WINECENTRIC

BOTANI SIERRAS DE MALAGA MOSCATEL SECO - 2009

2012-01-26T16:40:00.000-05:00

100% Moscatel de Alejandria. 13.5% alcohol. Made in Spain. A collaborative effort of Jorge Ordonez, his family and the Kracher family from Austria.

TASTING NOTES:

Fresh and crisp like an ocean breeze. Pale yellow-green color with wonderful flavors and aromas of tropical fruits and flowers. Deceptively dry, as it gives the illusion that it is a white with residual sugar. Hints of orange, spice and minerality linger beneath the surface.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92+ PTS
I've been wanting to review this wine for awhile. I buy a bottle. I savor it and never really write down any tasting notes. I'll review it when I open the next bottle I say to myself. And so the pattern repeats itself. This is one of my favorite white wines of the year. Smooth, refreshing and pairs wonderfully with so many foods. Fruity and delicious for only $15.

PODERE BRIZIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO - 2006

2012-01-15T01:00:00.000-05:00

14.5% alcohol. 100% Sangiovese.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with rich mocha, blackberry, toasted oak, black cherry and spice. Ripe plum on the mid-palate and finish. Smooth yet bold and structured.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS
This earthy, terrior-driven red was rated 95 PTS from WE and 94 from WS. While it is definitely a fine red with some elegance, complexity and richness, it does not have the "wow" factor to justify a higher score. Retails for around $50 a bottle making it an expensive offering and tough to recommend.

DUORUM TONS DOURO RED - 2009

2012-01-14T11:26:00.001-05:00

50% Touriga Franca, 30% Touriga Nacional, 20% Tinta Roriz. 13% alcohol

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with aromas and flavors of blackberry, black currants, plum and cherry. Mocha notes on the mid-palate give way to grainy tannins a fairly smooth finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS
For $12, this is a great Douro. Clean smooth flavors with some depth. Balanced and very approachable. Great value.

CHURCHILL'S 10 YEARS OLD TAWNY PORT (NV)

2011-12-05T20:48:00.001-05:00

Founded in 1981 by John Graham and his wife Caroline Churchill, this port has 19% alcohol and is from Portugal.

TASTING NOTES:

Amber-red color with pure aromas and flavors of fig, raisin, prune and roasted hazelnuts. So exceptionally smooth and sweet, the quality masks the presence of high alcohol. Rich, slick, long and luxurious. Caramel and candy goodness on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

95 PTS
I'm a sucker for Tawny Port and this is about as good as it gets. What is incredibly impressive about this wine is the elegance despite its high alcohol content. It is tremendously balanced and amazingly delicious, seductive and alluring. This kind of quality should cost you a pretty penny but for $33 a bottle (500 ML), it is one of the steals of the year. I drank this on Thanksgiving with dessert and it makes all every sweet shine. One of the best dessert wine options out there. If your are looking to impress friends and family for the holidays, this is your best chance.

RUFFINO MODUS - 2007

2011-11-23T16:08:00.001-05:00

Made from 50% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot. 13.5% alcohol

TASTING NOTES:

Vibrant red color with dynamic cherry oak and black fruit on the nose. Great structure with flavors of blueberry, mocha, tobacco, mint, plum, licorice, and loads of toasty oak. Subtle yet powerful with a soft and silky mouthfeel and a substantial finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

93 PTS
This Wine Spectator Top 100 wine received a dazzling 96 point score last year. While it is certainly a tremendous effort, that score seems to be stretched too high. The most amazing this about this wine is that the quality comes at a bargain retailing for only $25 a bottle. A complex effort and one of the best QPRs out there.

HERDING CATS CHENIN BLANC / CHARDONNAY -

2011-11-21T15:53:00.001-05:00

South African blend available in both bottle (750 ML) and Octavin Home Wine Bar (3L). 13.5% alcohol and made from 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Chardonnay.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with aromas and flavors of citrus, green apple and quince. Crisp and clean with underlying minerality and acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

83 PTS
Simple white blend that lacks any really depth of fruit. Serviceable but falls short of pleasant and enjoyable. Retails for $24 for a 3L Premium Wine Cask and $8 a bottle making it tough to recommend given that there are superior alternatives in the marketplace. For instance you can buy Pine Ridge's Chenin Blanc Viognier for around $9 - $12 and it is a terrific QPR wine.

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY CRIMSON & CLOVER - 2009

2011-11-12T18:27:00.001-05:00

This is the first release of the Crimson & Clover wine, a blend of 50% Petite Sirah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 10% Zinfandel. The wine is from the Livermore Valley and aged in French and American oak barrels for 18 months.

The wine was made by John Concannon as a tribute to his father, Jim Concannon, the father of America's First Petite Sirah who celebrated his 80th birthday back in July. 13.7% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Rich red color with aromas of black currant, baking spices, and berries. On the palate, there's blackberry, leather, tobacco, plum, cocoa, and black cherry candy on the finish. Chewy, almost dusty tannin gives way to some nice acidity backed by vanilla oak.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91+ PTS
This is a special wine that is well-crafted and delicious. From the first taste, you might think this is a California Meritage with bottle age. It has class both in and outside of the bottle (just look at the gorgeous glass and label). The wine retails for an affordable $15 which is surprising for this kind of quality. Put this wine somewhere on the 2011 Wine Spectator Top 100 list. This wine rocks!

MICHEL TORINO MALBEC ROSE - 2011

2011-11-11T18:16:00.000-05:00

Minimal oak influence, short contact of the juice with the skins, 100% Malbec from the Cafayete Valley, Argentina.

TASTING NOTES:

Fruit punch pink color with aromas and flavors of roses, cherries, herbs, strawberries and raspberries. Light, clean and smooth with cherry cough syrup notes at its core followed up by minerality.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS
A simple, easy drinking Rose that pleases enough but still leaves one yearning for more definitive fruit. Retails for $13 a bottle making it a questionable buy.

SANTI MOSCATO MONTEDORO - 2010

2011-11-08T18:06:00.001-05:00

This wine is produced from parcels cultivated in the Trentino region in Italy from 100% Moscato grapes. A portion of the grapes are left to overripen naturally on the vine to increase sugar content.

TASTING NOTES:

Rapunzel golden straw colored with aromas of tropical fruits and lychee notes. On the palate there's gobs of sugary Juicy Fruit & Bazooka Joe bubble gum upfront with melon and peach on the follow through. Sweet and balanced.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

A really solid, easy drinking dessert wine. Not overly sweet and with enough viscosity to make it a good sipping wine as well. A steal for $12 a bottle. Great bang for the buck.

TRAPICHE BROQUEL BONARDA - 2009

2011-11-08T17:40:00.000-05:00

Broquel means "sheild" and is part of Trapiche's premium Mendoza, Argentina wine brand. The wine is made from 100% Bonarda grapes from the Santa Rosa Vineyard which lies at about 3000 feet in elevation in the foothills of the Andes. Thought to originate in Piedmont, Italy, the Bonarda grape thrives in Argentina.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple-red color with aromas and flavors of grape jam, blackberry, blueberry and cherry. Rich and full-bodied this wine has some serious tannin structure. Sharp acidity and good length with oak, plum and earthy terrior underneath.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

A robust red but one that doesn't completely come together. Retails for $15 a bottle. Tough varietal sell in marketplace where I think there's better QPR in low to mid-level Malbecs.

GROONER GRUNER VELTLINER - 2010

2011-10-29T17:14:00.000-04:00

100% Gruner Veltliner from Austria

TASTING NOTES:

Clear greenish hue with aromas and flavors of crisp, green apple, citrus and minerality. Racy acidity with tartness on the mid-palate and finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS
Straight-forward GV with clean, dry, yet mouth-watering appeal. Has good weight to it and retails for $13 a bottle. A good, affordable intro to the varietal if you've never tried it before.

