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.