Bodegas Ondarre Rioja Reserva 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich, stewed black cherry and berries with spice on the nose

Medium bodied and silky on the palate

Ultra-smooth finish with fine-grained texture, dark plum, smoky notes, and vanilla

Summary:

Integrated, relaxed, and smooth, this wine is drinking beautifully right now.  Rioja, made from the Tempranillo grape, has the ability to show elegance, rich flavor, and silky texture when done well.  Here's a real treat for under $20.  In fact, this is an extraordinary bargain at $16 which is what I paid.  Grab it if you find it because this vintage is probably sold out in a lot of places.  Raise a glass!

Santa Cristina 2009 wine review by (PB)

Gripping dark black cherry hue with intense Sangiovese bouquet of rich cherry, a touch of cocoa, daffodil and spice.

Palate--Artisinally made with rich varietal fruit, slightly sour pie cherry, and Tuscan all the way. Cabernet/Merlot lends a bit of the intense color I suspect.

One swallow and this wine continues to a nice finish.

This is a great wine for the price made by the master Antinori. I paid $9 and it is well worth half again as much.

Raise a glass to this classic Italian!

Masi Bonacosta Valpolicella 2010 Sponsored Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Leather and blackberry
Palate: Nice feel of rich tobacco and plum  Very soft acids and tannin that only hint they are there.
Finish: Too quick and short..
Overall: We were sent this bottle free of charge to review.  Special thanks to Megan Carroll of Allison+Partners for providing the samples to The Wine Cask Blog. This is a very accessible wine with a nice nose and a rich mouth feel.  It is an easy entry into more complex wines for the casual drinker. Raise a Glass!

Trinchero Sauvignon Blanc 2011 wine review by Billy

Nose: fig, oak & pineapple
Palate: smooth, soft acids, with pear and apple flavors
Finish: bright finish of grass and green grapes.
overall: shared the bottle with NW.  I picked up two on a BOGO sale for $25.  Serve this well chilled.  It is light and easy drinking.  Overall it is an average Sauvignon Blanc.  If you want an easy drinking summer white, this is ok.  If you're looking for a killer Sauvignin Blanc at a similar price, go for the Marlboro New Zealand wines.  Raise a glass

Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut Champagne NV Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Lively, bubbly nose of green apple and lemon

Medium bodied on the palate

Good acidity and tartness on the finish with fresh fruit and floral notes

Summary:

Here's one of the classic non-vintage Champagnes.  The bubbles are intense and persistent on opening, and the flavors are fresh and inviting.  Enjoy as an aperitif, with appetizers, or as a late night toast as I did with Billy of The Wine Cask Blog and our wives.  Thanks for the treat, Billy!

Expect to pay around $40, which is right in the range for good non-vintage Champagne from the classic Champagne houses.  And raise a glass!

Trimbach Gewurztraminer 2006 wine review by (PB)

Pretty gentle to stronger lemon yellow Hue

Vibrant bouquet of cantaloupe, melon with solid mandarin orange and a touch of stone fruit with a hint of pineapple Lifesavers!

Palate – awesome structure with vibrant acidity carrying wonderfully ripe mandarin orange. A beam of oh-so slight citrus and prominent apricot with a ripe apricot finish that lingers.

I have had several bottles of this wine finding it on closeout for $10 when it runs twice that or more.

This is now at absolute peak perfection from all the ones that I judged it against of the same year. Worth seeking out but drink it NOW and raise a glass!

Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Pear and tropical fruit notes on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Rich finish of stone fruit and spice with a touch of vanilla

Summary:

This wine packs in lots of flavor, with ripe fruit notes accented by spice and vanilla.  If you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, you should give this wine a try.  It's a bit less acidic and has rounder edges than a Sauvignon Blanc, but it still has the bright fruit character.  Expect to pay around $15 and raise a glass!