BOMB OREGON PINOT NOIR - 2009

2011-10-22T17:25:00.001-04:00

Bomb Wines is a new wine brand from Jim Carney and Susan Weeden. Jim, a NYC resident, fell in love with Oregon Pinot Noir during the 80's when he was attending the University of Oregon. Susan, from Montclair, NJ shared a similar passion for the delicate, dynamic and sometimes elusive Pinot grape. Together they have launched a 500 case batch of Bomb Pinot Noir with the help of winemaker Tony Rynders (Domaine Serene, Hogue).

The wine is composed of 100% hand picked and hand sorted Pinot Noir which spent 14 months in French oak barrels of which 60% were new. 14.3% alcohol. Willamette Valley.

TASTING NOTES:

Transparent cherry red color with aromas of strawberry, raspberry, creamy oak and spice. Upfront there's delicate, juicy red berries and hints of ripe tomato before giving way to a mid-palate loaded with creamy-milky-toasty oak. Black cherry candy and oak dominates the finish. Extremely soft and smooth with some zippy acidity on the back end.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90+ PTS

With a name like BOMB, you'd expect this wine to follow the recent California trend of highly saturated fruit bomb Pinots that are so dark and rich you can't see your fingers through the glass. Quite the contrary, this wine embraces the Yin of Pinot, highlighting the silky, soft and immersive traits the grape can express rather than those of brute force. This easy drinking red has tremendous, predominant amounts of toasty creaminess on both the nose and palate which is one of its strongest and most alluring points. An impressive inaugural effort. The 2009 Bomb Pinot Noir retails for $50 a bottle. Bomb Wines will also release a 2010 Washington Cabernet Sauvignon in the near future.

BERINGER PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY - 2008

2011-10-19T20:53:00.001-04:00

100% Chardonnay. French oak. Malolactic fermentation. 14.9% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Shining amber-gold color. Tremendous apple-pear-pineapple, orange blossom honey, smoke and creme brulee. Vibrant citrus underscored with minerality. Powerful with great depth, balanced acidity and length. Loads of creamy nutty oak and sweet butterscotch-caramel on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

93 PTS

This is a fantastic Chardonnay that retails for around $30. This wine can hang with the upper echelon Chardonnay bottles that cost twice as much. A complete steal. This is an awesome wine. If I had any criticism, it would be that the alcohol, although integrated pretty well, is a tad too high at 14.9%.

STAG'S LEAP WINE CELLARS KARIA CHARDONNAY - 2008

2011-10-12T15:53:00.004-04:00

From Napa, California.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden color with a apple, pear and lemon upfront. The mid-palate is full of sultry coconut and spiced oak with caramel and butter on the finish. Smooth with crisp acidity. Balanced, juicy with autumn-like comforting aromas.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS
A great California Chardonnay that doesn't drift into being over-oaked or overpowering. Still sharp enough to pair well with food, yet dynamic enough to stand on its own. Retails for $32 delivering $50 Chardonnay quality for much less.

MERRY EDWARDS RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2007

2011-10-03T12:47:00.004-04:00

Having tasted the 2008 and 2009 vintages, I eagerly anticipated opening the historic 2007. This is the Sauvignon Blanc that made the Wine Spectator Top 10 list and received a staggering 96 point rating.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden color with loads of lemon and orange citrus, melon, peach, pear and pure vanilla extract. Great acidity rounds out the mellow oak. Viscosity, depth and herbal notes with floral aromas.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

94 PTS
There's something almost Burgundian about this effort. Maybe it is the time spent in the bottle that has integrated the oak and muted some of the vibrant flavors. It is definitely an exceptional bottle. The 2008 and 2009 vintages are similar but not quite as rich as this offering. Recent vintages retail for around $30 and are worth every penny.

THE SUPERNATURAL SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2009

2011-09-05T17:56:00.003-04:00

13.5% alcohol. 100% Estate grown Hawkes Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden yellow color with highly aromatic honeysuckle, pineapple and passion fruit. Citrus, minerality and crisp upfront with notes of petrol, sweet lychee and honey on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

Pretty sensational Sauvignon Blanc. Can't think of any SB I've had with the exception of the Merry Edwards that is so vibrant and dynamic. Has a Sauternes-esque aspect to the wine and sets itself apart from the traditional New Zealand SB. Beer bottle crown cap closure in a clear bottle makes for a sleek, casual look, but there's serious juice inside.

CLOS RENE POMEROL - 2005

2011-08-30T18:51:00.003-04:00

13.5% alcohol on this classic Merlot based Bordeaux red.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with great smoke, pencil lead, mocha, and rich dark fruit on the nose. On the palate, loads up black currant, blackberry, coffee, tobacco and bold plum on the finish. Chewy, saturated and rustic.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91 PTS

I love this wine. An authentic Pomerol with a bit of Pauillac pencil on the nose. Retails for around $35 making this a stellar buy. This kind of quality and length from a great vintage makes this an affordable Bordeaux.

MANDOLIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON CENTRAL COAST - 2009

2011-08-28T18:45:00.000-04:00

100% California Cabernet Sauvignon with 14% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Aromas and flavors of black currant, cherry, vanilla and oak. Medium bodied with good mouthfeel.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATIONS:

84 PTS

Pretty straight ahead Cab for $12 a bottle. Not enough depth or character to push this above an easy drinking entry level Cabernet but significantly better than competitor Cabs that retail for a few dollars less.

MANDOLIN SYRAH CENTRAL COAST -2009

2011-08-05T14:50:00.002-04:00

100% Syrah with malo-lactic fermentation in French oak barrels (20% new). Aged 14 months prior to bottling.

TASTING NOTES:

Medium-red color with aromas and flavors of blue and black fruits. Vanilla oak on the finish. Some tart cherry, acidity and spice.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

On the nose fruit-driven Syrah. Medium-bodied with a better initial attack than mid-palate or finish. For $10, this is a solid offering.

IRIS VINEYARDS OREGON PINOT GRIS - 2008

2011-07-30T17:30:00.002-04:00

13.5% alcohol. Twist-off closure.

TASTING NOTES:

Light gold color with floral aromas and flavors of mango, citrus, white peach and pear. Crisp acidity, refreshing. Good length with tropical notes and minerality. Very clean finish with tartrate crystals in the glass. A small bit of frizzante on early pours.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

This is exceptional Pinot Gris. I wish this wine had longer finish but overall it is a winner. Great mouthfeel, balance and zest.

ALVEAR PEDRO XIMENEZ SOLERA - 1927

2011-07-27T05:25:00.000-04:00

I'm finally back from traveling and vacation so it time to write about wine. I've had some fantastic wine experiences and hopefully will write about some of them down the road.

I recently retasted a great wine that I thought was worth boasting about again. About 4 years have flown by since I last reviewed this wine and it still holds up. This incredible solera is made with portions of previous vintages dating back to 1927 and it remains my favorite Spanish dessert wine.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark amber color with maple syrup and fig on the nose. Flavors of liquefied Fig Newtons, Hermit raisin and spice cookies, and vanilla are still present in this ever evolving release. However, either my memory tricking me or it has changed a bit. I'm missing the bold, roasted hazelnuts that were my favorite aspect of this wine. They are still there but not nearly as robust.

The finish is still long and keeps going begging for sweet pairings.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

94 PTS
You can sip it alone but it is so much better with dessert, especially chocolate. The price has gone up since way back when it used to be about $15. Now it the 375ML runs around $20, but I'm not complaining.

PETER LEHMANN LAYERS RED BAROSSA - 2009

2011-06-06T16:12:00.005-04:00

14.5% alcohol. A blend of 41% Shiraz, 20% Mourvedre, 19% Tempranillo, 17% Grenache and 3% Carignane.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark cherry red color with fresh red berries and currants on the nose. Flavors of dark plum, black currant, cocoa and wild brush and spice.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A Southern Rhone GSM made in an Aussie styling. The alcohol is perhaps too high and seems to get in front of the wine, especially on the finish, but overall there is some nice fruit and tannin. Retails for around $17.

