Catena Malbec

Name: Catena Malbec
Color: Red
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Price: $17
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


The Catena Malbec is a juicy, delicious, silky smooth wine from Argentina's Mendoza region, known for its incredible success with the Malbec grape. This one features raspberries, dark berries, some spice, and a bit of black pepper. The tannins create a nice mouth puckering sensation. The finish was very long on this wine and the nose was really expressive.

Fattoria di Bibbiani Poggio Vignoso Chianti

Name: Fattoria di Bibbiani Poggio Vignoso Chianti
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Sangiovese/Canaiolo/Malvasia)
Vintage: 2005
Country/State: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Price: $12
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We drank this excellent Chianti last night with spaghetti, meatballs, and tomato sauce...Both the meal and the wine were delicious. This Chianti went really nicely with the pasta. It was juicy with cherry, raspberry, and strawberry flavors. The nose on the wine was fantastic, featuring big aromas of red fruits. The wine was dry and had a very long finish.

It's been awhile since we've had a Chianti, and this one from Fattoria di Bibbiani did not disappoint.

Pierre Amadieu "La Grangeliere" Vacqueyras

Name: Pierre Amadieu "La Grangeliere"
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Grenache/Syrah)
Vintage: 2007
Country/State: France
Region: Southern Rhone (Vacqueyras)
Price: $19
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)


I chose this wine from Vacqueyras to drink with our Christmas Eve festivities...Krista made bacon-wrapped filets cooked in a red wine mushroom sauce with mashed potatoes and a nice fresh salad. The wine and the dinner were great. We had the 2005 vintage of this same wine about a year and a half ago and really enjoyed it, too. Much like that one, this 2007 was a little hot right out of the gate. Luckily I planned ahead and poured it in the decanter at around 3:30 and left it there while we went to church. By the time we got home and had a first glass at 6:00, it had mellowed out nicely and was really open and delicious.

The aromas and taste were primarily red fruits - strawberries and raspberries, with a bit of peppery spice. It was smooth and well-balanced, with a long finish...I have the Gigondas from Pierre Amadieu, as well, and can't wait to try it soon to see how it compares to the Vacqueyras.

Merry Christmas!!

Helfrich Vin D'Alsace Riesling

Name: Helfrich Vin D'Alsace Riesling
Color: White
Varietal: Riesling
Vintage: 2007
Country/State: France
Region: Alsace
Price: $13
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)


The Helfrich Riesling is a clear, bright yellow in color with a rather muted aroma. Nothing specific came through on the nose for me, except maybe a little bit of light citrus. The flavors are crisp and quite dry. We drank it with a tex-mex style soup and then finished the bottle after dinner. I drank most of this one myself. Krista had only one glass...I enjoyed it, but wasn't necessarily blown away by it. I appreciated the medium body, dry style, and the minerality, but just wasn't as impressed with the overall taste.

Bodega Elena de Mendoza

Name: Bodega Elena de Mendoza
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Malbec/Syrah/Bonarda)
Vintage: 2009
Country/State: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Price: $8
Stars: 4 (out of 5)



This red blend from Argentina is an outstanding value...For about $8, it was smooth, balanced, and very tasty. It was somewhat basic, with berry flavors and a bit of earthiness. The Malbec (62% of the blend) dominated, but the Syrah added a bit of spice and backbone. I would gladly drink this wine again.

DeBeaune Les Galopieres Pouilly-Fuisse

Name: Debeaune Les Galopieres Pouilly-Fuisse
Color: White
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: France
Region: Pouilly-Fuisse
Price: $20
Stars: 4 (out of 5)



This French Chardonnay was very enjoyable...It was smooth, balanced, and delicious. It tasted primarily like green apple, pear, and other citrus flavors. The nose was similar but was a bit restrained. The flavors, however, were terrific. The finish was long and the acidity was excellent. The wine was great with dinner and also very good on its own.

I continue to really like French whites.

Fess Parker Frontier Red Lot No. 91

Name: Fess Parker Frontier Red Lot No. 91
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Syrah/Grenache/Petite Sirah/Mourvedre/Cinsault/Carignane)
Vintage: NV
Country/State: California
Region: Various
Price: $11
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We had the Frontier Red Lot No. 91 last night with pizza. It was very good, very smooth, and had some complexity for such a low priced wine. The flavors were dominated by dark red and black fruits, and it had a little spice from the Syrah and Grenache. It also showed some smoke and herbs that made the wine interesting.

I will definitely buy this wine again. It is a great value and is a delicious blend.

Bodegas Castano Monastrell

Name: Bodegas Castano Monastrell
Color: Red
Varietal: Monastrell
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Spain
Region: Yecla
Price: $10
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)

We had this Spanish red last night with tacos, and it was OK. The nose left a little to be desired, at least for my taste. I picked up on some dark berries, but got a strong whiff of licorice and mint. The wine tasted primarily of dark fruits, but was a little hot -- the alcohol came through rather aggressively.

I finished the bottle the next night, and I liked it much more than I did on the first night. Maybe it just needed some time to mellow out, but it was much better the second night. Generally, we love Spanish wines (red and white), but this one was not one of our favorites.

Torii Mor Pinot Noir

Name: Torii Mor
Color: Red
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Oregon
Region: Willamette Valley
Price: $25
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)

Wow!! I really liked this Pinot Noir from Oregon's Willamette valley. It was big and earthy, with flavors of cherries, raspberries, strawberries, and more earth. The color in the glass was a ruby red and it looked a little light. The nose and taste, however, were much bigger and more powerful than the color would suggest, which is something I love in a good Pinot.

