FINCA NEUVA RIOJA BLANCO - 2009

100% Viura grapes, barrel fermented and aged 4 months in French Oak barrels.  13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Straw-gold color with floral lemon aromas.  Peaches, honey, minerals, and lots of citrus. Candied apple-pear on the finish with oak undertones. 

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS
A really unique and satisfying white from Spain. There is a deliciousness here. A long finish. Great balance and acidity. You can't ask for much more from a wine that costs $15 a bottle.

DUNHAM CELLARS TRUTINA - 2009

13.5% alcohol.  60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec.  From Columbia Valley, Washington State.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark fruit on display as blackberries, black currants, blackberry, licorice, plum and lots of oak are packed into a left hook. There's creamy cherry-vanilla notes and chocolate, big tannins and explosiveness with restraint and finesse.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91+PTS
This wine is raw, bold, naked and amusing so in a way it could be Lena Dunham wine. But all kidding aside, it is a terrific wine with "trutina" which means balance in Latin. For around $22 a bottle, this is superior stuff from one of my favorite wine regions on Earth.  Washington State delivers great quality at  a more affordable rate than a lot of California wineries.

CARPINETA FONTALPINO CHIANTI CLASSICO - 2009

14% alcohol.  Made from 90% Sangiovese.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with aromas of black fruit and charred oak. Black currant, plum, blackberries and hints of cherry/mocha on the mid-palate.  Relatively smooth with dusty tannins, leather and spices accenting a round finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS
Nothing that will thrill you, but this is a well made wine with a good price tag. It lists for around $20 but you can find it on sale for around $17.  Not sure this will really improve with aging. Quality fruit, approachable now, but leaves you wanting more excitement because all the right ingredients are there but it just doesn't completely come together.