Domaine Galevan l"Esprit Devin Cotes du Rhone Village 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Big, spicy cherry and raspberry on the nose

Full bodied and richly textured on the palate

Long, dense finish with spicy dark fruit, fig, and spice

Summary:

This wine is an excellent Cotes du Rhone Village, possibly the best I've ever had.  It tastes like a Chateauneuf du Pape with dense fruit and spice layers that deliver intensity and a depth of flavor.  I paid $20, which is a good price.

Serve with hearty food, like roasted meat with rich sauces.  Raise a glass! 

Luigi Bosca Pinot Noir Reserve 2009 real time wine review by (PB)

Brightly cherry hued Pinot with more pigmentation than many Pinots.

Bouquet--Gentle strawberry and slight "Chinese 5 spice" aroma and a touch of dusty raspberry as it warms up.

Palate--Pretty sedate for a Pinot with only hints of varietal characteristics. Mouth feel is a little awkward and the flavor that is there is fleeting. Finishes with a touch of smoke but the little fruit that is there does linger for a time.

This Pinot Noir is made in Argentina--the land of Malbec--and if they are serious about venturing into this finicky grape they have their work cut out. Many of the reviews I looked at after writing this up gave this wine 88 points of 100. With all due respect, this wine is more like an 80. Bosca has had one solid Pinot with the 2005 vintage according the Wine Spectator giving it an 89. They did not review the 09.

This was gift from a bud who was to find out today whether he had cancer in his lung or not. He did NOT which in my world where everyone I know who is checked for cancer seems to always be positive, this is great news so the wine will be linked in my mind to GREAT news. How can you go wrong with that? Raise a glass!

Cercius 2010 wine review by (PB)

Youthful purple hue, dry cherry and interesting subtle strawberry with a chalky? curtain. (Seriously, even I don't know exactly what I mean!)

Palate--Some steel out of the gate with chewy, hot tannins and good fruit but all out of balance. However--decanted and given 2-3 hours and this is a down right solid, enjoyable wine--just immature.

Plenty of dusty cherry and a fine bean of strawberry that is unexpected in this 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah Cotes Du Rhone blend. It definitely needs to be decanted though. I paid $14 for this wine with a future so raise a glass!

Acre Chardonnay (Russian River) 2011 wine review by (PB)

Pale golden hue with a buttery lemon and tropical fruit bouquet with accents of melon, and vanilla cream.

Palate--Nice structure with a crisp, mouth cleansing acidic back bone full of Chardonnay flavors that are ridiculous when I tell you the price of this Trader Joe's exclusive wine.

Try $8 and then grab a case! Russian River is one of the premier AVA's (American Viticultural Association)and Chards from this region tend to start in the mid-teens and head up from there. TJ's has a couple of Russian River Chards in this price range and each one is true Chardonnay and a great value so raise a glass!

Ecco Domani Moscato 2011 sponsored Wine review by (PB)

Lightly straw-hued presentation with a bouquet that will knock your socks off!
Fragrant, sweet tropical fruit with green apple and stone fruit, orange blossom, and a crazy presence of "Chinese 5 spice" (if you cook like I do, you know the unique sweet spice well!)

Palate--Sweet, but not cloying with stone fruit and beautiful tropical fruit with an acidic touch to carry it all well.

I was not expecting much from this Italian varietal even though I tend to really like Moscatos. But this is one of the best I have had. Italy grows a lot of Moscato and plans to expand that in the near future.

This is a great example of value wine. You take a grape that is not real well known, construct it well and you get a nice quaff. This will pair excellently with difficult to pair foods like oriental or Indian but is amazing as an aperitif in the Summer sun or picnic. Chill it well for drinking by itself for a refreshing dose of joy or serve it closer to cellar temp (55 degrees) to get the full appreciation of this nicely made wine. It runs $8-$10 so raise plenty of glasses of liquid summer!

