. It is fruity and full of cherries and darker berries at its best and it is always fairly inexpensive.

At $6, I will get 3 more bottles and lay them down to give them more time. This should be good so raise a glass.

Chiusa Grande (Tommolo) Montepulciano D'Abruzzo review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with slight cola notes with black cherry and cherry aromas.

Palate--Okay structure but short all around, some steely "Tuscan fruit" but all in all is pretty empty.

This is a Trader Joe's selection at the $6 price point. Now you don't expect much at that price point and in this case that's what you get--not much. But I have posted many reviews of wines at this price point that are bargains so don't lapse in to the snob pool and turn you head based solely on price. TJ's has some great bargains, this just isn't one of them so pass on this.

Domaine La Tour Vielle Banyuls 2006 review by (PB)

Mature garnet hue with black cherry, port like aromas of prunes but shallow though nice.

Palate--Sweet of course, again shallow but decent structure though fruit and flavor is lacking all around.

Banyuls is a fortified (dessert) wine made from Grenache that has similar qualities to port wine but of course is not port. so perhaps this is not a good example; I don't know as this is my first Banyuls and it was not impressive especially at the $25 price tag for a 500ml bottle.

So perhaps I will give another a try but like you all, I work for a living and my wine expenditures are valuable to me. You hate throwing away good money on a marginal creation which is why we taste and review for you! Hopefully we save you the bad experiences so don't raise a glass of this one!

St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 review by (PB)

Dark garnet hue with big cab aromas of lush blackberry jam and plum with awesome fragrant spice of anise, licorice and caraway.

Palate--"Sweet" presence (but it's not sweet)that is lovely and integrated although still has a "hard" front, with bold structure carrying the pure Cabernet berry flavors.

Here's where wine separates itself from all other beverages; our Los Angeles friend Edwin gave us two bottles of this when we were out there in March. We had one there with him sitting around the dinner table with my grand children and daughter and son-in-law, and now this one months later back in Maine. Even in his absence we were reunited in spirit on opening of this second bottle from him so raise a glass!

Four Vines Zinfandel (Old vine cuvee) 2008 review by (PB)

Garnet with brambly blackberry jam, chocolate that dissipates.

Palate--cinnamon with Jammy fruit,wild foundation, smoke and charcoal.

At the $11 price point this is always a reliable Zin and easy drinking. For me, Zinfandel is just plain tasty so raise a glass!

Buehler Napa Valley Zinfandel 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful ripe blackberry and raspberry on the nose

Full bodied and richly textured on the palate

Smooth, luscious finish dark berries, chocolate, vanilla, and a bit of pepper

Summary:

This is a good wine from year to year, and the 2009 really delivers. It has beautiful ripe fruit and retains balance and finesse. In fact, I enjoyed this wine with a salmon burger. Typically priced around $17, I recommend this for anyone looking to re-discover Zinfandel. Raise a glass!

Yalumba Barossa Valley Bush Vine Grenache 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Layers of red fruit, anise, and fennel on the nose

Medium bodied and fleshy on the palate

Lingering finish of rhubarb and mint flavors

Summary:

I concluded my tasting notes like this: very good, beautifully made, exotic, smooth, and flavorful. Say no more. At $16 or so, pop the cork and raise a glass!

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 review by (PB)

Solid garnet hue with fine aromas of slightly vegetal sweet, fragrant, blackberry with a little wildness (like a Zin) to it.

Palate--drinking spectacularly now which for such a young wine is impressive. Integrated, with gentle tannic structure and full berry pleasure on a balanced package.

This Sonoma Cab is really well done and while I am planning to have it with grilled burgers, I'm not sure there will be anything left for dinner.

Raise a glass of this value wine. I think I paid around $14 for it and it isa steel at that!

Cuvee De Pena (Vin De Pays Pyrenees Orientales) 2006 review by (PB)

Odd slightly oxidized color.

Aromas of stewed cherry and dark fruit not characteristic of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah of which this is a blend.

Palate--A tad tart, with biting acid and a little chewy; flavors of dark reddish brown fruit with a finish that is a bit bitter.

