Cesari "Mara" Caraion Veranese 2008 wine review by (PB)

This is classic Valpolicella Ripasso made by one of the multi-generational giants of the Italian wine industry.

It has a dark black cherry hue with a bouquet of big deep ripe dark berries with fresh grape hints underneath; cinnamon is prevalent in balanced subtlety with bright and dried cherries as it opens.

Palate--Bold velvety tannins with big fruit forward pleasure with good integration for such a young wine. Finishes with more dried red fruit.

At $17 this is a lot of wine and just delicious so raise a glass!

Ulrich Langguth Riesling 2010 wine reveiw by (PB)

Light golden hue with beautiful apple pie spices and green apple fruit.

Palate--Sweet presence at the front with light citrus feel and minerals with decent acid balance and pleasant drinking.

At Trader Joe's this wine is $7 which is worth raising a glass!

Darioush Caravan Napa Valley Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Espresso, dark berries, and plum on the nose

Full bodied and firmly textured on the palate

Long finish of dark chocolate and dark berries

Sumary:

Caravan is a label owned by Darioush who is known for big and bold styles of Cabernet Sauvignon. I would describe this as just a bit more reserved than that top bottlings but with a dark and brooding style that is true to the varietal. With fairly firm tannins, it should benefit from age. Expect to pay $35 or so, and raise a glass!

Penner-Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful cherry and red berries on the nose

Medium bodied and finely textured on the palate

Sleek and silky finish with cherry and herbs

Summary:

The Penner-Ash Pinot Noirs from Oregon have quite a loyal following. While a number of single vineyard bottlings are available, this is the base level Willamette Valley that runs about $45. It has a great texture that's smooth and silky, and should prove to be a good pairing with a variety of dishes. Raise a glass!

Bonny Doon Vineyard Syrah Le Pousseur 2004 Wine Review by Billy

Nose: big jammy berries, jasmine, basil
Palate: big mouth feel, peppery with good firm backbone
Finish:cherries and a tannic mouth feel that lingers
Overall:  I bought this originally for a camping  trip because I wanted a Syrah/shiraz with screw cap.  I got two bottles.  While camping, any wine tastes good.  So I waited to review it until I could try it with a proper meal.  Overall this is a good entry point for Syrah.  The big, jammy, fruit forward red wine pairs well with hearty pastas.  We served it with steamed asparagus, a marinara sauced spaghetti, olives, caprese salad and asiago bread.  I paid $16 for this at a liquor store near a state park.
Raise a glass!

Plan Pegau Selectionne Lot #2007 wine reveiw by (PB)

Black cherry hue showing a little age at the rim; fruity aromas wafting from the glass at a distance--very nice.

Bouquet of cherry/raspberry fruit with black pepper

Palate--Tart first impression, a little chewy, tight cherry fruit and the tartness of raspberry.

After 2 hours in the decanter this wine improved markedly. It is a decent Rhone blend and paired well with our grilled rib steak, grilled fingerling potatoes, sweet corn and garlic bread. I paid $8 for this which is why I snagged it as I see it for considerably more. All in all, raise a glass and don't overlook the importance of breathing some wines!

Primus 2006 wine review by (PB)

Deep dark black cherry hue with huge deep plum and cedar bouquet.

Palate--A big fruit bomb with loads of cedary fruit that is tasty but a little hot.

Needs another year or two to mature and it should be pretty decent.

This is a Bordeaux type blend ( Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Syrah from Chile. I usually see this for the low teens but I bought this at $8. For the price it has a decent future but not ready now.

Napa River chardonnay 2009 wine review by (PB)

Reviewed previously, straw hue with vanilla cream and light citrus.

Palate--lovely balanced acid, lemon,vanilla pudding, with mouth watering juiciness.

This is a ridiculous Trader Joe's value wine at $7. Buy several, put a slight chill on it and enjoy it solo, or with buttery sauced foods, or seafood.
Raise a glass!

Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc De Noir winre review by (PB)

Blush wine on appearance with nutty Macadamia nut aromas on top of a touch of benign fruit.

Palate--fine bubbles, with dry slight mineral touch and light citrus notes.

Chill it down and it's a typical $12 sparkler which is refreshing on a hot summer day.

Raise a glass or not; there are better values out there.

Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry Reserve 1998 wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue with a solid rim with a bouquet that is fairly youthful with nice cedary laden red fruit, the slightest touch of licorice, and spice.