GLEN ELLEN PROPRIETOR'S RESERVE PINOT GRIGIO - 2010

2011-05-31T18:05:00.004-04:00

Cold fermented in stainless steel tanks. 12% alcohol. 100% California Pinot Grigio.

TASTING NOTES:

Light gold color with aromas and flavors of citrus, apple and melon. Some honey on the mid-palate and tart acidity on the finish.

SCORE AND RECOMMENDATION:

84 PTS

If you are looking for a clean, easy drinking Pinot Grigio for summer meals, this is a decent offering in large format. At $9.99 for a 1.5ML this will definitely service the masses, but it won't bring a ton of complexity to the backyard BBQ.

JOH JOS PRUM WEHLENER SONNENUHR AUSLESE - 2006

2011-05-19T05:36:00.001-04:00

100% Riesling from Germany.

TASTING NOTES:

Smoky peach and citrus minerality. Smells like gasoline and tastes like Vasoline...and that's a good thing! Silky smooth, tangy, rich with sweet balance and acidity. Floral and lemon accents.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

94 PTS

If you like sweet Rieslings, this is top-notch. Wonderfully integrated sugar. Never cloying or over-the-top. A terrific layered wine that retails for around $38.

TOHU SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2009

2011-05-08T20:05:00.002-04:00

13% alcohol. From Marlborough, New Zealand

TASTING NOTES:

Classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas and flavors. Grapefruit, citrus, melon, gooseberries galore, lemon, steely minerality, fresh cut herbs. Zesty acidity and wonderful restraint and balance on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

Bright, fresh, zesty. This is terrific SB that you can find for as low as $10 - a great find.

TRAPICHE ICONS MALBEC VINA ADOLFO AHUMADA - 2007

2011-04-18T11:39:00.000-04:00

100% Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. Aged in new French oak for 18 months.

TASTING NOTES:

Vibrant purple color with ripe plum, black cherry, mocha, spice, pepper, incense and black currant. Pure, concentrated, structured, balanced and rich. Some tart acidity on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

91+ PTS

High end Malbec that delivers on its promise of quality. Complex with sweet tannins and fresh fruit. One of the great Malbecs in the marketplace. Retails for $55.

MICHEL TORINO MALBEC DON DAVID - 2008

2011-04-17T01:26:00.000-04:00

100% Malbec from Cafayate Valley, Argentina.

TASTING NOTES:

Deep red color with aromas and flavors of plum, grape jam, raisin and tobacco leaf. Spicy and balanced with black currant and vanilla on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Solid expression of the grape and region. Good depth of flavor, length and character. Retails for around $16.

CUMA MALBEC - 2010

2011-04-16T11:19:00.002-04:00

100% Organic Malbec.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-red color with a grape jam nose. Plum, dates, charred oak, herbs and vanilla on the palate. Soft with a some sharp alcohol on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

Nothing too special here but a solid Malbec for $13. If organic is important to you, this is a decent offering.

TRAPICHE OAK CASK MALBEC - 2008

2011-04-08T05:21:00.000-04:00

100% Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark, vibrant red color with big and bold blackberry flavors and aromas. Very nice oak and vanilla accents a deep black currant finish. Lush yet powerful.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

For $10 a bottle, this is a great little wine that packs a punch. Great entry level wine for those who enjoy this varietal or are looking to sample it for the first time.

TRAPICHE BROQUEL MALBEC - 2008

2011-04-07T22:47:00.003-04:00

Argentina Malbec is growing fast in popularity. My next series of reviews are going to focus primarily on this grape as we embrace Malbec Madness as Spring arrives.

100% Malbec from Mendoza.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple red color. Medium bodied. Wild berries on the nose with creamy vanilla, black fruit and jam on the palate. Soft tannins, rich with mocha notes.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Great mid-priced Malbec. Retails for around $15. Good flavor profile, fruit and balance.

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY CHARDONNAY - 2009

2011-03-25T16:41:00.002-04:00

100% Chardonnay from Livermore Valley. Aged in French and American oak. 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light gold color with tropical fruit on the nose. Apple, pear, peach and citrus give way to creamy oak. Clean, crisp and smooth.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

Good structure and mouthfeel. Not quite as stellar as the 2008, but still a valiant effort. An easy drinking Chardonnay that stands up to food but is good enough to enjoy on its own. Retails for around $15 a bottle.

MAN O' WAR PINOT GRIS - 2008

2011-03-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

From Ponui Island, New Zealand. 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden color with apricots and lemon-lime zest on the nose. Apples, pears, and peaches on the palate. Hint of sugar on the finish. Rich with fine acidity. Very fragrant.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

I still can't figure out why NZ Pinot Gris isn't more popular. Maybe because people haven't tasted wines like this one. How great is this wine? It is a tremendous food wine, offers wonderful aromatics, complex flavors, solid acidity, smooth with structure and body. What else do you want from a white wine? A good affordable price for quality? How about $16.

YEALANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2009

2011-03-16T21:28:00.004-04:00

Carbon Zero Certified Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand with 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Delivers on-point aromas of grapefruit and gooseberry. Apple, citrus on the mid-palate with caramel-honey and petrol finish. Sharp acidity, balanced.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89 PTS

Under $10, quality New Zealand SB. Yealands is a wonderful producer. They make a great Pinot Noir as well. I'm impressed. This is a huge value wine. #Winning!

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY PETITE SIRAH - 2008

2011-03-04T11:04:00.007-05:00

13.5% alcohol. 100% Petite Sirah from Livermore Valley, California.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-red color. Creamy blackberry and blueberry on the nose. Ultra smooth and soft with black currant, plum and creamy oak on the palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Some really nice flavors and aromas but a tad too light in weight to really satisfy the craving for a great Petite Sirah. Feels thin and left me wanting more depth and richness. I love this varietal and it is at its best when it has big chewy tannins, gushes black and blue fruit pie and stains your lips and teeth. This comes up short. A very palatable wine but not a powerful one. Retails for $15.

VIVI WINES - 2009

2011-02-22T19:23:00.000-05:00

Two new wines from Southern Italy. Vivi means "to live" in Italian.

VIVI FALANGHINA - 2009

100% Falanghina. 13% alcohol. Aged 5 months in stainless steel.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale gold color with citrus lemon and floral notes on the nose. Dry with apple, tart acidity, minerality and honey on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

84 PTS

For $9.99 a bottle this is an entry level wine with good acidity for food pairing. I was yearning for more vibrant fruit on the palate but serviceable.

VIVI PRIMITIVO - 2009

100% Primitivo. 13% alcohol. Aged 5 months in stainless steel.

TASTING NOTES:

Medium red color with aromas and flavors of black cherry, raisins, dried herbs and spice. Dry with minerality and some creaminess on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Primitivo is nearly identical to red Zinfandel, although this varietal has its own distinct characteristics primarily driven by terroir. At $9.99 a bottle this is a decent entry level wine with Italian flare.

WATERSTONE CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2006

2011-02-11T21:16:00.001-05:00

79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc. 14.9% Alcohol. Napa Valley.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with aromas of charred, cedar oak, creme-de-cassis and black fruit. On the palate there is ample plum, black cherry, cocoa and black currant flavors. Nicely integrated alcohol given its near whopping 15%. Balanced with good length.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

A very solid mid-level Cabernet with composure, structure and depth. Retails for around $20 - $24. Stylistically this leans into the oak, but not in an overwhelming fashion.

FRANCISCAN CHARDONNAY - 2009

2011-02-10T01:01:00.001-05:00

Napa Valley 100% Chardonnay with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light yellow color with a butter, popcorn and citrus nose. On the palate, flavors of citrus-pear with creamy, toasty, vanilla oak. Minerality on the smooth finish. Good length and structure.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A crisp, balanced effort with still a significant amount of oak showing through despite the fact that only 20% new oak was used. Retails for around $18 a bottle.