This wine is from the Rousillon region of France and was grabbed by a friend seeing it for $3.00 I believe. This is a great example of a wine that is beyond its peak and failing fast which is why it was on sale for such a price. But an axiom of wine is that if you don't enjoy the wine, no price is a bargain. Pass on this and when buying a wine dirt cheap, make sure the store has a policy of taking back such wines. I have only had one store that would not accommodate such a return--yes opened and partially drank! And if they do not, don't buy the wine and find another store!

Trimbach (Alsatian) Gewurztraminer 2005 review by (PB)

Previously reviewed several months ago this Gewurz is feeling its age. Nice golden hue with aromas of sweet tropical fruit, apples and green melon and an emerging off aroma of glue.

Palate-- Dry with razor sharp acid core and nuanced fruit with a nutty backbone. Finishes with creamy texture.

This Gewurztraminer from Alsace is feeling its age. Noramlly selling at he $20 price point, I grabbed a mixed vintage case when it went on close-out for
$10. This review is probably quite different than the previous so check it out and compare. At 6 years old, it should be still be holding its age but this one is definitely on its way out. I have one or tow more in the cellar so we'll see how they fare. At any rate--raise a glass!

90+ Cellars Lot 2 Sauvignon Blanc 2010 review by (pb)

Pale straw with big aromas of grassy citrus, and guava paste.

Palate--Sharp acid with classic New Zealand S.B. citrus and tangy fruit.

This Marlborough SB is classic for the varietal and was great with steamed mussels. A $10 Sauvignon Blanc worth grabbing. Raise a glass.

Oxford Landing South Australia Viognier 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant nose of peach and jasmine

Medium bodied on the palate

Oily finish with stone fruit and mineral tones woven nicely together

Summary:

Everyone loves a good value wine. At $6, this one delivers with a fragrant nose and a solid finish. Go off the beaten path with Viognier, and raise a glass!

Renzo Seghesio Pajana Barolo 2001 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant strawberries and damp earth notes develop an exotic bouquet on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Dense, earthy finish of currant, cherry, mushrooms, and forest floor

Summary:

Here's a Barolo that takes on a character unlike many of the others. Instead of sweet fruit perfume and a medium bodied profile, this wine is dense and earthy with exotic characteristics. It changed often in the glass throughout a recent meal at a top notch Italian restaurant. For $50,this wine reminds me of a hearty Burgundy.

While probably not fully mature at 10 years of age, it nevertheless shows an evolving complexity. This wine will make you stop and think- so don't serve it as a toast with friends to get a party started. Serve it to your wine geek friends who take tasting notes... oh, that's me. Raise a glass!

Kanonkop Stellenbosch Pinotage 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Wild, gamy nose with boysenberry and plum

Full bodied and firm on the palate

Interesting layers on the finish showing roasted meat, coffee, wild red berries, and pepper

Summary:

Good Pinotage from South Africa always has an exotic edge to it with wild fruit, coffee, and gamy notes. This wine has all that along with good depth, too. It's not an evening sipper, rather a wine to pair at the table with barbecue or smoked meat. At $30, it's the most expensive Pinotage I've ever had. Raise a glass!

Gaetano D'Aquino Sangiovese Di Toscana 2008 review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with sweet cola aromas and berry notes.

Palate--awkward like the bouquet and not the classic Tuscan Sangiovese like the prior vintage. Sharp berry flavor and a little steel that ends quickly.

I thought this was the wine--albeit the 07 vintage--for which I drove 300 miles round trip to buy a case of it at a Boston Trader Joe's. At $6 it was a super value and classic example of Tuscan wine. But this is NOT the same wine. That was the "Chianti Riserva."

This wine tastes manufactured and confused. It drinks marginally "Ok" but it's not it's anything like the previous one mentioned and reviewed. I'll pass on this one.

Wente Chardonnay "Morning Fog" 2009 review by (PB)

Crystalline yellow gold hue with aromas of perfumy vanilla, lemon curd and green apple.

Palate--Nicely balanced acid foundation with nice Chard flavors, vanilla touch with a slight spicy presence. I love the finish of this wine leaving lingering fruit and sweet spice.