Palate--Surprisingly youthful with integrated flavors of everything this wine is.


I have been cellaring this wine for many years and was looking forward to a wine that had peaked and was ready to drink before it started sliding downward. (NW) of this blog was up for the weekend and we were both taken aback at how young this wine was still. I am usually very good about judging a wine's age from the bouquet and appearance in the glass and if I hadn't known what it was, I would have said it was 6 or 7 years old. This wine still has years ahead of it but is drinking great now.

I say the following with all respect to the good folk at the Wine Spectator to whom I look for masterful counsel and education. Several years ago Beaulieu had a TCA issue at their winery. (TCA is the abbreviation for a long chemical name which is a dreaded contaminant and can be the death of a winery's business.) Their wines were being scored strangely low around this time and this wine in particular received a score of 80 from James Laube of the Wine Spectator.


(NW) and I have had several of those wines from that time period and we have found them to be very good to excellent. Indeed, this wine--if we were scoring our reviews by points--we would give a score somewhere in the 90's! I don't remember what I paid for this but I would guess it was around $40.

The other point to make is that here we are in 2011 and this wine is not only holding well, but it might even still improve a bit. Which only means that determining how long a a wine will last can be a crap shoot even while there are objective considerations in making such determinations. With respect to the low BV ratings during their TCA years, it is possible that Mr. Laube has what is called a "super palate" and is sensitive to TCA where others might miss it entirely or even find it endearing as a musty or earthy taste no unlike what you might in typical Tuscan creations.

At any rate, this was a great experience and a definite raise a glass!

Conte Di Bregonzo Amarone 2006 wine review by (PB)

Nice vibrant black cherry hue with big blackberry, plum aromas with tar and forest floor notes.

Palate--Chewy until decanted then big dark berry, espresso, flavor with smokey, charcoal finish.

This is one of my favorite inexpensive (relatively speaking)wines from Trader Joes. I have reviewed it before and it has changed over the months since I reviewed it first. It seems to be losing some of its life now but is still a nice wine and a good value.

Amarones are made with "dried" or partially dried grapes which make up the valpolicella blend. Amrones are understandably a bit pricey normally beginning around the $25 price point on up. This one isn't exactly "typical" and so you really NEED to taste a higher quality one to appreciate the full, textured, dried fruit and awesomeness of Amarone. Raise a glass for sure!

Joseph Drouhin Saint-Veran 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Pear and apple aromas on the nose

Medium bodied and smooth texture on the palate

Decent length finish of citrus, green apple, and minerals

Summary:

If you're like me, you find it difficult to find bargains out of Burgundy- white or red. The quality of the wine is high, supply and demand economics are at work, and the dollar has been weak against the euro for quite some time. This makes Burgundy a splurge for most people. Basic village wines can often be $50 and the premier crus are hundreds.

With that said, here's a nice value white from Joseph Drouhin that fits the "value" category. The wines of Saint-Veran can be charming and this one shows a balance of stone fruit and minerals with very nice texture and weight. I paid just $15, although you'll probably see this wine more typically at $20. Raise a glass!

Benton Lane Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Pretty and delicate nose of cinnamon and red berries

Medium bodied

Red currant and berry finish with some dried herbs

Summary:

Here's a good, light, and pretty Pinot Noir. It has Willamette Valley written all over it in weight and style. Pure and elegant, you'll be able to pair it with many different dishes. It runs around $20 and I found it for $17. Raise a glass!

Renegade Horse Heaven Hills "RedWine" 2008 wine review by (PB)

Slightly opaque garnet hue with a bouquet of spicy green pepper with dark berry fruit and a bit alcoholy.

Palate--Harsh first impression, tannic, with tight plum and black cherry/berry fruit. Finish is a mite bitter with some smoke.

From another blog I read: "Trey Busch (from Sleight of Hand Cellars) began his Renegade Wine project as a response to our recessionary climate. Renegade is a negociant model, so Trey is buying juice (not grapes), and then doing the blending and bottling himself. The blend is a little unusual (39% Cab, 39% Cab Franc, 13% Grenache, 9% Syrah)"

From what I've read elsewhere, most people seem to really like this wine;for the $12 I paid for it, I would call it confused, and harsh. I will say that after a couple hours of air, the wine improved but for the price point, I would lay my $12 on a Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cab or Merlot!

