Le Berceau Blanquette de Limoux wine review by (NW)

Tasting notes:

Lemon, apple, and white pepper on the nose

Medium bodied with tightly knit bubbles on the palate

Apple notes with a tartness on the finish

Summary:

This is a good value bubbly, interesting and well made. It's a Blanquette de Limoux from France, which is made in the traditional method similar to Champagne but from the Mauzac grape.

It has nice, gripping acidity and tartness combined with bright fruit flavor and dense bubbles. For a light aperitif, this is a good choice. It's a crowd pleaser and won't last long once it's open. I recommend it, especially for the $15 price tag it carries. Raise a glass!

Lugana Cento Filari 2012 (Cesari) wine review by (PB)

Lightly golden presentation with aromas of big citrusy front, sweet floral orange blossoms with vanilla pudding and loads of summer fruit.

Palate--Fruity lemon and lime explosion with racy acidity and long finish of bright citrus compote with hints of vanilla.

This wine with the stellar name of Cesari on the label hails from the Veneto region (Cavion Veronese) specifically and is a nice palate cleansing fruit grenade that will complement my homemade ricotta ravioli with a rich buttery lobster cream sauce.

I paid $26 for this and all because of the Cesari name! I liked it for sure but when I spend that kind of money I want something special. This was Good, VERY good and enjoyable, but special? Not so much. I will pass only because of its price! I have had equally as good for $10 less.

Shannon Ridge Petite Sirah (Lake Copunty) High Elevation Collection 2010 wine review by (PB)

Deep black cherry hue

Bouquet--Plummy, jammy fruit bomb with nice aromas maybe a hint of tar.

Palate--Easy to drink, popular big fruity flavors with a finish suggesting milk chocolate.

Made in the fruit forward, popular style that most Americans enjoy, this inexpensive Petite Sirah is gently structured. I paid $9 for it and paired it with a grilled veal chop. I wouldn't buy it again but its an easy drinking wine with big presence so why not raise a glass if your on a tight budget?

Tenimenti Luigi d'Alessandro Manzano Migliara Cortona Syrah 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Crushed blackberry and mocha on a huge, jammy nose

Full bodied on the palate

Long, rich, silky finish of milk chocolate, raspberry sauce, and spice

Summary:

This wine is huge, rich, jammy, and modern. I'd call it controversial, with fruit bomb qualities that neither define geography or varietal. I grabbed it because I don't see many Syrahs from Central Italy, especially Cortona in Umbria. It gets points for being interesting, for sure.

With this said, I found it hard not to enjoy. The bottle went empty pretty quickly, fruit bomb or not. It has amazing texture and is so well layered that it continues to show various notes of ripe berries and sweet fruit flavors in the glass.

While I've seen it priced as high as $80, I paid $35 on clearance and would buy more if it was available at that price. I'd be curious to taste this in another 5 years or so because the only other Tuscan Syrah I've collected (different producer) is from the 1998 and 1999 vintages which are still drinking well.

Here's to trying new wines, so raise a glass!

Concha Y Toro (Puente Alto Marques De Casa Concha) 2011 wine review by (PB)

Intense Purple black hue with heavy pigmentation

Bouquet-- Burnt ash right on opening with bold, black berry and tar, with vegetal notes of green pepper, and a host of aromas I don't even have descriptors for. After an overnight, the burnt ash is gone and menthol/cedar looms prominently.

Palate--Bold inky dark berry flavor, with eucalyptus notes, and intense dark baker's chocolate with a slightly tannic foundation, and a young mouth feel again reminiscent of a young Don Melchor.

Finishes with charred oak and a pleasantly bitter berry fruit finale.

This reminds me of Concha Y Toro's fabulous Cab "Don Melchor" in its infancy. This is their 2nd tier label of which I reviewed several vintages over the years as a consistent superior wine every year.

I paid $19 for this recently; it is listed in the Wine Spectator with a reference price of $26 and 93 pts on their 100 point scale. (Good call WS!) This Cab is pleasant and impressive right now but there is much more to come with another 3-5 years and will hold for another 10. At $19 it's a super value and at $26 it's still a great value so--Raise a glass for sure!

Vinchio-Vaglio Serra Piemonte Barbera 2012 wine review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with cherry berry aroma with a bit of earthy under layer with dill or cedar.

Palate--Solid foundation with bright fruit, gentle tannins and a pleasant drink-ability.