This Livermore Valley Chard reminds me of a Burgundy Chard I have had--seriously. Half of this wine is barrel aged in French Oak and half is done in stainless. The result is a wine with some complexity and purity that tastes real. I don't often see Wente wines in my area and the reason I grabbed this wine out of sentimental remembrance of one the earliest wines I had when I was just beginning the marvelous exploration in to the world of wine. I am so pleased that it was a GOOD wine and not just sentimentality.

At $12 raise a glass of a value Chard!

Bastianich Friulano 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Lemon and green apple on the nose

Light bodied on the palate

Tart, crisp finish of minerals, almond notes, and citrus

Summary:

Here's an excellent food wine for $13. It's not too sweet and not too tart, with a good backbone and a food-friendly flavor profile.

Friulano was formerly known and labeled as Tocai Friulano until the 2007 vintage. It's a white wine varietal grown almost exclusively in a small region of Northern Italy where the grape excells. This bottling is from a producer known for the marriage of food and wine in the United States. Joe Bastianich, along with his mother Lidia, has long been a fixture in the New York food and wine scene. He is also making wines in Italy, to which I raise a glass!

Karl Lawrence Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Notes of raspberry, currant, and cinnamon on the nose

Full bodied and firmly textured on the palate

Currant and dark chocolate on a medium length, firm finish

Summary:

This Cab has a dark fruit and chocolate profile, but it's firm and a bit austere. Some time in the cellar might develop this with smoother texture and rounded edges, but that remains to be seen. At $60, it's not a bargain. If you have a bottle of this, fire up the grill and give this wine plenty of air while wait for your steak to be done. For my money, I'll be raising a glass of something else.

Castle Rock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 realtime review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with sweet plum and blackberry--meah...
Palate--thin textured with bready notes, hot subdued black cherry fruit that finishes a bit bitter.

I just grabbed this a couple hours ago at a shop I haven't been to in a couple years. Since it was an 07 Napa Cab, at $10 I thought I might try it. I did a search on my iPhone at the store and found someone (Wine Advocate???)gave it 87points.

I bought it and just threw away $10 so you don't have to! This is not very varietal, and tastes all around marginal. Don't raise a glass of this plonk and shows you that even in a great vintage as 2007 is for Napa Cab, you can still get garbage.

Villa Cerrina Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2009 (real time review by PB)

Very pretty jewel-like ruby/garnet hue with aromas of cherry and earth,a touch of candy apple and great memories of a Tuscan vacation with (NW) of this blog.

Palate--Fruity pepper but nicely balanced with plenty of flavor and Tuscan terroir. It finishes okay with lingering fruit memories.

Wow! Here's the get a grip factor; this is another Trader Joe's ridiculous value wine for $5 and you just can't find wine this well made and tasty and varietal and classic of the region for this price. Which means--stock up and raise many glasses!

Acquagiusta Rosso 2007 review by (PB)

Gorgeous hue of purple/black cherry with a beautiful bouquet that reminds me of a Zinfandel with dark berry jam up front and a milk chocolate base, accompanied by licorice, and cigar box foundation--beautiful!

Palate--Silky tannins, full textured with big ripe jammy berries and cocoa; gorgeous! Drinking well now but will morph into a wonderfully complex wine in another 3-5 years.

This is a Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 35%, Merlot 35%, and Syrah 30%. A unique wine and paired well with grilled veal chops.

I would not have pegged this as a Tuscan wine. Wine Spectator gave this 92 points; I have never seen it before but bought it through mail order for $18. A different and complex wine--raise a glass!

Picton Bay Pinot Noir 2010 review by (PB)

Lighter cherry hue with aromas of red berries and light strawberry, light white pepper and spice.

Palate--bright, edgy strawberry front with later subtle cocoa,and smoke.

Simple, straight forward but with a foundation that has some real zip to it. Light finish of smoke that lingers a bit.

A Trader Joe's New Zealand Pinot for $8 is about all I need to say. It is very drinkable and its fruity foundation makes it desirable to those who might think they don't like red wine. Raise a glass to another TJ value.