We had the Torii Mor for Thanksgiving with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, etc. It was terrific with food. It really seemed to pull all of the flavors of the meal together and the taste of the wine really exploded when mixed with the meal. This is a terrific wine with great structure, balance, aromas, and taste.

Snoqualmie Naked Chardonnay

Name: Snoqualmie Naked Chardonnay
Color: White
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Washington
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $12
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We enjoyed the Snoqualmie Naked Chardonnay with appetizers on Thanksgiving Day. It was delicious, with flavors of pear, green apple, and citrus. It was very well balanced and was excellent with and without food. It had a fuller body than I expected, which I really enjoy in a Chardonnay. At the same time, it was juicy, crisp, and clean. I will definitely seek out other wines from this Washington winery in the near future.

Columbia Crest Two Vines Red

Name: Columbia Crest Two Vines Red
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Syrah/Cab Franc/Sangiovese)
Vintage: 2007
Country/State: Washington
Region: Various
Price: $6
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)

We had this red blend from Columbia Crest on Wednesday night with pizza. It featured juicy red fruits and blackberries on the nose and in the mouth. It's a very easy drinking, medium bodied, smooth weekday wine. Nothing too complex, but for $6, it's a great value.

Palazzo Della Torre Allegrini

Name: Palazzo Della Torre Allegrini
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Corina Veronese/Rondinella/Sangiovese)
Vintage: 2006
Country/State: Italy
Region: Veneto
Price: $17
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)

The Palazzo Della Torre Allegrini is a wine that I've been meaning to try for awhile now. Last night we finally got around to it, and I'm glad we did...It was excellent. This is a dark and smoky wine with great dark fruit flavors that aren't in your face or showy, just delicious. It's a blend of three grapes - 70% Corina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, and 5% Sangiovese. About 30% of the grapes are held back and allowed to dry, or "raisin", on racks for a few months before they are added to final blend, Amarone style. This adds richness and complexity to the wine. Whatever it is, it works. Krista and I were both big fans of this wine.

We drank some last night with spaghetti and finished the bottle later that night. It was great with and without food.

List of WHITE Wines I Want to Try

The following is a continually evolving list of wines I want to try. They have either been recommended to me personally or I have found recommendations on them from other sources, primarily Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher (of the Wall Street Journal Tastings column), Gary Vaynerchuk, local newspaper Wine of the Week selections, or other wine blogs.



Blend: d'Arenberg "The Hermit Crab", (Australia, McLaren Valley), $16; Viognier/Marsanne; Gary V. recommended
Blend: Sokol Blosser "Evolution", (Oregon, Various), $15; Blend of 9 grapes; highly recommended

Champagne: Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV, (France, Champagne), $45
Champagne: Piper Heidseick Brut NV, (France, Champagne), $35
Champagne: Pommery Brut Royal NV, (France, Champagne), $40
Champagne: Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label NV, (France, Champagne), $35

Chardonnay: Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells, (Washington, Various), $12
Chardonnay: River Road, (California, Sonoma), $11; #1 wine at TW
Chardonnay: Simi Sonoma County, (California, Sonoma), $16
**Chardonnay: Snoqualmie Naked Chardonnay, (Washington, Columbia Valley), $13

Chenin Blanc: Marthinus, (South Africa, Coastal), $13
Chenin Blanc: Mulderbosch, (South Africa, Coastal), $14

Godello: Valdesil MonteNovo, (Spain, Valdeorras), $10

Gruner Veltliner: Hugl, (Austria), $13 (1 liter)

Pinot Gris: Ponzi, (Oregon, Willamette Valley), $16

Riesling: Beringer's Johannisberg, (California, Napa), $7
Riesling: Chateau St. Michelle Dry, (Washington, Columbia Valley), $13; TW has another Chat. St. Michelle for less than $8
**Riesling: Dr. Heidemanns Bergweiler QbA, (Germany, Mosel), $10
**Riesling: Pacific Rim, (Washington, Columbia Valley), $10

Sauvignon Blanc: Luis Felipe Edwards Grand Reserva, (Chile, Central Valley), $12; Gary V. recommended
Sauvignon Blanc: Nobilo, (New Zealand, Marlborough), $9

Sparkling: Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut, (Washington, Columbia Valley), $10
Sparkling: Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava, (Spain, Cataluna), $9
Sparkling: Gruet Blanc de Blancs, (New Mexico), $15
Sparkling: Gruet Blanc de Noirs, (New Mexico), $15
Sparkling: Gruet Brut, (New Mexico), $15
Sparkling: La Marca (extra dry) Prosecco, (Italy, Veneto), $12; WS Top 100
Sparkling: Mionetto Brut Prosecco, (Italy, Veneto), $10; WSJ recommended
Sparkling: Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, (California, Napa), $30

Torrontes: Conquista (Argentina, Mendoza), $8
Torrontes: Premiado (Argentina, Mendoza), $7; Gary V. recommended; similar to Viognier

Vinho Verde: Gazela (Portugal, Vinho Verde), $5
Vinho Verde: Nobilis (Portugal, Vinho Verde), $7

List of RED Wines I Want to Try

The following is a continually evolving list of wines I want to try. They have either been recommended to me personally or I have found recommendations on them from other sources, primarily Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher (of the Wall Street Journal Tastings column), Gary Vaynerchuk, local newspaper Wine of the Week selections, or other wine blogs.

Look for wines by Cono Sur!!
Look for wines by Cameron Hughes (Lots 135, 146, 142, 167, etc.)!!