I wanted to make a study this year on Barberas and Barbarescos but there are so few of them in my area that I decided that would be impossible. The few I have had are fruity, decidedly "Italian" tasting, carrying a rustic edge and pleasantly drinkable. This one was quite inexpensive at around the $10 price point and I would certainly buy it again which means--raise a glass!

Talbot "Kali Hart" Chardonnay 2011 wine eview by (PB)

Straw hue with aromas of vanilla, citrusy fruit with cream pudding, a touch of cinnamon and fresh summer melon.

Palate-- Juicy lemony creme brulee with sharp acidity, tangy green apple and a fairly quick finish but pleasant.

I paid $14 for this Monterey creation and I liked it a lot with my Hake fillet with capers and wine reduction sauce with lemon. You'll see it for a bit more more than likely but at $14, it's a nice value so raise a glass!

Four Vines Biker Zinfandel 2010 wine review by (PB)

Dark cherry hue with sweet candied cherries wafting on a cocoa or dark chocolate carpet and spicing with dark, ripe blackberries.

Palate--Tasty, rustic, blackberries and dark chocolate and cinnamon touches with a nice lasting finish.

This is a Paso Robles Zin and it's a nice expression of the grape at a higher level than your $10 offering.

I defied the 24 degrees on this 24th day of March and enjoyed BBQ ribs with this tasty wine. At the $20 price point its "OK" but for that, I would look to Rosenblum. Never-the-less, raise a glass!

Trivento Golden Reserve Lujan de Cuyo Malbec 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich nose of wild berries

Full bodied on the palate

Berries, coffee, and spice layers on the finish

Summary:

Deeply colored and packed with wild berry flavor, this is a full throttle Malbec from the Lujan de Cuyo region in Argentina. It has a roasted coffee layer on the finish that rounds it out nicely.

The retail price is $18 or so, which puts it a few dollars above the basic Malbecs filling the shelves. Serve with meat dishes and give it plenty of air.

Raise a glass!

Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 wine review by (PB)

Deeply pigmented, black cherry hue

Bouquet--fresh herbs and sweet dark berry fruit, rich, almost "thick" aromas rising of complex spices and a gentle suggestion of chocolate covered cherries with an under-layer of floral sweet petals.

Palate--Rich textured big berry front with a viscous mouth feel and a smokey, charred oak finish.

This Chilean Cab from Maipo region is a big wine that is still flaunting a hefty youthfulness. This is a big wine that needs to be paired with a big steak! With its structure, I expect this wine to be coming around in another 5 years with it showing well for another 8-10. This is such a good example of Chilean Cabernet and at the $12 price point ya have to snatch it if you see it! the raise a glass!

Querceto Vernaccia Di San Gimignano 2011 wine review by (PB)

Pale golden hue

Bouquet--Sweet vanilla, green apple and citrus with green melon

Palate--Lively moth feel with vanilla, zesty citrus and green apple and a hint of rose petal. (pretty much what's in the bouquet) Fleeting finish with suggestion gentle summer fruit.

Querceto has always been a favorite if only for the wonderful memories it conjures from a trip to Tuscany a few years back. But I have only ever had--or seen--the red productions. This is one of the few (only?) whites to have achieved the DOCG approval which is a pretty big deal.

This is a fresh aperitif kind of wine or with lighter fare. I think I paid under $15 and it is a well made wine and versatile so raise a glass!

Cesari "Mara" Valpolicella Ripasso 2011 wine review by (PB)

Nice robust pigmented cranberry jelly hue!

Bouquet--loads of luscious cherry up front with a wonderful sweet "powdery" red berry and an awesome dill beam right down the center with woodsy spices.

Palate--Unique rustic forest glade fruit out of the gate, interesting structure and a finish that is a bit quick.

I paid a ridiculous $12 for this wonderful wine marked down from $14 which still would have been a ridiculous price. To understand the "Ripasso" designation on the label you should search our blog for that word. It's a very interesting process that works hand in hand with the "Amarone" process. Wine is so awesome so raise a glass!

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc 2010 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Pear and floral notes on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Silky, more pear, with citrus accents and a nice tapering on the finish

Summary:

For Sauvignon Blanc, this is a nice silky style with good fruit and a medium body. It's not racy and "in your face" with zest, but rather elegant and fragrant. There are many styles to choose from, but when you want the description above you'll find this to be a reliable choice.