FRANCISCAN SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2009

2011-02-10T01:00:00.000-05:00

100% Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc with 12.8% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with lime and grapefruit upfront. Melon, grass, vanilla oak, minerals and banana on the mid-palate. Wonderful sweet lime and petrol notes on the finish. Zesty, refreshing, and complex.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

I've been pretty tough on California Sauvignon Blanc. It is hard not to be when the price and quality coming out of New Zealand has revolutionized the varietal. I was pleasantly surprised to taste this wine. It had all the balance, complexity, and lively acidity that I love from Sauvignon Blanc. A really nice wine that retails for around $17 making it only slightly more expensive than New Zealand counterparts. Worth buying.

PETER LEHMANN LAYERS ADELAIDE - 2010

2011-02-01T21:24:00.005-05:00

5 grapes: 36% Barossa grown Semillon, 20% Adelaide Plains & SA Riverland Muscat, 20% Barossa Gewurztraminer & Adelaide Hills, 20% Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris, 4% Barossa Chardonnay. 11.5% alcohol. Fermented in Stainless Steel.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with aromas and flavors of lemon, peach, banana, grapefruit and melon. Amazing balance. Silky smooth, soft and lush. Crisp, tart, Jolly Rancher apple candy on the finish with a hint of minerality. Great structure and refreshing.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90+ PTS

Awesome! This is the kind of wine that as soon as I taste it, I can't wait to write and talk about it. I've tasted every vintage of the Layers and it never disappoints. So few wines deliver this kind of quality year after year. Low alcohol. Tremendous flavor. Elegant and vibrant. I love this wine! Retails for around $16 a bottle. Find this one. It is a hidden gem.

HUGEL ET FILS PINOT BLANC CUVEE LES AMOURS - 2008

2011-01-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

100% Pinot Blanc from Alsace, France

TASTING NOTES:

Light golden color with dried flowers, apple, pear and lemon upfront. Straight-forward with wet stone minerality and balanced acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

Pinot Blanc is one of my favorite white varietals because it delivers great aromatics and pairs effortlessly with light fare. I love that this wine is available in half-bottles for only $10.50 which encourages sampling. For those of you who have never experienced Pinot Blanc, this is a good place to start especially with smaller and affordable 375ML bottles available.

HUGEL RIESLING CLASSIC - 2009

2011-01-21T13:39:00.005-05:00

100% Riesling from Alsace, France.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden-green color with peachy-apple aromas and flavors. Lots of minerality and citrus. Tart with a decent amount of acidity. Relatively dry with just a hint of both sweetness underneath. Soft and smooth texture.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

Great entry to mid-level Riesling with good aromatics. This is more of a food wine than one you might approach to sip. Retails for around $24 so it might be somewhat pricey for what it delivers.

2010-11-24T01:00:00.000-05:00

Lebanon in a bottle. Made by a legend. Serge Hochar continues to make dynamic wines with tremendous depth that are forever memorable. From the Bekaa Valley, where wine was born.

13.5% alcohol. Cabernet, Cinsault, Carignan.

TASTING NOTES:

Light, transparent ruby red. Barolo meets Pinot Noir with Bordeaux elegance and structure. The nose is evolved, immersed oak, cherry and cranberry. On the palate there is tobacco, fig, sour cherry, strawberry, raisin, earth, and endless other descriptors that gradually reveal themselves in the glass. Silky smooth. Pretty much as smooth as it gets.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

96 PTS

There's wine. And there's wine. In a world full of big over oaked California Cabernets and bold Aussie reds exploding with saturation and sugar, it takes a wine like this to put them to shame. Seriously. If there's ever been a wine that encapsulates the word "authentic," this is it. This is the kind of wine that reminds me why I'm so passionate about wine. Craft and originality almost push the cork out of the bottle. Chateau Musar isn't trying to be anything but the best that it can be. The recommendation is to not drink Chateau Musar until 7 years after its vintage. Age definitely has a magical impact on this wine. It gets better and better. The same thing happens once you open the bottle. It keeps changing in the glass and revealing more of itself moment by moment.

Post Apocalypse, Desert Island, you can only bring one bottle...Chateau Musar will always enter into that discussion. It is that kind of wine.

PETER LEHMANN EDEN VALLEY DRY RIESLING - 2009

2010-11-22T01:13:00.000-05:00

11% alcohol. Barossa, Australia Riesling.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow color with a nose of petrol and lime. On the palate, there's plenty of citrus, tropical fruits and minerality. Lots of tart acidity on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

I am actually a fan of dry Riesling. When it is crisp and bold on the tongue with sharp, detailed acidity it can be a thing of wonder and it does amazing things to the right food. This wine doesn't hit a home run for me. It isn't bad. It just lacks a delicious factor. I think the flavors are not prominent or harmonious enough to keep up with the tart acidity that it has in clubs. Wine Spectator scored this wine 90 points but I'm in a very different place. Retails for around $17.

BAROSSA CLANCY'S RED - 2008

2010-11-21T12:44:00.000-05:00

50% Shiraz, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot from Barossa, Australia. 14.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Vibrant red color with berries, raspberries, plum, and cranberry-mulberry. Soft, smooth and robust.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

There have been better vintages of the Clancy in the past. This one is serviceable with lots of clearly defined flavors but it didn't come together for me. I enjoyed the 2007 a lot more, perhaps because there was less Shiraz in the blend and some Cabernet Franc that really seemed to bring out nice black fruit notes. Retails for around $17.

CUPCAKE VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY - 2009

2010-11-20T12:24:00.003-05:00

100% Chardonnay. 14% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light gold color. Creamy, buttery, vanilla, oak. Soft on the palate. Some citrus emerges but is overwhelmed by oak.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

84 PTS

Simple, easy drinking Chardonnay. Nothing too special here but approachable. Retails for around $12 a bottle.

CUPCAKE VINEYARDS SAUVIGNON BLANC - 2010

2010-11-19T00:34:00.002-05:00

100% Sauvignon Blanc. 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light yellow color with signature cat pee and citrus aromas. Tropical notes with lots of lemon, grapefruit, peach and lychee. Good acidity. Clean and soft.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

A pretty solid effort. Some nice complexity for $12 a bottle. New Zealand really dominates the Sauvignon Blanc marketplace and its easy to see why.

BANFI CHIANTI DOCG SUPERIORE - 2008

2010-11-05T17:13:00.003-04:00

75% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo Nero. 13.3% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Ripe red color with black cherry, oak, and very terroir driven nose. Dark berries, black currant, dark cherries and a hint of eucalyptus/mint on the palate. Very round and balanced.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

This is a good Chianti for $11 a bottle. Not too rough or tannic but still true to the region. Very enjoyable with some finesse as well.

HELFRICH PINOT GRIS - 2008

2010-10-22T16:29:00.011-04:00

100% Pinot Gris. 12.5% alcohol. From Alsace.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale gold color with aromas of apple, pear, peach, seashell and citrus. A hint of frizzante in the glass. Acidity zings with lychee and peach on the palate. Smooth and round.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Pinot Gris is one of my favorite white varietals. It is an often overlooked white since so many reach first for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling. Yet, I find that Pinot Gris pairs so effortlessly with food and when it is well made like this one, it can shine on its own. Great minerality and depth of flavor. Be careful not to finish the bottle in one sitting. Retails for around $14.

HELFRICH GEWURZTRAMINER - 2008

2010-10-22T16:18:00.006-04:00

From Alsace. 12.5% alcohol. 100% Gewurztraminer.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden color with wonderful aromas of flowers, lychee and citrus. On the palate there's a mix of Juicy Fruit and Dubble Bubble Gum notes. Sweet and tangy with good acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

There's definitely a candy component to the flavor profile but I like it. Juicy and zesty this is a wine that actually tastes better on its own than it does with food, although it does accompany spicy food rather well. Retails for around $14.