**Blend: Aveleda Charamba, (Portugal, Douro), 2007, $7; Roriz/Tinta Barroca/Touriga Nacional
**Blend: Bodega Atalaya Almansa, (Spain, La Mancha), $14; Monastrell/Garnacha Tintorera/Others; had at The Grape restaurant and really liked it
Blend: Bogle Phantom, (California, Various), $16; Petite Sirah/Zinfandel/Mourvedre
Blend: Campo Viejo Crianza Rioja, (Spain, Rioja), $10; Tempranillo/Garnacha/Mazuelo
Blend: Castello Banfi Col di Sasso, (Italy, Tuscany), $10; Sangiovese/Cab
Blend: Domaine de Bosquets Gigondas, (France, Rhone Valley), $23; Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre/Cinsault
Blend: d'Arenberg d'arry's Original Shiraz/Grenache, (Australia, McLaren Valley), $13; Shiraz/Grenache; Gary V. recommended
**Blend: Falesco Vitiano Umbria Rosso, (Italy, Umbria), $12; Sangiovese/Cab/Merlot
**Blend: Frescobaldi Remole Toscana, (Italy, Tuscany), $10; Sangiovese/Cab
Blend: G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, (Italy, Piedmont), $12; Barbera/Dolcetto/Nebbiolo
Blend: La Cuvee du President Vacqueyras, (France, Vacqueyras), 2006, $17; Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre
Blend: Neil Ellis The Left Bank, (South Africa, Western Cape), $12; Cab/Shiraz/Merlot
Blend: Nine Vines, (Australia, South Australia), $12; Shiraz/Viognier
Blend: Rocky Gully, (Australia, Western Australia), $15; Shiraz/Viognier
**Blend: Tablas Creek Cotes de Tablas, (California, Paso Robles), $25; Grenache/Syrah/Counoise/Mourvedre
Blend: Trentadue Old Patch Red, (California, Sonoma), $12; Zinfandel/Petite Sirah/Carignane
Blend: Villa San Juliette Chorum Red, (California, Paso Robles), $20; Shiraz/Cab

Bordeaux: Chateau Faizeau, (France, St Emilion), $21; 2005 is good Bordeaux year
Bordeaux: Chateau Lanesson, (France, St Julien), $25; 2005 is good Bordeaux year

Cabernet Sauvignon: Bon Cap Robertson, (South Africa, Breede River Valley), $15
Cabernet Sauvignon: Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells, (Washington, Various), $15
Cabernet Sauvignon: Hahn Estates, (California, Central Coast), $12
Cabernet Sauvignon: Hayman & Hill, (California, Napa), $14
**Cabernet Sauvignon: Hess Select, (California, North Coast), 2007, $16
Cabernet Sauvignon: McManis Family Vineyards, (California, San Joaquin), $10
**Cabernet Sauvignon: Sebastiani, (California, Sonoma), $12
Cabernet Sauvignon: Two Brothers Reserve, (Chile, Colchagua), $11; Gary V. recommended

Chianti Classico: Castello di Gabbiano, (Italy, Tuscany), $10
Chianti Classico: Fattoria di Felsina, (Italy, Berardenga), $17; WS Top 100

**Grenache: Las Rocas Garnacha, (Spain, Calatayud), 2006, $10-15

Malbec: Alamos, (Argentina, Mendoza), $9
Malbec: Don Nicanor, (Argentina, Mendoza), $13; Gary V. recommended
Malbec: Maipe, (Argentina, Mendoza), $10; the 2008 was highly recommended
Malbec: Pascual Toso, (Argentina, Mendoza), $10
Malbec: Terrazas de los Andes, (Argentina, Mendoza), $9
Malbec: Trapiche, (Argentina, Mendoza), $8; regular non-"Oak Cask" version
Malbec: Trapiche Oak Cask, (Argentina, Mendoza), $11; WSJ highly recommended the 2006

Merlot: Alta Vista Finca Monte Lindo, (Argentina, Mendoza), $10
Merlot: Chateau St. Michelle Indian Wells, (Washington, Various), $15
Merlot: Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills, (Washington, Horse Heaven Hills), 2007, $15
Merlot: Red Diamond, (Washington, Columbia Valley), $10
Merlot: Sebastiani Sonoma County, (California, Sonoma), $13

Monastrell: Castano Yecla Hecula Tinto, (Spain, Yecla), 2005, $10-12

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: Castellana, (Italy, Abruzzi), $6; WSJ highly recommended
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: Farnese, (Italy, Abruzzi), $8; WSJ recommended
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: Il Conte, (Italy, Abruzzi), $7; WSJ recommended
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: Valle Reale (Vigne Nuove), (Italy, Abruzzi), $10; WSJ highly recommended

**Petite Sirah: Castle Rock Russian River Valley, (California, Russian River Valley), 2007, $10
Petite Sirah: Eos, (California, Paso Robles), $15
Petite Sirah: Guenoc, (California, North Coast), $11
Petite Sirah: Villa San Juliette, (California, Paso Robles), $15

**Pinot Noir: A to Z, (Oregon, Willamette Valley), $15-18
Pinot Noir: Angeline, (California, Various), $10-12
Pinot Noir: Au Bon Climat, (California, Santa Barbara), $20
Pinot Noir: Bogle, (California, Russian River Valley), $15
Pinot Noir: Cloudline, (Oregon, Willamette Valley), $18
Pinot Noir: Domaine Brunet Vin de Pays, (France, Languedoc), $10
Pinot Noir: Erath, (Oregon, Willamette Valley), $17
**Pinot Noir: Muirwood Arroyo Seco, (California, Central Coast), $17
Pinot Noir: Ropiteau Vin de Pays, (France, Languedoc), $9
Pinot Noir: Sebastiani Sonoma Coast, (California, Sonoma), $15
Pinot Noir: Wild Horse, (California, Central Coast), $18

