*Cantina Zaccagnini Monte Pulciano D'Abruzzo 2009 wine review by (PB)

Nice ruby hue with intensity, and a bouquet that is quite good with some mysterious elements to it. It has a front of wonderful, tart pie cherries with a floral hint and a slight greenness reminding me of daffodils with a here again, there again note of milk chocolate.

Palate--This wine delivers varietal balanced fruit with solid structure and an all around delicious and inexpensive example of the grape and the terroir.

I see this wine for $17 most places but found it at Sam's Club for under $12. Look for the piece of vine affixed to the label! This is a really nice value and I will be getting more so be sure to raise a glass!

*Another vintage of this wine was my wine of the year pick a few years back so I always keep an eye out for subsequent vintages.

Sommavite Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 wine review by (PB)

*Cedary, nearly minty and a touch floral Sangiovese with a lighter than usual (for Brunello) dark berry aromas all of which border on elegant and finessed.

Palate--Bright, balanced, bready, bold fruit presence with more berries than cherries with a plummy finish.

This Brunello is a bit simple for what it can be but it is well made, delicious and a Trader Joe's bargain at the $20 price point. Brunello's usually start at the $30 and up price point and that is for a young Brunello. For this age and this price it is super value and a "buy more" wine so raise a glass and enjoy!

*I just opened this wine and will only get better with some air!

VEO Grande 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Mild Cherry, Licorice and Oak.
Palate: Mild and easy going in the mouth.  Very basic tannin and acid structure. Not complex.  Smooth and easy to drink.
Finish: Soft and quick.
Overall: This 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Calchagua Valley in Chile defines an easy drinking wine.  It has little complexity but it is smooth if simplistic in its execution.  But here is the kicker; this wine is typically sold for under $10.  It is a great drink-any-time with anything wine for that price.  It is a buy-a-case to have on hand for unexpected guests or when you just want to pour a glass without any guilt.  Its simplicity will pair as well with figs and cheese (pictured) as it would with pizza and popcorn or even munching on dry Cheerios.

Raise a Glass!

Greg Norman Shiraz 2009 (Limestone Coast) wine review by (PB)

Deep dark garnet with aromas of jammy black fruit, somewhat floral notes with subtlest hint of cocoa and lighter berries.

Palate--Bold presence with pleasant tannic structure and loads of ripe fruit. A touch chewy but also seems not to be holding up well which is surprising for the young age of this wine.

I think my bottle may have been a victim of poor shipping or storage as it seems to hold a lot of promise but seems tired and a bit awkward. If you have a couple I would definitely open one and check it. The decide if it merits another year.

I paid $12 at Sam's Club. I'll reserve judgement given the confusing presentation.

Numanthia Termes 2004 wine review by (PB)

Rigid lightly opaque ruby and black cherry presentation with aromas of earthy berry with spicy backbone. It is slightly rustic with a hint of age but with intriguing evergreen notes.

PALATE--nearly silky structure that is well integrated with toasted bread mid palate and bold dark berry foundation. Finishes fairly quickly but with nice mild fruit on the end.

This is Numanthia's every man's wine being in the affordable range of mid $20 to $30. It is comprised of 100% Tina De Toro grape. I have have had several of these through the years and they definitely need a few years on them to enjoy.

Will have it with (NW) of this blog with roasted whole chicken and root vegetables. Raise a glass to Bodega Numanthia!

Septima 2009 Malbec wine review by Billy

Nose: Plum, tar and rosemary
 
Palate: Excellent balance in the mouth with warm feel, gentle but firm tannins and solid acid structure.

Finish: Cherry and more plum with some green pepper and grassy notes.

Overall:  a delightful 2009 Malbec from Mendoza Argentina.

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 wine review by (PB)

Bold black cherry hue with a nice Washington State bouquet of chocolate, a hint of black tea, with luscious, dark chocolate covered cherries and slight suggestion of Spruce.

Palate--big chocolatey front with solid blackberry and plum with laid back tannins.