Covey Run Columbia Valley Gewurztraminer 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Citrus and floral notes on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Slightly spicy finish of lychee with floral accents

Summary:

Here's a good, inexpensive Washington state Gewurztraminer. You'll probably see it priced under $10- in fact, I paid only $6. Go a bit off the beaten path with this unique varietal and you'll be rewarded. Raise a glass!

Jacques Bourguignon "Chablis" 2009 wine review by (PB)

Pale golden with expansive bouquet of floral vanilla, and citrusy melon with lime hints.

Palate Razor sharp acidity with mouth watering lemon and lime and tropical fruit.

This wine will cut your tongue making it a good food wine with buttery, greasy foods when you need your palate cleansed. This is another Trader Joes value wine selling for $8 which for a Chablis (which is from Chablis, France and not to be confused with cheap white jug wine of the past)is a great price being made from chardonnay! So raise a glass to another value TJ special!

Cupcake Vineyards Prosecco NV wine review by (PB)

Steely clear hue with light citrus and powder with considerable flavors of light tropical and citrus notes. Flavor persists for a bit on the finish.

I am not a big fan of Prosecco but I have to say in spite of the less than manly name I like this about as well as any6 Prosecco I have had and better than most.

My wife paid $10 for this and if you can hide your man card for an evening, raise a glass; no one will ever know once its poured!

Eola Hills Pint Noir 2009 wine review by (PB)

Classic Pinot presentation with a light ruby hue that nearly sparkles with brilliance.

Bouquet is brimming with sweet spiced syrup over fresh strawberries.

Palate--has a tart edge to it that is a bit surprising with subdued strawberry flavor and a smokey finish. Tartness tones down with some air and berry flavors step up.

Paired with foil wrapped country short ribs slow cooked on the grill then opened to caramelize the Dijon/honey sauce.

I paid $17 for this and is representative of Oregon Pinot. This is what I would expect of Pinot at this price point but honestly I am finding Oregon Pinots predictable and not very exciting. Raise a glass if you don't like surprises.

Ramos Pinto Porto Tawny Wine Review by Billy

Nose: hazelnuts, currant and cherry
Palate: silky and voluptuous with mild tannins and mild heat.
Finish: short soft finish with some heat lingering at the back
Overall: I paid $19 for this at a local wine store. I served it with a gourmet dark chocolate spiked with almonds and sea salt. Overall it is a decent port that is easy going and not overly syrupy.

Raise a glass!

Castello D'albola Chianti Classic Riserva 2007 review by (PB)

Cherry hue with earthy, rustic, forest floor cherry bouquet classic of the Chianti terroir.

Palate--Tight, cherry and earth on a frame of integrated tannins with lingering rustic fruit flavor.

I reviewed this not long ago and I think it is much better this time. It is a very good example of the Chianti Classico structure and overall presentation. It will continue to develop for about 5 more years I would expect and will probably open up more in the next year.

I paid $13 for this which is a good price. I have one more bottle I will cellar for another year. Raise a glass!

Guigal Chateau Neuf-Du-Pape 1990 wine review by (PB)

Aged hue with brown rim with gorgeous fruit rising from the glass well away from my nose.
Closer in,there is a smokey front and some bacon still some distance from the nose with cherry fruit and caramel.

Palate--Thick, silky texture with a touch of licorice,staid fruit,smokey charcoal and black pepper with light raisin in the rear. Finishes with grilled meat and more charcoal.

This was the 3rd wine (NW) served up blind; it's a great way to grow in your precision of the way you analyze a wine. Too often we hurry through a wine without really tasting what is there. I first noted that I believed the wine was probably 20-25 years old. Beyond that, I don't remember my comments...

This is why we drink wine with some age. It is a different world and a different wine from what it was on release in its youthfulness. This wine probably cost around $20 when it was released 21 years ago; today you'd be hard pressed to find any. (NW) is always on the look out for exciting "rare" wines and knows a value when he sees one. Just another benefit of studying what you love. Raise a glass of mature fruit of the vine.

Kofererhof Alto Adige Valle Isarco "Kerner" 2008 wine review by (PB)

(NW) served this wine to me blind on a recent Boston trip.It was light golden in hue with chilled apple that fades.

Palate--Has a razor acidity which could cut your tongue on an off dry foundation of tart citrus with tart green apple mid palate.

I was baffled and I said to (NW) "I have no idea what this is!" AS it turns out, it was a brand new grape called "Kerner." Made in the Alto Adige of the extreme north of Italy where German is spoken.