Rose: Crios Pinot Noir Rose, (Argentina, Mendoza), $10
Rose: R Stuart & Co. Big Fire Rose, (Oregon, Various), $12; Pinot Noir/Syrah/Pinot Gris
Rose: St. Andre de Figuiere Rose Magali Cuvee, (France, Provence), $16; Cinsault/Syrah/Cab/Grenache

Salice Salentino: Castello Monaci Liante, (Italy, Puglia), $14; Negroamaro/Malvesia Nera blend
Salice Salentino: Epicuro (Riserva), (Italy, Puglia), $5; Negroamaro/Malvesia Nera blend
Salice Salentino: Taurino (Riserva), (Italy, Puglia), $10; Negroamaro/Malvesia Nera blend

**Shiraz/Syrah: Fairview, (South Africa, Coastal Region), $13
**Shiraz/Syrah: Porcupine Ridge, (South Africa, Coastal Region), $11
**Shiraz/Syrah: Red Bicyclette, (France, Languedoc-Roussillon), $10
Shiraz/Syrah: Rosemount Estate, (Australia, McLaren Valley), $9
**Shiraz/Syrah: Snoqualmie, (Washington, Columbia Valley), $9
**Shiraz/Syrah: Thorn Clarke Terra Barossa, (Australia, Barossa), $14
**Shiraz/Syrah: Zaca Mesa, (California, Santa Ynez Valley), 2006, $20

Sparkling: Cristalino Brut Cava (Rosado), (Spain, Cataluna), $8; always highly rated
Sparkling: Paringa Sparkling Shiraz, (Australia, South Australia), $8
Sparkling: Segura Viudas Cava Brut Rosado, (Spain, Cataluna), $8

Tempranillo: Rene Barbier Mediterranean Red, (Spain, Cataluna), $5
Tempranillo: Torres de Anguix "Barrica" Ribera Del Duero, (Spain, Ribera Del Duero), $10
Tempranillo: Venta Mazzaron, (Spain, Toro), $12
**Tempranillo: Venta Morales, (Spain, La Moncha), $10

Zinfandel: Bogle Vineyards Old Vine, (California, Various), $11
Zinfandel: Brazin, (California, Lodi), $16
Zinfandel: Dry Creek Heritage, (California, Sonoma), $18
Zinfandel: Gnarly Head, (California, Lodi), $9
Zinfandel: Hayman & Hill Dry Creek, (California, Sonoma), $14
Zinfandel: Rosenblum Cellars Vinter's Cuvee XXX, (California, Napa), $13
Zinfandel: Seghesio, (California, Sonoma), $24; WS Top 100

McManis Petite Sirah

Name: McManis Family Vineyards Petite Sirah
Color: Red
Varietal: Petite Sirah
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: California
Region: Various
Price: $10
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We drank the McManis Family Vineyards Viognier in March and really enjoyed it. So I had high hopes for their Petite Sirah, which happens to be one of our favorite varietals. The McManis Petite Sirah did not disappoint. We drank it last night after dinner. It was a deep purple color in the glass, and featured aromas of dark fruits. It's a big, smooth, full-bodied wine that tastes like blueberries, blackberries, and plums with a hint of chocolate on the finish. The tannins were nice - they really created a tingly, mouth puckering sensation.

I love Petite Sirahs and this one by McManis Family Vineyards is no exception. Great value, great wine.

Domaine Lenoir Macon-Villages

Name: Domaine Lenoir Les Vins Jean Claude DeBeaune
Color: White
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2009
Country/State: France
Region: Burgundy (Macon-Villages)
Price: $12
Stars: 4 (out of 5)



This is a terrific white Burgundy from the Macon-Villages region in France. It features aromas of apples, pears, and other white fruits. The taste is similar to the nose but it also has a little kick of citrus. This Chardonnay is unoaked, medium-bodied, smooth, and easy drinking. It paired nicely with a roast chicken we had for dinner. We used a bit of the wine in the sauce.

The wine was also excellent on its own. French Chardonnays continue to be among our favorite white wines.

Coppola Presents Rosso

Name: Coppola Presents Rosso
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Zinfandel/Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon)
Vintage: 2007
Country/State: California
Region: Various
Price: $8
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)


We've had this red blend from Francis Ford Coppola before and really enjoyed it. We tried it again last night with pizza and it was still very good, especially for the price. It's a medium-bodied, juicy, smooth, easy drinking, fruit forward everyday style of wine that features cherries and strawberries.

It may be that my tastes are changing (hopefully evolving), but I wasn't as impressed with this wine as I have been in the past. It's a dry wine, but the up front freshness of the fruits made it taste a bit sweeter than I like. I wish the Syrah elements were more pronounced, but as it is, this wine is still a great value that pairs well with pizza, BBQ, or similar meals.

Santa Alicia Reserva Carmenere

Name: Santa Alicia Reserva
Color: Red
Varietal: Carmenere
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Chile
Region: Maipo Valley
Price: $8
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We enjoyed the Santa Alicia Reserva Carmenere last night with pizza and were really pleased with it. This wine was very good, and we quickly finished the bottle before the kids even went to bed, which is rare for us. Usually, we manage to make a bottle last most of the night, but this one went very quickly. We've had a couple of other Carmeneres that we really liked (Tierra del Fuego and Casillero del Diablo), so it's safe to say we are now 3 for 3 with this lovely wine from Chile.

The Santa Alicia featured dark fruits and dark chocolate. It wasn't very complex, but the aromas and flavors were right on target. This is one smooth, delicious wine. The dark chocolate really came through on the mid-palate, and the finish was fairly long. The price makes it a real steal!