This is just another delicious, straight forward, easy drinking cab from the reliable producers at Columbia Crest. Finishes with a slight touch of smoke and tea.

It is amazing how gentle and supple this wine is already drinking. Better yet, I paid $7.50 for it in New Hampshire which is the price I saw it for on my way back from Los Angeles. If you can find this wine at this price, this is a buy-a-case kind of wine that is drinking great now and will be good for another 5-8 years. So raise a glass as I will when I grill my chicken-fried Moose cube steaks in a few minutes!

Sepp "Gruner Veltliner" 2009 wine review by (PB)

This Gruner has a nice gentle golden hue with aromas of tropical fruit, powdery vanilla and a touch of "grease."

Palate-- A touch sour front impression with crisp acidity yielding a mix of tropical fruit, and tart Granny Smith apple with a candied note to itreminding me of bubble gum. There is a fresh hint of clean light wood with a lingering citrus note.

Gruner Veltliner is the signature grape of Austria and offers a vibrant, acidic white that will pair well with buttery seafood which I will be trying tonight with fresh mussels in a garlic wine sauce.

I paid $10 for this Austrian clean white and worthy of raising a glass!

Alain Jaume & Fils Grand Veneur Reserve Cotes-du-Rhone 2010 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Big nose of berries and fig with garrigue aromas

Full bodied on the palate

Plush finish with dark berries and sage

Summary:

What makes this wine noteworthy is the fact that it's big and modern but still retains the garrigue dry herb aromas and nuances that make Cotes-du-Rhone wines so charming. If you haven't spent much time exploring the wines of the Southern Rhone in France, then start with this one. The overall quality has been amazing for the past decade and the basic Cotes-du-Rhone such as this offer excellent value. Expect to pay in the $17 range, and raise a glass!

Trapiche Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich dark berries and black licorice on the nose

Full bodied and plush on the palate

Finishes with layered dark berries and oak nuances

Summary:

Along with the Trapiche Malbec, this is another winner! In fact, I haven't come across a bad wine from the "Broquel" label in the Trapiche line of wines from Argentina. This Cabernet Sauvignon is sure to please with ripe fruit and licorice on a full-bodied core with nice, rich layers to finish. Retail prices are typically around $15, which is a nice value. Raise a glass!

Betts & Scholl Black Betty Shiraz 2009 wine review by Billy

Nose: Big blueberry, plum and spicy leather
Palate: Silky smooth with gentle tannins and soft acid core.
Finish: Medium length with plum
Overall:  This 2009 Australian Shiraz comes from the Barossa valley.  At least that is where Betts & Scholl bottle it.  This dark red wine is fruitier and less spicy than other Shirazzes from Barossa. This is possibly because of the wine maker's affinity for Grenache.  And yet the result is an incredibly easy drinking and easily approachable shiraz with big fruit and a soft feel.  I paid about $17 for this at the local wine store.

Raise a Glass!

A to Z Pinot Gris 2011 wine review by (PB)

Light straw hue with a big bouquet of all kinds of fruit; ripe honeydew melon, a touch of ripe apple all sitting on top of a foundation of a tropical fruit melange with floral notes.

Palate--Delicious full bodied white fruit all over the palate that is hyper-fruity with a different fruit everywhere you turn. The structure is a touch weak for my preference in the acid arena where I like my whites to cut my tongue but this is adequate. A strong green apple finish that has some length to it.


This Oregon Pinot Gris is crazy tasty and what is amusing is that I grabbed this wine in a hurry thinking it said "Pinot Noir." I paid $14 for it and I'm not disappointed that it wasn't the Pinot Noir after all. The great folks at the Wine Spectator gave this their "Best Value" rating and 88 points; absolutely!

Raise a glass to this tasty Pacific Northwest delight! I will be pairing it with homemade French Onion soup with loads of mozzarella baked on top!

Rocca Barolo 2006 wine review by (PB)

Ruby hue with large cherry bouquet wafting into the air. Forest floor, cedar and earthiness with occasional suggestion of cocoa.