TEMPRA TANTRUM TEMPRANILLO/CABERNET - 2009

2010-10-11T14:40:00.004-04:00

60% Tempranillo, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. 13.5% alcohol. Grown on the Osborne family estate in Malpica de Tajo, Spain. Micro-oxygenated and ready to drink.

TASTING NOTES:

Rich red color with very bright and vibrant red fruit aromas and brambly flavors. Explosive raspberry, blackberry, and cherry come through upfront with plum and black currant notes lurking underneath. Good length, soft, well-balanced with good acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88+PTS

Rocio Osborne has made an exciting and lush wine that offers some powerful fruit without being artificial or over-the-top. Suggested retail is around $10 a bottle. That's pretty amazing given the quality, intensity, and complexity found in this one. Really impressive and the kind of wine that significantly over-delivers given its price. An added bonus is that the alcohol is very well integrated and is only 13.5% despite the ripeness of the fruit. One of the top value wines of the year that I have had the pleasure of tasting.

CONCANNON WINES

2010-10-06T16:38:00.006-04:00

Some new releases from Concannon Vineyards have hit the shelves...

GLEN ELLEN PROPRIETOR'S RESERVE CHARDONNAY - 2009

13% alcohol. $10 for 1.5L

TASTING NOTES:

Oak, vanilla, butterscotch. Smooth, light, with sour apple on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

84 PTS

For an inexpensive white wine, there's no denying that this is tasty and approachable. There's very little fruit and it comes across more like an alcoholic beverage than a wine. An easy drinker crowd pleasing white.

GLEN ELLEN PROPRIETOR'S RESERVE PETITE SIRAH - 2007

13.5% alcohol. $10 for 1.5L.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark color. Light. Flat. Approachable and smooth but watered down blackberry, black currants and black tea on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

81 PTS

Not much to say about this effort. I don't think this wine competes in its category. There are box wines that are superior.

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY MERLOT - 2007

13.5 alcohol. 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Livermore Valley. Retails for $15.

TASTING NOTES:

Nice oaky, black cherry nose. Medium-bodied dark cherry notes. Opens up considerably on day two, but cherry cough syrup and alcohol are barking loudly on first pour. Some mocha and oak on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

83 PTS

A serviceable red table wine, but expensive given what this delivers. You can find better Merlot options from numerous countries.

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY CABERNET SAUVIGNON - 2007

13.5% alcohol. 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Syrah. Retails for $15.

TASTING NOTES:

Big. Heavy and full-bodied. Black currant, licorice, oak and black cherry. Still some considerable alcohol showing through on both the nose and palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

83 PTS

Another OK effort, but at this price you can find some really inspiring wine out there. Hard to recommend.

ALBINO ARMANI WINES

2010-09-19T22:20:00.011-04:00

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Egle Armani to taste some intriguing offerings from the Adige Valley in Italy. Egle, along with her husband Albino, have been raising awareness for the Val d'Adige winegrowing region for quite some time. However, they have now embarked on a mission to rejuvenate an ancient indigenous grape known as Fjoja Tonda (Casetta).

Foja Tonda (which roughly translated means round leaf) was near extinction when Albino first discovered vines growing wild in the higher altitudes of his vineyard in the 1980's. He has since obtained certification from the government to reinstate the vines, garnered D.O.C. status, and cultivated the vines into an Armani exclusive and rare wine.

I tasted two different vintages made from 100% Foja Tonda. The 2007 Foja Tonda smelled like Cabernet Franc. It had green vegetable and earthy aromas but tasted more like a high acid Italian wine that is very true to the region. On the palate, light spice, and dry red and black fruit emerged. The finish had nice cherry candy notes with length but not power. Despite significant acidity, the wine was incredibly soft.

The 2005 Foja Tonda was darker in color. The nose instantly reminded me of a 2001 Greg Norman Reserve Shiraz that I once fell in love with at a wine show. It exhibited lots of New World stewed red fruit (cranberry-wild berry) aromas. Yet this wine tasted nothing like it smelled. It was pure Old World on the palate. Maybe it was the Slovenian oak, but I felt its flavors were much closer to something in the spirit of a Serge Hochar wine. There was spice, dark red and black fruits, balance, refined acidity, a more pronounced finish and the structure of a wine with the ability to add on years.

Both wines were matured in Slovenian oak barrels with approximately 13.5% alcohol. They are good food wines and retail for around $20 a bottle. The 2005 was clearly superior and I would give it 89 points. The 2007 is a promise captured. If it can evolve like the 2005 it will be a very good wine. Right now, it is a work in progress.

I also tasted the 2009 Pinot Grigio Corvara Val d'Adige which was rich, creamy and wonderfully balanced. Lots of peaches and pears with a wonderful crispness on the palate and a hint of sweetness. The key to the sweet finish is that 10% of the grapes are picked 10 days late. This helps them concentrate the sugar. In challenging years the passito method is inacted in which the grapes are dried at the winery to accomplish a similar sweet result. Aged in Stainless Steel with an alcohol content of 13%, I found the Pinot Grigio to be a 90 point wine. Those of you who are a slave to Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio need to expand your horizons as this is a far superior effort.

The Armani family has been producing wine for over 400 years and their wine labels proudly feature "1607" as a reminder of their legacy. Whether you are looking to explore new Italian wines, check off an obscure one on your 100 varietal club pursuit, or simply drink good wine, I encourage you to sample Foja Tonda as well as other quality wines Egle and Albino are striving to deliver to you in their portfolio.

MARYNISSEN ESTATES CABERNET-MERLOT - 2002

2010-09-17T18:50:00.000-04:00

13.2% alcohol from Niagra on the Lake, Ontario.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with a dark chocolate cherry nose. Sweet tannins. Very Bordeaux-esque. Lots of cherry, black currants, and cassis with chocolate covered raisins on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

The best bottle of Canadian wine I've ever tasted. I've raved about this wine in the past and it simply is the best example of well-crafted Canadian red wine that I've encountered. It is terrific that Ontario has found a style that suits them. Instead of trying to make big fruit California styled wines (which always seem to come up thin and weak), this more earthy Old World wine hits the mark.

DOMAINE DU PEGAU CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE - 2004

2010-09-14T11:59:00.005-04:00

14% alcohol. A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.

TASTING NOTES:

Dusty, cooked meat and sweet fig on the nose. On the palate there's cherry, plum, licorice, tar, tobacco, blackberry, black and white pepper...yes the list goes on. This is a complex wine with just about everything you want from a CDP.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

93+ PTS

A phenomenal wine with tremendous depth. Graced the top of WS Top 10 list in 2007 for all the right reasons. When CDP comes together it really is a sensational wine. There are a lot of them out there that miss the mark, but this one is something special. Believe the hype. Retails for around $75.

X WINERY WHITE X - 2008

2010-08-23T17:13:00.003-04:00

57% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Muscat Blanc, 19% Chardonnay, 4% Rousanne. 13.9% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light gold color with a aromas and flavors of flowers, melon, grapefruit, citrus, and apple. Balanced acidity. Medium weight.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 POINTS

Not sweet. Not dry. This is a great white blend with enough power and fragrance to pair well even with spicy food. Retails for around $11.

GREG NORMAN RESERVE SHIRAZ - 2001

2010-08-17T22:48:00.004-04:00

13.5% alcohol. Limestone Coast.

TASTING NOTES:

Red-black color with aromas of plum, black fruit and oak. On the palate huge cranberry-pomegranate, oak, and spice with cherry-berry on the finish. Sweet and sour. Wonderful tannins.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92+ PTS

I first tasted this wine at a Wine Spectator show and was really impressed. It was impossible to find but I stumbled across a bottle in Toronto, Canada at an LCBO. Go figure. They usually have nothing of merit on the shelves and what they do have is insanely overpriced. This wine was a bargain. I simply love the cranberry flavors in this one. A fantastic wine.