While the winery continues to use the legacy Fume Blanc name, I noticed they now have "a Sauvignon Blanc" in smaller font on the front label to guide consumers. Look for a price around $16. And raise a glass!

Eos Petite Sirah 2009 wine review by (PB)

Rich even thick looking swirl with nice dark black cherry hue

Bouquet--Big aromas of cedary/spicy dark fruit with a nice presence of dark baker's chocolate

Palate--Big, twenty mega ton fruit bomb with structural character and profound flavors of dark fruit,heavy berry goodness,notes of green forest and a finish that keeps reminding you what you just drank.

This Paso Robles wine is a typical Petite Sirah with big, rich, bold dark berries, and a tannic foundation that is still lively and should continue to evolve for a few years. It is not quite at its peak yet but drinking nicely. Grilled sirloin is the order of the day and at $12 I say Raise a Glass!

Querceto "Toscana" 2012 wine review by (PB)

Cherry hue

Bouquet--gorgeous aromas rising from the glass while it sits stationary; sweet cherry with loads of rustic spices and a suggestion of milk chocolate.

Palate--Minerally front with touches of licorice, cherry fruit, forest floor and sweet finish of more forest floor.

Querceto holds a fine place in my heart having been to its place of production in Tuscany but I have never seen this lower tiered wine in my part of the country.
It is a really fine example of Sangiovese and a value at the $10 price point so raise a glass as I will with a marginal pizza! Prego!

Carvalhais Duque de Viseu 2009 Dao Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Plum and berries abound on the fruity bouquet
Full bodied on the palate
Ripe fruit and smoky notes on the finish with roasted notes and herbs

Summary:

Here's a good value red from Portugal for $13. It's expressive, fruity, and well made. The table wines from Portugal continue to improve and deliver a good bang for the buck. This one's hard not to recommend.

Raise a glass!

Turning Point Gettysburg 150 Year Commemorative bottling wine review by (PB)

Cherry hue with bouquet of tart cherry, powder, and cedar with faint "grapefruit."

Palate--Somewhat pleasant with rustic red grape and daffodil flavors. Rear palate goes down a touch "hot" for some strange reason but then again it just could be my throat...

This is a special bottling from the Adams County Winery in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. It was a gift from a dear friend and was actually much better than I had expected. I will have it with cheese and crackers before dinner. Somethings you just can't put a price on and this gift is one of them. So raise a glass to friends who think of you even when they're far away!

Chateau Michel de Vert (Lussac Saint-Emilion) 2012 wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue

Bouquet--Aromas of subdued spice and gentle fruit, slight chocolate note with eucalyptus and still evolving 3 hours after it was opened.

Palate--Austere first impression, slightly tart,chewy tannins,smoky finish, little fruit. May change with more air.

This wine is just too immature too fairly review but at this moment, what I wrote may still be helpful if only to say, "HOLD" and give it another two years.

The emergence of the "new world" style where wines which are made to be enjoyed essentially on release make it tough on the old world classic style. I paid $12 for this on sale from $15 and the jury is still out on this one.

Dalliance Lake County Red Wine 2011 wine review by (PB)

Okay the color of this wine is RED! How's that? I run out of adjectives at times; crimson, cranberry, garnet, cherry, black cherry, purple, cherry/garnet so how about RED this time?

Bouquet--Interesting bouquet of wild or rustic blackberry fruit with slight touches of dark chocolate, camphor (first time I have used this adjective) menthol, and a hint of fennel.

Palate--Gentle foundation with solid structure and nice, blackberry and brambly flavor with all kinds of other nuances going on.

This is a blend of 41% Zinfandel, 24% Syrah, 12% Barbera, 11% Tempranillo, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Grenache. I tend to dislike wines that are blended with more than 3 or 4 grapes as the final result is often confused and somewhat schizophrenic. The wine itself doesn't even know what it is. One of the great exceptions is Beaulieu vineyards "Tapestry" hence the name. That being said, this is actually a very nice wine! It drinks well right now even though young and will drink well for years to come.

It sells for $20 and I found it for $12. I grabbed it because I am a big Zinfandel fan and I was not familiar with this wine or producer.

Bottom line--A really decent wine and I wish I had bought more so you know what that means--Raise A Glass!

(Note that the label shown is for the 2010 and NOT the 2011!)

Brolio Chianti Classico 2009 wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue with some depth

Aromas of muted cherry, dried rose petal, licorice and fennel seed

Palate--Cherry with spices and rustic touches of forest floor.