Palate--Cherry fruit with a definite cocoa mid palate nearly overwhelmed by rustic flavors of cedar or spruce. Tannins are surprisingly chunky and still need some time to mature. For a wine with this age on it, it is still immature.

Pleasant with some depth and power; just needs more time. I was given this as a gift and I believe it runs around $35. Barolo's are pricey but almost always worth the extra cost. Save your pennies and treat yourself and someone special!

(NW) of this blog was supposed to be joining us for dinner but Maine winter has interfered.

I will pair this with a Moose/Venison ragout and home made paperadelle and of course I'm raising a glass!

Castelvecchio Il Breccolini Toscana 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich blackberry and black cherry on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Richly layered finish of spices, pine, berries, and licorice woven together

Summary:

There's a lot going on in this wine. It's rich and dense with great layers. Made from Sangiovese, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, it's a modern style super-Tuscan that will compliment hearty Tuscan fare and bistecca. Drink it now or let it rest for a few more years- either way it will be great. Interestingly, prices are all over the board on this one so do a little shopping to find a deal. While the "list" price is $50, it for sale as low as $18 in my area. Raise a glass!

Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 wine review by (PB)

The color of this relatively young wine says it is peaked and heading south; a very slight cola beginning to come through an otherwise garnet hue.

Bouquet--One of my favorite reliable inexpensive Chianti's that has something special going for it, yields wonderful macerated cherry fruit with all kinds of great forest floor nuances, cigar box with cocoa and other fragrances; really nice!

Palate-- silky presence with mature tannins, a mid palate bitterness with somewhat tight mature fruit. Finishes with stewed fruit.

This favorite is further along than I would have guessed; drink NOW and enjoy mature Chianti!!!

I paid $16 for this and consider it a value wine with fond remembrances! Raising a glass to my favorite and only Valentine!

Piper Sonoma Brut sparkling wine Sonoma County (NV) wine review by (PB)

Straw hue with aromas of hazel nut, light vanilla, sweet tropical mixed fruit.

Palate--Lively bubbles with a fresh, balanced fruity presence with light citrus notes and nutty after taste.

This sparkler is well made with pure flavors with an off dry to dry foundation.

This is our valentine's Day sinner aperitif. At $15 or so, raise a glass!

Mercedes Eguren Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 wine review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with bouquet of very steely berry fruit with licorice touches,and a note of mustiness.

Palate--Loads of berry fruit with a second layer of tart black raspberry.

This is a strange wine to me and I would not have ID'd it as Cabernet Sauvignon but probably a Malbec. Finishes with a light hint of smoke.

In my 35 years of wine study I have not had MORE than a handful (if that) of Cabernet Sauvignon from Spain.

The good folks at the Wine Spectator gave this wine 90 points when they tasted it back in 2011. I'm not feelin that...I paid $9 fro this yet had a release price of $18. Honestly I don't quite know what to make of it.

I paired it with raclette grilled venison tenderloin medallions served with 3 distinct sauces. It worked well but I'm still not sure. I have a second bottle I will cellar for a while and give it another shot.

Louis Latour Meursault 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Baked apple, melon, and spice notes on the nose

Full bodied and richly textured on the palate

Rich layers melt on the finish with more melon along apple and spices

Summary:

Good white Burgundy is always a treat. This one is really ripe and rich, which isn't the typical style from this region but still offers flavors that show off how Chardonnay can perform. What brings it together is the amazing texture of the wine- both silky and richly layered. For me, that's often the secret sauce of white Burgundy. There's nothing quite like the texture of these wines. Of course, you'll pay for it. Expect a retail price around $40 for this one. Open it soon, and raise a glass!

Querceto Chinati Classico 2008 wine review by (PB)

This cherry hued Tuscan creation is full of cherry and light raspberry with earthy notes.

Palate--This magnum is a well made wine that is drinking really well right now with classic Chianti flavors that mingle well on the palate with balanced tannins and spice notes.

Paired with friends and a nice prime rib of beef, it was a lovely accompaniment to a fun filled evening with "family by faith."