Crios Rosé of Malbec

Name: Crios
Color: Rosé
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2009
Country/State: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Price: $11
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

Well, this was definitely my favorite Rosé I've ever had. It was much fuller bodied than most Rosés, and was made from the Malbec grape that thrives in Argentina. This one was another wine made by Susana Balbo under her Crios label. We've had the Crios Torrontes and really enjoyed it, too.

The Crios Rosé is a brilliant, dark pink color and has a great nose of strawberries, flowers, and a bit of pepper. It was rich and spicy, dry and delicious.

This wine really restored my faith in Rosé wines. I was close to cutting them out of my life completely, but thanks to the Crios Rosé, they'll stick around for a little while longer.

Vina Borgia

Name: Vina Borgia
Color: Red
Varietal: Grenache
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Spain
Region: Campo de Borja
Price: $6
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We enjoyed this insanely low priced 100% Grenache from the Bodegas Borsao last night with dinner (pasta) and finished the bottle after the kids were bed, while we watched the Amazing Race! Bodegas Borsao is the same producer in Spain that makes the Borsao red blend we enjoyed last May.

Just like the wine we had last year, this wine was a deliciously great value, with big, dark fruits dominating the nose and taste. It was smoky, too, but the blackberry and black cherry flavors really shined through. The finish was fairly long and I picked up on a little bit of spice on the back end. Spanish reds continue to be among our favorites.

Mirassou Pinot Noir

Name: Mirassou
Color: Red
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: California
Region: Various
Price: $8
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)



We've had this bargain Pinot Noir from California before and liked it for what it is -- a nice mid-week easy drinking wine that bursts with cherry and strawberry flavors. It's not going to blow you away with its complexity, but it is very enjoyable, almost like drinking cherry pie.

We had this wine last night with some pasta, but it was best on its own. It's very smooth, juicy, and tasty.

Apothic Red

Name: Apothic Red
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot)
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: California
Region: Various
Price: $9 (on sale)
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)

The Apothic Red is a big, juicy full-bodied red blend that I drank last night on my own, and then finished tonight with Krista. This one was mostly dark berries, raspberries, chocolate and a touch of vanilla. It had a bit more sweetness than most of the wines we drink, but it wasn't enough to turn us off. It was velvety and smooth with nice firm tannins...I was really pleased with this one and would definitely buy it again.

Pine Ridge Blend

Name: Pine Ridge
Color: White
Varietal: Blend (Chenin Blanc/Viognier)
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: California
Region: Various
Price: $16
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

This was a very good wine that we enjoyed tonight with dinner (chicken and vegetables). It was our first wine made primarily from Chenin Blanc and we really liked it. It had a touch of sweetness and featured citrus, pear, and grapefruit flavors. It was a medium bodied wine and it had a fairly decent finish.

Chateau St. Michelle Pinot Gris

Name: Chateau St. Michelle
Color: White
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Washington
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $10
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We had this Pinot Gris from Chateau Ste Michelle with crab and scallops. Both were outstanding...The wine was fruity with crisp acidity and bright, juicy flavors. I picked up on primarily pear, apple, and melon flavors and aromas. It had a nice, medium body with a long, smooth finish.

Indaba Chardonnay

Name: Indaba
Color: White
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2009
Country/State: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Price: $8 (on sale)
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We had this chardonnay from South Africa tonight with crab and cheese on English muffins and grilled asparagus. The meal and the wine were similar - light, easy, and delicious.

The wine was light to medium bodied, with aromas of pineapples, pears, and honey. The taste was filled with apples, honey, citrus, and a little bit of cream. The finish was fairly long and completely enjoyable. For the price (normally around $10), the Indaba Chardonnay is a fantastic value. We continue to have great luck with wines from South Africa.

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Excelsior
Color: Red
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2006
Country/State: South Africa
Region: Various
Price: $9
Stars: 4 (out of 5)



We had this delicious little South African cab last night with homemade steak sandwiches and pasta. The dinner and the wine were terrific. The aroma is strong...It's full of juicy blackberries and black cherries. The flavor is similar, but also has a hint of dark chocolate on the mid-palate. The finish isn't incredibly long, but is still very satisfying. This wine drank very well on its own, as well. We continue to have good success with wines from South Africa, which we've really focused on lately thanks to the World Cup.

The Excelsior Cabernet is an excellent bang for your buck type wine that will please most anyone.

Domaine de la Curniere Vacqueyras

Name: Domaine de la Curniere Vacqueyras
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre)
Vintage: 2006
Country/State: France
Region: Vacqueyras
Price: $17
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

I love red blends from the Vacqueyras region in the southern Rhone Valley!! The Domaine de la Curniere is a Grenache dominated blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre. It's a little light in the aroma, but it's big and filling in the mouth. It has great acidity and big dark fruit flavors. It has a nice long finish and the spiciness that I expect to find in a southern Rhone red. Nothing complex, but very good.

Dombeya Amalgam

Name: Dombeya Amalgam
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot)
Vintage: 2004
Country/State: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Price: $17
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We enjoyed this red blend last night with BBQ chicken fajitas. It's another South African wine that I bought recently, and it's another winner. This wine is big and juicy, but very smooth and easy drinking. The aroma is mostly red berries. The dominant taste is red and black berries, with a little bit of spice and earth.

Aveleda Fonte Vinho Verde

Name: Aveleda Fonte Vinho Verde
Color: White
Varietal: Blend (Trajadura/Loureiro/Arinto/Azal)
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Portugal
Region: Vinho Verde
Price: $8
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

I picked up this bottle of Vinho Verde to use last night in a recipe for steamed mussels. We drank the wine with the meal and finished it after dinner. We both really liked this one with the dinner and on its own.