Jaffurs Petite Sirah "Thompson vineyards" 2009 review (PB)

Deep purple black hue pigmented hard.
Dark baker's chocolate under rich, ripe blackberry fruit and milky chocolate.

Palate--rich, big course at first that turns velvety, balanced and soft with loads of fruit. Tasty!

I bought this while out on the West Coast recently. I visited Jaffurs winery a couple years back and was impressed with the unpretentious, warehouse set up. Only great wine; no frills.

$38 and a trip in the plane. Raise a glass!!!

Chateau Coucy 2003 review by (PB)

This wine from the Montagne St. Emilion has a firm red hue with chocolate covered blackberries, prunes and sweet tobacco.

Palate--Integrated, round still lively with 5 years of life, black cherry and currants with ripe plum.

I bought this at Whole Foods for $13 and it is a good value and a nice pleasure. I made a subsequent trip looking for more but to no avail. Raise a glass.

Taylor Fladgate *Late Bottled Vintage Port 2003 review by (PB)

Creamy ripe plum and prune aromas;
Palate--silky, velvety texture, with ripe prune fruit on a luxurious bed of sweetness that lingers.

The perfect ending to a meal or accompany with hearty cheeses especially bleu's with bite. A real treat is dark chocolate with a sip or dark chocolate dipped strawberries!

This sells for around the $25 price point and is a nice splurge! Just say Ahhhhh and raise a glass.

*Do not confuse this with "Vintage Port." The difference? I'll let Dr. Vinny of the Wine Spectator answer that.

"“Late-Bottled Vintage” or “LBV” Ports aren’t bottled until up to four to six years from the vintage date. This means they spend about twice as long in wood as Vintage Ports, and so they’re usually more accessible at an early age. Some producers cold-stabilize and filter their LBVs, which is supposed to eliminate the need to decant the wine, but I’ve found that it can strip away the flavors. If you’re looking for LBVs made more like Vintage Ports, look for the word “Traditional” on the label. LBVs were originally intended to offer an experience comparable to Vintage Port but at a much lower cost. Many deliver the goods, but some of them can be just shadows of the real thing.

L'Enclave De Papes "Valreas" Cuvee Prestige Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2010 reveiw by (PB)

This 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah is a pretty bright cherry in color with big red fruit and subtle licorice note.

Palate--Minerals galore with a steely foundation, a tad harsh with bready flavors and strawberry fruit with a raspberry tartness and a fruity finish.

All in all this is a pretty decent wine and a nice value at $6.50. Raise a glass.

Napa River chardonnay 2009 review by (PB)

Pale gold with buttery lemon and loads of vanilla and citrus aromas.

Palate--First impression is flaccid structure but quickly gives way to some real acid that comes out of no where. Tastes like honest Napa Chardonnay without the Napa price. This is actually a decent chard that tastes like the real thing. Why do I say that? Because this is another Trader Joe's absurd value wine selling for $6. I am not certain but I think this may be a Fred Franzia wine--Fred is famous for saying that no wine is worth more than $10! Go FRED!!!

It is a touch under-structured but classically varietal, so raise a glass.

I plan to serve it with a shrimp over pasta with a cream sauce which I haven't yet decided quite what I will do with it.

Spring Valley Uriah Walla Walla 2003 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Aromas of blueberry compote, raisins, and resinous pine on the nose

Full bodied and well textured on the palate

Long, firm finish of dark berries, cocoa, and more pine resin

Summary:

Here's one of the great red wines of Washington state. It's made with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot which produces a full bodied wine with good texture. The fruit is rich and round, and a strong resinous quality develops with bottle age.

If you have some of this 2003, drink it now. For more recent vintages, I recommend drinking at 4-5 years of age so the resinous flavors don't take over. At $50 or so it's not on the list of great values, but it's a unique wine that is well crafted and highly enjoyable. Raise a glass!

Long Flat Destinations Clare Valley Riesling 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant notes of bright lemon and jasmine on the nose

Light bodied and crisp on the palate

Tart finish of lychee with trailing honey accents

Summary:

Wow, what a great value wine! It's bright and floral; an excellent food wine. I couldn't believe my wife found this $10 wine marked down to $4. A steal for sure.