This is not an inexpensive wine but (NW) figured a new grape is worth the cost. Around the $25+ price point, this was an interesting experience but I'm not sure I would spring for such a bottle. Thanks (NW)!

G. Duboeuf "Regnie" 2009 wine review by (PB)

Purple, big aromas of cinnamon, strawberry fruit.

Served slightly chilled is rich strawberry with a tart back bone and lingering bright red berries.

(NW) served this blind and it was classic Gamay and Beaujolais which I readily identified. Regnie is one of the Beaujolais "Cru" which is the highest designation of Beaujolais wines with Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais following respectively.

Gamay is a good starter wine for folks who are pretty certain they don't like "red wine." It is straight forward, fruity goodness and the Cru are affordable at the middle teen to $20 price point. Chilled it's a great aperitif and wonderful summer wine. Raise a glass!

Incanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 winre review by (PB)

Nice garnet with rustic, pure cherry bouquet of Sangiovese, with some minerals and slight anise!

Palate--Integrated, licorice, cherry, and slightly chewy tannins.

At $11 I have bought more to lay down and to raise a glass.

AMano Primitivo 2008 wine review by Billy

Nose: black pepper, cherry, chocolate
Palate: thin on the palate but a decent balance and good blackberry flavors.  Medium tannins.
Finish: slightly vegetal.  Long and subtle.  Berry notes
Overall: a good table wine, especially at the $7.99 price point I paid at a local shop.  The wine is made from the Italian version of the Zinfandel grape.  It has zin characteristics with Italian flair.
Raise a glass!

E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1990 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful kirsch, dried herbs, and tobacco

Medium bodied and finely textured on the palate

Soft, layered finish of smoky cherry and raspberry

Summary:

I picked this bottle up a few years ago for only $30. There were some questions as to its drinkability, althought Chateauneuf-du-Pape does have a reputation to cellar quite well. Made from a blend of up to 13 grapes in the Southern Rhone including Grenache and Syrah, many of the best Chateaneufs have achieved legendary status over the years.

Fortunately, this one delivered. After two decades of bottle age, this wine emerged with full flavors and elegance. In my notes, I wrote "very good, amazingly relaxed, and integrated." PB was in town to share this wine with me and, thankfully, it was a special treat and not a special vinegar. Raise a glass!

Domaine Huet Demi Sec Le Mont Vouvray 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Pretty nose of quince, fig, and honey

Medium bodied on the palate

Smooth finish of pear and honey

This wine is good, well rounded, and flavorful. It paired well with several different courses at the beginning of a tasting menu I had the opportunity to enjoy recently at a Michelin 3-star restaurant. Made from Chenin Blanc, Vouvray is one of the classic wines of the Loire Valley in France. Huet is a notable producer who's wines are reputed to cellar quite well for 5-10 years. This bottle runs about $35. Raise a glass!

Novelty Hill Columbia Valley Syrah 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Currants and plum aromas on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Firm finish with dark fruit, loam, and pepper notes

Summary:

Novelty Hill has put together a classic Washington state Syrah here with dark fruit and pepper character. This is the kind of wine I enjoy with dinner as well as on its own after dinner. I paid $23 for the bottle at Whole Foods. Raise a glass!

Sean Minor 4Bears 2010 Vin Gris sponsored wine review by Billy

Nose: strawberry and candy apple nose
Palate: soft mouth feel with gentle acids without being flacid.  Delightful.
Finish: raspberry and strawberry splash on the finish.
Overall: the fine folks at Sean Minor winery provided this sample for our review.  A beautiful blush that is a lush candy-apple pink in the glass.  It is a wonderfully juicy and easy going drink. 

Kendall-Jackson Vinter's Reserve Chardonnay 2009 wine review

Nose: Floral and lime
Palate: soft and even with good acid at the core.  More lime at the back of the mouth.  Good feel.
Finish: green apples and more lime with soft grassy notes.
Overall: a favorite table wine with neighbors.  Great for enjoying while socializing with friends.  Great simple and easy to drink lime citrus flavors.

Terry Hoage Vineyards The Hedge Syrah 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful aromas of wild berries, licorice, spice, and pepper on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Folded layers of dark berries, bacon fat, and spice on the finish

Summary:

Good wine often takes some time to open up. Once this one got cranking, it was big and powerful. The layers are interesting and complimentary as it all comes together. This is good stuff! Drink it now with a hearty meal or let it sit a few years for what should result in an even more harmonious glass of wine. I paid $36 and it was a nice treat. Raise a glass!