This is the last of my great find at a state store where they were selling these for $10 but you'll find it for over $20! Yeah I got a bargain which is why I ended up buying about a case in a couple of visits. This Chianti is Delicious with a lot of life in it. This should drink great for the next 4 years but is perfect right now. So what can I say except raise a glass!

Ca' Momi Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Napa Valley) wine review by (PB)

Young black cherry hue

Bouquet-Ripe plum, black berry with green pepper and tart cranberry and a cocoa note.

Palate--Extracted style with big ripe plum and dark berry fruit, bold foundation, with solid tannins and a finish with hints of chocolate and toasted oak.

This Napa Cab was $12 marked down from $25 on a special purchase. It is juicy and a touch jammy but at the sale price its a nice find. I would expect quite a bit more if I paid $25.

At $12, raise a glass and buy more!

Sebastiani Zinfandel 2010 wine review by (PB)

Black cherry hue with nice aromas of spectacular eucalyptus and menthol with blackberry and wild brambly spices.

Palate--Heavy blackberry fruit with an mocha layer with a hint of mint. Structured foundation will improve for the next few years. This Zin finishes with a chocolate cream suggestion and a touch of woody smoke.

Sebastiani has to struggle to make a bad wine and this Sonoma Zin is really special in light of the under $9 I paid for it on sale. If only I had bought much more!

Sonoma is where my favorite Zins come from and at this price you should grab up all you can find and then raise a glass!

Vignamaggio "Obsession" 2007 wine review by (PB)

Garnet to black cherry hue with aromas of earthy, yet perfumey black berry and spice with cigar box fragrances,vanilla cream bon-bon and sweet black licorice.

Palate--Finely tuned, integrated with supple tannins yielding delicious mouth watering dark berries and plum, forest floor and finishing a touch shallow.

This is a unique Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It is expertly crafted and absolutely perfect in its drinkability.

Vignamaggio is the birth home of Mona Lisa and Me and my wife had the stellar thrill of staying at this working winery/Inn several years ago with (NW) and his wife. Just holding the bottle I am taken back to a sitting room at Vignamaggio pouring ourselves grappa and just taking in the Tuscan wonder. Such is the uniqueness of a beverage that is capable of transporting one to another time and place refreshing memories long buried beneath the rubble of "life."

I paid $35 for this bottle and I have no recollection of where I bought it thought I suspect it was on a West coast trip to see grandchildren. This wine will be drinking well for a few more years but the suggestion to hold it another 2-4 years which I saw at a respected website, is overshot. It is positively drinking at its peak right now so raise a glass if you happen to stumble on this find!

Clos des Papes 2004 Chateauneuf -Du-Pape Valentines Day Wine Review by Billy

Nose: tobacco, blackberry & licorice
Palate: soft velvety feel. plush and ripe and juicy.  It is incredibly pleasant to drink as it flirts with all parts of your palate.
Finish: extremely long and juicy with leather spice and berry flavors lingering.
Overall: I paid $50 for this wine 10 years ago and laid it down for a future treat. Today the wine will sell for over $160 if you can find it. I opened it tonight for an early Valentines Day dinner where this delightfully mature Chateauneuf Du Pape was the main feature. In the glass it is brick red at the edge and a deep, dark red - almost black - in the center.  This French Rhone red wine is lush blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah and a little bit of this and that to make up the leftovers.  Simply amazing.

Matua Pinot Noir 2011 wine review by (PB)

Cherry hue with nice aromas of cherry fruit with fragrant mentholated strawberry.

Palate--pleasant presence in the mouth with a palate cleansing acidity, spicy red berry fruit, subtle milk chocolate hint and white pepper.

Straight forward and tasty this New Zealand (Marlborough) Pinot drinks easily and simply. At $15 its what you would expect. I'll serve it with my baked cod this evening. Raise a glass!

St. Urbans-Hof Bockstein (Kabinett) 2011 wine review by (PB)

This German Riesling has a pretty golden hue with aromas of tropical fruit salad and wonderful gentle spices.

Palate--From the moment it hits your palate, the fruit fills your mouth on a structure of balanced acid and flavor galore with a taut green apple finish.

This German Riesling is beautiful and at $15 is a must have quaffer!

My wife and I had the thrill of exploring the Mosel region of German and floating down the Mosel River beholding ancient castle remains and terraced vineyards so steep that if you stumbled while tending the vines you wouldn't stop for a long time. Riesling is the specialty of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer and as I already said, grab this one and marvel at how good the grape can be! Raise a glass or better a case!