It's a clear, pale color in the glass, and it gives off a slight fizz when you first open and pour it, but that goes away almost immediately. The nose is rather slight, just some citrus and apple aromas. The taste is primarily green apples, lemon, lime, and orange...The Aveleda Fonte is very fresh, fruity, light, and refreshing. It's an almost perfect summer wine and is terrific on its own and with light seafood dishes.

Peter Lehmann Clancy's Red

Name: Peter Lehmann Clancy's Red
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
Vintage: 2005
Country/State: Australia
Region: Barossa
Price: $12
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We've had this wine before and really liked it. It's a great blend of Shiraz, Cab, and Merlot with big, bold red and black fruit aromas and taste. It's also a touch peppery and spicy. I've found that this one really mellows and becomes even more smooth after sitting for a couple of hours. It was really nice on the second night.

We drank this last night with a rotisserie chicken and then again after dinner on its own. It's very good....smooth, soft, and delicious. It would be terrific with BBQ.

Domaine Roger Luquet Clos de Condemine

Name: Domaine Roger Luquet Clos de Condemine
Color: White
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: France
Region: Burgundy (Macon-Villages)
Price: $15
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We had this terrific French white last night with dinner (fish and pasta)...The wine went well with dinner and was great on its own. There wasn't much going on in the nose -- mostly pear and green apple. The taste was similar to the nose, but its great minerality and clean crispness made it very enjoyable. We continue to have good luck with French whites.

Guardian Peak Frontier Red

Name: Guardian Peak Frontier Red
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot)
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Price: $18
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)

We first tasted this South African red blend several months ago at The Grape restaurant/wine store at International Plaza in Tampa. It was one of 3 South African reds that we tasted as part of a flight. We liked all three very much, but haven't seen any of them at our usual wine stores. Since Krista particularly liked these wines, I headed back to the restaurant's retail store to pick up a bottle for Mother's Day. This was the only one of the three that the small shop still stocks, so I bought it and we drank it on Sunday with cheeseburgers that I grilled, along with some fresh vegetables.

The Guardian Peak Frontier Red was excellent. It had a nice nose of dark berries and smoky chocolate. The taste was primarily blackberries, black cherries, coffee, and chocolate. It had a medium-plus feel in the mouth and a long finish. Apparently, this wine is made by a partnership in South Africa that includes golfer Ernie Els.

With the World Cup starting next month in South Africa, Krista and I plan on drinking several South African wines this summer. We've had good luck so far.

Tierra del Fuego Carmenere

Name: Tierra del Fuego Reserva
Color: Red
Varietal: Carmenere
Vintage: 2006
Country/State: Chile
Region: Maule Valley
Price: $15
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)


We had the Tierra del Fuego Carmenere last night with a dinner of grilled chicken sandwiches (from a Bobby Flay recipe) and pasta. We bought this wine at a little wine store in St. Augustine when Krista and I spent a couple of days there in December for our anniversary. The wine was highly recommended by the store owner and since we both love Carmenere, we were excited to try it.

This wine was right in our comfort zone -- it was big and bold with dark fruit, chocolate, and coffee. It had nice big tannins and a weighty feel in the mouth. We poured it through the Vinturi to get some air into the wine quickly and to tame some of the oak.

We really liked this one. You can't really go wrong with a good Carmenere from Chile.

Kung Fu Girl Riesling

Name: Kung Fu Girl
Color: White
Varietal: Riesling
Vintage: 2009
Country/State: Washington
Region: Columbia Valley
Price: $15
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)

We've been trying to buy the Kung Fu Girl Riesling for many weeks, but it's been sold out due to high demand. I can see why. Krista and I both loved this wine...We drank it last night with grilled fish and pasta. This wine is extremely tasty, with bright citrus notes, a nice peach/pear aroma and taste, and excellent acidity. It had a touch of sweetness, but not the over the top sugar that some Rieslings are known for.

I can't imagine someone not liking this wine. (The picture is from the 2008 vintage, but we had the 2009).

This wine was scored 89 points by Wine Enthusiast, for those that care.

Rene Barbier Mediterranean White

Name: Rene Barbier Mediterranean White
Color: White
Varietal: Blend (Xarello/Macabeo/Parellada)
Vintage: NV
Country/State: Spain
Region: Various
Price: $5
Stars: 3 (out of 5)

Many people rave about this wine as being an amazing value. It's true that the price is great - just $5...but the wine left something to be desired. It wasn't terrible, but to me it tasted like a really cheap Chardonnay. Krista wasn't as kind, saying it reminded her of White Zinfandel. We drank it pretty well chilled, so there wasn't much going on in the nose. The taste was primarily green apple, melon, and citrus. It was very easy drinking, but didn't really bring much to the table to get excited about.

Overall, it just didn't live up to the great reviews.

Bodegas Atteca Old Vines

Name: Bodegas Atteca Old Vines
Color: Red
Varietal: Garnacha
Vintage: 2007
Country/State: Spain
Region: Calatayud
Price: $16
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


We had the Atteca Old Vines Garnacha tonight with dinner (steaks on the grill, with mushrooms and onions). It was very good. I had this wine previously at a restaurant in St. Augustine, and I was anxious to try it again.

The wine features big red and black berry aromas and flavors. It's juicy and round and was excellent with the steaks and on its own. It had a bit of a smoky quality, too, which I really liked. I am a big fan of Garnacha from Spain, and this wine does not disappoint. It's terrific, although at $16, probably not a great value. There are several Spanish reds, either Garnacha or Garnacha/Tempranillo blends, that are excellent but a few dollars cheaper.

