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.