Trapiche Oak Cask Mendoza Pinot Noir 2010 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Spicy cherry and black tea on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Kirsch and some woody notes on the finish

As far as inexpensive Pinot Noir goes, this is a good, interesting, and oaky style. It's not a conventional wine, but it drinks nicely. There's a lot of spice, tea, and woody notes wrapped around the fruit. Expect to pay around $10 for this Argentinian bargain. Raise a glass!

Da Vinci Chianti Riserva 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Dark berries and leather notes on the nose

Full bodied and dense on the palate

Long finish with savory spice notes on a dark berry core

Summary:

This is a very good Chianti- dark and complex. It has great depth and a lot of flavor, made in the modern style with extracted fruit notes and spicy accents from oak.

I've seen this priced around $20, which is what I paid. It's a decent value for the quality, albeit not a bargain basement price. Pair with your favorite pasta and red sauce, and raise a glass!

Brazin Zinfandel 2010 wine review by (PB)

Substantial garnet hue with aromas of big cocoa notes with classic brambly zinfandel along with loads of spice and wild blackberries and ripe plum.

Palate--Mocha mid-palate with rich textured deep berry goodness on a plushly textured foundation with bold finish of thick *tar. Quite tasty!

This Lodi Zin is better than I expected. I was already (negatively) biased by its **name and the fact that it was from Lodi. I had a bad experience visiting Lodi a couple years ago when I walked into a tasting room ready to spend some decent money on the wine but the proprietor was too busy with the good old boys at the bar to even acknowledge my presence which was difficult to do considering the small area of the room. I left without buying a thing and a bad attitude. I have shied away from Lodi wines ever since. So why did I buy this? I had a gift certificate to a wine store with a very small inventory and this was about the only thing I was remotely interested in being the Zinfandel fan that I am. This is actually one of the better Zins I have had in some time. I paid a hefty $20 for it which is a premium price but seriously, is not a bad price for the wine. It can be had for as low as $12! Bottom Line? Raise a glass!

*Tar doesn't seem to be a palatable or positive comment but it is. Tar is often a common descriptor for big bold Cabernets and other bold reds. Well, this is quite tarry!

**I do not like the label of the wine, and I do not like the name at all. Shouldn't matter in the least I realize but it does to me and I spend WAY more on wine annually than probably 95% of the populace; are you listening marketers?

At any rate, given all the negatives I had keeping me from liking this wine, it is a GOOD wine so again "Raise a glass!"

" Chops & Burgers" Bordeaux 2010 wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue with aromas of fresh cherry fruit, Chinese Five Spice, cigar box, and fruity cedar underneath.

Palate--Soft structure with fruit forward drinkability in a popular style. (Michel Roland's hand???) Cedar mid-palate and quick finish.

This oddly named wine is imported by Barton and Guestier I suspect catering to the nouveau enophile who wants ready-to-drink, soft, fruity red wine. As a blend of Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, it's better than I expected and at $9 it will please many palates. As much as I am fighting it, I like it, so I have to say it, Raise a glass!

(Pairing it with baked homemade macaroni and cheese.)

Cesari Boscarel (Merlot/Cabernet) 2012 wine review by (PB)

This Cesari blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Sangiovese from the Veneto region of Italy has a black cherry presentation with a bouquet that is robust and spicy with aromas of sweet cherry, black berry and plum with cigar box hints. There are points where it is nearly floral and powdery with a suggestion of Gamay in its simplicity and joy! Quite nice!

Palate--Finely structured with a super soft foundation that supports big berry flavors, with some gentle spice and a seductive approach that makes you want to drink more. Finish has more red berries.

I saw this heretofore unknown wine to me and since it had the Cesari name on the label I had to grab it. Cesari is one of the monumental Italian wine makers and I was not even aware that he produced a wine in the $10 price range which is what I paid.

I am blown away by the elegance, the solid performance and otherwise delicious production this is. I hope I can find more somehow as this is the kind of wine that would make my top ten for the year. If you see this, BUY it and just revel in what a wine of this price can be. (I am finding it for as low as $6 on line which is insane!)

Raise a glass as will I when I pair it with my Carbonara this evening!

Castle Rock Pinot Noir (Mendocino Co.) 2011 wine review by (PB)

Pale cherry hue that might even be showing a touch of age.