Shafer Relentless Napa Valley 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Big, expressive nose of blackberry, black currant, and bacon fat

Full bodied and richly textured on the palate

Long, fine grained finish of black raspberry, spice, dried herbs, and chocolate layers

Summary:

Here's a big, expressive wine and it's delicious.  There's dense layers of fruit and a really amazing, fine grained texture.  Relentless is a beautifully made blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah that runs about $60.  Open a bottle with good friends and a good meal.  Raise a glass!

Turnbull Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa Valley wine review by (PB)

Nice blood to cherry red hue with vibrant aromas of deep blackberry with lighter notes of licorice and a touch of chocolate and tar. On the end is an unexpected earthiness with herbal nuances.

Hot presence a ripe black cherry and ripe tomato front with bold tannins and a smoky oak finish.

This wine is bold but rather course and full of heat. I decanted it for several hours but is just too immature to fully appreciate. Lay it down for another 5 years at least!

I paid $30 for this and now am sorry I opened it but I am sure will pair well with my grilled prime rib so raise a glass--of something more economical.

Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc 2011 "Private Selection" wine review by (PB)

Light straw hue with classic "grassy" S. Blanc aromas with guava paste, citrus and light melon.

Palate--Light honey with sharp acidity that will cut your tongue, lemon rind.

Pleasant lightly fruity/grassy finish that lingers.

This is a food wine that will cut through the heaviest grease or butter you can throw at it.

My wife paid $8 for it so try it with a nice Maine lobster with dripping butter and say, "Raise a glass!"

Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2003 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Abundant aromas of dried apricot, honey, and spice on the nose

Full bodied and richly textured on the palate

Rich, layered finish with lots of spice on top of sweet fruit and toffee

Summary:

Excellent wine!  It has big flavor, just the right weight, and a long, long finish.  Of course, it's still a bit young for a Sauternes as these dessert wines from Bordeaux can cellar for many decades in the bottle.

Every so often, I like to open Sauternes at the end of a good meal.  It's delicious to sip on its own or with some light dessert or fruit.  The good ones aren't cheap, though.  This was released at $60 and goes for a bit more than that now.  Raise a glass!

Catena Malbec 2009 wine review by (PB)

Purple hue of intensity that stains the glass.
Bouquet--dark blackberry with tar and deep spice
Palate--Rich dark berry fruit with supple texture, bracing acidity and firm tannins.
Slight bitter edge that will soften with age and lingering deep dark berry and smoke finish.
I paid $18 for this Malbec from the family whose name is Malbec.
Too immature to enjoy fully but in a couple more years it should explode and improve for many more years ahead.
So, Raise a glass!

Four Vines Zinfandel "Dusi Vineyard' 2008 (Paso Robles) wine review by (PB)

Nice garnet/ruby hue Bouquet--blueberry liqueur; with classic brambly, wild berry, spicy fruit with a touch of dark fudge on the end of the varietal bouquet. Palate--Nice big fruit bomb,(meant positively here) with touches of baker's chocolate at mid palate and a woody, charcoaly lingering--and I mean lingering--berry finish that goes on and on and on! Foundation is still a little chewy. I grabbed this on a trip to Minneapolis this past winter paying around $38 if I remember. I had not seen this Zin anywhere in my neck of the woods so I brought it home with me. This is solid Zinfandel with good structure. I am noticing that Sonoma Zins and Paso Zins seem to differ in the amount of pigmentation that ends up in the glass. (Sonoma Zins seem to be nearly black at this level where the Paso Robles Zins are much lighter in their presentation. But "lighter hue"--at least this one--does not mean lighter in structure, weight etc. This one delivers in a big way despite what might look like a wimpy start. If you love Zin, you'll love this so raise a glass!

Chemin des Olivettes 2009 wine review by (PB)

This Coteaux du Languedoc has a sexy bouquet of sweet cherry and blueberry notes with some spicey herbs. Palate--Soft tannins with supple fruit and black pepper beam

down the middle. I paid $11 for this and is a quality representation of Rhone wine even at this price point. Well made and affordable so raise a glass!