Dry Creek "Heritage" Zinfandel 2008 wine review by (PB)

Decent garnet color with nice black berry and jammy plum aromas with a touch of chocolate--classic.

Palate--Bold black berry flavors with silky tannins on a solid integrated frame of pure Zin.

This Sonoma Zin was $14 at Trader Joes with a reference price of $19 from the Wine Spectator and a score of 88. Right all the way around so raise a glass of Zin!

Angeline Pinot Noir Reserve 2009 wine review by (PB)

Nice cherry hue with bright fruit aromas of strawberries, some green spice and lovely red fruit and vanilla cream toffee.

Palate--Light in weight, yet full of flavor with brioche, strawberry, and more red berries on top of that. It needs to be chilled down a bit as my ambient summer cellar is a little too hot today.

This is a pleasant Pinot with loads of berries and a trail of smoke on the finish.
I paid $13, down from $18 for this blend of 54% Sonoma fruit, 24% Mendocino fruit, and 22% Santa Barbara fruit.

At $18 it would have been a little disappointing but at $13 it's a raise a glass kind of wine!

Chateau Pesquie Terrasses 2009 wine review by (PB)

This Rhone blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah an immature purple in color with an "all" Grenache nose of fruity pie berries galore.

Robust fruit filled palate, bread undertones with loads of berries on the tartish pie side with a decent, ripe tannin bed.

This is a young wine and needs plenty of air to open up so decant it several hours and serve at a decent room temperature; that doesn't mean summer time, un-air conditioned room temperature! Something closer to 65-70 degrees.

Don't be shy about bathing it in an ice bath if it has been sitting on your hot kitchen counter either, just don't leave it in the water. A half hour should be enough and at the $11 price point, this is a value wine so raise a glass.

Atalaya Almansa 2008 wine review by (PB)

Deep black cherry hue with big expressive bouquet of dark berries.

Palate--Silky tannins,integrated with creamy, dark fruit with a touch of black pepper on a chewy foundation. Pure berry flavors are uncomplicated even if a little "hot."

This is a solid wine and would benefit from another couple-3 years in the bottle although it is drinking well now.

I paid $13 for this and is a better wine than the price so raise a glass!

Aia Vecchia Lagone Toscana 2007 wine review by (PB)

Medium Bodied, garnet hue with some intensity and a bouquet that on opening is brimming with cinnamon "red hot" candies, on top of strawberry fruit.
With decanting, the cinnamon sadly dissipates leaving strong, strawberry aromas with chocolate covered cherries, leather and oak. This is a great start!

Palate--Mellow tannins that are still tight enough to carry this wine for another several years, but red berry flavors abound with an element of Tuscan terroir. Although it finishes a little quickly, this is a superior wine and for $12.99 it is a ridiculous value. I'd grab a case except I bought it out of state.

This is not Sangiovese based, it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, your classic Bordeaux blend. This wine will be in the running for one of my top ten picks of 2011 so if you see one, snag it and raise a glass!

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Tropical fruit and creme brulee on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Medium length finish of integrated honey, pear, and mineral tones

Summary:

I characterize this as a good, solid Chardonnay. It shows its oak influence, but all in proportion. While the price has crept up around $20, look for it on sale. I grabbed a bottle for $13 which was a good deal. Plate up some fish and fresh greens and raise a glass!

Steele (Old Vine Zinfandel) 2007 Pacini Vineyard wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue with milk chocolate overtones on strawberry-cherry aromas surrounded by brambly, wild berry Zin fruit.

Palate--Nice first impression in the relaxed style with big flavor, integrated, cherries and strawberries in a somewhat atypical Zinfandel style.

This is quite tasty but unique as it reminds me of what a supercharged Pinot Noir might taste like if you can imagine! It is easy drinking by itself but was nice with our charcoal grilled, spiced pork chops. This was recommended by Gary Anderson of the Lily, Lupine, and Fern wine shop at 11 Main Street, Camden, Maine.

This is a NICE wine shop which is unique by Maine standards. It is a fairly small store but the selections are intelligent and are solid, if not great wines, which I have not seen in most, if any stores in Maine! Shafer, Far Niente, Chateau Montelena (of the Paris tasting fame and the movie "Bottle Shock")and many other premier producers we don't see in these parts.