This was a magnum bottle which runs around $24 and is a great example of the solid Chianti style and pleasure. For the price it is hard to beat so raise a glass!

Domaine ste Michelle Extra Dry Sparkling Wine review by Billy

Nose: Lemon custard, crackers
Palate: Prickly bubbles, off dry, minerally and peach syrup.  Gentle but firm acid core.
Finish: Peaches and flowers.
Overall: I paid about $9 for this bottle of domestic bubbly.  This Domaine STE Michelle Extra Dry sparkling wine from Washington state is fun, easy drinking and very accessible.  It's not too dry which means that it's great as a stand alone or as an accompaniment to sharp cheeses.  Raise a glass!

*RingBolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 wine review by (PB)

***This Margaret River Aussie Cab is deep garnet in its presentation with aromas that are predominantly "green" and sprucey as in "tree." There seem to be blackberry fruit aromas trying to fight their way out of a "green" assault with a subtle chocolate presence in the rear. Finishes with a fleeting touch of smoke.

Palate-- Again, the "green" predominance carries through to the front palate with an awkward unbalanced foundation where trace fruit and clumsy mouth feel presents a less than appealing wine. If this wine were at the $10 price point I would call it run of the mill. At the $17 price point, do not raise a glass, just give it a pass!

***After a couple hours of air this wine takes on a different attitude. It is actually fairly pleasant and while I don't think it is a $17 Cab it is certainly OK for the price. So I changed my mind and raise a glass but let it breathe!

*Real time review! Normally I would append my review and publish only the final assessment. but this one I leave so that you can learn the importance of giving a wine some time to pen up. It can make a big difference! Raise a glass!

Oscar's Estate Vineyard 2008 Barossa Valley Shiraz wine review by Billy

Nose: Big Jammy nose of blueberry, plum.  Cracked black pepper and tar.
Palate: Incredibly soft and plush mouth feel.  Like a mouth full of silk.  Soft acid backbone and gentle tannins.  Round and full bodied.  This is a full feeling Australian Shiraz from the Barossa valley.
Finish: Green pepper and blueberry on the finish.  Slight acidic resurgence at the sides of the tongue on the finish gives a memory of youthfulness.
Overall: I paid $16 for this at the local wine store.  Its delightfully full and soft mouth feel makes it uniquely suited for drinking now.  Wait much longer and its structure will edge into flabbiness.  Fruit forward nose combined with gentle finish and softness in the mouth make this an excellent introduction to Barossa Valley Shirazzes for those who want to branch out. Raise a glass!

Peachy Canyon Incredible Red Zinfandel 2010 wine review by (PB)

Lighter wild cherry red which seems to be common for Paso Robles' Zins.
Bouquet--Big vibrant wild black berry galore with forest floor undertones.

Palate--Quite nice, brambly, big blackberry and green tree flavors that are both classic Zin but so well balanced it is down right delicious.

I think I grabbed this because it was on sale for less than the $11 I see it for and I am glad I did. I tend not to be thrilled with Paso Robles Zins but this is really NICE. I will be having it with freshly harvested venison chili tonight! Worth seeking out. Raise a glass.

Montinore Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Subtle notes of cherry, rose, and pepper on the delicate nose

Light bodied and lean on the palate

Tart raspberry and pepper on the finish

Summary:

This wine is a very light style of Pinot from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. While it shows some of the trademark qualities of Oregon Pinot, it's so subtle and fleeting that you have to remind yourself that you're drinking wine. That has both advantages and disadvantages, depending on the circumstances. For $20, just know what to expect and don't serve it to your die-hard Cabernet friends. Raise a glass!

Henri de Richemer Cotes de Thau Viognier 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Fragrant melon and floral notes on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Nicely tapering finish of tropical fruit and some acidity

Summary:

Okay, here's a great value white wine. It's interesting, balanced, and priced right at $11. The nose is fragrant and inviting, while the acidity backs up the tropical fruit flavors. It's a basic Viognier varietal wine from Southern France, but it's well made. Pair with dishes like roasted chicken, grilled fish, or steamed vegetable. Raise a glass!