COLOSI NERO D'AVOLA - 2008

2010-08-03T10:43:00.003-04:00

Sicilia Rosso. 14% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Ruby red-purple color with a grape jam nose. Lots of cherry, blackberry, and plum. On the finish black currant and oak. Fresh, fragrant, with a solid structure.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

A great mid-week wine. Enjoyable with food and a decent sipper. Good acidity and mouthfeel. Retails for $15.

CHASSEUR PINOT NOIR SONOMA COAST JOYCE - 2004

2010-07-19T15:05:00.005-04:00

14.3% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Rich red color with ripe berries and charred oak on the nose. Great acidity, balance and length. Earthy mushrooms, baking spices, with candied red fruit and oak on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

94 PTS

Simply a terrific wine even if it is near the end of its life. If you still have a bottle of this one, drink it now or forever hold your peace.

ROSÉ, ROSÉ, ROSÉ, ROSÉ, & ROSÉ!

2010-06-29T16:19:00.009-04:00

Spring has sprung. Summer has begun. It is time for refreshing wines, BBQ, salads and fireworks. As we head into this July 4th weekend, I've put together a roundup of tasting notes and thoughts on a handful of Rosé wines in the marketplace. Enjoy the official start of summer!

LA SCOLCA "Rosé Chiara" ROSATO - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Orange-pink color with great rose petals, spicy strawberry and raspberry on the nose. Not sweet. Like a sugarless Jolly Rancher cherry candy on the palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

By far the best Rosé I tasted of the lot. Balanced with a great mouthfeel. Made from 95% Cortese and 5% Pinot Noir. Steel fermented in Piedmont, Italy. Retails for around $16.

EL COTO DE RIOJA ROSADO - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Fire red-pink color. Strawberry and floral notes on the nose and palate. Subtle. From Rioja, Spain.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

83 PTS

Despite being made from bolder, bigger grapes (50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha), I found this wine to lack the fruit and power I had hoped for. The alcohol is present and the fruit is not. A fair effort but one that won't have you yearning for a second glass. Retails for $10.

HECHT & BANNIER Vin de Pays d' Oc Rosé - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Bold pink-red color with flowers and raspberries on the nose. Spicy with strawberry/cherry upfront and a wonderfully distinct sour watermelon flavor on the mid-palate. Some light oak on the finish. From Languedoc-Roussillon, France. Made from 33% Syrah, 33% Cinsault and 33% Grenache.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

The sour watermelon really sold me on this wine. It stands out from all the other Rosé wines as unique. The structure and acidity here offers enough to pair well with grilled fish and veggies and whatever else you desire to char. Retails for about $12.

SANTI "Infinito" Rosé of Bardolino - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Fantastic electric pink color with muted aromas of strawberries and cherries. Fresh, clean and refreshing. On the palate there are light berry flavors, a hint of sweetness. Straight forward.

From Veneto, Italy. Made from 65% Corvina, 30% Rondinella, and 5% Molinara.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

You will be tempted to drink this one like fruit juice because it is so balanced that you'll forget it is a wine. A very simple Rosé but it wonderfully executes its simplicity. Retails for $11.

JABOULET COTES DU RHONE "Parallele 45 Rosé" - 2009

TASTING NOTES:

Amber pink color with a sweet tart and white pepper nose. On the palate, it is extremely tangy, tart and acidic. Simple, and light. Made in France from 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 10% Syrah.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

80 PTS

Not a great effort. The acidity here completely over-powers the fruit. The alcohol shows through and this wine comes off as unbalanced. Retails for around $12.

PETER LEHMANN BAROSSA SHIRAZ - 2008

2010-06-19T06:24:00.001-04:00

Matured in French and American oak for 12 months prior to bottling. 14.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Rich red color with spicy black fruit on the nose. Lots of dark plums and black currants on the mid-palate. Hints of chocolate as the wine begins to open up. Charred oak on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87+PTS

The alcohol needs to settle down but there's some great fruit underneath. This wine always tastes better after it has had ample time to breathe and is often better on the second day. A heavy, big wine. A more controlled effort than in some previous vintages. Retails for around $16 a bottle.

BAROSSA CLANCY'S RED - 2007

2010-06-18T11:17:00.004-04:00

A classic Aussie blend of 43% Shiraz, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. With 14% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with plum and cocoa on the nose. On the palate, good creamy black and red fruit. Lots of plum, black currants and dark cherry. The oak and alcohol is in check and a pretty balanced wine.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

Smooth and approachable. Not too big but enough power to pair well with robust dishes. Never quite gets dynamic or complex but a good mid-level wine for $16 a bottle.

PETER LEHMANN LAYERS RED BAROSSA - 2008

2010-06-12T10:02:00.005-04:00

The first vintage release is a blend of three classic Barossa varietals with two new, exciting ones. 46% Shiraz, 20% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache, 17% Tempranillo and 2% Carignane. 14.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with lots of cherry and cocoa on the nose. Plum and wild berries with mocha and black fruits on the palate. Vanilla oak and some alcohol shows through on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

A vibrant mix of Australian fruits gives way to a great red blend. This wine is not over-the-top like lots of Aussie Barossa wines, but the alcohol does get a way from it a bit. Drinking this wine at a slightly cooler temperature seemed to be the perfect fix and helped the fruit show better. Retails for around $17.

PETER LEHMANN LAYERS ADELAIDE - 2009

2010-06-08T14:39:00.004-04:00

Year two of Layers is a blend of Semillon (39%), Muscat (23%), Gewurztraminer (16%), Pinot Gris (16%) and Chardonnay (6%). Cold fermented with only 11.5% alcohol the wine sees no oak, only stainless steel.

TASTING NOTES:

Golden color with lots of citrus and honeydew melon on the nose. Great mouthfeel with peach, citrus, melon, tropical fruits and honey on the finish. Fresh, vibrant, smooth, balanced.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

90 PTS

Another great year for Layers. Although I'm scoring it identically to last year's vintage, I think 2008 was slightly better. That said, this is still a wonderful wine and a terrific blend. The low alcohol makes it a terrific summer white. Retails for around $16. A great value wine for this kind of quality.

EL NIDO CLIO - 2004

2010-05-27T14:40:00.006-04:00

From Jumilla, Spain. 15.5% alcohol. 70% Monastrell, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple color with a nose of mocha, coffee, rip berries, and vanilla. On the palate, flavors of mocha, black currant, cherry and oak abound. Gritty tannins make for a nice chewy mouthfeel. Wonderful chocolate covered raisins on the finish. Great length, smooth and powerful with still a lot of finesse.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92+ PTS

This is a superstar wine that continues to hold its own. I have not tasted recent vintages as I had pulled this one from the cellar, but all of my experiences with the Clio have been extremely positive. There is a consistent quality and style to the brand that makes it a winner every time.

WILD ROCK CUPID'S ARROW PINOT NOIR - 2007

2010-05-11T17:40:00.004-04:00

From Central Otago, New Zealand with 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Medium red color with lots of strawberry, dried herbs and mild oak on the nose. Minerality, red berries on the palate. Juicy and on-point. Tart berries on the cran-raspberry finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

Another winner from New Zealand. Really solid Pinot Noir. A little heat from the alcohol creeps in on the finish. For $18 a bottle, this is still a great value although surprisingly you can find even less expensive and better New Zealand Pinot in the store. What more can I say about New Zealand Pinot Noir that I haven't said already. It is the steal of 2010. It is a struggle to find this kind of quality in California at this price point.

DOÑA PAULA WINES & EDGARDO DEL POPOLO

2010-05-02T18:41:00.020-04:00

Last week I had the pleasure of sitting down to taste wine with Argentine winemaker and Head Vinticulturalist at Doña Paula, Edgardo del Popolo. Argentina is now the fifth largest producer of wine in the world behind Italy, France, Spain and the US. Malbec is the grape best-known and associated with Argentina and the biggest driver of sales from the country.