Dom Perignon vintage 2000 Brut Champagne review by Billy

Nose: Lemon flowers with yeast and warm crust notes.  After some time this amazing champagne opens up with additional layers.  At the end of this review I tasted again and pear, peach and honey are very evident smells that delight and tantalize.
Palate: Perfect, delicate, tiny bubbles that emerge from the wine, prickle your palate, then dissipate.  Extraordinarily creamy texture.  Gentle but firm acid. Some pear notes that are subtle.
Finish: short-medium finish with notes of grapefruit.
Overall:  I got this bottle as a gift several years ago.  Today I saw a bottle at the local wine store priced at $186. The character of the grape varietal that this is made from (chardonnay and pinot noir grapes) are very evident - especially the Chardonnay grapes.  They enhance this Dom Perignon 2000 with their unique character.  This was a very special day for me so we decided to celebrate with the Dom.  It is served alone but we have some chocolate, cheese, caprese salad, macadamia nuts, raspberries, cherries and croccantini crackers to munch.  Remember, if you have any kind of special wine or champagne, pick a night to open that bottle and enjoy!

Some additional "uncorking" photos are below.  This was my first ever bottle of Dom Perignon so I was very excited!

TWCB's Billy retrieving the bottle of Dom from the wine refrigerator where it was stored at 50 degrees for several years. Tonight is the night!

After removing the foil from around the top of the bottle (it was GLUED ON!) this is what you see.  Nicely branded cork stop / cage. Removing the cork cage reveals...

The Dom cork with the legendary crest.  Nice touch. Now for the best part...

Poured into a Dom Perignon Flute.  What a thing of beauty.

Kunde Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 wine review by (PB)

Nice deep hue with a bouquet of dark berry with loads of herbal spice and cedar. Palate--Dark plum and solid berry foundation. This is a $10 Cab so you don't expect the world obviously. But all in all this is a solid wine for the price. (I read another review of this wine which was not flattering; description sounded like a flawed bottle though

--it happens!) Raise a glass!

Chateau Haut Barrail Medoc 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Blueberry and graphite notes on the nose

Medium bodied and nicely textured

Dark berries, cedar, and graphite layered on the finish

Summary:

Here's a good value Bordeaux that's 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.  It has nice fruit qualities and a graphite edge that delivers balance and finesse.  While it could cellar, I'm sure, go ahead and enjoy it young with a nice meal.  Expect to pay around $18, and raise a glass!

Chateau Musar 1994 wine review by (PB)

Bricky hue with daffodil bouquet and some light cherry. Palate--A slight sparkle on opening with subdued flavors all around, slightly bitter with cherry remnants. This wine was given to me and it is a first for ma as it is from one of the premier vintners of Lebanon. It is a Cabernet Sauvignon blend for which this Lebanese wine is famous. The wine was low in the shoulder of the bottle as it had been seeping which is why it was oxidized. Never-the-less, it was a treat. Raise a glass to Dan and Roxanne!

Chateau LaGrange Clinet 2005 wine review by (PB)

Blueberry and mint fragrance on opening with a sweet dark berry fruit with rustic earthy touches. Palate--Good structure with old world berry palate, oak, leather, a mite chewy with rustic finish and more berries. This is a previously tasted wine which was promising so I bought another and laid it down another year. But this was better earlier than it is now. I like to follow lower level Bordeaux from good years--and they don't get much better than 05 but this one is on its way out. Still plenty of drink-ability to it but was at its peak a year ago. Around $10-12 this is a solid Bordeaux and I'll try later vintages and compare them. For now raise a glass of something else.

Bodega Monteviejo Festivo Torrontes 2010 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Incredibly fragrant nose of sweet floral and white peach notes

Light bodied and sleek on the palate

Crisp citrus and mineral finish

Summary:

Don't miss what's happening with the Torrontes grape in Argentina.  These are fragrant, light wines at bargain prices.  For $10 or so, this wine will suprise you with its fragrant nose and clean texture.  It's guaranteed to put you in the mood for Summer.  In fact, I recommend this wine as an aperitif to sip on a warm afternoon.  Raise a glass!