Yalumba Unwooded Chardonnay (Y Series) 2011 wine review by (PB)

Pale yellow with very light bouquet of vanilla and equally light tropical fruit.

Palate--Spicy first impression with slight citrus front with bitter mid palate and barely any flavor you'd want to recall. Has a good acidic foundation and that is about all I can say. At $10-$15 this is a PASS. Raise a glass of something else!

St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (Sonoma County) wine review by (PB)

Rich dark black cherry hue

Bouquet--Big ripe blackberry on a foundation of unsweetened baker's dark cocoa, lush, sweet spice with rose notes and cigar box.

Palate--rich textured foundation of plush, ripe tannins supporting dark berry fruit with dark plum and a hint of chocolate ganache underneath it all with a slightly smokey and bittersweet chocolate finish.

I received this as a Christmas gift and am having it tonight with a seafood pasta in a rich Italian based sauce. This is a lovely Cab contrary to some of the very tepid reviews I saw of it. It is everything you would expect of Cabernet at this price point ($20) with a well made structure and drinking very well. Raise a glass and thanks PB and MH!

(PB's) Value Picks from 2012

We've enjoyed some awesome wines this past year and some not so awesome ones. Below are some of my value picks that stood out this past year. Remember to enjoy wine to the fullest, determine your palate--ie., what YOU like and then determine a price point--what you would be willing to pay for an everyday wine--then start drinking making notes so that you can determine some patterns of what you gravitate toward. Once you know what you like, every now and then, go out of your pattern and experiment! There are so many wines produced today, don't bore yourself with the same old same old. Whatever you do, follow our blog to help you with your selections; why spend money on something you know you won't like! And whatever you do, "Raise glass!"

Solid cherry hue with great cherry bouquet with sweet cocoa, some wood and steal. Awesome!

Palate--Perfectly integrated with cherry, tobacco, loads of herbs and balanced complexities that are harmonious and drinking superbly. Delicious!

This is Chianti Classico from the great 07 vintage in all its glory and is worth seeking out. For the money ($20) it is a grand deal so raise a glass!

Montegrossoli "Podere Ciona" 2008 ($14)
Black cherry hue with bouquet of sweet cherry/berry fruit atypical for a wine comprised of 100% Sangiovese. A touch of cedar and dill highlight a wine that smells more like a Cabernet.

Palate--My notes for this were non-existent but the words "Drinking well" and "Delicious" were all I wrote which means I intended to go back to my log but failed to. I have another bottle of this wine but this was an outstanding quaff. At $14 reduced from $28 it's a raise a glass kind of wine!

Columbia Crest H3 (Horse Heaven Hills) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Nice deep black purple Syrah-like hue with crazy fruit jumping out of the glass on the pour.

Bouquet of Mint jelly with chocolate touches and great spice with blackberry and currant.

Palate--Super relaxed tannins and bold flavors of tar and berries with huge heavy mouth feel. Lingering finish!

This is a ridiculous value wine worth buying a case and cellaring. $12.50 a bottle and its a lot of wine. Raise a case of this ultra-value wine!

Drops Of Jupiter 2011 ($8-11)
Intensely pigmented black cherry hue

Aromas of huge jammy blackberries with tar, and dark cocoa.

Palate-- Silky, thick presence with big blackberry, extracted style, full bodied; a BIG fruit bomb that finishes with more berries and dark chocolate.

This is a lot of wine for $8.

Jimmy Stafford of the band "Train" (Hey Soul Sister) produces this wine and gives a portion of the proceeds to a San Francisco organization called Save Me San Francisco.

Sourced, blended, California fruit,(my guess is a major portion of Syrah) this is a nice value if you're in the mood for this style of wine so raise a glass.

Citrus and powdery melon with creme brulee notes.

Palate--Robust acidic foundation with nice full flavors of fruit in an off dry style. This is a crisp, easy drinking wine of solid structure.

This is a tasty, crisp California Pinot Grigio for which I paid $5 a real steal so raise a glass!