Malbec can trace its roots back to France where it was primarily used as a blending grape. In Argentina, it is far from a supporting player. It is the iconic star and there is no equivalent anywhere else in the world for the high-altitude terrior in which it is grown.

At Doña Paula, Edgardo strives to capture the climate and essence of the land in all his wines. The South American wine category can be highly competitive for shelf space in the US, especially from Argentina's most famous winemaking neighbor, Chile. Edgardo must also compete within his own country with top brands in Argentina like Catena, Terrazas de los Andes, Alta Vista and Archaval Ferrer. Creating a quality, distinct "fresh-fruit" expression and consistent style within the brand is the primary objective at Doña Paula.

The first wine offered up for tasting was the 2008 Doña Paula Series Naked Pulp Viognier. Made from 100% Viognier from Vista Flores with 14.5% alcohol, the wine exhibited a nose of flowers, peach and orange rind with great acidity and minerality on the mid-palate. On the finish the wine takes on candied/caramel notes from the residual sugar and new French oak. For Viognier, this is a very clean and crisp offering with none of the oil or viscosity you might find in French or American variations. This is an 88 PT wine that retails for around $25 a bottle.

Next up was the 2009 Doña Paula Estate Torrontés. Golden color with a fragrant, powerful floral nose of acacia and jasmine, the wine is made from 100% Torrontés from the Cafayate Valley with 13.5% alcohol. Beautifully balanced with lively acidity, tropical and melon fruits on the palate, and a distinct, long bitter almond finish. Torrontés is Argentina's flagship white wine, and this offering is one of the best I've tasted in quite some time. It is one of those wines that once poured you'll find hard to put the glass down because the bouquet is so alluring. Retailing for around $16 this is a 90 PT wine that is a perfect summer wine and a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc if you're looking for an exciting replacement.

As we tasted through a promising 2007 Doña Paula Series Alluvia Cabernet Franc (a modern-styled wine that I liked quite a bit with lots of baking spices and none of the stinky vegetable or green pepper driven characteristics best associated with the varietal), Edgardo spoke of his early attraction to wine. It was a grape, not a wine that first captured his love and attention. That grape, of course, was Malbec, which he used to taste straight off the vine as boy.

As he poured the 2006 Doña Paula Series Salix Tannat Malbec, it shouldn't have come as a surprise that the best tasting grape on the vine could yield some of the most dynamic red wines in his portfolio. A unique offering, to say the least, the Tannat-Malbec blend is an inky, rich, muscular wine with dusty, chewy tannins. Dark fruits are extremely saturated and concentrated with tobacco and chocolate dominating the palate. With 14.6% alcohol, this is a big, powerful and complex wine, but it is very controlled. Tannat is a tough grape to introduce into a blend since it can often throw a wine out of balance and result in the wine being harsh with bitterness and overly dry tannins. Yet despite Tannat comprising 65% of the wine, the remaining fruit-driven Malbec provides a perfect balance. This is an impressive 89 PT wine that retails for around $20 to $25. If you've been turned off by some tough run-ins with French Tannat in the past, this will be quite an interesting and friendly reintroduction to the varietal.

The 2009 Doña Paula Estate Malbec is made from 100% Malbec from Alto Ugartech, Lujan de Cuyo y Tupungato and Valle de Uco with 14% alcohol. Although this wine has an excellent mouthfeel and a great tannic backbone, the alcohol has a strong presence. Rich with cocoa on the nose, black licorice and black fruits on the palate this $15 - $17 wine is an 85-86 PT wine. In the same price range, the 2009 Doña Paula Estate Malbec Syrah is actually a better wine. With plum, red and black fruits and mocha, this straight-forward value with 14% alcohol is a more harmonious wine for the price category. I'd give it around 87 PTS.

Last up was the 2006 Doña Paula Seleccion de Bodega Malbec. An intense artisan wine with great acidity and smooth tannin, Edgardo's objective was to illustrate the potential of Argentine Malbec by blending the best grapes from Ugarteche and Uco Valley. With 14.5% alcohol, this is a Single Vineyard wine aimed at producing a "fresh-fruit" styled wine. Black cherry, mocha and spice combine in a very layered Malbec. At a suggested retail price of $50 a bottle, this is the most expensive wine offered by Doña Paula. It is a collector's wine for the cellar that will improve with bottle age. Right now it is a very drinkable, deeply saturated, 92 PT palate-pleaser.

Never envisioning himself pursuing anything other than a career in the vineyard, Edgardo has embarked on a life long journey to make the best Malbec. He continues to learn more and more each year about the wine growing region and the potential of the grapes that grow there. He said in the near future he is looking to experiment more with Cabernet Franc and Shiraz, but in the meantime he is focused on growing the Doña Paula brand. As a relatively young brand in the marketplace, Edgardo and Doña Paula wines are worth keeping our eyes on as the attention and potential is warranted.

BLACK BOX MENDOZA ARGENTINA MALBEC - 2008

2010-04-27T22:16:00.005-04:00

The inaugural release of 3L Black Box Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. 13.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Purple-red color with a slightly challenged nose of black fruit and cherry. Dry, medium-bodied, good acidity. The palate is dominated by black currants, blackberry, tobacco leaf and toasty charred oak. The finish is black cherry candy and creamy vanilla oak.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

A surprisingly vibrant and fresh fruit-forward Malbec. The oak is heavy and not quite to my liking, but I'd say that it probably gives this wine more mass appeal. Good complexity for a bargain wine. Retails for $25 which is the equivalent of about $6.25 per 750ml bottle. I challenge you to find a better Malbec for $7 or less in the marketplace. Overall, one of the better boxed red wines I've tasted. Malbec is a varietal rapidly growing in popularity due to its easy-to-drink, smooth and fruit-driven characteristics. The boxed packaging obviously keeps this wine fresher for a longer period of time, but I found the push button spout to be quite an aggressive dispenser and perhaps my only complaint. Unlike the twist or turn nobs on other box wines which drip wine in a steady stream, this one ejects the wine quite forcefully so proceed with caution to avoid spills or splashes. The Black Box Malbec is another prime example of the drastically improved quality of box wine that keeps emerging in the marketplace. Kudos to Constellation Wine for striving to revitalize the category and change perceptions.

TWO HANDS BELLA'S GARDEN SHIRAZ - 2005

2010-04-14T15:11:00.002-04:00

15.2% alcohol from Barossa Valley, Australia.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark inky purple color with a huge grape jam nose. Thick, saturated and intense. Black currants, plum and blackberry flavors with a high note of sweetness on the big tannin yet smooth jazz finish. Some oak on the back palate.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

94 PTS

Douro-esque in its structure, clarity and fruit. The alcohol is beautifully integrated. A seriously impressive and complicated wine that is both a crowd-pleaser and heaven for the wine geek as well.

MONTHAVEN CENTRAL COAST CHARDONNAY - 2008

2010-04-08T13:22:00.006-04:00

Packaged in the Octavin Home Wine Bar (3 Liters) with 13.5% alcohol. The fruit is from Santa Barbara and Monterey.

TASTING NOTES:

Gold yellow color with a muted nose of tropical fruits, oak and apple. Clean, smooth, balanced, round with apple and citrus notes.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

This is clearly the best box wine I've ever tasted. After years of pretty much dishing out highly negative commentary on box wines, it is nice to be proven wrong for a change. I've never quite understood why box wine has to be bad. It is simply packaging. Why not put better quality wine in the box if you want to change perceptions? People judge a book by its cover or in this case a wine by its container but the reason they do that is because of prior experiences. While we are probably a long time away from picking up a box of Chateau Haut Brion in box format, maybe this is the start of something out there in the wine world.

This Chardonnay may be straight-forward and lacking complexity but it does a good job of being solid quality. If you are looking for value (the 3L retails for around $24 or the equivalent of $8 a bottle), it definitely delivers. As an entry level Chardonnay this outshines many of the low-end introductory bottles that are often over-oaked and full of alcohol that overwhelms.

