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