Domaine Tollot-Beaut Chorey-les-Beaune 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Black cherry complimented by earthy and spicy notes on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Well-layered and smooth with more black cherry and spice

Summary:

This is a well-made red Burgundy that delivers abundant black cherry and spice.  It has an earthy edge to keep it balanced and pairs well with roasted poultry and pork.  The retail price is $40.  Raise a glass!

2010 Barba Vasari Montepulciano Sponsored Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Earthy mushrooms with plum and dark cherry
Palate: Strong and tight acids that come on early and strong.  Very soft tannins leave a thin feel and a medium body.  Plums are prominent flavors in the mouth.
Finish: Elegant finish characterized by more plum and earthy notes.
Overall: The nose is great on this Italian red wine.  The medium body and thin mouth feel makes this easy to drink.  It is an elegant wine with a small, unobtrusive footprint.    It will complement meals rather than take center stage. List price on this wine is $10.99.   Special thanks to the PR team at Colangelo & Partners Public Relations for providing the media samples.

The label to the right says 2009, we reviewed the 2010.

Decoy Zinfandel 2009 wine review by (PB)

Duckhorn Vineyards--lighter hued cherry presentation with aromas of spicy blackberry

Palate--full flavored rustic berry explosion, a light touch of bittersweet chocolate with a charcoal finish.

This is a tasty Sonoma Zin, and drinks quite easily. I paid $12 for this wine but it sells for twice that. At $12 it's a great buy; at its normal price, it would be a bit over priced.

Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant dark berries and mocha on an inviting nose

Full bodied and plush texture on the palate

Silky finish with fine-grained tannins, dark berries, anise, and cocoa

Summary:

A quintessential Napa Cabernet! Balancing dark berries with other layers built on fine tannins and a plush texture, this wine has it all and should taste great for years to come. I wish I had a lot more, especially at the release price of $40.  Pair with short ribs or steak.

Raise a glass!

Bogle Essential California Red 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Boysenberry, plum, and light spice notes on the nose

Full bodied on the palate

Chewy finish of red berries and herbs with oak accents

Summary:

Here's a new offering from Bogle Vineyards.  It's a good value red wine made from a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah.  I'd call it a reliable everyday wine and recommend you enjoy it in a big glass with your favorite comfort food. Expect to pay around $10.

Raise a glass!

Turley 2007 Napa Zinfandel moore "earthquake" vineyard wine review by Billy

Nose: roses, fruit and earth on the nose.
Palate: Tight tannins and young feeling still.  Acid tussles with the tannin for supremacy in a velvet ring.  Floral flavors here too.  Medium body but definitely still tasting young.
Finish: Long and minerally.
Overall:  I paid list price for this at a wine store several years ago ($56).  Tonight seems as good a night as any to open the special bottle of Napa Zinfandel. This wine should be breathed for at least an hour (this review was after 10 minutes or so of opening).  It can still lay down for a good 3-5 years.  Note: the 2007 was reviewed.  The 2008 is pictured.
Update: After breathing this for about an hour it really opens up.  The tannins relax their grip and the mouth feel smooths out to reveal an expertly crafted and complex Zinfandel.  The aromas go from fruit and flowers to earthy and deep.  This is a delightful wine!

Querceto Chianti Classico 2008 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Raspberry, floral notes, and some brine on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

More raspberry with some tobacco and savory herbs on the finish

Summary:

This is a pure expression of Chianti Classico.  Recognizing the region's wines have gotten richer and more expressive over the past 10 years, I recommend this as a great example of value priced Chianti Classico that drinks exceptionally well with a variety of food and even has the stuffing for intermediate-term cellaring. Rich fruit and spice with savory accents has become the hallmark of a region that early in my wine career produced light-bodied, acidic red wines that required a certain percentage of white grapes in the blend. Things have evolved nicely in Chianti!

Expect to pay $12-14 for this wine, and raise a glass!

Casa Ferreirinha Esteva 2010 wine review by (PB)

This Douro (Portugal) red is brimming with big blackberry aromas and a touch of brambles.

Palate--Solid presence with blackberry fruit galore, strict acid and a tannic foundation that is bold.