Martin Codax Albarino

Name: Martin Codax
Color: White
Varietal: Albarino
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Spain
Region: Rias Baixas
Price: $12
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

I had a couple of glasses of the Martin Codax Albarino last night with dinner (Greek food)...We also mixed some in the Sangria we made, and it really turned out nicely

On its own, this wine is very good -- I thought is was better than the 2007. On the nose, I got honey, peaches, and pears. The taste was similar to the nose, with some melon as well. I love the weighty feel of this Albarino and the crisp acidity. Definitely one of my favorite Spanish white wines.

Sangre de Toro Red Wine

Name: Sangre de Toro
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Garnacha/Carinena)
Vintage: 2006
Country/State: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Price: $9
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)

I had a glass of the Sangre de Toro last night, although we used most of the bottle to make Sangria, which we enjoyed with dinner (Greek food)...This wine is a great base for Sangria. We added a bit of the Martin Codax Albarino to the mix, and the red and white wines worked well together in the Sangria.

On its own, the Sangre de Toro was pretty good with a nice, medium body. It was dominated by dark red fruits, but was also a bit earthy, which I really like. A decent wine for the price, although there are several Spanish reds in the $10 range that I like more.

Coastline Cabernet Sauvignon

Name: Coastline Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: Red
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2007
Country/State: California
Region: Paso Robles
Price: $9
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We drank the Coastline Cabernet Sauvignon last night after dinner and were very pleased with how good it was for the price (less than $10). After a busy Saturday of going to Jackson's football game in the morning and doing lots of yard work, it was nice to kick back, watch a movie, and pop the cork on this nice medium-bodied, smooth Paso Robles Cab. Good nose and taste...mostly dark berries and raspberries. A little bit of chocolate came through in the mouth, which I really liked.

This Coastline Cabernet is an excellent value and a great everyday type of wine.

Alamos Torrontes

Name: Alamos Torrontes
Color: White
Varietal: Torrontes
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Argentina
Region: Salta
Price: $10
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)

We enjoyed the Alamos Torrontes last night with Krista's recipe for "chicken Bryan". It was very good, but I remember liking the last Torrontes we had better (from Crios). This bottle was fresh and easy drinking, with a nose of peach and citrus. The taste was similar to the nose, with a little more lemon lime citrus notes coming through. It was well balanced with good acidity.

For $10, there are lots of choices in the South American white wine aisle. The Alamos Torrontes was good, but I wouldn't rush out to buy it again.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir

Name: Castle Rock Pinot Noir
Color: Red
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: California
Region: Mendocino County
Price: $12
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We had the Castle Rock Pinot Noir earlier this week with teriyaki grilled chicken and pasta. It is often recommended as a tremendous value, and I completely agree. We both enjoyed it quite a bit. It's a bit darker and more medium bodied than a lot of Pinot Noirs we've had recently, so that probably helps explain one of the reasons we liked it so much.

The nose is great, with big dark red fruit flavors and a hint of oak. The taste is dominated by strawberry and raspberry. It's a very silky smooth wine, with a nice, long finish. I highly recommend the Castle Rock Mendocino Pinot Noir and will definitely buy more in the future.

Castle Rock is a "virtual" winery that sources its grapes from throughout the West coast. All of the grapes from this wine came from Mendocino County in northern California.

Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet

Name: Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet
Color: White
Varietal: Picpoul
Vintage: 2009
Country/State: France
Region: Languedoc
Price: $10
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)

We had our second bottle of Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet tonight with shrimp scampi with pasta in a butter garlic sauce. It was still very good and we enjoyed it very much. We had the 2007 vintage in October, while the wine last night was from 2009.

This wine is an outstanding value and is fresh and delicious. It has a nose of lemon, lime, citrus, peach, and green apple. The taste is similar to the nose with a medium body, nice acidity, and a decent finish. It went very well with the shrimp and is also very easy to drink on its own....It's one of our favorite white wines.

McManis Viognier

Name: McManis Family Vineyards
Color: White
Varietal: Viognier
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: California
Region: Central Valley
Price: $11
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We enjoyed the McManis Viognier last night with tilapia stuffed with crab meat and some garlic cous cous with black beans. The wine was very good with the meal and on its own. It had a golden straw color and aromas of peaches and apricots. It had a nice medium bodied mouthfeel, with good acidity. The flavor was mostly apple, peach, pear, and citrus. Very clean, crisp, and refreshing.

We've had good success with several Viogniers recently, and the McManis Family Vineyards was no exception. Highly recommended.

We also have a bottle of their Petite Sirah that I can't wait to try.

Domaine Mas du Bouquet Vacqueyras

Name: Domaine Mas du Bouquet Vacqueyras
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre)
Vintage: 2006
Country/State: France
Region: Vacqueyras
Price: $13
Stars: 4 (out of 5)


After having had great success with the Pierre Amadieu Vacqueyras back in August, I picked up a couple of other wines from this region in the Southern Rhone Valley on my last trip to Total Wine. We both really enjoyed this wine from Domaine Mas du Bouquet. It was full of fruit, but had some earthy spiciness to it. The body was medium, with a nose of blackberry and strawberry. It was very good, but I remember liking the Pierre Amadieu "La Grangeliere" Vacqueyras a little better.

We drank this wine last night with flank steak served over potatoes. Both the meal and the wine were terrific.