Chateau Lascombes Margaux 2001 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant smoky tobacco, currants, and licorice on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Nicely woven layers of blackberry and smoky notes on the finish

Summary:

If you have this wine quietly laying in the cellar, this beauty is ready to drink! You could wait a couple more years, but you certainly don't need to in order to enjoy everything it delivers. The aromas and flavors have integrated nicely and it has shows what you expect of a solid classified growth Bordeaux. Decanting is not necessary.

As far as prices, the release price a decade ago was around $40 and specialty wine merchants might have some of this available now for around $75 or so. Not a bad deal for this bottle at 12 years old. Raise a glass!

Columbia Crest H3 Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant blackberry, black cherry, and vanilla on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Black cherry, cocoa powder, and toasty oak on the finish

Summary:

This wine is quite good and well put together.  While showing obvious oak, it also shows its sense of origins with dark fruit notes from the Horse Heaven Hills region of Washington state. It's nicely done and worth looking for on the shelves. The retail price is typically $15.

It should be said that while Merlot isn't the most fashionable grape lately, it should not be overlooked. The producers who consistently do well with Merlot are making very good wines. In fact, in Columbia Crest's value lineups that range across the varietals, including Two Vines, Grand Estates, and H3, the Merlots have recently been the best wines of the bunch. No kidding. Now raise a glass!

Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009 wine review by (PB)

Slight cocoa and blackberry with ripe plum with a cedary presence on the edge.

Palate--Slightly chewy tannins with understated berry flavor; warm simple bready fruit. This wine needs to warm up from my cellar and open up;

After ample breathing this wine just never comes around. At the $20 price point it is a big disappointment as there are many solid Cabs with loads of character out there at this price point. Find something else; this is just too costly for what you get.

Sanguinetti Brunello Di Montalcino 2004 *'Small Vineyards Discovery" wine review by (PB)

Ruby hue with some bricking at the rim; rustic forest floor notes with traces of fresh cherry fruit with lots of nice, cedary cherry under the fresh fruit.

Palate--Slight cinnamon spice at the front with dry as dust tannins making for a chewy mouth feel; nice, classic Sangiovese dried cherry fruit,a touch of black pepper ending with a lingering cedar/fruit finish.

I received this wine as a gift from a budding neo-enophile and had him over for an appetizer serving him (blind) this wine. He noted that the wine was aged by the color, stated this must be a Sangiovese of around 6 years old. Impressive for such a neophyte!

Well done Thomas; I served it with spinach and cheese raviolis with a prosciutto, cream and porcini mushroom sauce. Outstanding all the way around!

*The "Small Vineyards concept is stated as follows: "Every bottle of Small Vineyards wine bears our gold seal, signifying that the wine is hand-harvested, earth-friendly, and from a family-owned estate. By importing wines from small estates, we are helping to protect unique grape varietals, local wine making styles, and preserve a special way of life."

Look for the gold seal of this wine and raise a glass!

Tedeschi Capitel San Rocco Valpolicella 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant nose of black cherry, dark berries, and spicy, earthy notes

Full bodied and chewy on the palate

More of the same on the dense, chewy finish

Summary:

This is the most dense and extracted style of Valpolicella I have ever encountered. While the higher expressions of Amarone from the same Italian region certainly show like this, a Valpolicella Superiore is typically more of a red cherry flavor that dances with minerality. Needless to say, I was surprised by this wine. It tastes great, but it does raise the question of whether or not it loses its sense of place.

Expect to pay around $22 for this wine. Make sure to let it breathe, and raise a glass!

Finca Albret Navarra French Oak Crianza 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Spicy blackberry on the nose

Full bodied and dense on the palate

Finish packed with dark berries, currants, and oak highlights, along with being a bit resinous

Summary:

For $15, this is a beautifully composed wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo in the excited Navarra region of Spain. While showing obvious oak and even broadcasting the oak finish on the label, the wine has depth and density that comes together nicely. Enjoy with braised meat or lamb with rice. Raise a glass!