Ramey Syrah Sonoma Coast 2007 wine review by (PB)

Dark garnet tomato hue with thick bouquet of rich berry fruit and cigar box goodness with a touch of menthol or eucalyptus. (On opening there was a distinct presence of meat. but that has dissipated on breathing.)

Palate--Rich textured, big fruit palate with pleasure filled balance. Mid palate there's a subtle hint of baked wood with a bready undercurrent and a toasty oak and charcoal finish that keeps on going. This is a BIG bold fruit forward quaff with the popular palate that will appeal to the masses of budding oenophiles.

It is purely coincidental that(NW)just posted a Ramey Cab. I am grilling Loin Veal chops and wanted something hefty to stand up to the charcoal (none of this gas grill business) and the Italian rub I am putting on the chops. This will be a nice pairing.

At $32 this is a splurge and a nice one at that. Raise a glass!

Ramey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Black cherry, anise, and earthy notes on the nose

Full bodied and moderately firm texture on the palate

Nicely integrated dried currants, roasted herbs, and smoky cedar on the finish

Summary:

For Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a very good, refined, classy style.  I don't get too worked up over the style debate surrounding Napa Cab, because with the incredible variety of well made wine there's a place for almost anything.  Big, high alcohol Cabs don't scare me off and the austere, old-world styles are also welcomed at my table.  I mention this because Ramey somehow strikes the middle ground beautifully, with good fruit and rich texture while being somewhat refined and restrained.  Let the debate continue but know that some wines reside in the middle and, well, they're worth seeking out.

Pair this one with roasted meat or stew and enjoy sipping through the evening.  Expect to pay around $45 or so, and raise a glass!

Campo Delle Piane Boca 1985 Wine review by (PB)

Brown hue on the rim yet with fresh bouquet of sweet cherry rising on what seemed like a classic Tuscan licorice, fresh grape, and a hint of pipe tobacco. This is however a Piedmont creation of Nebbiolo.

Palate--Lively, with a touch of tartness on a cherry foundation, complex layers of whimsical fruit with nuances of all kinds of goodness.

This was a special treat opened by the courtesy of our gracious hosts. Again wine is special--and this one will stay in the memory banks! Raise a glass D and R!

St. Urbans-Hof Bockstein Ockfen Mosel Riesling Kabinett 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Bright lemon and pear notes on the nose

Medium bodied and lively on the palate

Flavorful layers of stone fruit, honey, and mineral notes on the finish

Summary:

This is a beauty!  It combines richness and big flavor while staying light and lively.  That's the magic of a good Riesling Kabinett from Germany.  Known to be extremely versatile with food, this wine has excellent acidity and a low 8% alcohol content.  Expect to pay around $20, and raise a glass!

Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells 2009 Merlot wine review by Billy

Nose: blackberry jam and plums
Palate: medium tannins and soft acids give this just enough backbone to stand up.  Mild.
Finish: long finish of plums and fruit.  Nice length for this value wine.
Overall: I paid about $9 for this wine on sale. Pair with mild sauces and cheeses. Good value Merlot from this Washington State winery.

Castalia Russian River Valley Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir 2003 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant cherry and accents of smoked bacon on the nose

Medium bodied and silky on the palate

Smooth finish of cranberry sauce, cherry, and spice

Summary:

Smooth, flavorful, and borderline exotic!  I stumbled onto this wine and was hoping I found a treasure overlooked in the back of the wine shop.  Sure enough, this wine delivered and I was impressed with how it tasted at 9 years of age. It runs about $40 and is a beautiful expression of a Russian River Valley Pinot from the famed Rochioli Vineyard.  It's versatile with food and will compliment a nice meal.  Raise a glass!

Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant lemons, apples, and floral notes on the nose

Full bodied and richly textured on the palate

Rich finish of floral notes, honey, and apricot

Summary:

This is a nice wine with lots of character.  It's richly textured and has interesting layers from start to finish.  I recommend that you enjoy this with fish, chicken, or vegetable dishes and start off with it well chilled.  As you allow it to come up in temperature in your glass, notice the aromas and texture evolving. 

Yalumba has produced excellent Viognier for years in Australia.  Expect to pay around $17 for this one.  Raise a glass!

Waterbrook Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fresh red currant on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Dry finish of plum, violet, and herbs

Summary:

I was a bit disappointed in this wine after reading a good review.  It's fresh, dry, and simple- not worthy of particular praise. I call it a very straightforward $13 Columbia Valley Cab from Washington state.  Take a pass. 

Sterling Merlot "Three Palms" 2006 wine review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with slight touch of age. Bouquet--Big black cherry fruit with sage or cedar, sweet candy and red fruit from a distance. Palate--Still a young presentation with ample fruit, tight sweet black cherry and maybe notes of tar. This was a "good" Merlot but; I paid $26 for this bottle reduced from $50. It was "OK" for $26. At $50 I would have felt ripped off. Sometimes its a good idea to do some research before you lay out more than $20. Sterling was one of the marquis producers a couple decades ago. Not so much anymore so be careful.

Four Vines Zinfandel "OVC" 2009 wine review by (PB)

The color of this wine is unexpectedly light for a Zin which would lead one to think there isn't much to this wine. Surprisingly this wine is a really good value Zin. Palate--Spicy, glorious brambly berry aromas with deep Zin flavors that betray its light color. Solidly varietal and tasty so raise a glass at the $10 price point.

Epicuro Nero D'Avola 2009 wine reviewby (PB)

Bright red hue with sweet oriental 5 spice aromas and cherry fruit. Palate--"Sweet" foundation, fruity with nice structure and good varietal flavors. This a Trader Joe's value wine at $6. It is a big bargain as this is such an easy quaffing fruity red. Great with everything from Italian pasta offerings to pizza or just slightly chilled on the porch on a summer day. I have reviewed this wine over the past year. So check my previous reviews and you will read about a wine that is maturing. At this price raise a glass!

Cloudy Bay Marlboro Sauvignon Blanc 2011 wine review by Billy

Nose: Honey, apricot and pear nose.  Wonderful.
Palate: Crisp mouth feel with nice lemon-lime citrus flavors.  Great feel in the mouth.
Finish: The wine finishes with lasting citrussy floral notes.  Leaves feeling fresh and clean.
Overall: I paid about $20 for this bottle at a local store.  It delivers outstanding Sauvignon Blanc quality at this price.  I love the roundness of the nose and how it is crisp without being biting.  This white wine from Marlboro in New Zealand has the structure to stand up to cream and butter-based dishes and cut through and cleanse fatty foods from the palate.  The Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is from 2011.  While it is young, it is exquisite.  Please buy two bottles and treat yourself to one before and one during dinner.

Amazing!

BV Coastal Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Wine Review by Billy

Nose: crisp grapefruit, dandilion and cut grass
Palate: smooth and even spreading over the whole palate.  Nice smoothness retaining the crispness of the nose from firm acid structure without the bite of under ripeness.
Finish: Short grassy and citrussy finish.
Overall: a nice porch-drinking wine for about $10.  Its smoothness is quite nice for something at this price.  It is easy drinking.  Pair with light appetizers or drink alone while enjoying the summer.

Chateau Machorre Grand Vin De Bordeaux 2005 wine review by (PB)

Solid black cherry hue with a depth of color and a bouquet of subdued fruit with cedary notes and a cherry foundation.

Palate--still a bit chunky with a rustic presentation but pretty decent drinking for the sale price of $9 (from $15). Finishes with rough tannins and a slight note of fruit.

Should hold for a couple more years and might even improve a bit but either way it is worth raising a glass!