Bouquet--Wonderful Chinese 5 spice on strawberry and raspberry notes with a suggestion of floral cocoa.

Palate--Almost velvety on the palate delicious touches of strawberry and raspberry fruit in abundance with a "dressed up" kind of ending.

This is one of those wines you kick yourself for not having bought more when you had the chance but then again you didn't know what was in the bottle. This is a really well made and tasty Pinot Noir which at this price point--$11--makes it a super value wine. I will look for more but I got it out of state! Raise a glass if you find some a buy a couple more to drink within the next year. It won't get any better than this!

Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet 2011 wine review by Billy

Nose: charcoal, plum, strawberry, blueberry
Palate: Good balance and solid structure between acids and tannins.  Pleasing slate and stony notes combine with plush berry flavors.
Finish: soft finish that lingers with flavors of blueberry and slate
Overall: I paid between 10 and 15 for this bottle of wine at a local store.  It is a pleasant and soft California Cab.  It shows nice earthy notes and is a soft and accessible Cabernet.

Millbrandt Vineyards "Traditions" Chardonnay 2012 wine review by (PB)

Pale gold presentation with ample aromas of vanilla curd and peachy citrus with powdery green apple notes and candied sweetness.

Palate--Mouth filling flavor with racy acidity carrying oaky touched, stone fruit on creme brulee with a smart green apple finish.

This is a really nice Columbia Valley Chard that has a lot going for it. It's lingering fruity finish is tantalizing and almost classy! I will pair this with a fried cod filet and cheesy polenta aka--grits.

I paid somewhere in the $2 price range and it reminds me of Rombauer, one of my favorite chards for about 2 1/2 times the price. So this is a super value wine and Wine Spectator gave it an 89 and "Best Value" rating which I didn't know until after I reviewed it. Need I say, "Raise a glass?"

Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon (Gran Reserva) 2009 wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue with interesting bouquet with aromas of black tea, sweet cedar/menthol, and underneath it all there is some ultra ripe sweet plum and a touch of dark berries.

Palate--Plush tannins with integrated dark berry fruit and a solid, pronounced beam of black berry. Finishes with some cedar and more blackberry.

This "Santa Rita" Maipo Valley (Chile) Cab. seemed just "too green" on opening. But then I let it breathe a couple hours and holy cow; a seductive, complex and unique bouquet emerges to where I just want to sit and smell it.

I paid $16 for this recently and it is drinking fabulously. This will be enjoyable for several years to come so to raise a glass!

Chateau Mayne Guyon Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux 2011 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Dark fruit and clove on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Dark berries, roasted notes, and oak on the finish

Summary:

Here's a great value Cotes de Bordeaux for only $10. It's made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and delivers big flavors along with a structured finish. Stock up on this one.

Enjoy with a variety of food, most obviously red meat and rich sauces. Raise a glass!

Guenoc (California) Petite Syrah 2010 wine review by (PB)

Garnet to black cherry hue on the lighter side for this grape;

Bouquet--spice rises over the blackberry and plum on the swirl but comes around with warming and air.

Palate--Thin texture, with numerous but confused tastes happening out of the gate; *will breathe it a bit also letting it warm up from my seasonal ambient cellar temp (56 currently)

Having done so, it does improve from what it was at the start with some nice *plummy, blackberry and black tea salvaging what it was on first impression.

It's still not a great example of what this grape can be and usually is even at this price point but it's not bad. I think I paid around $14 for this and I wouldn't do it again.

The reason I write reviews like this occasionally stating that I am going to re-review the wine later sometimes, is precisely so you can learn to better taste wines for yourself. This wine was going to be panned initially but allowing it to come around served it well. Sometimes first impressions can be deceiving with wine so be patient, and give it another chance later in the evening or even the next day. Sometimes there is a whole different wine waiting for you if you do! Raise a glass.

Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 wine review by (PB)

Pretty garnet hue with aromas rising of sweet cherry, with spices even from a distance. Up close on the swirl and into the bowl, bouquet of big earthy forest floor and evergreen galore,with notes of black licorice.

Palate--Relaxed, integrated structure, with mouth filling flavors of all the above aromas notes. Tannins are still a tad immature meaning this bottle has more age to go before fully integrated.

I reviewed this wine sometime ago and I will compare what I wrote then to now. I believe I liked this wine better the first time around which is why I bought more. This is till a really fine Chianti especially at the $20 price point. I just liked it better when it a was bit younger--at least that is my memory.

