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.

ENGELBRECHT ELS - 2004

South African Ernie Els Proprietor's red blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Shiraz, 12% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. 14.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Deep, dark color with black cherry, blackberry and blue fruit on the nose. Very fine tannins. Wonderful blackberry, cassis, black currant, black cherry, wild berries dance on the palate. Hints of smokey bacon, licorice and gorgeous fresh plum on tip of the tongue. Some nice oak on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS

A very well rounded wine that retails for around $28 a bottle. The higher end Engelbrecht traditionally brings a bit more lushness, depth and complexity, but this is a stellar offering for significantly less money. An impressive wine.

E. GUIGAL COTE-ROTIE BRUNE ET BLONDE - 2001

Northern Rhone Syrah with 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-red color with huge black and white pepper notes on the nose. As the wine opens, aromas of leather and sweet tart candy emerge. Soft, silky and elegant with black currant, cherry, and earthy minerality.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Very pleasant to drink. Shows a lot more character as it opens up. Could benefit from cellaring, but not sure the complexity is going to evolve enough to justify the $45 a bottle price tag. Much too expensive to recommend given what this delivers.

KISTLER LES NOISETIERS CHARDONNAY - 2006

14.1% alcohol, unfiltered and barrel-fermented, and made by using traditional French techniques. Aged in 50% new French oak.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with aromas and flavors of oak, butter, apple and mineral. Hints of citrus. Very crisp and clean. Well-made but lacking complexity. Fruit is muted by the oak.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

This is not the Kistler Chardonnay that people rave about. This bottle is so over-oaked drowning that it drowns out the fruit. Very clean and crisp mouthfeel but the buttered oak just derails this effort. A huge pass for this wine that retails for a very expensive $50 - $60 a bottle.

DOMAINE DES BAUMARD COTEAUX DU LAYON Clos Ste. Catherine - 2001

Loire white made from Chenin Blanc with 12% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden color with apricots, petroleum, and citrus on the nose. Pear and apple with hints of pineapple, honey, citrus, and tortilla chips. Sweet and lush with a long endless finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

Retails for around $30 for a 750 ML so it is not inexpensive. However, comparable quality from a Sauternes or Ice Wine would cost this much or more in 375ML size. Very enjoyable and great with cheeses as well a desserts or on its own at the end of a meal.