Antinori Santa Cristina Red

Name: Antinori Santa Cristina
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Sangiovese/Merlot)
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Price: $6 (on sale)
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)

This is a wine that I frequently see recommended as a good pizza wine. That's exactly what we had with it last night. The color was ruby red, with some purple highlights. The nose was dominated by red fruit. It's pretty light bodied and easy drinking, with flavors of soft red berries. It is probably a bit lighter that we generally prefer, but it did go well with the flavors in the pizza.

The Santa Cristina is primarily Sangiovese, with 10% Merlot.

Kaiken Malbec

Name: Kaiken
Color: Red
Varietal: Malbec
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Price: $11
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We had this Malbec from Argentina last night with a delicious chicken pasta
dish that Krista made for the first time.

The wine was excellent. Krista had it before at a restaurant and really liked it, so I added it to my list. I'm glad I did. It had a nice medium to full body and seemed a bit bigger and bolder than many of the Malbecs we've had in the past. It was juicy, with blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, and it had a peppery spiciness that we both enjoyed very much. The wine went well with the meal and was also terrific on its own. At $11, it's a tremendous value.

I highly recommend the Kaiken Malbec...Kaiken also has a slightly higher priced (about $16) "Ultra" Malbec that I really want to try.

La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Luberon

Name: La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Luberon
Color: White
Varietal: Blend (Grenache Blanc/Bourboulenc/Ugni Blanc/Roussanne)
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: France
Region: Rhone Valley
Price: $7
Stars: 3.5 (out of 5)



We had the white version of La Vieille Ferme tonight with pasta. We've had it before and always enjoy it. It's nothing fancy; just a good, solid, reliable, and affordable white blend from the Rhone Valley. It's a tremendous value, goes well with any number of dishes, and also drinks well on its own. The flavor is mostly apples, pears, and pineapples. It has a medium body and a decent finish.

d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie

Name: d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie
Color: Red
Varietal: Blend (Shiraz/Viognier)
Vintage: 2006
Country/State: Australia
Region: McLaren Valley
Price: $25
Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)

We had the Laughing Magpie by d'Arenberg last night with homemade "chicken Bryan", the Carrabba's dish that Krista had a recipe for. The chicken was terrific, grilled with goat cheese and a tasty white wine butter sauce.

The wine was excellent. My uncle bought this bottle for me for my birthday last year and we managed to hold on to it all year. So when my birthday rolled around this year, I decided to pop the cork. It's a blend of Shiraz (95%) and a dash of Viognier (5%). It consistently receives high scores from the Stephen Tanzers and Robert Parkers of the world, and the 2006 was no exception. It's a full-bodied wine with aromas of red and dark berries. The flavors are bursting with blackberries, blueberries, and a cherries, with a hint of chocolate at the long finish. It was delicious, and I can't wait to drink it again.

One note - this was the first wine we've drunk with the aid of my new Vinturi wine aerator, which I received as a birthday present from Krista and the boys. I didn't do a real side by side test, with and without the Vinturi, but I was impressed with the smoothness of the wine. The owner of my favorite local wine store highly recommended it (the aerator), and I'm happy to have one of my own!

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Name: Kim Crawford
Color: White
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Price: $13
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We had this bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand last night with grilled mahi filets. We've had it before and really enjoy it. It's crisp, clean, and refreshing. The 2008 vintage that we had last night was not quite as bracingly acidic as I remember the 2007 being.

The Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc is often rated as a Top 100 value by Wine Spectator, and the 2008 was no exception. It was very good, with a nose of tropical fruits and grass. I tasted grapefruit, tropical fruit, and pear. It paired well with the fish and also was very good on its own.

Chardonnay - Blind Tasting

For Valentine's Day, Krista came up with the idea to do a blind tasting of a few bottles of one type of wine. After debating between several ideas like Sirah/Shiraz, Southern Rhone reds, Petite Sirah, and others, I decided to start with Chardonnay. Not for any real reason other than the fact that Chardonnay is grown all over the world and made in many different varieties. Most of the Chardonnay we prefer is unoaked or at the most, lightly oaked.

I settled on 4 bottles - two from California, one from France, and one from Chile. Here's the line-up:

• Four Vines Naked Chardonnay, (California, Santa Barbara County), 2008, $13
• Michel Dutour "La Roche" Pouilly-Fuisse, (France, Pouilly-Fuisse), 2006, $16
• Cono Sur Chardonnay, (Chile, Central Valley), 2009, $9
• Kunde Estate Chardonnay, (California, Sonoma), 2006, $12

I bagged the bottles, then Krista mixed them up and numbered them:



We sampled each of the wines over the course of the night with cheese, bread, and crackers...



Our notes on the 4 bottles:

#1 - the color of this wine was the most pale of any of the four; it had a nice medium body with aromas and flavors of apples, pears, and citrus...tart...fruit forward, very tasty

#2 - also pale, clear...very limited nose, but extremely nice in the mouth...lemony, very smooth with a very long finish

#3 - similar to #1 in aroma and taste...green apple flavors, tart...refreshing acidity...a little lighter bodied than #1

#4 - sort of like a combination of #2 and #3...lemons, citrus, more on the nose than #2...stronger acidity and a little grassy

_________________________________________________________________

Krista and I both enjoyed all 4 wines very much. There were no clunkers in the bunch. However, we both agreed that #2 stood out as our favorite, followed closely by #1.

It turns out that the winner was the French Chardonnay, Michel Dutour "La Roche" Pouilly-Fuisse. The runner-up was the wine from Chile made by Cono Sur. There was a slight drop-off after these two, meaning that the two Chardonnays from California were our 3rd and 4th favorites from the group.

We had a lot of fun with our little blind tasting and can't wait to do it again with a different batch of wines!!