BARREL 27 HIGH ON THE HOG - 2006

This white meritage from Paso Roble's French Camp Vineyard on the Central Coast is made from 42% Viognier, 34% Roussanne, and 24% Marsanne with 15.1% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark gold brick color with a delightful nose of lemon rind, honey, honeysuckle flowers, and rocks from a waterfall. Lots of citrus, petrol, honey and flowers on the palate. Exotic old attic or hope chest aromas and flavors that I struggle to describe but they are absolutely delicious and harmonious. Oily like a Semillon with good weight, acidity and wonderful finesse.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

This classic Rhone blend is exceptional. It tips the scale on the alcohol content which shows through early on, but it makes up for it with rich, layered, complex fruit. I love this wine and it is a tremendous bargain at $16 a bottle. Great fragrance with a hint of sweetness. Huge recommendation. Find this wine!

BALLAST STONE CHARDONNAY - 2005

From Currency Creek, South Australia with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale water-yellow color with aromas and flavors of oak, butter and melon. Extremely long 60 second finish of Tootsie Rolls and caramel. Smooth and simple.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

I bought this bottle on clearance for $2.99 although it retails for around $9. I used it for cooking but it was a pleasant surprise. Solid and serviceable especially for the discount price.

E. GUIGAL CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE - 2003

80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre.

TASTING NOTES:

Light red transparent color with lots of barnyard and leather on the nose. Dry tannins, especially on the finish, with cherry, black pepper, and earthy, musty funk.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Not very dynamic or exciting. The more the wine opens up the better it gets but it doesn't really evolve enough to sustain interest. There are other options from Southern Rhone that are more appealing. Retails for around $40 a bottle.

HALIYA MANGO LIGHT FRUIT WINE & HALIYA BLACK PLUM LIGHT FRUIT WINE

Haliya wines are named after the Goddess of the moon and Protector of women in Philippine mythology. It is believed that everytime the beastly serpent of the night takes a woman’s form and wreaks havoc upon countless villages, it is the Goddess Haliya who comes to their rescue.

The wines are made in the tropical islands of the Philippines. The fruit is picked by hand and aged before release.

TASTING NOTES:

The Mango wine has a pale gold color with a unique nose of stale cigarette smoke and citrus. On the palate, it is light, smooth yet a good amount of viscosity. Flavors of citrus and mellow mango are followed up by a sweet-sour finish of honey. The wine has an alcohol content of 13%.

The 100% Black Plum wine has an burnt sienna/amber color with aromas and flavors of cabbage and fermented vegetables and berries. The wine has an alcohol content of 12%.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

75 PTS - Mango Wine

65 PTS - Black Plum Wine

I wanted to love these wines. I was excited to sample wines from the Philippines. The Mango wine is clearly the better offering, but it is missing the wonderful flavor of mango. It is as if the mango flavor is completely subdued and overshadowed by generic citrus. The cigarette smoke on the nose is intriguing and perhaps the standout feature of the wine. I love vegetal wines but I fear that the Black Plum wine would be too much for even the greatest lovers of Cabernet Franc. There is serious fermented vegetables on both the nose and palate so much so that it comes off as unpleasant.

Stylistically, both wines are very different than fruit wines you'd taste from anywhere else in the world. For a new experience alone you might want to seek these out, but at $14.99 a bottle they are expensive novelties.

Both wines can be purchased at www.finewinehouse.com or at Seafood City Supermarket branches throughout California. You can also obtain more info at haliyawines.com.

WEINGART BOPPARDER HAMM OHLENBERG RIESLIING SPATLESE - 2004

Spatlese Riesling from Germany with 8% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with petrol and citrus on the nose. Lots of minerality on the mid-palate is accompanied by flavors of Asian pear, apple core, and green grapes. Ripe, sweet and juicy with green grapes, a hint of tartness and honey on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

Enjoyable Riesling that pairs well with citrus infused dishes. I paired this with a lime-cilantro based cold avocado soup and lemon drenched tabouli and it worked really well. Retails around $18 a bottle delivering decent value for the price.

KOFERERHOF WEINGUT KERNER - 2005

Kerner is a grape varietal believed to be derived from Gewurztraminer. From Italy, it has 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale straw color with a nose full of apples. Dry with lots of acidity yet there's a hint of sweetness lurking. Plenty of charred oak upfront with a mid-palate of Juicy Fruit chewing gum, peaches and tropical fruits. There's a ton of citrus on the finish which begins somewhat tart before transitioning to honey and apple. The tremendous finish goes on for at least 60 seconds.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

This is a fascinating wine. The finish is extraordinary. Tastes like a blend of Gewurztraminer and Riesling. I really like this wine but at $26 it is difficult to recommend. If you want a new varietal experience, this one might be worth your while.

DOMAINE DES TERRES FALMET CINSAULT - 2006

Vin de Pays d'Oc from Southern France (Languedoc) with 13.5% alcohol. 100% Cinsault.

TASTING NOTES:

Light red color with muted red berries on the nose. Very light-bodied, smooth and thin with hints of strawberry and not much else. There's a bit of earthiness but not much else is coming through.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

80 PTS

Not unpleasant, but a completely "blah" wine. Non-existent fruit. A quiet, shy wine that hides in the corner and has nothing to say. Retails around $12. Two emphatic thumbs down.

JAUME MESQUIDA CALLET MALLORCA - 2005

In the heart of the Mediterranean Sea is the island of Mallorca. This wine is made mainly from Callet grapes and has been aged six months in french oak. Product of Spain with 14% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple like Prince in color with bright vibrant fruit. Creamy vanilla and milk on the nose with with vanilla-oak, cherries and black currant on the palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Easy-drinking but overly simplistic. Retails for around $15 - $18 which makes this wine a major pass. The only reason to try this wine is to experience the indigenous Callet varietal which is not easy to find. Callet is probably better suited for blending, but it was a fun wine to try for the first time.

LAYER CAKE "PRIMITIVO" ZINFANDEL - 2006

Made from 100% Primitivo with 13.5% alcohol. From Puglia, Italy.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple in color with black fruit, cherries and whipped cream on the nose. Extremely creamy and ripe fruit with spice and a bit of tartness on the finish. An excellent food wine.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS
I think a lot of California Cabernet lovers who like lots of creamy oak will probably dig this wine. It is relatively straight-forward and pretty tasty but doesn't have a lot going on. It leans a bit toward the fake fruit but not a way that is off-putting. Retails for around $15 a bottle which probably makes it a pass.