Finishes with more blackberries. This wine was even a bit impressive the first day but I had the remainder the second day and it was not worth drinking.

So for $10, open it, drink it and raise a glass; don't let it sit around even for a day.

Shadowood Merlot Alexander Valley Reserve 2008 wine review by (PB)

Garnet hue with fruit notes and a lot of smoke.

Palate--bitter fruit with awkward mouth feel.

Suffered through a half glass and dumped the rest. This wine is not corked, its just a poor wine.

Pass on this plonk!

Conde de Valdemar Rioja Reserva 2004 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Plum, cherry, and smoky notes on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Smooth layers of plum and tobacco on the finish, nicely integrated

Summary:

A style debate has ensued in the Rioja region of Spain lately with some wines showing an obvious modern, extracted style and others a more reserved, subtle style.  This wine is squarely in the more reserved, subtle camp which is considered the traditional style.  It comes across like a smoky Pinot Noir, and with the extending aging done in barrel at the winery it has a smooth and well-integrated profile.  I recommend it as a great example of a classic Rioja, and suggest you enjoy this with a good pork chop or something subtle in flavor. Expect to pay $20, and raise a glass!

Four Vines Maverick Amador County Zinfandel 2007 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Big spicy red berries on the bouquet

Full bodied on the palate

Red berries and plum with some vanilla and pepper on the finish

Summary:

Here's a good, spicy, rich style of Zinfandel.  It's jammy, but not overly so.  Four Vines has a nice line up of Zinfandel and the "Maverick" is often available for around $20.  Enjoy with comfort food on a cool Autumn evening.  Raise a glass!

Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 wine review by (PB)

Nice black chery hue with aromas of poultry seasoning, cranberry fruit and sweet Twizzlers with spice.

Palate--A bit hot on the palate with good bright red fruit.

This wine was drunk too young. From the awesome vintage in Napa of 07, the cabs are lengthy and made for some longevity. I paid $17 for this wine and it was well crafted under the direction of Christian Moeuix--the French wine maker and his team in Yountville.

I paid $17 for this I think but it sells for considerably more. If you have one give it another 2-5 years and should be worth the wait. Raise a glass.

Pasqua Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2010 wine review by (PB)

Light cherry hue;

Light cherry and basil aromas, with tart cherries underneath, maybe a note of cocoa and cedar or spice.

Palate--Fruity, light bodied but big flavored cherry with a touch of smoke on the finish.

Trader Joe's value wine at $11 so always raise a glass.

Sepp Moser Gruner Veltliner (Gebling) 2007 wine review by (PB)

Pretty golden hue with large bouquet of crisp apple with vanilla and light citrus notes at the end with a slightest touch of honey.

Palate-- Brightly acidic with a very light "spritzig" (fizz, off dry and very fruity highlighting apple and vanilla notes.

Gruner is the signature of Austria. I have not had a great number of them and some tend to have what I can only describe as an "oily" note in the bouquet which is off putting. This Gruner is actually quite tasty and refreshing.

I paid $5 for this close out wine and its a nice bargain at that price. Do some experimenting and grow beyond the Chards, Chenins and Sauvignon Blancs. There's a big world of wine out there just waiting for your admiration. Raise a glass to new horizons in the glorious world of wine!

Rosemount Estate Balmoral 2002 Syrah Wine Review by Billy

Nose: Earthy spiced tobacco and plum and wood smoke.
Palate: Incredibly smooth.  Silk wrapped around tight acid core.  Firm tannins are pleasant.
Finish: Soft finish with lingering pitted cherry flavors and .
Overall: I paid $23.50 for this 2002 Australian Syrah (Shiraz).  This was a substantially discounted price (almost 50%).  The wine comes from the McLaren Vale in Australia.  This 2002 Balmoral Syrah is still tight and young even after 10 years in the cellar.  This is a beautiful example of the exquisite elegance of Australian Syrah (aka Shiraz) done well.  Raise a Glass!