If you are in Maine visiting the coast, be sure to stop in and let them recommend a GREAT bottle of wine and it won't bankrupt you either. I paid $20 for this Zin so Raise a Glass to the beauty of the Maine Coast!

Buena Vista Carneros Pinot Noir 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Gorgeous notes of cherry, mushrooms, and spice on the nose

Medium bodied and smooth on the palate

Long finish of cherry, vanilla, mocha, and spice

Summary:

Here's a Pinot Noir that has really come together with a couple years of bottle age. It shows nice layers and has great texture. Additionally, it's all very well integrated and harmonious. For that reason, it seems to be extra silky and drinks effortlessly.

I opened three Pinots over three consecutive nights for regular accompaniment to dinner- this wine and the two posted below. All similar in price (this one was $16), they each showed good varietal character. This wine, however, is the best of the three. Check it out and raise a glass!

Sea Mist Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich, spicy cherry and pomegranate on the nose

Full bodied and richly textured

Silky plum and earth layers on the finish

Summary:

This wine is generous and richly textured, with good depth of fruit and interesting layers. It's almost exotic in its combination of fruit, spice, and earth.

I paid $18 for the pleasure of opening this bottle, and it was well worth it. Pair with roasted poultry, eggplant dishes, or enjoy on its own. Just raise a glass!

Sebastiani Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Cherry and plum layers on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Round, spicy finish

Summary:

This was the third of three Pinots in a row. Unfortunately, it comes up a little flat. I generally enjoy Sebastiani wines, so this bottle was a little disappointing after many good experiences across their line up. While I paid $19 at a little out of the way place in Colorado, I often see this wine priced at $13-15. Even so, I recommend you seek out the wines posted above instead and raise a glass.

Brancaia Tre 2008 wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue with a rustic cherry front with subtle wild cherry fruit on an earthy frame.

Palate--A bit coarse (immature)tightly wound with stingy fruit and a touch of smokey oak.

This wine needs a couple more years on the shelf to appreciate what I think is there. Still it is a good example of Sangiovese even though this is a "Super Tuscan" blend.

Disappointing at this stage for $16 but will get better! Raise a glass.

Jelly Jar Old Vine Zinfandel "Nova Vineyard" 2009 review by (PB)

Bright super ruby hue with bright red creamy berry aromas of candied red fruit with touch of cinnamon.

Palate--Bursting wondrous pure, intense red berries with Zin backbone, almost lady- like structure and refined tannins.

This is one of the cleanest, purest Zinfandels I have had and I have had a bunch. I am a Zinfandel freak. This is uncomplicated, straightforward, finessed, delicious Zinfandel and a nice food wine to boot. My wife bought it for me as a gift. It was $22 which is more than I normally pay for my wine, but what a nice treat. Raise a glass to the only truly American grape!

Tattinger Brut La Francaise Champagne review by Billy

Nose: Strong citrus of grapefruit and lemon curd on the nose with a nice under tone of crackers
Palate: delightfully spritely on the tongue with expert balance of dryness and structure.
Finish: Lime on the finish with a slight floral softness
Overall: a delightful citrussy Champagne for a reasonable price. I paid about $35 for this at a local wine shop. I prefer it over a more expensive but less character-driven Champagne like Veuve. It is easy drinking without being snobbish. If you love a citrus driven sparkling wine and have a reason to celebrate, pick up a bottle of Tattinger and raise a glass!

Cycles Gladiator Syrah 2006 review by (PB)

Deep black cherry hue with Zinfandel-like berry aromas with big fragrant, cigar box heft.

Palate--*"Sweet" foundation of plum and a front with ample berry flavors and black pepper at the rear.

This is a big wine, with big flavors and at $5 on closeout, it is a bargain! (Normally runs at the ubiquitous $10 price point) Raise a glass to close out wines that pan out!

*"Sweet" in this instance does not mean "SWEET" like you might expect. But some red wines, from Cabernets to Zinfandels that a dry as dust give a sweet" impression.

Rosenblum Black Muscat "Gallagher Reserve" 2006 review by (PB)

Light aged looking red with yellow hints at the rim. The bouquet yields stewed apricots and prune on a light, sweet foundation; after some time there is an amazing sweet basil aroma that saves this otherwise unremarkable wine.