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY CHARDONNAY - 2008

2010-03-25T10:50:00.007-04:00

From Livermore Valley, California. 100% Chardonnay with 13.5% alcohol. Aged in French and American oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES:

Light golden color with minerality and apple on the nose. Clean, crisp, creamy, smooth, very balanced. Pear, citrus and tropical fruits up front with apple, charred oak, coconut and creme brulee caramel on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

89+ PTS

Let me start out by saying that I've lost a lot of love for Chardonnay over the years. Mainly because they are over-oaked, flat and not very exciting wines. This Concannon Chardonnay helped me remember what I love most about this varietal. Depth of flavor, great mouthfeel, balance, pairs well with food, creamy, oak is in check, subtle yet surprising. This is just a terrific effort for $15 a bottle. This is a wine with some real finesse. Worth noting that this wine tasted as good or better on day two and three.

CONCANNON CONSERVANCY PETITE SIRAH - 2007

2010-03-25T10:23:00.008-04:00

From Livermore Valley in California. 13.5% alcohol. 97% Petite Sirah, 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in French and American oak barrels.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple color with a huge nose of blackberries and blueberry pie. Some alcohol on the nose as well. On the palate lots of black fruit, wild berries, mocha and plum notes. Charred oak on the finish overpowers the fruit.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A well-made wine but the alcohol seems to be showing through a little too much. Perhaps some time in the bottle will settle this wine down. I have to say that the alcohol detracted from the wine and effected my score. Otherwise, I would have rated this wine higher. It is a supple and rich wine with good fruit and character. Retails around $15 a bottle. Concannon also makes a Limited Release Petite Sirah and each year it is one of my favorite value wines on the market as the quality is consistently there vintage after vintage.

YEALANDS PINOT NOIR - 2008

2010-03-14T16:18:00.006-04:00

From Marlborough, New Zealand. 13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Transparent red (the way Pinot Noir should be). Huge nose of ripe strawberries. Red fruit explodes on the palate. Delicate with strawberries and raspberries upfront. Good acidity, spice, vanilla and some oak. Bright, pointed flavors. Good structure. Strong finish with some black cherry notes.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

92 PTS

Let's get right to the point. This is an amazing little wine that retails for $12. Not only is this wine extremely well-made it also delivers at a fraction of the price. More expensive Pinots from California and Burgundy fall way short of what is in this bottle. This may be my value wine of the year. As this wine opens up it even gets significantly better. Wonderfully delicate and structured with some solid acidity underneath. Amisfield used to be the steal from New Zealand delivering tremendous Pinot Noir, but that now retails for $25+ a bottle. This is the new player in town. The wine to beat. Like George Mason making it to the final four years ago in the NCAA Tourney, this is the little guy blowing past the ranked Pinots. As an added bonus, the alcohol is kept in check around 13% instead of the monster 15% Pinots that seem to dominate the marketplace.

CHATEAU TANUNDA GRAND BAROSSA SHIRAZ - 2007

2010-03-08T05:49:00.000-05:00

Barossa Valley, Australia. 95% Shiraz, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. Grown in Shallow, pale loam over clay, dark loams with ironstone. 14.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with berries, creamy oak and a hint of alcohol on the nose. Big creamy oak and spice upfront with black currant and raspberry on the mid-palate. The finish is all charred oak, pepper and berries. Fairly smooth but a big wine.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

86 PTS

The initial attack on this wine is great. Quick vanilla creamy oak followed by a huge but very short-lived burst of spice. But the mid-palate is also short and the oak and alcohol are both out of control on this wine. I think those who love big Aussie Shiraz and California Cabs might like this quite a bit. However, for my palate it just doesn't have enough finesse. Retails for around $19.

CHATEAU TANUNDA GRAND BAROSSA RIESLING - 2009

2010-03-07T17:17:00.004-05:00

Barossa Valley, Australia. 11.5% alcohol. 100% Riesling grown in sandy loam over limestone soil.

TASTING NOTES:

Light yellow color with aromas of lime and citrus fruits. Lemon, lime, minerality and a crisp tartness dominate the mid-palate. Refreshing and an excellent Riesling to pair with food. Melon and citrus flavors round out the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS

A very good Riesling especially for those looking to escape some of the more sweet Rieslings that dominate the marketplace. This is a drier and more linear expression of the grape that is clear, crisp and on point. An enjoyable offering that retails for around $16.

BODEGA COLOME MALBEC - 2006

2010-02-17T16:38:00.006-05:00

From Argentina. 85% Malbec, 8% Tannat, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red-purple color with blackberry-boysenberry on the nose. On the palate, lots of black currant, black fruit, chewy dusty tannin with sour-tart green flavors on the finish. Almost reminds me of unripened blueberries at the end.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87+ PTS

Wine Spectator raved and gave this wine 92 points but I found this wine didn't come together like I hoped it would. I was yearning for more complexity and the finish lost me. It wasn't round and although it definitely improved on the second day, the fruit faded. It just didn't find the harmony one seeks in an outstanding effort. I love Tannat but I the rough tannic edge it brings to this wine is probably what I'm not responding to here. Retails for around $22 making it a questionable purchase in my book.

TORBRECK DESCENDANT SHIRAZ- 2005

2010-02-09T16:59:00.003-05:00

Made from 92% Shiraz and 8% Viognier.

TASTING NOTES:

Rich inky purple color with a complex nose of blueberry, blackberry, lavender and oak. On the palate the wine is silky smooth with black currant, blackberries and spice. Hints of cocoa powder on the back end. Finishes with nice mellow oak flavors that linger in harmony with the fruit.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

95 PTS

This is delicious wine. Really a terrific balance of fruit, acidity, and character. Seductive and sexy. It grabs you right from the start. So easy to drink. Simply effortless. Not what you'd expect from Aussie Shiraz as it has more finesse than power. Retails today for around $75 - $100.

BOTROMAGNO PRIMITIVO - 2005

2010-02-04T21:25:00.004-05:00

13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark red color with aromas of spice, plums, leather, prunes and cherries. When first opened the wine has almost a sweetness to it. On the second day it gets more musty, earthy, leathery and that initial sweet attack that comes from bottle age dissipates. Finishes dry with oak and sour cherries. Good acidity and fine grain tannins.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 PTS

A solid entry level Primitivo for $14. I don't think this wine has much time left in the bottle and would guess that it is more likely on the other end of the bell curve. A great weekday wine with Old World aromas and flavors. More depth to the fruit would have made this wine a terrific one but still a great value.

DUVAL-LEROY CHAMPAGNE BRUT BLANC DE CHARDONNAY - 1996

2010-01-23T19:08:00.008-05:00

12% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light gold color with a nose of dough, pie crust, lemon wafers, and yeast. Crazy acidity on the palate. Toasted citrus notes and minerality. Tart apple and graham on the finish with a hint of honey sweet and baking spices.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

93 PTS

This was given to me as a gift many years ago and has been sitting on the rack in my basement since. Simply sensational Champagne. Far exceeded expectations. I have no idea what the original price was on this bottle or what it sells for now. An astounding effort. Hard to stop drinking this one. I have a feeling the bottle age has simply turned what might have been a good bottle into something rather special.

GLORIA FERRER SONOMA BRUT - NV

2010-01-21T14:07:00.005-05:00

85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay.

TASTING NOTES:

2009-10-28T16:31:00.005-04:00

13% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Translucent cherry red color. Nose of oak, damp earth and berries. Black cherry, charred oak, and vanilla on the palate. Simple, straightforward with decent acidity.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

85 PTS

Looks and feels like a better Pinot Noir than it actually is. The alcohol doesn't quite seem in balance with the fruit. A somewhat lackluster effort. The bouquet is muted and the fruit is masked by faint oak. Wish this had more biting acidity or more upfront fruit. It is a drinkable Pinot but at $18 a bottle it is a disappointment. Pass.