CHALONE VINEYARD SYRAH - 2002

Central Coast Syrah with 14.2% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple-red color with aromas and flavors of stewed prunes, raisins, black cherries, and currants. Silky smooth with nice acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

This wine feels like it is past its prime and on the decline. The fruit is no longer vibrant although it still has a pleasant profile. Drink up if you still have this one in your cellar.

CHATEAU HENYE TOKAJI ASZU 3 PUTTONYOS - 2000

14% alcohol and 500 ML bottle.

TASTING NOTES:

Light vibrant gold color with aromas and flavors of honey, apricots, petrol, charred oak, golden raisins and Toblerone caramel. Mid-level sweetness and acidity. Decent structure and finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

Light and clean without being overly sweet. Not as rich or enjoyable as the 5 or 6 Puttonyos but a solid offering for $20 a bottle.

ROBERT FOLEY VINEYARDS CHARBONO - 2005

Bob Foley is a legend in Napa making wine there since 1977. Charbono is one of my favorite varietals. It is distinctively grapey with deep colors and flavors. This wine has 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-black color. Aromas of green pepper, asparagus, oak, vanilla, dark ripe cherries and sweet tobacco leaf. As the wine begins to breathe aromas and flavors emerge of blue and black fruit, cherry cola, mint, pine, and hints of dusty dark chocolate. The finish is austere with high acidity, green pepper and tart cherries. Complex and complicated.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

93 PTS

As the wine opens up it really gains momentum and balance. I adore this varietal and Bob Foley is a master producing it. Retails for around $35 a bottle so it doesn't come cheap, but there is great artistry in the glass.

CHATEAU BOURGNEUF POMEROL - 2001

Red Bordeaux with 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Deep red color with seductive smokey, toasty oak and blackberry on the nose. Gobs of blackcurrant, licorice and smoked meat. Full-bodied, rich and alluring with hints of dark red fruits underneath.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

Delicious! This is what I love about Bordeaux and what has me more excited about the Right Bank. Where else can you get those sexy smokey aromas? Purchased for around $25 - $30 and worth every penny.

TAMAYA CARMENERE RESERVE - 2006

From Limari Valley, Chile with 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple-red color with aromas of black currant, blackberry and charred oak. Flavors of blackberry, black currant, gobs of black licorice, BBQ-oak, and hints of cherry kirsch underneath.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

If you love that smokey charred oak that is the signature of red wines from Chile, then you'll appreciate this wine. A full red that is smooth on the mid-palate but shows a bit of tartness and tannin on the back end. Retails for around $13.

HESS LAKE COUNTY SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2007

This is the second vintage of this single appellation wine. It is a blend of Clone 1 and Musque clone. Some lots were fermented in stainless steel tanks while others were fermented in neutral oak barrels to give it a bit of weight. 100% Sauvignon Blanc and 14.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

The color of watered-down apple juice. Aromas and flavors of grapefruit, gooseberry, grass and citrus. Hints of melon on the palate with sharp acidity on the short finish. Simple with a good mouthfeel but still showing some heat.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Not a bad effort, especially for an $11 bottle. If your expectations are tempered, this wine makes an adequate aperitif or casual food pairing. I continue to find myself struggling with California Sauvignon Blancs in this price range because New Zealand does it so much better. The gauntlet has been thrown down and California needs to up its game in the $10 - $20 price category. It is becoming easier and easier to ignore the California Sauvignon Blanc aisle entirely in the wine store with the superior price and quality coming out of New Zealand.

CASALE DEL GIGLIO PETIT VERDOT LAZIO IGT - 2005

Italian Petit Verdot with 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple color with intense grape jelly, grape bubblegum and blueberry pie on the nose. There are some initial bitter tannins that eventually soften as the wine opens up and a sour finish that also dissipates on the second day. Black currant and black fruit dominate the palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A nice variation from drinking Cabernet, Merlot or Syrah varietals. Traditionally a blending grape, Petite Verdot still shows nicely as a focal point. Retails for around $17 making it somewhat expensive for the excitement and expressiveness it delivers.

FATTORIA DEL CERRO VINO NOBILE ANTICA CHIUSINA - 2001

Made from 80% Prugnolo Gentile (a clone of Sangiovese) and 20% Canaiolo Nero/Mammolo blend. Tuscany, Italy, Montepulciano, 14.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark ruby color with a complex nose of leather, shoe polish, horse manure, vanilla and cinnamon. Flavors of black currant, licorice, light oak, hints of pepper. Mouth-puckering tannins and full-bodied.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

Great aromatics with alluring evolution in the glass. Somewhat straight-forward on the palate. Nice flavor profile and a very well-made wine, but retails somewhere around $60 a bottle so it is not a very good QPR. In this price range, you can find wines with much more of a "wow" factor.

WOODEN NICKEL PETITE SIRAH - 2003

Napa Valley Petite Sirah with 15.3% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Black cherry red color with aromas of charred oak, black fruit, chocolate, and barnyard. Medium to full bodied with huge black currant and licorice flavors, blackberry, thyme on the mid-palate and black cherry oak on the finish. Smooth and soft.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

A very solid offering but expensive at $30 a bottle. A bit simple and straightforward on the palate but enjoyable.

RED HEADS WINE STUDIO YARD DOG RED - 2005

An Australian blend of 46% Petit Verdot, 30% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon. 15% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-red color with blueberry jam, wild berries and goji berries on the nose. Ripe, silky and smooth with flavors of black currant, cranberries, vanilla and oak. Black cherry candy and plum notes dominate the extensive finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

For $10 a bottle, this is a homerun! Great vibrant fruit. There's a slight tartness underneath that is enjoyable although it disappears as the wine opens up. Over-delivers for its price.