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!