I reviewed this wine back in June of 2012 and indeed my memory was correct. I have heard of wines going through a "dumb phase" and candidly I can't say I know what that is or if it truly exists. But this is such a fine wine with all the right stuff, if there is such a thing as a dumb phase that wines sometimes go through, then perhaps that explains the clear distinction from this 07 to the last.

Either way, at $20, this is a stellar example of excellent Chianti from one of several recent storied vintages so raise a glass!

Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah 2010 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Spicy plum and blackberry on the nose
Full bodied on the palate
Dark berries, charcoal, and pepper on the finish

Summary:

Beautifully made, this Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah from Novy shows ripe fruit and dark, brooding notes accented by a peppery finish. It's a well-crafted wine and shows how this varietal can be both opulent and balanced. For $20 or so, it's worth every penny and I recommend you grab it if you can find it. Raise a glass!

Daniel Gehrs Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Central Coast) wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue with green aromas, cedar and green pepper, and black berry.

Palate--Berry fruit over shadowed by vegetal notes as listed above, quick finish.

I was not familiar with this label so decided to grab one and see who and what these folks were about. The wine is easy drinking, with a supple texture but it's just too imbalanced with all the green stuff going on. *I will edit my comments if it changes with breathing but... I will be paring it with venison stew.
I believe I paid around $12 for it and as of this moment I would not raise a glass.

*A day later the "green stuff" toned down and was more integrated than when I opened it. It still is not remarkable but was okay and pretty typical for the price point. It was nice with the venison stew which was outstanding!

Trentadue Old Patch Red 2011 Lot 36 wine review by (PB)

Darker garnet hue with big jammy aromas of extracted blackberry, and very ripe dark plum with loads of spicy goodness.

Palate--Big zesty, fruit bomb of blackberry fruit with dark berry and spice that is mouth filling with an easy to drink structure and a rigid of beam of bitter chocolate with a nice slightly tarry, dark fruit finish.

This blend is 85% Zinfandel and 15% Syrah that is bold demanding some hefty food to pair it with. (Or just enjoy it solo!) Around $11 raise a glass!

Norton Malbec Riserva 2010 wine review by (PB)

Cranberry jelly hue with aromas of cocoa powder and thick smelling dark berries with loads of spice and licorice (Good N Plenty candy) nuances.

Palate--Thick texture with plush texture, mouth watering dark berry fruit and a peppery beam finishing with lingering cocoaberry, oak and spice.

At the $20 price point you expect a remarkable wine and this fits the bill. It is young and yet drinking really well but will continue to integrate for several years.

I am grilling a rib-eye on the charcoal Weber and this will set it off nicely so raise a glass!

Atalaya Almansa 2008 wine review by (PB)

Very young purple hue for a 2008!

Bouquet--Really lovely and big blackberry jam and plum, smokey wood and spices galore.

Palate--Rich, bold blackberry fruit and dark berries with vibrant, young tannins, wells structured, with a smokey oak and berry finish that lasts.

This is a big hefty wine made from Grenache (70%) and Monastrell(30%) that is amazingly young and has a few years to go before it's prime. I paid $14 for this nice wine and call it a nice value so raise a glass and enjoy!

Concha Y Toro Puento Alto Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Blackberry, cocoa, and earthy notes on the nose
Full bodied
Incredibly long finish of roasted coffee, cocoa, and currants

This wine has become incredibly harmonious and well integrated with some bottle age. It's just about perfect right now, so if you have the 2005 go ahead and enjoy it. The nose is fragrant and the finish is long and nicely layered. At Christmas dinner with PB of this blog, it was perfect with prime rib and all the trimmings.

Sadly, the bin is running low on Don Melchor from the early 2000's. Back then, prices were in the $30s and $40s for one of Chile's greatest wines. I used to buy as much as I could. Now, unfortunately, recent vintages of this wine retail for $75-90. I'm done buying it, but if you want to pay up for "the Don", it won't disappoint. Raise a glass to PB's generosity and the great Cabernet of Chile!

Maison Sichel Sauternes 2005 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Apricot, honey, and spice on the nose
Full bodied  and rich on the palate
Nice layers on the finish of orange marmalade, apricot, and vanilla

Summary:

Good Sauternes is always a treat. PB of this blog surprised us with this bottle for a night cap on Christmas. Needless to say, it was emptied pretty quickly. With fragrant apricot and just enough weight, it complimented an assortment of pies and other treats for dessert.

