SOGRAPE VINHOS CALLABRIGA DAO - 2006

13% alcohol. From Portugal. Blend of Tinto Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro Preto.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with aromas and flavors of blackberry, restrained vanilla oak, mulberries, black cherry, and tobacco-tea-leather finish.. Well-integrated tannins and alcohol. Big robust fruit with elegance and softness on the mouthfeel.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Very solid wine for $11. It won't wow you but a shining star in the price category. Portugal continues to be a go to region for stellar inexpensive wines.

DARTING DURKHEIMER MICHELSBURG RIESLING KABINETT - 2007

TASTING NOTES

Light gold color with aromas of citrus and fruit candy on the nose. Flavors of peach, apricot and citrus fruits are off-set by minerality and good acidity. Lots of residual sugar for a Kabinett. Some caramel on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

For $14 this is a great wine. Very balanced and delicious. If you like your Kabinetts tilted more toward the dry end this wine won't be for you. It definitely has a sweeter edge.

LEITZ RUDESHEIMER MAGDALENENKREUZ RIESLING SPATLESE - 2007

8% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Good golden color with peach, lime, and lots of tangyness and mid-level acidity and sweetness. Some petrol on the nose. Minerality on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87+ PTS

Solid effort and a definite crowd-pleaser. Very easy drinking. Retails for around $17 making this a bit of reach on the cost side. Comparable Rieslings can be found for less.