Posted on 08 September 2010
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.
Posted on 07 September 2010
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.
Posted on 06 September 2010
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.
Posted on 01 September 2010
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.
Posted on 31 August 2010
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.
Posted on 25 August 2010
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.
Posted on 23 August 2010
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.
Posted on 22 August 2010
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.
Posted on 22 August 2010
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.
Posted on 21 August 2010
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.