2 Copas 2011 wine review by (PB)

This Spanish blend, from LaMancha D.O.C., is comprised of Syrah and Tempranillo. It begins with a solid garnet presentation and nice notes of cinnamon, mixed sweet spice and red cherry/berry fruit.

Palate--Warm berry flavors on a supple foundation of plush tannins with deep berry and mixed spice.

This is a tasty wine that goes down real easy; very fruity and well made in a popular style.

At a price point of just above $10 this is a good pick for non-snobby, neuvo red wine drinkers who say they "don't like red wine." This could push them the other way!

A nice pizza wine; pasta wine; lighter red or white meat with a not too strong sauce so raise a glass of well made, tasty easy to drink fruity reds!

Roederer Estate Brut Alexander Valley Sparkling Wine Review by Billy

Nose: lemon zest, saltine crackers, daisy flowers and cream
Palate: tiny tight bubbles that prickle rather than sparkle. Strong acid core with citrus rind flavors at the back of the tongue.
Finish: lingering floral and citrus notes.
Overall: I paid $24 for this California sparkling wine at a local wine shop.  The structure is very well done and the complexity and elegance of the nose rounds out the simplicity and tightness of the palate flavors.

Limerick Lane Zinfandel "Collins Vineyard" 2009 wine review by (PB)

Lighter ruby hue with big blackberry aromas, a little spice and forest floor mustiness.

Palate--Nice concentrated dark wild berry flavor bold spiciness, cinnamon hints,good structure which will continue to refine with another couple years. Finishes with some notes of charcoal or smokey oak.

This is a tasty Zin which was marked at $36 but on sale for $18. Now I wish I would have bought one or two more. A decent Zin on par with other Zins at the $30 price point; a value at this price so raise a glass!

Drops of Jupiter Red Blend 2011 wine review by (PB)

Nice dark hue with big dark berry fruit on the nose with baker's chocolate and a touch of gentle spice.

Palate--Gigantic berries with a sprig of cedar that wasn't there on my previous review a few months ago. This is well structured with silky texture, espresso or unsweetened chocolate with a touch of smoke on the finish.

When I reviewed this wine a while back (check my previous blog entry) I had paid around $8 for it and loved it believing it to be a Syrah based blend. After looking it up this it is a Petite Syrah based blend and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some Zinfandel along for the ride.

This wine is ridiculous with big flavor and a fruit bomb forward presentation that should grab your attention from the start. This is just a juicy, big wine and for the price, I will be getting MORE. Raise a glass to be sure.

Desedo Sparkling Wine Review by Billy

Nose: citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit
Palate: sweet syrup and delightfully aggressive bubbles
Finish: peaches and sweet orange on the finish
Overall: this sweet sparkling wine comes from Patagonia Argentina.  It pairs very well with salty snacks, nuts and cheeses.  I paid $16 for this at the local wine store.  Fun, fruity and a nice sweet sparkling alternative to dry bubbly.  Raise a glass

Gerard Bertrand Minervois Syrah-Carignan 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Notes of wild dark berries and roasted coffee on the nose

Full bodied and dense on the palate

Somewhat rustic finish of dark berries, bramble, and herbs

Summary:

A simple summary of this wine is captured in three words: good, rich, and rustic. It screams Southern France and shows the density and rich fruit flavor that goes along with wines from this region. Pour along with a good stew, and you'll be finishing this bottle quickly. The retail price is $16, which is a rather good value. Raise a glass!

Columbia Crest Walter Clore Private Reserve Columbia Valley Red Wine 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Ripe boysenberry and blackberry with some spice on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Dark chocolate, kirsch, and coconut on the finish

Summary:

This is a beautiful wine from Columbia Crest. It's very good, rich, flavorful, and layered. Known for their large quantities of well made and inexpensive wine, the Walter Clore Private Reserve is a much smaller production red blend from the Columbia Valley in Washington. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, it has all the stuff you expect from a reserve wine and is ready to drink now. Expect to pay around $30, and raise a glass!

