RIDGE PONZO VINEYARDS - 2002

It is hard to think of California Zinfandel without first thinking of Ridge Vineyards. Sure, they've been around for a long time, but I'm speaking more of consistent quality. Year after year, Ridge always has tremendous reds and rarely disappoints.

This red blend from the 2002 vintage is 96% Zinfandel, 2% Carignane, and 2% Petite Sirah with 14.4% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark ruby color with scents of sweet vanilla oak and bright red fruits. Flavors of tart cranberry, black currant, cherry jam, boysenberry with hints of tar, licorice and spice. Full bodied with good acidity and structure.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

A really solid, balanced bottle of wine that is rich and improves with food. Despite the high alcohol content, it is smooth and fruity. Affordable and delicious at around $20 a bottle.

ALONSO DEL YERRO - 2004

100% Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero appellation in Spain.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark inky color with a nose of coffee, vanilla, black fruit and oak. Flavors of cherry, oak, licorice and blackberry round out a smooth and ripe fruit palate with excellent structure. Thick and concentrated with lush tannins.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS

Wonderfully made Spanish red with rich flavors and a silky mouthfeel. Parker rated this one 94 points which is a bit aggressive and may push the price up. However, this is a great wine that you should be able to buy for around $21 - $25 a bottle and its well worth that investment.

ROSHAMBO SYRAH THE JUSTICE - 2002

Sonoma Syrah with 14% alcohol. This red comes from Dry Creek Valley. "Roshambo" is California-speak for the hand game rock-paper-scissors. One look at the label confirms this.

TASTING NOTES:

Deep purple-black color with luscious berries, flowers and red fruits on the nose. Rich black fruit, tart black currant, and a hint of dark chocolate. This tastes like a youthful Aussie Shiraz fruit bomb. Very over-the-top, saturated and vibrant juice.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87+ PTS

I'm not a big fan of Australian-like fruit bomb Shirazs, especially when they are made in California. I tend to prefer my California Syrahs to have more terrior and complexity. If you like this style, then you'll love this wine. It is easy to drink. You can guzzle this one but it tastes somewhat artificial to me. Retails for around $16 a bottle.

COUSINO-MACUL FINIS TERRAE - 2004

This Bordeaux blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot is an unfiltered gem from Chile with 14.2% alcohol. The Cousiño family's wine estate was established in 1856. The Latin term Finis Terrae means "the end of the earth."

TASTING NOTES:

Dark color with hints of chocolate and fennel on the nose. Bright sour cherry, oak, vanilla, licorice, plum, herbs and black currant. Rich wild berries and black fruit underscore this dense red with a nice backbone. Lots of French oak gives this red amazing complexity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS

Another impressive red blend from Chile. High quality and complexity yet easy on the wallet. I'm really enjoying the value coming out of Chile. In a year where 2005 Bordeaux is skyrocketing, it is great to find value elsewhere. Retails for around $15 - $18 a bottle.

JEAN LOUIS CHAVE MON COEUR COTES DU RHONE - 2004

This family owned estates is one of the oldest in northern Rhone. This red has 14% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with very faint hints of licorice and dark chocolate when first opened. This disappears immediately and is replaced by scents of herbs and white pepper. Flavors of crushed berries, plum and black pepper dominate the mid-palate and finish. On the second day the nose turns musty and sweaty and the black pepper notes overwhelm the fruit.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A generic red that is of quality. If you love pepper and herb styled Cotes Du Rhones, then you will find this one to your liking. There was not enough fruit here for me to love this one. I found it a bit one-note and overpriced even at $14 given other options available in this category.

ARIGIOLAS SELEGAS - 2005

Made from 100% Nuragus grapes. The S'elegas Nuragus di Cagliari was fermented in stainless steel and has an alcohol content of 13.5%. The origins of the Nuragus grape varietal are a bit of a mystery, but they are thought to be linked back to Sardinia.

TASTING NOTES:

Bright, clear yellow color with floral and lychee nose. Crisp, and fruity with flavors of pear, butterscotch, honey, and blood orange.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

This is a wonderful little wine for around $12 a bottle. It reminds me of a Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion blend. Slightly oily in its composure but lively, fragrant and fruity. A real find.

A TASTE OF THE WORLD - APRIL 12, 2007

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is holding a very special event on Thursday, April 12th. If you are in the New York City area, this looks to be a phenomenal wine and food extravaganza. Best of all, it is for charity. 90 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to Cystic Fibrosis research. It is being held at the Chelsea Market and will also feature an exciting wine and culinary auction.

Food stations include:

Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse, personally whipping up some "Bam"

Abbocotto - a terrific Italian restaurant that I personally frequent

Ada

Aleo

Asia de Cuba

China Grill

Davidburke & Donatella

Fresh

Ono

Parea

Suenos

Thalassa

Tocqueville

Urena

The VIP reception from 6:30P - 7:30P will be co-hosted by Mario Batali.

The Grand Tasting runs from 7:00P - 10:00P.

For more info and to purchase tickets call 212.986-8783 or click here.

ODEJELL ALIARA - 2001

A Bordeaux-like red from Chile with 13.5% alcohol. This unfiltered wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carignane and Cabernet Franc.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-black color with a decadent Bordeaux-like nose of oak cask, coffee, and sweet cherries. Flavors of mocha, licorice, oak, vanilla, minerals, toasted cedar and a cherry finish. Smooth, rich and luxurious.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS

Awesome wine with great complexity and a hint of sweetness. Chile is producing phenomenal Bordeaux blends. The Palo Alto Reserva is one of my favorite wines of last year. This is yet another example of the quality, value and excellence coming out of this country. Retails for around $20. Tremendous value for what is packed in this bottle. Chile is becoming a shockingly astounding producer of extraordinary red blends.

ZARDETTO PROSECCO BRUT

Non vintage Italian bubbly made from 100% Prosecco grapes with 11% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale gold color with a bready nose. Flavors of tart apples and pears. Very fizzy, with alcohol showing through on the nose and mid-palate. Dry, crisp, acidic, citrus finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

Not the best prosecco you can find. This is average at best. Much better with food but not as bright or harmonious on its own. Retails for around $12.

SUMMER'S ANDRIANA'S CUVEE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2004

Summers Andriana’s Cuvee is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes procured from three select vineyards in the northern Napa Valley, including Summers own Villa Andriana Vineyard. It is matured in 100% French oak, 50% of which is new. The wine has an alcohol content of 14.1%.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple color with a light mouthfeel. Super smooth, lush and plush. Huge vanilla aromas along with rich flavors of dark chocolate, mint, herb and vanilla. Very clean black cherry candy finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92+ PTS

Wow! This is a phenomenal wine for $18 a bottle. I'm blown away at how great this is drinking right now. It is so young and it is absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this one. I can only imagine how good this wine will be with a few years of cellaring.