Of all the many wines from Australia, Clare Valley Riesling is significantly under-represented in the US and other export markets. Riesling is not trendy and Australia seems to continue to stock the oversees shelves with Shiraz and Chardonnay. If you haven't sampled a Riesling from Clare Valley, you really need to track one down. They are light and lively wines, exhibiting a dance of flavors, and excellent with food. All this for a few dollars. Raise a glass!

Black Mountain "Haro Hills" Pinot Noir 2009 review by (PB)

Lighter red hue with a bouquet that is characteristic of the grape with strawberry fruit.

Palate--solid strawberry fruit with candy apple flavors and some decent structure with a backbone that is substantive.

Okay sit down--this is yet another Trader Joe's ridiculous value Pinot costing a whopping $7! Needless to say this is a buy more wine so raise a glass!

Lacheteau Vouvray 2010 review by (PB)

Pale straw hue and a bouquet that is full of bananas, citrus,and loads of tropical fruit galore. 

 Palate--Minerals abound on first taste, slightly sweet but basically off dry, with bountiful tropical fruit melange finishing with a slightly bitter lime rind that is interesting. 

 This is another Trader Joe's ridiculous value at $7. Vouvray (the Loire Valley, France) is known for its Chenin Blanc and they run considerably more than $7. While it is true that with wine you tend to get what you pay for, TJ's has such buying clout that they are able to obtain super great pricing on many of their wines. 

 When my wife tasted this she said--let's buy a case and drink it through the Summer chilled down. EXACTLY! This is a wonderful summer, porch wine, party wine,and oh yeah--I pared it with black eyed-peas and ham. Oh yeah, it worked as I knew it would. Raise a glass or three!!!

Kingston Family Casablanca Valley Lucero Syrah 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Interesting aromas of dark plum, roasted meat, mesquite, and pepper on the nose

Full bodied and dense on the palate

Long finish of dark fruit and pepper

Summary:

Here's a very good Syrah from Chile. It's dark, rich, and interesting. Like much of the Syrah produced in California and Washington, it exhibits rich fruit and pepper. It also has a roasted meat aroma which makes this wine a bit exotic. For $17 or so, I recommend this wine and suggest you serve it alongside a hearty meat dish. Raise a glass!

Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (NAPA) 2006 review by (PB)

Hefty garnet color with lovely fruit filled bouquet of ripe black berries, and anise.

Palate--Still rigid structure that will benefit from a couple more years but drinking pretty well. It should soften up and open up revealing more than what it's showing right now. I got this on sale for $15 but usually runs around $20.

This would be a wine to lay down for 2 more years and I think you will be rewarded. Raise a glass!

Le Coq Rouge 2009 review by (PB)

Cherry-garnet hue with aromas that remind me of homemade wine. (That's not a good start.) Bright candied fruity flavors and cocoa powder.

Palate--Lifeless first impression with subdued cherry fruit and a touch of tannic structure. All in all, plonk especially at $10.

This wine is a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon primarily but you wouldn't know it from the wine itself. It would be fine for a patio party where wine is a beverage and not an experience. This is a red wine that you could easily chill or use for Sangria or some kind of spritzer.

At this price point there are gazillions of red wines that have structure, character and real "wine" taste. This should be priced around $4. So If you're having a party, raise a glass, if not, well.......................

Sideyard Gewurztraminer 2007 review by (PB)

Light gold with a bouquet that is a bit a typical for a Gewurztraminer with loads of lemon, pineapple and tropical fruit.

Palate--Zingy acid foundation with lemon in loads, off dry, fruit galore, and unique. Finishes with a long lingering cream.

This is from a California shipper (?) importing this wine from the Pfalz (Germany) and is a tasty if unusual Gewurz. But it was nice on our porch for the first wine of the season outdoors at 61 degrees. Yeah! That's Summer for us. My wife paid $10 for this and I would buy another. We will *pair it with dinner tonight with what we call "country scramble." (Grits, fried ham with milk gravy and scrambled eggs all over home made biscuits. Can't wait to raise a glass!) *Late addition--the pairing was marvelous!

