Vina La Reserva De Caliboro-Erasmo-Unfiltered Red Wine-Maule Valley-Chile-2004-$16.92-A nose of dark fruit, dark amber in color.  Blackberry, black currants, cherries, vanilla, full bodied, very dry, a big tart.  Second time I have tried in last few months,  similar result.      RP-91            WS-87            WE-88              CR-4               Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

Swanson Vineyards-Merlot-Oakville-Napa Valley-California-2005-$20.99-A spicy nose of dark fruit, dark in color.  Cherry, toasty vanilla notes,  red currants, and Asian spice.   A smooth enjoyable Merlot, I had not drank a Merlot for some time and so I am glad I tried this one.   Second time I have tried this year, a solid wine.                WS-87          CR-4.5          Good with chicken, steak, pasta. 

Ketcham Estate Winery-Pinot Noir-Russian River Valley-California-2007-$35.00-A nose of currants and spice, dark amber in color.  A full bodied Pinot, smooth, currants, red berries, some earth and spice, an enjoyable wine.                        WS-88                  CR-4-4.5                   Good with chicken, salads, cheese.

Tulip Hill Winery-Cellar Select-Cabernet Sauvignon-Tracy Hills-Mount Oso Vineyard-California-$12.75-A nose of musty dark fruit, dark amber in color.  A rather harsh Cab, currants, red berries, but not smooch, hard finish.                   NR                 CR-3                  Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Chateau Beauchene-Premier Terroir-Cotes Du Rhone-Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre-2007-$12.23-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark amber in color.  A medium to full bodied blend, raspberry, currant, cherry, earth and pepper, a good value.              NR                  CR-4                Good with chicken, cheese, pasta.

Three Wine Company-Petite Sirah-Contra Costa County-California-2008-$19.00-A nose of dark fruit and spice, black purple in color.  A full bodied big red, smooth,  blackberry, blueberry, spice, a good mouth feel, long finish.                    NR                 CR-4-4.5                 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Robert Talbott Vineyards-Logan-Chardonnay-Monterey County-California-2007-$14.98-A nose of citrus fruit, bright yellow in color.  A smooth full bodied Chard, apple, lemon, pineapple with creamy oak, good acidity.                     WS-89                 WE-84                  CR-4-4.5             Good with seafood, chicken, salads.

Quixote Winery-Cabernet Sauvignon-Stag’s Leap Ranch-Napa Valley-California-2001-$35.00-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A smooth, rich Cab, blackberry, currants,  some dusty earth, spice, a bit past it’s peak but a very good wine.                 WS-89               CR-4.5              Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

R Wines-Marquis-Philips-Cabernet Sauvignon-McLaren Vale-Australia-2008-$11.21-A nose of sweet dark fruit, dark purple in color.  A full bodied tasty red, black currants, blackberry, licorice and spice, a very good value.                  RP-90                CR-4-4.5                Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Peirano Estate Vineyards-Six Clones-Merlot-The Heritage Collection-Lodi-California-2007-$10.99-A nose of rustic dark fruit, dark black in color.  A bit rough, full bodied, blackberry, cherry, some chocolate, usually better QPR for this winery.                   WS-79             WE-84               CR-3.5               Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

Anam Cara Cellars-Nicholas Estate Reserve-Pinot Noir-Chehalem Mountains-Oregon-2006-$29.92-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark amber in color, darker than most Pinot’s.   Blackberry, cherries, medium to full bodied, smooth with smoke and spice finish, a very good Pinot.                 RP-90             WS-91             WE-90                 CR-4.5                 Good with veal, chicken, pasta.

Trentadue Winery-La Storia-Zinfandel-Alexander Valley Estate-California-2006-$17.98-A big rich nose of plum and spice, dark black purple in color.  A full bodied big rich Zin, plum, blackberry, spice and sage, a good value.    Second time I have tried in last couple months, a solid Zin.          RP-90                 WS-86               WE-84                 CR-4-4.5                Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Altamura Vineyards & Winery-Cabernet Sauvignon-Napa Valley-California-2002-$65.00-A nose of dark fruit, a classic Cab aroma, dark amber in color.   A smooth, delicious full bodied Cab, black currants, berries, chocolate, great mouth feel and long long finish.   Decant for two hours, a classic wine.                       RP-92                  WS-89                 CR-5                   Good with steak, chicken, pasta.

The Hess Collection Winery-Chronos-Chardonnay-Napa Valley-2008-$15.99-A nose of citrus and spice, medium yellow in color.  An average Chard, citrus, lemon, orange peel, acidic and a bit hot.              NR               CR-3-3.5                     Good with seafood, cheeses, salads.      

Fulcrum Wines-On Point-Pinot Noir-Santa Lucia Highlands-California-2008-$28.00-A nose of dark ripe fruit and spice, medium dark amber in color. A smooth and elegant Pinot, dark cherry, cola and spice, some earth, good finish, a solid wine that drinks like a $50 Pinot Noir.             NR           CR-4.5              Good with seafood, chicken, pasta.

Montirius-Gigondas-Terre Des Aines-Grenache-Mourvedre-France-2005-$22.22-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark purple in color.  A smooth full bodied rich blend, blueberry, plum, fig, crushed rocks and spiced cola, a enjoyable wine.                  WS-91               WE-90               CR-4.5              Good with meats, chicken, pasta.     

Flora Springs-Chardonnay-Napa Valley-California-2008-$12.23-A nose of citrus, medium yellow in color.  A average Chard, some citrus, lemon, acidity and oak, nothing memorable.           NR           CR-3-3.5              Good with seafood, cheese, salads.

Bruce Wayne Winery-Ella’s Blend-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc-Napa Valley-California-2007-$11.99-A nose of ripe dark fruit, black purple in color.   A big full bodied Merlot blend on steroids, blackberry, black cherry, plum, with some chocolate, a very good midweek wine or for a BBQ.              NR                CR-4                  Good with ribs, chicken, pasta.

Marchesi De Frescobaldi-Nipozzano-Riserva-Chianti Rufina-Sangiovese-Italy-2005-$18.99-A nose of plums, dark ruby in color.  A smooth, food friendly red, plum, medium bodied, some chocolate, spice, elegant, a very good value.               RP-89                 WS-90 (#76 Top 100 2008)               WE-89                CR-4.5                   Good with veal, chicken, pasta.

Andrew Rich Wines-Pinot Noir-Willamette Valley-Oregon-2006-$19.99-A rich classic Pinot nose of spice and cherry, perfect Pinot ruby color.  A smooth, rich flavors of cherry, plum with nice acidity and decent finish.  Did not enjoy as much as the first time I tried a couple months ago.           RP-90            WS-90            CR-4         Good with seafood, cheese, salads.