Quarles Harris Vintage Porto 1994 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Fragrant wild berries and prunes on the nose

Full bodied and densely packed on the palate

Dark, dense finish of stewed berries, anise, and pepper

Summary:

It's incredible how youthful this Port tastes at 18 years of age!  The flavors are still rich and the core is dense.  I wish I had a case to stretch out over the next decade or more.

Actually, this was poured by PB of this blog with dessert after an Italian feast.  The dessert was panna cotta with fresh berries and the pairing was perfect.  If you have this wine, enjoy anytime over the next quarter of a century.  If you're looking to purchase this wine, the release price was $55 and a few internet prices show $60-80.  Raise a glass!

Velenosi Quattro Mani Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009 Wine Review (NW)

Tasting notes:

Simple cherry and herbs on the nose

Medium bodied on the palate

Plum and smoke notes on the finish

Summary:

This is a simple Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.  It has some basic fruit character but is not as good as many of the others.  These red wines from Italy are great values in general, so put your $10 toward a different one and you'll likely be pleased.  

"Windows on the World Complete Wine Course" by Kevin Zraly --Sponsored Book Review by (PB)

When I was asked if was willing to review this book I sighed a bit because my first thought with most new non-fiction works is, "C'mon it's been said and done a hundred times over already..." But.............I resigned myself to doing it and I'm glad I did.

This is a comprehensive wine "course" set out in 8 classes that are wonderfully illustrated, eminently practical and set up to make you a wine expert--depending on your retention of the information. The only thing it lacks is the years of tasting experience which can only be garnered over a long period of time and money. (smile)

From the beginning of explaining the phenomenon of taste it takes you through--do it yourself--exercises which will help you understand the different "tastes" and textures of wine. The appendix also includes wine paring suggestions that are actually helpful!

But here is where this book stands apart from all other books I have in my library: It incorporates the technology of the day utilizing your smartphone and Microsoft tag codes (think, QR-like codes) which you scan with your phone and it takes you to an appropriate video with the author teaching and showing right before your eyes.

At the end of the book there is an appendix which has a library of these codes which when scanned give the proper pronunciation of all kinds of foreign words. I was most excited about this feature and most disappointed when it didn't work on my iPhone. After trying to find out why, Microsoft discovered that "someone" didn't follow instructions properly and so while they work with Android and Samsung smart phones, iPhone does not support these particular codes. Note--the video work well with my iPhone; the vocabulary pronunciation does not.

I have numerous books on my shelf about wine and I have been studying wine for over 30 years yet this is a great addition to my resources. Now to get an updated version which supports the iPhone for ALL the tag codes!

This book is available on Amazon for $10 soft cover and less than $20 for hard! If you have a wine lover who is interested in more than just drinking, this is one book they really need!

Vistamar "Sepia" Pinot Noir Reserva 2010 wine review by (PB)

Cherry hue with unique aromas of tarry sweet spice with a touch of bubble gum and sweet fruit juice and a "bottle stink" that goes away with a half an hour of airtime!

Palate--Unique palate with big spicy almost burnt flavors which are endearing with a bitter mid palate and yet it all works to an integrated fruity Pinot core.

This Chilean varietal cost me $11 and its a keeper even if a little odd. So raise a glass to another Chilean winner!

Sommavite Brunello Di Montalcino 2006 wine review by (PB)

Light ruby hue with aromas of wild cherry from afar and all kinds of inseparable aromas of spicy herbs, cedar, licorice and more.

Palate-- tasty, hints of wild cherry fruit, bitter unsweetened chocolate mid palate, gentle tannins, rigid acidity and a finish that is a bit abbreviated yet pleasant while it lasts.

I am tasting this right out of the bottle and it is at cellar temperature so it needs to warm up a bit and it needs to air out. *I'll update this after a while.

Plan to serve it with carbonara with homemade linguine in my brand spanking new kitchen!

I paid $20 for this at Trader Joe's and had to grab a couple bottles just because a $20 Brunello is unheard of and the 2006 vintage was a great one on top of that. Right now, it isn't anything special but as I say that remember a Brunello of this year should start around $45 and go up from there. If it doesn't improve it's still a decent valuer so raise a glass!

*After warming up a bit and breathing this wine opened into a full profile wine. Nice!