Chateau Montelena 2007 Chardonnay wine review by Billy

Nose: strong green apple and citrus with a steely core.
Palate: firm acid at the center of a soft and slightly creamy outer mouth feel.  Very dry and crisp.
Finish: citrus and strong limes on the finish. Lasting.
Overall: this was our main course wine with Easter dinner.  We served it with a carmelized onion marmelade tarte, seitan, mashed potatos, cibatta bread and cranberry sauce.  It was a lovely accompanyment.  This winery gained noteriety in the movie "Bottle Shock" which remains the best movie about wine to this day.

Abadia Retuerta 1997 review by (PB)

This Spanish Tempranillo, Cabernet blend shows its age with bricking at the rim on a brick red (hence the term) characteristic of an aged wine.

Bouquet--interesting, dusty,dirty front with unpleasant toluene (think airplane glue) on opening which disappears with some air. Remnants of aged fruit struggle to emerge through some smoke and currant notes.

Palate--In spite of its age, it is still lively with a nice foundation for the subtle stewed, sweet dark fruits that is hard to pin down but loads of character and smoke with wood.

(NW)and I tasted this 2 years ago and I obtained the last one available for $17 intending to hold it for two years then re-taste as we did. (To see how a wine changes even after two years compare this review to the one two years ago.)

Aged wines are a different world altogether. They take on such different qualities that even well known grapes can start tasting alike. You have to enjoy the nuances of mature wines and approach them with entirely different expectations than young ones. But the world that awaits is worth the wait.

This wine is beginning to fade and I would raise a glass before the end of 2011!

Pine Ridge California Chenin Blanc- Viognier 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Interesting aromas of white peach, clementine, and lemon on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Rich layers of pear and lychee on the finish

Summary:

This wine is rich and has a good flavor profile. I see it more and more as a wine by the glass offering at restaurants. It's a good choice for its versatility.

The blend is 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. This gives the wine rich fruit flavor and depth along with some weight without being too heavy. Expect to pay in the low teens, although I've seen this wine priced as low as $10 on the internet. Raise a glass!

Hardwick Vineyard and Winery "Hardwick Red" (NV) review by (PB)

Lighter cherry color for the Marechal Foch (pronounced--Marishel Foesh)which is a deeply pigmented grape which grows in hardy climates like Massachusetts and Maine (my state). This has an interesting bouquet of unfermented grape, candied apple and some nice spice. This is the best part of this wine.

Palate--Very tart (ie., too acidic)which seems to be common for this grape. It is light bodied, fruity but no substance or pizzazz. No one wanted a second glass which says all you need to know. I know neither me nor(NW)finished our first.

I know this grape all too well; I have been growing and making wine (recreationally) out of this grape for 5 years and have never been pleased with the end result. However I must say,mine is better than this and I would be embarrassed to "sell" it at any price...This was a gift from friends who visited the winery in Hardwick, Mass. It was helpful to taste a "professionally" made wine from Marechal Foch. This is the 2nd commercially produced Marachel Foch wine I have had and neither were sellable in my opinion. After 5 years of very marginal wines from this grape, I have decided to plant a different variety. Raise a glass of something else!

Stevenot Orange Muscat 2005 review by (PB)

Amber hue showing some age with sweet caramel and stone fruit with emphasis on apricot.

Palate--Thick texture, rich sweet stone fruit nectar with good structure and lingering dried apricot flavors. Interesting.

At $9 for a 500ml bottle this is a very nice dessert wine with surprisingly good structure. A wine this thick and sweet would be sickeningly cloying but this is well made with plenty of acid to carry the sweetness to a delightful, after dinner wine. This is a solid value and a "buy another or two" and raise a glass.

Cline Zinfandel "California" 2009 review by (PB)

Lighter ruby hue with overly ripe red berry aromas with what I can only describe as a "cheap wine" bouquet.

Palate--A touch tart, with saliva stimulating structure around berry flavors and a dry finish.

I am a big fan of Cline Zins which you know if you follow this blog. This is their inexpensive $8-$10 price point Zin which I got for $8 at Sam's this afternoon. That is about $6 too much as this reminds me of Two Buck Chuck.