Ridge California Pagani Ranch Zinfandel 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Spicy, jammy nose of wild berries

Full bodied and smooth on the palate

Rich, smooth finish of strawberry, cherry, and chocolate

Summary:

It's hard to argue with a well made Zinfandel. Ridge pulls off the balance and finesse that this grape can deliver along with jammy fruit and high alcohol. The Pagani Ranch bottling goes for about $35 and is a nice expression of ageworthy Zinfandel. The label will tell you that small amounts of Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, and Carignane are blended in with the Zinfandel. Enjoy this with rich food and raise a glass!

La Velona Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Beautiful cherry liquor and woody notes on the nose

Full bodied and dense on the palate

Long, layered finish of cherry, spice, and coffee

Summary:

This Brunello riserva has all the right stuff. It's densely packed with a lot of layers and should have many good years to come. If you drink it now, decant it and give it as much air as possible. For $50, this is a treat to be savored with good food and great people. Thanks to PB for a special bottle. Raise a glass!

Robert Foley "The Griffin" 2009 wine review by (PB)

Complex with awesome bouquet of complexity with gobs of berries and very prominent chocolate cream bon-bons along with a later appearance of dill or cedar on the end of the bouquet.

Palate-- Tannic and acidic due to its youthfulness but wonderfully promising giving a heads up as to what the future holds. Unfortunately this was a bit of a waste since it was so immature and yet the *experience was well worth it!

I paid about $40 for this and will try and find another to lay down for a few years. Raise a glass.

Robert Foley is a renowned wine maker and found himself with a wonderful blend of top grapes at a time when the economy was raging downward. So he blended them into this "second label" red at a more affordable price.

*Opened this bottle with some dear friends on the "19th hole" at a CC in S. Carolina after a punishing round of golf. The wine was great, the experience better, the friends priceless and the wonder of win is that if I ever do find this bottle in my neck of the woods, it will be impossible to drink it and not think of the boys, of Charlotte! Raise a glass my friends!!!

Topel Mendocino Cuvee Donnis Syrah Noir 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Nose of berry cobbler

Full bodied on the palate

Finishes with rich, smooth layers of chocolate, vanilla, cherry, and spice cake

Summary:

This wine is beautifully done. It has a rich profile and lots of ripe flavors. Made from an interesting clone of Syrah planted on the hillsides above Mendocino, CA, it's going to be at its best for another couple years.

Expect to pay around $18 and enjoy with rich food or on its own. Raise a glass!

Hogue Riesling 2010 wine review by (PB)

Light gold with peach, sharp apple, tropical fruit and an awkward, oily petrolium kind of aroma.

Palate--lovely acidic foundation with sharp, puckery, green apple flavors. Short lived but fairly refreshing.

This is a Columbia Valley wine which would be pleasant anf fresh chilled if it wasn't for the nasty, petrolium odor. I've experienced this before in Reislings in varying degrees and it may dissipate wth air. If it does, this is a nice summer wine and will pair well with many things including more difficult foods to pair with like Asian or lighter Mexican fare. We will have it with fish tacos.

At $8 at Trader Joes in Pasadena, raise a glass (if the oily smell goes bye bye.

Burgans Albarino 2010 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Bright and lively nose of tropical fruit

Medium bodied on the palate, with good acidity

Citrus and melon woven together on the flavorful finish

Summary:

This is a terrific white wine that shouldn't be overlooked. From the beautiful Spanish region of Rias Baixas to the North of Portugal, the Albarino grape produces bright and fruity wine that;s packed with flavor. For $13, you can't go wrong here. Raise a glass!

Lewis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant notes of black cherry and currants

Full bodied and dense on the palate

Long, rich, and densely packed finish with dark chocolate and plum accented by spice

Summary:

There's intensity and depth to this Cabernet that showcases classic Napa Valley character. It's big and bold yet also dense and refined.

I've sampled many of the recent vintages of this wine, and it's remarkably good every year. Priced at $80 or so, it's not cheap but worth the splurge. Grill a porterhouse, breath this wine, and you'll have a dinner to remember. Raise a glass!