Palate--full, thicker texture with some heft, and sweet acid frame. Fruit hints at a very light bodied port like wine as this is another fortified dessert wine.

It was pleasant enough and I raise a glass to (NW) of this blog from whom this wine came as a gift. But I suggest Rosenblum stick to what they do best which is Zinfandel!

Quartz Reef Sparkling Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Big apple explodes from the bottle even before pouring a glass. In my glass the green apple is more subtle and nicely blended with warm bread dough notes and a mineral oil foundation. More character here than I was expecting. A pleasant surprise!
Palate: Strong mineral and lime flavors in the mouth. Very dry. Bubbles are extremely small and lazy. They ooze around rather than dance.
Finish: Lemon grass on the long finish.
Overall: The nose is intriguing and the finish delightful. The bubbles and mouth feel are small which means you can pair this with almost anything you would a non-sparkling table Chardonnay. For the price you can find something that dances. I paid $16 for this sparkling wine at the local store. This New Zealand sparkling wine is made in the traditional Champagne way. It is a blend of 76% Pinot Noir and 24% Chardonnay from Bendigo, Central Otago, New Zealand. The Kiwis definitely know their way around wine. It is no surprise that a sparkling wine from there has made its way up here. This is a non-vintage, as many sparkling wines are. This means you will not see a year on the bottle. Rather it is a blend of wine from several years.
Raise a glass!

Numanthia Termes "Toro Termes" 2006 reivew by (PB)

Deep dark black cherry hue with a bouquet of coarse dark berry aromas with blueberries, a little bottle stink, yellow mustard--Hey I just review them as they come!

Palate--a bit harsh, tight; first impression is there's not much there but I know better. This IS Numanthia...with air it mellows out with black pepper hints, blueberries, some rugged spice, and more dark fruit with a smokey finish.

The folks at Numanthia are some of the world's experts in Tempranillo colloquially known as Tinta De Toro. I have been under treatment for some allergy things so my palate may be off a bit; the good folks at the Wine Spectator gave this wine a 93!

I have been cellaring this bottle for 3 years having paid $24 for it. It is solid but honestly I am not impressed; still like I said my palate may be off! I am pairing this with grilled burgers on a real charcoal grill for the 4th of July. It will be great! How I thank God for our brave predecessors who gave their lives for my freedom and lifestyle. Raise a glass to all who fight for right!

Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel 2007 review by (PB)

Garnet, blackberry jam, tar, Tobacco, Sweet profile, a bit harsh, flat flavor; I'll let it open and see what happens.

I'm in my Marechal Foch vineyard and working with my grapes; I had to open a wine. It's just one of those days with the sun shining gloriously, something that has been in short supply this season, so it is worthy of celebration.

We had this wine at a wine bar recently in Ogunquit, Maine and my wife decided to buy it for me. It was $30 a bottle at the wine bar, $18 in the store associated with the wine bar...

It is pleasant enough for $17. At $30 it would have been a rip off. No matter--today is glorious, life is grand and we are blessed. Raise a glass!

J.W. Morris Gewurztraminer 2009 reivew by (PB)

Pale golden hue with a bouquet of gentle nectarine, with light spicing of apple pie and tropical fruit.

Palate: Round flavors of citrus, orange, peach and a tropical fruit compote on a fairly lively foundation. Short lived but a value summer quaff chilled and served up with appetizers that are hard to pair with other wines or just enjoy all by itself.

This is a Trader Joe's value around the $6 price point so raise a glass and on this day of July 4th give thanks for the sacrifices of our brave predecessors who gave us the foundations for the lives we are blessed to live!

Laguna Canyon "Wyland" Super Tuscan 2005 review by (PB)

Deep garnet hue with very slight bricking; bouquet is awesome with "thick" smells of intense, black cherry and fudge with dark green herbs, and licorice.

Palate--Dark fudge first impression with smoke, charcoal, thick texture, and with loads of ripe new world fruit jam on a smokey finish that goes on and on.

(NW) served this to me blind and I thought it was a Sonoma Zinfandel perhaps Rosenblum; obviously I was a bit off...

We previously reviewed this about 2 years ago when, coincidentally, I thought it might be a Zinfandel then as well. But in those two years, this is a "different" wine and clearly shows how much a wine "may" change and improve over time. The first time around I remember it was "good." This time around it was Super!

Coincidentally,it is a California "super Tuscan" blend meaning Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It isn't cheap at $35 but it's a nice splurge so raise a glass!