VON HOVEL QBA ESTATE RIESLING - 2004

This Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Qualitatswein has an alcohol content of 8.5%. An entry level Germany Riesling that retails for around $12.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow-green color with citrus, apple and pear on the nose. Straight-forward, dry white with grapefruit, lemon and a touch of petroleum on tongue. Sour finish with zesty acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

Wine Spectator gave this wine an 89 point rating which is way too high in my book. This is a decent, average drinking Riesling with solid acidity and mouthfeel. However, there is no complexity and not enough enjoyment to merit such a high a score. For $12 a bottle, this is fair at best. A glass of this wine will have you craving a more satisfying expression from this dynamic varietal.

ROSENBLUM CELLARS ABBA VINEYARD SYRAH - 2004

It has been awhile between posts but it has been a busy week. Shortly after opening this bottle of Abba (cue Dancing Queen music) Vineyard Syrah, my wife went into labor. Good thing I didn't drink much of this big red and its whopping 16.5% alcohol or we'd never have made it to hospital. But I did taste enough of it to do notes and a full review.

More importantly, we had 6 lb and 4 oz baby girl named Grace!

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with rich cocoa and ripe blackberry and red berries on the nose. Over-the-top black currant jam, dusty chocolate, vanilla and black cherry cough syrup on the finish. The alcohol definitely is showing here with heat.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87+ PTS

This Lodi Syrah from California is immense and jammy but the alcohol is overpowering. There is just no need for 16.5% here. It is out of balance and robs this wine of its potential. Some delicious characteristics are spoiled by the heat. A fruit bomb galore, it might improve with some cellaring.

DOMAINE MICHEL BROCK "LE COTEAU" SANCERRE - 2005

This Loire Valley white wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. It has an alcohol content of 12.5% and was aged on its lees.

TASTING NOTES:

Light straw color with muted pear fruit on the nose. Citrus, melon and honey flavors with peach and apple on the mid-palate and finish. Slightly off-balance acidity and very dry.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

Down the middle dry white with pleasing flavors but not much to sniff here. Lacks intensity or excitement. A rather simple French white. Retails for around $15 - $20 making this an expensive table wine.

X WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2002

X Winery strives to create quality $10 - $25 bottles that rise above the competition in the price category. Bold and edgy, Amicus Cellars (Amicus & X Winery) was established from the foundation of an MBA business plan at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo that lowers production costs through technology so that wine prices can be lower too.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with blackberry and chocolate on the nose. Saturated black fruit, cherry, black current, tea and dusty cocoa are underscored with charred oak flavors. Fairly smooth with chewy tannins and some alcohol still showing through.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Solid California Cabernet with good balance and clean flavors. I was surprised to find some heat given the relatively low 13.9% alcohol (strange that anything under 14% today seems low), although it does fade nicely by the second day giving way to more oak. Retails for around $16 - $20 making this a nice wine for the money.

NOTRE DAME DE COUSIGNAC COTES DU RHONE HOMMAGE LEON POMMIER - 2003

This was my MLB All-Star wine last night, but unlike the National League it didn't come up short. This Grenache-Syrah blend from Southern Rhone was aged in oak barrels and has more kick to it than a benched Pujols in the 9th inning with the bases loaded.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red-purple color with ripe berries and licorice on the nose. Ripe red fruit, currants, smoke, licorice and spiced earth on the finish. Medium bodied with good structure and a delicate mouthfeel.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

This is an excellent bottle of Cotes Du Rhone for two reasons. First off, it doesn't taste like the typical black-pepper driven, heavy red from this region that I know so well. I'm not a fan of the black pepper mud mix. I prefer the fruit forward, ripe berry and delicate nature of this wine. It explodes a bit on the tongue with nice bright red fruit flavors, yet it is still rustic enough to be true to the region. And reason #2 to love this wine: It is only $10. 'Nuff said.

BUCCI PONGELLI ROSSO PICENO - 2004

Italian red made from 50% Montepulciano and 50% Sangiovese and grown on the San Fortunato Vineyard. 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark ruby red color. Extremely dry with aggressive tannins. Subtle vanilla and heavy oak cask, black currant, earthy loam and belt leather on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

This one didn't come together for me at all. A better food wine where it can hold up to the acidity of red sauces, but even that enjoyable on that front and clearly average to drink on its own.

SUNDAY MOUNTAIN SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2005

One look at the bright yellow label on this bottle and the first word that comes to mind is "cheap." A quick read of the "Sunday Mountain" name will make you think "cheap" yet again. And the price (about $8) says it all. It is cheap!

However, this 12.5% alcohol Marlborough, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc doesn't taste "cheap."

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow-water color with petroleum, bright lemon, citrus and grass aromas. Honey, lemon-lime, grapefruit, gooseberries, and a hint of apple dominate the palate. Crazy smooth with solid acidity on the finish and extremely well-integrated alcohol.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

Perhaps a little light in body and color but it over-delivers on the nose and palate. A really zesty, crisp, smooth lemon/lime delight. A perfect summer wine.