Folie A Deux Merlot 2010 wine review by (PB)

This is a fairly intensely pigmented Merlot with robust bouquet of green pepper and white pepper,with some nice dark berries underneath.

Palate--Cinnamon galore with delicious dark berries and a wonderful integrated palate with touches of dark chocolate.

This is a well made, easy to drink, gentle structured Merlot from grapes sourced along the Alexander Valley.

My wife paid around $20 for this tasty Merlot and I am loving it so raise a glass!

Mandolin Syrah 2009 wine review by (PB)

Medium black cherry hue with fruity bouquet of dark berry and espresso with a slight twinge of cedar.

Palate--Big fruity front with dark berry flavor and nice structure with integrated ripe, tannins. Bittersweet chocolate finish.

This Central Coast Syrah (California) is tasty and drinking well. At $11 I'd buy another bottle or two; nothing special but solid.

I paired this with a moose ragu and paperadelle in lieu of classic Tuscan boar. It was OK but a rustic Chianti would have been better. At $11 raise a glass never-the-less!

DaVinci Chianti 2010 wine review by (PB)

Purple hue with decent Sangiovese bouquet of dried cherries and a touch of sweet spice.

Palate--Nice presentation of Tuscan making with gentle tannins and solid cherry and tart cherry flavor.

Finish lasts a bit with a subtle smokey finish.

Made with 90% Sangiovese grapes and 10% Merlot grapes with only 15% of the wine seeing oak.

At the $12 price point this is a good entry level Chianti suitable for any tomato based sauce and pasta.

Jordan 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Delightful layers of cherry, currants and spicy cracked black pepper
Palate: Delicious and savory.  Excellent tannin forward profile and great acid balance.  These combine for an absolutely exquisite mouth feel.  It is plush and full, absorbing, enchanting.
Finish: More lingering fruity cherry with savory herbs.
Overall: I was entertaining at an upscale steak house and saw this 2008 California Cabernet on the menu.  The only thing older was an '07 Silver Oak for $95 bucks more (!) than the $100 I paid for this bottle.  By way of comparison, this bottle will typically run anywhere from $37 - $50 in a regular wine shop and not at a restaurant with their insane markups.  The 2008 Jordan Cabernet was still tight and young.  We had it decanted which helped it open up some.  It was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone at the table.  Still, this is a young wine.  It is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot.  You can see a video of the wine maker, Rob Davis, describe it here.

Rubrato Aglianico Feudi San Di Grigorio 2010 wine review by (PB) (real time review)

Pretty garnet presentation with aromas of pungent, forest floor fruit with rustic cherry/berry bouquet.

Palate-Deep flavor in the front that is waiting to break out on opening; all kinds of intense espresso fruitiness with roasted and charred wood finish.

This is a big wine that needs to both warm up from cellar temp which is around 55 in the winter as well as breath. There is a big wine here waiting to show its stuff!

After coming up to temp and breathing for an hour and a half, I have to say that the wine doesn't benefit very much from either. I like this wine but could certainly use another 2 years on the shelf but drinking quite well now. At $16, its bold enough to stand up to grilled pork loin chops on a charcoal grill even though where I live, tonight it is in the single digits. So raise a glass to good wine, and a winter gill!

Korbel "Extra Dry" sparkling wine review by (PB)

New Years Eve calls for bubbly and I am notoriously frugal when it comes to bubbly unlike "Billy" of this blog who is a Champagne nut.

I would just as soon pay for a well made low end sparkler that I enjoy rather than $30 or more for a nuanced sparkling wine that is nice but just too darned expensive.

I grabbed this for New Years Eve with my wife and I paid a whopping $10 for it.

Pale straw, with subdued aromas of melon and a hint of hazelnut.

Palate--Actually quite enjoyable with a crisp, fresh taste of very light fruit and again a touch of nuttiness.

For me, it accomplished what I hoped for; an all purpose accompaniment to whatever appetizers or snacks I might have. The sparkle is actually very good (which is important at any price point) and for the price this is a raise a glass sparkler; simple, shallow and quick but refreshing none-the-less so raise a glass and may your new year be your best ever.