I have recommended many past vintages of this same wine over the years calling them a good value wine. This one is worth raising a glass only to dump it in the sink. Oh well! (Okay, later addition--it is not a bad wine to cook with!)

Maryhill winery 2008 Pinot Gris sponsored wine review by billy

Nose: gentle cantaloupe melon with citrus flower notes and a nutmeg core.
Palate: soft mouth feel with a velvety spread across the tongue and honeyed notes at the front with acids at the back that are unpresuming.
Finish: long and honeyed with more citrus and spice.
Overall: Delightful, soft and supple.  This washington state white wine was sent to us to review from the good folks at Maryhill winery.  This pinot gris wine comes from Mary hill winery in glendale washington. We had this with a delightful meal where it was paired with a cold asparagus and red grapefruit salad with rosemary spiked creme fraische.  It complemented this early course very well.

Cain Five Napa Valley Red Wine 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant nose of currants and dry earth

Full bodied and dry on the palate

Cherries and herbs layered nicely on the finish

Summary:

Cain produces this Napa Valley red blend from the five noble red grapes of Bordeaux: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It results in a dry, elegant style of wine that has a fragrant nose and a long finish. It's a special treat at $100 or so. Raise a glass!

Charles Shaw California Merlot 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Red plum and wild berries on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Raspberry and light oak on the finish

Summary:

Once in a while I sample some wines from the Trader Joe's house specialty, which is lovingly referred to as "Two Buck Chuck" by the faithful and devoted fans who buy millions of cases a year. This 2009 Merlot is a really straightforward wine, with simple fruit and oak. The verdict? Well, not bad for $2 (or $3 depending on where you live).

Personally, I'd rather spend more to hopefully get more. However, the Charles Shaw line has been a consistent product for years with a number of red and white offerings. I admire the approach and will raise a glass to that!

Trimbach (Alsatian) Gewurztraminer 2005 review by (PB)

Lighter golden hue with light orange on a lovely honeyed fruit front and loaded with tropical fruit compote and spice.

Palate--thin textured with pure minerally tropical fruit with an austere foundation characteristic of Alsatian Gewurz. This is probably the singular difference in an Alsatian Gewurz. vs. a domestic or new world one.

It smells like it should be a desert wine but as soon as it hits your palate you know you're drinking something of a different nature. This is not sweet but bone dry with a nice lasting tropical finish.

I will pair it with a quasi-Asian scallop and snow peas delight. I paid $10 for this wine but was on close out and sells at the $20 and above price point. Raise a glass!

Anciano Tempranillo Riserva 2004 review by (PB)

This Tempranillo aged 5 years before release was on sale for $9 so what's to lose?

Stewed prune aromas with light cherry underneath.

Palate--sweet cherry under ripe raisin on a perfectly relaxed frame being completely mature with light peppery underlay.

For the price, this is a good example of an integrated,mature wine as opposed to an immature, angular wine. For the price, I'll raise a glass.

House Wine (red) 2007 review by PB

Pigmented with big aromas of chocolate covered fruit.
Palate--Soft confused fruit with slight blueberry notes. This is an easy to drink wine but suffers from a lack of focus.

This is a common problem with wines that are blended beyond reason. This wine is an overly blended hodgepodge of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot,Zinfandel,Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. (The only wine with a blend of so many grapes that is superior is BV's Tapestry.)

Charles Smith--the Washington State vintner who usually produces a general line of solid wines, seems to have become distracted in the past few years with respect to his "House Wine" labeled reds. They used to be solid value wines but the last few years, these have been worth ignoring. His white "House Wine" label still tends to be good values. I'd give him a shot each new vintage to see what he's produced. At $10 they can be really good but for now--this House Wine should remain homeless.

Salice Salentino Riserva 2007 Cantele review by (PB)

Nice black cherry hue with some depth.
Bouquet--Some fresh cherry behind touches of cocoa.
Palate--rigorous structure with a wine that is still youthful. The rear is a bit of muddled red fruit that is both bright but engulfed by the intriguing foundation.

This wine for $10 is a blend of 85% Negroamaro and 15% Malvasia Nera reminds me of Nero D'Avola but bolder and rougher. It is different and intriguing enough to raise a glass!