The price on this wine is in the $40 range. I recommend it, if you can find it. Raise a glass!

Yalumba Viognier 2012 wine review by (PB)

Hue--medium golden with bouquet of hard to pin down sweet fruit, perhaps melon or cantaloupe, Lychee, hints of vanilla and touch of citrus.

Palate--Surprisingly dry as dust with rigid acidity that chokes out the fruit. I need to let this warm up and breathe!

This Aussie Viognier (pronounced Vee Oh NYAY) is not as floral as most I have had and is a bit over the top being very angular and not well integrated. This is the "Y" series which is their table wine at the $11 price point. For what is out there and what this wine can be I would pass on it.

Trenel Beaujolais Village Nouveau 2013 wine review by (PB)

Pretty garnet to fuschia hue with tantalizing bouquet of powdery rose pedals, ripe banana, and something else sweet that defies description.

Palate--Minerally front, mouth watering acidity, subdued fruit, and a beam of Gamay and subtle strawberry with more minerals on the finish.

This is certainly the most interesting Nouveau I have had this year. The bouquet is the best part but this is a food wine with it's acidic foundation.

I will be pairing this with a french onion tart and it should do nicely. For the full story on Nouveau wines, please see our other entries. I paid $12 and is a nice experience and more than what I expect from Nouveau so raise a glass!

Alamos Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Rich dark berries on the nose
Full bodied on the palate
Wild berries, cocoa, and a touch of mint on the finish

Summary:

Alamos, produced by Catena in Argentina, has been known for good, value priced Malbec for many years.  Recently, the Cabernet Sauvignon is even better than the Malbec. This 2012 is an exceptional value at $10 or less. I paid just $8 and have seen it priced similarly in many places. Highly recommended, so raise a glass!

Man Vinters Chenin Blanc 2011 wine review by (PB)

Gentle pale gold with bouquet of powdery tropical fruit with a touch of vanilla.

Palate--Mouth filling tropical fruit compote with racy acidity,and a lively finish that makes your mouth "zing!"

Chenin Blanc (which is a grape not a cheap white wine) is the signature grape of the lively Vouvrays of France. This one however comes from S. Africa where Chenin Blanc (known locally as "Steen")has been one the South Africa's consistent wines over the years. It is usually quite inexpensive (I paid less then $8 for this one) and they are generally super value wines as is this one. Chill it slightly and then enjoy it by itself or with food. I will pair this tonight with what we call "Country Scramble" which is grits, over the top of homemade biscuits, topped with fried ham, gravy from the drippings, and fried or scrambled eggs as you prefer. It is superior comfort food especially with the sub-zero temps we have been enduring here in Maine and the Chenin blanc with this acidity, will cut right through the creamy, buttery grits without killing the gentle tastes of the dish.

Whatever you do with this wine, enjoy it, it's a nice one and raise a glass!

Four Vines "Truant" Old Vine Zinfandel 2010 wine review by (PB)

Black Cherry hue with a bouquet of rich blackberry and spice with an ever so subtle note of bacon fat.

Palate--Really extracted, maybe even an over-ripe fruit bomb with tons of rich blackberry jammy goodness and nearly velvety tannins. Finishes with a decent dark berry jam finish.

The Four Vines company makes multiple varieties of Zinfandel. I grabbed this one because I had never seen this particular label and it was only $10.

I am a big Zin fan and I liked this with its big jam foundation and all. It's not for everything but I am pairing this with a grilled venison steak and polenta. The jamminess may not be ideal for the pairing but it doesn't matter when you love what you're drinking and eating. For $10, I will be Truant again! Raise a glass!

Borgianni Chianti 2007 wine review by (PB)

Bright cherry red hue with nice, sweet Luden's red cherry cough drops from afar. Into the glass is spicy cherry with forest floor and red fruit with ample cedary notes.

Palate--Integrated flavors of spice laden cherry with a rustic mid palate, refined tannins, and a quick finish. Subsequent tastes yield a less impressive tasting experience. (Breathing may improve this which I will update if that is the case.)

This is a classic Chianti with unmistakable terroir. I plan to have it with a "Lou Malnatti's" pizza imported from Chicago by my mother-in-law as a birthday present. Maine isn't actually known for its pizza...

I paid $10 for this marked down from $20 and I grabbed it because of the vintage as 2007 was a great year for Tuscany. At $20 I would have been disappointed; at $10 it's "raise a glass" and happy New Year from the WCB!